Grateful: Day 125 - Cyberman Sport

A stranger came to swim today. It was her first time at the pond. It was 2 degrees in the water. She didn't even have gloves. We were all concerned about her, and were so busy warning her to be careful, between us, that I worried we'd seem terribly unfriendly. So I asked 'have you swum in cold water lots already?' to which she answered 'I am from Iceland'. Oh. Oh yes. That, then. Dig in, love. We won't be too worried about you, then. She did, and she was fine. Invigorated. Icelandic.


I swam a little further today. I pushed on out. Not far, you understand. Just further. Birds flew overhead. Pigeons. So graceful, though. They flew in pairs. I watched Janet, who has a very sweet, small dog, stop for a moment as she was getting dressed (she always does this outside, on the bench that looks out over the bird pond) and gaze that way. There is still a little ice on there. It's beautiful. She exuded a peace and calm that I appreciated.


I had the pleasure of breakfast with Ruth and a trip to the tip. I very much enjoyed both. Very good to see her, very good indeed. And I like that at the tip, they have people to tell you where to put things. 


I remember once going to the tip years and years ago with short-lived boyfriend (short-lived after he said to me 'Just let me try and get back with my ex one more time - if she says no, I'm all yours). We took a sofa to the dump somewhere in North London. When we got there, we put the sofa down, and the men on hand came rushing up, saying... 'No, no, hang on... you can't just put it down. It doesn't say Put outside, does it, it says Dump. Dump it! Go on, throw it over the edge!'. So we did. We picked up the sofa and lobbed it into the furniture graveyard below. They were right, those men. It was very satisfying indeed. Much more fun that if we'd taken it to the put. 


A birthday call with Lilley, who liked her present (in a slightly surprised way, but good) and was enjoying her day when I spoke to her. I wish her good health and gentleness and joy, in swathes. 

'Iceland cold swimming' turned this up. Oh, you funny people!

A pleasant day at the Hub, full of Anna Levy and her lovely warmth, Andy Hix and his, a tiny, but gently appreciated, dose of Multi-Alex, and lots of lovely others. I was not very productive, and I instigated cake (oh, sugar... you are a vicious master). Very nice though. Bum, bum, bum, I forgot to collect cake money. Perhaps it will be there later, when I go back. 


And then to Russell Square, for a lovely chat, and a festival of sushi, with Celine. Celine is a very strong, very emotional woman. I love how deeply she honours both. She feels things and then moves on. She is direct and warm at the same time. She always looks outstandingly beautiful and is both glamourous and very down to earth. She is a rock. She's the kind of person who knows what to do. I feel very lucky to have her. 
And today, I love my bike very much. I am slowly building back up and embracing more hills. I noticed this morning that the more familiar the hill, the easier it is to ride up it. Strange hills are a drag. I got off and walked for a tiny while on the way up Hazelville today. It's a monster! Once I've done it a few more times, I have no doubt I won't need to do that. 


Clowning tomorrow, with Dr Brown. Can't knock that, now, eh? Eeep!