One big hill and a couple of nasty little ones

Only one big hill this week - still knackering
(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

Off on another cycle torture session

Getting ready for another Sigma Sport Sunday Cycle. Glad the clocks went back - had a bit more sleep than last week.



Not sure about the weather/temperature - don't know whether to go with the shorts or the bib tights.... decisions decisions - "does my bum look big in this lycra?"



I'll post my HRM log as usual.

Nursery almost Finished

So the nursery only needs a chest of draws, a mattress for the cot, curtains and a baby!
(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

Lots of Animals in the nursery

So Denise and Emma tried to get all animals from Noah's Ark on the nursery walls... Don't get too close to some of them (Emma was better at using the animal 'stamper')
(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

Stoneleigh Sunrise

Nice sunrise on Wednesday - this was the view from the back room. Taken with the D70 - didn't have time to find optimal manual settings so I just put it onto 'NightShot' mode and took 20 or so.
(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

7 years on - finally a stand-up shower!

So I promised some pictures of our new bathroom - here they are....
(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

HRMax of 188 = "oh my god! how much further is the top?"

Boy, I'm knackered. Just got back from Sigma Sport sunday cycle.



Ride was 41 miles, plus I've done an extra 10 going to Hampton and back.



I was worried when they decided there was only going to be one group - but encouraged when they said it would be a flat one out to Windsor. Somebody changed their mind half way along though and we ended up going to Coombe, Newlands Corner, Clandon, Cobham and god knows where else.



Ended up having to get off and walk 20 yds on one hill - which was stupid because if I'd known it was only a little further I may have been able to stick it out - The Shame!



Anyway - everyone was really friendly and helpful and I'll try and go again - baby permitting.



p.s. this pint of Coniston Brewing Co. "Bluebird Bitter" tastes wonderful and I've also got Sunday Roast to look forward to! (there is an upside to exercise)


(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

Getting ready for baby 'bean'

So... its only a couple of weeks away (well I hope he isn't too early...) and there's still lots to do.



We've got the nursery finished today (except a bit of furniture/chest of drawers etc). White fluffy clouds courtesy of granny Margaret and wall paper / lining paper on walls courtesy of grandpa Wayne. Lots of other stuff generously donated by friends (Andy, Maria & Jools, Chris & Gillian - thanks!)



The new bathroom is finished - was bloody expensive in the end - especially having to knock down a wall to fit the bath in - but its so much better - hurrah! We can finally have a stand-up shower after 7 years of living here! [Thanks to Wayne for helping with the decorating too]



We started on sorting out all the crap downstairs today - taken a lot down to the garage, throwing out a lot too - just so much stuff we have accumulated.... We need a bigger house! [are looking at an extension in the new year]



I'll post some pictures later of the finished rooms!

Sigma Sport Sunday Ride

I've decided to join in the regular sunday morning ride from Sigma Sport cycle shop in Hampton at 9.30am tomorrow.



Bit nervous that I won't be able to keep up - especially on any hills! I think this lot tend to see if they can get Leith Hill, Box Hill & Ranmore Common into their rides - if so I think I may be making my own way home.



I'll post a log of how it goes. Here's hoping it stays dry!
(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

All that glitters isn'tgold....

Sold the Corsair memory! Damn stuff didn't work with the Abit AV8 and AMD FX53 CPU. Replaced with cheap dual 512Mb (infineon) sticks - works a treat.



Especially after I loaded the optimised BIOS defaults and found the 6.6.8.1 NVidia drivers for the 6800 Ultra on the web.



Now my 3dmark05 score is 5200 - up from 3600!
(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

New family, new car - which one is going to arrive first?

This is the new sensible familiy car we are getting. Its a Ford Focus Estate, TDCI Diesel, 115 bhp



Of course it would be better if the damn car had been delivered by now - its about 2 weeks overdue from www.virgincars.com :(



...Need it soon - I think Denise is going to pop any day!




(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

Got to sell the Puma and replace with 'sensible family car' :( X REG 2000, 1.7i 16v, ABS, Aircon, 66,000 miles (most motorway), 1 owner (us) from new, £5700 ono
(c) Bill Pinnell 2004

At the Eagle

Made It!

No 443 at the start

Getting on bike