31 Dec - 6 Jan: Its 2012!

Sat & Sun - New Years Eve and Day - Lift with M&A to J&W's in Wimbledon for NYE gathering, then back to M&A's to sleep for a few hours before coming home for a hot tub then general laze around recovering, I am completely shattered by the last 10 days of festivities, going out, eating and drinking.

Farewell Sathi with kiddies in evening, it was busy with some large groups.

Mon - Took Jonnie to airport for his flight back to Nairobi.  It has been lovely having him here over the holiday, such fun and an asset to all gatherings.

Lovely clear sky, feels like spring cleaning, so Xmas decorations all came down and put away whilst Dr M was in the hospital in the morning.  Washing machine and dryer were on overdrive all day as we plowed through the sheets and bedding of the guests over the last week.

Start of the first day of the rest of my life.  I am going to rewind the exercise program a few days to W4D1 so I can get back into the grove.  So, W4D1=17S35C.  I swam 25 mins with Lulu (she has a good steady style and pace), then changed for 45 mins spin class (trying earplugs to reduce the volume of beat music, not that successful).  Felt fine, but nice to restart at a lower level.

I've signed up for the Raid Pyrenees in Sept with Frank P and his Aussie mates.  28 cols in 10 days.  I need a new bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Steel with triple ring.  Can Mrs M afford it? Watch this space.

Lulu went back to Newbury, having tidied her room, just about.  I watched Sherlock on BBC iPlayer, thought it was really good, its so clever the way its brought up to date but keeps the spirit of the original.

Tue - 'twas a dark and stormy morning, but I togged up and went for the W4D2 17R at 8am (Dr M left at 7 when it was still very dark).  Very gusty and intermittent lashings of rain.  Along Common Road, over railway bridge, jogged up Hillside, then down Quickley Lane and back through Lower Road to Colleyland for 23 mins, 3km, from where I walked back.  Felt good, so I must have achieved a small base of fitness.

Walked to vill for shopping, still in gusty rain, wearing new Berghaus Cornice jacket (medium size, yeah!), and very cosy and dry it was too.  When I got back, it completely bucketed down, good job I missed that!

Wed - Not a pleasant night, I had ear ache for for the first time in my memory, it kept me away for 3 wee hours until the copious paracetamol and ibuprofen kicked in, then after Dr M left I slept for 2 hours till 10.  Cancelled the swim/spin class I had booked for lunchtime.

Popped round to G's for new Garmin watch fiddling and not to give any meaningful advice on how to back up the data on an iPhone before she transferred to her new one, but I did get given some more paracetamols.  Spent rest of afternoon feeling sorry for myself with a blocked feeling in my right ear - every time I tried to clear it by blowing my nose/yawning, it produced a squeaky noise but didn't totally clear.

Wine Soc in evening, Spanish mainly reds which I love, but most were not inspiring, the white Alabcin was delightful though.

Thu - No ear ache during night but ear/sinus still playing up, so no hard exercise.  Walked to vill with Mrs M for bacon sarnie and coffee at The Peppermill, then up to Granny's in blustery showers, it was very invigorating and a pleasure to be out, almost like walking in the Lake District if we could see any lakes and fells.

G&P have organised a gite in the Girond for after the wine cycling in July, thats something to look forward to, thank you Gill.

Nipped into Watford so Mrs M could buy a handbag for Lulu for the wedding on Saturday.

Fri - Still ear canal blocked, so no exercise, walked to vill twice though.  Clear but chilly day.