Ken and Kathleen Cycling Diary

Tuesday 19th March 2024   A tentative return to Cycling and Walking, after a lay-off of several months, due to an Achilles Tendon problem. Diagnosed as "thickening of Achilles Tendon", and told, "this is an over use injury, rest and recuperation is the solution". 6.02 miles. Boldon Colliery and West Boldon. One vintage 1947 pensioner riding Carrera Cross City e-bike (just acquired, not even made the first payment to Klarna yet), the other vintage 1947 pensioner walking (briskly). No ill effects. No video.  Friday 22nd March 2024 4.49 miles. Boldon Colliery and West Boldon. Only one vintage 1947 pensioner today, so, going a little faster, but, nothing too ambitious. Dry and sunny, 12c, but, very windy.

  Friday, 15th December 2023 4.76 miles.   Boldon Colliery and Downhill Lane.  One vintage 1947 pensioner walking, one cycling on folding bicycle. Bright and sunny. Becoming rather fed up with this achilles tendon problem now, it has been about 8 months, and, no real improvement.

  Friday, 24th November 2023 4.24 miles. Boldon Colliery and Jarrow. One vintage 1947 pensioner walking, one cycling on folding bicycle. Bright and sunny, but, bitterly cold with strong breeze from the North.

Sunday, 12th November 2023 4.51 miles. Downhill Lane Circuit.    Bright sunny day, 10c. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, one walking, one cycling on folding bike.  

  Monday, 6th November 2023 4.81 miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow Parks. Bright sunny day, 10c. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, one walking, one cycling on folding bike. Friday, 10th November 2023 3.75 miles. Around Boldon Colliery.   Bright sunny day, 10c. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, one walking, one cycling on folding bike.

Monday 30th October 2023 2.33 Miles. Boldon Colliery and Brockley Whins. Two vintage 1947 pensioners. One riding folding bicycle, one walking, briskly! Cold but bright day, 8C and calm.   

Sunday 15th October 2023 4.45 miles. Downhill Lane circuit.      One vintage 1947 pensioner walking, one cycling on folding bike. Crisp and bright autumn day, brisk wind from the North. Monday, 16th October 2023 5.04 miles.   Dipe Lane circuit.  One vintage 1947 pensioner walking, one cycling on folding bike. Crisp and bright autumn day, gentle breeze from the South-West. No video. Tuesday, 17th October 15.51 miles. Boldon Colliery - Sunderland - Seaburn - Whitburn - Boldon Colliery. Two vintage 1947 pensioners. Cold, cloudy, 8c, with a bit of rain along the coast. AKASO EK7000 Camera. 

Tuesday, 10th October 2023 1.20 miles. To Post Office. One vintage 1947 pensioner walking, one riding folding bike. Thursday, 12th October 2023 2.14 miles.   Circuit of Cotswolds Estate.  One vintage 1947 pensioner walking, one riding folding bike

  Monday, 2nd October 2023 15.76 Miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Washington - Boldon Colliery. Two vintage 1947 pensioners. Cloudy, cool (15c) and calm, typical autumn day. Coffee stop at Washington Village Green.

Sunday 24th September 2023 0.27 Miles. Hardly a cycle outing, but, every little helps. A short ride to the post box. One vintage 1947 pensioner. Folding bike. No video. Wednesday 27th September 2023 1.47 Miles. Hardly a cycle outing, but every little helps. A short ride to Brockley Whins Metro Station to collect a Metro Paper, for the Sudoku, for the other vintage 1947 Pensioner. One vintage 1947 Pensioner. Folding Bike. No Video. Friday, 29th September 2023 7.17 Miles, and 1.15 miles. Boldon Colliery to Monkton Village to The Ship, Eighteen Banks. A trip to the pub, my pals are walking, but, my ongoing foot/tendon problem means I can't walk that far, so, I go on my folding bike. I was looking forward to the return trip (all downhill), but, we got a lift to the Prince of Wales pub, Jarrow, leaving me to peddle home from there.

  Friday, 22nd September 2023 3.63 miles. Around Boldon Colliery. One vintage 1947 pensioner on folding bicycle, one walking briskly! Typical autumn day, sunny with cloud, but, cool 15c. No video.

  Sunday, 10th September 2023 2.11 miles.  Twice. An easy day today, to the village community run shop, for mile and ice cream, and, then, to the village community pub (The White Hart) and back. It is so hot, they have cancelled the usually Sunday Carvery, and, have a BBQ, plus Pizzas available. So, two vintage 1947 Pensioners cycle there, consume their pizza, and drink a pint or two, then, return back to the van. Monday, 11th September 2023 9.51 miles. The Ellinghams. Rocklands - Little Ellingham - Great Ellingham - Rocklands. Cooler and breezier than yesterday, 23c, and sunny with cloud. Two vintage 1947 pensioners.  No video, because, this was supposed to be a 4 mile ride, but, one of the vintage 1947 Pensioners decided we venture along road we have never used before, no maps with us, hence, just over 9 miles, not 4 miles!

  Wednesday, 6th September 2023 13.19 miles . Rocklands St Peter - Little Ellingham - Hingham - Scoulton - Rocklands St Peter. Two vintage 1947 Pensioners. Very hot day (29c), sunny and calm. Pub (White Hart) closed, so, coffee, sandwich and cake in the community shop. Thursday, 7th September 2023. 20.12 miles.   Rocklands St Peter - Shropham - Larling - Snetterton - Great Ellingham - Rocklands St Peter. Two vintage 1947 pensioners. Sunny, and very hot, 30c. Lunch at The Crown, Great Ellingham. Saturday, 9th September 2023 11.82 miles. Rocklands St Peter - Caston - Griston - Watton - Carbrooke - Rocklands St Peter. Two vintage 1947 pensioners. Calm, very hot, 30c.

Sunday, 27th August 2023 5.06 Miles. Around the Boldons. One vintage 1947 Pensioner on folding bicycle, the other striding out in training for charity walk. No Video. Warm and sunny. Monday, 28th August 2023 10.92 miles. Boldon Colliery - Washington - Follingsby - Jarrow - Boldon Colliery. Solo 1947 Pensioner. Sunny but cool day. Tuesday, 29th August 2023 16.30 Miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Washington Village - Boldon Colliery.  Two vintage 1947 pensioners. Cool (18c), dry, and a little windy. AKASO EK7000 Camera. Thursday, 31st August 2023 4.91 miles. Boldon Downhill Lane. One vintage 1947 pensioner on folding bicycle, and, one vintage 1947 pensioner walking (training for charity walk). Warm (20c) and sunny, a beautiful day. Saturday, 2nd September 2023 4.87 miles. Jarrow Parks Circuit.   One vintage 1947 pensioner on folding bicycle, and, one vintage 1947 pensioner walking (training for charity walk). Dull, but, Warm (20c), and calm. Video incomplete, because, I forgot to turn

Monday, 21st August 2023 15.76 miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Washington Village - Boldon Colliery.  Two vintage 1947 pensioners. Sunny and mild 20c, but, very windy. Coffee at Washing Village Green Coffee shop. AKASO EK7000 Camera. Wednesday, 23rd August 2023 19.65 miles. Boldon Colliery - Whitburn - South Shields - Jarrow - Boldon Colliery.  Two vintage 1947 pensioners. Sunny and warm 22c. Slight route variation to avoid the crowds on South Shields Sea Front. No coffee stop today. Thursday, 24th August 2023 2.03 Miles. To ASDA for beans. Solo vintage 1947 Pensioner, on Folding bicycle. No video.

Tuesday, 15th August 2023 4.66 miles.   Boldon Downhill Lane. Warm 20c, cloudy with sun. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, one on folding bicycle, one walking, in training for her 8 mile charity walk. Wednesday, 16th August 2023 15.74 miles. Boldon Colliery - Sunderland - Seaburn - Whitburn - Boldon Colliery.  Dull, but dry (rare recently), mild 19c and calm. Two vintage 1947 Pensioners.

  Monday, 7th August 2023 By way of explanation for the lack of Cycling. Two reasons:  weather has been dreadful, nothing but rain.  I have some problem with my foot/ankle. So, until the NHS creaks into action and I can get an appointment with a doctor, who appears even vaguely interested, my exercise options are limited. 2.06 Miles. To the chemist, in Boldon Colliery,  to collect Kathleen's medication. Windy, but, sunny and a comfortable 18C. 2.39 Miles. Around the Cotswolds Estate, Boldon Colliery, just to get some exercise.  Windy, but, sunny and a comfortable 18C. Both rides only one vintage 1947 pensioner, the other one is walking, because she is training for some charity walk. No video for such short rides. Tuesday, 8th August 2023 16.29 miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Washington Village - Boldon Colliery.  18c and sunny, but, with a brisk NW Wind. Two vintage 1947 pensioners. A picnic lunch at Washington Village Green. Wednesday, 9th August 2023 2.80 miles. A little circui

Tuesday, 1st August 2023 2.70 miles. To Jarrow Coachworks, on folding bicycle, to collect car, after MOT and Annual service. A cloudy and cool evening. Only one vintage 1947 pensioner.  

Wednesday, 26th July 2023 15.76 miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Washington Village - Boldon Colliery.     Sunny with cloud, warm 18c. Two vintage 1947 pensioners. Coffee stop at Washington Village Green. Friday, 28th July 2023 19.94 miles. Boldon Colliery - Whitburn - South Shields - Jarrow - Boldon Colliery. A bit of cloud, a bit of sun, but, no rain, 20c. Two vintage 1947 Pensioners. No video, because camera battery not charging.

Monday 17/07/2023 15.81 miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Washington Village - Boldon Colliery. Windy, with occasional spots of rain, but, warm 19c. Two vintage 1947 pensioners.