Week 20 - Hereford

Monday

I woke up feeling a bit rough after last night's party.

After breakfast, I took Martha round to Tilly's flat to discover Cassie trying to jump start Tilly's car. Together, Cassie and I got the car started on our second attempt.

After this excitement, I took the dogs for a walk around the park.

I was in no mood for physical exertion, and ended the day curled up on the couch with a beer or two!

No exercise, no junkfood, beers

Tuesday

I started the morning with breakfast followed by weight training.

Then we were on our holidays! Lucy and I went to Hereford and our first stop was at the Cathedral.

At Hereford Cathedral

It was an impressive building and we enjoyed seeing the amazing windows and architecture. I found the SAS artistic installation very interesting too. We stopped at the cafe for tea and then went to take a look at the Mappa Mundi - a medieval map of the world from over 700 years ago, complete with a unicorn, the Garden of Eden and cannibals!

After this, we found the basement flat where we would be staying and then headed off into Hereford centre for chicken burgers and beer!

Weight training, no junkfood, beers

Wednesday

I found it a bit difficult to sleep in a windowless basement flat, and had to go outside to look at the sky at about 5am. I managed to get back to sleep for a couple more hours.

We drove out to Hay on Wye, which is in Wales. It is home to 21 bookshops (I think, maybe more.) We thought that 4 hours would be enough to visit all bookshops and have some tea and cake. We were wrong! We ran out of time but didn't run out of bookshops. I made 6 purchases including books by PG WodeHouse, JG Ballard and Dickie Bird!

In the cricket section

Back at base, we set off into the wind and rain to a local pub - The Barrels. A pub serving Wye Valley beers and not serving food. No karaoke, no chavs, no kids and no DJ. It was fantastic! James the friendly barman talked me into trying both stouts on offer and explained the different way of presenting the two. Alcohol and education! Lucy and I found a comfortable corner and chatted away while keeping an eye on the cricket score.

Back at the flat, we had another drink, had some dinner and watched Netflix.

No exercise, junkfood, beer

Thursday

After bacon and eggs, we packed up and left the flat at about 10. We drove a little way out of the city centre and then walked back on the River Wye. 

It was a lovely, relaxing walk with plenty to see. When we got back to Hereford, we stopped at the Cathedral again and enjoyed tea with more cake! Actually, I had chocolate bread pudding with raspberries - phenomenal! 

Our second visit to the Cathedral!

Then a walk back to the car along the River Wye, taking a detour at the end to see a pretty country church.

When we arrived back in Solihull, I considered lifting up some weights. Instead, my willpower crumbled, and I ended up watching cricket on TV with several glasses of red wine!

No exercise, junkfood, alcohol

Friday

I woke up determined to do better. I am meant to be a black belt in Karate, and Sensei Ronnie did remind me that I have a duty to be fit. 

With this in mind, I did an hour of weight training, ate healthily and didn't drink any beer. Back on track!

Weight training, no junkfood no alcohol

Saturday

Today's Karate session was a good mix of basics and kata. It was a busy class, which is good for the club, but as instructors, we had to make sure everyone had room to perform safely! There was a new student and Sensei Gary designed the lesson so that the youngster had some fun during the hour. Everyone went home happy with plenty to think about from the afternoon.

After dinner, I went to pick up Lucy and Mouse from the station (they had been to London) and then drank tea in bed.

Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol

Sunday

I met James and Jonnie at 9 and then we cycled off into the lanes. Unfortunately, the BBC had got the weather forecast completely wrong and it was a cold and wet start - completely the opposite to what was predicted! We shivered along and I rued the fact that I had removed the mudguard on my back wheel to make way for my summer saddle bag! We set off on my Nutbush start before linking with the Petticoat route down to Wilmcote. The lanes were wet and the potholes seemed to have multiplied in the last week! We chatted along at a very pedestrian 13.5mph.

The cake was excellent! A Mary Berry recipe resulted in quite possibly the finest chocolate cake I've ever tasted! I'm glad I was served a massive slice! After washing that down with a coffee I leapt back on my bike and the three of us turned northwards to get back home. It was still cold, but at least it was drier now. 

Jonnie had been entertaining friends yesterday for the Grand National on TV. The socialising had gone on for rather an extended period which meant he wasn't at the height of his cycling powers this morning. However, he got stuck in and completed the whole 32 miles without grumbling once! Rule 5 in effect!

Later, Jane and Eric joined us for a fantastic lamb dinner followed by apple pie and ice cream! We watched some cricket, lots of snooker and had a good chat.

What a splendid final day of the Easter Holidays.

Cycling: 32 miles, junkfood, no alcohol