Rotting in the doldrums...

Not much to report in the life of DMB at the moment. I'm eagerly awaiting a letter from Clyde Marine Training, offering me my place for September; hopefully at Fleetwood Nautical Campus. I feel as though my life is dangling from a thread; awaiting this confirmation; and it's all become a little bit too central to my whole existence. It is, in essence the metaphorical doldrums. I've been getting my head down with college; in a fashion; and doing a little more cycling; which I'll discuss in due course.   I just need to keep focusing; on that first trip of an officer; in particular the end  of that trip; where I sign off, and I'm off for a few weeks; with a healthy bank balance!
 Today was Evelyn Mae's 5th Birthday; and as usual Emma prepared her a little party; with food; and invited my family around; something she does every year. I was made up my Nan came down as well and my Mum, Dad, Chris, and baby Carter (Chris's little nephew)- My Nan was made up; you know what old people are like with babies! Cat nip for the old, I always say.

On the subject of the merchant navy; at the weekend I went with the vics (my cycling club) to watch one of our members'; Mr Walmsley running his "half" marathon. I got talking to some old cunt who was wearing a Subsea 7 boiler suit; which is one of the companies I may end up with. I got talking to him; and it became apparent I was talking to an older version of myself; except; he was much more xenophobic towards Scottish people than I ever could be. I agreed with much of his rants; about society going down the pan; the government keeping us dumb, and just enough into the red so we don't decide enough is enough. I told him my plans, and he reckons that I'm on the right track (getting out of the UK) - He was telling me about his house that he'd had built in Malaysia; and his 21 year old wife who was "fit as a butchers dog"; him owning the house sounded like a contractual minefield involving solicitors and none existent companies; I think it was this point that the fork was stuck into the road.

Fat people in lycra need banning; the way I see it though is I should be moving fast enough for people not to notice; and I would like to think that my fellow club members are desensitized to it by now.  This is getting to the top of "the steps" 

This is me and sean getting to the top of World's End; which I have to say is one of my favourite climbs

Into the red . . .I suppose it doesn't help when your hair brained fellow rider is trying to get you to "time trial it" out to Chester; before these wretched climbs! 

The picture doesn't do it justice; it really is one steep hill.

This month I have climbed the steps twice; world's end twice; the old shoe, and the new shoe. Now; those little monikers might not jump out at you as things that are horrendous; but I assure you; when you're riding your bike up them; they are. Coming back from Llangollen yesterday; I was just too far into the red; so I told the guys to head on without me. I enjoyed the isolation, and going at my own pace. One thing I can say about myself is I know how much I've got left in the tank; I think some solo rides out to north wales are in order! I was nearly ran off the road by a moron driving a articulated lorry full of Chickens...he passed me at speed; then moved in; it's possible he forgot about his trailer!  I also went out with Vita Cycles club last Saturday; which was very enjoyable- lots of riders on very spiffing bikes; and it's always better to ride in a Group.  I'm going to start going out with them on a Saturday morning for as long as my welcome lasts with them. I didn't get weighed last week; and I'm waiting until next week for my next weigh in; so hopefully I'll have reached the eighteens; if I haven't I'll be gutted.