...Stop

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/52538289 Gino Bartali

… What an absolute Hero!

Read the link explaining what he did during WW2.

As usual, I made a coffee preceding breakfast.

I had breakfast this morning, accompanied by the sound of the housing association’s gardeners, mowing the grass. Chainsaws seemed to chop ruthlessly at nature. We let nature have relative free-reign for a very short period. It hurts me to warn you of ourselves!

Remember to be aware of the small burst of ecological growth, that we have let happen during this lockdown. The world risks returning, rushing back to regular, normality, too rapidly for our own good. 

- What have we learnt?

- What can we take from this surreal experience?

Please understand, that ‘for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction’ (Sir Isaac Newton). This basic law of Physics, acts as a foundation to much existentialist philosophy.

...The world has experienced immense suffering recently, but what have we gained?

I urge each and everyone of you, to source some positive from the Global pandemic, before we tear it away from ourselves.

We must not let ourselves lose in every possible way!

The ridiculous UK death count, due to Coronavirus, yesterday stood at  just-above 34,000. Mind blowing, and we are just one country.

I cannot begin to envisage such a large number of people, but  I know that the former Arsenal stadium ‘Highbury’, held 38,000. 

Globally, the count is now over 315,000!

Gulp.

.

...Stop.

You cannot plan your life. This is fortunate, because you may get depressed at missing so many things. The joy that you get from totally unexpected occurrences, will balance the negativity you punish yourself with (from missing your goals). You will realise that you are lucky, we are all lucky, to be here. Protect the future, we all must recognise our duty.

Lockdown-Life

This period has provided me with time that I allocate daily, to two things. 

a) Cycling in my flat, on my MotoMed (Wheelchair adapted Gym-bike).

 I have used this regularly, ever since using the one in my rehab-home, over 10years ago. I set myself goals and targets to aim for throughout the year. The bike measures the speed (pedal rpm), and power that I produce, but this of-course remains limited whilst I remain sat in my wheelchair to pedal. A gage which is a fairer measure of fitness (i think) is my new Heart-rate monitor. I’ve only used it a couple of times, so I am still learning. The brilliant thing is that it synchronises with your phone. So analysing, post-ride, is much better than requiring to check your work-rate mid-session!

b) Duo-Lingo app. I have begun to restart teaching myself Italian language again. I am currently using the ‘Duo-Lingo’ app on my iPad. Impressive stuff, but i fear that I may have reached a difficult section that will require some extra practice (possessive pronouns)!

Page view count

It puzzles me...

Well over 165,000! 

In just under ten years!

Viewed throughout the entire globe!

Thank you all!

I’m 36, in a few months! Half my life ago... I was doing my A-levels!! Gulp! I had a whole lifetime, ahead of me that I could look forward to!!

2002 was the year that I also went ‘mountain-biking in the French Alps with friends. I remember cycling up a section of the Col du Joux-Plane on road, but on our mountain-bikes (I demanded it be done)! We were staying in Les Gets, and so close to this Tour de France legendary climb, it had to be done! From then on, i knew I wanted to return on a road bike, as it was a ‘Mecca’ for me!  At the end of August, I enjoyed the ’The Music’, ‘Muse’, ’The Strokes’, ‘Pulp’ et al at the Reading music festival. My university-life soon followed.

2002 Uefa Champions League final, Hampden Park

One of the sweetest goals ever https://youtube.com/watch?v=4TuggkDPw6A