The last days of 2025

It's nearly the end of 2025 and before I comment on the New Year, I wanted to shout out about a few other 'new' things. These new things include a log burner, an axe and a shed. These new things are as equally awesome as my new MSR fry pan. Oh, and now my friends Jamie and Phantom have the self-same MSR fry pans too!

From this...

... to this!

After just 3 days graft, Tim 'the log-burner-man', opened up our chimney, removed back-burner and fitted a really awesome log burner. SJ got to painting. And wham bam, we have a new log-burner sat in our lounge looking rather splendid and radiating and all this was complete before we had guests (family) over for Christmas! The New Year will see us replace the silver handle for a black one, but otherwise, pretty much complete.

With a new log-burner, came a new axe. New axe meant new learning as my wood chopping skills were naff and I chopped my pinky finger. Thankfully, I didn't chop the pinky off!

Pleased to inform the other 'new' thing was the construction of a new bike shed in my garden. This shed has been dubbed *Kim's shed* as my sister Kim kindly gifted this to us. This shed is ace and houses some of my toys. Thanks Kim. My dear folks have gotten me a water bucket 'thing' for my shed and are going to supply some draining pipes and guttering too. Thanks folks! (A bit of a clean-up will follow in the New Year).

My Zwift spinning and training has paused somewhat during this festive period. I completed an FTP test and scored '272' on the second go (as my dad interrupted the first attempt) - was a bit disappointed with this as had a higher score previously. Hopefully my FTP score will rise next year when I start my training plan and if I manage to increase my max V02 running and cycling scores, I'll be well chuffed. (Highest V02 max was recorded this year and was 47 running and 53 cycling respectively). I leave 2025 as a Zwiftie at level 65.

ParkRun 104

ParkRun 105 (Christmas Day)

ParkRun 106

Completed 3 Parkrun's since my last post which means I have now run a total of 106 ParkRuns at 41 different locations. My PB remains 21:39 which I doubt I will ever beat. Fastest time this year was 23:06. Spoon joined me on ParkRun 104, and we ran around Arrow Valley. Spoon agreed to run this as Arrow Valley were not running an event Christmas day this year. I wore a Christmas hat, but Spoon was not sporting one herself this year and this was the first ParkRun where she didn't grab my hand for support. I guess she's growing up. Spoon pinky promised to run with me on Christmas day, but she broke that promise too despite blackmailing me with a Maccies (stating if it was a Starbucks she's have come). So Christmas day ParkRun was run on my lonesome at Evesham and it was very bitterly cold. I'm pleased I ran but would have been happier if Spoon had joined. ParkRun 106 was back at Arrow Valley and completed in a time of 24:41 which I was happy with.

Managed another wild camp during this December month. Phantom and I decided we would camp in a little area we walked through recently with Spoon and Ernie. This was a lovely little spot we dubbed 'Peckers Pit' because it's a little wooded area at the top of a hill, in a kind of pit that has tree's that have been pecked by woodpeckers no less, revealing the wonderful holes.

This was a slighlty warmer camp than the previous week and I made a better job of constructing my tarp. Phantom used a tarp too and tried out a hammock under quilt for the first time. I changed my SLR towards more of a 90% sag compared to the previous 83% and it felt better but still not perfect. My feet were warmer in their Alpkit booties and lowering the tarp sides was a good move. *I've since done some more research and apparently, due to my height of 6' 2'', a larger 11' hammock is probably indicated, rather than my current 10' one. However, it's suggested that I invest in a 258cm SLR which will lock in 86% sag, which will 'provide the maximum diagonal space for a taller frame in a 10ft hammock'. Also, I already knew of the strange rule of putting feet higher than head and research says to set foot (strap) end at eye level and head end at shoulder level as 'the foot end should be roughly 8 -10 inches higher than the head end. This shifts the deepest part of the hammock under your torso, letting your feet stay in the wide, flat fabric'. Furthermore, when setting straps, advice says to use the 'finger gun' test where the thumb touches strap and index finger the suspension to ensure an ideal angle of 30 degrees. And that's not all, research says to place a 'sit mat inside the foot of your sleeping bag to prevent cold heels and provide insulation where the under-quilt ends'* So much information, already looking forward to next camp to try all this out. Hoping I won't need to invest in a 11' hammock.

Cooking this night went well. I prepared another Shakshuka which Phantom gave a '10/10'. He cooked sausage which was nice and both dishes went well together. I managed to cook bread in the morning which despite being a success, was messy hard work. I preferred the Phantoms sausage and egg. Our MSR fry pans are just the best, and I have plans of cooking fish and scramble dishes on another occasion.

As usual, heard the sounds of creatures in the night - definitely an owl and deer. Phantom says he heard a shotgun and we both heard unidentifiable noises for sure. Was a real windy night and we tucked in relatively early. So nice waking up in woodland on Christmas Eve.

Didn't camp loads this year, however, each time I did was lovely. Have dreams of camping more in the New Year. SJ and I have a fire pit that needs a test too!

A caught Nessie!

Christmas day followed Christmas Eve as it usually does, and this was a nice day spent with family. I took no photo's save that of a whacky present - a creature in my glass. Love it! Good job ParkRun takes place early in the day.

Ma, SJ, Pa, Moo and Spoon

Boxing day followed Christmas day as it usually does. My parents (and later Kim) came over, which was nice. Good to eat, feast and be merry.

No doubt New Years Eve will rock up next, and SJ and I are planning to celebrate this with her family. So, I'm guessing this is almost certainly going to be my last post this year. Hope you've had a good 12 months and here's hoping to a better, brighter 2026! Adventure awaits!