Brave

 A little outing on buses to Troon today for the health food shop...and I saw these...one bird at least on every ridge tile...

Then back to Prestwick to the travel agent...

Tickets booked and paid for...all that needs doing is the online check in 48 hours before, both ends...and she will do that...and renewing my visa..we couldn't do it today as incredibly the last one is still valid!!

Then home and supper and enter Velo Retro at the end of May ...a 30 mile ride based at Ulverston in the Lake District. I will ride Pirate's Eroba bike ( dated 1961) so I need to get fit enough...plans are in hand for that!!

Now do I camp then or not ????

The eyes have it

 Today wasn't inspiring either..still grey and getting chillier....but at least I got the sheet and towels wash on the line and half dry!

A text arrived to remind me that it was eye check time...I phoned them and they had a slot free this afternoon!

I managed to fit in lunch and dealing with the wild pears before going...they were washed and de-stalked and put in the freezer. Freezing means that I'll get more juice from them. And the stalks clog up the mincer!!

The eye examination went fine..no change needed to the specs I've had for about six years...just a slight change in my eyes from last year but no worries. They did my hearing check as well - passed with flying colours! And no change since the first one two years ago....that I'd had to get Pirate to have his checked!!!

Then a walk around town...a bit of exercise while I waited for the bus.

That's the Auld Brig... From the 1700s I think...that had a rebuild in the 1700s.

The new one from the 1800s is to the right of the top photo...and that had to have a complete rebuild quite soon after it was first put there!!

Cross day

 Friday and Saturday were nothing to write home about...so I won't...!!

Apart from meeting the club bike run at the end coffee stop...that was good, even if I did go by car. 

Today I went to watch a cyclo cross in Linlithgow...good practice sorting a route..the non-motorway route was ten miles shorter! And interesting, even though it did cross various bits of moorland. The weather was damp and drizzly.... until a couple of miles from the town! And the same on my return three and a half hours later!!

Luckily the races were running late and I was in time to see the 50+ and 60+ riders doing their practice lap...then catch the bag of our Fife friend as they lined up ready for the start, with his and a friend's jacket in it...

Then they get ready the riot act..i.e. Behave!!

Then ticked off the list as they go up to the line

After lining up, the 60+ go off a short while after the 50+

The course devisers had been creative....using zig zag taping to get the length of course in...the course is supposed to take a top rider about eight to ten minutes and be 90% rideable, with a couple of obstacles..some pick up their bike and others "bunny hop" over them. 

Each race is for a time not a distance, and after the first  lap or two the commissaires can judge how many laps will be needed for the time and the lap board goes up... there's a bell for the last lap...and when the leader finishes, everyone that comes in behind has finished, whatever lap they are on. Every rider has a transponder on their ankle, so the number of laps completed can quickly be read off the transponder.

Our Fife friend was second in the 60+...and his friend beat him!

The juvenile ( under 12, 14, 16) races and the 40+race had finished by the time I arrived, but at the same time as the 50/60+ race was on, the under 8s and 10s were having fun on their own separate and easier course 

Then the womens' race was on ... seniors (18+) and juniors (16-18) together, but with prizes for the age groups. Good to see about thirty riders.

No photos as I was having lunch!! As well as the usual coffee carts

There was a van selling burritos... so I had one with vegetarian haggis, rice with lime, guacamole, salsa and black beans....even the smallest "regular" size was a decent meal.

Then the podiums...

And the "yob with the gob"... keeping up a commentary all day!!

I didn't stay to see the main senior race ( ie not specifically veterans who are 40+, but if they think they are capable they can ride the open event) as I wanted to get home in daylight...and it was 65 miles..

But a nice day out, good to see quite a few friends and enjoy the craic.

Fungi

 

Samhain...dios de Los muertos.... Halloween

 This morning I saw the physio in our village surgery...just to be assessed.

The verdict, two sprained ankle ligaments....I have exercises and instructions...and she did eventually realise what level of activity is normal for me and to what level I have competed....and that I understand her technical terms !! It doesn't sound as if she has ever dealt with any athletes, but at least we arrived at mutual respect! 

I have exercises.....

This afternoon I went foraging for pears.

The storms have brought nearly everything off the branches.... eventually I found half a shopping bagful hiding in the grass! 

Back home then, and stopped by a neighbour for a chat as dusk fell...dark soon after 5pm now.

Supper...and then thoughts of Pirate, and others whose company we have lost.

Organising and planning

 Just getting things in line..and on line today!

Two lots of washing, banking in the branch in town and on computer.

Shopping for fresh food..not a lot, just basics...I have plenty of tinned, dried and frozen provisions!

I made a physio appointment for tomorrow..it will be interesting to see how that goes..she is apparently senior....but has she experience of sports people?

In other words people who have an idea of what their body should be doing and not just "that will do". ?!   We will see by lunchtime tomorrow.

I am waiting for my postal vote in the local election to arrive....sometime in the next week...

Then there are plans to make...the garden needs re-organising...not a huge job, but working it out on paper first seems sensible...and daunting!!

Then travel plans....to Kent in November....where in December? And when to go to New Zealand?!!

Travelling home from Tolsta

 Up at 4.45am.this morning to start my 13 hour journey at 5.30....

It went well...an hour's wait once foot passengers were aboard and a total of 1½ hours waiting for a series of 4 buses. It would have been half an hour less but bus number 3 was delayed by traffic getting out of Glasgow and for the last four miles into Ayr.

The Hebridean Isles on what may be her last day of sailing, assisting with the freight traffic.

The Mainland 

And a mural I hope to investigate next time!

Not many photos on the way home...just soaking it all in !!