PeverilPeril

Frosty morning here is Staffs. About to get kitted up to take water samples from the Trent and a tributary. The indications are that the water quality is good, however it will take a year of regular sampling before drawing any conclusions. The daily gym work is paying off and I feel much better than at this time last year. Done 300km on the rowing machine in first half of Jan - almost 2 hours p/d.

I never wash my car. It's 19 years old and don't want to wear it out or damage it.

Received an unexpected and warming email from an old friend. We were apprentices together at the ROF. We were keen cyclists, touring and racing together for years and I was his best man at his wedding. So, it was a really nice surprise and I'll be responding to it at length. The indoor rowing and cycling is going well. 11k row this morning and should do another thisafto. On schedule to row more than 10 miles a day during Jan.

A very sad day yesterday fishing out 40 dead carp following a pollution incident on a club pond. Joined by the owner and the EA guy looking for evidence of the cause. We have a strong suspect but no evidence because the water quality and it's source tested ok when we were there. Without evidence we are powerless to take action. This sort of thing is happening on rivers and lakes on a daily basis throughout the UK. Due to a lack of political will and a massif reduction in the EA budget the current situation with pollution is dire. What can the public do about it? I have enrolled as a volun

Started the year well with my gym work. 6k rowing and 12k cycling yesterday. 5k rowing and 10k cycling this morning. Probably do another session thisfto. I always row and cycle a lot in January as a team member of a cyber rowing club. The 'January Team Challenge' is a World wide event hosted by Concept2 - the gym equipment manufacturer. My target is to row 500k during January. Sets me up for the year

I was wondering if you had done the usual mad camp thing Well done mate.

Bloody accountants!!!

We are level with the malts so far Phil

Given you a like for the humour Barrie - sad about the ladies.

It's all called 'Cheap telly' Beekay! Thank goodness for David Attenborough - at least his repeats are interesting. For me he is the most important man that graced this planet.

Just received some stainless steel wire ordered from China a week ago. Yesterday we received a letter from our solicitor and a Christmas card from our Granddaughter posted 2 WEEKS ago!?

Thought you had been married for more than 25 years Phil?

Today we had a splendid and enjoyable second Christmas dinner. The first one was in Somerset on Christmas day with our daughter's half of the family and today was with our son's half all piled into our rambling old place. The highlight of the party was when our 3 Gt Grandchildren put on a play for us, which was written by the oldest aged 10. The youngest played a dual role being the mad robot and the dog. Hilarious mayhem. I love those kids.

Another Christmas dinner

My hens have not laid for a month now. 2 of them lay blue eggs - they are the Arakarna breed.

That box of eggs would not last long these days - get hit with a mobility scooter or by someone looking at their phone.

Forgot to add - It was a good result on SPOTY last night. My granddaughter who plays in a ladies league will be delighted.

My sister is a Man city supporter and she will be at the Liverpool match with her hubby - astonishingly he is a Man C supporter, but he's a scouser?

I, along with my sister will be making a pilgrimage to Meadow Lane in the New Year. Just trying to sort out what could be an important match and dates.

Did you ever perform at the old Empire Bekay

Agree with you to a certain extent Alpha, however passion is an essential ingredient in our lives and we all have a choice how that is displayed. Any sport would become mediocre at best without passion and heroes.

Of course 4/2-

Must say that I enjoyed the football. Far too much time given to talking heads and repetitive history though. I give them 5 minutes before and after a match then switch off. Particularly impressed by Angel De Maria - not for his goal but for his artistry. Yes, there are bad things and suffering going on in the world Alpha and I get quite upset about it, but that is not a reason for burying ourselves in misery and criticising others for enjoying themselves. Having a bit of joy helps us to share it with others.

It was fascinating watching the gas man count, stack and roll the pennies into tubes. Very slick. Can't remember the value of each roll but I would guess 50 pennies, or 10 shillings? Can you imagine what it was like when the gas or electricity ran out and no coins to put in the meter? I remember it happening a few times as a boy. Candle and box of matches kept handy.

It was strong cartridge paper used for sugar bags, also used for rolling up pennies by the gas man when the meter was emptied..