~o~
Saturday 8th 32F/0C. Expected to remain at that temperature all day. Cloudy, with wintry showers possible this morning. Drier this afternoon. Breezy from the east and SE.
8.10 Daylight but overcast. Up at 7am after various false starts. Another quiet night. After three years I seem to have finally adapted to my memories. Even the worst ones. Like hearing the loud crack of the nurses resetting my wife's arm to a more acceptable pose. My wife had curled her left arm tightly up to her neck as rigor set in. I spoke to her about it but she dismissed it.
All those painful memories, which would once have had a heavy emotional toll. I now find myself more as a calm observer. My deliberate repeating of many of my associations with places we visited together is working. The intention was to overwrite the original memory with a new one. Without the gnawing pain of the absence of my late wife. This did not delete the original memory but helped to dilute the pain of constantly missing her. Instilling a gentler familiarity of place rather than time.
Ironically we met a gentleman down on the coast some years ago. He too had lost his wife and was driving to all the places they shared together on holiday. I wish I remembered more of the details but the memories of our meeting are receding. I do remember the place. My wife and I were exploring the lanes leading to the sea just beyond Fåborg.
9.30 Back from a 1.24km walk looping round my neighbour's drives. I engaged a phone tracking app to see how far I went and how fast I went at my brisk pace. The wind was bitterly cold. Not helped by my being sheepshorn yesterday. My cap did not cover my bare ears! A fleece tea cosy would have been more sensible.
There are few charity outlets left for bathroom cabinets. Not within a reasonable riding distance. Given the cold weather and forecast wintry showers. Perhaps the supporting sales department at the brick museum? I donated lots of stuff there when I was clearing the house. I don't remember any bathroom type cabinets from more recent visits but a coat of paint is not impossible. The same village as my physio classes but only open on the wrong days. A lovely rural ride. As long as I dress really warmly. I can ride home to fetch the trailer if need be.
IKEA has nothing obvious in the size I need. The further I drive from home, the further I have to make four journeys. To return home and then collect the item in my trailer. Taking the trailer with me is a major inconvenience with parking almost everywhere.
13.00 35F/1.7C. Remaining overcast. Returning from a 46km ride in the bitter cold. Every time I turned into the wind it felt 10x worse. My body and legs were comfortably warm. Thanks to multiple layers and the exercise of pedaling. While my fingers ached constantly in the new "skiing" gloves.
My eyes and nose streamed almost continuously. I wear a pair of workshop safety glasses on the bike. To protect my eyes from the cold headwind I generate. Not always with the greatest success. While my £20 equivalent, wraparound sunglasses are no better at fending off the cold wind. Never worn in such cloudy conditions. They are lasting well compared to my usual cheaper, supermarket bought crap. I tried goggles but never got on with them. The headband is an absolute pain with a cycle helmet. I need normal, preferably straight earpieces. To go between the helmet and my ears while wearing hearing aids. How else will I hear the roar and whistle of the wind?
I wear a set of long, thermal underwear against my skin. Then a racing jersey, rather than a T-shirt. To avoid moisture build-up. Usually a pair of DHB racing short with a foam pad for comfort. Bibs if it is a longer ride. No underpants. They provide some extra comfort to start off but just cause friction over time. I wear various thicknesses of jumpers. Mostly recycled and well past their sell-by date. No doubt two thin jumpers would be warmer.
The GripGrab 'Aviator' scull cap wasn't warm enough at times. Not helped by the ridiculously short haircut. I could have taken my dayglo helmet cover but didn't know I needed it. The ABUS helmet has a flap with a pull out rain hat. Completely unusable, because a tiny plastic button, to accept an elastic tensioner, had sheared off early in ownership of this very costly helmet. It is recommended and approved for "Speed" e-bikes.
The Karrimor fleece, polo "sleeve" was useful in protecting my neck. Only a single layer of cloth but in practice it collapses into multiple folds. Making it the equivalent of several layers thick. Well worth having in cold weather and surprisingly warm by stopping draughts getting inside the jacket neck.
My ID Tech "Game" jacket is slightly strange but excellent in cold weather. Thicker than a rain jacket, and stiffer but still lightweight. The collar zips right up under my chin. Another find in a charity shop. It exactly matches the colour of my ABUS helmet. My first choice whenever I feel the need for high visibility or in cold weather. The chest phone pockets are foolishly small. Stuffing the front pockets best avoided. It's for walking. Not a proper cycling jacket. Which should only have rear pockets.
My Endura rain, cycle jackets don't have remotely the same warmth. They tend to press onto my upper arms and chest. Causing a distinct chill after riding for a while in wintry temperatures. Even when wearing a jumper underneath. I bought a blue one and a dayglo yellow one on an end of run discount. The nearest cycle chain has since changed to another name for their clothing.
Altogether I visited five charity shops or flea markets. Nothing useful turned up though. There is a flea market in a barn not far away but only open on Sundays. I'll try there tomorrow.
13.30 Lunch over. 60F/15C in the room. I have just lit the stove and put my down sweater and fleece cap on. Until I and the room, warm up again.
Practicing laundry in the new washing machine again. Cotton, 40C &1200. I still haven't a clue how much soap to add. It just says not to overdose. As if I would. 😇
Dinner was cheese on toast with cherry tomatoes. I used loads of [self] grated, Extra-mature, Cheddar cheese. It collapses under the grill to make the toast look undernourished. I managed not to burn it by watching it via the awful internal light in the oven. The one which is very bright and points forward. Straight into the user's eyes!
~o~
