Looking at the Big Sky

 And the way that the lights of London twinkle over the Epsom Downs. Life's good, sometimes. 

I'm lucky in so many ways, but geography is definitely one of them: this is a great place to be. that sense of elevation (which happens in so many places, in Surrey) gives me a massive buzz. I love getting in the car and driving over the top of the Downs, past the racecourse, watching the whole of the city lie sprawling beneath me. 

There's a winter chill in the air, too. I think there's a cold snap coming. 

Col D'Aspin

 

Well, that's what it looks like IRL, of course - and I was on the trainer, the whole time - but, even so; what a wonderful way to while away an hour. 

Or, a bit less. I actually hammered up there in about 43 minutes, took two and a half minutes of my previous time, and spent 40% of my time in Zone 5. I'm not sure how I didn't actually explode.

Today - a good day though. After dropping Milo off at school, we headed over to Wisley, to buy Xmas gifts, and a wreath for the front door. After that, some chores (old clothes to the charity shop) and a visit to Ashtead Garden Centre for a light lunch. Despite the appalling weather (storm Barra) it's been a good 'un. And I'm fully intending to wrap the day up by reading some more of "London Belongs To Me", which I've become obsessed with. What an incredible book! I do love reading - it's difficult to find books that replace the ease of just nibbling about on the 'net, but when I find one, I tend to hold onto it, as tight as possible. The same thing happened with Murakami. 

Ho Ho Ho

 It actually felt a bit Christmassy today, waking up to a dusting of snow. Plus, the preparations have started, the advent calendars are being opened, etc. It'll all ramp up, from here on in. 

My week on the trainer has continued apace, with a LOT of hills. Since Sunday, I've done 2300 metres of elevation. I've decided not to focus so much on distance - just want to get climbing. That's an area where the smart trainer excels. Doing more than an hour or so is a bit of a chore, so it makes sense for that hour to be as intense as possible. It has made me rethink a lot of things - chiefly, how small a lot of the hills I ride in the real world actually are. In the past few days, I've done climbs which are - say - ten kilometres long, climbing all that way, at an average of seven, to eight per cent. That's akin to doing something like Box Hill, except it doesn't stop at the top, it keeps going, for another three or four times.

I'm hoping it gives me some increased stamina, come the start of next season!

Back to it

 I'd taken a day off, yesterday. For some reason, I was absolutely exhausted, my legs didn't feel up to anything, so I sat it out. Today - time to hop back onto the trainer. The photo above is what I see when I'm out on a ride - that's a tablet, so it's not the biggest screen, but it really doesn't matter, too much. For the first week, or so, the tablet had issues, and I was forced to use a phone, instead. To be honest, it wasn't that much of a difference. You just move the screen closer to you, and it fills your field of vision in much the same way. But, with the tablet, you can see all the stars in detail - this is hugely important, as any cyclist worth their salt will tell you.

Looking at that - 300-ish calories, about half an hour in. That's OK - it's 900 an hour if I'm on a smashfest, or about 400 if I'm pootling. 172 bpm heart rate: well, I'm going up a mountain, so that figures. The average speed is about 18km/h, which is good, and I'm putting out an average of 211 watts. Again, fairly decent. 

But the best thing about all of this is that I'm inside, heading up a mountain, in the Spanish sunshine. The weather here has been awful - cold, wet, dank. Tonight will be worse, by all accounts, as storm Arwen rolls in. All of this means I'm back on the trainer tomorrow. 

Tonight, I'm relaxing, and hunkering down. I think there will be some snow, overnight. Time to get warm.

A widescreen day

 That's how it felt, to be out on a bike today, in the Surrey Hills, on a crisp November morning. Leaves turning a thousand different colours, the sun fighting through the clouds, a gentle breeze, and a crispness in the air that left your face tingling. Above is a slightly wider shot to the one I posted on my Facebook feed. You can see across the road, from where I'm perched atop my Trek Domane, lord of all I survey.

So, that's Box Hill, and after this shot, I turned around, and headed back down, from whence I came. Then, over the main road, past Westhumble Station, and off to Ranmore Common Road (see my post below!) and then up Chapel Lane (Bagden Hill) That's a proper climb - short, and very sharp. Perfect. 

After the briefest of turnarounds, we decided to pop into town, for lunch. Pizza Express - which means I can check out their new Vegan menu- the Jackfruit Pepperoni was absolutely wonderful, and was washed down with an Acqua Panna; the most fantastic mineral water in the world. Life's good, today.

It's the mornings I love the most.

I'm sitting here, at the kitchen table, after a bowl of rice and egg, with a coconut green tea beside me. The house is quiet, the skies empty of planes. It's going to be a sunny, warm (possibly HOT) day today, and you can feel that from the sky already. The birds are singing, and there's dew on the grass. I'm about to feel what that dew is like - I reckon it's time to go out and water the garden. Yesterday I finally managed to give the lawn its first "proper" cut of the year, and sorted out some of the pots. The beds - sadly - that's a different story. They'll have to wait a little while longer.
But, there's Parsley, and Thyme, and Mint to water, alongside a new Sweet Bay. There are Strawberry plants, some lavender, and perhaps most exciting, a tiny Sunflower that Milo grew in class. It arrived home in a tiny cardboard pot, no more than an inch tall. It was summarily transplanted to a lager plant pot, on the kitchen windowsill for a week or two, and now it's time has come to venture out into the big wide world. It's in a large pot on the patio - rather dwarfed by it's surroundings. I'm looking forward to seeing if it can thrive.

Stormy.

It's blowy, squally, and downright horrid out there. Marnie has her bikeability lesson today, which the school are adamant will NOT be changed, bad weather or not. Sheesh.
I've had a haircut (holiday trim - in time for Edinburgh!) and am not settling down to do some admin.

I'm also listening to a lot of tunes that Hall Blaine played on, as he's just passed away. RIP, to one of the greatest - if not THE greatest, ever. I could listen to him, all day long. This clip really sums up why: the song isn't really that remarkable, at all, but it's Blaine's beautifully poised, swinging beats, that lift it into the realm of sheer magic.

Stormy Weather.

I'm not sure if it's a hurricane, or a tropical storm. Or a winter storm. Actually, I think it's "Storm Katie". Whatever, it's battering at the windows, as I sit typing this. I've always loved sitting watching the rain, through the garden windows. I did it a lot as a kid, and I still do it now. It's the juxtaposition, isn't it? Between chaos and calm, warmth, and cold. Wet and dry. To experience both states, at once, sort of.
The long Easter weekend continues, but with slightly less tantrums today. That's a blessed relief, let me tell you. And we get to cap it all off with a night out. We're off to the Caballo Lounge in Epsom, with Clare & Damien. Not sure whether I'll have Tapas (which I did before) or head off into the outer reaches of the menu. As long as I have my weekly drink with it, I guess I'll be OK.
Starting to think about my next DJ stint, which is at the BFLF gig in Hackney. My head's full of breakbeat hardcore, as I think what to play. No bad thing, I guess.

Another day

Sitting in the kitchen, breakfast finished. Kids getting dressed upstairs, so I'm grabbing a couple of minutes to update the blog. Thursdays are always busy - Milo is not in nursery, so we're off to the creche, after we've dropped Philippa at the station, and Marnie at school. Then there's Rainbows in the afternoon, and on top of everything else, it's world book day, so costumes are being worn.
I'm hoping it's a slightly better day than yesterday, weather-wise. We somehow managed to get caught in an insane hailstorm yesterday, and my trusty Spiewak Parka had to be deployed, as it was so bitterly cold.
And there was me, thinking that spring was on the way.

Lager, under threatening skies.

It's one of those odd spring days, today. The skies were clear an hour ago, and now are full of rain, the fat drops just beginning to smack onto the patio. I've just been out to check on the garden - crikey, it's looking good. The Roses are now budding, the lavender is rich and green. The Santolina is fluffy and yellow, the macrophylla a mass of tiny flowers. I'd not really been much of a gardener until I moved here, but it's become a huge part of who I am. I'm going to celebrate with a glass of beer while I cook dinner.

Autumn rain.

Sitting here in the playroom, as Milo shouts and screams and plays with his little baby computer. He's become so much more vocal over the last week or so - and more animated too: he's throwing himself around like a little dynamo. Rain is lashing down outside, which always feels strangely comforting. Autumn is the one season that is best viewed from behind a window.
The conker trees have started to rain their little bounty onto the roads and pavements now, too. It's the one thing that I love most about Autumn, and the one thing that has a slight melancholy twist to it as well: they always seem to do it in the last week of September - my birthday. I love seeing it happen, but it always reminds me that I'm another year older.

Early morning is my favourite time of day....

Not very Rock'n'Roll, but there you go. The patio doors are wide open, the Sun is flooding in, I can see all of the plants in my tiny little garden (the Asiatic Lily flowered yesterday), the radio is on with the morning news and I'm having a light breakfast. I always feel energised in the early hours, and that tends to fade as the day passes.
Today sees me heading off to the doctor's (all to do with the foot injury I suffered last week) and also need to think about food for the weekend. There's Spaghetti Squash on the menu, I think.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised

That after all of the incredible warm weather we've had over the past week, I get a cold. The kind I hate the most: lots of tickly coughing and interrupted sleep.
Today's weather looks like it's set to break though - there's rain in the sky, and that means I could perhaps have the first morning for weeks which doesn't see me traipsing round the garden with a hose. Since the demise of NME Radio, I actually have done some gardening leave, and have spent all my time filling pots with Dahlias, Hydrangeas and Patio Roses. My Grandmother would be very proud indeed.

Triple Hep'n'Blue

It's a wonderful, crisp, sunny Sunday morning. Wim weather, if I'm totally honest. There's a cat scratching at my leg, trying to get my attention, and Scritti Politti on the stereo. What a completely time-locked album "Songs To Remember" is - nothing sums up the early 80's more for me! It's odd seeing the CD on Virgin though, it's always going to be a Rough Trade album for me.
Today? Well, I'm still waiting for a baby, so that's the principal focus of the day, really. Apart from that - cooking. Will visit the farmer's market this morning, and source some ingredients for a mutton curry later.
Right - up and at 'em.

Just a wonderful day....

Really sunny, crisp, fresh and beautiful.
The blossom is out on the trees, the daffodils and crocuses are in bloom, the air smells sweet and clean. I walked through the streets to the north of Golborne Road, dropped down along the Portobello Road, then cut through Pembridge Crescent to Notting Hill Gate, to meet Jeff for a Sunday Lunch, then a leisurely exploration of the bargain basements of the Record & Tape branches, seeking out weird and wonderful vinyl. We had a pint in the Castle, flicked through the racks of sevens in Rough Trade, and checked out Intoxica. I came back with a Stupids album,and a repress of the first ever Studio One album.
As soon as I got back home, this was on the stereo:

It's been a weekend of cooking too - vegetable soup, meatballs in tomato sauce, home-made bread - I've been slaving over a hot stove, and I've loved every second.

Monday's coming like a train on wheels...

Well, a pretty sunny train, actually. Today sees London once again bathed in Sunlight - the view from the balcony this morning is truly spectacular, and makes me think Summer is nearly here (even if it isn't, really)
It makes me want to skate, that's for sure - I'm going to try and contact some fellow old farts from the MAS Forum to see if there's a Meanwhile expedition next weekend. I've tried my best to adapt to new Popsicle boards, but my trusty Santa Cruz Everslick (from 1990!) has the most functional shape I've ever ridden, and the wheelbase is absolutely perfect for me, so I'll just update the wheels, and away we go.
Time to think about getting ready for work, need to source some downloads for the "download of the day" feature I do on-air, and listen to this tune again, whilst marvelling at all that glorious sun.....

Last night......

Was great. Had a meal here, with a great steak (blue) and Bearnaise, some fabulous cheeses, and several glasses of Pouilly Fuisse . Wonderful. Felt a little fragile this morning, but that passed once the winter Sun started to shine. I love it when London is crisp, cold, shivering.
Tonight is all about relaxation: a little bit of telly, some wine, and lots of sleep.

...And this is what I really know...

Today is hot. Really hot. Hot enough for me to get out of the sun, and just look at the heat from a distance, as I cower indoors, away from pollen and sunburn.
The real advantage of staying indoors, is that the stereo is there. Which means I can play this whilst looking at the sun:
Colourbox "Baby I Love You So"

Morning all...

It's a rainy morning in Brighton, and the temperature seems to have dropped about ten degrees since yesterday *shivers*.
Today I've mostly been sorting out my laptop, tidying and tweaking some of the programs I've got installed. If you're running Windows, this list from Lifehacker could help simplify your life- give it a go!
As far as music goes: it's all about this for me today- "Emergency! Emergency!" by The Promise Ring. Now that's what I call emo ;)

Well, i'm still here.....

Despite the wind, rain, and high tides.
At the present time, we seem to be in the eye of the storm, and there's a strangely serene, calm feeling to the day. As the drops of rain run down the window over my shoulder, and a small patch of blue sky peeks through the clouds, this song popped up onto the ipod: it seems rather fitting, despite it's seasonal references.
The Durutti Column "A Sketch For Summer"
FYI: the album from which this track came: "The Return Of The Durutti Column", originally came in a sleeve made of Sandpaper. It was a typical Factory Wheeze, supposedly to reflect the clash of textural sounds within the grooves, but more than likely Tony Wilson's astute ability to be able to mix marketing and style. Also typical of Tony Wilson was his penchant for saving the pennies here and there: he couldn't find anyone brave enough to fold up the abrasive sleeves, so asked one of his other Factory bands if they'd like to earn a few quid by assembling some sleeves. Reluctantly, they agreed. The band in question? Joy Division. Legend has it then, that as all the sleeves were hand-folded by Joy Division, some of their skin was left on the sandpaper, and thus all the sleeves contain tiny fragments of Joy Division DNA. it's probably wishful thinking, but it's a cute tale, nonetheless.