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Miles 23.28; Units 24

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A modest week, all told, what with travelling and the like. Managed what now seems the usual week of 2 runs, 2 exercise classes. Another week also flows by without setting a clear goal to aim for. I am keen for the work situation to settle down more clearly before I commit myself to a challenge. At the moment the likelihood is to aim for a half marathon in late September or early October, and probably not to train too specifically for it, and see what happens. It will be a useful gauge of performance when fully trained as opposed to partly trained.

I alluded to the work situation last week - so, all is settled, and I am now moving to work for the Value Chain team, in a development role. I am pleased about this, I think it suits my style more, and will I hope give me a bit more consistency so I can get back to running again. Is it my dream job? Well, no, however it is pretty good! I am mindful of the phrase from Thoreau "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them" and am certain that this will not be me..I can perhaps use the time wisely to work out what is really me, what is my true voice, and how that can be my paying work. In the meantime, I can afford to keep the good wine flowing...

..which is a neat segway into wine of the week, which is a real corker. Casa Sola Chianti Classico Riserva 1999, a truly fabulous bottle. Purchased some years ago from the Wine Society, this has been a bit of a sleeper in the cellar, and once again reminds me how sensational Tuscan wine can be, especially if you get the 'sweet spot' for cellarage, which in this case I most certainly did. Lovely, rich, succulent strawberry and vanilla, with a hint of plums on the palate. Not a hint of out of balance acidity or tannin, just everything in perfect harmony. The joy of Sangiovese is when married with a little bit of Mammolo, Colorino, and Canaiolo - or, nowadays, a bit of Merlot, adding fruit and richness, or Cabernet Sauvignon, which contributes power and dark fruit flavours. Altogether gorgeous!

Posting next week from my 40th birthday wine tasting - might be a bit late as the wines of the week will be many and various!

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