New Year. new me.

Well, maybe not. I am a little lighter, a change in diet. More focus on veg, less meat, eat when hungry not on a time of day basis, mor exercise, seems to be working. I really need a riding goal, it's the one thing that motivates me to train. It's a confusing time at the moment. We are probably letting our beloved camper go, and considering major works to the house. Was thinking of moving, but the economic situation, perhaps not for me personally, but broadly leads me towards a degree of caution, so it makes more sense to change what we have to do what we want. After 20 years in the house, we have changed. The realisation came when I examined what is really important to me/us as a family. What is it that, come New Years Eve, I remember about a year, what are the highlights, what makes me really happy, what will be the lasting memories. Well for me, those are the things I, and my family, have done. The places we have been. The experiences we have had. It's become clear that whilst my house can contribute to that, and it is my home, I spend most of my time there, it is not my focus on life. I have had many great evenings with friends in small rooms, small houses, mountain huts or tents all of which are characterised by the company, not how big or flash my house is. So, I think stay. Visit Italy again this year with my family. Take my wide to Paris. Ride the Basque mountains on my bike, see my children ride their first real trail on their mountain bikes, enjoy a meal with my Italian friends on the sea front of the Ligurian coast, meet their new child, introduce them to mine, taste that amazing Ligurian food. Ride more trails with my friends...and also try to change that last bit of my house so I can indulge in my passion for cooking whilst socialising with my closest friends, their new baby and my family.. All of this holds great promise for the year. It's tempered with uncertainty for some close to me, the next 2 weeks may well define both theirs and my life. If all goes well this will be a great year that is certain, if it doesn't, we'll we will see, it could still be a great year but it will before difficult and very emotional. Strangely their fate and mine are linked, it could herald a second beginning in my own career and lead to great opportunity, it may not be brave enough to grasp it, who knows. On a different note entirely I am designing another new bike with Nicolai. Very exciting times and a unique opportunity..there seem to be a lot of those this year. Life is certainly not dull.