On Friday, I had to go for an Abdominal aortic aneurysm scan.
This checks for swelling of the main blood vessel from the heart and all men of a certain age are being invited to be scanned.
My scan, which is a simple ultrasound procedure, was to be conducted at a medical centre about three miles from home.
I had booked the day off work (not just for this) so decided to walk there and back and clock up a few miles to add to a couple already walked with the dogs.
I took the walk easily as I didn’t want to arrive at the clinic all sweaty but pushed a little harder on the return leg.
On Saturday, I was at the Great Central Railway for their Winter Steam Gala.
Lots of steam trains (and a couple of DMUs) kept my grandson and I busy for the day riding trains and taking plenty of photos (it’d be rude not to !)
Come Sunday, and I decided to take the dogs out one at a time. First out of the gate was Gabby and we did the local Arran Way loop of two miles before I returned home to switch hounds. Misty and I then did the same route.
After four doggy miles, and nicely warmed up, I went out for a third time, this time alone.
I planned on doing another, slightly longer, local loop to Coleshill.
A mile or so in and I was walking along the, temporarily, closed Birmingham Road. Hopefully, according to the signage, this will be re-opened next week.
As I entered the closed section (pedestrian access is still allowed) I noticed that there was a new road branching off on the left then re-connecting to the existing road a little further along. Apparently, this is a “temporary re-alignment” of the road while HS2 build a big concrete thing.
As I was walking past the concrete thing, I heard a “y’alright Kev?” from behind as a runner trotted past me. It was Stuart from my old running club. After the briefest of pleasantries he was gone (13miles at 8:15 pace according to Strava) he was gone.
Once past the roadworks, I made a slight detour along the River Cole, crossing over and returning to Coleshill on the opposite (and muddier) bank. There used to be a footpath from the bridge to Gilson but this has been closed due to the bloody HS2. Apparently, someone else doesn’t think too much of HS2 !
From Coleshill, I made my way to Gilson along the road and then on to Water Orton passing the field with the ponies. One looked to be having a great time rolling around but, obviously, as soon as the camera was ready, it got up.
I did manage to grab a photo of me stroking the nag’s nose, though.
When I finally got home, I had managed to clock up eleven miles for the day, 32.65 for the week and one hundred and thirty nine for the year.
On Saturday, I was at the Great Central Railway for their Winter Steam Gala.
