Mutterings for the Minority

Beach workout

Back to work and on the beach, it can’t be bad can it. Well it’s not quite as gloriously exciting as that. I am back in work, but the nearest I’m getting to the beach today was a 39 minutes 35 second run along the sand on Swansea Bay.

There’s a heck of a lot to be said for being able to amble quite literally out of the office door and onto the beach (and then go for a 4 mile run if it takes your fancy or not as the case may be). It’s funny to think that whenever I consider seeking a new working challenge (not as often as I used to I hasten to add) I always come back to the “value” of working where I am and the ease at which I can forget about it all (hassles included) with a 10 minute walk along the beach/promenade outside.

So you can stick your commuting and a City centre job in-the-middle-of-nowhere thank you very much.

"Don’t do it" demons

Despite feeling like the preverbial piece of poo - due to lack of sleep once again - I went for a run lunchtime, contrary to my better judgement perhaps. The light rain made it refreshing and a nice change from the rather humid conditions over the last few weeks. Having said that, despite the rain wearing 2 layers wasn’t the best thing to do either!

I was pleased with my time of 23 minutes 32 seconds for the 3 mile odd run and perhaps even more satisfied that I fended off the “don’t do it” demons in my head! Negative thoughts eh, who needs them.

A refreshing change

After what seems like 3 weeks of non-stop sunshine, it was a refreshing change to see the wet stuff this morning and this evening - albeit only for an hour or so. It also meant that I didn’t have to water the garden *smile*

It’s been quite an eventful day really, what with DDWT Junior going to Harri T’s 3rd birthday party this morning (which went on well into the afternoon) and me utilising the local civic amentity site for some free compost. Who needs B&Q eh! On a more serious note, it’s actually great to see the civic amenity site used so much and pratically every visit I’ve made there has seen the queue of cars extend outside the site and onto the road. Perhaps not everyone is as ignorant to the importance of recycling as it’s made out. Or at least that’s what I hope.

My early morning visit to the scales reported 16st 9lbs, so I’m still hovering around the same weight at the moment. I’d like to be about 5lbs lighter, but I’m sure with some hardwork that’ll come over the next few months - especially as I ramp up the training for the events I’ve entered (more on that some other time).

After lunch and mucking about in the garden playing footy, etc we decided to go out on the bikes (via the park and swings!). We only did 6.5 miles, but it was a pleasant enough ride along the banks of the Swansea Valley canal and part of cycle route 4. We made it back home just as the rain was starting to come down - so our timing was bob on!

So all in all it’s been a nice eventful weekend (which I like), which ultimately means I go to work tomorrow feeling refreshed and happy.

Swans v Seagulls

I can assure you that despite the title, this post has got nothing to do with a bird fight - it’s all about football! League One football to be precise and the Swans taking on the Seagulls of Brighton at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon.

I’m glad to report that the Swans banked another 3 points in their quest for the play-offs with a 2-1 win. Once again we had to come from a goal behind to win - but what worries me is that for the 2nd week in succession we gave the opposition a free header from 6 yards (from a free kick this time) and conceded from it.

Thankfully Darryl Duffy added another 2 goal salvo to the one who got against Port Vale and it was enough to see us home. He really does look like being a worthwhile acquisition though (if we can buy him in the summer) - pace and a nose for goal, something which we’ve lacked all season. The other notable performance for me was Izzy - who appears to be getting back to his best form - so please Roberto/Huw extend his contract at the end of the season! A full match report can be found in the usual place.

It was also good to hear the fans getting back to their vocal best today as well - something which has been lacking this season as a whole. Mind you watching the Swans actually play “football” over the last 10 games or so has helped. Previously we weren’t very attractive to watch and it’s little wonder the fans lost enthusiasm and weren’t very enthused.

The trip to Carlisle next week is now even more important and I am very tempted to go BUT there is the no little matter of Mrs DDWT’s birthday. Despite my suggestions of a lovely long weekend break in the Lake District (via Carlisle) she’s having none of it! Oh well I’ll just have to hope the play-off dream is still alive for the week after at home to Blackpool.

Talking of Mrs DDWT, she opted to go for a change of hairstyle today (cut it short) - which wouldn’t normally be anything to shout about - but she’s been growing her hair for two years and it had got quite long…. thankfully she’s happy with the new cut. ‘Inhairitance’ of Clydach, I thank you *smile*

I also couldn’t go without giving a mention to DDWT Junior and his exploits on the bike seat we borrowed off a friend. After me getting the bike ready last night, it was time to give it a whirl when I got back from the footy - and he loved every minute of it and didn’t even mind wearing his new helmet (which is even more of a surprise!). We’ve more biking planned for tomorrow, so that should be fun!

It’s been a good day.

Tyre change

After a day out of the saddle yesterday - due to serious lack of time - it was back to business today with a lunchtime ride down to Limeslade and a quick loop around SA1. With the weather getting that wee bit warmer again (huh after all that b*ll*cks about snow) it was a really enjoyable 14.5 mile ride. Just for the sake of comparison and keep tabs on progress, our average speed was 15.8 mph.

Whilst on the subject of biking, I changed my tyres on my bike this evening - back to my enduro MTB tyres. Not because there was anything wrong with them (Specialized FarBoy tyres = quality) it was because (a) I’m close to buying a new road bike and (b) my current bike (Specialized Hardrock) will become the DDWT Junior transporter whilst on family cycling outings. I didn’t quite fancy the idea of using slicks with the nipper on the back.

With the nights continually getting lighter and the sun shining well into the evening, I took the opportunity to catch up with mowing the lawns and at the same time let DDWT Junior loose with the hosepipe (after I’d finished mowing of course). He is without a doubt obsessed with water! Gawd help us if we have a hosepipe ban this summer.

Snow in April?

Despite the rather sultry weather conditions of the last 2 weeks or so, I was somewhat amazed and alarmed (in a global warming kind of way) to hear on the radio this morning about the possibility of snow in some parts of the UK at the end of the week.

Snow in April isn’t such a surprise really - I mean it’s usually piddling down with rain - but in light of the out of the ordinary temparatures we’ve had for this time of year lately, the signs of global warming are a stark warning to us all. I dread to think what the “weather” will be like when DDWT Junior gets to my age.

The 10.8 mile ride down to Limeslade today was a rather chilly affair - despite the clear blue skies. I’m glad I was wearing double layers! Even with the windy conditions (adding to the chill) we still managed a healthy 15.7 mph.

On my lonesome

Without really being in the hywl or frame of mind to go training on my own, I dragged myself down to the changing rooms for a lunchtime run. It was the first time I’d be out for a run since, well I don’t know when to be quite honest.

The warm sunshine wasn’t quite at its hottest thankfully - as per previous days - so the 23 minutes 5 seconds run around the usual route of Swansea Marina, jetty and the beach wasn’t as uncomfortable as it could have been! I was pleased with my effort, even if it made me 5 minutes late for a meeting and looking like a beetroot. The biggest thing I took from it though was that I actually went out and did something, and on my OWN.

Cherries v Swans

It was an early start for the house of DDWT this weekend, as we headed off to the South Coast for a weekend break - and for me to watch the Cherries of Bournemouth take on the Swans of course.

Here are some pics to keep you going until I catch up on all that happened! You can also see a couple of clips of the footy on YouTube here and here.

The piccie above is of the Bournemout Eye, which can be found near the square in the middle of town and as you can imagine offers fantastic views across the Dorset coastline (well that’s what I’m told anyway!).

Short sleeves and sunshine

My lunchtime cycle today - down to Limeslade (again!) - was very pleasant and the first ride in 2007 where I actually got to wear my short legged big and short sleeve cycle jersey - thanks to the warm April sunshine. In fact the sky/horizon was so clear that you could see the rest of the South Wales coastline and as far as Ilfracombe in North Devon from Swansea Bay and Limeslade. Ah, if only I’d had my camera

The only downside to the 10.8 mile circuit was the sheer volume of people walking, cycling, roller blading, skateboarding, etc - which obviously resulted in the usual amount of swerving and bell ringing by moi (no obscenities this time though!). I know my top speed was 25 mph, but as for my average speed I couldn’t tell you - as like a muppet I haven’t quite twigged how to work my knew Cateye Mity8 speedo yet. Tcsh, and I call myself a techy.

Finally got around to buying my ticket for the Cherries of Bournemouth v Swans game on Saturday this morning. Whilst it’s a ‘pay on the day’ game, I didn’t fancy my chances of getting a ticket on the day due to the mass hoardes of Jacks heading down the game - I have a nasty feeling the 2,000 seating allocation might not be enough!

Swans v Valiants

With the Easter bank holiday weekend drawing to a close, it was time once again to head off to the Liberty Stadium to watch the Swans take on the Valiants of Port Vale. It was also the time that Mrs DDWT confessed to feeling like a football widow! Gawd help her if the Swans make it to the Championship I say (it’s a big IF mind).

After Saturday’s encouraging performance at Bristol, the expectation levels were high for a repeat performance - from what was likely to be a different starting line up. I’d be hoping that Daryl Duffy would make a start instead of Pawel ‘Russ’ Abbott - and thankfully my wishes were granted. Some pace in our frontline at last hurrah!

A match report for rather easy 3 nil win can be found on the official site. In all honesty a 5 or 6 nil return would have been a fairer reflection of the game, with the 2nd half seeing numerous chances spurred by Britton, Williams, Butler, Abbott and Duffy. Still I’m not complaining, in many ways the performance reminded me of last season’s 7-1 drubbing of Bristol City at home - with the Swans carving their opponents up at will. It’s a shame the finishing hadn’t been as good.

Despite the performance, the 12,400 odd crowd took its time to get going - which I’ll put down to the sheer number of people who seemed to be nursing a hangover. Mind you the rather - understandably - quiet Port Vale fans didn’t exactly help matters either. Still it did get going during the latter stages of the game and I’ve not doubt it DOES have an impact on the players in a positive way.

My man of the match today was Britton who gave his usual 110% contribution with runs up and down the flanks. Duffy was also another key performer with his pace and eye for goal. The defence also deserve a mention - and despite there being two changes from Bristol - they once again performed well as a unit - Dennis Lawrence is fast becoming an excellent acquisition for us.

The only disappointment really was that other teams in the play-off hunt didn’t drop many points, so the challenge is now to win on the road next week in Bournemouth and hope the other teams drop points with us picking up some. Fingers crossed, I’ll be there once again and we’re making a family weekend of it - so it should all be good fun.

After the christening of Mrs DDWT’s bike yesterday, it was time to cough up and get a nice helmet for DDWT Junior so that we could start to make the most of the numerous cycle paths in the area.

Fortunately for us, Halfords were having a sale and the helmet cost us £19.95 instead of £29.95. After much deliberation (and tantrums) DDWT Junior picked a ‘Bells’ helmet with motor racing cars on it - he seemed happy enough to wear it (as opposed to any others), so that can only be a good sign! Anyway, with summer just around the corner, I’m sure we’ll have our money’s worth.