Still alive...

...bloody hell, adulting is hard work. The global pandemic has been and almost gone. I got hit by the thing 3 times (or more) and still haven't bounced back properly. Even ended up (what a faff) in the back of an ambulance last wee (while at work) when a Doc's app/111 phone call got way out of control. Still waiting for the actual Doc to call me about the entire thing.

Anyway, as I said.....I'm still adulting along. The boys are growing-up far too quickly and are combining to be quite a force. 

Like many things in our life, the summer was a cracking adventure but even that didn't run smoothly. Car and van issues meant we had to be very flexible about how we summered but we are now owners of a scandi-canvas tent and kit. Heavy to travel with but we also now have a trailer. Betty cavan is currently in the driveway still, waiting for the slowest mechanic in the world to work out of she can be repaired.

Both boys are in school and apart from the occasional scrape or strop, they're doing pretty well.

Work is hard work but doable. Using 'hanging-on-in-there' as a reason to allow me to change my motorbike. I'm currently switching from a Triumph Street Triple R to a KTM Duke 890R. Not a huge power difference but the way it puts it out is sooooooooo different.

Little sis still has cancer and now my ol' mum is in a 'home'. To be fair, most of the folk who were involved in her rapid decline are amazed she still hanging about.

So.....I'm still here (just about😅) and if I can get my fitness/health back to close to 100%, then I'll be doing the Blenheim Triathlon in 2024.

 

Growing up & getting older....

Life is good but it's definitely having its ups and downs this year. Mentally, things are good but my body is taking a bloody good beating. Sport, motorbike crashes and possibly age are taking their toll.

Outside of our little family unit, it was a very sad day when Jojo (possibly Ls closest friend) lost her battle with cancer. We all know cancer can be a right ol' fucker. My mum, dad and now little sis have all had it or still have it and are taking the fight to the c*nt but you losing Jojo the other month was a proper kick in the metaphorical nuts for L. 

As friends we don't see enough of one another. Growing up gets in the way and we just don't have the time to make those important physical contacts. Then, when you lose someone (as I still feel about my dad), you feel guilty for not spending enough time with them and only then realising you had so many more questions for them.

Jojo and L taking their foamies down to the surf.....neither of them were any good but they had a blast trying, only eventually to leave them on the sand and just splash about like kids.

In Between injuries, I have actually made some progress with my wakeboarding. A ripped rotator-cuff and then a motorbike crash have taken their toll.

Can't even pop to the shops now, without the Weedude wanting to 'help'.

Playgroup (or whatever it's called) is now a thing and the boy loves it.

One Easter Egg hunt and he was addicted. Every time friends came around, we had to recycle and hide the same eggs - at least it reduced the amount of chocolate he consumed. 

Bumble-bee is no more. Took a spill and killed off the poor machine. With grown-up things getting in the way, I think it'll be a few years until I'm allowed to buy a replacement.

Visiting a Didcot Steam Day was very exciting by all accounts.

Pizza time.

He always needs friends (dinosaurs on this occasion) to share his bathtime.

Getting a new mountain bike and so was checking my kit. I forgot how hard I have hit the ground on occasions.

Syncing-up for the Blenheim Tri.

Kiddies weren't technically allowed in the transition area but the Weedude was oddly allowed in on my shoulders. He gave my bike a quick once-over.

My my best time (slowest for a while) but considering I'd written-off my motorbike a week earlier, I'm ok with it.

It's all about the adventure with the boy at the moment. Either on his own, with Ted (the dog) or with friends.

After a tiring day, a snuggle and a read on my Voit blanket.

She might be old and a tad tatty but already she's been a great little alternative to camping. Unfolding and setting her up takes a couple of minutes - even in the midst of a storm. The Weedude loves 'Kitty' as if she was a member of the family. Explaining to him that it's not his own play-house is sometimes a problem.