Catching up........

I know, I know ! I promised a weekly blog but since I last put finger to keyboard I've been rushed off my feet at work (violins please!)
So, it's been 3 weeks since my last blog post (sounds a bit like a confessional doesn't it?   For the catholics amongst you). I've carried on with the walking around the country lanes of the south wirral...........found a few new routes which alleviates the boredom including a pleasant one along the river. My preferred late night route is a local circuit of about 11km and during one particularly unpleasant sojourn in the dark and wet I realised that I walked past 17 pubs!!! Lord knows in my hey day I couldn't walk past one! How times change!
I had one minor hiccup a couple of weeks ago when the second fruit of my loins (the indomitable George) went on a school outwood bound trip for 4 days. The lazy little toe-rag couldn't be bothered looking for his own cheapy walking boots so figured that his ageing, forgetful father probably wouldn't miss his lovely comfy expensive boots for a few day!! I walked in trainers..............big mistake!!! Even my blisters had blisters!!!
Oh how we laughed............not!
I had to go to Edinburgh for a couple of days (no, not to meet my mate the Pope) and stayed in a hotel just below the castle...........the food at dinner was diabolical but breakfast... MY GOD.......no wonder the Scots die in their 40's....my breakfast plate represented a slaughter in the farmyard...........pork sausages (pig), bacon (pig), steak (cow), haggis (sheep), black pudding (?? you tell me, no, on 2nd thoughts don't) and eggs (chickens)
Finally the cross-trainer arrived from Amazon.............but only after Rottweiller Julie (wifey) let the people at Home Delivery and Amazon know that she was a little upset with them!!! (that's very cleaned up to protect the vulnerable...) Then guess what?? A second cross trainer arrived!Where's that e-bay account?
Last week required a friday night break from exercise and careful eating....Mikey (first fruit of loins) was 16 and a night out with family, some of his friends, the wonderful Uncle John, and some fab friends from the world of radio (Kev, Katie and Rick) ensued. San Carlos in Liverpool a bit of a "see and be seen" place, but lively, saw a couple of ex footy players, herbert the celebrity hairdresser (my his skin is sooooo tight I wonder how he manages that at his age? he he.) Great family night out pics on facebook.
This walking on the flat is ok but I suppose I'd better give some serious thought to walking some hills soon. My mate Harris (you'd hate him, 57, retired headmaster, eats like a pig drinks like a fish and probably 8 stone in his boxers, runs up mountains like a goat) is going to take me to Snowdonia for a "serious" walk ohho!
I thought I'd like to take off to my place in the French Alps for a couple of weekend walks before the snows (and tourists) come I'm trying to persuade Harris and Starky (he's an estate agent but he's not as slippery as some and occasionally forgets and lets the truth slip out so we'll forgive him) to come with me.
The money continues to roll in, I've had lots of "promises" (sadly all financial) and I'm beginning to wonder if I should up my target to £15000...
Radio going well, apparently the show is now attracting serious sponsors, you can listen to it as a pod cast if you like by clicking on the "City Talk" logo over to the left of the page.
Well now that confession is over I'll do my best to get back to weekly updates.............
Talk soon Mike x

BACK TO WORK!!

Week 3, only 36 more to go......
Going back to work was a bit of a shock to the system! In the last 17 years I have never taken 2 weeks off work in one go and so easing back into the rough and tumble of busy surgical practice has always been easy-peasy. Slightly different this week! My body has not wanted to wake up or get up at 06.00 and as a consequence the espresso machine has taken some serious hammer!
Anyway, 6 operating lists, 5 clinics and a weekend on call have sorted me out. Sadly it has impacted a bit on the exercise programme I've only managed 4 walks and Amazon have seriously let me down with my new cross-trainer in that their delivery people seem totally incapable of finding my house!
The whole walking thing has been a bit of a revelation. Speaking as someone who only ever saw walking as a means of getting from A to B (and then only when the car was broken) I have to say that I'm really beginning to enjoy it! I've noticed houses, fields, all sorts of things really that I've driven past for the past 17 years. I really will have to find some more routes as I think the locals suspect that I'm some sort of scally eyeing up their houses when I wander past late at night! I also suppose that I'd better start walking up some hills soon. Not much altitude sickness to be had on the Wirral!
Oh yes, thanks for the tip about the talcum powder. My bum's much better now. I wish the tip had arrived before I splashed out £40 on some special silver lined undies! (which were rubbish anyway).
The sponsor money has continued to flow in. Nearly £5000 now pledged. Thank you each and every one of you! I think that I may adjust my target up to £15000!!
I mentioned my walk on the radio show this week (CityTalk 105.9 fm) and I'm hoping that maybe Radio City (96.7) will put it on their web site this week. For those of you who have time, the show is on CityTalk every thursday lunchtime from 12-1. This week represented a new twist in that Mick Coyle, the regular presenter who normally does all the links and the clever "radio stuff" handed over the reins to me completely! It was a bit more difficult than I thought it might be but I can only get better and I've been practicing in the car on the way to work.
Have heard a few horror stories about the Inca Trail this week, it's made me more determined than ever to get fit enough to actually enjoy it.
Please let people know about this blog as I'm hoping to attract the occasional advertiser which will further swell the coffers..............
Talk next week x