Jeff – Page 58 – About Stuff

December 30, 2016December 30, 2016

2016 – That was the year that was

The year began with us living on a building site – although the main structure was up at the start of the year, there was still much to be done:

I would say it was the start of the Easter holidays that the build was finished – although there was still much to do. If 2015 was characterised by the build, 2016 will be remembered for re-structuring the garden. I built the deck:

I removed the side panel, took out a lot of bushes and built a shed:

I tackled the front hedge (in several goes!)

… and took down the old summerhouse:

Sophie took, and passed (and excelled) in her GCSEs

I did, and passed, my referee’s course, and “caught the bug”

Sam continued to grow. And grow. And grow.

We “did” the sitting room – I laid the floor, Becky painted & styled everything:

Taking down the stone fireplace ... — Taking down the stone fireplace …

I swam a lot, I ran a lot and I took up spinning. All this led to me being the fittest I’ve been for years, and also the leanest I’ve been for years:

And Christmas came around – fun family time, gathering of the clans before Christmas, just the four of us on the big day itself:

The Peabody Massive, December '16 — The Peabody Massive, December ’16

Despite all the turmoil in the wider world (Brexit, Trump, seemingly endless celebrate deaths) 2016 was a good year in Peabody Towers, who knows what 2017 will bring?

December 27, 2016

I Love It – Icona Pop

Track of the week 25/12/16

It could be argued that the final “track of the week” for ’16 should feature one of the fallen heroes – it does seem like a disproportionate amount of talent has passed this year; just in the last couple of days, Rick Parfitt from Satus Quo and George Micheal have moved on. I only just discovered that Greg Lake, who penned one of my favourite Christmas songs – I Believe in Father Christmas, dies on 7th December.

But no, my final track of the week is a bit of a surprise, and neatly emphasises why I do this – songs pop in and out of my head all the time, for a while they’ll be at the top of my playlist but then drift back into the obscurity that is my mind. This track is one that I’ve been aware of without really knowing it and then, today, whilst spinning in a vein attempt to burn off some Christmas excesses this track kicked in. I must admit, I thought it was little mix, but Sophie quickly identified it as Icona Pop (must have been my excellent rendition!)

Don’t know if they are a “cool” group, but I like this track, and that’s good enough for me.

December 25, 2016December 25, 2016

Christmas 16

Pic of the week 25/12/16

It’s Christmas …!

December 23, 2016

2016 – A Review

Not a review by me (I shall review my year in a later post), but I thought that this was a brilliant/funny/frightening review of 2016 – a year that most are predicting will go down in history as a bad year.

Watch the film, its funny (and, sadly, quite true)

December 21, 2016December 21, 2016

Swimming 2016

At the start of the year, I challenged myself to swim the channel. Not, of course, in the sea, in one go – that would be far too cold/difficult/dangerous/unachievable (and a whole host of other reasons), but over the course of the year in Strode Pool. I calculated I would need to swim 960 lengths, and I achieved this goal by mid March.

Today I completed my 6,000th length, which equates to 200km, and I’m rather proud of that. A knee injury in January forced me off the road and into the pool more, and no plumbing in February half term meant that I visited the pool every day to keep clean – swimming was a useful by product – but there have been other times when the going has got tough: the latter half of November, for example, found me somewhat of a stranger to the water (reports, refereeing, life, getting in the way).

The start of my Christmas holidays saw me needing to get in another 436 lengths – a significant number, but one that could be done. So I’ve put in a few big swims since then – 3 x 72’s, 2 x 60’s, 1 x 48 and 2 x 30’s to hit my goal today, with eight extra lengths for good measure!

With “odd” opening times for lanes next week (between Christmas & New Year) today may have been my last swim of the year, so the stats for 2016 are:

Lengths: 6008

Distance: 200.27 Km

December 18, 2016

Your love keeps lifting me (higher and higher) – Jackie Wilson

Track of the week 18/12/16

Another great foot stomper that impels you to get up and get moving. I defy you to sit perfectly still for 2 mins 51 seconds whilsrt this track plays.

I had to check through my tracks of the week – I’m amazed that I haven’t featured this before, Northern Soul at its sugary finest.

December 18, 2016

Gathering of the clan

Pic of the week 18/12/16

Last night, Saturday 17 December 16, we descended, en masse, to Ask in Wells to gather together and celebrate Christmas.

It was a lovely evening of great food, fine wine (or so I’m told – my Diet Coke certainly passed the taste test) and fab company.

Sam was delighted to get confirmation that he is now officially the second tallest in the family and he is eagerly eyeing up my crown – still a couple of centimeters to go, but maybe this time next year …

December 11, 2016

Ceremony – New Order

Track of the week 11/12/16
The first New Order single – and possibly the best? Could argue that, but this has to be up there with the best of them.

A marked transition from Joy Division – it was originally a Joy Division track, but New Order’s was so much better. I often think of those celebrity pop quizzes where they ask a either or question: Manchester or London, Coffee or Tea etc. If asked the question Joy Division or New Order my answer would be an unswerving New Order.

To me they are cleaner, more polished, less edgy – and I think I like that because it sums me up. Not to say Joy Division aren’t brilliant – Atmosphere is a beautiful piece of music – but for me, New Order are streets ahead, the album Ceremony deserves to be listened to.

Enjoy.

December 11, 2016

Its beginning to look a lot like …

The sitting room with new floor and sofa

Pic of the week 11/12/16

Christmas is coming! Still seems some time away to me, but is a mere two weeks away.

The house is in a very different state from this time last year, looking forward to our first proper Christmas in #79.

December 10, 2016

Match Report

A challenging game, that could have got nasty about 35 mins into the second half, but I worked hard to keep my match control and establish myself as the boss.

Should have booked yellow (away) 10 for a bad foul outside the box after circa 25 minutes, but I let him work me, by delaying coming over, then being all apologetic etc. and I didn’t give the card. Should have, lesson learned.

Bit high tempo after the cards for about 5 mins, but I worked hard to bring the temperature back down.

Pen was a definite, but not deliberate, penalty. I was in a good position to see it and, other than the two players involved, and perhaps the keeper, I was closest to the play (it stemmed from a break away), all aiding my credibility in giving the decision.

Really enjoyed the challenge – and mastery – of the game.

Match Stats

Ashcott A 3 Millborne Port A 4

Open Age, Yeovil & District League, Division 2

2 Yellows 0 Reds 1 Pen

Match fee: £25