Thursday 16th July 2026

The weeks still rattle by, and make it even more manic, we are going away in four days.

Although most preparations are done, there will be the great cat round up on Monday morning before we can load up the car and leave.

It would be easy to let phys slip this week, what with it being so hot and humid. I feel bad enough not doing a full forty minutes, doing just thirty five these days.

But upon our return, we shall get back on the straight and narrow, and do even more than before.

And this day came after England's exit from the World Cup. As always with England, the media and fans, expectations were high, too high to be met. And in the final quarter on Wednesday, England were just outplayed and too passive.

But the sun rose still Thursday morning, and life is still good.

I did not want to get up at five to go to the gym, but did. Cats were fed, coffee made, and we were five minutes late leaving the house, so that the centre was open when we arrived. We went up to the gym and got to work on the bikes.

The air con in the gym is great, except in the corners, which is where the two bikes are, so it is warm even before you begin to turn the peddles.

We stood outside for ten minutes to cool down, then drove to Tesco for a few things and to fill up the car. Back home for a brew and breakfast.

Time for a shower, shave and change of clothes, before out again, this time to Deal to get some medical supplies for the trip, then at midday go to the chippy for lunch.

We will be away for nearly four weeks, so need stuff to cover all bases, including factor 50 sun block as we'll be at over 2,000m at times, then in Spain which could be hotter than the surface of the sun.

In a break from the usual, I have cod instead of skate, which is what I fancied for a change.

The shop soon filled up, but we had our table in the corner so we could people watch both inside and out.

The town was filling up, as to be expected for a seasidey town in July, so we walk back to the car and drive home. Skipping an ice cream.

Just be coincidence, Le Tour started a few minutes before we got home, so with a fresh brew I sat down to watch, and try to stay awake.

Another lightning quick stage, with a bunch finish and a huge crash in the last 500m.

Phew.

For the evening, we had tickets for a show: Arthur Smith and Phil Nice at the Aster.

It was a pleasant evening for a drive along to coast through Walmer and into Deal. The Just Reproach was full, so we skip a swifter and walk round to the theatre, and after showing our tickets, we go to the bar for a quick drink.

Arthur and Phil were of the generation before the 80s alternative comedy, so started in a review when there wasn't really a Fringe", they then formed a double act, had a couple of TV series where they did spoof travel and history shows, decades ahead of the curve, then split up at the end of the 80s.

The show was a muse on age and growing old. rowing old in an ever changing world, and the difficulties in maintaining friendships. It was pretty good.

But the air con had been switched off, so that by the interval it was like a swamp, so I stood outside and watched the boy-racers tear up and down the short street, impressing the nesting pigeons.

There was a brief Q&A, then all over, we walked back to the car and home.

Time for a night cap, and then to bed.