30.06.2023 109km or 67 miles.

 ~o~

 Friday 30th 58F. Bright but with a smudgy sky. The forecast for rain or showers has gone. A sunny day is promised but cooler. With a maximum of 21C/70F. Winds light and from the NW turning more westerly. Up at 5.45. I woke from a weird dream which had nothing to do with reality. Another day. Another ride?

6.50 A woodpecker has just landed on my observatory dome and is pecking at it. It seemed unable to get a firm grip on the smooth plywood and was sliding downwards. It has given up and flown into the surrounding trees.

 8.30 Back from my walk to the lanes. A red kite sailed over before I had even left the drive. It is quite unusual not to see at least one bird of prey on my walks. The machines were still today but the giant tipper trucks are still delivering soil. The fields look patchy. I am not sure if that is the drought or just variable ripening. I certainly saw some brown grain crops yesterday.

 9.00 Still unsure where to go today. It is forecast to be wet at the weekend. So I had better get a ride in while I can enjoy a short sleeved cycling jersey and warm sunshine. 

 I am choosing distant charity shops which I know have furniture. These act as my intended destination for the day. In the absence of any other goal. 

 I am going to Fredericia. A pretty ride to Middelfart, via rural lanes, and then over the Old Bridge to Erritsø and on to Fredericia. I have ridden that route on my trike. There used to be a friendly bike shop there but it has now gone.

 15.30 21C/70F. I have just returned from another ride. 109km [68 miles] in 4h.16m. Averaging 26km/hr at 77rpm. 1100m ascent and descent. Max speed 52km/hr. It was very cool to start with. I had to stop and put on a sweater. I reached both my goals but was tiring on the return journey. My right foot and quadriceps were hurting on and off. Saddle soreness on the way back too. 

19.45 65F: Had a visit from my English friend. He's just left. Didn't fancy anything on toast. So I'm going with fish fingers and chips. 😋 Stop sniggering at the back! 😊

~o~

29.06.2023 105km or 65miles.

 ~o~

 Thursday 29th 18C/65F. Overcast with a southwesterly breeze. A grey day with showers possible later in the afternoon.

 8.15 Back from a shorter walk. No pain. Just watching some major landscaping using large machines. A marshy field is being raised to provide greatly improved access to a business. There is something about watching such work that resembles playing on a beach as a child. Just that everything is on a much larger scale.

 The effortless skill of excavator drivers is amazing. Vast 7-axle, tipper trucks repeatedly arrived. To dump soil into heaped rows. While the excavator used a huge bucket to quickly spread it out. A vibrating road roller trundled up and down compressing the soil. The formerly large drop, from the road level visible in the background, has been filled to become a smooth ramp. The speed with which this has occurred is simply incredible. There is hardly any noise except the deep rumble of the vibrating roller. 

 8.45 66F. Time to think about a ride. The movement of the trees suggests the SW wind is much stronger than forecast. I have a potential goal to the NE at a minimum of 50km away. I cycled there on my trike a couple of times in the past. That was when I was riding high mileages. It was a familiar area in the car too. I shall have a tailwind to help me get there. Then a change of battery will bring me home again. With extra assistance if needed. 

 This will be a minimum 3.5 hour ride at my usual speed in Sport mode. I must remember snacks and drinks to maintain my energy levels. There is no free ride on a '45' e-bike. Not if a decent average speed is to be maintained. I can probably use Tour mode with the help of the wind on the way. Which will give the first battery a little extra range for the return trip.

14.35 74F. Back after a 105km ride to the opposite corner of Fyn and back. Four hours in all. Averaging 26km/hr. Average cadence a modest 77rpm. I changed the battery at 80km and 12% charge. I was using a little Turbo mode at the end of the ride to maintain my speed up the hills. 71% Sport mode and 30% of the outward journey in Tour mode.

 I suffered some saddle discomfort in the middle of the ride but it decreased over time. 69% charge left in the second battery. So there is plenty of reserve range if needed. Which ignores my own fitness level and stamina of course. As I keep saying: There is noo free ride if a decent speed is desired on an e-bike. 3726km covered so far. I must surely be getting stronger over time. I certainly feel much more relaxed and skillful at maintaining a line. Riding over tracks has become second nature.  

 I went further north into the city than I had intended. None of the right turns was marked as to destination. So I just kept going until I hit the Nyborg road. The cycle paths and de-marked cycle lanes varied from excellent to absolutely worthless. This is a major 2-way road. With lots of heavy traffic. Being overtaken by a bus or container lorry, within elbow distance. Is obviously not something the powers that be have ever tried. Do they have a chauffeur for their council limo?

 Cycling friendly Denmark? That's not even a joke in very poor taste! Lethal is a much better description! They should be honest and erect official signs saying that only MTBs are suitable on this stretch! I went down one very long cycle path to find a dead end. Backtracking would have been no fun. So I followed a rough track and eventually escaped. The builders beyond had obviously forgotten they had closed the path off.

 I am still looking for potential kitchen furniture in charity shops. Something in solid wood. Which can be painted to lift naked pine into something useful. Still undecided if IKEA is a better way to go. I want some character. Without compromising on practicality. Late lunch, shower and an afternoon nap. 

18.30 I just did three days of washing up to avoid dehydration and hunger. I wonder if I should go over to disposable crockery and cutlery? It's an enticing thought. 😏 

 No chicken and mushrooms. I didn't buy any.  I had toast yesterday. So that's out. Got eggs. Poached eggs, beans and chips? Or boiled potatoes? I have frozen peas instead of beans.. Fish fingers? That was only two days ago. And the chips. Boiled potatoes, peas and poached eggs. The healthy option. 

 I have decided I don't like eggs with boiled potatoes and peas. Some kind of taste or textural mismatch.

~o~

28.06.2023 Little Weed.

 ~o~

 Wednesday 28th 59F [6.45] Bright sunshine. A full day of sunshine is expected. Museum day.

 An early walk to drag me away from the computer and test for aches and pains. I restarted the Doxazosin tablets yesterday. I am surprised I am not aching from the gravel laying! 

 8.00 18C/65F It was cool in the wind but out of the warm sunshine. My hands and upper back seem to be reminding me of yesterday's foolishness with gravel. I just wished my hard work looked more impressive! 

 I used half the trailer full to fill the potholes and it could do with more. Rain is the great leveler. Only when puddles form can I see where more gravel is needed.

 I had better have a shower and get going. 

 15.00 23C/74F. The morning was spent hacking at weeds and grass growing in gravel paths. Followed by raking and removal of the unwanted plants to the compost area. It was fortunate while I could enjoy the shade of the huge trees. Once the sun went round and I had to work out in the open. Then I found it unpleasantly hot. 

21.00 65F. Dinner was cheese on toast. This is what happens when they lie about cocktail tomatoes being small! Those are normal sized slices of bread!

BTW: There were no further phantom pains.

~o~

27.06.2023 Laundry woes!

 ~o~

 Tuesday 27th 15C/61F. Bright and breezy. A cooler, much windier day. Mostly N-Westerly winds. Up in the night at 1-2am. It was too hot [78F falling to 75F overnight] and my head was going around in circles.

 7.00 I have been constantly surprised how stiff my towels have been after a wash. Even when they had been out on the rotary drier in the wind and sunshine.  

 So today I dumped a freshly washed load of towels into the bath. Then added enough clean, cold water to just cover them. I moved the towels around and lifted them in and out of the water. Which soon became too opaque, with soap residue [?] to see the plug in the bottom of the bath!

 I gave the towels a good long soak and kept moving them about in the water. After which I put the towels, in batches, through the small, Thomas spin drier. The resulting ejected water was similarly soap laden and opaque. A soapy scum covered the surface of the washing-up bowl into which the water drains. Just as the water remained soapy in the bath. The towels should really have a second rinse in cold water and be spun yet again. A lot of extra work considering they had already been washed. Then [supposedly] spun by the Whirlpool, top loading, washing machine at a modest 1000rpm.

 What is the answer? Buy a front loading, washing machine and install it in the kitchen? That would need a new electrical socket, plumbing and drainage. Where none presently exists. Though the new  machine could be placed against the bathroom dividing wall. Allowing through-the-wall plumbing. Meanwhile, the Whirlpool top loader is [very] conveniently placed behind the [open] bathroom door. Where it is invisible until an occupant enters and closes the door. There is no room for a front loading machine behind the bathroom door.

 7.20. Going for an early walk. To see if the phantom pains return on day three without the waterworks tablets. 

 8.30 66F/19C. I had modest pain in my shoulders and across my shoulder blades. As I walked briskly to the lanes. It came on twice and faded slowly again. It wasn't obviously muscular nor in my joints. I presume I should restart taking the Doxazosin. Since it can't be clearly proven to be the problem. I usually take the tablets in the mornings. So that is three full days without. I had no ride at all yesterday and didn't exert myself unduly. Though I did pull three wheely dustbins, separately and behind me, back to the house. Unfamiliar exercise?

 I checked the water in the bath on my return. The milky opaqueness had partially cleared. To leave a distinct, powdery residue on the bottom of the bath. I had better examine the options for a "proper" washing machine in the kitchen. Under the extended work surface would bring me close to the plumbing and drainage but no, nearby power socket. This  would remove the option for a proper oven under there. Placed against the kitchen/bathroom dividing wall offers power sockets. Plus easy, through-the-wall plumbing.

 Am I going for a ride today? NE would be sensible. Given the stiff N-Westerly. Or SE into town? It doesn't feel like an ideal day for a longer ride. I have a goal in the NE but it is over 45km away.

 Not yet anyway! After further settling the residue in the bathwater proved to be fine, pink dust. When I finally pulled the plug it settled into waves much like a beach. Before most of it ran away. I should have photographed it before the water fell too low to contain it further. The towels have gone out on the rotary airer. Everything else is dry and has been taken upstairs and put away.

 10.40 21C/70F. Bright sunshine and windy. The thistles and brambles in the garden have been chopped down to ground level. Using long handled loppers. I was sick of the sight of these weeds but kept the solitary Marsh thistle. Which my wife had encouraged for its black stems and foliage. She grew a row of them near the house but only one has survived. They can grow to over 2m high. [Nearly 7'] 

 "Somebody" has to get the strimmer out and chop down the long grass and weeds. The battery mower can't handle long grass. I was waiting for rain and we finally had some yesterday. A desiccated, brown lawn is rather pointless. It's not as if I need free access.

 I intend to check out some larger charity shops for potential kitchen furniture. 34km in very windy conditions. Though I am becoming much more relaxed on the e-bike with every ride. No useful furniture so I brought back a few groceries.

 The local sand and gravel supplier has found himself another, huge, front bucket loader. So I was finally able to buy some crushed concrete for the drive potholes. I am too old to load the trailer by hand with a shovel any more. 

 Then I spent an hour shoveling it from the trailer onto the dips in the gravel drive. Before becoming too tired to continue. My shoulders and back started complaining. It is an unnatural exercise to push a shovel. Into a highly restive medium above waist height.

 Dinner was fish fingers and chips. Well, it was better than toast!

~o~

26.06.2023 Bit of a thunder storm.

 ~o~

 

 Monday 26th 20C/69F. Bright and breezy. Thunderstorm warning with potential heavy rain. Probably this afternoon. Denmark is suffering a drought.

7.00 Going for an early walk.

I captured a picture of the generous cycle lane on the main road. [arrowed] They say you should never let your shadow appear in your own landscapes. There was no shadow.

8.00 Warm and bright. The breeze didn't help much. A band of heavy rain with lightning is heading north off the Jylland coast. Mild pain across my shoulders. I'll give it one more day without the "waterworks" tablets.

 10.30 28C/83F outside and in the balcony room. I am sweating as I try to do some long overdue tidying. 27C/81F indoors. I am not sure it would help to open the windows. It would just let in the gnats and flies. I have no useful fly net to cover the windows. I'll try to find some plain net curtains at the charity shops. 

 11.00 Rather windy. A band of heavy rain with lightning is crossing Jylland [Jutland] and will reach Fyn in half to one hour. The front is clearly visible to the SW and west but is heading NE. So the tail may just miss us. There are bands of light and dark between the clouds. The outside temperature has dropped to 27C/80F.

 11.15 77F. Getting very dark indoors but the darker cloud is sliding past. First short rumble of thunder. First sign of rain. 

 The narrow, tail end of the weather front crossing the country is clearly visible.

 11.20 Raining heavily. Enough to reduce visibility to a few hundred yards. The tail end of a second band of heavy rain may also slip past later. Some time after 13.00 by the look of it on the radar.

 11.25 22C/72F. Already stopped raining.

 11.30 21C/70F. Raining heavily again. Distant claps of thunder.

 11.45  Stopped raining again. Still rather dark indoors but the distant views have returned.

 12.30 It looks as if the second band will be more serious. It isn't moving far enough north to clear us this time. Lots of heavy rain showing on the radar.

 12.50 20C/68F Dark and raining again. The DMI forecast radar shows the second band clears us about 14.00.

 14.50 21.C/70F  Breezy sunshine. The second rain band is shown over Copenhagen. I am working my way though a backlog of laundry. It never seems worth using the washing machine with only small loads. At least, that's my excuse.

 17.00 Been shopping in the car. Bought fly papers and netting for the dormer windows. Not that I expect much change in temperature by having the windows open. The cross draught makes it feel cooler.

 21.30 15C/60F Breezy with fluffy clouds racing eastwards. Dinner was salad with boiled potatoes.

~o~

25.06.2023 What were they thinking?

 ~o~

Sunday 25th 20C/69F [at 8.30] Bright but rather cloudy again. 

10.00 25C/76F I had a later walk in the heat. Not a breath of wind. Windmills/turbines were standing still. It was perfect in the shade of the roadside trees. Even a light easterly breeze for extra "coolth." Westerly is forecast and now becoming more steady.

 No mad dash back to the toilet today. Though I did have some phantom pain across the shoulders. Two days without taking the Stada Doxazosin. Too early to confirm reduced side effects. The crows are having a scrap in the huge plum trees. I went out to speak to them. It went quiet until I returned indoors. 

 No real plans for today so far. Inevitably I shall want a ride before the weather breaks. Possibly thundery tomorrow.

 14.40 76F. Just returned from a ride to Bogense on the NW coast. Where I drifted around the town at walking pace on the bike. Just taking in the history and maritime connections. Lots of people about. Lots of sports cars and motorbikes. Including a very original BSA 'Bantam." In what looked like worn but original paint. 

 I stopped at a village pond on the way home. Where I was entertained by four half-sized ducklings. They were diving and bathing as their parents looked on. The pond was also home to dozens of dragonflies. Two vintage Harley-Davidsons rumbled past.

 73km at 26km/hr average speed. About 3h30m. 13% charge left in the battery. Mostly Sport mode. With a little Tour mode to stretch the range on the flat and descents. It was hot even into the wind! 

 Countless wild flowers. Miles of roadside poppies but several other wild plants were common too. Many with pretty blue flowers. The Bosch Connect app isn't connecting to my phone. Three days now without any ride data. I am relying on another mapping and route following app.

 I came across this nonsensical entrance to a superb cycle path. Which climbs steeply up from a train station and shopping village all the way to the motorway. The cycle path entry is on the "wrong" side of the road for cyclists leaving the village. A low island provides some protection from speeding traffic as the cyclists cross the road. 

  BUT! The actual start of the cycle path is barred by a 10cm high kerb!! So the cyclist must dismount and bump their bike up over the kerb. Just as the vast majority of crash test dummies [Aka: Car drivers] come hurtling down the long, steep hill at illegal speeds! They can't put a traffic hump just there. Because that would be a breach of car driver's human rights to travel at any speed they choose. Unless there is actually a police car present. As rare as hen's teeth in this part of the world. I have seen one police car in the 3.5k km I have traveled on the e-bike. A speed camera? They haven't been independently invented by a Dane. So aren't allowed. 

  Absolute, raving lunacy! They had only one job to do! To make cyclists want to use the cycle path. To gain safe and easy access away from the racing traffic. They failed miserably and spectacularly! How could this colossal failure not be deliberate? Somebody "official" signed off on this. Somebody working so far above their pay grade they shouldn't be allowed near a broom!

 This particular village seems to be cursed with high kerbs. The Netto supermarket has a high kerb right across the cycle parking space. That takes real bloody mindedness! By a whole series of total, drooling inadequates! 

 As does the entrance to the parking at Meny supermarket. Where I have had to "pull a wheely" on my trike for years! I wonder how many pinch flats that kerb has caused? Was there no pocket change for a tiny asphalt ramp? When they relaid the road? Only Rema1000 has low, cycle-friendly kerbs. And a road, so rough. That it could double for an international, mountain bike, cross country circuit!

 I have chicken and mushroom to use up again. I am thinking of making curry. It will suit the hot weather. 28C/82F upstairs! I had better get on with it! There was so much of it that it took me ages to work my way through it.

 I remembered to take the dustbins along the drive again. 120m uphill. The bin, which was promised to be emptied twice, remains untouched a working week later.

 No more phantom pains after the earlier episode during my walk. We shall see.

 

 ~o~

24.06.2023 "Toy" submarine news coverage sells more advertising?

 ~o~

 Saturday 24th 65F. Bright, but mostly cloudy. More sunshine promised. My knees and the backs of my calves are mahogany. The rest of my legs are white. My forearms are red/brown. The UV index is above 6. I am using SPF30 sun cream from the supermarket.

 Titanic toy submarine + 4 spoilt bods get worldwide news coverage!! Greeks kill over 500, including many children. By failing to rescue yet another overloaded wreck. Which story sells more advertising? Correct!

8.15. 17C/63F. Going for a walk.

9.15 21C/70F. Just back from my walk. Pretty skies as the sun breaks through. Hot already despite the westerly breeze.

 More phantom pains! Shoulders, back and upper chest. I am stopping the "waterworks" tablets for a few days as a trial. As suggested by the doc. I have also had an early morning, upset stomach for several days in a row now. Let's call it [almost] diarrhea. Having to dash back from my walk is not conducive to getting beneficial exercise. 

 I have been cutting my walks shorter and shorter. I used to walk for miles through the forest in the mornings. Now I dare not go for more than a few hundreds yards from home! After several early visits to the toilet it seems safe to go out. The benefits of taking medicines may not outweigh the side effects. 

10.00 22C/72F. I'll try a shorter ride. Just to see how it goes before risking a greater distance.

 14.00 Returned from my ride. I rode to a series of charity shops at greater distances looking for better kitchen furniture. It was a complete waste of time. Still a nice ride in warm sunshine. 61km with still 31% charge left. Only on the last bit was the saddle uncomfortable.

 Dinner was salad. No tomatoes and only one tiny carrot. The poached eggs were too soft. I gave them three minutes but should have hard boiled them. Ended up with a mixture of water and yolk on the plate. Despite the lack of salad cream I ate the lot. Heinz Salad Cream is very hard to come by over here. I am not keen on mayonnaise as a substitute.

~o~

23.06.2023 Belated spring cleaning.

 ~o~

 Friday 23rd. Bright overcast. The council therapist is coming today. Months of cleaning and vacuuming to catch up on! Nothing has been done since she was last here. Drag the temporary bed back upstairs. Heavy! Which caused pains in my chest and shoulders. Soon passed off. 

 Vacuum every room. Then down on my hands and knees on the bathroom, both halls, lounge fireplace and kitchen tiles with a soapy sponge. To clean away the filth. Back over with a well rinsed sponge. Repeat. 

 Clean bath, basin and toilet. Clean kitchen sink, racks and draining boards. Unusually, I washed up last night. I must find somewhere to store clean pans. The trolley provides far too little storage. The old pine dresser is almost unused.

 But I digress. There is more work to be done: Remove build up of cycling clothes from dining chair backs. Clear months of "paperwork" and supermarket receipts from the coffee table. Shower, then trim my now droopy moustache. Trim eyebrows and nasal hair. No time to get the mower out. It's what it is. I am blaming the drought! 

11.30 21C/70F. Well, that went well. Thanks to the antidepressants I am much more cheerful and talkative. Probably far too cheerful! My continuing lack of motivation is to be tested. Or at least gently whittled away. By my having a clear rota for daily or weekly chores. I have never felt I needed one until now. Or so I thought. 

 It was so much easier doing absolutely nothing. Until something was vitally necessary. If only to be able to continue for another day. My reacting to a rare visitor, with hours of intensive cleaning, is rather foolish. 

 So much needs to be done. Just to bring the house up to basic hovel level. Let alone anything resembling normalcy. Actual smartness is probably asking for miracles. Small steps will probably achieve more in the long run. Than my earlier over-enthusiasm. I certainly let the light in but merely exposed all that was wrong with the place.

 13.30 22C/71F. Lunch over. Still bright overcast. Bit of a northwesterly breeze. I had a nap before lunch to leave the afternoon free. Need some shopping. Where shall I go?

  18.00 73F. Bright sunshine for most of the afternoon. Luckily I applied lots of sun cream before leaving. I rode over to see my English friend. Going well with a tailwind. Then had to fight the wind on the way back.  

 I swapped batteries at halfway. To give me plenty of reserve for Sport mode on the flat. With occasional bursts of Turbo mode. To climb some of the hills more quickly. 58km. Average of 27km/hr. 

 Least saddle discomfort so far. I think that riding every day must take its toll. I saw several birds of prey. A red kite, a buzzard and a harrier. A bunch of large, white ducks were all packed tightly together on a roadside lawn. Some drivers haven't heard of the 1.5m rule. Few drivers have heard of speed limits.

 Shopped at the last village. So I had something to eat for dinner. Surprise!

~o~

22.06.2023 Back on the road again.

 ~o~

 Thursday 22nd 61F. Overcast and calm. Lots of sunshine was promised. Up at 6.15. I heard a gnat whine in the night. Then was stung on the finger. 

 The replacement Moustache prop stand hasn't moved. Still shown at a sorting station not far away.

 The upper chest pains came back on my walk. Stopped when I got home. My back is still aching slightly from yesterday's raking and hoeing. Which feels and seems normal. A Red kite was circling out over the fields. 

 I have sent a message to the doctor. To decide if I am having phantom chest pains from taking the "waterworks" tablets. Or need to visit the surgery for discussion or tests. The doctor replied. I can stop taking the tablets for a few days trial. Then make an appointment depending on the results.

9.45 The sun has broken through and it has quickly reached 21C/70F. Time to think about another ride? Not too far. I could do a shopping ride to the next village. They have a different set of supermarkets.  

 Which I did. Then had an SMS from the post office to say my prop stand was waiting for me at the nearest village to home. So I dropped off my shopping at home and went out again. The delightful young lady at the parcel collection office was polite, cheerful, welcoming and efficient. So that I soon left with my parcel and a happy feeling. Not so happy at some senile crash test dummy. Who came out of a junction without pausing. Nor even bothering to look for traffic on the main road. I just managed to steer inside his car as it turned.

 12.30 25C/76F. Back at home I quickly fitted the new prop stand. Using one longer screw to take advantage of the greater depth of thread available. I used one of the supplied screws in the other hole. Now I'll have lunch. Before deciding what to do next. A nap!

 15.30 25.5C/78F outside. I have put a second digital thermometer outside in the shade to the north side of the house. To check my usual digital thermometer. I have the first "outside" sensor on a long lead hanging down under the northern roof eaves. So it never receives direct sunshine. The roof, at 40º, receives grazing sunshine only at this time of year. When the sun is at its highest local altitude of 58º. I just checked the second thermometer. It is reading 79F. Confirming the first reading. The forecast was for 26C maximum today or 78.8F. Which must the warmest day of this year so far.

 16.30 78F. I have just carried a ladder along the 200+ meters of the gravel drive. To fix the traffic safety mirror on its pole across the road. The plastic ears on the back of the mirror are compressing under the pressure of the altitude fixing bolts. Poor design! The hollow plastic moulding should have had filler pieces. They can no longer hold the convex mirror upright. The mirror just flops downwards until the bottom hits the pole.

 I walked all the way back to the house again. To fetch an assortment of wooden wedges and battens. Then returned to the scene of the crime. One beech wedge proved to do the job. The mirror is safely upright again. So the traffic coming from the right can now be seen from the drive.

The 2nd thermometer, on a wooden table in deep shade, is now showing 81F! [27C]

 A large, fat frog is floating in the "carbuncle" pond. Which I sunk into the lawn earlier in the year. The frog is enjoying the shade and camouflage of the rapidly growing azola plants. Which I borrowed from the surface of the existing [punctured] pond nearby. The water level has dropped considerably in both ponds. Due to the lack of rain.   

 Dinner was fish fingers and chips.

~o~

21.06.2023 Move that gravel!

 ~o~

 Wednesday 21st 20C/67F. Bright but cloudy overcast. Potential thundery showers or cloudbursts. 

 Slept upstairs without a cover. Woke early and dozed until 6.15. Museum day.

 Today's picture of the museum's herb garden in flower.

7.45 21C/70F. Back from my shortened walk. The roads were damp to wet. So there must have been earlier rain. 

 I was getting upper chest pains again. Like a tight band at armpit level. The same as I had when panting up climbs on the trike. No other symptoms. No shortness of breath.

 Because of the storm warnings I went by car. It was hot at the museum. I started by spreading a lorry load of gravel across the visitor's parking area. I was using a rake. That gave me a pain in my shoulders. Then I started on clearing soil and weeds from the cobbles. That didn't help. I shopped on the way home.

 It was 27C upstairs in the afternoon. Making a hot dinner did not appeal at all. So I went with poached eggs on toast. Simple and quick.

 Yet again I slept upstairs. Which was hot but more comfortable than downstairs.

~o~

20.06.2023 Not beans again?

 ~o~

 Tuesday 20th 62F. Overcast but calm at the moment. [6.15] Up at 5.45 after another poor night sleeping downstairs. My back hurts! Going for an early walk.

 My walk was cut short. I dashed home with a bout of diarrhea! No idea what could have caused it. Fortunately it was short lived and the pain soon subsided.

 13.00 22C/72F Still overcast. I sat on the computer or caught up on my sleep for the rest of the morning.

17.00  25C/76F overcast. Trying to stay awake. 

 The new prop stand for the e-bike is on its way. It has cost me over £40 equivalent.

 21.30 20C/69F Dinner was chicken and mushrooms with baked beans. Absolutely no imagination!

 

~o~

19.06.2023 Fishfingers on toast? Seriously? 😏

 ~o~

 Monday 19th 65F. Bright but breezy. Another warm day in prospect but with much more cloud. The drought continues. The flower garden isn't looking well as the grass turns brown. Plenty of flowers but rather lost against the intruders. The surrounding trees must be stealing a lot of moisture.

  I slept downstairs last night. On an over-mattress on top of the folding foam base. It was far firmer than I am used to. I also felt as if my head was low at first. This was despite using my normal pillow. Temperature wise it was fine. Lying naked under an empty duvet cover. 

 So, it's a choice between greater comfort and sweating upstairs. Or lying on the floor in the lounge. Which proved a struggle when I had to visit the bathroom in the night. My back and knees complained as I fought to overcame gravity. Same again, as I finally got up at 6.15. After many guesses as to the correct time and should I get up. There were no clocks to guide me. Another oversight.

 Possible orientation problems were aided. By it never becoming truly dark at this time of year. I arranged the bed to point my head in the same direction as upstairs. I ought to check levels. It could be my bed upstairs is sagging in the middle, Which would make my head feel higher. I know the bedroom floor slopes sideways.

 9.30 21C/70F. Breezy and rather overcast. Back from my walk and the morning coffee ritual is over. The dustbin men haven't been. I saw the lorry on the road just after 6am but they did not come along the main drive. The new collection day may mean a later visit. No plans for a ride as yet. The sky keeps darkening but no rain. A band of rain is coming from the SW later. It should cross the country this afternoon. No change in the local forecast so far. 

 It is amusing to read all the fuss over AI and how it could eradicate the human race. Yet the chat-bots are subject to bouts of imagination. So, if you used a chat-bot to check the veracity of politicians' speeches and their empty election promises... Which would you trust? How does AI differ from Big Tech and the 1% ruling our world? Would we even notice? Would it be any cooler? Less polluted? Less unjust?

 12.00 Light rain.

 22.30 61F. I have done nothing all day. Dinner was fish fingers on toast. Which I really cannot recommend but my friend told me to be more creative. 😏

 It is too hot to sleep upstairs.

~o~

18.06.2023 The wanderer.

 ~o~

 Sunday 18th 66F. Bright overcast. Showers possible this afternoon. Light NW to northerly winds.

 9.30 23C/74F The sun broke through and the cloud dissipated. Another hot and sweaty walk. Sunday traffic very light but increasing. Skylarks and swallows overhead. A bird of prey was perched on a distant tree stump.

 Not sure where to go today. 

 13.15 27C/81F. Returned from a meandering exploration of the lanes near the SW coast. 45km at 23km/hr and a leisurely 74rpm cadence. 62% Sport mode. The rest in Tour. There were a lot of gravel tracks between stretches of asphalt. One deserted beach with no parking. Plenty of cyclists about. Did some shopping. 

 17.00 26C/78F. It looks dark to the north but the rain seems to have passed by to the west. I've had a sweaty afternoon nap. Now realise I still don't have anything to make a proper Sunday dinner. I couldn't bring frozen stuff all the way back on the bike. Now I'm wondering if I really want a heavy meal in this heat. It's 27C/81F upstairs now.

 18.15 24C/75F Just been shopping in the car. A few drops of rain fell in the village. About ten of them. 

 The gravel drive, at home, is so dry. That I am leaving tracks in the powdered dust on the surface. I have just been along for the 120 meter dash. To drag two large wheely bins to the corner for emptying tomorrow. Even old farts need exercise. 🙄

 Dinner was chicken and mushrooms with chips and gravy. 

 22.30 18C/64F. I have made a bed downstairs. It is 27C/81F upstairs. 23C/74F downstairs. Getting the mattresses downstairs was a struggle.

~o~

17.06.2023 Climb every mountain!

 ~o~

 Saturday 17th 21C/70F [at 8.00am] Bright sunshine with light northerly winds. I slept upstairs and was comfortable under the duvet cover. Woke at 7 after various interruptions. The temperature dropped to 74F by this morning. One village in Sjælland [Zealand] enjoyed all of Denmark's desperately needed rain. Time for a walk.

09.00 24C/75F It is already prickly and sweaty hot walking in the sunshine. Weekend traffic was quiet. Blackbirds competing for audible distance records. The hedgerows were full of bird antics. Fields gorgeously coloured as the individual crops ripen.

 I plan on a ride but am still undecided as to direction and distance. I shall have to add even more sun cream. Also remember my scarf to protect my neck.

18.00 26C/78F. Whoops! I forgot to update. 74km on one battery. Down to 12% charge. Went searching for hills towards and above Fåborg. Lots! There's a whole ridge of them. Jordløse, Håstrup, Svanninge, Trunderup, etc. Views for miles! Mostly climbing in Sport Mode 65% at a high cadence. 100-110rpm. So a good workout for myself and the battery. 26C and sunshine. Called in on my friend at half way for a chat. Then home for a late lunch. Chatted online afterwards. A nap. Then more chatting again. 

 Dinner was beans on toast. I had nothing to go with chicken and mushrooms! 

~o~

16.06.2023 Back up. To the N coast.

 ~o~

 Friday 16th 63F. Bright but with cloud. A warm, cloudy day is forecast. With the possibility of light showers coming form the NE this morning. Light winds from the NW. Up at 6.30 after earlier awakening.

9.30. Had my usual walk. It was already warm. The northern sky was smudgy again. More well defined clouds to the south. Today has a heat wave warning for most of Jylland [Jutland] just to my west. It might reach 27C here today. Though the light rain has been changed to possible thunderstorms. 

 A young chap went past slowly on an MTB with a flat front tire. He may have been on his way to school or college. The steering was obviously badly compromised.

 The e-bike is prepared for another ride. I need vital food items from the shops. Should I include shopping on the way back from a ride? I can't carry butter and milk very far in this heat. Certainly not frozen stuff. It feels like a waste of the day to do only a short shopping ride. A quick trip in the car to restock? It might be more sensible.

10.30 22C/72F. Local shopping completed. Two large bags full. Now to find a goal for a ride. 

 A garden centre almost on the north coast. I have never been there. Roughly 30km each way. Ideal distance. About two hours total ride time. Should be back for a [fairly] normal lunch time.

14.00 24C/76F. Back an hour later than expected. Headwind going. It stayed dry. Mixed cloud and sun. I was determined to reach the sea but kept being blocked by summer house estates. There were official signs for bathing and it led to a steep 45º path down a grass bank! Lunacy! How would a family get down there with a pram or pushchair?

 Finally I found a public access road. Where I could stop and eat a choccy bar and drink some apple juice. The garden centre, I was hoping for, was a flower sales place which I knew well. The name had me confused. Because it was miles from the village of its name.

 67km. 27km/hr average speed. 2h30m traveling time. On the way back I caught up with a girl on her bike and overtook her. Lost my way at a junction and then overtook her again on the correct route. Stopped at a charity shop and then finally overtook her again. She was maintaining a fairly high average speed but at a low cadence. Traveling for miles.

 I shopped at the last village I passed through. While I was bombing along at 40kph. On the main road on the way home. A horse fly landed on my forearm. I whacked it and it disappeared. Not safe at all with cars racing past!

17.30 23C/73F. I have enjoyed an afternoon nap to recover from my exertions. Over 26C/78F upstairs now. Despite lathering myself in a thick coat of 30SPF sun cream before I left. My arms and legs are red again. I'd better apply the after sun cream. Weird, the cream is making my arms sting!

 Dinner was salad with poached eggs.

21.30 17C/63F It is so hot upstairs [26C/78F] that I shan't be able to sleep up here. I am dripping with sweat just watching TV without a stitch on.

 ~o~

15.06.2023 Cirmumnavigating a peninsula.

 ~o~

 Thursday 15th 15C/60F. The weather is coming from the NE. Rather overcast but no wind for a change. Mostly poorly defined clouds except to the south. Risk of local showers and some sunshine. Bitten by a gnat in the night. Hid under the duvet  covers and could hear the whine of wings. Woke at 6am and went back to sleep until 7.15. Upstairs temperature dropped from 78F to 74F overnight. [25-23C]

8.20. Breakfast over. No serious ill effects from yesterday's bee sting. Slightly headachy and dull that's all. Though the top of my head feels unusually bumpy. Time for a walk.

9.20 17C/62F. Still overcast with splodges of blue. The wind turbines are at a standstill. I managed only a couple of hundred yards before raindrops began to fall. So I turned about to return home. It stopped spitting almost immediately. So I passed the drive and pottered on to add some distance to an otherwise short walk. Without venturing too far in only a T-shirt.  

 Should my plans for a ride be modified in light of the unpredictable weather? I can take my rain jacket just in case. It folds down small. So will easily go in one of the panniers. 

 Where to go? There is a quiet peninsula near Fåborg which I could explore. Lots of small lanes. Only vague memories of having been there in the car years ago. Not too far from home if the weather becomes foolishly wet.

14.30 24C/76F. 76km in 3 hours at an average of 26km/hr. Sunny periods becoming more sunny. No rain. Only one battery but down to 17%. 

 The lanes never really came close to the sea. Those that deliberately led down to it were guarded by sprawling, summerhouse estates. The public access areas were rather depressing. Rough tracks, no seating, no waste bins nor any other facilities. Large "Private" signs everywhere. Many summer houses exceed the value of family homes. Left unattended for long periods they may attract thieves.

Dinner was cheese on toast. Followed by soup and a roll.

~o~

 

14.06.2023 Walking wounded!

 ~o~

 Wednesday 14th 20C/67F. [at 8am] Bright sunshine and breezy again. Museum day. 25C/77F upstairs all night. Slept comfortably under a duvet cover. I was tired.

 I am going in the car. I need time to repair the damage. 

 A short walk and then I drove to the museum. 

 Sent home early after being stung on top of my head by a bee. It was hot and they were aggressive after the hives were disturbed early on. I developed a splitting headache but the pain of the sting was soon gone. I was advised to apply onion flesh to the wound. 

 Not sure whether that worked. Or was what gave me the headache. If you can smell onions then it's probably me. If you smell onions and there is a swarm of bees around my head.. then it's definitely me.

 I quickly recovered after a pain killer and drove to visit my British friend. A couple of hours of chatting, while watching the birds in his large, rural garden, was very relaxing. A beautiful Nuthatch kept us amused as it foraged right in front of us. 

For dinner I pigged my way through a pile of chips with chicken and mushrooms.

 

~ o~

13.06.2023 104km/65 miles.

 ~o~

 Tuesday 13th 16C/61F. Bright sunshine and easterly wind again. 24C/76F upstairs at bedtime. I slept comfortably under a duvet cover. Being double thickness, it draped well and the extra weight felt warmer than a single sheet.

 8.00. Back from my walk. Traffic variable by time. Suggesting commuting to start work on the hour. Several Teslas. Given the tiny proportion of Teslas v other cars why do I see so many? Because I notice them?

 9.00 20C/69F. Where shall I go today? First I have to polish off the Proofide from the broad gauge saddle.

 5.00 26C/78F. The wide saddle proved a better choice than the B17. I was not much troubled until the return journey. I fine adjusted the nose up tilt a couple of times. My longest ride so far on the e-bike. 104km/65miles. 

 I made it to Otterup via Odense. Then returned via a rural route. There wasn't much difference between each leg. My knees are mahogany and my arms are brown too. 

 I ensured I had a carton of apple juice and a Corny bar at hourly intervals. I also had a banana and an apple at half way. 

Dinner was a healthy salad. I even added an apple. The eggs refused to lose their shells.

~o~

12.06.2023 Moustache mug and toxic lavender!

 ~o~

 Monday 12th 57F, bright sunshine and windy again. Another warm and sunny day is forecast. With temperatures a couple of degrees higher. The run of fine weather is expected to change at the weekend. With the possibility of showers. 

 I woke from a nightmare at 3am dripping with sweat. So I dumped the summer duvet and slept under a sheet. It was 23C/73F upstairs at bedtime. I'll find an empty duvet cover. Its double thickness is warmer and the extra weight drapes better than a sheet.

 Denmark is reporting a countrywide drought at maximum scale of 10. Farmers with water supplies are irrigating with giant hoses. Which automatically track across the fields and swing from side to side. Some hoses spray the roads. Requiring careful timing from cyclists and agile pedestrians.

 The wind is still easterly this morning and of similar strength to yesterday. Becoming south easterly later. I rode north yesterday. To avoid a headwind. The e-bike effectively doubles the effective speed of a headwind. Which places heavier loads on the battery. While simultaneously reducing my average speed and potential range. The difference, riding with a tailwind is very noticeable. I can ride at 35-40km/hr even in Tour mode. 

 The legal top speed of 45km/hr [28mph] still remains illusive. Even in Turbo mode and freewheeling downhill. I have experimented repeatedly and it actually feels as if brakes are applied if one tries to pedal through 45km/hr. My very upright stance on the e-bike is a major reason for increased wind resistance. 

 The price I must pay for greater comfort of my hands and wrists. They actually felt permanently sprained. Both on an off the bike, when I was leaning forwards. I feared permanent damage if I persisted. The high rise stem has fixed that particular problem. 

 Now I just need to find a way to avoid saddle soreness on my sit bones. It is inevitable that almost all of my weight is now pressing directly on the saddle. Pedaling hard reduces the loads cyclically but is not enough to cure the problem. I had hoped the broad gauge saddle would spread the loads more evenly. Perhaps it does but not nearly enough. Should I risk refitting the well-worn B17 "Special" for one ride?

 Sadly my nether regions haven't "toughened up." Not to any noticeable extent. As I rapidly approach 3000km. In fact I exceeded that distance, with my 3011km total, only yesterday. I feel fine for the first half of ride. After which I have to keep rising off the saddle to adjust my position. 

 I keep wondering whether padded shorts are actually any better than a padded, vinyl saddle. Where lies the difference? How do long distance and racing cyclists survive the mileages they must endure? It can't be all down to chamois lubricants. Can it?  I am sitting on a well padded office chair now. With a cloth seat and an extra cushion. I can still feel my sit bones aching from yesterday's ride! 

 7.30 61F. Time for a walk.

 9.00 20C/67F. Back from my walk and coffee over. Delayed by searching for suitable goals for today's ride. Very warm already. Even the wind was not enough to keep me cool. The countryside is absolutely magnificent. As different crops develop their textures and colours. A red kite was circling out over the fields. 

 I heard a new birdsong high in a hedgerow. It reminded me of an old engine which was reluctant to start. Musical but very strange. Deep and loud enough to suggest a larger bird. Like a thrush or blackbird in size but sounding like nothing I have heard before. 

 13.00 26C/78F! Just returned from a 69km ride. To a village east of me and back again. 26km/hr, 79rpm and 83W averages. Even allowing for cumulative damage. To the thin flesh under my sit bones. The well-worn, B17 saddle was awful! It was uncomfortable from the start and became progressively worse. 

  Look what I found in a charity shop. No! Not the broad gauge saddle. The moustache mug. To match my Moustache e-bike. There is a picture of a bike inside. Coincidence? It badly needs a wash first.

So it is back to the broad gauge, sprung saddle. Yesterday I hardly noticed the wide saddle on the outward stage. Perhaps I should give it more Proofide to make it more supple.  

 No walk or ride is complete without seeing a bird of prey. Or even a few. A large heron crossed a village lane right across my path this morning! I saw several birds of prey. While a gull seemed curious and floated just above me for several hundred yards.

 Following my afternoon nap I really should do some shopping. And did. I went in the car. The wide saddle is presently covered in Proofide. Even the Ortlieb panniers would have struggled with my three, very full, shopping bags.

 As an experiment I bought a Harpic Lavender toilet block. Having installed it, the whole house now stinks of lavender! My nose explodes every time I pass the bathroom door! The neighbours, 120m downwind, will be complaining. I'll blame the farmers. Say it is the latest perfume they have added to the pig shit spreader.

 It cost me 26 Danish Kroner. [Abut £3 in Ye Olde Monie] So I cant throw it away. Besides, they don't have a toxic waste container at the local recycling yard. The worst part about all of this is their claim for a longer working life. So it may outlive me at this rate!

 19.00 73F. Dinner looms below decks. I was very good yesterday and had salad. So I might just sneak a toast day in. If only I could decide what to have on it. Eggs? Fish? Beans? Bananas? Peas?

 As usual, I added a bowl of tomato soup and a roll.

~o~

11.06.2023 Battery pit stop.

 ~o~

 Sunday 11th 14C/57F. Clear, bright and windy. Easterly winds rocking the trees again. The last of the laundry has gone out on the rotary airer. Perfect conditions for rapid drying.

  7.15. Time for a walk. The garden is full of birdsong.

  8.00 17C/62F. Shorter walk than usual. Windy and already warm. The warblers did their best to entertain. 

 Quarry pit stop to swap batteries.

  Where shall I go today? If I head east I shall have a tailwind coming home. Instead of which I am repeating yesterday's ride, more or less, but avoiding main roads. Heading north to two flea/antique markets. Which weren't open when I was there. Just out of curiosity. No plans to add to the burden.

 13.30 23C/73F. Just returned from a ride of 88km in 3h20m Averaging 26km/hr, 800W and 81rpm. 56% sport mode. The rest Tour mode with some Turbo. I didn't need my jacket today. The wind was a nuisance at times. 

 I visited the first flea market and then pressed on northwards to the second. Which was closed! All that way for nothing. So I visited Bogense while I was in the area. Where I bought another pack of small cartons of organic apple juice. I made sure to consume one micro-Corny bar and an apple juice every hour. Just to stay topped up. 

 I did not notice the saddle for the outward journey but became progressively more uncomfortable on the way back. It wasn't friction or rubbing. The padded bibs seemed unable to prevent pressure pain beyond a modest riding distance. The leather of the broad gauge saddle is flexing to finger pressure. So I can't blame it on being too hard. 

 My knees are slightly more pink. Today's bibs were shorter on the leg than the Wiggle shorts. My suddenly bare arms seem not to have changed from lightly tanned. They may redden if there is a delay in the skin's reaction to solar exposure. I have been wearing a jacket until now. This was the first ride in just a short sleeved cycling jersey.

 Dinner time is approaching. I should be using up the salad stuff before it goes off. Or I could make a Sunday dinner again. I have chicken and mushrooms to use up. Boiled potatoes, peas and carrots with gravy?  Or salad with boiled potatoes and salmon. Decisions-decisions!

No salad cream! It was still fine. No tomatoes either and I could have added a boiled egg. The potatoes had 45 minutes of simmering and were still only just cooked.

 

~o~

10.06.2023 North'n'south.

 ~o~

 Saturday 10th 58F/14C. Bright and clear but windy. The garden trees are thrashing about in an easterly wind. It isn't supposed to be remotely this strong. Peaking at only 10m/s gusts in the DMI forecast. This will affect my choice of route today.

 7.00 Up at 6am. Time for an early walk. 

 8.00 17C/62F: Despite the blustery wind I wasn't cold. Bird activities were sporadic this morning. A male pheasant was patrolling a spray track. In a grass-like crop almost as tall as himself. His bright red face popped up near the road almost at my turning point.  Causing me to tell him to duck down again. Which he promptly did. He peeked at me at intervals. As I passed by. Walking in both directions. 

  An old mill in the woods. Built in 1777. It was dark red for years and looked authentically and magically medieval. That was before lengthy restoration. My wife and I would picnic in the car. While admiring it from the narrow, twisting lane which runs past. From much the same point of view as the camera.

 The airliner vapour trails were persisting much less than yesterday. The half moon hung quite high in the SE.

 It seems logical to ride north today. If I keep to the narrow lanes I should enjoy more shelter from the hedgerows. Where to go though? I feel like exploring lanes or places I haven't visited before. Or, at least, not for years. I had better have a look at the map.

 13.00 23C/74F bright sunshine and windy from the east. I have just returned from an 80km ride. [50 miles] Through glorious, undulating countryside. Lots of hills and woods and forest. 2h20m actual traveling time. Average speed 24km/hr. Average cadence only 79rpm. 88W my average power output. I stopped on every hour [10, 11 &12.00] for a small Corny bar and a small carton of organic apple juice. This helped to alleviate the saddle soreness. At least for a while.

 I changed the battery on the way back when it fell to 20%. This gave me the freedom. To use whatever power assistance I needed to get home. I was flying down one winding hill. At over 40km/hr, pedaling hard. When I passed a bunch of club cyclists who had stopped for some reason. Probably a call of nature or a puncture.

 I have noticed that the drought is badly affecting short grass but not when it remains long. So I am putting off mowing the lawn until there is some rain. The verge tractor mower was along recently. Every verge is now the colour of pale straw. A potential fire hazard?

 Dinner was chicken and mushrooms with chips.

~o~