The mower got sent off for a service and today it gets it’s first outing on what used to be the lawn. After the ravages of winter and snow plows destroying the frontage initial shortening of the grass is done with the strimmer. Today it’s mowing time!

Meanwhile an early photo of a superb rose, nicely opening and inside petals still tight as can be …… delightful! This morning just a shorty ride to top off the task and then back to weeding and clear up and mowing if I’m feeling on top of it. Temps up to 99F , or so it says!

Pools up and running and all weeding complete in this sector

Cycling wise a bit late getting out there but after only 1/2 mile I knew Plan A to the lakes and back was not going to work as it was a nasty strong headwind to kick off with! Turn round and blunder around in town for 16.38 and decide enough is enough for today and back to more weeding.

Time for a look at what I’ve done and what’s still to come in the front bed jungle

A bicycle race happening here in Dolores this morning and they have been coming past the house for over 90 minutes on their way to Norwood which is about 30 miles past Telluride. I’m told they started in Cortez and its Stage 3 of a multi stage event. They must have set start times as the roads are not closed

Well I did get out there and completed 24.20 for the morning run in the hope of making a decent 30 for the day with a bit of effort later on. Might go for a little weeding shortly but that might easily go the other way as its so warm. Chaos this morning with no water as they were trenching down at the school and as you would expect they hit the mains water pipe for the town! Phase 2 of the riding gets underway and the ever present wind is not too bad and I rack up 37.41 for the day so all my targets have been met.

TONY DOWN

After yesterday’s visit to the Durango Hospital for a repeat of the blood work it looks like depression is the clear winner as my forecast life expectancy is grim! I know the likes of Alex Trebek fought his cancer bravely and said he was not afraid of death but that is not my case, I’m lonely and terrified!

The bloody “Check Engine Light” came on again as soon as I started the car at the hospital. Couldn’t hear or see anything untoward but it does drive me mad so yet another visit to the car shop and put it on a diagnostic machine. I seem to remember the dealership said they changed a Co2 sensor, what ever that does.

The sooner (at least a week) they get this blood work complete then I might get some satisfaction from the Doctors and some idea of what life span I have left.

Tuesday 8 June, and somewhat better after some comforting calls and a 10 mile ride followed by weeding. Two sales on ebay to brighten things up and an appointment for this annoying check engine light.

Today, Wednesday, should be much of the same before the next batch of howling winds arrive. Slow ride round town and another 17.16 in the pot which I hope to drag out to 25 by close of play. Amazing how quickly roses grow and due to weather and feeling so weak during March the roses were untouched but are now back in full flow. A major attack was launched and I survived but well bloodied by new thorns! A lot more watering everywhere and a lot gets done but still more to come. The day finishes on 24.20 and takes me over the 650 line, would like to be through 700 by Sunday.

Today the weather is more strong winds, the trip to Durango for the diagnostics (JAG) then a 1445 diagnostic (ME) on the leaking Soma thing with Doctor Madison in Cortez. Another no ride day

Day goes pretty much to plan and the diagnostic says another component or sensor required in the exhaust/emissions dept for the cost of $484, fitted. Over to the Durango hospital and hand in my chemo bag and pump. Home again for lunch and then Doctor Madison for 1445.

We discuss all things surgical and what is going on down there. Seems that the tumor that the Denver surgeon said had shrunk by 2/3 after the first 8 sessions of chemo has now gathered strength again and after the pause in various chemo plans is now growing happily while the ones in the liver are quiet. The leakage from this area comes as water, above and below the tumor, and the build up of volume causes the pain which was then blowing the patch and everything was getting wet along with anal leaks of the water build up.

Saturday morning, supposedly a bit of a heatwave/global warming/jetstream in the wrong place/storms/whatever? Anyway temps will be in the low 90’sF this morning as I try to break the 700 banner after a good 36.27 miles yesterday.

25,42 adds to the total which is now 711.95 and a free day to get some more if the wind behaves. Hair still falling out which worries me and some energy returning if I work in small doses which has been the case. A good session of weeding wraps up the week.

TONY DOWN

Meanwhile the self assembly puppy which arrived somewhere in the 8 weeks old area has now made it through week 11 and in normal circumstances would have been ready for a new home at around week 12. However the mother did not want to feed them and they were fostered. Apparently this model wasn’t keen on feeding but all that has changed and food is gone in a flash!

We are not sure who the majority share holder is in the genes department but it seems that can be discovered by ancestry .com

Going back to the owner’s manual and the building instruction booklet we have laid out the pieces as below

Taking a lot of care we followed the instructions as per the pictures but it looks like there was a page missing as this is what we have

Well customer service says that what we ordered

TONY DOWN

More Weather Alerts, this time a storm warnings, already past us and over Durango with rain and hail and fortunately moving East so unless there is a major turn round in the World’s rotation we should be safe.

Sat around waiting to see if the weather would improve and it rained! Now sitting around waiting for it to dry out!

Time to review self and current situation. Weight up to 168-70 from 154, more energy but not full on power. No more recent teeth falling out, hair now falling out at an alarming rate! Sleeping better. Hernia problem improved when lower patch falls off. Still plenty of depression caused by all of the above and other factors as well.

Waited for the wet roads to dry and then the wind was back again so Monday’s ride became a rest day! So here we are in month 6 on 1st June. Target another 400 for the month and hope the weather settles down.

First ride of the month tops out at 34.12 and the lawn gets mowed so a reasonable day all in all. New Sidi kit a good fit!

Day 2 of the month and only 16.15 this morning but then into full sales mode on TY bits followed by afternoon weeding. Energy appears to be on the rise!

Should be a nice warm day but busy again sorting the Safari as we have a renter! Time to de-winterize the water system, get all my clothes out of the closets and reconnect the hot water tank. Zoom meeting at 1430 with Dr Cathcart and find out about this special blood check I had to do. Nobody seems to know what happened to the blood or what the results were? Zoom canceled and now an early morning phone call on Monday. It looks like we are losing track of what’s going on!

Full day off yesterday sorting out Safari and a LOT of weeding. Still a lot more to come and maybe get the pool and waterfall up and running on Sunday. want to be up in the 600’s by the end of the week.

Good start to the day with 25.38, into town for some medication and a new set of knee pads as the elastic has gone in the current set and they keep falling down. All complete in town and out to finish up hitting 34.64 for the day and closing in on the 600 banner!

Saturday and her ladyship wants to go to the Montezuma with talk of pool even. Not having had the cue out of it’s case since March 2020 I declined the chance to be first out! Need some practice first. Morning ride knocked up 27.07 with some very windy stretches and now apparently I’m not welcome while she is having lunch with Carol ….. just how unpleasant can some people be ? Never mind you will have all the time to yourself when I’m DEAD which would seem not that far away by my calculations. You might remember I was given 6 months to live without treatment, well 3 months of the 6 has slipped by and the hospital cocked up the blood work 2 weeks ago so by my reckoning I have 2.5 months left !! Can’t say that I really give a shit what will happen as I’ve had enough of all of it and leading a solitary existence until the final moments, which are not far off, and will come as a blessing in a loveless life. Now asking the old question ” Death where is thy sting? “

TONY DOWN

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Certainly need something to get this show on the road, as every day I seem to be waiting on conditions so maybe a change of plan is needed and perhaps go for an earlier start? Today has rung true to form, warm and windy, a midday start and 18.00 in the bag and now the standard weather alert and believe it or not, yes more high winds!

No less than 8 Weather Alerts overnight forecasting more doom and gloom, with winds up to 45 mph gusts, for the next few days along with showers and thunderstorms. Despite my personal misery and depression with this non stop wind I am now at 270.10 for the year, but anything over 10 miles a day looks unlikely so I’ll switch my attention to the Jag and see if I can get rid of the fine mist of sap that the tree has dropped on the car. Better find a new parking spot.

Guess I’ll go out for a quick 5 miles and then see what the afternoon brings. 10.30 for the lunchtime run in very gusty conditions but if I can get 5 more this afternoon then one more day doing the same will take me through the 300 marker. Well despite some horrendous gusts I make it through the 1/2 way point and finished the day on 17.71 which should give me a bit of wiggle room tomorrow and still pass the 300.

Friday, wet and windy! Not much happening today and not even a Plan B of car cleaning as the rain has knocked that on the head. Now to add yet more misery to the mix a WINTER WEATHER ALERT for 4-8″ of wet snow above 10,000′ but we should be good at 7000′ and its only 21st of May!

1330 and off the Zoom call to the Hospital and Dr Cathcart says take another month off and we will try something else in the next round or you have about 6 months left if you elect not to do any more chemo! Can’t say I’m too impressed with that but it does come as quite a shock being told the stark reality and the life and death situation. Time will tell. In the interim try some new form of blood test, but I have to go over to Durango to get it done, as only “they” have the test kit.

Saturday, and no change in the wind forecast with 45 mph gusts from the South. When I say I’m tired of this it’s a bit of an understatement. No rain in the forecast but very overcast so expect the worst and hope for the best.

Just sold a back wheel brake plate and shoes but the bloody Post Offices (both of them) are out of the correct mailing boxes that the buyer has paid for! Quick last chance search and I found one I must have missed. Now all I need to do is polish up the plate and send it off on Monday.

Now the question is can I get a few miles in today? Remember every one you do today is 1 less for tomorrow. The answer to that question was an emphatic NO! weather was unreal and never let up all day. A ton more Weather Alerts for more wind up to 55mph gusts from fast moving thunderstorms with pea size hail. Didn’t see any of that but it sure was a miserable day!

Sunday and after 2 wasted days and zero miles in the log I just had to get out there, which I finally did, knocking up another 14.65 with the intention of doing more in the afternoon.

That didn’t happen either as I spent 2 hours cleaning tree sap and muck off the Jag. Well no matter I’m through the 300 marker so now chasing the “4” on this very slow start to the year.

Another Weather alert before bedtime, this time something new, a Freeze Warning ! ….. and its pretty cold this morning but at the moment no wind. Eight days left in the month and a minimum of 100 miles to go. Temp has crept up to 47F, off we go. Wind mainly from the North but swinging about. Out to the 9.5 marker and back towards town. A double 2 miles loop just outside town and I’m home for 24.25 which is a good start. Dog feeding and walking complete, now move the Jag to it’s new spot and time for lunch. My friend the wind has increased but I hope I can get the extras to get over the 30 hump.

Winds from all directions but more bloody determination and they keep clicking over and the day is done at 1700 on the watch and 36.05 on the odometer! Pleased with that, target distance achieved.

Looking at the totals, with yesterday’s score I’m at 338.51 for the month and year and 16,729.61 for the round trip.

So at close of play Monday night I was at 338.51 in the never ending saga of cycling around the Equator. Although I got an impressive 5000 miles last year, this year, I must confess has been a struggle every day fighting winds and weather along with depression, lack of energy, and desperate feelings of mortality. Probably true that there will not be too many tears shed, if any, on this side of the Atlantic come the day of the author’s passing. Now suicide is a crime but electing not to continue with chemo is now a 5 month death sentence should that be the way ahead.

Yesterday was another visit to Durango for the special blood test and a load more pin pricks to find a vein as for some reason they can’t use the “port”. Eventually after two nurse’s attempts we have blood!

Tuesday had been pretty good as the ailing cyclist banged in another 36.45 for the day. Post hospital visit in almost wind free conditions the target of 25.40 pushed the total through the 400 marker and with 5 days left in the month the 500 banner now comes into view.

Thursday, a no rush day, so I’ll be off very shortly aiming for 20 in part 1 and then another 5 or so later this afternoon. Morning run complete on 22.66 so target for the day well within reach.

Problems like a hernia ? could be the soma playing up, anyhow after the pain subsided I was off again and topped out at 31.46

Morning chores nearly complete with a couple of sales and now off to Post Office and collect my lawn mower after its first service in 5 years! Then it will be a similar ride sequence as I did yesterday. Seems VERY warm out there this morning, maybe the first day for shorts? Before that need a new patch over the lower soma which is leaking from where all the pressure was yesterday ?

Morning run goes well with 24.83 in the bag in warm pleasant conditions and marks the first day in shorts for the pasty body. whatever next!!! I was going to have a beer at the brewpub but my plans on same got changed due to my apparent inability to converse with people without boring them witless. That seems to be for just about anything I say these days, and any story from my miserable past or military service, is dismissed, and quite frankly I don’t really care, as I know exactly where I stand for the rest of my shortened life. So as the place was busy, and having no wish to upset people, I continued the ride ending up on 38.72 for the day and 470.54 overall. 500 should come and go before the end of the month, but I probably won’t!

Saturday 29th May which has now become “Hanging Basket Day” and an early start for me polishing a brake plate which sold overnight. In the post, and 3.06 completed on the run to the “PO”

7 baskets in all, 5 of the flowering variety and 2 tomato baskets which are now on the maple tree. First session of weeding completed in the driveway around the trash dumpster, and the unsightly mess of weeds around the rose bed. Got my ‘Jesus” blister back in one fell swoop!

Ride shortened due to gardening but 15.32 for the day and 485.86 for the month so hopefully I’ll be through 500 with 2 days to go.

Sunday and a standard start at around 1100 but the strange unexpected winds are from the East and not to my liking as they are sapping all my energy until I turn round and then 20 mph is easy. Just get through the 13 mile point when I get the first puncture of the year. No matter push it home, new tube, and off again and up to 17.67 before other duties call. Well that was enough to crack the 500, so with one day left I’m at 503.53 for the month.

Strimmer reloaded and fresh fuel for all outside machinery collected from our dumb gas station. Better not BORE you with their dumbness but I paid cash for TWO gallons and gave the dummy $7.00 and I’m waiting for my change ….. nothing! She now tells me she doesn’t know the cost by the gallon!!!

TONY DOWN

1/2 way through the month and a few more miles as the second half looms. Monday, 17th, and 234.09 for the year. New cycling helmet from “Rudy” should arrive today and I’m now back up to 3 to replace the older 3 sold on ebay.

Yes, it needs a “Union Jack” and some ones name, but it should go well with the new winter and spring suits I’ve been using. Better get into shorts this week and stop being a wimp and get some sun on the legs!

Strange day, clouded over looked like it was going to rain but eventually the wind has now dropped, contemplating a mini ride but might give it a rest day for the legs. Nothing happened and the rest of the week is thunderstorms and showers and of course yet more high winds. This Global Warming and a low jet stream over the US are screwing everything!

Today its another blood session at 1200 which screws the whole day, but you never know, it might improve but I doubt it as it’s very windy and overcast. Just been into town for the blood work. Don’t see any thunderstorms only a light drizzle but that infernal wind is way up.

A very determined effort at 1500 and I’m off downtown for an extra 3 miles before the rain arrives and I just get home! About one hour later I’m back out there for a total of 7.5 which isn’t that much but it’s 7.5 more miles that most of you achieved!

Got to do better! Crap weather all this week

TONY DOWN

Here we are, maybe 8 weeks old and about 8 -10lbs, however our Vet says it could have Anatolian Shepherd or German Shepherd genes and could grow to 70lbs ! so about this size at 4 months

Then as we progress it will be like this one at about 2 years

So apart from those joys to come, today the intention is to GET OUT THERE and get some miles now that my hernia misery is over!

Not quite so good as I was late out of the gate. Only 12.35 in some nasty winds, although it was fairly warm but at least some got done and in this game there is always tomorrow.

With progress this slow on the world cruise, I guess I can stand back and be thankful that what I thought was a hernia seemed to be no more than a very painful blockage that came and went. I had visions of being in surgery and whatever that involved. Many thanks to the Universe for sorting that out. Just shows how frail we are. Warm and windy as you would expect with yet another Weather Alert for strong winds, what a surprise, but I made 23.19 further round the globe so can’t complain.

My intention is to get 50+ miles this weekend if that bloody wind will give me a break but of course that may not happen! Some good progress today with 31.45 for Saturday and a bonus of getting the gazebo up again + I managed to cut the grass and remove the Russian Vine dead foliage.

Sunday morning and the wind from the South ? Bit strange normally East becoming West. Currently swung round and now West. Warmish, so better get out there while conditions are good. Weight now seems to be stabilizing at about 168. Currently on track for 400 this month but I would like a few more, if I and the weather can get our act together.

Odd ball winds all day but I pushed on and hit 32.75 for the day and achieved my target. Well now we are 1/2 way through the month and looking for the 400 target which sounds reasonable at this point.

Need to do a few things on the Jag today with some boot/trunk things and try my “super polish” and see if it really is that good.

More on this as it continues ………

TONY DOWN

Bang on time

Wednesday, and Brenda recovery day from Durango after her week in LA with son Phil. During her absence I dragged myself out with the Roubaix and clocked up 84.41 in my first 4 day rides of 2021.

Back from Durango with everything running on time, winds getting stronger and stronger so any ride will be later on if it abates. Well the winds got worse and another non event for the impatient cyclist so try again tomorrow.

Ebay seems to have come to a halt, either I’m not selling what people want, or they are looking for freebies, amazing number of low ball offers which of course I have rejected. Bloody cheek!

I would like to crack the 100 mile banner today to feel I have achieved my starting surge. Still down on energy and power but some slight improvement overall and weight coming back up due to all the cakes and dough nuts.

Morning ride quite pleasant, windy yes, but warm also, and another 24.84 miles, the longest run this year, are all recorded. See how the afternoon goes. Quick check and the thermometer says 84F ??? Can’t believe it but closer inspection says pleasantly warm and if this continues I might see myself riding in shorts tomorrow rather than thermals. afternoon goes well in the almost summer conditions and I finish the day on 37.36, my second 30+ day of the 5 that I have ridden. Tomorrow the forecast is those bloody strong winds again so not so many but you never know up here. That brings the 2021 total up to 121.75 for the first 5 days of the mission.

37.36 not bad!

New arrival in the house ……. a puppy! Brenda could not resist, so far a happy little soul, make unknown, another “Heinz 57”

“I am the dog of light follow me”

Seems Warm enough, no wind yet, so maybe get some done today although I need to clean the Jag as all the cats have been climbing over it and it looks like a spotted leopard.

The Very Rare spotted Jaguar

Jen, the Vet, has just been giving shots to all and tells us it is in fact a “Heinz” with maybe a Aus Shepherd as the majority share holder in the genes and it could grow to 70lbs. Currently only about 8 weeks old and was not doing to well as the mother wasn’t feeding them, but no signs of lack of appetite.

All the injections done

I shall be interested to see how big she gets, just a little fluff bundle at the moment but very sweet and seems to have settled in immediately with Mercury and Midnight. Full of love, and now its playtime and testing everything to see what is chewable, nearly time for more food and then another sleep after the duty walk which she is getting used to.

Onto the weekend!

TONY DOWN