1005.01 BEARD OR NO BEARD

Today is the Great Beard Election, You can vote whether I shave it off or keep it at my Twitter profile.

Current polling results are;

5 votes to shave.

4 votes to keep the beard.

Have your say now!

1004.30 CYCLING STATS FOR APRIL 10

Not much change on the previous month (slight increase). More rides or ride extentions are needed. Still waiting for word on the work's Cycle to Work scheme.

Best Distance (Daily)

= 34.19 miles (on the 19th)

Longest Time out of the saddle

= 6 days

1004.24 ASHES TO ASHES

You must have been living in a cave if you haven't noticed the disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano eruption which spewed it's ash over the skys of Europe. The skys were completely clear from the usual jet-streams that normally criss-cross the heavens at this time of year. Morticia's Auntie and Uncle were stranded (along with thousands of others) and unable to get home. Ferry, train and car hire became a premium as people battled to find alternatives to air travel.

Maybe I am being cynical or somehow I'm not getting it but why are we so reliant on the aeroplane? I for one haven't flown for over 20 years, I just haven't felt the need. I can understand some destinations but local internal flights are just ridiculous, trains and coaches should be cheaper and therefore encouraged. I think I'm getting off topic here, I'm starting to rant.

The disruption wasn't just to travellers, my eldest's school was forced to close to 2 of the year groups because of teachers trapped on holiday

Anyway, after almost a week it was all over and life is gradually turning back to normal.

1004.17 HAIRY

That's right, I've grown a full beard. I've let my facial hair grow before but I really don't feel like shaving this one off. My self esteem and general mood is low at the moment so I guess the fuzz gives me something to hide behind.

The other day, Thursday I think, I had a terrible pain on the sole of my right foot. I looked but couldn't see anything. Upon closer inspection I found a white hair about an inch long sticking out of the source of the pain. It was quickly removed by tweezers but led me to some interesting questions. Was that really a hair growing out of the sole of my foot? Further investigation on the internet revealed that some people had come across this phenomenon. It was either a rogue follicle or a 'hair splinter'. Since it was the same colour as the fur on my cat's tail I'm leaning (hopefully) towards the latter.

1004.16 BRILLIANT BRITAIN

With the upcoming General Election looming (1005.06), the media is full of politics. I've never really considered myself to be very politically motivated but I have to say that the prospect of a Conservative government scares the shit out of me. I'm old enough to have seen what Thatcher did the last time around. Communities were destroyed and industries decimated so a few could get richer. I grew up in a small mining town to the south of Sheffield and saw first hand what the Tories did. They like to cut or sell to line the pockets of themselves or their friends and this will happen again if they get in.

The polls show a worrying trend towards the blue, I can only hope that people saw what Mr Cameron is all about on yesterday evening's leadership debate. 

As a public service worker I ask people to think about their vote. I urge all those who would not normally bother to vote this year, it's important. We all need to take responsibility for our own lives and 'not voting' is like burying your head in the sand.

1004.06 END OF EASTER

That's it, Easter is done for another year. I'm lucky since I've got another couple of days off to spend with my family. We've now returned home from our weekend with Morticia's mother and it is time to get on with it. I have just one out of my two eggs left, seems everyone in the house got loads more than me again.

Today the general election was confirmed as 6th May which is Morticia's birthday and the day after mine. I guess it's gonna be a dull old April.

1004.04 HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDAD

A week ago we thought he wouldn't be here for his 78th birthday, today he celebrates - all be it in a very low key fashion.

I wish I could be with him today but we are away at Morticia's mother's house. I spoke to him on the phone earlier and he is in my thoughts today more than ever.

Hopefully he'll be able to come home from hospital soon.

1004.04 ELEVENTH HOUR

Yesterday saw Matt Smith's debut as the eleventh Doctor in series 5 of Doctor Who. It was all change with a new Doctor, new assistant, new TARDIS, new title sequence, new logo and not forgetting new Executive Producer/Head Writer.

I've been defending the changes all along to the doubters (Doctor Who's gift is that it can refresh and 'regenerate' and it is that that keeps it from going stale) and yesterday at 18:20 was time to find out whether my faith was misplaced or not.

I was pleased to say that I wasn't disappointed, it was a fun, action packed opener which helped flesh out the new Time Lord's character. Amy Pond, the new companion looks to be the best yet (and she's gorgeous to boot). All in all I'm more excited now about the new series than I was before.

Fish fingers and custard? Hmmmm.

1004.03 THE EGGS-FACTOR

The year rolls on and before we know it it's Easter. It seems only yesterday it was Christmas. Maybe it's a symptom of getting older.

It's the Easter weekend and I find the period so much more enjoyable than Christmas. A time to relax and spend time with family without the commercialism of the festive season. A few Easter eggs and a good meal await tomorrow.

Yesterday was relaxed which culunated in the beginning of a new series of Ashes to Ashes. Today promises to be just as relaxing with a new series of Doctor Who this afternoon.

I can put my feet up and forget my worries.

Happy Easter everyone!

1004.30 CYCLING STATS FOR MARCH 10

As the weather improves I am stacking up those miles. More on the work bike has contributed greatly. A very consistent month with plenty of rides.

Best Distance (Daily)

= 29.85 miles (on the 2nd)

Longest Time out of the saddle

= 2 days (just weekends)