8 - 14 Oct

Sat - P came over and helped to move table to Georgina's, many thanks!  Walked to vill, coffee in Rootz, and tidyed up generally around house.

Sun -  Up early and W3/R3 on Common in grey rain/drizzle, but it was invigorating.  Wine and Cheese tasting at Wadesdon Manor, excellent affair with G&P

Chateau reminds me of Cheviny (Marlinspike Hall of Tintin fame).

Mon - Up before the larks to restart 4 weeks of preparing lunch boxes for the worker.  7:45 out for W4/R1 (2x(3R1.5W,5R,2.5W)).  Took BMW in for MOT and to change glovebox lock (under warranty) and bromptoned in very gusty wind into Watford instead of waiting, which was only marginally more interesting than waiting in the garage and rather more depressing.  Back at lunchtime, walked down to vill for shopping then stopped by Memorial Hall for Chorleywood Local Forum meeting run by local councillor Martin Trevitt.  Not a very inspiring day, but ended on a better note with eating some of the yummy cheese we had bought from Wadesdon.

Tue - Decided two get up to date and ready for IOS 5 tomorrow and iCloud so loaded OSX Lion on my Mac.  Very easy, no user involvement.   Now my scrolling has changed direction, I need to get used to that.  Walked and shopped in vill, made dinner for tonight (Nigel is coming).  Cycled to William Penn at lunchtime and swam 40 lengths, it seemed an effort cycled back uphill.  Walked down to pick up Nigel for dinner, then walked to choir in the evening, had to concentrate but it went well, it seems the harder one works at it, the quicker time goes and the more enjoyable it is.

Wed - got ready for my run, but then I was informed I need to buy some tights from M&S.  So I changed into cycle gear, went for W4/R2, then immediately onto the bike and into Watford.  Mission accomplished I left before I could get depressed at the greyness of it all, people looking unenthusiastically at buying more clothes they don't really need, being sucked by the excellent presentation into buying too much food, and the Xmas items that were appearing on the shelves - and its only mid Oct.  13 miles.
Back for shower and hot tub.  The portuguese tsunami cleaners started so I walking into vill for a mini-shopping.  By the time I got back they were about to leave so I could have lunch in peace.

IOS 5 doesn't release till 6pm tonight!

Off to ROH to see 3 ballet acts.  Found that Sapori, the italian restaurant we always go to near there has closed down, so we went to La Tasca for tapas instead - food OK, not a brilliant at atmosphere, too formulaic.  Last ballet piece based on Faure Requiem was excellent.

Home at midnight, kicked off IOS 5 download.

Thu - IOS 5 failed, so restarted. Failed again, restarted, and it worked.  Created iCloud account, but nothing else to do with it, it all happens automatically.  Now playing with it.  iPod has changed to Music on the iPad, and its a retrograde step - lost the text listing of albums, now all cover graphics.  Why do they do this?

Into London for a meeting, had a super cheese and wine lunch at La Fromagerie.

Out to hear Sir Steve Redgrave in evening with Mrs M and G.  Very nice chap, able to talk (endlessly) when questioned.  Bought his Olympic book, not the greatest of prose but good Xmas presses.

Fri - W4/R3, dropped in to see Nigel and invite him to Chipperfield concert on Sunday evening (Mozart Requiem).  Chilly start to the day, but forecast to be sunny.  Got news that parcel was to be delivered between 3 and 4pm (very good service from DPD)....so.... took the plunge and cycled into Long Tall Sally in Marylebone to swap a pair of trousers for Mrs M that had a tear in them (just bought yesterday).  Weather good, traffic persistent & noisy, roads bumpy at edges, but I battled along.  Treated myself to a bacon sarnie at the Chiltern Street Cafe.  In normal Edgware Road, out Regents Park, Finchley Road, A41 for a change to Stanmore.

Good time overall - 46 miles in 3:25hrs on bike, average 13.6mph, then popped down to vill for shopping gave extra 2 miles.  Shower, hot tub and relax.

Ordered Mrs M an iPad from Apple.

A nice way to end the week.  And now Liam Fox has resigned, as he should have done before given his lack of moral compass.  And for a final laugh, this is a waste bin from St James Park: