Author Archives: james

Swimming, 24th January 2022

Posted on January 24, 2022 by james

Well, I wimped out yesterday as for some reason I was feeling very tired, but I couldn’t do that two days in a row. The pool was not at all warm today. I really hope they get the new boilers … Continue reading →

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How not to cut down a tree…

Posted on January 20, 2022 by james

I’ve been removing some sycamore branches that were overhanging the veggie plot from one of our hedgerows which hasn’t been too much of a chore thanks the pole saw, but one trunk had grown out at an angle over the … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 20th January 2022

Posted on January 20, 2022 by james

Well, today was a complete disaster. I was pushing as hard as I could, but over 50m I was about three seconds off the pace. I wonder if yesterday’s poor performance wasn’t all about the beer and perhaps I’m actually … Continue reading →

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First attempt at smoked salmon

Posted on January 19, 2022 by james

My wife found some salmon on offer a couple of days back because it was approaching its “expiry” date, so she bought an extra packet for me to try smoking. It’s actually a 500g fillet sliced into four. Not ideal, … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 19th January 2022

Posted on January 19, 2022 by james

I didn’t get to swim on Sunday because bookings were closed down due to the pool boilers failing, and then on Monday I was helping out at a school swimming gala so didn’t have time to swim either, which meant … Continue reading →

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Smoke #3

Posted on January 16, 2022 by james

Today I thought I’d try apple-smoking some halloumi, together with a few more smallish pieces of cheddar. I’m not sure how it’s going to turn out, to be honest. I patted the cheese dry before cutting it into smaller blocks … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 16th January 2022

Posted on January 16, 2022 by james

Or not, in fact. When I went to the website to book today’s session I was told that there was a waiting list for the fast lane, which is quite unusual given that if I’ve ever seen the lane more … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 13th January 2022

Posted on January 13, 2022 by james

I’ve commented before on how some days you feel that it’s going to be a good session and get out of the pool feeling as though you’ve failed to perform whereas others you’re really not into it but things turn … Continue reading →

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BBKA Module exam bemusement

Posted on January 12, 2022 by james

A few years after I’d started keeping bees I took the first of the BBKA’s exam modules (Module 1 – Honey Bee Management). It felt quite a struggle at the time as circumstances meant that two of us had to … Continue reading →

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Swimming, 12th January 2022

Posted on January 12, 2022 by james

Very quiet in the pool today. I was the only person booked into the fast lane. It’s always pleasant when there are no more than two swimmers in the lane, as we can take a lane line each rather than … Continue reading →

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