This morning

Well the last stiff walk took place today. A 5-miler around Hampstead Heath and met up with one of my fellow trekkers, solicitor, Stan Harris

He had brought with him his wife and two daughters. All three kept up with the pace as we trundled through puddle after puddle over Hampstead Heath and beyond. There were loads of runners around. Presumably in training for the forthcoming London Marathon. Thought I saw Steve Claridge but I was mistaken.

10 miles on a Sunday

Yes, I'm really going for the burn, or is it burp!

From Winnington Road through Hampstead and Belsize Park, over to Primrose Hill, where a banana was consumed, then onwards to Regents Park and Marylebone High Street. St Christopher's Place was reached a few minutes later then finally, Oxford Street. Did I flakeout? - NO WAY - my Trek training is reaching a peak!

A few minutes respite where water (not fizzy) was imbibed and then down Bond Street into Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and then the haul back via Tottenham Court Road. Along Hampstead Road and Camden High Street. Then disaster struck - a bus was taken to the bottom of Pond Street, Hampstead. "How could you? I hear you squeal - but the punishment was that long shlep up East Heath Road to Whitestone Pond (see pic) then past the Spaniards pub and the car was retrieved shortly thereafter.

I think that's around 10 miles - anybody disagree?

Now how did Ellee get on in Norfolk this weekend with the Cambridge Ramblers?

Sunny delight

A brisk walk over Hampstead Heath followed by a semi-warm chocolate drink at the cafe in Kenwood House may have done the trick. The malaise of the past few days appears to be on the wane.

It was great to get out into the sun for a change.

The dropping temperature

So winter is uopn us. Ant the thought of trudging around Hampstead Garden Suburb at 6 in the morning doesn't exactly fell me with glee. More intrepidation.

Still. I must prepare for the Trek and keep busy elsewhere.

Top Tips for Sports Broadcasting on Radio

As mentioned below, so I've decided to reproduce the two articles here....

Earlier today (Saturday, December 9th), I paid a visit to Sussex. No BBC TV haven't moved from London W12. Just my latest outing for BBC Radio Kent earlier today. Not Gillingham FC but Margate FC who were playing at Horsham.

Sports presenting on radio, as many of you know, is one of my great passions. It's fun and particuarly great when your broadcasting about your own team! It may sound easy but let me assure you that to be reasonably good at it, you'll need these qualities and characteristics:

The ability to write scripts under pressure.

Prepare in good time - and get there in good time!

Research the match you're covering.

Understand what's at stake.

Listen to and carry out instructions from your producer/anchor/editor.

Ensure all technical equipment is in good working order.

Understand the laws of libel, and how they relate to journalists.

Be tactful

Don't engage in polemical arguments.

Have a great "radio voice"


........and that's just for starters


BTW, for those of you who are wondering what the score was, then pay a visit here.

Orthotics

Two pairs have been purchased recently and they really do make a difference. Any knee problems I may have had recently have just evaporated! The training schedule is going to plan without any great hiccups.

Tomorrow morning, I shall taking the usual stroll up to Hampstead Heath and back again. Then there's a bit of gym work and on Sunday morning I'm off to Oxfordshire.

Here are the details..........

Walk: 7 mile circular walk, Marsh Baldon to Clifton Hampden, Oxfordshire. Could be fairly muddy, so bring spare shoes for travelling.

Lunch: Optional Pub Lunch (or bring your own sandwiches) or Pub at end of walk.

Walk Start Point, Grid Reference: Map Explorer 170, GR 562992. Walk starts at 11.30am. Parking at start of walk is either by St Peter's church or 200 yards further on at village green at Marsh Baldon, by Seven Stars pub.

If you want to come with, then meet me at Mill Hill Thameslink Station at 9.50am on Sunday.

I'm rather hoping that that well known plodder of the Fenlands, Ellee Seymour, will accompany me on a future occasion!

Made it

From London N2 to the Cenotaph in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. OK , so most of it was downhill. The return leg took about the same time.

Details of events can be seen on the BBC this evening and on my other Blog a little later!

Cenotaph

Looking at walking to the Cenotaph in time for the march-past tomorrow morning!

Should take me around 2 1/2 hours to cover the distance.

Another week, another hectic training schedule.......

just got back from a day in Burnley. Yes, Burnley the centre of the universe it is not, but a day out doing various pieces to camera with a promise of more work. Loads of scripts and not too many takes! So the only exercise I managed to do was walking up-and-down the corridor in the "Pendolino" Virgin train.

Still, no matter, yours truly will be back on track tomorrow morning. Think I'll check out the pools at Hampstead Heath. Should I go for a cold dip at 7 tomorrow morning?

Go on what's it worth?

"Effing nippy, innit"

......said the bloke in the newsagents this morning. He was about to make a purchase of 20 Rothmans and a copy of the Sun. " Well, what do you expect - after all it's November in England" said I jokingly. "Spoze your right" he gruffed angrily.

What a miserable bugger. Some of us, of course, had been up since 5.30am and had done a 3 mile walk. Do we complain? Never.

The only mild disappointment was being met at 6.51am by a security guard. Mr "Jobsworth" explained that the Kenwood Estate and Hampstead Heath weren't "open" until 7am. I pointed out that one can stroll on to the Heath elsewhere at any time. But of course, he wasn't having any of it.

Well - did you?

Alter your time-pieces.

Lovely weather today. Hampstead Heath awaits.

Watch the clock

I've already mentioned the loss of BST this weekend on the other Blog. This will not make an iota of difference to me. There will not be thecompulsory extra hour in bed as yours truly will be up and about marching somewhere in the North London area.

I think my perambulations will take me to Highgate Woods then across into Hampstead Lane in order to finish up in the Spaniards just by Hampstead Heath. What better way to finish off one's weekend training schedule!

On Monday, I'll be visiting friends in Kent. A 10-mile trek has been organised and apparently, they've been busy doing some fund-raising for me.

Tomorrow

Will be spent training in the morning at Hampstead Heath, followed by football in the afternoon. That's watching not participating. A certain well-known Kent club is playing in an East London suburb.

Should I video tomorrow's events for braodcasting on YouTube?

The Bishops Avenue - Part 2

With a few more early morning walks under my belt, it's becoming less of an effort to navigate this magnificent North London thoroughfare.

The Bishops Avenue is now conquered!

The Bishops Avenue

Yestarday's training in the September sunshine ( the experts said we wouldn't have another Indian Summer this year) took me along The Bishops Avenue.

What amazes me are those sad individuals who drive slowly to gawk at the various dwellings along this well-renowned thoroughfare.

Get a life!!!!

Bank Holiday Exercise

4 miles over Hampstead Heath this morning. That's walking, not cycling or driving!

The weather just north of the Thames wasn't quite as nice as Nice last week but what do you expect!