Author: martinjamesphd
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Kitten’s Winter Palace refurbishment
It was a hot priority for summer: cleaning up and repairing the cat’s outdoor den. It’s been de-spidered 🕷️🕸️😦, wiped down, repainted and damp proofed (well, I’ve used bin liners to keep rain out of the living compartment). Fingers crossed for customer satisfaction 🤞😺
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Not all news is bad news
When the history books are written on late capitalism and/or the decline of Western civilization, Simon Cowell’s commercial vehicles will surely deserve a section. This nightmare lasted 17 years, over 1/3 of my life. I’m not a cultural snob but it was hard to miss how X Factor was little more than a polished up…
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A little something to celebrate 🍾
I was one of the lucky few who got through the first UK lockdown (relatively) unharmed. I didn’t get Covid, life went on largely unchanged because I was an “essential worker.” Everyone stayed home, which made it easier for me to go about my business in some senses. From October things changed dramatically and I…
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Leaving home
I managed to get away from my local patch for the first time since November this week. I had a short but great stay in London before an equally wonderful couple of days in the Peak District.
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News: Dramatic flash storm
Yesterday there was a short but Biblical rain storm. Doesn’t seem to rain as much as it used to. It’s probably that climate change thing I keep hearing about!
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Bounce back #2 (quick shoulders catch up)
I tried out my 4k action cam for the first time to record a gym session and the results were much better than with my phone. Shame about the audio, I might have to invest in a GoPro at some point.
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Bounce back: gym
After an insane 2021 so far I finally pumped a dumbbell or two last week. Here’s a badly made video snipped to capture the moment 🙂
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Wet hot English summer
Throughout the last month some my flagship plants have been flowering. I’ve gathered a few highlights, although it’s not yet “peak garden” so pictures to come. For that I’m waiting upon my hydrangeas to flower, which should happen within the next few weeks.
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2021 Ride #4, Saturday 5th June.
I went out at peak heat and repeated Ride #1 of 2021: exactly the same distance and route. I was 1.5 mph faster, which doesn’t sound much but is when you think about it. 💭 I’m no faster downhill (one has to think about safety on narrow country roads) so it’s all based upon extra…
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Growing Season
It’s been a tough one that’s for sure. There was some lovely weather several weeks ago so I made an early start reseeding the lawn. Then it went cold and rained for weeks and my grass seed didn’t take for the first time. Seeding round 2 has gone much better, a little sun has made…
Dr Martin James 