27th October 2018 That old bloke I see all the time.

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Saturday 27th 40F. Another wet and windy day forecast. The clocks go back tonight to signal winter has arrived, again. Another raw day for a walk. Fleece cap pulled well down over your sticky-out ears. Yellow safety glass to avoid a torrent of tears streaming into those same hairy ears. Yellow jacket poppers done right up to the chin. Camera? Yes. Mobile phone in case of emergencies? Yes. Tissues?..... What else? Damn! Nearly forgot the binoculars. Again! Do seagull's eyes water? I think, on balance, probably not.

It stayed dry as I was buffeted along the rat-run, rural main road to the eerily empty lanes. Belittling my attempt to walk briskly and sensibly upright. Like a mature and proper gentlemen, performing his morning perambulations. Forcing me into that weird old bloke you see most days on your morning commute. Glaring or grinning, by turn, regardless of what's gong on around him. Bound to be senile! THEY all are at his age. Another burden on the poor, bløødy taxpayer! What good are they, after all?

Why is he always walking exactly the same route at about the same time? Who is he? Should he be allowed to walk along a busy road like that? Normal people don't go for morning walks. Not any more. Particularly old people. They have morning TV for them these days.

He looks to be at least 70! Even when he's obviously trimmed his beard and paid an annual visit to the village barber. How do they keep going? He is the spitting image of that print of an old fisherman you see in all the charity shop windows.  Except, this old bloke is a sou'wester short of an oilskin set.

Should probably be put in an old people's home. Where he can come to no harm. Tottering along the verge, like that. Getting in the way of people's cars. Typical pedestrian! Better than a bløødy cyclist though! You can never get past THEM when you're late for work! I wish I could retire and do bugger-all, all day! 😉

Sunday 28th 32-38F, white frost, light winds, cloud clearing to sunshine. Possible wintry showers forecast. It stayed cold but sunny for a short ride. Only 7 miles. Shops very busy.

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