I’ve tried to keep this week quiet as a midweek football fixture does have an impact on the week, a busy day coordinating everyone’s schedule and then a late night. It was an incredibly frustrating game, one we should have won if VAR and refereeing were a little more consistent and fair. It’s still annoying me now and I’m generally pretty balanced about results. The night itself was great, such a banging atmosphere, a brilliant live band outside before the game and then free scarves for everyone to raise aloft during INXS’ Never Tear Us Apart. My friend and I did the wave across the stands again and the photo is one she took showing the stand I was in. The result didn’t dishearten us and my son and I have booked the tickets for the last game of the season, away to Nottingham Forest. Another road trip for the two of us. Fortunately it’s on the Sunday preceding the bank holiday and half term so there’s time to relax after. This week I’ve also booked a trip to London during half term to see an exhibition I’m interested in. It will be the first time I’ve taken a coach to London but the difference in price between a train and coach was so much, £14 vs £71, that I felt the difference could be used to make the day even nicer in London.

With a quiet week I’ve been reading in the evenings and am enjoying Influenced, about the protagonist’s online persona and how social media shapes identity, rightly or wrongly.

Yesterday was my final parkrun tourism in a mini streak of five. This has not been because of any grand plans to tour, but simply due to circumstances and life plans. After being away for what seems an age, I am looking forward to returning to my home parkrun and volunteering and running. Yesterday’s parkun was one of my parkrun buddy’s and my little adventures as we both needed a F for our alphabets. Some friends of his were also planning to tour so we all met up and had breakfast together after. It was a morning with all the feels, bright sunshine, warm weather, stunning river scenery, excellent company and a delicious breakfast. I was also happy with my time, the quickest post injury and that there were no twinges or aches after.

Continuing on the running theme, I have loved the London Marathon coverage today. Mr S had an away fixture this morning so left early leaving me to watch it in peace. I was in awe of Sawe who broke the world record and became the first person to record a sub 2 hour time in a marathon race. It really was stunning. The woman’s race also saw a world record, I just cannot imagine the times these athletes run. Then there are all the charity runners and their stories which are so inspirational and sometimes just a little heart breaking. It’s probably the only day I ever watch tv on a Sunday morning and it is one of my favourite programmes of the year. However, as much as I love running, I have the upmost respect for marathon runners, I know it’s not for me. I like the distance of a half as my challenge and even though my injury has meant I won’t be running next weekend, I have deferred to 2027 and look forward to my next half marathon challenge.

A quick shout out must go to the weather this week, the sunshine and warmth has certainly made this week seem a little more cheerful and I’ve spent lots of time outside. On a couple of evenings we’ve gone straight to the garden after tea and I love the casual conversations with neighbours who pass and just feeling the sunshine on your face.