Lots going on at the moment, and the website has necessarily suffered.
Took a break from running for much of last week. My left shin has been feeling a bit sore, probably due to the number of hills I ran whilst on a break up near Aberfoyle last weekend. Beautiful scenery up there. Autumn really is the most beautiful season in Scotland. At least, when it’s not raining. The colours may not be quite as bold and brash as in New England, but the atmosphere is still very special (Some pictures at flickr). Went out for a short and easy 7k run yesterday to see how things were. Still a few twinges, but almost back to normal. We’ll see how things are tonight, but planning on taking it easy. Also getting cold enough that I need to think about digging out the winter gear. Oh joy.
Took a look at buying a bike on Saturday. The running club is an awkward distance away. It’s short enough to run back from (even after a long run), but it’s not the nicest route when it’s dark (as it is by the time the club finishes). So figuring a bike would be good, especially as our nearest shop is also awkwardly distanced. A bit too far to walk to for a pint of milk, but not far enough that the car seems appropriate. So looking at an ‘Urban’ bike, which to me look like a mountain bike but with smooth tyres. Hope to get an order in this week.
Have been doing a lot of reading, and hope to write up some thoughts on a number of books (most of which were superb) that I’ve read, including ‘The Double Helix’, by James Watson, ‘God is Not Great’, by Christopher Hitchens, ‘Dawkins’ God’ by Alister McGrath, and ‘Blood and Sand’ by Frank Gardner. All bar the McGrath book were books I’ve been meaning to read for some time, and the McGrath book was an interesting change, if somewhat disappointing.
The big news though is that we’ve provisionally booked somewhere to get married next year. It’s only taken us five years! I’ll be posting more in due course, but we’re faced with tough decisions and not a few uncertainties right now, plus this is hardly a personal way to be giving out details. I’ll probably write more about some of the dilemmas in due course (probably all too familiar to anybody who’s been through this whole palaver).
I’ve also been totting up half-marathon figures. Just need to rewrite a cheque and get an address or two for tax-reclaim purposes, then can post everything off. Postmen permitting of course. I’ll be making a ‘grand announcement’ of the total raised shortly, but take a look at the widget on the website if you’d like a rough idea 
Financially, we’re in the middle of re-mortgaging. Halifax are our current mortgage provider, so our “2 year deal” expired a couple of months earlier than we’d been led to believe (supposedly 22 months is “normal” for two year deals). A curt letter (delayed by the postal strike) back in August was the first warning we had we’d be hit sooner than we’d expected by the “standard rate” (which is obscene). I’ve not been impressed with them anyway (for all sorts of vague reasons, but it all adds up), so we’ve enlisted my financial advisor to help move us over to a better deal. I’m pissed enough that I’m not even looking at what Halifax might be able to offer, but the deal we have seems good - and is extremely flexible and perpetual - so good for as long as we’re with them. None of this two-year deal rubbish. Just hoping the postal strike doesn’t affect document matters too much. It’s already screwed me over in a few ways, the last thing I need is another chunk of money thrown at the Halifax because documents get delayed.
Ah well, ever onwards.
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