That didn’t take long. I’ve just had my first fish die on me. I had noticed she was looking a little lethargic, sticking to the bottom and the sides of the tank. I decided to do a partial water change to clean up the bottom of the tank which went OK, though it stirred up a little silt. Maybe that’s what tipped her over the edge. The remaining three look to be in good health, though as I’m new to this I wouldn’t really know.

Well after a heatwave hit the east coast of Australia over the last few weeks, hitting mid-40s Celcius in some places, we’ve had a solid 24hrs of rain. It’s still blowing a gale outside with a bit of rain as well. Hopefully it’s raining in the right areas so that the dam levels rise.

I didn’t cycle home yesterday and waited 45mins for a bus home this evening before giving up and deciding to cycle home instead. Got soaked, but it was fun!

B: 20km

Well I’ve finally got my aquarium up and running. I got it for Christmas from Jacqui, then a few weeks later I got around to buying the rest of the bits and pieces I need. Another couple of weeks to get around to setting it up and filling it with water, then at the weekend I finally got my first fish!

On the right we have the first couple of fish. They’re Platies, 2 male and 2 female. They’ve settled into the tank quite nicely, so we’ll see how things progress from here. I have to leave them alone for a couple of weeks to let the beneficial bacteria grow in the filter and then I can start gradually adding more fish. I’ll also have to start getting a few decorations and plants organised too.

Down to 87.8kg this morning. That’s 1.6kg since Jan. 1.

Bloody hell, I’m exhausted. I cycled in and out of work today, the first time I’ve done so. That’s 10km each way, including two decent hills. As if that wasn’t enough I decided to do a couple of laps of Centennnial Park with Niall which wasn’t as easy as yesterday, probably due to the wind having picked up a bit. Just to annoy me, it was also in my face for the climb up the hill to home. My legs are totally exhausted now. At least I’ve two days off now.

B: 71km

Fixed up the puncture and trued the rear wheel, as it was a little buckled. Stopped off for a few laps of Centennial Park on the way home, with Tom & Niall. It’s an easy 3.8km lap, and the Park looks really nice, with plenty of cyclists around. Once I get used to cycling in and out, I’ll probably incorporate a couple of laps into my cycle home, the same way Niall does, the plan being to cycle over 100km each week. I’d love to blast around it on a road bike too, just to feel the difference between that and an MTB.

Also, did a body fat check when I got home, and I’m now down to 18.3%. Progress, progress.

B: 48km

The cycling is going fine. I can’t accelerate too hard, or hit potholes sitting down as my ribs are still a little sore, but apart from that all is well. Did the full cycle in to work this morning, rather than getting the ferry. Apart from the hill on Old South Head Road the rest was fairly easy. I was looking forward to cycling home, but I’ve just looked across at my bike and the back tyre is flat. I’ve got a replacement tube, but no pump. Looks like it will have to wait until tomorrow then.

Have been looking around for a back-pack too. Have decided to get the Deuter Cross Air, a 22L pack with a 3L hydration system. It’s got a cool webbed back, keeping the pack off your back, so air can circulate and you don’t sweat like a b’stard. Should have enough room for swimming gear once I get back into that too. It’s $100 US, which given the exchange rate, still works out about $60 Aussie cheaper than I can get it here.

B: 25km

I found out this morning that Cormac & Belinda have just had a baby boy, Jacob Finn Cormac Redmond, who weighed in at 6lb 3oz. All are well, and I’m now officially an uncle!

Went to the bike shop today and got myself a new helmet, to replace the one I crashed in. I’ll hit the roads again tomorrow, not literally, with the morning cruise down to the Rose Bay ferry. Hopefully, it won’t be sore on my ribs.

Also, I’ve just signed up for my first triathlon on March 28th. It’s only a 300m swim, 8km bike and 3km run. Running is very much the weak spot, so I’ll have to get into that.

Weight is holding constant at 88.3kg this morning. I was sure it was going to go back on, given that I’m shuffling around like an old man, and am enduring an enforced layoff from exercise. I guess the fact that it’s literally a pain to get up off the couch for a bit of food is cancelling out the lack of exercise ;-)