Contemporaneous record of a day I have been dreading. This one’s for me

06:00 – woke up feeling rubbish.

Think I was dehydrated after a hard cycle up in the hills yesterday afternoon. Anyway, up and out for a deserted walk. It’s a beautiful morning, clear blue sky, 7 degrees.

This one is for me, not you. I don’t think you will be interested. 

Today’s my birthday, my 60th. I’ve been dreading it for ages. I’m now eligible for an old persons rail card. How did that happen? I’m just as daft as when I was 20 though fitter and lighter in both weight and spirit. At 20 my hair was jet black, now its graying – hang on let me check that’s an accurate description? Yes I think so, there are still some signs of black among the gray. 

At 20 I was so enthusiastic my 28 year old senior engineer boss said to me “Dave wait till you are my age and this industry has beaten the sh1t out of you we’ll see how happy you are then”. At 60 I am more excited; there is so much more out in front of me than behind me. Just got to get through this lock down. But how did I get to this age, so soon?

One son sent me a card he made with a painting by Whistler on the front, lovely. My other son sent hilarious YouTube video he made for me including this explanation of why 60 is so important – “Well. There’s 60 seconds in a minute, 60 pence in a £Pound, 60 centimeters in a meter and 60 days in a month”

10:30 – out in the garden,

fixing the jet washer.

I’ve bought the wrong connector hose, too big won’t fit so rig up something that just about works.

11:00 – brunch out on the patio. My favorite meal. Two eggs fried in walnut oil with a sprinkling of cia and pumpkin seeds all on toasted gf bread and some humous. 16 deg, sun shining and vitamin D on my bare upper half and face. Bliss. I’m feeling better, not quite energized, though picking up.

I really need a haircut. But they are closed

13:30 – just had my hypnotherapy

and sleep combined, feeling great now and getting ready to get up in the hills again on my bike. Let’s rip it. Still 16 deg, sun shining and clear blue sky. Short or long sleeves? – my biggest decision so far today.

16:30 – back from bike ride, knackered, tough session though fantastic. Saw about 15 cars in total which is about 10 less than in normal times. I am so lucky to have the variety of routes, terrain and scenery. The coal mines of the North East are long gone, the air is clean and there are miles and miles of country roads. Had new power meter fitted to my bike. Hit 550 Watts blasting up a hill in a big gear. Not sure how to use it yet so don’t know if 550 is bragging or common place, though I felt good and strong – much different to when I got up this morning.

Chin ups, yoga to stretch out and cold shower. Then 10 minutes in the sun filled conservatory, recovery and warmth

17:15 – Three of us for birthday dinner

– beetroot casserole with sweet potato chips, followed by 100% dark chocolate and yellow sultanas then heavy duty protein drink which I call swamp.

We are going to crash in front of the telly tonight and will be in our beds for 10:00. 

That’ll be it, birthday done for another year. 21,915 days and counting.

Hopefully, I am going to read this in 7305 days time and have fond memories of my 60th birthday way back in 2020 in the midst of terrifying times, having prevailed. Fingers crossed.