Christian Ainley my day to day

  I had a few days to go until my Audible credit was available, so I looked at the books included with the membership this month and two Sci-Fi novels jumped out.  The first Hell Divers set in a dystopian world where the last surviving humans live on airships that fly above a plant that’s a post nuclear wasteland. The air ships are old and are in constant need of spares. This is where our heroes the Hell Divers come in. Their job is to parachute to the surface in radiation suits and scavenge whatever they can to keep the airship running along the way they encounter sirens trying to tempt them to their doom. I didn’t know anything about book going in to it, it was highly recommend to me by the audible algorithm so I went with it. It’s really well written and as it’s an older book you won’t be surprised to hear that it’s turned into a bit of a franchise with follow up books in a series. It’s nicely paced and doesn’t ask too much of the reader, some Sci-Fi books are science heavy...

  Just a quick note to say thank you for all of your views. I’m now up to 2500. Let’s see where we can get to by the end of the year ! 

  Rainbow  After resting yesterday afternoon I really wanted to get out for a walk today. I had 4 WeWards to collect too. I got home had a snack a few minutes for it to settle then out for a walk.  The sky was a little bit mixed, sun then showers but they were only spits of rain so I just wore a long tee. I checked on my QR codes and three are still reading. Then it was up Rowley footpath, I’d finished my audible book Hell Divers so started a new one  The Tyr more to come on Hell Divers .  I was lucky with the balls 22 today and some premium ones too, not enough to list yet but getting there. I rushed home to catch the Football it was Liverpool vs Arsenal. The first ball I found had a Liver bird on it so I guess it was a bad omen of things to come.  Liverpool win the match 1-0 with a worldyof a free kick. I’m going to relax and watch the hundred final 🏏.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It’s back to the gym today and that will make 3 times this week so getting back up to speed. I’d forgotten to charge my Wahoo so no heart rate monitor today. Lucky I did charge the headphones so I could listen to my latest book.  It was cross trainer intervals to start on 14, normally this is around 400 calories.  It was on to a chest work out, starting with the press machine on 20kg going up to 27kg.  Machine flys next starting low at 35kg and going up to 55kg it felt ok.  Cable flys next nice and low weight with a slow fly. 7.5kg and 10kg a side.  Decline press next with 10kg added to the bar then adding another 5kg it was good.  Wide machine press next and starting with 19kg going up to 33kg to kill it off.  A nice training session, I think I’ve earned a rest tomorrow. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

A rotting tree branch from A fallen tree After getting most of the chores out of the way this morning it was an opportunity to get out for a long walk with the camera . It’s been a while so it’s about time.  My row of sweetcorn pic  There’s a field near the house where the farmer grows sweetcorn every year, I think it’s mostly grown as winter feed for cattle as it’s too small for human grade consumption. The idea was to get the rows of sweetcorn disappearing in turn down the row but I think I’ve left it too Garden Dahlia  late. Never mind I’ll try next year.  I crossed the Uxbridge road as I was out for a walk I thought I’d go up Rowley footpath see if I could find some golf balls , having sold 28 early in the day I needed to add some stock. Sadly it wasn’t a good day today only 2 balls. I think I was followed by a rain cloud for the best part of 2 hours as either side of me it was blue skies but I was in a continuous shower of rain, ah well that’s the way i...

  It’s been long awaited the film based on the best selling novel has finally dropped on to Netflix . With a stellar cast of British and of course Irish talent it’s simply magnificent and in the full spirit of the book.  In case you are not familiar I’ll give you a brief set up. In a nice retirement village/home set in the English countryside a group of senior citizens have a club that meets every Thursday in the jigsaw room. They discuss cold cases provided by a member who used to be a police officer. When there’s a murder linked to their retirement home of course they use their experience and guile to make sure they lead the case and exploit the police to their cause.  Just like the book the film is a nice gentle journey, a well written story with a brilliant group of actors working under the guidance of a brilliant director. Fire up Netflix and give it a go it’s two hours of entertainment.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  I left the house and there was a mist of rain in the air, it was only fine and as it was hot I didn’t bother with a jacket . I collected some of my WeWards before heading up Rowley footpath. I’m listening to a Sci-fi book so expect a review of that shortly.  I’m made good progress up Rowley path I guess as it’s a bit cooler more golfers are coming out to play as there were a lot more balls today 16 compared to yesterday when it was only 6. It was just over 5 miles in total which was good going after a morning gym session. Just as I walked into my road the local ice cream man was there so I bought a couple of 99’s they’re £2.50 wow when did that happen they were only a pound when I was a kid. Ok that was 35 years ago but still !  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It’s back to the gym today and I’m feeling a lot better, I think I’m finally over thst chest infection from three weeks ago.  It was rowing machine to start and I was able to push harder and achieved 3841 metres in 30 mins and just over 400 calories.  It was on to dead lifts and I had my choice of racks at the gym as all four were empty ( if you belong to a gym you know how rare that is ). I worked my way up starting with 10kg a side then up to 15kg and finally 20kg a side nice and slow.  Cable row next and using the narrow handle. Starting with 32kg and building up to 60kg to finish. It felt good and the weight was nice.  Reverse flys next and starting at 35kg to gauge where I was at I built up to 55kg. It wasn’t too bad but I was mindful of getting in 5 exercises today.  Rear delt rope pulls not so heavy but getting the sweet spot. 16.5 kg and then up to 25kg it was nice and it good to feel the muscles in the back.  Lat pull downs on the plate mach...

  From the late 1960’s all the way to 2000 Mexico was the pathway for smuggling drugs in to the US. With a one party system to govern the country it was open to corruption and manipulation from the major cartels.  Drug Lord looks at the rise and fall of Pablo Acosta who controlled an area of Mexico near the boarder with Texas . His rise coincided a with the hight of the drug trade in the early to mid 80’s. It’s a well put together book with a collection on stories from the time, of course Pablo Acosta is the central character but it also looks at his lieutenants and their downfall and the part that played in the overall scheme.  If you’re a fan of Breaking bad , Weeds or Pushers in the UK then you’ll love this book as it outlines the development of smuggling across the border and the tactics used to stop it. The book takes you behind the scenes of the cartels and explains the organisation and how each linked into the next. In order to survive each boss had to make sure ...

  It’s an afternoon walk today I got home from work watched The rest is entertainment pod cast then went for a nice walk. The pod cast is my guilty pleasure on a Tuesday and Thursday.  As I’d sold a lot of golf balls early in the week I thought I’d try and replenish the stock. It was a nice walk up Rowley footpath three of my QR codes are intact one has suffered in the rain this morning and the one that struggled to work has been removed.  In total my walk was 5 miles and I added six balls to my inventory not many but it all ads up.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

It’s a return to the gym today starting with cross trainer intervals on 14. I actually put in a good effort today and got through 400 calories.  It was on to tri push downs 32kg to start and then up to 45kg’s  On to the cable machine next and pull downs with a bar nice and slow starting with 16kg going up to 25kg.  Over head pulls with a rope next starting light with 16kg again working up to 25kg.  Rope pull downs next starting with 16kg smd going up to 25kg which was a bit of a struggle.  Bar press to finish 15kg going up to 17.5kg the numbers aren’t great but I’m working on it.  It was a nice work out and I’m getting there with regards to make it a routine.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  On today’s walk I’ve placed some QR codes out. I made them using Adobe express for free, let’s see how they do. I’m not expecting them to last very long if I’m honest.  It was a walk up Rowley footpath and a nice haul of 25 golf balls. After selling 32 yesterday I needed to top up stocks and I’ve picked up some quality balls this evening.  Tomorrow I’m planning on heading back to the gym. Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It’s a return to the gym today and it was rowing machine to start at a nice tempo. Just under 3.5km in 30 mins is an improvement on last time.  It was biceps today starting on the preacher with an EZ bar. Just 5kg a side then increased to 10kg a side it was easier that I thought I’ll start higher next time out.  On to the Bicep curl machine next as it was free. Starting at 20kg and going up to 27.5kg I didn’t have the confidence to push with this one.  I picked up a straight bar and started off with 20kg nice slow curls then dropping to 15 kg  Cable curls next and starting with 16.5 kg nice and slow again moving up to 20kg smd then 25kg just making them burn.  Lat pull downs to finish off 42kg then up to 50 until failure. It was a nice session pushing at bit more in some area I’m going to try and be more consistent at the gym going forward.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Windsor farm shop It was a lunch time visit to Windsor farm shop to get some treats before the weekly food shop. The car park was extremely busy as there’s a fish monger who’s there on Pop up fish monger   Windsor farm shop Thursdays between 11-2. He must have some good stock for sale at a good price because there was a very long queue st his pop up stall.  Wexham Gangster  What did we get from the far shop, well I picked up a beef and Stilton small pie and an old Windsor pasty for tomorrow after work and we also bought a chicken smd mushroom pie . I have to say the beef and Stilton pie was extremely rich so be warned. The chicken and mushroom pie was very nice and I’d highly recommend.  Passion flower     After lunch had settled it was out for a walk I picked up the WeWard cards I was missing and along the way bumped into Wexham’s new gangster a cute cat who’s taken residence on Mirridor Crescent . It was a walk up Rowley footpath and 21 golf...

  Just and easy one this afternoon, I chilled at after work watched the rest is entertainment on you tube. I’m going to confess to a little snooze while they discussed Brooklyn Beckhams family issues.  I then got ready and headed up Rowley footpath, not many balls today only 5.  It’s a nice chilled walk and I saw a little roe deer on the footpath.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Back to the gym today after taking a well earned rest yesterday to watch Arsenal triumph at Old Trafford. In fairness it was a scrappy game and Arsenal were lucky to scrape a win.  It was cross trainer to start on level 14 for 30 mins 404 kc burned and only 1.44km covered.  Machine chest press next starting at 35kg and dropping down to 25 when it got hard.  Machine flys and 40kg to start going up to 50kg it felt hard going.  Wide chest press next and 25kg going up to 30kg.  Decline press next and I put 5kg a side and started with 12 reps working down to 8  A nice work out today not to much but I’m getting an idea of where I’m at.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  The premier league returns and more importantly Arsenal are back in action and it’s away to Manchester United a tough start.  When I got up for work this morning the Router was flashing and so was the Virgin box which ment the connection was down. But luckily it back up and running an hour before kick off .  The bookmakers would have you believe Arsenal are the favourites but it’s at Old Trafford on the first game of the season so I wouldn’t write off Manchester United they’ll be keen to start their campaign with a positive start. Looking at the two teams and even their respective pre seasons Arsenal have to edge it ! Arsenal got most of their business done early doors and have been able to integrate new players preseason. Manchester United have swooped in a bit latter for their signings and their have been some chaotic moments pre season.  Manchester United vs Arsenal is a classic premier league rivalry and I’m sure there will be attacking football mixed with seri...

  It’s late summer and the blossom that was on the horse chestnut trees is a memory, they are now large horse chestnut aka ‘conkers’ nearly ready to drop in a few weeks.  I went for a quick walk around the estate to collect today’s WeWards and then went up Rowley footpath. It was 9 golf balls today and I’ve started a new book which I will review soon. In total the walk was just over six miles. It was nice to get out I’m still trying to shake the tail of my chest infection so I’m doing low impact cardio.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

I’m sure that you’ve heard of Anne Frank and her diary that was written while hiding from the Nazi occupiers of Amsterdam. There’s also a companion book The Hiding Place written by a family who survived the Second World War in hiding. It’s a testament to the Dutch people just how hard they fought to protect people oppressed by the Nazi regime.  Three Ordinary Girls follows a group of young Dutch women who take the fight to their occupiers using guile and bravery. Take a moment and think, would you be brave enough to smuggle weapons through a checkpoint knowing you could be sent to a concentration camp if you were caught? It takes a special kind of bravery. What about seduction, seducing an SS officer to his untimely death. Whispering sweet nothings in his ear and leading him on, guiding him to doom and watching as the life drains from his eyes. These girls did this and more on a regular basis when they were only in their teens.  It’s a very good read. These young women make ac...

  It’s a return to the gym today and after six mornings at work I was a bit tired so didn’t push as hard as I needed to.  It was rowing to start and this really was a grind I managed 3346 metres in 30 minutes not a good pace but something to build on.  It was a back session so I started off with narrow cable rows starting with 35kg and working up to 50kg  Lat pull downs next and starting at 42.5kg and going up to 50kg  Seated rows next and 50kg going to 55kg.  Reverse flys next starting at 35kg and going up to 50kg not much today. It’s about building a foundation at the moment and getting up to fitness again.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  When the United States entered World War Two it found itself at a disadvantage all of the other nations had clandestine units that were used to spy on and disturb the activities of their enemies. With this in mind the President Roosevelt set out to level the playing field and tasked the creation of the office of strategic services. The remit of this new branch of the services being to disrupt enemy actions behind the lines by the use of small raiding parties or agent.  This book uses the testimony’s of the people involved and newly released official documents to tell the stories of those brave men and their achievements.  The book starts with a brief introduction to uncommon war and commando raids carried out by the British some successful and others complete failures and then it out lines the U.S operations and their successes and failures. In the case of one operation its failure and then the resulting legal case post war are presented in detail.  Despite the sub...

  The weather is back and the warm afternoons and evenings are here for a while. Having been to the gym yesterday I wanted to get a bit of warmth and fresh air so it was out for a hike.  Again to the top of Rowley footpath collecting golf balls it was 13 today and I was able to list a dozen Titleist Velocity balls on eBay era see how the do. I’m listening to a new book about three Dutch girls during World War Two it’s very good and I’ll write a review when I’ve finished it.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼 P.s the total made from selling golf balls stands at £60 so far ! 

  It’s a return to the gym today after only the odd visit over the last six weeks I need to make it a habit again.  It was cross trainer intervals to start I managed to grind through 30 mins on level 14.  I went o to do a shoulders set only a short one to start with.  It was machine shoulder press on 20kg going down to 17.5kg  Then lateral raises on a machine again starting with 20kg and dropping down to 17.5kg  Bar press next 20 kg going down to 15kg, followed by front plate raises 20kg to 15kg. It’s not much weight but it’s a place to build from.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It’s my only rest day of the week so I wanted to get out for a long hike. I have a challenge on Strava to complete a half marathon so why not.  After lunch I set off I’ve got a new book playing on Audible so I was all set. About half way I went up Rowley footpath but it was a bit short today I only found six balls, near the top of the path I found another person collecting them so that would explain the shortage.  WeWard League  I did a lap of Black park and then came back down Rowley path to home. I checked WeWard and I’m top of the league which ends this evening. I’m hoping then my double Exp today will put me out of reach, let’s see.  It’s been a nice day and I’m glad I got out in the sunshine. I posted two dozen golf balls this morning so that’s going well.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  It’s been 24 hours with the Muse Ring One . I have to say I’m impressed. It does well at tracking exercise ,it does bug out after an hour but that’s ok. It does a great job of monitoring sleep and will tell you how much sleep you’ve had and if it’s been disturbed. It tells you your resting heart rate and for you lady’s it keeps track of body temperature which is go for monitoring cycles .    The app also keeps track of your exercise and your body’s condition and weather or not you’re in a position to continue training or to take an easy path. It’s a good thing to have and should stop you from getting those little injuries that take their toll. All in all I have to be honest and say I’m impressed, I thought I’d lost £120 and that I’d never see the ring and the company would go bankrupt but they stuck at it and delivered and it has a load of features out of the box with more to come..  have fun stay safe 👍🏼  

  Another afternoon walk up past Rowley farm and the golf course. There’s a spot about half way up where there’s been a secondary footpath created right next to the course boundary and I was manoeuvring round there and bent down to pick up a Callaway Supersoft. We continued up the path to the end and as the woodland becomes more sparse I went to put my sunglasses on. They weren’t there I’d dropped them.  We back tracked like made bizarrely stopping to pick up balls on the way. I found the segment where I’d followed the alternative path and followed my track. Lucky my oakleys were sitting there folded nicely. The total balls for today was 26 a lot better than yesterday’s 6. I’ve listed some Taylormade tour response on eBay so let’s see.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  I’ve been staying consistent, yesterday and today I went for a walk up Rowley path. Today was a real trek as I’d been patrolling all morning and had already covered 20,000 steps so it’s 31,000 for the day.  Yesterday I found 11 golf balls and I was able to list a dozen Titleist TruFeel on eBay. Today it was just six golf balls and I haven’t sorted them yet.  Let’s see what tomorrow brings, have fun stay safe 👍🏼

In September 2023 I saw an advert for a smart ring on facebook, it was a Kickstarter project and I looked it over and signed up.  Now the projected delivery date was December 2023 and the ring would feature some interesting features as well as heart rate at would measure blood pressure and O2 stats and be capable of NFC payments. I thought it would come in handy when cycling instead of carrying a phone and wallet or as an emergency payment option.  I payed my £120 and watched, the December timeline slipped and a new date was promised, April I think, well that one slipped too. There were updates and photos as well as explanations. There were issues with reliability and manufacturing was more complicated than first thought.  Finally after 23 months my Muse ring one has arrived. Being an early “SuperBacker” I got an exclusive baseball cap, fridge magnet and hand towel. Oh at the moment the ring can only track heart rate but there are updates due to add the other features soo...

  Another afternoon walk and it was 5 miles this afternoon again up past the golf course and it was 11 balls today and no Good Samaritan vibes.  I did get a bout of nostalgia though, along the side of the path there was a Still Tango bottle it was very distinctive and I remember it from when I was young. A quick google search and Still Tango was only sold in1994 and 1996 it was pulled from shelves because the distinctive black bottles absorbed heat quickly and the contents would ferment over time.  Ok that’s it for today have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  After a week of staying inside with a mild chest infection, I finally feel fit enough to venture out and go for a walk.  I collect my WeWards for the day and went up Rowley foot path it was 14 golf balls today, it was actually 16 but one was so damaged I put it in the litter bin and another I gave back to a golfer.  I was nice to get out and get some fresh air, I’m going to try and maintain the walking for a week then go back to the gym.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Looking at the Vietnam war retrospectively I believe it can be broken down in to three distinct phases.  1, build up of US and Australian forces in theatre.  2, The Tet offensive and post Tet recovery.  3, Post Tet and withdrawal of US and allied forces.  This book starts in the build up phase and covers pre deployment training at airborne school and deployment to Vietnam as a lieutenant in the 4th infantry.  Going into a combat zone as a green lieutenant there were many leadership lessons to be learnt even before embarking, there are decisions to be made that will set the course of the up coming tour. Sometimes the lack of experience is exposed, hence the question, what now, lieutenant ? Of course there are mistakes made and hard lessons but the author presents them as a lesson in leadership and give you the rationale behind these lessons.  It’s a good read and being set early in the conflict it’s a much more relaxed read as the war was yet to reach...

  Having hibernated all week with this darn chest infection I thought I’d try and get out and have a walk. I phone a friend to see if the were up for a spot of lunch, which they were.  I walked through Slough picking up my WeWard cards on the way. We met in the King and castle and had a walk around town to see if anything sprung out but in the end opted for Browns by the river.  We went for the roast beef Sunday lunch and I had a lemonade. It was a prawn cocktail and crab toast for starters. It was a nice lunch and then a nice stroll home it did rain a little bit it but it was a quick shower.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼