Author: RogerMerriman

We have been up to Fort William on the sleeper train which now has double beds, rather than bunks.

Was 5 hrs late on the Friday night so got into to the train 12ish? And didn’t get to the hotel until 3 pm the next day but the up side was we saw the Highlands!

Was amazing weather for Scottish spring! 17 degrees so had a lovely few days, including a dramatic drive past Harry Potter Bridge or Highlanders Loch!

And a boat trip in the sea loch with Seals and Deer! Again beautiful weather!

And views of Ben Nevis which last time had been under clouds which is fairly common!

Even got some deer and views on way home, was a fantastic adventure if exhausting particularly as I didn’t sleep well on the sleeper and I don’t cope well with holidays anyway but I loved it.

Late last year I reduced my days working down again to two, which seems to be working in that I’m not fatigued constantly and am managing to do stuff.

Such as though not limited to going for a night gravel ride timed to meet the road gang at the pub. I do love night riding but it is hard work cognitively and physically, and as such I’ve only managed maybe one or two every year before this.

So this is huge improvement and well enjoyment and well a success so I’ll take that!

It’s been a shocking bad month, I’m not a fan of Christmas at the best of times but this month has been awful for various reasons!

So decided that I’d give the light show at Hampton Court a go, as I’d wanted to go last year but though it would be too much!

I loved it, was in places rather challenging in that my broken vestibular system doesn’t like low light and odd lights so a walk around and though the Palace with lights was always going to be hard work!

So I’m very pleased with myself if shattered!

One of the things about a brain injury is thinking isn’t for free and so you get tired and takes a few days to recharge.

I had a lovely day yesterday went with Sa to Kingston then on to Wimbledon for a meal with Headway South West London saw new and old faces, was lovely!

But I’m paying for it now! I had hoped to go to this Herne Hill Velodrome tent which has talks by various folks including some folks I occasionally interact with on the socials, today.

But as does happen I’ve used up too much brain and don’t have enough today, it does happen less frequently, though that’s fatigue management than recovery!

Ie I’ve learnt not to push my limits! It is frustrating it’s why I only work part time now, but it is what it is!

We normally have a street party most years, but this year is Jubilee!

And as such we had a band for the afternoon which was great lots of dancing! And later pizza!

The rain held off until the evening but at which point had whittle down to less folks anyway!

This month done two Sportives which isn’t normally my thing!

First was a club local to me, and with the local club, very social with brilliant feed stops, but being 100% on road I was rather slow!

Last weekend had a Gravel sportive nr my folks place, was vaguely sociable in that I did chat to folks at speed stops and while riding but clearly not folks I knew!

But honour was mine, as I was faster and cleared the technical sections as well that’s my skill set!

I really enjoyed both though for slightly different reasons!

Can’t remember where I found out about it, but discovered Sarn Helen road (claimed Roman maybe older) that runs north to South Wales, and passes close to folks place.

So this visit to Wales persuaded Paul to attempt it, and so he could show off his E-MTB!

Truely epic land, and views.

A fair few Hike a bike on way up, much less on way down! And some really interesting bits and bobs, and riding plus chance to meet a friend again!

I went up for a few days, to the Peak District as I’d heard about Mam Tor and the broken road, which had suffered various landslides and so eventually had been abandoned, and it interested me! And it didn’t disappoint!

And as happened, during that week Snake Pass had been closed to cars, as it had a few landslides though not as bad! So rode up that, lovely traffic free climb! And spectacular views!

I did also visit the plug hole! Which was flowing nicely!

Sadly next day was wet! So had Winnats Pass which is a spectacular gorge, and the moors over to the Monsal trail which is a old railway line in a gorge with a truly improbable and impressive amount of tunnels and Viaducts!

I was quite wet and cold by that point so very glad of the cafe in Miller Dale station!

Back over the moors to Castleton, I did have a wee wander up Cavedale gorge, and views to the Castle, again soggy!

So start of the month, had Sara’s Birthday celebrations which had lots of folks and two big events plus travel there and home!

And I topped off that week by going to http://www.dittonsvelo.org.uk Christmas Party which was a lovely and I got a medal!

I hadn’t thought I’d manage even some of that week let alone all, particularly the Christmas party.

It shows how far I’m come and learnt to adjust to the brain injury.

The anniversary was on the Christmas party, so you’ll have to forgive some pride!

From next week I’m going part time, has been Sara’s initial idea as I’m permanently exhausted, medical term for it is Fatigue

I have been aware that I’m probably doing to much, the consultant essentially said as much as well as some other medical bods who concisely have been advising that I need to be “kind to myself”.

I have high hopes I’ll feel a lot better, and energy for life, clearly for myself I’m hopeful of cycling! But also more sensible bits of life as well!