For the remainder of 2025, I managed to maintain my exercise programme, taking the dogs out and managing a Zwift ride on Sunday with the Wobble Cycle Club.
To round off the year, I talked Sue into meeting me at The Griffin to where I would walk.
I walked to the pub last week covering nearly twelve kilometres at an average pace of 10:39 mins/km.
Last night, I did a similar but slightly longer route covering almost fourteen kilometres and at a brisker 10:16.
The walk was uneventful but I did have an almost full moon in a clear sky which did result in a few fields turning a little crunchy underfoot.
I’d arranged to arrive at around half six but got there some fifteen minutes early. The car park was not quite full but as I walked to the pub entrance, I was expecting it to be a bit busy inside.
I was right.
Luckily, as I approached a quiet section of bar, a couple got up and departed leaving a small table free. I plonked my backpack on top to stake my claim then returned to the bar for a pint of Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby.
Space was at a premium and before Sue arrived to put her bum on the seat, I had to fend off someone looking for a chair to take to another table.
At the appointed time, Sue arrived having found one of the last remaining parking spaces. I’d nearly finished my pint so returned to the bar for an Abbot Reserve and a hot chocolate for the designated driver.
Shortly afterward, some friends of ours arrived and managed to find a couple of seats joining us at our little table for a bit of a catch up.
We saw a few others that we knew (fellow regulars) and exchanged Happy New Year greetings.
Ordering my third and final pint, I asked for another three pints of Jaipur to go into the jug, that Sue had thoughtfully brought with her, and one in a glass.
I settled my tab then remembered that Sue wanted a glass of lemonade. The owner poured Sue’s drink and then to my amazement (and a few within earshot) was told it was “on the house”.
With my glass empty, we bid farewell to friends and acquaintances before driving home for a few hours in front of the TV awaiting the new year.
