The wanderings of Peter Ball (and sometimes Valerie)
We have 14km of atmosphere between us and death. 8 and a bit miles of protection. It’s not much and we’re destroying it.
I’m very concerned. I know it’ll be there until I’m gone but I’m concerned for those who come behind.
I’m amazed that there are still atmosphere disaster deny’ers.
Our usual walk into the city
Do you feel helpless in this age of pandemic/global warming/political leaders not leading in a good way?
I do.
Having said that; what can you do about it? Is there an answer? I’m not sure there is for me. I’d love to hear anyone else’s thoughts.
Infact it’s been a whole year. A whole year older and 2 stone lighter and 4 inches off my waist.
I think that’s quite an achievement. At our age you start thinking about how long you’ve got left and how you can improve what you’ve got left.
Val and I adopted a new way. We got into fermenting in quite a big way. We started off quietly with Kefir; Val then added Kombucha and a whole load of other new things. Michael Mosley has to be given a credit.
It’s been another year wearing a mask, having vaccinations and taking tests but all these have been necessary in my opinion.
Just to complete the year I had a tooth extraction this week. Painful?…. Yes!!! I wondered if the dentist was competent . Two days have passed and I’m just about getting over it
I just noticed I hadn’t posted anything about our wedding and I’d like to explain
I didn’t post because I was away using blogger instead
The big day was 7th Aug 2020
The holiday finished on Monday (Easter Monday) and Val went back upstairs to her work. She is very fastidious about putting in the time. I’m sure I never was. She has been feeling insecure about what she is doing but yesterday she received an email telling her what a wonderful piece of work she had produced and asking if they might use it as an example and template for anyone struggling…………….. I felt so pleased and proud for her. RECOGNITION!!! Its what she needed. (in my opinion)
Yesterday was a glorious day in our garden. I spent much of the day sun bathing, fiddling about with plants and moving pots.
Later in the afternoon I cycled into the city for my exercise. It was a good ride of around 10 miles
This morning I lost my rag a little as an unknown car pulled up outside a house opposite to us. I woman got out and went to one of the houses and as she approached to the house I called….. “They’re not in. Do you live there? No!! Don’t you know the social distancing rule”
To which she replied “My son lives here”
OMG….. Will people ever learn? Next door lives two NHS ICU nurses. How would they feel knowing people aren’t respecting the Rule while they risk their lives.
What a glorious day it has been….. so far. Val and I missed our walk yesterday for various reasons and so we were determined to get out and stretch our legs.
Val had found a circular walk on a local website but it was a bit vague and so I used Viewranger (now outdooractive) to plot it on Ordnance survey which said it was just 5.5 miles. The problem with dropping pins on a map is that you tend to cut corners, straighten curves and before you know it this walk turned into 6.3 miles.
We were a bit concerned at the amount of bikes on the walk but we weren’t in a rush as we were looking at the flora and taking pictures.
Today I picked up something I’ve been coveting for absolutely ages. An electric Brompton in a metallic blue. It was a strange process. Not too go into too much detail I bought this the day before Boris closed all three shops and having paid the best part of £3000 I couldn’t collect it!!! How frustrating was that dear reader…
So here I am, owning a new wonderful bike ( I do already have 4 other bikes, including a Brompton) and I was unable to take delivery!!!!
So, where was I? Ah yes…. Out of pocket….
After a considerable amount of phone calls keeping my cool (anyone who has negotiated with me will know I can be ice cool) I managed to persuade the powers that be at their end to refund my money. So, I’m back to square one.
Yesterday I found out my local store (which had taken delivery of my bike 10 days ago) had it there. Fandabidozzi!!!
I rang the manager (Chris) who agreed I could come in and collect although I did have to go through all the paperwork again.
Val took me into the centre of Norwich as we also wanted to shop at our vegetarian shop for flour.
After completing all the paperwork with much hand washing and standing behind yellow lines I stood outside Cycle Republic in Norwich with a brand spanking new Electric Brompton. Excitement reigned.
6 miles later I arrived home….
And we get to the walk bit.
Val and I have a regime. It’s called trying not to give in to being in our 60’s
We set off on a walk I though I’d planned but as usual we ended up going somewhere else
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dZCBNJ9DwTJJs81Y9
It’s a holiday week for Val so she’s been making pasta and I changed the covers on our settee.
We managed to get out this afternoon for a walk and found a wood we hadn’t found before.
I expect we’ll be going back with cameras tomorrow.
Val and Peter Ball are ....... 
