Christian Ainley my day to day

  Summer is here and the temperature in the flat reaches 31°c it’s motivation to get out for a walk in get some breeze and shade.  It was a walk to collect today’s WeWards and to try and collect some golf balls only 8 balls today I guess the heat puts players off. However that does mean 101 balls over the last 4 weeks.  It was nice to get out and get some exercise even if I was covered in layers of sunscreen and bug spray. Hopefully not too many bites today, let’s see !  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Fantasia circus tent  After getting home from Henley it was a little chill before heading out for an evening hike.  Fantasia circus are in town so it was an opportunity to photograph the tent from different angles this is one of my favourites from a field on the edge of Rowley farm.  It was up past the golf course and today it was 10 balls added to the bag, if you know anyone who plays golf and could use 70 golf balls leave a comment below. It was a nice walk otherwise. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

Henley on Thames Riverside view  Today it was a lunch time exploring Henley, it’s only a few days before the world famous regatta starts.  Rowing 8 practice  For Henley regatta First stop was the charity shops sometimes there are some bargains to be had. There were some nice Hugo Boss suits there sadly I’m a bit to large for the average Hugo Boss suit.  Henley regatta tents  Rowing pair getting ready  Henley regatta      Next it was a walk by the riverside all the infrastructure for the regatta is being put in place the grandstands and beer tents. The rowing teams we’re practicing up and down the course and coaches were cycling on the tow path with surprising calmness given the traffic.  After a walk by the riverside it was a quick stop into Cotê for some French onion soup. It was thick and tasty. It’s well worth an exploration and there is some beautiful historical architecture in the town.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼  ...

 This morning when I left for work it was raining hard soo picked up the gym gear and packed it in the car.  When I was on the way home it was clear blue skies so I wanted to make the most of it. With standing water on the roads cycling was out so it was a long walk up to Blackpark via Rowley footpath I managed to get 8 golf balls on the way up.  By mile 7 it was less of a walk more of a shuffle but I made it home after 10.5 miles I did stop off to buy 4 beers as it’s the start of my holiday.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

A return to the gym for just a general day nothing specific.  I started off with rowing 3825 meters in 30 minutes. Not my best but ok.  Forearm exercises next forwards over a bench, 20kg to start then 30kg.  Behind the back next using the same weight.  Abs next on the machine working up from 65kg to 80kg felt good.  Just some Lat pull downs to finish 50kg up to 65kg not much today but I made it in at least. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼  

Fantasia circus Tent roof  Even though it’s a recovery day I’d had a fairly easy morning so to make amends I went for an early evening hike.  I went to the top of Rowley path and back past the back of the golf course and I collected 12 gold balls along the way not a bad score. In total it was 5 miles in the glorious heat. Time for a shower and food.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼  

  It was a return to the gym today, it was a big effort yesterday so I wanted to see where I was at.  I started off with cross trainer intervals on 14 it felt ok the inclines were a slog but that’s to be expected. It was on to chest press with the machine starting off light with 20kg and going up to 35kg. Flys next on the machine starting at 50kg going up to 55kg  Decline bar next starting of with 10kg and going up to 20kg added it was a bit of a struggle.  Incline bar and I added 20kg and it was hard really hard going pushed through three sets then dropped down to 10kg  Cable flys next and starting with 10kg per side going up to 12.5kg nice and slow to kill it off. It was a nice session but of a struggle after a lot of cycling yesterday but worth it a shot. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

 I thought I should dust off the bike and go for a ride. I got home from work put some charge in the phone and watch and got my water bottles filled and dug out the Lycra.  Sitting down can be deadly and it’s not long before you disappear down a you tube hole and put off the exercise you have planned. Obviously that didn’t happen so dragged myself off the sofa and went for a ride.  It felt like it was all head winds on the way out and not until about mid way round did they settle down and I began cruising. I added a nasty little hill at the end and as a result I was peddling squares for the last two miles. It was a nice ride and it was good to get out in the warmth and do something different. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Noel Edmonds was a household name in the UK in the 70’s he was a radio DJ on the most popular radio station Radio 1 and then he migrated to TV. The multi coloured swap shop, Telly addicts, The late late breakfast show, Noel’s house party as well as Noel’s Christmas presents he was at the forefront of BBC light entertainment for 20 years.  The BBC changed direction and Noel was lucky enough to land a popular game show deal or no deal on channel 4 and this was at the popular too. Of course this came to an end when it became too expensive to produce.  Noel’s businesses where the victim of a large banking fraud in the late 2000’s where Hbos would front load healthy businesses with expenses debit so they could wind them up and reap high profits. Once to compensation came through Noel emigrated to New Zealand for a new life in 2016 and bought a large estate on the big island.  I think it’s fair to say that the popularity of Clarkson's farm has been noted and Noel is tryi...

100 km of walking for the week, it started strong with 26 km on Monday and it’s been built up over the week. When I checked yesterday I was 16km away from 100 k I thought I’d push to complete.  It’s taken 24 hours over the week, so if anyone wants to know how far an over weight middle aged man can walk in 24 hours it’s 100 k  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

It’s been a busy week exercise wise, three visits to the gym and 56 miles of walking adds up to 27 hours since Monday morning. It was catching up with me, while at work I was struggling to stay awake and had to go and freshen up.  When I got home it really hit me like a brick, I had big plans this morning of going out for a cycle in the afternoon warmth. When hit the sofa I turned into a dribbling wreck and I was soon away on a nap. It might have been helped by the first England vs India test on the tv which was rather slow paced.  Tomorrow I’m hoping to be more active so watch this space.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼  

The flat was hot when I got in and I tried to put the cricket on its England vs India at Headingley (The TV is playing up but I’m holding on for it to die completely) . When I did get it on India where 273 for 3 so I though I’d get out for a walk.  I needed to get 5 of my WeWards for the day so started off with those and then went up Rowley Bridleway towards Blackpark. It was a successful day and gathering stray golf balls as I added 7 to the mix, I still have to find someone who can put them to good use. If you know someone you can leave a comment in the section below.  My total distance for today’s walk was 6.10 miles which is good going after and early shift and a gym session. I’m off to get a bite to eat and chill for the evening.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It was back to the gym again after work and starting off with the rowing machine and I got 3835m in 30 mins so not my highest pace just cruising.  It was on to dead lift starting off adding 20kg and then going up to 30kg not so heavy but enough to get it working.  Reverse flys next starting off with 50kg and going up to 65kg it was a hard segment.  Rowing next starting with 50kg smd going up to 57kg pushing a bit more than usual.  Lat pull downs ( these three machines are in a row at the gym btw) dropped down a bit at 42.5kg going up to 55kg to failure. There’s a new machine a lateral rowing machine so I had to have a go, it’s actually really good and gives a different work out. I started off with 20kg a side and went up to 30kg. I called it a day headed home and had a skate. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

Bail wrapping  Machine  I thought rather than sitting indoors watching rubbish on TV I’d get out for a nice hike. After letting the watch charge for a bit while grabbing a sausage roll a packet of crisps and a 7up for myself.  Roe deer    I put on some long trousers so I didn’t have to avoid nettles chucked on my webbing and went out. I didn’t take a camera with me this time and of course I would come to regret it. As I walked on to the field there was a small deer busy eating the long grass in the middle of the lane, I got quite close but the phone camera isn’t the same. Oh well !  The farmers were out bailing the hay they’d cut earlier in the week so I did get some arty pictures of them in the sun, well I’m hoping they’re arty. In total it was  a 5 mile walk in the nice warm sunshine.  That’s it for today have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It’s a return to the gym and today I started off with cross trainer intervals, it was hard going today but I managed to grind out 30mins.  It was on to triceps and I start off with the machine first 50kg and going up to 65kg it felt ok. On to the cable machine next and bar pull downs starting on 16.5kg and working up to 28kg  I fitted the rope and it was over head pulls started off a bit higher at 20kg and workImg up too 33kg  I went for rope pull downs next and again started at 20kg and worked up to 27kg It was on to some behind the head plate raises starting with 20kg and going up to 25kg. I had my shake and headed home it was a good session and as the gym is shut tomorrow for maintenance so I’ll try to get some rest. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Owain was an officer in the territorial army and after a weekend getting his troop killed over and over it was back to the grind. The grind was an intercity school with disinterested pupils and slowly losing the will to live Owain wanted a change .  The British army were desperate for officers three years into the gulf and Afghan wars leaders were thin in the ground. Owain sent in the paperwork and signed up.  This book takes you on that journey with him and his unit as they work on Basra’s streets and watch as things go from stable to dangerous. Owain tells it warts and all, when he makes mistakes and puts his troop in danger you hear about it and the aftermath as he deals with the potential of his mistakes. All the shocking events from the war zone are here with all the levity that makes the British army one of the best in the world.  When you run out of diesel in the wrong part of town and need to negotiate for a length of pink rubber hose the stall holder knows...

  The weather is nice and I wanted to make the most of it so it was out for an afternoon walk. Just up to Black park in back via Rowley bridleway. It was good to be out in the sunshine.  It was a good 2.5 hour walk and I’ve topped up my tan in the sunshine. Hopefully I sleep well tonight.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It was a return to the gym this morning and some rowing to start I managed to hit 4km in 30 minutes which is good going for me.  It was on to a biceps work out starting off with preacher on the machine, it was 20kg to start going up to 25kg.  I went on to preacher with the EZ bar next starting off with 10kg a side and working up to 15kg a side it felt good.  Cable curls next and starting with 16.5kg and going up to 28kg.  The curl machine was free so I jumped on starting at 20kg I worked up to 37kg it felt ok.  I picked up some bars next only light ones, I started with a slow 17.5kg curl and went on to 20kg not so heavy but nice a land slow with good form.  Lat pull downs to finish and starting with 35kg I worked up to 58kg before calling it a day. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Relationships are always a strange thing to look back on. I know that sounds like a strange way to start a blog about a car dealership service department but I’ve owned a Kia for 8 years and used this service department for both of them.  It was a good start in 2017 when it first opened it was run with Gavin as the face of the department and it was quick, efficient with customer focus at its core and it was actually nice to visit. After a couple of years he moved on to a different dealership and would only be there on occasions.  Kat was the new face of Citygate Slough service department and it has to be said her organisational skills were in need of improvement. My Rio developed a miss fire and it took three visits and 9 days to be fixed, only on the third visit was she able to find someone with the qualifications as a Kia Master Technician, not sure who was on it the first couple of times but the needed fog lights to see where they were going on a bright summer day....

  Air Ambulance  The car has gone in for its annual service and MOT so in order to kill time and not sit in a hot flat it was out for a hike in the sunshine. It was down the Slough arm of the Grand Union canal Grand Union Canal Slough arm to start with then cutting up into Langley Park for a good walk around there. It was such nice weather we stopped off for a screwball ice cream in Langley Park Café before continuing on. We did a full lap of Langley park then went out to the Uxbridge road via the horse stud.  Horse  Thistle and gate    I wanted to continue the walk and push on for a lap of BlackPark too. We crossed the Uxbridge road and followed the path behind Rowley Farn And Wexham golf course.  Snapped branch   We went in to Blackpark and I went for a lap around, one of the trees had suffered some damage and a very large branch had snapped off, so that part of the footpath was closed. It didn’t take to long to get round and then we h...

  I’m sure by now you’re familiar with the John Wick universe, after Four films and two feature length episodes you should be.  Ballerina follows in this vain, a child watches her father being killed an falls under the influence of Winston who sends her to a academy for assassins, while others fall by the way side she flourishes and starts to grow a career. Of course there’s lots of high octane action along the way so expect Kung Fu and lots of gun play as the story develops.  It’s getting difficult to find new John Wick stories and this follows in the Hollywood tradition of put a strong female in a similar role with in the universe and see how it performs. It’s good the cast is well chosen as well as old favourites there’s some strong newcomers, the story is rich and developed and the action is fast and  hard as you’d expect. If you’re a fan of the John Wick universe then it’s worth a visit, if your new to John Wick start at the beginning you’re in for a treat....

Nicolas Cage has slipped down Hollywoods pecking order from the cinema greats of ConAir and Face Off he’s now chasing rolls  I thought I’d check this one out with nostalgia for Nicolas in his hay day. It’s not to bad, I have to be honest.  A middle aged man wants to relive his youth and buy his former family home in an Australian Surfing community. When he tries to show his teenage son the beech he used to surf the locals make life difficult. The narrative grows as the film goes on and it turns in to a nice psychological thriller.  I have to say I really enjoyed it, is cage up to his best no but he’s good enough to keep you engaged. Australians tend to play good lawless mobs think Mad Max and gritty Australian films and they don’t disappoint here either.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Grass cutting tractor  I got home from the gym and the flat was hot and a bit stuffy so I got changed and headed out.  I wanted to ge my last two WeWards for the day and make the most of the nice weather. I followed the path between Rowley farm and Wexham golf course. Of course I picked up some errand golf balls along the way I only startled one deer today I guess it was busy because it’s the weekend.  I managed to cover 6.5 miles and I listened to my book the whole way round, once I’ve finished I’ll post a review.  Ok I’m going to call it a day, have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It’s back to the gym today and I started off with cross trainer intervals on 14 it was a good slog and was a good warm up.  It was forearm to start with 17.5kg to start then going up to 20kg I did two exercises.  It was on to narrow cable rows next and 50kg to start going up to 60kg  I went on the T bar to finish not heavy starting with 20 kg and dropping down to 15kg. It was a nice workout I didn’t really push too hard but it was nice to get in and get something done. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Europa is a moon orbiting Jupiter it was considered to be a large ball of ice as its far from the suns influence. In recent history it’s believed that there is water underneath a crust of ice and that means the possibility of life.  On Earth it was long considered that there has to be certain prerequisites for life to exist. Oxygen, water and a hospitable habitat. When life was discovered near an underwater volcano in water temperatures that regularly reached 400°C and was acidic because of sulphur that was revised and now it’s understood that there has to main requirement of life is water.  This film capitalises on those discoveries and turns it into a Sci-fi thriller. I have to say it’s a good one, the crew of a mission to explore under the ice on Europa go out of contact with Mission Control on earth. You the viewer watch the mission as it happens from transition to Europa and on to touch down. There are some good cut scenes to set the mood and it’s well put together...

  After a busy few days exercise wise it’s a case of taking stock this afternoon and having a bit of recovery. My leg was a little banged up after my trip while looking for golf balls that have gone astray from the course on my Wednesday walk. Plus it’s good just to take some time for myself.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It’s a return to the gym and I started off with 30mins of rowing not the quickest pace but steady.  It was on to a back workout starting with deadlifts adding on 20kg and then 30kg. Reverse fly next and starting with 50kg and going up to 68kg.  Rowing next and again kicking off with 50kg smd going up to 57kg.  Lat pull downs 42.4kg and going up to 57kg it was a grind.  Rear delt rope pulls next starting at 10kg and going up to 16kg.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Greylag Goose  After lunch it was time to make the most of the good weather so it was out for a walk, first around the estate to collect todays WeWards and then Bi’s the Bridleway up to Blackpark.  I did look for lost golf balls where it get close to the course I found one and then had a nice trip while looking for another. I landed really hard on my right knee and shin but after a moment and a deep breath I was fine to continue. I then found a ball in a drainage ditch so I guess that was my reward.  A shy deer    We made it to Blackpark walked to the little cafe and had a magnum ice cream before heading back home. This time Marta found the golf balls and we added two more to the collection. The it was nice to get out and every where we went we spooked the deer that were grazing in the sun. I didn’t take a good camera with me just my phone so a grainy image is the best I can do. It was a nice walk and it was good to connect with nature. Have fun stay safe...

Windsor farm shop Pastry’s   At a loose end and wondering what to do for lunch we decided to Windsor farm shop and get some pasty’s. They are expensive at around £4 each but they are quality.  Windsor farm shop  Butchers  If you have a special occasion or for that matter if your wealthy the farm shop at Windsor has quality food at its core and everything is carefully selected. There’s also the added boast factor. When you pour Dutchy apple juice for your friends it’ll leave an impression.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Al Murray a famous British comedian with the alter ego as a pub landlord with conservative values who and hates the French and Germans. The reality is somewhat different an incredibly educated man (Oxford) with keen interest in history specifically with the early history of the parachute regiment. Al’s farther had served with many of the veterans of World War Two as Lieutenant Colonel in 131 parachute regiment. Watching ‘A bridge to far’ in his youth and listening to the corrections from his farther Al would study and visit the scenes of the action in the following years.  This book is written in a rather different way it forgoes the overview of the battle and you find yourself embedded with the British airborne troops at Arnhem. It’s the turning point of the battle in many ways, your brief in England was simple. Your lightly armed airborne unit was to race from the landing fields to capture the bridge in Arnhem and hold out until Tuesday morning when XXX corps will roll dow...

Blackpark lake  The weather was nice so I decided to get out for a walk, I took the scenic route and avoided the roads and used the out of the way footpaths while listening to a good book.  Reflection  Of the sky In puddle  I managed to get my WeWard cards early doors so I could just concentrate on the journey and the book. I had a little look for lost golf balls near the course and came away with a nice Kirkland ball. I resisted the urge to buy myself an ice cream in Blackpark knowing I was coming home to a nice cool shandy.  Of course I took a camera with me and also stuck a poncho into one of my combat pockets, having put it in my pocket it proceeded to be a bright sunny afternoon.  Greylag goose  Of course I checked in with the geese of the lake one of whom has become the body guard to a new family of Canada geese and patrols behind them when they are on the lake and sits quietly near them when they are on the shore. Come on you have to love geese ...

  It’s a return to the gym this morning and cross trainer to start. My heart rate was a little higher than normal but the net result is more calories burned 449 in 30 minutes of intervals.  It was on to the press machine to kick off starting with 20kg and going up to 36kg which was good and a progression.  Machine flys next and starting at 50kg and going up to 65kg it felt good.  Decline press I didn’t want to push too hard here just staying in my comfort zone so adding 10kg then going up to 20kg it felt ok.  Inline press next and I reversed the decline press so started by adding 20kg and going down to 10kg it was a bit of a struggle to start.  Cable flys next and starting with 7.5kg a side the working up to 12.5kg nice and slowly feeling the muscles work.  To end it was wide chest press on the machine starting with 19kg and going up to 26kg to kill everything off.  It was a nice session I’m pleased I went today. I’m going to try and get out for a...

  During the 80’s and early 90’s there was a genre of films that went on to video, they were referred to as video nastys. The idea was simple put in action and gore and people would buy it ! When you transfer that to the streaming age Havoc has to fall into that category, the plot is weak and the acting is unremarkable at best but there are some scenes where you’ll be surprised. But what really drives this film is the outlandish action sequences. The blood and gore of the fight the fact that no one gets tired in a 15 minute nonstop fight scene. If high octane fight scenes are your thing then check this out !  If you like more substance and you’re the thinking man’s cinema goer than perhaps wait until you just need to watch some mindless action. I know lady’s pour over Tom Hardy and yes he’s at his rugged best in this so it should be a good one for your collection. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼