1807.28 TOUR DE FRANCE

In a summer that's been obsessed by the football World Cup I finally get my little oasis of pleasure with the best sporting spectacle of the year - The Tour de France, the world's biggest bike race.

1807.05 HAPPY BIRTHDAY NHS

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A British Institution, often maligned and taken for granted, this week this pillar of our society turned 70. I thought I'd look how this amazing organisation has touched my life.

1807.03 NINETEEN YEARS MANACLED

Nineteen years ago this very day Morticia, for reasons only known to her, agreed to marry me.

1806.29 YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL

Proms are a relatively new phenomenon in the UK, a product of the American influence of TV and films. Prior to 2000 you might be lucky to have a bit of a school disco to mark the end of your school life. I didn't get anything - I remember just walking out of school after my last exam, never to return.

Both my daughters have had the privilege of the prom experience.

1806.25 FOOTY OVERLOAD

You'd have to have been living in a cave to realise that there is a little football tournament going on known as the World Cup.

1806.21 HOW DO YOU CARRY YOURS?

Most people who commute by bike have to carry some sort of luggage with them. Be it a change of clothes, a uniform, sandwiches or even tools and equipment there's always 'stuff' that needs to come with you.

1806.15 LEAVER

I left school 31 years ago. I remember it well. There was no fanfare, no prom (we didn't have such things back then) no gathering or inspirational speeches - I just finished my last exam and walked out the door never to return.

1806.05 THE WEIGHT

Time is a commodity I don't have loads of at the moment. When I do get a precious moment I am so tired I don't feel like doing anything.

1806.02 PINK MEANS A TRIPLE

The first of the Grand Tours is the Giro d'Italia, basically the Tour of Italy. I love bike racing and especially love the spectacle of the Grand Tours. This year's though proved to be the biggest spectacle I've ever seen.

1805.15 WORK IS WORKING

A few of years ago my position at work was put 'at risk'. Then came the dismantling of my department and the merging with another. We were at risk for about a year and the ensuing turmoil saw my place of work closed and everyone 'shoehorned' into another location.