Gerrards Cross Fun Run-3 Generations

Sunday May 11th was the date for the bi-annual GX Fun Run and this year was special because three generations ran together. Josh, Jo, Luke and David all ran together the five kilometre race.  This was Josh's, aged 9, first run and he ran the whole way with a stitch, so did incredibly well.  We all crossed the finishing line together - Grandpa, Daughter and Grandson, a really fun thing to do.

Rotary District Conference Torquay - 21st-23rd March 2014

A range of very interesting and inspirational presentations, including Bob Wilson, ex Arsenal and Loughborough Colleges goalkeeper, Naomi Riches paralympic gold medallist in rowing, Ben Mee (I bought a zoo), the Countess of Carnarvon (the real Downton Abbey) and Larry Snodgrass, the Hudson River airplane crash survivor.

Walking in North Wales - March 28th to April 3rd 2014

Had a great few days with Clive and Lyn Bond and Andy and Pam Worthington based in Andy and Pam's lovely house near Mold.

After a short walk on Monday afternoon, we walked on Tuesday from Lla -Armon-yn-Ial via Bryn Alyn, Maishafn and Loggerheads back to the house.  Perfect walking conditions.  We then saw an excellent one act play at Theatre Clwyd preceded by a meal at Glasfyn.
Over the previous weekend we stayed with Marjorie and Eric on the Wirral and they kindly invited 'old' friends to join us for meals, which was great to catch up on all the news.

Snow shoeing in Norway

Just finished a brilliant weekend snowshoeing near the town of Rjukan withTom and one of his commercial groups.
On day one we went on to the Telemark plateau (remember the Heroes of Telemark), where the wind was pretty fierce on the top.
On day two we trudged 5 km up the Gaustatoppen, which is the highest mountain in southern Norway, followed by a slow descent, relying on the crampons on the base of our snowshoes.
The weather on both days was perfect with incredible views for miles across the snow-covered mountains.   Stayed in the Old School Hostel in Rjukan, which was great with superb home-cooked food (thanks to Megan and Lou) and everything tickety boo.
At least I've done snow this year, which was a welcome change after he Bucks mud.

A Week In France

Just returned from a magnificent week staying at St Simeon, about 90 minutes east of Paris.
We had some superb walks in perfect walking weather, visited an excellent world war one museum, went into Paris and some local sightseeing including the medieval town of  Provins.
Back to earth on my return with dog collection, dog bathing, Christmas tree collection and walking down to the village for its Christmas night when all the shops stay open late and traders set up stalls.

A Good Day at the Office

Dionne Matthews, my PhD student, defended her thesis successfully and the examiners decided to award her degree without any changes - something that I have never experienced in a scientific higher degree before!  She has also been recommended for Coventry University's Best Research Student Prize.
The evening was spent being the MC and bluffer for a Call My (Wine) Bluff evening to raise money for the charity SchoolAid which sends children's books to schools in Africa.  The Rotary Club of Jordan's and District raised about £700 and everyone seemed to enjoy the eight different wines we tasted over the evening.

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Sunday October 6th 2013 was the day that we celebrated Jo's 40th birthday by Jo, Luke, Tom and me all running a half marathon to raise money for Scope, a charity that gives mentally disabled people a better life.  Jo had an amazing time for her first half marathon of 2.08 which included two pit stops and a stop to talk to Megan, Lou and Ella.  Tom did a great time of 1.48.04 and I came in just 40 seconds later, which is pretty good for someone of my vintage.  To recover we felt the need to fly to Spain and spend 12 days with Tom, Lou and Ella, and to date the weather has been just great.