End Of The Year and last blog post

 A year of Lockdown ended a few weeks ago. Strange times, where the norm is NOT see people.

This is my last Flying Turtino Blog.  I've been a blog for ten years now and it has covered many happenings in my life - the happy, the adventures, the sadness, the joy and the renewal. 

Keep safe all.

Three MTB rides

 Today - a blast over Cleeve Common - 25mls, nearly 2000 ft height gain. Fabulous.

December 10th - a couple of times around the Nova in Bristol.

December 5th - Malvern Circuit 

Autumn on the River Severn

Yesterday I spent a fabulous day exploring the River Severn from Lower Load to, or very nearly to Haw Bridge.  A brisk breeze in our faces picked up the river into a very gentle swell. Swans flew over our heads, geese congregated in front of us and fanned out in a flurry of splashes and wings as we approached.  In the fading light Kingfishers darted and dived on the waters edge.

MTB extravaganca

On a cold wintery morning I was out at  9.30 and on the bike.  Leaves crunching underneath our wheels we hurtled around Cranham Woods - the sun peeped through the etiolated trees trunks lighting up a golden carpet of fallen leaves.

Starboard Surf iSUP

Tried out my new iSUP today on the River Avon before hitting the sea.  Really pleased, very stable although its quite short - this does allow it to turn very easily. Turning quickly has never been my strong point.  The Starboard Surf Delux DC appears to be just as described on the tin - stable, light weight, manoeuvrable and stiff. 

Wild In Whitesands

Just returned from a few fabulous days by the sea - in one of my favourite places..Whitesands. Me, Jerry and Steve C drove down on Wednesday morning arriving after a tortuous six hour drive.  We surfed and explored on both the iSUPs and hardboards (catching some of my best waves ever, consistently quite good, although I say it myself).  Climbed down to a small beach to scramble over the rocks looking over a crystal clear sea. Played cards - chuckled and generally messed about. I loved it, thank you chaps.

Nova blast

A lovely evening with my boy. Took the MTB down and rode from their home to Ashdown for a fabulous spin over the Nova MTB trail - fast and curvy, loved it.  Back home for a curry made by Lois - just what I needed.  It's wonderful to see William and Lois so happy - it gladdens my heart as it would Christine's - she'd love their home and Lois.  Blessed.

Portland Weekend

Just returned from a lovely long weekend on Isles of Portland near Weymouth.  A  belated wedding present from Kay and Ian, who took us down and joined us for a break in a fabulous cottage by the sea.  Ultramarine skies and crystal clear sea.  SUPing late into the evening, relaxing, drinking by the sea, great company - watching the sun go down.  Staying in Fortuneswell a small village on the southern side of the island.  An interesting place - quiet, maybe a wee bit tired looking, unpretentious and charming (felt a bit like northern France. Loved it.

SUPing the Avon

A great day SUPing on the Avon between Pershore and Bredon.  A beautiful river going up stream you can see Broadway Tower perched high on the hillside, going downstream the purple hue of the distant Malverns Hills appears between dripping willows on the river banks. 

A chance for standing water play at the weir and hunkering down through the undergrowth.

A day at Sidmouth

A great day at Sidmouth where we met up with Simo and Claudia.  Weather was a bit too wild for us to goo in the sea.  Then to the caravan for tea and scones.

25th July

Windy all day. Spent the day huddled in the beach tent at Branscombe Bay - we loved it. In the evening we watched kite surfers wrestle with the winds to catch some speed. The beached kites on the sand looked like downed Pterodactyls, their spars silhouetted against a sunlit thundery sky.

A Devonian Break.

Arrived last Thursday for a two week break in the caravan in Exmouth.  Weather has been great but very windy. I've been out on the new ISUP everyday - trying to improve my balance which has taken a big hit after my knee op and arthritis in the big toe, which means I'm not as confident as I used to be, but I'm working on it.

Sha's been on the new board and loves it - even said we need to get another. A thumbs from me for that one.  Mollie and Emily came down for the weekend which was lovely. 

Day 7 Still going out on the water using both new and old boards - practicing my skills. Tail turns, reverse turns - wobbly man!!

Loving it here - sun shinning.

MTB in the rain.

A wet and muddy blast last night on the MTB. Up Sandy Lane, round to the back and over the of Leckhampton Hill, down the Tram Way and home. I loved it.

Activity Day

A full on day yesterday.  Working in the morning then a quick wash and out on the bike for a couple of hours in the afternoon.  Nice and steady as we'd planned to go climbing in the evening.

By 18.00 we were on Cleeve Cloud - ropes set up and raring to go.  In the blistering heat we managed four climbs each - loved it. Thanks Mr FT.

Climbing

Postponed 

First MTB ride for a while

On a fabulous Monday evening we (Jerry) took to the hills for a MTB thrash.  Great fun as we tore up the trails.

Last weekend 7th June.

We drove to Bristol to see Will and Lois.  A walk through the park to view the suspension bridge.  Always a joy to see them.

Ride Out

A fabulous cycle with Mr FT to Tewkesbury and around. Beautiful views from the quiet country lanes - and a few burn up to stretch the lungs.

Bristol visit.

Finally, after six weeks of lockdown and not seeing Will and Lois, I was able to see them.  With the car loaded, with much needed furniture, I was able to drive down to Bristol to view their new flat.

A lovely bright and airy space - I love it, and it is just them perfectly.  I'm really pleased for them both after such a long wait.

Portraits for NHS heroes

I've recently finished my portrait for NHS heroes.  The painting depicts Georgie an Oncology Nurse at Cheltenham General Hospital. Georgie has been redeployed to work in a Covid 19 ward.  The portrait has received great feedback and Sarah, Georgie's mum thinks I have captured her even under the PPE.  A privilege to paint the picture - it was a moving experience painting the portrait, and I tried to capture the disconcerting feel PPE has.