a nice day for ducks

up early and out the door just before 7am. no rain yet but lots of clouds. had looked forward to the first run back in town since the states visit. up the road and passed the driving range where they were picking up the balls for the new day. then boom- the sky went dark and the rain came-and the wind came, but still mostly at my back. i kept going. was tempting to go home for better gloves or hat or heavier vest, but it was not a good idea to walk into a warm and dry house at this point.

on up the road as they say- puddling up fast as i headed up to st margaret's church. no animals out today though i saw the sheep farmer's truck. lorraine's car was still there so the phenomenologist had not yet gone to work. would she ride her bike in this weather?

to the church cemetery and turned around and now headed into a wind- this was at least a two club wind- know how i know that? i asked myself if i had 145 to the flag what would i hit? normal 7 would certainly not be enough and a 6i didn't feel right either- was a 5 for sure- 2 club wind- so you see how golf can tell you about the weather when you are running.

brutal though as i headed over the port meadow trail, had 8 miles in mind and that was what i was going to do- turned south down the thames- lorraine's bike was locked to the gate- went over rainbow bridge past the sign that said the trail was closed for 2 more weeks. they were way behind schedule, but i had seen them sitting in their trucks, they weren't going to get out and work in this weather- guy rolled down the window and asked me if i knew it was raining? rhodes scholar for sure- said i was looking for my lost duck and kept going. i can be a smart-ass too.

down the trail i went splashing through and around the puddles. once you are wet, really wet, does it matter how much wetter you get? nah.... noticed the new railings up at the low point where it always floods and then further down i noted the new screened fence on the side of the trail and the homeless people places were gone. shame as i always looked forward to seeing them. just around the corner i ran in to john moving down the trail with murphy, his dog. ran him home and turned and went over to the canal. rain was letting up but not the wind. headed north on the canal and went past jericho a bit before turning back and off the canal towards the train trail near port meadow. saw a new iron gate which meant a trail path was open so cut over and went a half mile up before a downed tree blocked the path and the mud got pretty thick- another time i told myself and turned around. down the train trail -nobody out. all the way down and then behind the cafe building and back over towards the river. did a nice loop up and then back down and over to the train station and around the dorm building. that was about right so i headed towards the grocery store for newly baked bread and yogurt and some bottle water.

just over 8 miles- a little cold and very wet, but a nice time actually once it warmed up a bit. now for the hot shower and the breakfast.

afterwards i walked up to town and ran errands and paid bills. topped off the cell phone for $100 and paid the real estate taxes for april- $305. i love this country.
then home again. three more miles of walking behind me, but the usually nice way to coolw down turned wet again as the rain started once more.

home again. spent some nice time with gail and beth and when we had a break in the rain, and after gail went to the pc world shop beth and i decided to take a short walk which turned into a 4 mile loop around the meadow and thames river. was pretty and we made it home just before the rain.

i headed up to the driving range and hit 100 miserable balls, but did learn a little more about grip and wrist cocking. still, very frustrating after yesterday's quality ball striking, the clean crisp sound replaced by constant clanking noises. maybe the ball was too far back....

home for dinner. and some bill paying by check. and emails and it is after 11pm now and the day is almost over. forgot- we did see a swan out when we walked and that was pretty. and lorraine's bike was gone and the car was still there. kudos to the world's nicest squash player for toughing out the rain. remember the UK motto-we cope- right, my motto for them.

more tomorrow from the land of NO. almost april.
happy birthday to julieta and mary kate. two of the nicest people sharing a birthday tomorrow. do they have champ potatoes in the republic of ireland?
and where is eileen finer anyway?

no time to edit so hope it is more right than wrong....