So, nearly time to go....

..will all those months of training be adequate, or will I collapse in a heap?

We'll see...............

See you all at the end of February.

Top Tips for 2007

Over at the other place, I've done a meme regarding 2007 and what we might expect. Here, I have one main target - and that's to finish the Trek safely and in one piece!

Top tip - don't try and outrun a cheetah.

The sun is out and a tip to relieve winter gloom

So the sun is out. I think it's the first time in about a week. Certainly raises any winter gloom that's hanging around.

Time for a stiff walk me thinks.

The daily training continues.

Now if I was giving a pound for every mile I've walked in preparation for my Breast Cancer Campaign Trek................................................................

Get the Body you want

Says the advert. If you excuse the North American sales pitch style, there are some interesting tips if you sign up here.

Exercising is all very well but nutrition is key.

I wonder whether Eastcliffe Richard is a keep fit sort of bloke, or is he a couch potato? Perhaps a bit like Pillage Idiot?

Thanet Blog List

The Thanet Blog List has just been updated. Looks terrific.

Sleep is important..................

..........particuarly if you're working hard and have a tough training schedule. I can't seem to get any!

So much for my Top Tips for Sporting Success!

Top Tips for Sports Broadcasting on Radio (2)

Earlier I mentioned that having a great voice for radio is important. Well, there are many great radio voices out there. The best "voices" are those that talk with variety, enthusiasm and clarity.

More information can be found at the British Voice Association - BVA

Zara Phillips

What an amazing result at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award last night.

It was also good to see many of our familiar BBC commentators, sports presenters and sporting heros all under one roof. Well done to the BBC for yet another great sporting spectacle.

....and talking of sport, my Top Tips for Sports Broadcasting on Radio posts on my other blog, appears to have gone down well with a few of you.

Margate today

A fleeting visit to see Lord Neville of Margate. Before doing so, I took my lovely niece down to Foreness Bay. You know there's something so refreshing about an English seaside resort in December. It's called the temperature! Although one was blessed with some excellent winter sunshine, the cold curtailed our visit to one of my childhood playgrounds.

Undeterred by this calamity, His Lordship was collected and transported via the seafront at Grenham Bay , Birchington and onwards to the Minnis Bay Restaurant. The fabulous threesome eat their way through a pleasant Sunday lunch before taking in the sites of the wonderful Isle of Thanet.

It was so clear today that one could easily make out La France. The huge cliffs at Cap Gris Nez are easily viewed when atmospheric conditions allow. Apart from being in a plane over Manston aerodrome, or Kent International Airport as it's now known, the "best" place to see France is abive the port at Ramsgate. Yes, Ramsgate, home to Eascliffe Richard, Frannie Oapen, Ramsgate Tourettes and other well know personages of the East Kent Blogosphere.
(Iain Dale is from West Kent).

Having survived "Chav Central", our route took us through Westwood Cross.
(This absurd "out-of-town" shopping centre has decimated the High Streets of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate in one very foul swoop).

Upon our return to Westgate-on-Sea, tea was taken before the long-haul back to the centre of the universe.

What's this got to do with my training schedule. Not a lot. But families should always come first.

Getting there - Maasai Mara awaits............

Well the £2000.00 mark has been reached! Just another £1500.00 to go by next July. Should do that easily.

You know, I feel as though I've crossed a threshold of fitness and general well-being in the past few days. I suppose you could say it's been a cathartic experience - I'm sure I'll easily cope with the rigours of the Maasai Mara next February. But I musn't get complacent about my training schedule - in fact I'll be popping out for a brisk evening walk in the dark. Must be mad!

One of the beauties of trudging around the district is it gives one thinking time. With a speech to write and audtions for corporate presenting coming up, walking is great preparation time.

Tragedy in the Maasai

Patrick Smith, a man in his 30's and on his honeymoon, was killed by an attacking elephant in the Maasai over the weekend.

Under normal circumstances its very unusual for an elephant to attack human beings. Needless to say, certain family members are concerned about my forthcoming trek.

There'll be no second second tragedy in the Maasai next February.