3.11.2026 A visitor prompted [late] Spring Cleaning.

 ~?~

  Tuesday 3rd 47F/8C [8.20]  Overcast but some sunshine is promised. Breezy from the NE. Peaking around 10C/50F. 

 Up at 7.15 after a fairly quiet night with dreams. 22C/72F in the room.

 I am expecting my English friend to visit today. So a bit of spring cleaning is required. 

 10.00 I worked for three hours to make the place presentable. He left about 12.00.

 I collected yesterday's recycling bin and then had a late chat with my minder. 

 14.50  First sign of the sun today. I have to go shopping sometime.

 And did. Just as it was getting dark. The supermarket was packed with shoppers on their way home. I managed to stuff two full, carrier bags with groceries.

 Dinner was [non-organic] pork chops. Generous quantities for a less exorbitant price. I spoilt myself and had two. My first chance to use my inexpensive, digital, meat thermometer. Google said over 63C/145F. Then rest for 3 minutes. I didn't need a rest. I'd had a nap. 

 The chops were perfect. I added Danish baked beans and frozen chips to the sumptuous menu. And brown sauce on the chips. No expense spared at Chez Hovel.

  

  ~?~

 

2.11.2026 200W!

 ~?~

  Monday 2nd 44F/7C [9.15] Bright sunshine. It's supposed to be cloudy all day with showers. Peaking around 9C/48F. With light winds increasing. 23C/74F in the room.

 Up at 8.20 after a very disturbed night. I have a painful tummy ache! 

 Exercise class in town later. 

 12.15 Back from the exercise therapy class. I hit 200Watts on the exercise bike. That was during "climbing" intervals. The rest of the time was concentrated on balance exercises. Quite a workout! 

 After a sunny morning. It has become overcast with light showers. The stomach ache ceased as I reached the class.

 Dinner was two large, toasted wholemeal rolls with cheese. 

 

 ~?~ 

1st November 2026 A computer without a memory?

 ~?~

  Sunday 1st 48F/9C [8.50] A grey day with possible light rain or showers. Temperatures hovering just below 10C/50F all day. Light SW winds.

 Up at 8.10 after earlier practice sessions. More weird dreams.  23C/73F in the room.

 It suddenly occurred to me that I haven't looked at my blog stats [views] for [literally] years. I type away at my "cycling" blog every day without ever questioning why. Or whether anybody actually reads my nonsense. I check and recheck my spelling and grammar as I go along. Constantly updating without worrying about the consequences. Standards have to be maintained. 

 I try to be interesting without a clue if my inane ramblings hold the slightest interest for others. I now see my cycling blog as a sort of diary. Yet only rarely look back. Except perhaps to find a picture. When Google Pictures can't find it. [As usual]  I've had lots of blogs over the years. Covering a few of my interests and lifelong obsessions. 

 Each has fallen into abandonment as my interest waned or expired. My late wife called me a butterfly. It was perfectly apt. I could so easily become obsessed in a new subject and be taking thousands of pictures, doing research. Buying books, new toys and/or tools. Or raiding the local reference library for more information. Now suddenly it's all on the Internet. The information itself. Not necessarily my own minimal contributions. To any particular subject matter. 

 I had the advantage of multiple, manual skills built up over the long years. A lifetime collection of tools. So varied in nature that was usually something I could use. I always preferred to a buy a necessary tool. Rather than pay somebody else to do a job. Other people always seemed to need to make a profit at my expense. They had to live. I only needed something doing. So I would do my homework in the library and get on with whatever it was. 

 Photography has been another lifetime interest. Which encompassed landscapes, architecture, astronomy, bird watching, clocks, DIY and cycling of course. I'll stop here. I need a walk. Listing my interests could easily cover several pages. As would listing my endless creations. Which would seem like bragging. Rather than an attempt to explain my lifelong behavior.

 I was born with just enough intelligence to be dangerous. Sadly somebody left out the memory chips. When I was assembled. Hence my several thousand, non-fiction, book collection. Which I now find I simply cannot give away. 

 My mastery of maths does not even extend to adding up a short shopping list and getting the same answer twice. Yet I used maths extensively for many of my technical hobbies and interests. Including writing BBC Basic, Trigonometrical, ray tracing, optical design software for apochromatic telescope objectives. That was nearly 40 years ago. Just as Apos began to become available to amateur astronomers.   

 11.00 Back from my walk. It is cool but almost still. Heavily overcast but dry so far. No guard dog again. Though "Fluffy" the long haired Alsatian nodded as I passed. The Husqvarna robot mower was doing a great job again. Achieving perfect lines on a steeply, lateral sloping bank. With rises and falls along the length of hundreds of meters. 

 Today, from the advantage of the embankment. I could see more of the fallen branch of my huge willow through my binoculars. The fall had broken large branches high up on an adjoining plum tree. I'll let nature take its course. Too risky to get involved. Unless the neighbour forms an HOA and elects himself as chairman. 

 Will I go for a ride today? The stillness is encouraging. The very dark skies anything but!

 I just climbed a stepladder. To trim a branch. Which was dancing in front of one of my security cameras. 

 Moving onto a second camera. Which stopped working during the recent storm. Despite facing north in southerly gales. The plug had pulled out. So I tied a knot in the cable. To stop the cable's weight from dragging the connection back through the wall. Problem solved. 

 I brought the indoor recycling tubs out and loaded them into their matching wheelie bins. Then delivered the relevant bin to the end of the drive. For emptying early tomorrow morning. The neighbour's cat in the drive was in a bit of a huff. Walking away when I spoke to it. Anybody would think I wanted to kidnap the silly thing.

 Sunday Dinner was chicken, peas, mashed potatoes and gravy. I washed up while it cooked.

 

  ~?~

31.10.2026 Branching out.

 ~?~

  Saturday 31st 47F/8C [8.20] Another grey day. Peaking at 11C/52F. Light northerly winds.

 Up at 7.45 after earlier awakenings and dreams. A hot 23.5C/74F in the room. The heat pump remote has been reduced to 20C/68F.

 Ideal conditions for another ride? 

 10.00 Back from my usual walk. Traffic very light. No dog. 

 Oh, the irony! After being told off for felling a withered little tree on my northern border. The vast willow we inherited, 30 years ago, has dropped a huge branch. Silvery and dying and very obviously wrong. It's left a nasty gap in the treeline. Impossible to see any of this from inside the garden. 

 11.15 Off we jolly well go. 

 12.45 Back from a 27km ride. To a village charity shop. Then a detour to reach the cycle path for a stretch. The wind was light but it felt much cooler today. My nose kept dripping and I repeatedly tried to blow it with my finger. Not very successfully. 

 Until, that is, I ejected a pink worm as fat as my finger and 6"/15cm long! It was sitting in the palm of my glove but not sticking. I was so shocked I wobbled but managed to stay on the road. I have never, ever, seen anything like it in my whole life! I just hope it wasn't my brains falling out. Or an alien! I shook my hand and it flew off. No, not literally. Worms can't fly.

 Dinner was a salmon pasty, peas, pasta and mushy, tinned tomatoes. 

 

  ~?~

 

 

 

30.10.2026 45km Because I still can.

 ~?~

  Friday 30th 49F/9C [8.45] Thick mist. A cloudy day. Peaking at 12C/54F. A fairly light, westerly breeze. 

 Now that, is a proper sandcastle! The new High Speed rail track has been surfaced. Now looking just like a very large cycle path.  Lots of landscaping and drainage work still going on and much more to do. The motorway runs alongside. Over on the left.  

 With the vast new FTZ car spares building in the background. A claimed 3 million car spares in stock. 1000 staff spread across the country. This view is looking westwards on the road to Gelsted.  

 Rørup church no longer has its full onion spire. A more modest version was added after the original was absent for some years. It used to be a landmark from the motorway but the trees in the car park now block the view.

 Up at 8.10 after drifting for hours between weird, often repetitive dreams.   22C/72F in the room. The heat pump remote is set to 20C and lying on the coffee table.   

 Looking eastwards toward distant Odense. From the same, newly cast bridge. The motorway is more visible in this view. Over on the right.

 The ever expanding Grønnemose [Green Marsh] industrial estate is on the left. Once appearing almost disused. Even the roadside supermarket had closed. 

Now with new builds, parking, EV charging stations, recreation and many new businesses. Including popular takeaways. Several sites are actively under construction.   

 9.50 I've had a chat with my minder. 

 Then a brisk walk around the loop. No breathlessness. No dog. The mist is slowly thinning.

 13.15 Back from a 34km ride. Up to the new railway embankment above Aarup. Where the new embankments continues to rise and be compacted. I didn't take any pictures today because the sun was low and right behind the site of interest.  

 A short but steep section of the excellent cycle path above Aarup. A lovely, long climb or a speedy descent. Depending on one's direction of travel. Almost no other users to hinder the enjoyment. 

 Even though they made a deep cutting at the summit. It is still higher and steeper than the road running alongside. There is an ancient windmill to the right of the picture. A stately home [Erholm] to the left. 

 Mostly cloudy weather. I wore my hi-vis jacket. Just in case. Though the mist had soon disappeared. 60% battery charge remaining from 100% at the start. 

 I passed a vast field adjoining a wood. Where the hunters were practicing for a Russian invasion. There were hundreds of shots being fired. Local hunts rarely manage more than half a dozen. Before they get bored at the lack of prey. 

 16.00 Back for a chilly, shopping trip to the village. For a total of 45km today. It was Friday afternoon and the supermarkets were packed with shoppers. Many workers finish early on Fridays. Adding further to the numbers present. 

 I am noticing a distinct improvement in my cycling. As a result of the stationary exercise bikes. And the other exercise machines at the therapy classes. Where we are put through strenuous sessions under heavy pedaling loads. 

 Whether the exercises are called sprinting or hill climbing. The effect is much the same. My ability to climb hills faster and without pain is  noticeably better. Leg strength, lung capacity and stamina are all much improved. 

 Dinner was a chicken fry-up. With toast and tweggs. This time I managed to keep the eggs out of my lap. Not difficult, given that both yolks were broken before they hit the pan. I turned them to avoid embarrassment. 

 

  ~?~

29.10.2026 Life threatening!

 ~?~

  Thursday 29th 48F/9C [9.20] Wall to wall sunshine and lighter winds. Peaking at 13.5C/56F.

 Up at 8.20 after a fairly quiet night. I have been chatting with my minder for ages. The heat pump is getting too excited. 24C/75F is too hot for me. I am sweating!

 I'll have a shower and then go for a walk. Or not. It's a bit late now. I'll just fetch the recycling bin from the end of the drive instead. 

 Therapy at 11.00.  

 12.15 Another fine day of solid sunshine. Back from my exercise class. I tried to fit in every machine available. Pushing myself again. With enough series and repetitions. To cause real pain and make my timetable look good. 

 I washed up the usual backlog. It only took me half an hour. It saved me having to rinse every piece of crockery and cutlery I needed. As I went along. Just to have to something to use.   

 I have just risked life and limb to walk along the drive. Carrying a heavy DeWalt hedge clipper. For almost a year the occupants of the houses on our shared drive have taken our lives in our hands. Every time we attempted to pull out of the drive onto the busy road in our cars. 

 All thanks to the dangerously overgrown hedge of yet another abandoned "investment" property. Under the completely false guise of "property investment." But really just an evil ruse. For yet another attempt at blatant blackmail. Where the "investor" buys a dilapidated old house for [very] small change at forced auction. He then deliberately fills the garden, or grounds, with absolute junk. And damages the house beyond all hope of further repair. 

 So that the whole becomes a hideous blight on the landscape. To the absolute horror of those still living nearby. Whom, are now, completely unable to sell their homes. Not even for pocket change. There is no escape! 

 The entire farce is not so subtly designed. So that somebody [anybody] will offer the "property investor" ten times the price he paid at auction. For what is now an absolute, worthless wreck. So that the "investor" will simply go away. So that the property can then be summarily demolished and the garden cleared. To put everybody out of their misery. Of the last, many, intolerable years. And counting. 

 The perfect economic crime! The council won't do anything. The right is on the side of the "property investor." So, that those who work around the clock to pay their mortgages. Paid handsomely to have their own properties maintained and improved. Not to mention paying the generous salaries of the council officers, via their rates. The occupants who surround the "investment property" are utterly screwed! The same pattern is repeated across several villages and hamlets. All caused by the same "property investor." He has cost numerous residents an absolute fortune. 

 Meanwhile, back at the hovel: Thanks to the projecting hedge. It was impossible to see the fast approaching traffic. Now, finally, we can see them. Even if they cannot see us. As we hesitantly emerge from an apparently solid hedge. On a sharp, completely blind bend. 

 I was completely breathless before I even reached the road. Equally so on the way back. Somehow I dodged the speeding traffic. Though I had donned an old, high-viz jacket. In anticipation of potential phone abusers.

 Dinner proved to be almost as dangerous. As remote hedge trimming. I aimed for poached eggs and was completely successful. They emerged from their hot bath in a perfection of form and viscosity. Even if I say so myself. 

 The true harm only arose. When I sandwiched this wonderful pair, of true culinary pearls, in toasted rolls. Then settled into my armchair to watch Netflix. Only moments later I was to discover the magical ability of egg yolk. To cling to moustaches, beards, jumpers and cargo trousers. In no particular order. Except by descent under the effects of local gravity. Now I will always wonder if the use of a knife and fork. Would have avoided the splatter radius.

 

  ~?~

 

28.10.2026 Unfinished cycle path.

 ~?~

  Wednesday 28th 45F/7C [8.00] A misty start to a cloudy day. Some sunny periods but also odd showers. Peaking at 13C/55F. With much lighter winds after the recent, severe gales.  

 Up at 7.20 after several awakenings in the night. The duvet even managed to fall off the bed! Which was a first. For what passes for living memory in these here parts. 

 23C/73F in the room. I have lowered the heat pump remote by half a degree to 20C.

 The half decent weather suggests I have a ride. I could do the entire length of the new cycle path. From Glamsbjerg to Assens and back is about 35km. About 22 miles plus the distance getting to the nearest start of the route opposite the Glamsbjerg Hotel. The route is a dogleg. Almost straight in two, long stretches but gently changes direction to the west at halfway. Just east of Voldtofte village. Before crossing the high street.

 Today's ride would be the first on a continuous, finished surface. Instead of mud and sand and loose, coarse gravel in places! The path isn't officially completed yet but is already quite well used. By walkers, dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Like all former rail routes the inclines are quite modest. Which certainly suits the cyclists. While the local roads must rise and fall, often quite steeply, with the undulating landscape.

  There has been some traffic disruption and temporary detours. As the old rails crossed several roads and these all had to be lifted. A central traffic island and speed reductions were required at one crossing. On a busy, main road. The traffic was completely ignoring the dangers and speed lollipop signs today. Those cars I saw at the crossing were all speeding. I wonder whether a traffic hump might be necessary. 

 There is discussion underway to give the path an appropriate name. Something sharing the old railway line with local history.

 The line was officially closed to passenger rail traffic in 1966. Closure to goods traffic in 1984. It continued for decades after that for private, pedal trolley hire. Which meant that the rails remained. With modest "gardening." To keep the route open for trolley users and walkers. The old rail route is just visible on Google Maps. 

 Only with the arrival of public funding for a proper cycle path. Were the old rails and mostly rotten sleepers finally lifted. Which made walking and cycling much more practical and convenient. The projecting sleepers had formerly made it rather difficult to use the track for casual enjoyment. So that it tended to be only used as a short cut by locals and dog owners. 

 The former railway was once used for carrying sugar. There being a vast sugar producing factory at Assens near the harbour. The factory closed in 2006. After operating from 1884. With the loss of much agriculture production of sugar beats. 1800 farmers helped to feed the factory's demand for sugar beats.  Along with the mud this caused on the roads during every harvest!  

 The factory closure also brought an end to the all pervading smell of sugar production. Which often hung over the quiet town. There was the loss of many local jobs too of course. 250 in high season. About 75 out of season. With little other serious industrial capacity in this relatively quiet, coastal backwater. 

 Though it still thrives as a shopping town. With a gently sloping, cobbled high street running down to the harbour. The noisy surface helping to slow the traffic to the indicated 20kph. Huge, free car parks are available behind the historical facades. 

 The sugar factory grounds, vast silos and industrial buildings have been cleared or partially demolished. I was there when each giant silo was blown up. 

 The original office buildings have been restored for modern use. With a sports hall, arena, police station and smart council offices on the former grounds. Along with other public services and recreation facilities. 

 A view of the old chimney and restored office buildings from the former sugar factory. The site extends for almost a kilometer to the right. Out of sight behind the camera. The cycle path is just to my left. Old photographs show the railway carrying sugar beats. 

 There is also bronze age site near the middle of the new, cycle route. All of which must be taken into account for a suitable name.

 10.30 I've had my chat with my minder. Had a cup of coffee and a marmalade roll. The road, and cycle path, now beckon! 

 13.30 Back from a 51km ride to Assens via the new, cycle path. I explored the Assens marina area too and was shocked. How it has expanded since I was last here. 

  The path surface was certainly complete from end to end. However there were some unwanted corrugations. The worst area was under the giant wind turbine near the Assens recycling yard. Leaf fall was already so heavy. That it had made the path invisible in some areas near Ebberup. In fact there were kilometres of leafy tunnels. Under the beautifully coloured, autumn trees. 

 The fine gravel was rather neutral. Neither particularly fast nor slow compared to asphalt. It wasn't perfectly flat nor unpleasant to ride on 99% of the time. The sound of my tires obviously carried far enough for walkers to become aware of my approach. To overtake them from the rear. The same could not be said for asphalt. So the fine gravel offers a natural safety margin given sensible riding speeds. 

 My average speed was an indicated 24kph riding towards Assens. About 22kph on the return journey. I deliberately slowed to a crawl every time I met a fellow path user. To give them plenty of time to adjust to my presence and intention to pass safely. 

 Particularly with dog owners. Who must usually be given plenty of time to reign in their pets on extending leashes. Those who were walking the other way to my own direction of travel had plenty of time to spot my approach. Thanks to the very long straights. With only a few gentle bends.   

 Keep in mind that the official opening is still potentially months away. So any minor criticisms by me. Must be weighed against this reality. I came across several contractors. Who were tidying up fallen branches and other debris. I stopped to chat to one of them. He told me that the path edges had to be made neat and firm. To avoid cyclists, or even walkers, from falling off the path. No doubt this would improve the longevity of the gravel too. With its banks retained by firm soil. To avoid subsidence and casual degradation. 

 I must have seen at least half dozen cyclists on the path today. All enjoying the new facility. With a similar number of solo walkers and dog walkers. Not bad for late on a random Wednesday morning. Albeit in bright sunshine after a storm and several grey days with gales and rain. 

 I did some shopping in the village before finally heading home. 

 After a late lunch I dozed on the computer while watching YouTube videos. Best to avoid an afternoon nap.

 Dinner was mackerel in tomato sauce on toast. 

 

  ~?~

27.10.2026 Windswept!

 ~?~

Tuesday 27th 50F/10C [6.10] Grey skies with showers. Peaking at 12C. Windy again. 11-13m/s gusts.

 Up at 5.20 after waking earlier. My sleep patterns are still haywire.

 13.00 Back from visiting my English friend with shopping on the way home. 

 The roads were littered with twigs and leaves from the gales. The beech trees are colourful in their autumn finery. Some of the maples in the roadside gardens were absolutely stunning. 

 There were puddles everywhere. On the road and in the fields. The pheasants were playing chicken again!  

 13.45 Lunch over as I struggle to stay awake. 

 It was so dark and overcast in the afternoon. While still blowing a gale. That I had no desire for a ride. So I wasted the hours on YouTube.

 Dinner was fish fingers and chips. The last of both in the freezer. I have some more shopping to do.

  

  ~?~

26.10.2026 Voluntary torture session.

 ~?~

  Monday 26th 46F/8C [8.25] Bright overcast. Sunny periods and odd showers. Temperatures peaking at 12C later this afternoon. Winds gusting to 13m/s as the westerly winds reduce slowly. Continuing to blow for the next two days as they turn more southerly. 

 A cosy 23C/73F in the room.

 Up at 7.40 after a rather disturbed night. My sleep patterns are obviously disrupted. 

 No time for a after my chat with my minder.

 Exercise therapy this morning. I can do some shopping while I am in town.   

 13.15 Back from town after my exercise class. I became dizzy at one point but recovered after a drink of water. My back continues to be my weakest point. I did some shopping afterwards. 

 Two male pheasants chose the moment of my passing by in the car to cross the lane. I was fully expecting a cloud of feathers and blood on the road. I may go for a ride this afternoon. It looks as if the entire length of the new Assens to Glamsbjerg cycle path is now surfaced. 

 The afternoon was wasted on YouTube. Or dozing.

 Dinner was wholemeal bread rolls. Decorated with herring in a curry sauce on two halves. With extra mature Cheddar cheese, with halved cherry tomatoes, on the other two. Followed by a small mug of milky coffee and a digestive biscuit.

 

  ~?~

25.10.2026 Was I even there?

 ~?~

  Sunday 25th 47F/8.5C [5.00] A day for fierce, southerly gusts to 24m/s falling slowly. Heavy rain expected 22mm. Temperature peaking early at 8C before climbing to 11C. 

 I was having unpleasant memories and decided to get up. Without taking the 1 hour clock change into account. It was only 4.30. Not the slightly less foolish 5.30.  

 8.10 It has rained but seems to be having a rest. Not blowing as hard as it was earlier. I can see a bright strip of water on the drive. Though it hasn't reached the boundary yet. There are raindrops all over the new, glazed door. Which faces north and is sheltered by the large roof overhang.

 Perhaps I ought to have a walk while I can. The DMI radar shows a gap in the rain clouds.

 8.40  Back from my walk. It was dry, even a glimpse of sunshine. The wind was highly variable. No miniature guard dog today.

 10.40 I dragged the recycling bin along the drive in my wellies. It was blowing a gale and raining. The absent neighbour's bins had both blown over. To join the builder's debris left scattered all around there. It must be well over a year ago now.

 It blew and it rained as I dozed on the computer. No point in risking a nap. I have already exceeded my allowance.

 Dinner was chicken and mushroom curry with Ben's medium sauce. 

  

  ~?~

24.10.2026 YT Zombie.

 ~?~

  Saturday 24th 48F/9C [8.50] Wet and very windy from the south. Peaking at 12C and 18m/s.

 Up at 04.00 after a sleepless night. I was feeling too hot. Despite the nominal 22C in the room. A reaction to the jabs? AI says yes. The body is racking up a response to its immune system. As long I don't become a zombie. From lack of sleep.

 Back to bed at 5.30. Slept until 8.30. More weird dreams.  

 10.00 I've had my chat with my minder. 

 Rain and gales do not make for a pleasant walk. The bright water is running down the drive. It reflects the grey sky. Making it easy to see. As chains of small puddles. The house is least protected from southerly winds. All other directions are protected by tall trees and shrubs. 

 It rained quite heavily at times. Though I was hardly aware of the wind. That may change tomorrow. 

 Another day wasted on YouTube.

 My timed afternoon nap became a nonsense. After I turned off the ringing and went straight back to sleep. 

 Dinner was wholemeal bread rolls. With an assortment of decoration. 

  ~?~

 

23.10.2026 A strangely, busy day.

 ~?~

  Friday 23rd 46F/8C [8.50]  Overcast, dark grey and increasingly windy. With rain starting this afternoon. A storm warning for Sunday. [Austen] This is presently battering the Irish coast and heading eastwards.

 Up at 8.15 after waking earlier and drifting. 23C/73F in the room.

 I have a routine, secure phone call today. From the hospital heart department. This keeps them updated on my progress and any side effects or symptoms. Without my having to travel into the city. I also have a flu and Covid jab this afternoon. 

 9.40 Just had my chat with my minder. Now I am off for my walk.

 10.00 Back from my walk. The weather was cool and grey. The wind localized. The little guard dog was back and very persistent. The lady owner came out and we chatted. The suggestion of my offering dog treats was considered too risky. Because the dog might follow me home. Which would involve the busy, speeding traffic on the road. I hadn't thought of that. 

 Meanwhile, the new neighbours, in the house on the road, are back. With many tins of paint visible in the picture windows. 

 11.25 I've just had my phone talk with the heart specialist at the hospital. He approved of the medicines I am taking and has prescribed for more of the same. It's all done online. I just need to present my health insurance card at the local apotek to get more tablets. I can see my medicines in the very useful online app. Which also records my appointments, my tests and results, my health. Even what medical personnel recorded about me during hospital visits and stays for treatment. The Sysikringsbevis card is more or less an all purpose, digital ID. Teenagers can show it as proof of age. To avoid their purchasing booze and fags.

The cards have been going for many decades in Denmark. Introduced in 1973. To replace the previous, private insurance funded, health service. Which became a free on demand, publicly managed health service. 

 The plastic card is yellow and white and the same size as a credit card. I presume the resistance to holding such ID in the UK. Is due to a complete lack of trust in the Fabian, communist dictatorship. I have never heard a Dane question the card or its ability to reveal everything about them. With the relevant authorization of course.    

 16.30 Drizzling for the last hour. Back from having my jab. A very pleasant young lady made the experience painless. She requested a 15 minute wait before I left the premises. In case there was any reaction. I did a bit of shopping while I was in the village.  

 No afternoon nap. Dinner was a chicken fry-up. With mushrooms, toast, tweggs and cherry tomatoes. I did a mountain of washing up while it cooked. I'll have to go back to complete the task.

  ~?~

 

22.10.2026 Yummy!

 ~?~

  Thursday 22nd 49F/10C [8.15]  A cloudy day. With rain later. Peaking at 11C/51F. Windy from the south.

  A comfortable 22C/72F in the room. Heat pump remote set at 19.5C on the desk.

 Up at 7.40 after a rather disturbed night with weird dreams. Headlights shone into the room several times in the night. Presumably from neighbours at the rear coming and going. Very unusual. I hope there wasn't a medical emergency.

 Cooking class this morning. Some vital grocery shopping required. 

 13.15 Back from cooking class. Where I made a baked carrot dish with Timian. There were Danish meatballs, potatoes and a spicy vegetable stew. For desert there was an apple cake. All very tasty. 

 17.00 Back from the shops in another village. Three different supermarkets just to get basic groceries. The bananas were a black, inedible mush. Unfit to be on display!

 No dinner required. I ate too well at lunch time.

 

  ~?~

21.10.2026 Rubber fingers.

 ~?~

 Wednesday 21st 46F/8C [ 8.30] Overcast and showers. Followed by continuous rain.

 A steady 22.5C/72F in the room. 20C/68F in the kitchen.

 Up at 7.45 after waking at 7am. A quiet night.

 After a half hour chat with my minder. I switched on the bright light over my jungle. The 120cm tall rubber plant is leaning heavily towards the window. The Internet says to rotate such plants regularly. Out of ignorance I hadn't been doing that.

 There are three stems in one pot. Perhaps I ought to repot it. Using the huge bamboo support pole I bought. The current, plastic pot is only 17m in diameter at the top. Which always looked far too small to my unskilled eye. 

  The light was sold at a discount. As a builder's working floodlight. Using LEDs to provide a lot of light for comfortably low, power consumption. I fixed the support bracket to the boarded ceiling. Inboard of the south facing windows. Which are covered by the lean-to greenhouse and shaded in summer.

 10.45 Back from my walk. I was going much faster and more upright than usual. No breathlessness. The neighbour's mower was busy again after an absence. The fluffy Alsatian guard dog must be getting old by now. It turned its back on me and wandered away. It has never done that before. Despite years of turning its head away whenever I spoke to it.

 15.30 Following a quick search online. I have repotted the three stem, variegated rubber plant into a ceramic pot. Just one size larger. 22cm x 22cm With a 1.5m tall bamboo, support pole around 25-30mm diameter. I needed only two scoops of fresh potting compost. To fill the small gap around the original root ball. 

 There was no sign of root crowding. So it/they should not suffer from shock. Not with so little extra volume of new soil. I used a thick, soft cord to loop around the stems and pole for gentle support. I was completely breathless after carrying it back indoors. 

 The image was posed to simplify the background. The antique "bodgers" stool is concave in the oak top. So the whole plant can be leaned or leveled at will. If the plant grows even taller the pot can sit on the tiled floor. The advice online is to chop the plants head's off. To make them branch and bushy. I prefer the present "fastigiate" arrangement.

 Dinner was scrambled eggs on toast. With cherry tomatoes. That's what I am calling it and I won't hear any different! 

  

 ~?~ 

20.10.2026 Winter arrives in slow motion..

 ~?~

  Tuesday 20th 45F/7.2C[8.00] Overcast with showers promised. Easterly wind gusting up to 10m/s.

 A comfortable 22C/72F in the room. Heat pump remote still set to 20.5C.  

 Up at 7.20 after a fairly quiet night with repetitive dreams. I wonder if there is any connection to watching YouTube videos? Three pillows is too much. I'll try going back to two. 

 10.20 After my chat with my minder I went for a walk. It was chilly, windy and drizzling! Cruel and unnecessary treatment! No dogs again today. The abandoned restoration project grows more dilapidated each day.

 The neighbours' Husqvarna robot mower has everything back under control again. It was struggling the last time I saw it. Mowing a paddock that had got away from it during its absence. The mower was moving forwards just a meter or so then stopping and rattling. 

 Now the same paddock is trimmed in neat, amazingly straight lines. The mower itself was at its charging station. Presumably having a rest while it rains. Most mowers have rain protection for the grass. Which tends to stick and build up inside the machine. If it attempts to mow while damp.

 The kitchen has sunk to a noticeable 17C/63F. So I have turned on the oil-filled radiator. Just to take the chill off. The bathroom is am even chillier 14C/57F. So The small radiator in there has also been turned on. I am not aiming for comfort. Just a lack of discomfort. No point in heating a room in which I spend so little time. I only use the fan heater when I shower. So that is only a few minutes of electricity consumption.  

 Dinner is a salmon pasty, peas and chips. 

  ~?~

19.10.2026 Recovery.

 ~?~

 Monday 19th 42F/5.6C [8.20] Presently overcast. Sunny periods and lighter easterly winds promised.

 02.00 Getting sleepy. Going back to bed with three pillows. 

 I slept fairly well. Got up at 7.30.  Rumours of my demise are unfounded.

 8.20 Sitting in the doctor's phone queue to see whether I need antibiotics to avoid a lung infection. I am number six after the queue has dropped steadily from 16 at 8.00. I am coughing to clear my throat at intervals but without pain. 

 8.25 Down to number 5. 

 8.35 The receptionist suggested I need not worry. If I have no lingering symptoms. But to contact the doctor again if things should get worse. 

 Exercise therapy today. 

 12.30 Back home again. It went very well. No obvious ill effects from last night. I woked hard at the exercises to gain maximum benefit.

 No plans for any dinner. I still feel full and slightly nauseous. Only tea and a biscuit. Instead of my usual marmalade plastered roll with a mug of afternoon tea.

 Milky coffee and a biscuit for dinner.  Bed at 10.20 with three pillows stacked.

 

  ~?~

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.10.2026 Happy Birthday Tim!

 ~?~

  Sunday 18th 42F/5.6C [8.30] A sunny morning is promised. Peaking around 10-11C/5052F. Windy again, gusting to 10m/s from the east.

 Up at 7am after a quieter night. I decided to get up as I was wide awake. I put the washing up away as an exercise in self-discipline.

 A comfortable 22.5C/72F in the room. With the heat pump remote now set to 20.5C/69F. 

 No immediate plans for today. Another ride? I should have a walk. Preferably before descending into full zombie mode on YT.

 It will/would have been be my son's 59th birthday. I haven't a clue if he is even alive. No contact for over 30 years.   

 9.15 Back from my walk of the drive loop. Two neighbours were leaving in their cars. Presumably going to the bakers. No dogs or cats this morning. 

 It was really quite chilly in the wind. I went out bent over like an old man. Returned, looking slightly the less for wear. I gave the pony a handful of the special grass on this side of the fence. 

 If I do go for a ride I will have to wear one of my winter cycling jackets. Take the warmer gloves as well. Just in case.

 10.30 Back from a 10km ride to fetch some rolls. It was sunny but windy and cool. The battery dropped from 100% to only 27%. Something seriously wrong there!

 Dinner was toasted cheese on toasted bread rolls with halved cherry tomatoes. It was a lot to get through! I still felt full at bedtime! At 10.30.

 12.45 Unfortunately I had a second look at dinner during the night. While asleep I had a regurgitation and inhaled some of it. It was difficult and very unpleasant to cough to try to clear my windpipe. Without a very strong, burning sensation. So I got up and remained upright. While sipping and gargling sodium bicarbonate in water. 

 By 12.30 I had recovered somewhat and had already read everything I could find online. If it should become pneumonia my odds of survival were not very comforting.

 The advice was to ring the out of hours doctor immediately. Just to confirm my next step. Where I was advised to ring my own doctor in the morning. When I would probably be given antibiotics to avoid a lung infection. Meanwhile, the chances of sudden and severe symptoms were not something I should worry about. 

 01.00 I am still clearing my throat at intervals. The question now is how long I should remain upright. I have brought back the second pillow I had only discarded a couple of nights ago. And found a third. My low bedhead does not readily lend itself to sitting up in bed. I am incapable of pushing it any nearer the wall. 

 

  ~?~

17.10.2026 27km and the new bike path.

 ~?~

  Saturday 17th 46F/8C [04.00]

 A sleepless night. Attending to the fire bucket twice an hour. Got up at 03.45.

 Back to bed at 5.15. Up again at 7.15.

 A very cosy 23.5C/74F in the room. The remote was set at 21C overnight. I have reduced it to 20.5C/69F.

 A dry, sunny morning will allow a ride. The all day rain as been pushed forwards.

 12.15 Back from a 27km ride. I rode my usual Saturday morning trip to Hårby. A shopping village to my south. Then came back via the new cycle path. Though this meant a considerable detour to join it at the halfway point. It also meant I would be heading directly into the wind.

 A new section of the bike path, at Voldsmose, has been surfaced with the fine grey sand. Presumably with a binder. Probably clay. 

 I used the fresh, smooth surface as encouragement to join the path. The background in the two images show the delightful countryside through which the path passes.

  I actually came across the implement they are using to lay, level and smooth the surface material. Then later on the tractor and hopper. For feeding the material as the implement is towed along. 

 Judging from the deep indentations of footprints and tire grooves. There seems to be no serious compaction during the actual laying process.

 Though there was no sign of a road roller. As, I had seen in use nearer Assens. The last sections, nearer Glamsbjerg, have still not been surfaced. In fact they seem to have a flooding problem at the Glamsbjerg Old Station. Where a huge puddle has been growing for weeks. 

 Dinner was a chicken fry-up, with mushrooms and tweggs. 

 

  ~?~

16.10.2026 One treat short of a dog.

 ~?~

  Friday 16th 56F/13C [8.30] The forecast is wet, dark and windy. Almost continuous rain promised for two days. Southerly wind turning northerly.

 24C/75F in the room. The heat pump remote was set to 22C overnight. Now reduced to 21C.

 Up at 8.00 after several failed attempt at lift off. A rather disturbed night with repetitive dreams.

 After a chat with my minder I set off for my walk. It had been dark so far. With the hedge outside my nearest window rocking in the wind. However, once outside, the wind was hardly noticeable. My neighbours' dog was absent. So I didn't need to try the doggy treats. I was weak and slightly breathless to start but gradually improved.  

 The rest of the day was wasted on random YouTube videos. I was feeling tired. So had a nap despite dozing on the computer. I was feeling slightly fuzzy and head-achy all day. So when dinner time came around I wasn't interested in eating anything. I had a cup of tea and watched a US cops series on Netflix. 

It is nearly 23C/73F in the room but I still feel shivery. Despite the fleece jacket. I have adjusted the Heat pump remote to 22C.

 22.00 I have been having sharp heart pains while sitting watching TV. I've used three sprays of nitro under my tongue. I think the last one fixed it. I am going to bed early. I have left the door unlocked. In case I need to call an ambulance. Phone on charge near the bed. 

  

  ~?~

15.10.2026 22km and a bunch of exercises.

 ~?~

  Thursday 15th 50F/10C [8.50]  A rather cloudy day with sunny periods is promised. Reaching 15C in the late afternoon. Wind gusting to 10m/s from the SW.

 21C/70F in the room after turning off the heat pump at bedtime. When it was 25C/77F on the bedside thermometer. I have turned the heat pump back on now.

 Up at 8.10 after a rather disturbed night fighting with two thick pillows. I am experimenting with the pillows available to me. It is difficult to find pillowcases and even pillows in the UK format. The Danes use a square pillow. I still prefer the longer and narrower UK form.

 Another exercise therapy class today. I attend the Thursday class when I am not at cooking class. Which falls on alternate weeks.

 12.30 Back from exercise therapy and shopping in the village. We had the usual 15minute warm up on the exercise bikes. Then I worked my way around the various exercise machines. Rowing, pressing, all sorts. Even the treadmill. Which I have never had a chance to try before. I did ten minutes at 4.5m kph. Quite a brisk pace and faster than I would ever walk normally. It all went very well. I may go out on my bike later. I have forgotten my lunch time, raspberry jam yet again.

 16.10 22km. Back from the village supermarket. I went via the forest going both ways. The wind was slightly helpful going. More of a hindrance coming back. The road was closed to traffic at one point. Though it didn't affect me. 

 It seems the constant through traffic. Is causing damage to the historic, listed buildings. With repeated collisions being reported to the timber framed portals. Which allow traffic through the barns and other outbuildings. I hope they don't close the road to walkers and cyclists. The whole route is gorgeous.

 Dinner was chicken, mushrooms, peas and boiled potatoes. 

 

  ~?~

14.10.2026 31km with a crosswind.

 ~?~

  Wednesday 14th 49F/9C [8.10] A sunny day but windy again. Peaking at 14C/57F. Westerly wind gusting to 12m/s. Peaking around lunch time. 

 Up at 7.30 after an unusually quiet night. Though with dreams.

 No immediate plans. Other than a walk. 

 I had my morning chat with my minder. Before going for a walk. The wind felt strong at times but very localized. Bright sunshine. A chat with two goats. Work continues on the previously abandoned house on the road. Several cars and people moving around. It had been quiet for a few days.

 11.00 Getting ready for a ride. Both batteries are mid 80% charge. Either battery is plenty for a 30km ride.

 13.00 Returning from my 31km ride. As the wind was westerly I rode directly north and south. Up to the embankment adjoining the new railway bridge. Though it is close to the raised level of the bridge now. There is much going on behind the visible embankment. Where the motorway is closely parallel and also raised. 

 There is also work underway on the nearby industrial estate. Which once felt almost abandoned. Now has new buildings and large takeaways. 

 After that I turned around and headed straight back home again. I didn't bother to shop. It was mostly a crosswind. With a slight and helpful tailwind on the way home. Even pedaling hard in Sport Mode I still couldn't reach 40kph [25mph] downhill.

 Dinner was poached eggs on toast. I broke one lifting it out of the pan. Four minutes was just right for runny yolks.

 

  ~?~

 

13.10.2026 Knee-high IQ?

 ~?~

  Tuesday 13th 46F/8C [8.50] Grey day. Wet evening.  Peaking at 12C. Gusting to 14m/s from the south later. 22C/73F in the room. Heat pump remote set to 18C. Resting on the coffee table.

 Up at 7.30 after a quiet night. No visit today. 

 After my chat with my minder I went for my walk around the drive loop. No micro guard dog today. The weather was overcast and already too windy for comfort. Which put off any thoughts of a ride.  Wind is no fun on a bike. It pushes me sideways when I emerge from the shelter of a roadside hedge. Which greatly increases the risk when a sociopath brushes past too closely. 

Or, perhaps they simply have a knee-high IQ? They really aren't all evil tyrants in supposedly German made cars. Who think their "luxury" car purchase gives them a license to own the road. They may simply be too thick [retarded] to know how much harm their dreadful driving behaviour causes. 

 I notice recently that many of them have moved over to Teslas. Which have suddenly developed a habit of close passing. Can we we expect that full self driving will remember the 1.5m rule? Their current drivers certainly don't. Hence the notion that the brain dead, BMW/Audi brigade have gone full EV. 

 I spent the day semi-comatose on YouTube. Apart from working my way through the laundry at suitable intervals. Then dragging the damp stuff upstairs. To hang on the clothes airers. Well, I need the exercise. What an exciting life I lead!

 No afternoon nap. I was dozing at intervals already. 

 Dinner was fish finger and chips. I washed up while it happened.

 

  ~?~

 

12.10.2026 My kingdom for a QR Code.

 ~?~

   Monday 12th 39F/4C [9.00]  Bright sunshine all day.

  Up at 8.00. Dentist at 9.30. Therapy at 11am.

  12.15 Back from both. The therapy was a harder workout than usual. I always push myself to work hard. To get maximum benefit. If I'm not breathless then I am not trying.

 15.00  After lunch I drove into the village to post a parcel. Having prepaid the postage online. No QR code sent. So they couldn't accept the parcel. I wasted 15 minutes on the phone outside the packet office. Just to get a QR code sent via SMS.

 The Lady of the Manor turned up at 15.30. She stayed, chatting for a couple of hours.

 After which I had a half hour nap. 

 Dinner was cheese on fresh, wholemeal rolls and tomato soup. I didn't want to OD on Cheddar. So only added it to two halves and closed the rolls.

 

  ~?~

11.10.2026 A slightly chilly 16km.

 ~?~

  Sunday 11th  47F/8C [9.00] Overcast. A cloudy day with a few sunny periods is forecast. Peaking at 10C/50F. Breezy to 8m/s from the north-NW.

 A toasty 23C/73F in the room. I'll try setting 19C on the  remote. Instead of 20C.

 Up at 8.30 after a quiet night with dreams.  

 I'll have a walk after chatting with my minder. 

 Along the loop around the drives. The hairy, little, guard dog refused to let me pass. So the owner had to collect it. It was slightly too cold for bare hands.

 It is brightening to sunshine. I've had morning coffee. So I'll go for a late ride. 

 12.45 50F/10C. Back from a 16km ride to the village to shop. Back via the forest and the stately home. It was slightly too cold for bare fingered racing mitts. I had taken fingered gloves but was too lazy to stop and put them on. Mixed cloud and sunshine. The beech woods haven't turned to their autumn colours yet.

 Yet another afternoon on YouTube. I took the recycling bins along the drive. Tidied the carport. Sent the mower out for a run. Had a nap.

 Sunday dinner was chicken, mushrooms, peas, mashed potato and gravy. It was perfect.  

  

  ~?~

10.10.2026 Goats win!

 ~?~

  Saturday 10th 47F/8C[7.45] Rain and sunny periods. Windy from the SW. The hedges are already waving about.

 22.5C in the room. Panasonic HP remote set to 20C on the coffee table. I'll try moving the remote further away. 

 Up at 7am. Slept well between tending to the fire bucket.  

 No immediate plans. Rain and wind do not make for a happy [old] cyclist. '

10.15 I had a chat with my minder. Then went for a walk. A smart Ford EV was carefully parked at the end of my drive: With trailer attached. Ownership unknown and no sign of life at either abandoned property. 

 I pressed on along the main drive. Where I should have recognized the black sky and rainbow to the west. As a likely portend of approaching rain. Being surrounded in bright sunshine did not engage any of the usual warning signals. 

 So I carried on. Even as heavy, horizontal drops began to darken my cargo trousers. My breathing was already laboured by the time I reached the road. Though fortunately this soon pased.

 I managed the drive loop at a steady. Rather than a frantic pace. Though I was certainly picking up speed. As I climbed the drive on the embankment. One might even suggest a certain briskness towards the end. As the wind driven rain zipped across the road in bright droplets. 

 The goats had read the signs and had already gone indoors. Absolute proof, if any were needed. That goats are far more intelligent than some elderly human beings. Albeit based on a sample of one against three. 

 I would have repeated my gushing praise for their having reduced an impenetrable jungle to the almost manageable. The brambles were really looking the worse for wear! This after only a day or so. While the flock of chickens hadn't visibly dented their former play area of several months. 

 12.20 I have wasted the entire morning on YouTube. I could have risked a ride but decided I was too lazy. Given the changeable weather conditions. I am pretending to learn from the goats. Though I think I'll pass on the brambles for lunch. 

 Dinner was, an all too predictable, chicken fry-up. 

 

  ~?~

9.10.2026 Battery swap!

 ~?~

  Friday 9th 50F/10C [9.30] Overcast. A wet and windy day is forecast. Peaking at 11C/52F.

  Up at 8.15 after a quiet night. A toasty 23C/73F in the room. I have lowered the heat pump remote down by half a degree.

 Just had a chat with my minder. I intend to go for a walk before the rain arrives. 

 I need to go to the village for more tablets. 

 10.15 Back from my usual walk. A little breathless on the way out. It soon passed. I had a chat with my neighbour's goats. They have been moved into the chicken's former ground. Where they are doing an amazing job at removing the brambles and nettles!  I showered them with praise but they remained unmoved.

 12.20 I drove into the village to shop. I was gone only five minutes in the apotek but had left the lights on [again]. The headlights were dim orange and the engine wouldn't turn over. The old battery must have been running on fumes. So I rolled gently downhill and the engine fired. I parked the car on the flat where I could move around the vehicle. 

 Fortunately I had enough tools to remove the battery. Then found myself unable to lift the sheer weight of it. Being right at the back of the engine bay. With the hot water tap sticking up right in front of it. Somehow I managed to tilt the battery sideways and finally haul it out.

 Replacement took a few minutes and then I could go shopping. I have perhaps 100 assorted spanners at home but wasn't carrying anything very useful in the car. Sheer idiocy on my part! One of the only two spanners in the Morris oilskin folder. Was only just able to manage the four nuts involved. 

 15.45 Blowing a gale and tipping down. 

 Dinner was a salmon pasty, peas, pasta and tinned tomatoes. 

 

  ~?~