The Shot Tower - day 1 of 33 days of freedom

I'm in the lucky position of having a month's garden leave.  I've finished one job and I start the next on 6th March.  Hence the "33 days of freedom".

I've always said that time off after finishing a job would be so much more enjoyable, if only I knew when the next job was going to start.  That way I could enjoy the time properly without worrying about how I was going to pay the bills.  Now I'm in that position...

One of the things I decided I'd do was to get back on Blip, and post a photo every day.  (So first day, tick)....  I've also spent time today working out how I'm going to use all this lovely time.  Now, you might say that I would have been better working that out before I started the time off.  And you'd probably be right.  But somehow I couldn't actually make the plans until I had stopped working (although I had allowed ideas to pop in and out of my mind).

So the highlights of day 1 of the 33 have looked like this so far:  

- Ran the "Shot Tower Loop" (about 5 miles).  On the way around I wondered why I was doing this on my own, so I've texted a neighbour to ask if she fancies coming for a run with me on another day - and she has replied to say that she does - so that's something else pencilled into the diary..  As for the run - I've still got a lot of fitness to make up after my dodgy back and numerous colds - but I'm getting back to form gradually.
- Booked up a few activities and arranged to meet various friends.  There's more to do on this but I'm waiting for a few replies now..  It looks as though I'll be busy
- Went out to lunch with Houblon - to what we call the "new Italian" - Osteria Pulcinella on Church Street - it's probably been there 20 years!!  I had a cheeky glass of fizz to celebrate my freedom, and Houblon took longer than he really should have as a lunch break

Today's photo is in mono because it really was a very mono type of day, with a bit of drizzle to keep me cool as I ran.  The Shot Tower is a pretty impressive building, and is a reminder of the history of gunpowder production in this area.  I was marshalling here at last week's Crane parkrun.  When you see the Shot Tower for the second time on this parkrun, you know that you're nearly at the finish...