1503.15 MOTHERS' DAY

This year we wanted to do something special to mark Mothers Day. It's the first time in recent years that we've all been together and it needed to be special. The last time we were all together we took a trip to Whitby so we decided to do the same again.

It was an early start (I was up at 6am) so that we could beat any potential crowds. I know it's out of season but it can still get busy.

We had a great day, truly wonderful. Morticia struggled getting around a little but we didnt rush her around. It got quite busy in the middle of the day with queues forming outside all of the cafes, restaurants and take-aways. We waited a while before enjoying a meal in Robertson's fish and chip restaurant.

A good time, no a great time was had but now it's time to pay the price. Morticia, I'm betting will be bed ridden for the next few days. Was it worth it? She says so and who am I to argue?

1502.27 GOODBYE MR SPOCK

I don't normally mention the passing of celebrities, many of my childhood heroes have passed over the last few years, I guess that happens as you get older.

Today is different, everyone knows I'm a big Star Trek fan and it's been a massive part of my life. I can't remember a time when I wasn't watching Star Trek. So it comes as no surprise that I am deeply saddened by the loss of Leonard Nimoy.

I had the good fortune to briefly meet him 5 years ago. It was at a signing at the Collectormania event, the organisers didn't allow photography or videoing. I went in with a camera around my neck switched on to record video. He was literally signing hundreds of autographs and it was a bit of a 'production line' so my mission was to get a brief engagement. He signed my photo and I held out my hand and spoke to him. He shook my hand and answered, I was is awe! It was a definite highlight in my life.

So I'll leave this post with the words of Admiral Kirk speaking at Spock's funeral at the end of Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan...

"Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human"

Rest in Peace Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015

1502.19 LET TRAINING COMMENCE

I finally have my bike back on the road and (touch wood) I've commenced my riding once again. I had a nervous ride home from work the day before yesterday and it was fine. Yesterday I had a ride out to the HR department which is near to Sheffield City Centre, then onwards (and upwards) to my place of work. The climbs were difficult but I managed. I'm carrying more weight than I'd like, hopefully I can drop a stone fairly quickly (really before the summer if possible).

After so many false starts I'm hoping that this is it.

1502.14 MY VALENTINE

We don't go out on Valentine's day. As a shift worker it's unusual for me to have the night off. This year it's not only on a Saturday but also it's my day off. Add to this the fact that this is the 20th Valentine with Morticia it just couldn't go without celebration.

Weeks ago I booked a table at Browns restaurant but was later to find out that they were only serving from a set menu (on which there was nothing which really appealed). I managed to get a late booking at a new restaurant called Anchorage, an American east coast establishment.

We had a great evening visiting the Brewdog bar and establishments in the West One complex. The meal in Anchorage was wonderful as was the atmosphere. It turned out wonderful, we both agreed that we are now at a stage with the children that we can go out more regularly. I hope we do this again soon.

We caught the last bus home at midnight.

1502.03 COLD SNAP

So the first month of 2015 is over. It's been cold and we've had a couple of snow days (snow days for me at least don't mean a day off work).

I had hoped to be back on the bike by now, apart from a couple of commute rides this hasn't happened. Firstly the weather has been against me, I'm not in a place where I'm willing to risk the frostly or snowy days. Then there was a technical problem with my steed. The rear mech felt wrong and following a gear change it chucked the chain off. My mech hanger had bent. Following a visit to my local cycle repair shop it appears that the rear mech has been damaged too. It was on my list to replace so not a huge deal. I'm hoping to have it back later this week.

Our eldest continues to live with us with little issue. If she could just get a job...

The snowfalls had little effect except to delay my commute to work. I noted (as usual) that teachers continue to struggle with getting in. Luckily this didn't affect my youngest daughter's school on this occasion.

I'm writing this on the top deck of the bus on my way home. It's pretty full, there are a number of loud phone calls in foreign languages and the faint sound of tinny headphone leakage. An elderly Asian man is sat beside me (who I'm sure is trying to get a sneaky glance at my phone screen). It's quite a claustrophobic atmosphere, this is why I prefer my bike.

1501.28 EX MACHINA

The Captain's movie review on 7 words...

An intelligent study of AI with twist.
6/7

1501.15 GOODBYE UNCLE MICK

Today we said goodbye to Uncle Mick who passed away just before Christmas.

REST IN PEACE
1950-2014

1501.07 TOO THOUSAND AND 15

So we are here again, another new year. I have high hopes for this one after a long battle back from what I deem to be rock bottom over the last number of years. Sure there are things even now that are testing my resolve but I feel a new determination that I hope I can hold on to. 

This year I have a holiday to look forward to, I'm hoping to get back on my bike soon and really get into it again.....

....and (hopefully) stay accident free.

WISHING ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY A VERY HAPPY 2015!!

1412.25 THE CAPTAIN'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

I started the year pretty much as I end it nursing a cycling injury and hoping to get back to full strength. This time though instead of it being my wrist it's my collarbone that is healing. I hope I can get through the next 12 months (at least) injury free. 

Once again we went without a holiday due to the bite of this government's unfair austerity measures and in particular it's attack on the public sector (for which I am employed). It's been a hard summer watching friends flying off on holiday whilst we can't even manage our week in Wales. 

We did manage to refresh the living room with new flooring and decoration. 

One of the biggest events of the year has to be Morticia's 40th birthday which we celebrated with a party in a private room in our local pub. The event was made more special by the appearance of our eldest daughter whom as many of you know has been living with my parents for the last couple of years. It was to be the start of our reconciliation. 

My bad luck meant a bad year on the whole for my cycling. Thankfully I was in good shape to ride out and watch the second stage of the Tour de France which was visiting Yorkshire for the Grande Depart. The whole build up (I attended a number of special events) was out of this world and the experience will live with me for the rest of my life. 

As I've mentioned before there was no holiday this year (again) but the summer did have a few highlights. This all came to a crashing (literally) halt in September when I hit the tarmac at speed breaking my collarbone. I'm just starting to get over this injury. 

The latter part of the year was about recovery. That has been a challenge which will continue into the new year. 

Of course we must not forget the ones who didn't get to this Christmas. This year we lost my Uncle Mick, in fact it was only last week. It was unexpected. I also mentioned about losing our pet, the hamster "Twinkle" who gave us so much pleasure. 

I'm going to say that this year has been on the whole a good year despite the misfortunes and the austerity. The highlights make it. The cherry on top was when our eldest daughter decided she wanted to move back home a week ago. So now we are a family again and hopefully we can move forward together. 

WISHING ALL MY FAMILY & FRIENDS WHO STOOD BY US THROUGH THE HARD TIMES A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. 

1412.15 GOODBYE TWINKLE

Yesterday our lovely hamster, "Twinkle" passed away peacefully in his sleep. I know some people might not take the passing of a pet (especially a small pet with such a short LIFESPAN) but I cannot express enough the effect this little rodent has on our family.

He arrived with us at our darkest day (our eldest daughter had left us following a number of years of problems), we had reached the lowest ebb and I was in the middle of a mental breakdown and have few real memories of that particular time. I do remember the day he arrived, I wasn't too keen on him. I didn't want another pet, especially a rodent. Soon things changed. "Twinkle" whom we we told was a girl was discovered to be a boy (it was pretty obvious), was the most gentle, funny and energetic little creature I've ever had the pleasure to know. He shone a light on a dark time in my life and helped lift my mood and spirits. Every time I went into the dining room (in the evening) he was there to greet me. I enjoyed watching him run around the room in his ball (which he loved). He loved to be handled and demanded so regularly.

There is a big hole in our lives now. I'm glad however, that my eldest daughter got to know and love him too. He fell asleep and was laid to rest with a piece of cheese, a grape and a corn stick (some of his favourite treats) under the lavender bush in the garden.