1602.05 COURTESY CAR

Our car has been back to the dealers today for some recall work to do with the engine management software. They told me when I phoned that it could take over 4 hours. I informed them that I wasn't able to wait that long and the dealership was to far from my house to get there and back easily. "No problem" they said, I could have a loan car. Well, I jumped at this. The opportunity to drive a different car was too much to miss.

I dropped our car in this morning at 9am. I told them that if the car wasn't ready by 12 midday I'd have to collect it the following morning (and keep the courtesy car overnight). That wasn't a problem, and I was presented with a 65 plate Fiat 500 to play with.

Now I've never driven the smaller cousin of our car (Fiat 500L) so this was my chance to compare. I have to say that it didn't feel as cramped as other small cars like the Ford Fiesta (we have some at work), the spec was basic compared with our car (but I guess it was the Base model). I don't think we could manage with a car like this long term but as a city runabout or second car (which I've never been in favour of) it would be ideal.

I got a message when our car was done around midday and went over and switched back. Morticia was disappointed since she wanted a proper go in it (I did let her drive it to her friend's on my way to take it back).

1602.02 LOCKING THAT DOOR

Every night when I check the house and lock the front door (it's actually already locked, I just put the chain on) and set the alarm just before bed I think of those not inside these walls that should be. If someone is away or sleeping out then it's fine but I give them a thought, hoping they're safe. Every night I think of my eldest. I miss her. She knows even though I lock that door it is always open to her.

1601.31 A TEMPORARY DRAWING

I've been illustrating my blog with cartoons since October 2007. By April 2010 it had become a requirement for every post. This caused an issue when I didn't have a cartoon to fit the post. Since then I always intended to come up with a placeholder cartoon (I did play with a 'test card' placeholder but I quickly dispensed with it). So 5 years+ later I have done the necessary. Hopefully, if you are reading this years down the line when I've collated my blogs into print (for posterity and my family legacy) this will be the only place you will see this cartoon.

1601.23 CHUNKY MONKEY

Since Christmas I've pretty much let myself go, eating pretty much whatever is not good for me. Add the fact that Morticia and I have been getting out together more (which is wonderful) it all adds up. My cycling commute is a considerably shorter since I moved workplace last August so the opportunity to burn off the excess just isn't there like it was. 

So I find myself looking down at a bit of a developing gut which has to go... 

1601.20 END OF THE BIRTH OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Many years ago when few were on the internet and it ran at a snails pace (remember 56K modems?) there came about a website that offered to put us in touch with old friends from our school days or even those friends we just lost touch with. There was of course a cost, they charged a subscription to communicate with our lost friends (it was free to put your details on).

Then came Facebook. Same sort of thing but free. Facebook also let you share information with your current friends too. Did I mention it was free? Friends Reunited eventually stopped charging but by then I think it was too late.

Today I got an email stating they were closing down, I'd all but forgotten about them let alone that I still had an account with them. I've probably still got an account with MySpace too (I have, I just checked). I don't think I'm about to lose any sleep about the passing but it is worthwhile remembering one of the early pioneering web services and social network before the term had even been coined.

1601.18 PROJECT COMMUTER BIKE

2 years ago I put together an old steel bike to get me through the winter commutes. Unfortunately it was crashed into by a car which resulted in me suffering a broken wrist. The bike faired quite well with minor damage and a broken rear wheel.

And so it's sat in my shed ever since. I just haven't been able to face doing anything to it. Until now. I've ordered new wheels (hoping they'll fit since they are a slightly different size) and if I just do a few tweaks and add a few accessories then I'll have a perfect commuter machine.

Watch this space for progress.

1601.17 FINALLY SNOW

After predictions and forecasts the snow made an appearance last night. I was out enjoying a 'date night' with Morticia whilst Rags was at a sleep over when it started to really come down. Social media was buzzing with pictures of snow covered streets and whinges about getting about.

It lasted just a few hours really. It started to thaw today and is just about gone.

The obligatory snow covered street picture

1601.14 BONKING

bonk
bɒŋk/ informal verb: 
1. hit (someone or something).
2. [BRITISH] have sexual intercourse.
3. (of a cyclist or runner) reach a point of exhaustion that makes it impossible to go further.

Who's reading expecting some sort of steamy blog post? Sorry to disappoint, this is about the 3rd definition.

Last Sunday was the first time in quite a while that I'd gone out with the cycling club. The weather was favorable and I'd booked the day off work (since I didn't know when I'd get another opportunity). It was great to be out, the turnout was good, we had 16 riders, as we made our way to a cafe in Kellingley near Wakefield. The ride out was without any issues but as we set off back it was into a nasty headwind which made each pedal turn a chore. Every hill felt like a mountain and the closer I got to Swinton (the start & finish point) the harder it became.

I got to the finish point and I was empty. Done. Unfortunately the 'finish' was still about 8km from home with 2 moderate climbs. It was at this point I remembered that I had an emergency flap jack in my pocket. It enabled me to take a slow slog home. The journey that normally takes about 20 minutes took me an hour.

Every rider gets a ride like this at some point. My fitness level has fallen over the winter period and I didn't take that into consideration.

1601.12 STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Rags has been going to Army Cadets since before Christmas. Last night she got her uniform, she was so chuffed when she got home. Today she auditioned for the lead in her drama class' performance of "Legally Blonde" and got it. She never ceases to amaze me.

1601.08 SCHOOL REPORT

I took today off. Reason being that tonight was Rags' school parents evening. I've always been an involved father, it's my place to be part of my childrens' education.

Rags has always had good reports from school but this is the first in year 9 (if you are older and without kids in school then it's the 3rd year) so it's the start of her GCSE courses. No pressure then!

We sat one by one in front of teachers who of I'd have seen them in the street would have thought they were also pupils (sorry students) of the same school. Each teacher in turn went on to say how fantastic our daughter was and that she was a "pleasure to teach".

We had promised that if she got a good report from EVERY teacher then she would receive a prize. Safe to say that this evening had cost us. I will be ordering her a new charm for her Nomination bracelet (what she has chosen). Afterwards we went for tea at the Ring O Bells pub (a Hungry Horse), it was free dessert night with main meals so the treat was even better.