Gardening

Been doing a few things in the garden but this time of the year you really have to keep on top. Here are a few photos of my garden taken today :-

 

 

1. A Yorkshireman must have white roses

 

 

2. Not all are White

 

3. A few plants alongside my drive, bit of a mix

 

4. My garden is mainly lawn and borders.

 

5. This is the bottom of my garden, was overgrown a year ago but getting in shape now

 

6. One of the new rose plants i put in this year, first to flower.

 

7. This is one thats been in awhile now, think I've gt about 18 now.

Samaria Gorge

Not posted for awhile, two reasons really, not really felt motivated to blog and also spent two weeks in sunny Crete and wasn't online.

 

One of the highlights of the trip is I tested myself by walking the Samaria Gorge, its one of the longest in europe 16km long. Sounds nothing but it starts 1200metres above sea level n the white mountains and ends at the coast, the terrain is tough with loose rocks and many places you can slip.

 

Their are some very steep downhill sections which really test you knees and calf muscles. Add to that steaming hot tempretures it was no easy trip. Most people take around 6 hours+ to complete and was quite chuffed I did it in less than 5 hours.

 

Here are some photos from the Gorge :-

 

 

 

This was very nice at the end of the trek.

Really enjoyed the trip, here are the rest of my photos (including more from the Gorge) :-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308363@N02/sets/72157634406852706/

Tits and things

Its awhile since I posted and to be honest I'm just not inspired to post at the moment, think all us bloggers have periods like this.

Anyway just to keep any readers up to date here are a few things.

Better start with the "Tits" part of the post, well I'm really pleased it looks like a family of Blue Tits are nesting in my bird box, first time for 6 or 7 years so really pleased. On top of that there are a family of robins nesting somewhere close its actually quite nice watching them all feed and go through their daily activities.

So on to me and I've been busy in the garden last couple of weeks and even though i say it myself its looking good, spring flowers are about finished now but have put in loads of summer plants and it'll be a sea of colour.

I'm back on a weight loss campaign, its planned between holidays. I've put a little on since I stopped working on it and of course the Italy holiday didn't help.
My next trip is to Crete and I started 2 weeks ago just cutting Bread & Sweet stuff out of my diet for now.
Been at it 2 weeks and although not weighed am starting to feel the difference so am sure its working. My intention is to keep it going until i go to Crete then will decide future plans after that.
I'd already cut back significantly on m beer intake and only drink on special occasions (even stopped on Pool match nights, actually go in car now so only have soft drinks). Did go out last Friday to a local Italian for our Table Tennis Clubend of season meal, about 20 of us went. Was really nice had the homemade soup for a starter followed by fillet steak, no pudding though, stayed strong.

Have a couple of things coming up where I'll have a drink, meeting a friend for lunch on friday to catch up then early June another lunch with someone from my holiday who is in he area so gonna meet up. Yes its a lady but don't read anything into that just a friend i met on holiday, one of a group of us that got on well.

Talking holidays I've really enjoyed these organised group trips and have another touring holiday planned for sept/oct but I'm getting the feeling I want to do something solo again, maybe a city break where i've to find my own way around. Fancy either Berlin or Madrid so watch this space, probably its the adventurer in me.

I actually like planning these trips myself, not same someone doing it all for you (although made some great friends), probably a mix of holidays is the way to go.

One thing I want to do is plan a big fly/drive in America, got a couple of ideas but wouldn't do it totally solo, need to talk one or two people into joining me on that one.

Italy Photos

Here is a link to my Italy Photos :-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308363@N02/sets/72157633441210068/detail/

Back Home

I've just had a week away in Italy, had a great time and the weather was very hot and sunny. Actually got back late Sunday and have been catching up with a few jobs especially in the Garden.

Went to the Cilento Coast and stayed in a small fishing village a couple of hours south of Naples, the hotel was great and the food really good (thought i was a taster for master chief, lol).
The area is very unspoilt and not really touristy although did a few day trips to more well known places such as Amalfi.

Need to get back on track with the weight loss, think I've put some back on but thats what holidays are for, must admit the home made ice cream was to die for.

Will post a link to my photos when i get them downloaded.

Away again this weekend, off to Wolverhampton to play in the National Table Tennis Championships (Veterans), I'm entered in the over 40's and over 50's and seen the draw and have tough games in saturdays qualifying.
Depends on timing whether i have to withdraw from one of the events Sunday as I'm fitting the trip in with a meet up with some relations for lunch, its more important (long story).

Its that time of Year

HAPPY ST GEORGE'S DAY

Getting Slack

Got to admit I'm getting a bit slack with writing blog posts, dont seem to have much to write about nowadays.

Did go away over the easter period, just in this country, sort of touring about in this country with a old friend. Was good to get away but very cold, still enjoyed it.

Had a couple of dates recently but nothing come of either, lets just say not suitable.

Have a coulple of "singles" holidays planned this year, one to Italy and one to Crete so maybe best I keep myself single for next few month, lol.

Considering changing my car this year, its 8 years old now and I've normally changed well before now. Saying that its running well sopert of me says keep it, maybe I'll look around in the summer.

Decided I gonna start playing Golf again, bought some new golf shoes so committed now, just gotta join the golf club, lol.

The ongoing issue I've previously mentioned (but cant post about as only a very few close friends know about it) as moved forward big style, lets just say May is a big month.

Played table tennis for Yorkshire at weekend, hurt my back in first match but although it been sore not done any major damage. My own fault for not warming up properly. Got a local league match (our last of the season) tonight but still gonna practice because playin in the Veterans National Championships in Wolverhampton in May.

Thats all for now folks.

progress

Made big progress on a long standing issue yesterday, quite excited.

Where is Spring

Well thursday was officially the first day of Spring but somebody forgot to tell the weather, its freezing and snow is causing avoc around the country.
Still it got to get better soon, hasn't it ?.

Got to be up at 4am to drive to the airport, reckon it'll be cold then.

Dates of Destiny

Busy couple of days ahead on the sporting front that can be described "Dates of Destiny".

Tomorrow I'll be playing in the local table tennis championships and aiming to win the Open singles for the 11th time (first time in 1984). Didn't play in them last year so be nice to get the title back. Sure I'm not getting any younger but its only a small league and not the highest level I play so have got every chance of victory.
To be honest the local league is possibly as weak as its been certainly I can't remember it been weaker but maybe some young pretender can give me a run for my money, who knows.
Also it would be good to take the veterans and the doubles aswell.

Monday we've got our last Pool match and have a real shot of winning the league, we are top by a narrow margin but 3 other teams are still in with a shout. We have a hard match compared with our rivals and I feel we need a 8-2 win to be sure but 7-3 would probably do.
Going to be a nervy night for all the teams, could be a matter of which team deals with the pressure best.
Its great it been so competitive and going to the wire, could finish anywhere from 1st to 4th.