Day 10. 2 Weeks completed!!
A good period of Rhody bashing again this morning although it was rather lonely at Jubilee Wood.
I forget to let you know yesterday that with a heavy heart I have decided to retire my 13 year old Border Collie Georgie. She loves the walking and the mountains and has been on every walk or climb up a mountain that I have undertaken while at home (wherever that may have been) in the last 12.5 years. Georgie was a rescue dog at 6 months old in Canada acquired when working out there and has been part of the family ever since travelling around the country with us and even did a year in the Falkland Islands. But on the 9 miler on Day 7 her back legs went right at the end. She made it up the hill to Jubilee wood with a wagging tail on Day 8 but was very slow on the way back. All was clear. She was getting too old and would now be restricted to two shorter walks a day.
I missed her yesterday on the 10 miler although I have to say that it was nice not having to pick up after her (it does warm the hands somewhat in the winter months though!!) but it was a lonely place in Jubilee wood without her too. A sad day for me but she was much more comfortable on the walk just now and perfectly happy.
On a more positive note I was really struggling to get the brain in to gear today to try and perfect another organ tune for you. It took me most of the afternoon on the piano and still wasn’t right. But this is absolutely what part of the challenge is about – getting the back up generator built in the left side of the brain and that in my mind means that I have to persevere when the brain is tired and slow. Force the brain to find a way.
Eventually it was time to cook tea to get Heather away for her dancing lesson on time and decided to cook Crusty Cod from Jamie Oliver’s 30 minute meals cookbook.
1 and 1/2 hours later tea still was only nearly ready!! It was fiddly and the kitchen was quite a sight by the time I finished but again I managed to work a tired brain around a really complex multi layered task. However 2 hours later it was ready and tasted mighty fine being packed full of really good stuff like broccoli and peas and cod and tomatoes and garlic and basil and a continuing huge list of ingredients. 30 minutes? nowhere near but great nonetheless.
After tea James and I wandered down to Church and had a go at O Sacred Head Cantabile by Flor Peeters. And another go. And another go. And another go……… until eventually my very patient son managed to capture the attempt below. We had succeeded in learning and performing the tune albeit not perfectly but well enough. Very happy!!
A good day but after all that physical and mental exertion and after little sleep last night I am now exhausted!! Good night and have a great weekend.
The challenge in numbers total since the start:
Days completed: 10
Total Miles Cycled: 12
Total Miles Walked: 45
Total Miles covered under own steam: 57
Total Height Gained under own steam: 3,061 feet
Mountains Climbed: 1
Days of Conservation Activity: 1
Organ tunes learnt and performed: 4
People Met and Hands Shaken: 29
Pills popped: 56
Numbers continue to grow slowly!!
If you see me around do please give a cheery hello and shake my hand or toot your horn and give a cheery wave to show your support and encourage me on.
Thank you all for your incredible comments and support. Please continue to spread the word.
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Thank you
Yours aye
Archie