Week 11th Oct.
Along with work commitments , training and other events I tried to get a few of those jobs completed, you know the ones? Those I've been wanting to do for ages! We ordered the concrete gravel boards for Wicksies pen, stroke of luck there, the lads delivering them slid them into place , job well done and saved any of my fingers! Off the wagon and into the concrete posts, bonus. As Deb had left for school, I had replaced the battery in the bell push and it worked, when she came back it was still working but it's new place was on the floor! The sticky that stuck it to the outside door frame had obviously lost it's sticky, there it was on the floor!
We had also decided to try and stop the leak from the upstairs toilet system, coming through the over flow and finding it's way on to the patio doors below, right lets get it sorted. Lifted the lid on the toilet system, feeling about in the water couldn't find the problem, the water was coming from the over flow, but why? The best way to solve the problem, replace the complete innards, so off to the plumbers merchants. We picked up the relevant parts, gained instructions from the man in the shop, also bought some double sided tape for the bell push and headed home to repair.
Emptied the system of water, Deb clearing the residue with a cloth, also putting a small plastic tray under the pipe, carpet safe as well!
Not being a plumber I didn't have a large enough spanner to fit the nut, tried pliers, no good, found an adjustable spanner, to small and still no good, went in search of old tools I had kept in boxes from my Dads and Debs, hey presto found a spanner that fitted! Loosened the pipe, good job Deb thought of the tray, caught the water from the pipe. Took the old stuff out, put the new stuff in, tightened every thing up and then realised I had to fit the ball cock assembly before fitting the innards! Undone the nuts again, took out the new innards, put the ball cock assembly on , put it all back , tightened up, put the ball cock on , it seemed OK, filled up the system and waited for the water level to come up. The ball cock snagged on the side of the system and the flaming water still came well over the level and now it wasn't just a little drip, but it gushed outside!What the hell, drained the system, took out the innards, moved it slightly over, tightened back up , got to work this time, so filled up the system again. Couldn't believe it, the ball cock cleared the system but the water still gushed out! Deb read the instructions to me again! And again we couldn't see, or in my case feel the parts they mentioned, it said to turn the small cylinder clockwise to alter the height of the ball cock, I tried every thing! Then quite by mistake I felt a tiny ridge in a small plastic part with my finger nail, I wonder? Applying a screwdriver with slight pressure, turned it clock wise, some thing happened, the ball cock lowered slightly and the water level dropped, we both stood , Deb watching, me listening, holding our breathe!It stopped! Five to three, just as Deb had to go and pick the kids up from school, she quickly checked outside, no leak, superb.
Whilst Deb went to collect the kids, I put the bell push back on the door frame with the new double sided tape, when she got back she inspected the pipe from the outside, still no leak she exclaimed, with relief I collected up my tools. How clumsy one can be, not like me at all! I trod on the plastic tray, you guessed, dirty water all over the bathroom carpet, nice stain, next job, new carpet and Deb not too happy!
Mind one thing we did learn, not being a plumber we read and re read the instructions, to be honest they were as clear as mud! This part, that part, why don't firms colour code the smaller plastic parts would make life a lot easier, mind at the bottom of the instructions there is some great advice, if all fails, call a proper plumber! I'll give them proper plumber.
I've had enough already of this weeks exploits, need a break and a cuppa before continuing, see you later.

Continuing week 4th Oct
This week was also quite busy, got may events in the presence of our Mayor, Councillor Pauline Hinton. Over the past couple of months got to know Pauline quite well, along with her husband and consort at times, Dave, got to say he's a nutter! In the nicest possible way, deaf as a post and swears he has got a good voice! Don't you believe it, he's also tone deaf.
This week saw us at many events, Tuesday at the Baggies for an awards presentation for disabled kids and kids with learning difficulties. It was a great event and a superb evening. The kids had taken part in a summer programme, doing all sorts of crazy things, many I wouldn't even attempt! But from what I was told they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. So tonight was the night they all got presented with their medals and certificates and what was really nice and announced , "It was all about what they could do!", very apt.
Wednesday saw the Mayor's ball, at the Rigis in Cradley Heath. A great night was had by all, many present from Darren , the leader of the council, Steve , the chief Constable, hope I've got his title right! Even an MP, mind forgot his name!It was a great night, food good, few beers, Dave trying once again to get more down me than I wanted! Music was good, the band playing quite a variety, for both young and old. Deb got me up to do my favourite past time, dancing! Not my forte at all, but i have to admit the one dance she tried to show me was very good. The Charleston, legs and arms everywhere, in the end she said to feel her legs to see how to do it, I just couldn't grasp this dance at all, that was my excuse, I was having more fun feeling her legs, much more enjoyable! The night was a great success, I do believe for the Mayor's charities a total of some £3000 was raised and all enjoyed themselves.
Thursday , saw the opening of the new library in Great Bridge, once again I accompanied the Mayor, but how come I got to do all the talking!
Friday we were at it again, meeting at a function that is, the Mayor and mad Dave, Paulines husband that is , joined us at a function at the Copthorn, in Brierley Hill, an awards evening , put on by the Black Country Sports, hosted by Jackie Oakley, she being a Wolves supporter, still we can't all be perfect can we! I proudly displayed my Baggies tie whilst on stage with her, she thought it wonderful. Once again the night was very good, topping it all got to present the award to the Black Country's top professional football club, West Bromwich Albion, a great end to a great night!
Mind I must tell you earlier on in the week I was very politely told off by a member of the Mayor's staff. the Mayor walking into the one event I was at and knowing Pauline a I do, I said, "Hello cock", straight away I was challenged and it was pointed out that I should address the Mayor as Madam Mayor, I thought that was exactly what I had said, "Hello cock" this being the greeting one uses from where I come from!Pauline and I had a laugh anyway.
We also met up at another couple of events the following week, one in particular at Tipton Sports Academy, the event The Games and Me, put on for a selection of schools from the Black Country. It was to celebrate and create more awareness for the 2012 Olympic Games. It certainly had the desired effect, the kids were roaring with excitement and cheering all competitors as they raced around the track. The last event of the day being a 3000 metre relay, teams from various schools trying to beat Dave Morecrofts UK record for this event, they all gave it their best shot. I had the privilege of running the last 200 metres, with a budding Olympian named Ann, she ran the little legs off me, but I think we all had fun, but why again was it me who said a few words and not the Mayor!I'm sure I keep getting the short straw, talk about sing for your supper, all I got was a cuppa!
Still this week ended on a good note, on the Saturday I went out for another tandem training ride with Mike, 45 miles, through Sutton, up to Tamworth and home, this time the weather was kind to us, mind that saddle wasn't, my bum still hurts! To finish a great week on the Sunday we ran the Leicester half marathon, I must admit the legs knew about it at around 11 miles, mind it was twisting and turning through the town centre and the last mile was definitely up hill, a flat course my foot! Still after the day before I was more than happy with a 1 hour 37 half, not a bad week after all.

From Monday 4th October
I've also had a cracking week at trying and I say trying , to clear up my workshop. It needs doing badly, but for the reason mainly because I need to get the bike out of the living room and in the workshop, so I can use it on the turbo trainer. But I have persevered, shelves up, rubbish out, excuse the pun, now seeing the wood for the trees, I now have places in there for storing the right things!
Talking of cracking, I had a close shave, in fact it was that close I nearly cracked my ribs! Wicksie , the dog that never loses concentration! Let me first say I was dumb struck coming out of the butchers! I went in for 20 sausages, yes 20 and I was still reeling at the price as I turned the corner into the precinct, £4.96 for 20 sausages! Don't know whether to eat them or frame them. Anyway turning the corner , heading home through the precinct, Wicksie had obviously other things on his mind, when my ribs connected with a door. I stopped dead, took the wind straight out of me, I honestly thought my ribs had cracked, when I asked Wicksie to find the door I meant him to avoid not to actually walk me into it, I said what a naughty boy and kept the other expletives in my head, what would the other shoppers think?
Mind he's getting quite good at finding things he shouldn't, a couple of weeks ago walking up the road, he walked me right into a pole. The chap following me had a great laugh, must admit I now can see the funny side, the chap commented it did say stop at the top of the pole, Bus Stop, he certainly stopped me that night, well that's enough of that nonsense I'll carry on tomorrow, time to retire before any more accidents.

From Monday 4th October. I know, I know, I'm a Little behind with this blog, but I'm trying my best to catch up. Talking of behind, mind talking of behinds mines still hurting from the bike ride! The weather this week is unbelievable, wet, dry, wet, dry I'm beginning to feel like a piece of flaming sandpaper. This week as been so busy, been all over the place.
Training has been pretty good this week, managed a 10 miler with Mac on Monday, I think he's having a new lease of life, after Sunday I expected a steadyish run but I think he was feeling a bit frisky! We started at a good pace from mine, up Oak Road, which isn't what you would call flat, I'd call it quite steep, now expecting a couple of mile tempo, in fact it lasted for nearly ten miles and got even quicker for the last couple, I'm getting older I told him!
Wednesday I went for a 14 miler with Karl, I thought we were just going through the valley and home, putting in six three minute efforts, but we turned left out of Red House Park and that meant extra miles, so we threw in a couple of hills, then a tempo to finish.
Thursday out with Dave, we did a steady 10 miles, but I always ask who's steady? Mine or Daves, it turned out to be his steady, I'm sure he gets carried away when we're talking, mind it seems to be bringing up my natural pace. Occasionally on runs, nature takes it's cause and today was one of those occasions , I needed the toilet rather badly, it's amazing how it brings on a focus and a turn of speed! With no toilet at hand and three miles until home, I was quiet and got faster by the second. I sprinted up Oak Road, through the back gate and just made it, that's what I call a speed session!
Friday once again out with Dave, today we did a pretty steady 10 mile, chatting and more relaxed, but we still went at a fair lick, easing down a touch as we were running in the Leicester half at the weekend.
All in all it's been a good week for running, thoroughly enjoyed, got in some speed, hills, tempo runs and I also think the lads are in on my insurance they're doing their best to quicken me up or do me in, one of the two!
Saturday , saw our second major training ride on the bike, as I was running the half the following morning, Mike was taking part in a time trial also on the Sunday, we decided to take it easy. We did around 45 miles, through West Brom, down the Newton Road, heading for Sutton Coldfield. We got up a good head of steam, it's amazing the miles you can seriously cover on a bike. I was once again the blind Satnav until we got into Sutton, then it was down to Mike and signs. We rode for a while through the park, stopping once to firstly give my bum a rest but somewhere along the Newton Road we acquired a rattle. It seemed to be coming from around my feet area, for a while I thought the bike was coming in half, that rattle certainly got louder! Mike , once we had stopped, checked the bike all over, couldn't find the problem, we bounced the rear , gently a few times and hey presto there it was. The screws had dropped out of the rear carrier, yes we'd lost a couple of screws, I'm told I've got a couple of screws loose attempting this challenge, folks are probably right , but getting back to the bike, the culprit found , we fixed it in a fashion, then got on our way. Mike asked had I any idea where we were , I guessed we had to turn left, guess who was wrong? Tamworth wasn't the direction we needed to go, so after a few miles of up and down, we turned and headed in the right direction, although I thoroughly enjoyed, I was glad to get my bum out of the saddle, still another great ride and another big psychological boost.

Who turned the tap off, certainly can't get this weather at all. Saturday the weather was fantastic, good job as there was a charity football match going on. The Fox and Goose in Greets Green, were putting on a game to support Guide Dogs and asked me to come along. To be fair the game was being played, Old ones against Young ones, players that is. The game took place on Farley Park, believe it or not I played my football most days of the week here as a kid, then for around three seasons played in a team called Newtown Rangers, as under sixteens we weren't a bad side at all, won the league on more than one occasion! Yes even with me playing. 1974 , due to my sight problems , I had to give up playing, some said it was the best thing anyway, but a lot of the lads then joined a new team called Sandwell Dresdon. This was the team now playing from the pub, so the old ones of my era, playing the young ones of today, the final score showed just how good we must have been! Ten each! Mind from where I was standing listening to the game, the ref seemed slightly biased! But what a game, talking to one of the lads I used to partner up front , he was only going to play for ten minutes but circumstances forced him to play the whole game, but he commented that he now struggled with his extra bulk to run the length of the field, so the dynamic pairing we once were , were resorted to one not being able to run up the pitch and me not seeing the end of the pitch, so I listened and he grunted. All said and done, they all did very well, they seemed on the pitch that is to have some fun, then it was off to the pub to get some liquid refreshment and recovery inside of them, in the way of a couple of pints. I nipped back and shared a glass with them, then left them all to the rest of the day and night and a few bob was raised.
Who turned the tap back on? couldn't believe Sunday morning, up at 5.45 am, ready for a long run with Karl, it was absolutely pouring down. Sunday was our long run day, we kicked off from the kitchen, dry, then it went down hill, up through West Brom, wet, through Dartmouth Park, wet, through sandwell Valley, even wetter, up and round Red House Park, still wet, back through Hampstead, then through the valley once again, wet wasn't the word, simply drowned and now extremely muddy, after thirteen miles we were both very pleased to get home, get dry and at least the recovery drink only wet us inside. Although I hadn't had enough of water for one day, we decided to take the kids swimming. It was , I must admit very relaxing on the legs, the kids enjoyed, with them now having swimming lessons, they had the chance to practice what they had learned, they both did very well. Deb and me gently swam up and down, then I decided to get a little eager, pulled a few fast strokes with front crawl, unfortunately Deb was a split second to late, my left arm coming down under the water, my right coming down ready to give a good hard pull, but then the side of the pool came into the equation! Deb said she heard the bump before seeing it! I felt it, my head colliding with the pool side, Ouch, was the word I said, can't repeat the words I thought! I'm pretty sure the pool moved, my head cracked, but although I was swimming, it wasn't blue and pink fish I saw, it was definitely dickie birds, I still have the lump a week later, mind Deb said it's still not knocked any sense into me! I'm off now to rest my injured head, strange how my eyes have come out in sympathy! So it's forty winks time, catch you later.

The Challenge begins

The 1st October and is it really white rabbits! Wet soggy ones by the state of the rain outside and what starts to the first tandem training ride. The challenge for next year really began on 3rd September with the announcement at the Alexander Stadium, Perry Barr. We had a room full of dignitaries, celebs, friends and the press, the challenge for next year, supporting Macmillan Cancer Support, Top 2 Toe was officially underway!
The running part of things is still going pretty well to plan, but this being the first tandem ride and i guess this is where the training starts in earnest. Mike Hopkins, principle of South Birmingham College, the tandem captain got his hands of the Dawes mountain bike tandem for the first time today. He sorted out the saddles, changing them to the racing type, no worries i'm still intending to go slow! Mike just believes these are the most comfortable, slim and hard my eyes are watering and i haven't sat on it yet! Changed the pedals from standard to the clop variety, mind shows what i know, i said they were the wrong ones, turns out you take out a plastic insert and there they are the right ones, Dave the answer, keep your nose out. Mind i.m not the only one it appears does things wrong, Mike put the cleat in my shoe the wrong way round, i'd have tried all day and it wouldn't have fit the pedal, reversed it and hey presto, it fitted, so for the first ride, the bike is pretty well set up, alterations i'm sure at the end of the ride.
Clothing, certainly not like running, when running i wear as little as possible, less on, the less to get wet and with running you soon warm up. Now cycling is a different kettle of fish with the state of the day fish being the operative word! A tandem, i think we needed a canoe! But I was advised by Mike to keep as warm and dry as possible, so the layers went on. Mind i must admit putting the cycling shorts on the the first time and adhering to the instructions that came with them. Assos shorts, the best there is, i'm told and the book said, Deb reading it to me with that smile in her voice, rub the cream into the areas that come into contact with the saddle, just didn't seem right, rubbing oil or cream into your rear end, putting shorts on it felt very soggy and a little uncomfortable! so the layers went on, shorts, socks,water proof leggings, vest, under layer, cycle top, water proof jacket, helmet and shoes with cleats and i nearly forgot, the gloves, so out into the rain we ventured, raring to go, it felt very sad taking my brand new bike into this foul weather!
Nearly ready to go, first a photo for the paper, Steve from the Express & Star, first with wide angle lens, what was he trying to say? Then with a long lens, smile he said, i did and now we're off, shoes clipped in, well nearly so now the first ride begins.

This tandem ride was a new experience for both of us, me venturing into the unexplored miles and Mike having a blind Satnav, me! We were heading for Bridgnorth and Mike coming from Worcester hadn't got a clue where we were heading so it was up to me to navigate, could be interesting. Good job we didn't need an A to Z or it would have got rather soggy, the route, well most of it was in my memory banks, so off through Tipton, turning right at Dudley Port, very appropriate with the rain as it was! Up to Sedgley, down through Wombourne. We then i'm told were in the country, this is where things got interesting, now I hadn't got a clue, so it was down to following the signs. We passed through Pattington, up a through Claverley, passing through Half Penny Green, passing the airport and up a very large incline, i'd call it a hill it was steep, long and made me breathe rather hard, then we acquired a squeak, plus my saddle, we think may have moved slightly, so at the top we would stop and take a look. We stopped, Mike said he was putting left foot down, i obviously miss heard him, i sat there still clipped in and then there was this falling sensation. Mike had got off, expecting me to do the same, i didn't , just sat there then the bike very slowly, in fact in slow motion along with me started toppling. Still holding onto the handle bars, connected with the grass verge, sideways on, feet still in the clips, bike on top, i knew it was happening but couldn't do a thing about it, no harm done to me or more so the bike, so after a quick alteration of the saddle, five minutes of laughter, we composed ourselves and got on our way,
We rode a few more miles, both now blind as to where we were, but salvation came in the form of a sign, Wolverhampton or Stourbridge, we chose Stourbridge, here we picked up signs for Dudley and then West Bromwich, so i was then back navigating we found home after 53 miles, wet, bum sore but a great experience and a great psychological boost, it took us just over three and a half hours, which wasn't bad, well i was pleased with it anyway.
Over the time we were cycling i was quite surprised at the attitude of some motorists, there were a couple of incidents i must admit i frowned at coming up one hill obviously being told this a car simply must have watched us coming up, well the driver anyway and as we literally got to the junction the car pulled straight out in front of us, then a while after coming through Stourbridge, a car came along side of us and the driver had got to have seen us decided to turn directly left almost taking the front wheel of the bike out i can only imagine some drivers need to go to Spec Savers! and cycle lanes, there appear to be more cars parked in them than bikes, at points there were more cars travelling in them too, the simple lack of consideration for cyclists is frightening.
But all said and done, it was a very interesting and positive 53 miles, now after a bite to eat, a shower and then out for a couple of well deserved pints.

And were off !!!