Notes:-Well thats 2023 done with 801 miles. Not quite hit my goal of 1200 which was obviously ambitious. So 2023 comprised of 22 rides and 381 miles, 122 walks and hikes and 420 miles. A total of 134 activities. The canal ended up my favourite route. This virtual ride was last gasp attempt at getting above 800 miles to try and regain some lost ground and burn off too much food and booze. I have really struggled this time with tummy problems probably associated with the alcohol and gluten. Heartburn at night is a new thing it seems. It’s been a difficult, stressful year which I was fully expecting given my commitments from this day last year. I did expect to do more miles when I was off work but other things took priority like trying to support mum and find another job. 7 months leave was interesting, seemed to find lots to do but finding a job was harder than I thought. My approach was to be selective for the first 3 months then widen the search if unsuccessful. In the end it was just chance that the NHP were recruiting and I was the best fit for the role. With the backpay in June and the tax refund we somehow managed to keep the 130k I was hoping to retain. Any longer off work and we would have started to get into bother. If only I had just worried less, but you just dont know, not getting interviews for 8a and 8b roles was a bit disappointing and confidence sapping. But I did it in the end and bagged an amazing role. I was up at mums once or twice a month as we tried to get her in a better safer place. I reckon I have spent 60 days up at mums this year so that probably took out quite a few chances for some long weekend rides. We also had a few extra holidays so that boosted the walking and hiking. Skye with Mark and the boys covered a lot of miles. Also some big hikes with Sarah including Snowden, which I also did in April with Tom and Harry. Also did some memorable walks with Sarah including lands end and camasunary bay. As I said, a tough year with loosing my job and whats happening to mum. However I think we have got mum in a better place. We went up on Friday and had a meal at the Howard Arms with the Gregorys. Mum was ok but very variable, sometimes very lost and not able to remember basic things. Drove back yesterday. Stressful and sad… However things are better than they were and I have secured an amazing job. Just need to keep positive and realise you can only do your best. As for goals in 2024 I hope I can do a bit better, most importantly I think its watching what I eat, walking everyday and cycling for fun and to de stress rather than hit some arbitrary goal. That said I still need an achievable goal to hit so I will set 1000 miles for 2024.
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