Life

Egos

Pete Greensmith2 Comments

Egos – where to start. I guess with saying that in my opinion  I am not an egotistical person. In my own head I like to think that I am a fairly even, balanced person, that I only give input when necessary, and that actually I personally place little value on most of my input, even when others tell me otherwise.

However, I write a blog, so I have decided that my opinion matters and should be heard. Alongside that I tweet prolifically. Again me deciding my thoughts need to be shared. So I must have a slight ego there. Continue reading →

All the fun of the (Steam) fair

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Ever since I have been a child I have loved the fair. As a youngster growing up on the North East coast we had a lot of static fairgrounds at the seaside resorts. But visited a number of travelling fairs also.

Fast forward to today and I still love the fair. The sights, sounds and smells bring back such wonderful childhood memories.

Reading has lots of visiting fairs in the course of a year, those at events like Pride etc, some travelling ones. But, always the best for me is Carters Steam Fair Continue reading →

Car Chase Heroes – Fast cars and a race track

Pete Greensmith1 Comment

I am advancing in years slightly and so as anniversaries, Christmas and birthdays roll around it is difficult to buy me gifts. Especially combined with the fact I tend to just buy myself things that I want, when I want them and the fact that I am not really materialistic. What do you buy the man who has all he needs, and doesn’t want anything – a constant issue for my partner, family and friends.

However, I am a petrolhead, as evidenced by my recent car history Mini Cooper S, Seat Leon FR, Audi TT. So this is a saving grace. I have a number of lovely coffee table books on fast cars (a three volume tome on the history of McLaren being one of my favourites), and other car related items. Continue reading →

Cruising on the Thames

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I often walk or run down the side of the Thames in Reading. From my house I can run 5km with a great portion of it by the river. Often I will go for a walk on a weekend morning, usually around by the river.

As a result I am very familiar with Thameside Promenade. The houses, fields, river and nature. In the winter seeing the snow, the early morning mist rising off the water. Sunrise over the fields, and the sound of rowing clubs practising on the Thames.

As a result I have never been on one of the cruises run by Thames Rivercruise although I know lots of people who have. One year I almost attended a Christmas Party cruise, but I couldn’t make it. Among the options are a number of different cruises around the area, some with food, afternoon tea or live music. Mapledurham, Goring and Abbey Ruins are amongst the destinations

Continue reading →

Cupcakes and fizz – with a side order of fun

Pete Greensmith3 Comments

On Wednesday this week I did something new. Together with my partner and two friends we went to a cupcake decorating class …. with a difference.

When I heard that three of my favourite people were getting together to create an event I knew it would be special. I wasn’t wrong.

The wonderful local celebration/cupcake maker Natalie from  Cuppies n Cream had teamed up with The Tasting House and Bench Rest to do a cupcake and fizz eventing. Continue reading →

Alcohol – to like and learn

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I like a drink. Be that a cup of tea or coffee or an alcoholic drink (depends on the situation). I’m very partial to red wine (a strong flavoured, tannic, spicy Italian), a champagne, cocktails, craft beers, and gin. Definitely Craft Beers and Gin.

As well as enjoying a drink, I also like to learn. Learn what I like and don’t.

What works and doesn’t.
What kind of cocktails I like (spicy, dark, heady or sour, smoky, salty – definitely nothing sweet).
What beers I like (Pale Ale, Stout, Sour).
Continue reading →

Nutrition and exercise – food or fuel?

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When I first started on this fitness journey, I made myself some promises, they included not repeating old mistakes and making sure I took this seriously.

One of the old mistakes was eating well for a period when trying to exercise and lose weight and then going back to eating what I wanted. For the record I have never been a bad eater, not eating bad food, just eating too much food. Continue reading →

Strength

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Strength is something that we all need, most of us have, but we never know how much we have until we need it. I’m not talking physical strength but the mental kind, the kind that pushes us forward at times when we want to just curl up in a ball and lie down.

Most people have a lot of strength but don’t realise it. Every day contains some sort of a challenge, and they rise up to it and move forward.

Continue reading →