New Boots and Panties - Ian Dury and the Blockheads

We are off to a wedding tomorrow and I tried on my best suit today and luckily it still fits after our Christmas weekend of over feeding... More interestingly, I did tried on my 1999 Jeff Banks super slim suit and that fits too, making me feel good about being the same size as I was pre-40, a lot different of course to pre-30 as you know.

It does make me wonder how the next eleven years will affect my bodysize and shape and how important will getting into that suit will be in 2021?

That's the beauty of getting older, I suppose and watch this space, well that's if I am still blogging...

More tomorrow...

Sailing - Rod Stewart

It's been more plain 'Flying' than plain 'Sailing' today as we went to Dublin for an M2M ULTRA sponsor meeting. And it was just SO easy! What had in previous trips been a bit of a delayed, ruck of a plane ride was actually far too simple. Even the 4am start wasn't a big deal and Dublin was friendlier than ever.

The vibe for the event feels great, the opportunities are endless and the experience for the 16 athletes will provide a lifetime of memories for all concerned.

We are dead excited... and dead proud and very tired now we are back in Breaston.

More tomorrow...

Jet Airliner - Steve Miller Band

What is it that makes us think that flying anywhere in December is a good idea? Jenny and I are off to Dublin tomorrow for our M2M ULTRA sponsor meetings and are on a ridiculously early 6am out and a late 7pm in flight from and to East Midlands Airport.

One good thing is that our bags will have more room for Duty Free as we are not allowed to take Christmas Crackers in our hand luggage... Who came up with that one?

It's the latest in flight rule and  strangest of all I think. Are they worried that the jokes will be lethally funny and there is a possibility of literally dying laughing?

Whatever next! No doubt we will find out tomorrow...

Cigarettes and Alcohol - Oasis

It's more like Peanuts and Caffeine Free Diet Coke in my case and I feel hungover today after a belly full of both on our Coleman Christmas Day yesterday. I did of course have masses of Turkey etc. but I am under the impression that both of the former substances just aren't good for my body no matter how enjoyable they are at the time.

This was born out this morning with a totally aching body like I'd gone 15 rounds with Mike Tyson last night... hmm... makes you think eh? Anyone else feel shitty after Peanuts and Caffeine Free Diet Coke?

More tomorrow and on total detox now...

Drink - The Student Song

I was back in the T-Shop today doing the food shop for Tomorrow's Coleman* Christmas Day. But found myself getting a bit upset trying to buy a Christmas Pudding... one WITHOUT alcohol. It's a bit like a vegetarian trying to buy a meat-free bacon sandwich. When I did find one, it boasted 'Serves 4'... more like 'You'll Need 2 to touch the sides' and is the size of a Peanut and more worryingly the ordinary Christmas Puddings, contained warnings of Nuts yet not Alcohol, or a % proof…

Bloody T-Shop!

Not good for us people clocking up 17 years of being dry… and even the Customer Services didn’t know either… hmm. Good job I have eagle eyes I’d say.

Got 2 litres of Custard to cheer myself up!

*5 Colemans and 1 Salter

What you need - INXS

It makes you wonder what you actually NEED at this time of year. Wondering what people want and them wondering what you want makes for a real stressful time to mind and wallet. Not wishing to sound scrooge-like, I like Christmas and it's Mid-winter celebration of the 'Birth of Christ' and all that it entails. It does appear though that from my forage in to the T-Shop (that's TESCO but I don't like to say the T-Word) that they are preparing for a global food and drink shortage that might last till the middle of next summer!

It's material madness IMO.

For me having all my children with me for our family Christmas this weekend will be all I really need and I must say that I am looking forward to the fuss, bustle and excitement of them being here, more than any gift that I will or can receive. Don't get me wrong, the odd Ferrari or even pair of socks won't go amiss but as far as needing stuff this year... don't worry as that will be the perfect present.

On a lighter note...I did need more oxygen this morning in our hill session on Toton Hill but that's another story and I don't need this cold and sore throat... as it's killing me!

More tomorrow... now where are my humbugs! Ah just remembered that I don't need 'em...

Down Under - Men at Work

At last, the burst water main outside our house has been fixed... The cold weather obviously had a big part in it's being there in the first place and has slowed down its repair for sure. However what did make me laugh today was the workmen's attention to detail in making sure that there were diversion signs, keep left signs and enough barriers put up to line all the motorway roadworks in the UK.

Even more laughable was the poor preparation of the work itself and the sweeping into the hole of all the dust, snow and debris prior to the tarmacking crew that came along afterwards to make the job 'good'. Now we'll say good but we'll see - no doubt it will happen again as this patch, replaced a previous patch that had already been made.

That's the thing nowadays, we spend more time worrying what might happen and how we cover our backs rather than doing a good job instead. Does this sound familiar?

More tomorrow... let's hope that patch holds eh?