5452 - Helen and Paul

It was like the old student days again 

Or times in the late eighties long ago

A dreamlike sequence, different rooms and then

Long fun conversations that come and go 

Brain stimulated, changed by things we know 

Can affect thought, deed, personality 

I outlasted Helen and Paul, although 

They’re both a good few years younger than me

Helen stayed up late, did well, certainly 

I’ve seen her flake out earlier, but it’s been 

Twelve hours in her company. She got so

Wound up arranging the delivery 

Or collection by taxi in the end

Met Paul in the Boar’s Head. Leigh evenings flow 

Fri 30 July 

5451 - P & J

Met P and J in town- quite cold today 

Both daughters enjoyed meeting each other 

For the first time in ages. Glad to say 

They managed to meet, overcoming the

Difficulties in organising a

Meet-up, before P flies back to Milan 

I spent some time with both, though the weather 

Was cold, to protect P from infection 

Then as agreed, made sure that I was gone 

So they could be alone. So rarely they 

Have had that opportunity. Sister

To sister, private catch-up, one to one

Can be proud I’ve swum and walked a long way 

Today, and worked in between. Active, yeah?

5450 - Fun and Games

The Games are on, the Olympics are back 

Seen some great stuff already like cycling 

Road races, where some fall but pick their bike

And themselves up and keep on pedalling 

The triathlon combined this with swimming 

And running. Track and field is yet to come 

But the other sports are entertaining 

I missed the dressage through work - what a shame 

I loved watching dancing horses last time 

Skateboarding and surfing- watch them attack 

Those stair rails and those waves, with some winning 

The first Olympic medals in pastime 

Turned into sport. So let’s not all sit back 

And watch, let’s do some participating!

5449 - Drinks with Pearl

Pearl’s over from Italy for a week 

Or two, tonight several hours together 

She has really shown a determined streak 

Paying for numerous Covid tests for her

To get here at all to see Ma and Pa

Pa is me, by the way. The White Lion 

The meeting place, out in the open air

Like she wanted for her own protection 

She’s been jabbed but still fears the disruption 

In her life, should she test positive. We

Couldn’t quite fully catch up. Another 

Meeting therefore on Thursday is the plan 

Ate at Pizza Express. I saw a pic

Or two of her Italian life. Super!

Tue 27 July 

5448 - Holiday issues

Having made plans for a long driving tour 

Of southern England yesterday, I faced

Some issues. I’d hoped youth hostels were where 

I’d stay, cheaply, but there was just no place

To stay, not even camping spots. Amazed

And plans ruined. Maybe Salford Van Hire

Have vehicles I can sleep in? I need space

To store stuff and lie back and sleep, entire

Night spent in it, for a week or more? Higher

Costs for rooms in GB, can’t go nowhere 

Else, of course. I can’t say it’s a disgrace 

After all, the industry’s been retired

By force because of Covid this past year 

Is there an answer? Got to find the ways

Sun 25 July 

5447 - Holiday plans

Today I did what used to be such fun

Planning the route of a touring holiday 

It’ll be by car, in the south of England 

The next step is to find places to stay 

Am thinking youth hostels, like back in the day 

I’ll head for Shropshire and the Welsh borders

The hills near Brecon, Valley of the Wye

Then across to Somerset with gorges

Then Wiltshire’s ancient monuments. Impressed?

The New Forest and Isle of Wight to come 

Then Sussex and Kent coast, Canterbury 

Surrey, Windsor and Eton. Then I guess

It’s back north on the motorway, vroom vroom 🏎 

So many new sights to see on the way!

5446 - Friday is Friday

Friday is Friday, it is just the best 

Sat on the balcony, the summer sun

Nobody hassling me, at total rest

Let them do their worst, I’m at peace; begun 

The weekend with beer and it’s nice no-one

Can stop me from this. Listened to podcasts 

I’m wiser than hours ago, so I’ve come 

A long way since yesterday, I have passed 

Where I was, and should anybody ask 

About anything, I will pass the test 

Finding about stuff is always such fun 

Knowledge isn’t power but it’s gonna last 

And see me through conversational test 

Should that ever matter to anyone 

5445 - Coconut

Just  drank a whole carton of coconut 

Drink. Hot night- it was just what I needed

Hot even in the living room, my shirt 

Off part of the day while working. Sweated

Less with bare skin, window and door both wide

Open. When work was done, I thought, Shall I 

Get beers in, but although I was tempted 

It was quite late, 5:15 already 

I won the mental battle to stay dry

And enjoyed walking in the sun, so hot

Went past Ordsall gym, but had decided 

It was too hot to go on machines. Why

Not just a slow walk instead? Did the right 

Thing. Physical activity?  Best not

5444 - Uprising

A fairly humdrum but still ok day

So hot in the bedroom couldn’t work there

Moved into the living room, was ok

But when I went back to the bedroom where

I can work in private, just couldn’t bear 

To keep my t shirt on cos of sweating 

Used my work mobile, it makes me freer

To walk all round the flat while I’m working 

Gerard could have come out his room, cooking 

Or going to the bathroom or which way 

He wanted, wouldn’t cut me off, I’m clear 

Of wi-fi weakness, 4G connecting

Now and it’s better. When work turned to play

Watched Uprising, about the New Cross fire

Wed 21 July 

5443 - Burning sky

Saw the weather forecast and had the day

Off. Didn’t regret it. First, went swimming 

Then read, then lunch, then so tired I lay

On the bed, with my feet and arms aching 

From all of this week’s swimming and walking 

About 2:30, podcasts listened to,

Got up and bought some beers, began sitting 

On the balcony, topping up tan, you

Know this is a great time of year, I knew

I’d enjoy the day off. Just have to pray 

My shoulders recover. Going gymming 

To Ordsall leisure centre, that’s a new

Set of machines for me. Hot and sweaty

I’ll be, but I’ll lose weight through the sweating 

Tue 20 July

5442 - Walking stats

My walking stats now are phenomenal 

Fourteen thousand steps daily average this 

Week. 11.4K average all

This week also. I’m not taking the piss 

The most I’ve walked in one week since some trips

Round Europe maybe. Romania 🇷🇴 was tough

With John L. Not just distance, height too. It’s 

Not child’s play in the Carpathians. It’s rough

In Transylvania. Almost had enough 

Sustained by filling an empty bottle 

With water from mountain streams. Taste of bliss

But muscles worn out by the end. I love

Getting fit, but my pot belly’s awful 

Must lose it, it’s something that I won’t miss!!

5441 - Witness the fitness

Witness the fitness, I’m so fucking fit

Right now compared to just one month ago

This morning I was in the gym though it

Was a hot summer’s day. Did I care? No

It wasn’t too hot in there. There’s a flow

Of cool air from the ceiling. Tried machines

Not tried before. The shoulder press gives you 

A tough exercise for arms. Then got clean

By going in the pool, did my routine 

Twenty minutes per stroke, and breathing it’s 

Improved further, four crawl strokes I can do

Before needing to breathe - that’s pretty mean 

Swimming, man. Caught tram to Decathlon- with

Pearl’s voucher, four tops for sweating into 

5440 - I turned down a milkshake

This was the day I turned down a milkshake 

All connected with me trying to lose weight 

Went to Players with Josephine. We like 

It there, the milkshakes are so great 

They fill you up, could even make you fat

But I said, No, I’ll stick to Coke instead 

I’ll have a different sugary drink, not that 

Shake full of chocs and sweets, filled me with dread

Not the taste of course, but this drink that would 

Increase my waistline further. Made me quake 

The thought of it. We walked round town, my feet 

Aching by the end. Yesterday has led

To my feet feeling tender, no mistake 

But I’d walked 14k, that’s pretty great!

Saturday 17 July 

5439 - 30 km

Friday I walked 30 kilometres 

And it was an incredibly hot day 

My aim was to walk further than what was

My recent record, that’s 28k

On a walk to Clifton Country Park. Way

Was blocked as I approached Kersal Dale wet-

Lands, so I walked round the corner where lay

Access to the Irwell walk. Knew I felt 

Good and could top 30k, and my boots

Felt ok too, but plans changed. Clifton was

Not today’s destination. Some guys they 

Said, Up there’s Philips Park, Prestwich, and that 

Walked this enormous woodland several hours 

Then headed back home. 30.2k!

Fri 16 July

5438 - Thursday Thursday

It’s Thursday not Friday but I don’t care 

Because I’m off work tomorrow so there 

I worked til almost three and a quarter 

Then hopped over the road to buy some beer 

The sun came out properly as I sat here

On the balcony as the sun shone clear 

Listened to music and podcasts with ear

Phones. Gerard surprised me when he appeared 

As i soaked up the rays with top half bare

Topping up my fading tan from late May 

Four bottles downed, my weekend’s usual way

Then ate some white fish, an old fave I’d say 

Now watching Oscar Wilde and Dorian Gray

But soon I’ll need to sleep the night away 

5437 - Another lovely walk

It’s such a great summer activity

Going for an after-work walk each day 

Mounting the miles on my phone eagerly 

Counting the steps and kilometres, way

Over last year’s average, the phone will say 

But also it’ll help me to lose weight 

Although I woke at ten to six, and they 

Put me through my paces at work, the great 

Way I’m feeling physically this week, mate,

It seems I can do anything. Could be

The swimming and gymming starting to pay

Off already?  Just three swims and two quite

Laid-back gym sessions, and I feel healthy 

Again, with energy to give away!

5436 - Beautiful walk

A long day at work, stopped at 6:30

Then saw how beautiful it was out there 

Went for my usual walk down to the Quays 

And the whole time, felt great, beyond compare

Could it be my gym and pool sessions were

Already paying off, am I so fit

When my keep fit regime’s still in first gear?

It’s a good sign, for sure!  Neared the exit

After a walk through the park and noticed 

Ordsall Leisure Centre right there. To see

If it was still open, I headed where

The door was, it was now 7. And it

Had a good upstairs gym! Think I might be

There soon - nearer than Clarendon Centre

5435 - The big comedown

And so it’s not coming home after all 

A big comedown today? Well no, not quite 

I was not expecting us to win football 

Tournaments anyway, so it’s all right 

In fact last night was a fairly good night 

Four cans followed by a bottle of wine 

Red wine and disappointment for the white 

Shirts of England. Today from Josephine 

Who watched it in Manchester, where she’s seen 

Violence break out in Spinningfields, appalled 

At nearly being hit by bottle in flight 

And from sad wet Manchester to great scenes

Filmed in Milan by Pearl, fireworks enthral

Those in the main square, all red green and white 

5434 - The big match

Began with an enjoyable though long

Double fitness session in gym and pool

Walking there and back of course, then ping pong

Writ large, I.e. tennis 🎾- Djokovic rules

The crowd cheer for the underdog, the fools 

The Italian whose name I have forgot 

Stood little chance although he looked quite cool

That passed the time, disguising the long wait 

For the big match- England/Italy- what 

A build-up on TV - song after song

Story after story, scenes from the school 

Of this or that England player. Was not 

The result the English wanted. Went wrong 

At last, penalty misses still the rule!

Sun 11 July 

5433 - Nice walk

I took me a walk up Liverpool Road

The sun shone bright after a shower or two

Took off my green anorak, wasn’t cold

Was sweating or I was beginning to 

Asked at the White Lion - the answer no -

As to whether a booking was needed

For the Euro final game tomorrow 

And to hear that I felt reasonably glad

Though I’m unlikely to go, so instead 

Will probably just watch at home. I strolled 

Down the canal side but there’s no way through 

These days, building work blocks the way ahead 

Wound my way round back to by Oldfield Road 

Then the usual route to the Quays I’d do

5432 - Feeling slightly cream crackered

I’m feeling slightly cream crackered today 

Was kind of ok this morning but then

The long meeting wore me out gradually 

And after last night’s beers I had no brain 

Worked on til 5, still not got it all done 

Messaged Helen, said we could watch the match

Together on Sunday at the White Lion

🦁 

But she replied that she was suffering such

Stress, her car had been stolen. Can’t get much 

Worse than that, and her house keys took away 

That must’ve been so awful, poor Helen 

But she’s ok considering, cheerful touch 

Was coming back as we spoke, and she may 

Ring back, more video chat 💬 should soon begin 

5431 - Beer!

Could have got up early but I did not 

Knew work was waiting and indeed it was

Intense and long. Glad I managed the lot

But gave in to the lure of beer because 

It was pleasant and sunny. There’s a pause 

In the football, so what can take it’s place?

I listened to podcasts about Janis

Then listened to Pearl, her last album. Praise 

Indeed that I enjoyed it and it stays 

Good after all these years. I have to get 

In bed soon as work starts 8:30. Is

It really good that I’m still up? Who knows?

I’ll just finish this now and then I’ve got 

No more to worry about til tomoz!

5430 - England v Denmark

Worked hard til 5:15 then dashed down to 

Deansgate station to meet with Josephine 

Ate at the Chip Hut upstairs and then to

My flat to watch the build up before seeing 

England v Denmark, cheering on our team 

The first half wasn’t great, we showed the fear

Yet unlike before, they ended supreme 

And powered on through to the final. Now we’re 

Facing Italy on Sunday, so near

To winning, but let’s not care too much. You

Know that we could lose. The achievement’s been 

Acceptable already, so let’s cheer 

Them on from our home. Saw Jo on tram, new 

Experience, our team in the final dream!

Wed 7 July 

5429 - Early swim

An early swim, first early swim midweek 

Tuesday morning, the eight o clock pool slot

Predictably I didn’t get much sleep 

I never seem to when the alarm’s set

Nevertheless I walked down Liverpool Street 

To Clarendon Leisure Centre in my

New blue trainers, so comfy on my feet 

Once in the water, tiredness seemed to fly

Breaststroke, backstroke, crawl, but no butterfly 

Back home to work, but afterwards was weak

With fatigue. Tried to sleep on sofa but

Gerard came in so couldn’t get shuteye

But Italy v Spain kept me awake 

Italy won from the penalty spot 

Tue 6 July

5428 - Interlude

Today has felt just like an interlude

Between two visits to the leisure place 

Yesterday, my first time, it really proved 

Exciting, now the novelty replaced

By discipline. Alarm set so I’m raised

Out of bed early and can head down there

Into the pool where I will set the pace

Faster than last time, hopefully. Did a

Bit of messaging to Mum, Pearl and Claire

And Josephine too. Tried to phone Lee but

The would-be bathroom fitter for Mum was

Not there. Watched Wimbledon but poor Emma

Pulled out injured. I finished Nevil Shute - 

No Highway. Next one - A Town Like Alice…

5427 - Gym n swim

Gym n swim day number one - I’ve never 

Done this combination of keeping fit

Hardly been in a gym though to be fair 

Long time ago went and tried to lift weight

And did my back in! Down Liverpool Street 

To the Clarendon Leisure Centre though 

I had no trainers, and no vest. T shirt

Got soaked with sweat in the gym, but I’ll know 

Better next time. Chatted to a man, so

Fit for a 73-year old. There

Were running, cycling, rowing machines. Great 

First time in there. First proper swim for, oh,

Many years! Several lengths of breast, then the

Backstroke, then crawl. All combined to excite!

5426 - England ease on through

I did think England would beat Ukraine but

Not that easily. The quarter final 

Was rarely in doubt and became a rout

4-0 in the end, Kane with a two goal 

Headline grabbing performance that made all

Those watching excited whether English 

Or not. To see England doing so well 

Must be especially hard for the Scottish 

They tune in hoping we’re out with a crash 

Josephine visited and we both sat

On the sofa. Before that, ate our fill

At Cote Brasserie, chicken was the dish

Sadly this last year I’ve been getting fat

So tomorrow I’m starting gym and pool!!

Sat 3 July 

5425 - Home again

Looked after mum at her place now for two 

And a half weeks but home today at last 

The only thing on my mind was to do

What I’d been unable to for the most 

Time - drink and smoke outside. I got back just 

In time to watch the first quarter final 

Spain knocking out Switzerland but were forced 

Into extra time and penalties. Well 

They’ve not looked great this tournament, but still 

In it. Then Belgium v Italy- blue

Triumphing over red. Italians worst

Team to play against, I’d say. You can tell 

They’ll make the final, knock Spain out - but who

Will also get through, and who will be toast?

Fri 2 July 

5424 - Tennis the menace

Last full day at my mum’s, it’s Wimbledon 

On the Telly, there’s nothing else to watch 

I’m trying to read this evening, moving on

Through a peculiar novel in a batch 

Of three by Nevil Shute, not On The Beach -

That’s the third one - no, it’s called No Highway

And then, A Town Like Alice within reach 

Which makes me want to read on and then say 

I finished it, though it was hard. But hey - 

It’s different, undoubtedly old-fashioned 

The characters and plot a little strange 

It’s about aeroplane safety and they 

Are all shy, realistic, normal. Fun

In short supply, but I must still finish!