Riding Tracey in France. Again.

Frantically trying to pack up all the essentials for the trip.  Gels, hydration packs, Clif bars, spare inner tubes a must.

The bike, that's Tracey by the way, is ready, the kit is ready, the car is ready.  Is my back ready though? Will it hold out?

My chiropractor says cycling is low impact and OK, in principle, but she has given me stern advice. As she spoke to me like a women in control I will heed that advice.  Basically,  I've translated it as: if in pain, rest in the bar!

In a couple of days I will, along with some friends, be making my way for an inaugural challenge around the French Alps.  All on two skinny tyres. No idea what to expect apart from some hefty ascents and fantastic views I hope.

Having not done the training I would have hoped to do, prior to this trip, there is a certain trepidation and nervousness. I can do the Gloucesterhire climbs but Alp D'Huez is a different league.  We shall see.

First though is a lengthy drive across the continent, planned by blokes, which means we're only just looking at the map and timings now. Looks like a drive through the night and arriving at our destination early morning; totally knackered.

18 Aug 2012: Rangers 0-5 Swansea City

More to follow....Still in shock after today, so I will sleep on it and give a balanced view later!

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24 hours later....still trying to find the balance. Gone for tea...


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On reflection, this could have been a lot worse. Worse? I hear you cry. Yep a lot worse!

Think of it this way, we could have been in the same position as this time last year. Owners that couldn't have given a monkeys. No time to sign anyone respectable before the transfer window closed and no bleeding hope. We were hanging on a wing and a prayer till January.

Yes, Saturday, we may have been thumped but, you know, we now have a solid foundation, a structure, a strategy and owners that really want this club to succeed, not just short term but for the long term.

We also have a Manager who is shaping us up well. We were playing well at the end of last season and purchases have, in the main, been shrewd. We also know there is more to come before the end of August. A centre back? More than likely.

The scouting and youth set up is being rebuilt. The training facilities are in plan and a new stadium is part of the bigger picture.

One swallow doesn't make a Summer, they say. Neither does one, albeit heavy, defeat map out our whole season. Stick with it. Be positive; you all know that a Rangers' season is always going to be exciting, what ever the reason.

One other thing to bear in mind is the comments that Joey Barton made on Twitter at the weekend:

Does this really speak of a man that is part of any QPR future involvement. Nope, surely doesn't.

Now, I for one had got behind Joey, but he really let us and himself down at The Etihad and, rightly or wrongly, I can only now feel he was part of the problem. A cancer best cut out. It certainly looks like that has discretely happened here.

For that reason I feel our future is so much the better. Keep the faith.

Looking forward to Naarwich!

Three Pasties, Hot Chocolate and Chips for the Dog

If you have a dog, and in particular, a large dog then you will know that they require a fair bit of exercise.  With that in mind we decided to head off to Cornwall for a week of chilling and walking and basically doing not a lot else.

Now, owning a Labrador can have its fun and games. They are greedy little buggers and ours is no exception. Summer walks can be, let's just say, interesting.  You see they can sense grub from a million yards and that means you have to be on your guard at all times. Apart from that they are great fun and give you the excuse to get out and about.

Cornwall is a haven for dog owners with endless walks whether along the coast, the beach or in land. We were not disappointed managing various walks.

Different days have different challenges though. Picture the scenario. You have relaxed, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, meandering along the coast when you hear voices and see a family settling down for a nice picnic in the distance.  But you are prepared.  Oh yes, been here before. A quick grab of the collar.  The lead fastened and you coolly walk by pretending that mans best friend is the most obedient dog in the world.  

On another occasion and you meet some friendly fishermen.  Maggots are definitely not for starters but their cheese sarnies are though.  Sniffed out from nowhere,  he legs it towards them. A beeline is thwarted, though, by racing after him, and nearly breaking my neck, down towards the bay.  Nearly caught out there then! Sarnies safe and sound in their Sunblest bag still.

So, feeling really good at the ending of a fabulous week away, from the day to day grind, and proud to have passed the week without incident we set off for a celebratory pasty. And so, Padstow we headed.

Wow, that rounded off a Cornish holiday. The only way you can; three pasties and some hot chocolate.  Luvly Jubbly. We were proud of our walking achievements. We were proud of our ageing Labrador.  He'd been such a good boy,  he'd not kept us up in the night in a strange home.  He'd not let us down by fouling on the owners carpet. He'd not chewed anything and more importantly he'd not eaten some poor kids ice-cream. We felt great about the whole week.

"No Samson. NO!"  came the shout from behind, as we wrestled with the crowds back to the car....

I turn around to see that he'd only grabbed, and was happily devouring, some chips out of the bottom of a family's buggy!  How the hell had he grabbed them so fast? Wasn't expecting that manoeuvre.

Embarrassingly, we apologised to the family insisting on a new tray of chips for the toddler.  They were having none of it, of course, and found it all very funny.  Not the same feeling I had,  there was no hole to swallow me up.  No where to hide. We walked on, briskly, not looking back like it was our last request before being shot. Hoping not to bump into this family again before we departed!

Still, our four legged friend did at least make us proud in one sense. He is in fact a connoisseur of food. He did choose Rick Steins gourmet chips to savour!

Did he really need to eat the tray, as well, though?