Beating the heat by getting out early

So it was another hot week here- it’s scary how warm the temperatures are getting and it’s only June. Not good for global warming at all. It also meant I was very glad to be out early running before it was too hot.

I am in a good routine now and so this week was the same

Monday- yoga video before work, walk in the evening

Tuesday- run in the morning, walk in the evening

Wednesday- run in the morning, yoga zoom class in the evening

Thursday- run in the morning

Friday- walk in the evening

I had peanut butter and banana on toast for breakfast one day and I had forgotten how good a combination it is.

Aside from the running, we started painting the fence panels to match the trellis.

Although it’s been so hot, the fence is in the shade in the evening so doing it at around 6pm has been quite nice, and of course it’s dried quickly too. (I had plans to finish them this weekend but seeing as it seems to pour with rain for about 5 mins each hour that hasn’t happened!). I’m pleased with how it looks- the green melts in with the green plants so it feels like our garden is bigger and calmer in a way.

The light in the morning has been so beautiful I keep stopping to take photos and then realise I have to get home and shower and get to work so can’t dawdle!

I usually do yoga in my office because there is space for my yoga mat, and my laptop is all set up, but it gets the afternoon sun and is really hot, so this week for the Wednesday class I set up in the living room instead. My battery only just lasted, but it was so lovely to have the views of outside and the breeze coming in. It almost felt like our classes when we do them outside under the trees.

I braved my shorts on a run one morning

On Thursday evening Andy was watching football so I did some baking (peanut butter blondies for work) and made us a pizza for dinner. We’ve been having some of our home-grown courgettes and it’s been lovely to pop outside and get one and cook with it straight away.

Our Disney castle is coming along. Lucky as it is more and more unlikely that we will have our anniversary at Disney this year… Plus some beautiful tea from my tea club with rosebuds and dried berries -Berry Pink Rosé .

I made some yoga mat cleaning spray this week- Adrienne had a tutorial on her you tube channel (here), which was hilarious as she went to Wholefoods to get the ingredients (I think it was sponsored by them) and when she was in there shopping she said she felt like a Top Chef contestant. I love Top Chef (and I think some of the earlier series are on Netflix now) so it made me chuckle. I went for lemongrass and rosemary oil (and you just need witch hazel and water, plus a glass bottle) and it smells lovely.

On Friday I made sourdough, had tea in the garden and watched Queer Eye. We went on a walk and it poured with rain when we were nearly home- we ran back but were totally drenched and had to change all our clothes because we were so wet!

We’ve been watching the TV show about the Salisbury Russian attack, and then when we finished that we started McMillions, all about an investigation into fraud around the McDonalds Monopoly game- it’s very good so far and very interesting (and the main FBI agent is such a character)- it seems we’ve been on a documentary or reality show theme at the moment.

Did you manage to get out much in the week? I saw a few people out running when I was driving home (and my car said it was 30 or 31 degrees)- rather them than me!

The first (not) parkrun

While I really appreciated the routine of a run and then the parkrun quiz, I am much happier now that I can go running with my dad instead, and that has replaced the quiz for me in the past two weeks. I did think I’d go back and do the quiz at some point, but have not got around to them yet.

This week parkrun launched (not) parkrun, where you can add your time to the results page (a maximum of one 5k per day, wherever you like), and then each week your fastest 5k time will be added to your home parkrun, and they even publish and send out the results.

Dad had mentioned that he wanted to run a 10k, but my brother wanted to run a 5k, so I arranged to head over there early, the two of us would run a 5k loop ending at their house, and then my brother could join us for for the second 5k. Dad had planned out the routes- the one we ran went through farm fields and tracks, and then the one with my brother was the same as last week, heading to Jersey Farm parkrun to do a loop of the course and then heading back.

It was so enjoyable to be out there- the weather was good, the sun was shining but it was cool in the shade, and it did not feel like we had run a 10k, it felt more like a 20 minute run. It just shows how much difference company can make.

Afterwards we sat in the garden (at three separate tables) and had breakfast- just a lovely start to the weekend. I added my time for the first 5k to the (not) parkrun page, although it was a bit hard to work out how to submit my time.  I thought it would be a link on my profile, but it wasn’t- I had to log in to the detail change part and do it somewhere there. I really liked getting the results email on Sunday night, and looking down the list I recognised a lot of names (mainly from my running club). Of course it is’t as good as parkrun, but it does get closer to the experience, especially now I can run with Dad and Tony, have breakfast together after and then get an email.

My packed breakfast- cardamom bun and tea

Once home we did a few bits outside- painting the trellis that is going on top of the fence (we did 2 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday- they are quite fiddly). I also did the second coat on a picture frame, planted out a few more plants from the greenhouse, and a spot of weeding, as well as taking time to enjoy some of the elderflower cordial made last weekend. So refreshing.

It’s in a jam jar because I didn’t think about needing glass bottles until I was finished making it. 

We decided to have waffles for dinner on Saturday- my favourite savoury choice at The Waffle House is the hummus and avocado one, so we did a sort of imitation, topped with hummus, avocado, rocket, sundried tomatoes and sweet chilli sauce. So tasty but very filling and we definitely needed a walk after that.

On Sunday morning I went for more of the WGC 20/20 route, doing a mostly out and back for 10 miles. A lot of the route was in the woods, and I made it nearly to the top end of town so I think I’ve done nearly half the loop now. The whole route is 13 miles, so I think I might head out in the other direction at some point to try and see where it goes.

It was fairly overcast but brightened up by the time I got home.

The rest of Sunday was spent pottering around at home- I made some cookies (the delicious Pret chocolate almond butter ones), painted the other trellis, had tea in the garden and watched a bit of TV. We watched the documentary about the Salisbury Russian poisoning which was really interesting. I really liked how they portrayed the main characters, particularly the head of public health who kept doubting if she was capable of doing it (instead of the usual characters who are always so confident in their abilities).

Have you joined in with (not)parkrun yet? Or have you sorted an alternative Saturday routine? 

Running in the rain and the best cookie recipe

My routine for last week was pretty much the same- yoga on Monday in the morning, early runs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (4 miles each time), a yoga class on Wednesday evening via Zoom, and then walks most evenings. As it’s so light in the mornings, the 5am wake up isn’t too bad and I really like the time when I get home and can have some tea and chill out, or do some jobs around the house. I don’t think I’ll continue it in the winter for several reasons- the main two being the streetlights aren’t on until 6am and I don’t have time to dry my hair so it stays damp all day (I dry it for around 10 mins) so in the warm that’s fine but I’d get so cold in the winter.

I also get to see some lovely sunrises.  If you don’t listen already, I would recommend Running is BS as such a good podcast- the presenters “love to hate running”, but really they call out all the nonsense surrounding running (eg all those stupid click-bait articles such as one they mentioned recently- will your headphones give you coronovirus…). Anyway, there is the legend of a guy who was mentioned by a listened before who is known as pin skin man, because he was seen at an ultra race with his number pinned to his bare chest. Well, they only went and tracked him down for an interview! Loved it!

On Tuesday evening we did the next stage of the lego Disney castle- we now have some posts and it’s looking a bit more 3D. We also have a mini Mickey as well as some little frogs (to kiss princesses I think).

After my morning run I have been heading into the garden for a few minutes to cool down- it’s very peaceful in the morning, with lots of birds flitting about. More and more flowers are blooming too. Top right is a bit of a rose bush- it was in a pot and would maybe have one or two flowers and always looked a bit sorry for itself. Last year we put it in the ground in an attempt to rescue it, and it’s suddenly taken off with hundreds of little flowers.

We got to eat our first home-grown courgettes of the year. First in a lovely tofu noodle dish (from the Happy Vegan cookbook) and then in a lentil bolognese (again from that book).  There are loads more forming, and the tomato plants have a few green tomatoes on them too- it’s all coming along nicely.

I was awake a lot in the night before Thursday morning- hearing all the heavy rain. Although it had eased off and wasn’t raining too hard there were huge puddles going across the road. At times I had to wait to make sure no cars were coming before running along, because I would have been totally soaked in dirty road water.

Pink tea and my cute hand santitiser holder that arrived from Enchanted Cosy Co (Etsy) this week.

On Friday after a walk and a cup of tea (Red Velvet) I did a lot of baking. I had prepped the sourdough the night before, and in the morning it needed shaping and leaving in the basket, to be baked in the afternoon. I made a batch of cinnamon and cardamom buns ready for not parkrun breakfast, and then later while Andy was watching the football I made some of the Pret almond butter and dark chocolate cookies. These are now my all time favourite cookie recipe. If I went into a Pret I would always be tempted to buy one if they had them, but that isn’t a regular occurrence as there isn’t a Pret where we live. Now they released the recipe I can make them whenever I like. It does have a long list of ingredients but it isn’t complicated at all and they are sooooooo good.

We had been watching the dramatisation of Waco which was very well done. So interesting, and I didn’t know much about it so was totally shocked and appalled by the final episode. Well worth watching but very tough in places.

On a lighter note we watched the next Queer Eye episode- it’s good to have something so cheerful and uplifting to watch.

Do you have any favourite recipes?  Do you mind running in the rain?

A happy weekend with running

On Saturday morning I made a cup of tea in my insulated mug, packed a bag with a cinnamon roll in it, and then drove over to my parents house. Now that we are allowed to exercise in groups (staying 2m apart of course) we had decided to have a run. My brother came along too, and at 9.15 the three of us ran a 5k, taking in some of the Jersey Farm parkrun route.

Of course I had on my “it’s still parkrunday” top- very glad I purchased this. The fabric is really good too- really nice and airy so perfect for hot days (I prefer a t-shirt to a vest as it’s better to keep your skin covered, but often the fabric is quite thick).

Once back, we went through the garage and into the garden. Dad had set out extra tables, so him and Mum sat at one table, my brother at another and I had the final table. I’d brought my own breakfast so I had no need to touch anything that wasn’t mine. We sat around for a few hours, and it was so lovely to catch up in such a relaxed way. Luckily the weather was good. Mum and Dad have loads of bird feeders in their garden, and lots of nesting boxes, so we saw a fledgling sparrow, goldfinch and blue tit.

Once home, we then headed out to meet Andy’s parents on a walk around some local woods. It has been nice to see people in person, but I felt very paranoid about staying away after being in work and such close contact to children all week.

On Saturday night we watched 13th, which was a film about racial inequality in the USA- it’s from a few years ago but very relevant to now.

On Sunday I wore my St Albans half marathon top because it was also on Sunday 15th June, but 5 years ago. It was soooo hot outside and I took lots of walk breaks, and regretted the choice of top because it’s quite thick fabric. I’d been inspired to have a go at making elderflower cordial after a child in my class made some and then a friend had a go, so I took a bag with me and kept an eye out for the flowers. I did a bit more of the 20/20 route, seeing more lovely fields and woods.

At one point I ended up in a little village and saw a postbox and got very excited but it was just an ER one!

On the way back I picked some elderflower for the project to begin later.

Then to breakfast! We had some John Lewis vouchers so decided to get a waffle maker. This was our first attempt and I was very impressed. The only trouble is deciding which toppings to go for- I had banana and chocolate spread on one, and oatly creme fraiche and maple syrup on the other. Super tasty.

Then it was on to make the elderflower. It’s got to sit for 48 hours infusing away after the initial cooking. It does smell really good though.

I didn’t realise until I read the recipe that it’s the pollen that gives it the flavour, so you don’t rinse the flowers, you just check they are free from bugs!

We did some gardening but it was baking, so I also sat in the shade having an iced tea- I made up some Peach Cobbler tea, left it it to cool and then topped with almond milk. It’s so good.

I had put some plants in the little hanging pots and put them up on the trellis, and even though the lights didn’t come on until around 10pm, it just looks so pretty now.

Do you like elderflower? What would you top your waffles with? We are planning on recreating the hummus and avocado one next week.

Getting a different routine back and everything is cancelled

Last week felt easier, having already been through it once already. Monday was yoga in the morning and a walk in the evening, Tuesday was a run in the morning and a walk in the evening, Wednesday was a run in the morning and yoga in the evening, Thursday was a run in the morning and a walk in the evening, and Friday was a walk after work. The early alarms felt much easier this week, and I really like getting home and not having to rush to get changed and head out again.

I made pizza one day (using the sourdough starter) and banana bread another day because what else do you do with three brown bananas?

My eye pillow came in handy for yoga.

Sadly Disneyland Paris announced that the half marathon weekend in September has been cancelled. We had worked out the logistics so that I could do the 10k and half – Andy was going to get the Eurostar on Friday morning and collect the bibs (as you have to get them the day before), then after work on Friday I would get the Eurostar, we’d be there for the weekend and travel home on the Sunday afternoon. We still have the train booked, so we are not sure if we will still go (apparently they are opening on 15th July), but we can’t get a refund for the train so we may as well wait and see.

We had booked a weekend in Helsinki for the end of July, but we got a refund on the flights this week as they have cancelled most of the flights each day. It’s disappointing but I am not sure I want to go on a plane anytime soon, and things might not be open anyway so it would not be like a normal weekend away.

Our Studio Ghibli show was postponed to August 2021, and our Ash concert (originally put back from March to September) is now in Feb 2021. It seems that rapidly anything scheduled for the autumn is going to be pushed back further.

We finished watching The Last Dance (really enjoyed that, even though I had no idea about basketball and had to ask Andy all sorts of basic questions like how many in a team, how many points do they get for the net etc)- I like a sport doc that is good even if you don’t know about the sports.

We then started watching the thing about Peter Falconio (the backpacker who went missing in Australia) but somehow ended up watching the episodes in this order- 2, 4, 1… no idea why as we used the Channel 4 i-player thingy so you would think it would direct us to the first one first! It jumps around a fair bit in time, so we only realised after watching 2!

I was inspired by a friend to have a go at elder-flower cordial, so I spent some of my runs hunting for it. I found what I thought was some, and took a piece  home to check, (it was) but it wilted quickly so I realised I’d need to pick it on the same day as making it- a weekend project. I did see some lovely sunrises, and despite all the rain, most of my runs were dry (a little drizzle on Tuesday).

On Thursday Andy was watching a live podcast, so I decided to watch Mary Poppins returns- I feel as if I am snuggling up under a blanket when the  film titles start- it’s such a comforting film (and catchy songs, apart from the stupid product placement song…).

On Friday I baked some cinnamon rolls in preparation for Saturday (a socially distanced run with my dad)- I was really looking forward to it, and it properly made it feel like the weekend was here. We allowed ourselves the next Queer Eye episode too- don’t want to burn through them too quickly!

Do you have anything booked that you are hoping won’t get cancelled or postponed? Are you a banana bread fan? Any good TV recommendations?