HEARTY BREAKFAST

This morning at 9am I saw a flat capped and fully tweeded elderly gentleman taking full advantage of the new 24 hour licensing laws in t'local pub, with his pint and his crossword at the ready...

Newcastle Brown Ale for breakfast anyone?

Mooi.

CONSTANT CHANGE IS HERE TO STAY.

As a relatively ungodly soul I still find myself drawn to "Priest Idol" - a fantastic display of England's (Christian) apathy. When the Church of England advertised for a victor to turn round a dying church in a souless part of the UK only one person applied. An American. He got the job.

Last night's programme saw the unveiling of the "Church Lite" brand of Christianity - brought to you by a local marketing company. It also saw the resistence to change by the church elders. When one elder (read OAP) was asked to comment on why the font shouldn't be moved she replied "I don't know. It just shouldn't".

I have just been to a meeting where many positive suggestions of change were raised (increased communication and collaborative working) were met with grunts and looks of disdain.

Don't move the font. Why? It's always been there.

Aikona!

HURRY!

In a nation that celebrates modesty and humility, there is a national obsession to be the first; to save time by driving recklessly. To congratulate yourself for having a decent seat at the rugby/theatre/cinema. To justify being.

You get your keys out early, stand up and urban surf your way from the top of the double decker Park & Ride bus, and risk your life by going down the stairs while the bus does a forty five degree turn at the lights, and are still 2 or 3 miles from the terminus! When the bus eventually comes to a halt, you fall like dominoes down the stairwell/bus aisle, leap from the bus and RUN to your cars to be the first out of the gates. What sport! I prefer to spectate from the top of the bus while you jostle and vie for position.

Take it eaaaaaasy.

Slowly slowly catchy monkey.

JISLAAIK!

Is anyone else finding this cold UNBEARABLE?

11 years in the UK and I still don't get winter.

Anyone else want to head South? I'm starting a migration campaign...

A PANINI A DAY...

Keeps the Half Marathon runner's body at bay.

Mmm. Hot Goat's cheese panini with caremelised onions.

Beats a Northern "chip barn" for lunch.

Dis nie goed nie.

T-MINUS 20 WEEKS (to run 13.1 miles)

Signing up for the Bath Half Marathon seemed like such a good idea at the time!

Kief.