Stroll by the improved river navigation of the Kennet river

Its not technically a canal as its made up of sections of the River Kennet. But whatever after a lovely pre birthday lunch with Kim while Lily was with her grandparents, we took a wander down a stretch of it near Woolhampton. Reading the boards along the banks they detail the 87 mile route of the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bristol to Reading. I cycled an 8 mile section to Aldermaston at the end of last year but I fancy a challenge so want to attempt more and possibly all of it. Maybe in stages or one mighty ride.

Birthday cakes

Every year around the time of my birthday I take time off. It all stems from the old days when I'd have half term from school and then go back to school and my birthday would be in the middle of the week and I'd be stuck in lessons. So when I went out to work I vowed never to work on my birthday again. This also means that I never take cake in to work like everyone else. Once more this year I booked time off but not the whole week so today I treated the office to two dozen Krispy Kreme. Greedy bastards ate the lot in an hour or two!

Deep in thought

I often wonder what a 17 month old thinks about. Most of the time Lily is blasting round the place, but sometimes she stops and seems to reflect on life. Or maybe its the milk she is about to guzzle or the racing car she was playing with 30 seconds before.

Innocent eyes

With a look like butter or even Cadburys buttons wouldn't melt in her mouth. Lily enjoying a small chocolaty treat today

Race Retro

Went along to the Race Retro show today, its a classic racing motorshow. Inside they have several halls full of traders and clubs advertising their wares from flat caps to books, oil to spark plugs. Outside they put on a display of rally driving around a small stage and this was the star of the show. Now owned by Jay Kay its a 1971 Porsche 914-6 driven in the Monte Carlo rally by Bjorn Waldegard. He was back throwing it around the stage making an amazing noise. The car must be worth £100k with its history, but after its run it was parked up in the corner of one of the halls with no barriers around.

Giddy up

Back into London for the third time this week. We were surveying for an install near Kings Cross station. The far end of the link was an old building that looked typical of the large warehouse style units of this part of London, hidden down side streets and converted to office space. This one turned out to be an old coaching house and stable block. To save on space the horses were kept upstairs accessed by this impressive ramp. Looking at it and the rest of the huge building, devoid of pillars or obstructions I kept thinking of a tricky two storey go-cart track set up!

Rush hour traffic

Coming out of London today in the A40 was hell, it was getting late, the roads were clogged and we just wanted to get home. As did the owner of this pre-war Alfa Romeo. With a toot of the horn he was away up the road smiling all the way.