A return to the Estuary Wilds 10km running route for Friday morning. This follows the river out to the Creek, and then double backs along through Alresford and towards Weird Wiv.
It’s very much a ‘seasonal’ route. Which is a polite way of saying that it’s caked in thick shit for six months of the year.
It’s my fave circuit around these parts. I had a diary reminder popping up to say start running it a couple of weeks ago.
The ground was bone dry back then. But I had my swimming hat on and preferred putting the lengths in.
The early morning sun was too much to resist today.
Let’s do it! Wearing a knackered old pair of running shoes!
I am nothing if not an OCD runner.
The pathway was overgrown from White House Beach heading over to the Creek. Pockets of mud had to be delicately leaped over.
I reached the Creek. The house overlooking the Creek that has had builders in for the best part of two years now seems finished. The outcome is a new balcony looking over the estuary.
The return leg was along roads. I felt fit and picked up the pace. My time was 30 seconds faster compared to when I last ran the route at the back end of last summer.
Buzzed: Lambeth Council faces further setbacks and additional £1m cost for Fenwick Estate ‘regeneration’
“Lambeth Council has had its pants pulled down over the ‘regeneration’ of the Fenwick Estate – again”
A bit more Buzzed: Failed Homes for Lambeth to spend remaining £6.5m loan – despite no future plans for estate regeneration
“Residents living on these estates will be left wondering what the past seven years have been all about”
Friday was Weller New Release Day. 66 was dropped, his 17th solo album. That’s quite an achievement. He’s one of the few artists who genuinely gets better with age.
22 Dreams back in 2007 was a turning point. Every album since then has been worthy of your time and investment.
He’s also something of an early summer man when it comes to releasing new music. I doubt that it’s deliberate, but this late life bloom also comes around May or early June. They’ve come to define my summers over the past decade or so.
I’ve yet to give 66 a full listen. Robert Elms had a great interview with the old goat on BBC London. They’re quite a double act.
In Forest News: The Athletic published the story of the season down at the World Famous City Ground.
tl;dr It’s been a shit show.
Ruby also published her video thesis about why Forest are so special. I’m saving this up to watch for a time when it has my full attention.
I felt a little flush mid-morning. The Adam Any white label 12″ that I listed on ebay at the start of the week sold. I knew I would be able to find an affluent Adam Ant anorak.
Friday afternoon was put aside for cycling, both spectating and riding. Sunny Colch was staging the finish of the first stage of the women’s Ride Ldn race.
I made the short ride into the town / city on the road bike. I arrived with around half an hour to spare ahead of the sprinters taking on East Hill.
Castle Park had a decent bicycle fest taking place. Tier bikes, ecargo bikes and even Essex Rebels had a presence. That’s pretty much my life over the past six months.
I took up a position towards the foot of East Hill. There was an over enthusiastic chap with the mic towards the finish line at the top. Spectator participation was very much the theme.
No thanks, fella.
I was impressed with the professionalism and diligence from the race organisers. This included one dude whose job it was to cast an eagle eye over the road for any last minute obstacles. Even fag butts were swept aside.
There’s a lot of waiting around at bikes races. But then again it’s not every day that elite professional cyclists come through your town / city.
And then it was over as quick as it started. Blink and you’ll miss it, etc.
I’ve learnt from previous bike races to enjoy the moment. I deliberately held off on the camera front. Just take in the spectacle for what it is.
I felt for the poor rider rolling in around five minutes later than the peloton. She was bruised, bloodied, and struggling to stay ahead of the broom wagon.
I was inspired to carry on with my own ride. I headed back out towards the Estuary Wilds and a short 35km circuit. It was mostly incident free, despite the rush hour.
Back at base I checked in on the Surrey score away at Hampshire.
Oh.
That will be a BOWLING DAY then.