Hello world - Dartford calling

Well, I have taken more time off this Christmas than any other year and feel great, I am seeking curtain hooks today to sort out the bedroom curtains but to no avail - I went to a popular curtain shop in Dartford, showed the nice lady the hooks I need replacement ones for and she said "whats that then" I left, it really didn't seem worth explaining.

I have eaten far too much chocolate and blame each and every person who bought me chocolate, you know who you are! However, New Years Day is the big no more chocolate (yes, Mark and Will I know you will eat any spare or offerings that come in after that date) back on the diet and start my exercise properly.

I want to lose 1.5 stone by May 1st 2008, and 2.5 stone by September 1st 2008 - a challenge indeed.

Christmas was fantastic, we saw baby Aaron at Nan's on the Sunday before Xmas, he is so gorgeous, but does seem to poo rather a lot, but generally he was as good as gold. We did spoil him somewhat but hey, whats the point of a gay uncle otherwise? Just my sister to breed now then, come on John and Jenny get on with it :-)

Saw Mum too, decorated her Christmas tree, she still has decorations from before I was born! Yes, that old, and they are still amazing today.

Lots of fantastic presents again this year including shoes, bag, PSP games, chocolate, sweets, more chocolate, DVDs etc etc.

Now begins the countdown though to my 40th birthday - as my Mum says, its just another day!

My thanks to Rob Fenwick for this gem

Rob Fenwick had this posting on his blog

http://meralece.blogspot.com/2007/12/vince-cable-skips-federal-executive.html

Meral this was ace!

Christmas fairies

We have been more organised for Christmas this year - well once in 15 years isn't bad!

The office looks fantastic although there is a humbug in the office who thinks it looks unprofessional, considering it is all fairly tasteful, I don't agree.

We have lovely twinkling lights in the window, a range of Christmas trees a small usb tree, my stunning Chelsea FC tree, a fibre optic tree and a six foot norwegian spruce, and we mustn't forget Uncle Farron who has been topped with a fairy! If people ask nicely I will explain who Uncle Farron is!

Now, everyone must remember that on 1st January the new fitness and eating regime kicks in - back to weight watchers (aka fat club), plus running and a gym.

I have two runs (at least) this year to do so need to lose weight and tone up and stop being a fatty.

Have a great Christmas to all my readers, or should that be both my readers!

Water and ice skating

Firstly, yes, we have water at home again, it was actually sad in some ways as I stood there turning a tap on, and off, on and off but you know what they say about small things.....

So, Saturday was christmas shopping and lots of washing!

Sunday was the ice skating trip at the Tower of London, and despite what some of you may hear, I did let go of the barrier (sometimes), if only to get round small stubborn children. Then off to Strada near City Hall, where the warm chocolate pudding with ice cream has to be tried, if only once!

I have now decided I am going to go public with who I am backing.........

and its Matt.

Obviously I meant Strictly Come Dancing and not the Leadership of the Liberal Democrats.

Matt has come on such a long way since week one, whereas Alesha (despite dancing with Vince Cable) has been good since day one - GO MATT!

Water - a valuable resource (especially when you don't have any)

When the water disappears you really do start to appreciate how lucky we are, whatever we may all think of the water companies and who owns them this week, we can (usually) turn a domestic tap on and hey presto water appears.

This is something we have until last Friday enjoyed at home ourselves. Now, we have lots and lots of plastic 2 litre bottles of Sainsburys Caledonian water, both full and empty. But, nothing in our taps.

Then the next problem was finding a good plumber - again, another problem, although we managed to get a good one recomended.

The next problem, is, when can they fit it into their busy schedule, so I had yesterday off, Roger took today off, now we play the waiting game.

This all puts into perspective the camel I saw in Smith Square last week - yes a real one! And on the same morning a man walking down Whitehall with a plastic life size pig on his shoulder - as you do!

My chelsea tree

My desktop Chelsea Christmas tree arrived this morning, with tinsel and baubles - Shaun and I are determined that the 3rd floor Campaigns Department will be awash with Christmas decorations, we have set the Candidates Department a challenge to see whose office is most xmassy, but being a little grinchy they aren't really up for it.

Am off to Birmingham later as I am training candidates tomorrow, and trains don't run at the right times to get me there so need to stay up tonight, not ideal but its only one night.

Labour's problems roll on, its not just Harriet now the BBC are reporting are Peter Hain is involved http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7120512.stm

Chris Huhne MP has been asking for the Metropolitan Police to investigate the Labour Party and these donations, Chris, success, they now are according to the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7120277.stm this is Sir Ian Blairs response to Chris' letter http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7119805.stm

And we hope to go to see Aaron soon, we have bought sooooo many bits for him now its unreal, but hey, why not, its not often you get two gay uncles!

Labour funding

Well, Ms Harman has got herself in a little pickle according to reports on the BBC, she has accepted a £5,000 donation from Janet Kidd. Labours General Secretary resigns, Gordon won't give his full backing to Harriet, although is confident. A great piece in the Telegraph today, including the questions from the PMs briefing http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/28/nbrown628.xml

Given my limited knowledge of Election Law, I am fully aware that those donations were quite oviously illegal, so why did Labour think otherwise?

The Electoral Commission is investigating whether the activity breaches election law. Criminal prosecutions have not been ruled out.

Anyway, onto positive campaigning, the Lib Dem Group on the Greater London Assembly have launched a petition. We think passengers should not pay the penalty for the Labour Government’s and the Mayor of London’s tube refurbishment disaster. Metronet, the company who were refurbishing most of London's Underground Network under Gordon Brown’s Public Private Partnership (PPP), has gone bust. Transport for London is having to pour in hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to enable urgent work on the tube to continue.

Go on, sign it, you know you want to.

Hammersmith & Fulham

Greetings folks,

What a weekend, Sunday was rather bizarre, over to Fulham on another of our now successful campaign weekends, I loved the dry cleaners - see the picture. My kind of shop :-)

The question and answer session by Brian Paddick in the Independent on Saturday was really good, it shows he is a normal person wanting to do a great job for fellow Londoners, ranging over topics including his top priorities for London, the Olympics, the shootingof Jean Charles de Menezes and his views on drugs: http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article3196273.ece

The other picture is a little giggle, although Will Howells may not think so.

He sat peering over his glasses at me sat in this pose.

Greetings my posse of readers (or is that hello reader)?

Today was a tad busy, up and ready as normal to get into Cowley Street where Chris Leaman and I were training some of our good friends from Ealing, Lewisham, Hillingdon and Camden.

A friend of mine is down under at the moment and is pleased he helped to oust the Aussy PM

AJ is doing really well, although he has yet to meet his two favourite uncles, we will obviously be the favourites.

Politics - I have voted in the Liberal Democrat Leadership election - but aren't allowed to discuss.

See you next week.

About time!

Apologies - I have had computer problems and for some bizarre reason have not been able to access my blog despite wanting to.

Well, for starters baby bubble has now been born and has a name, Aaron James Watts so now instead of buying lots of generic things we can go mad for blue - any comments that I would be buying pink will be frowned upon.

As a Federal Party Employee I am not allowed to comment on the Leadership election - but my ballot paper arrived yesterday and I have voted.

Anyhow, enough for now, busy at the moment and now I know its working again, I will be back!

What a Barking weekend

Most of my Friday was spent preparing and printing the leaflets ready for the Barking campaign weekend. Barking has a Labour run council, and 12 BNP opposition Councillors. So, Saturday morning bright and early armed with the Post Office leaflets I set off for Cowley Street to finish off the printing and bundling.

The first job when I arrived in Cowley Street, was to make the policeman outside a cup of tea! Then a coffee for me. I got everything ready and then at 10am set off for Upney Station to meet the volunteers. Eastbury ward is a nice shape, served by three tube stations (Barking, Upney and Becontree) is well connected transport wise and houses an absolute gem, Eastbury Manor House right in the middle of the ward.

Over half of Eastbury ward was delivered with a residents survey and the remainder with a Save Our Post Offices leaflet.

We had a good turnout of volunteers over the weekend, my sincere thanks to all of those who came out in the cold - although it did warm up nicely.

I also discovered the East London line this weekend, a hidden treasure but for me a star, it sliced an hour each way off my travel time from Dartford to Upney.

Leaves on the line.....

Was a bit late leaving home this morning so missed my normal 7.51am train so went for the 8.13am armed with my coffee, danish and metro, just to find hundreds of people on Dartford station because of delays and cancellations.

Why on earth can Southeastern trains not get to grips with London Bridge station, I am absolutely fed up when I turn up at Charing Cross each morning to hear "we apologise to passengers arriving at platform one this morning, the delay was caused by congestion at London Bridge" what a load of twaddle, you plan the timetable........

Then leaves on the line got blamed, who was right, who was wrong?

I took a nice but bizarre photo two weeks ago of crocuses blooming in St James Park, see above. It's true, climate change has to be tackled!

Ming moves on and now the selection starts

It has been interesting to see the newspapers and hear the news today distancing themselves from the former Leaders age - not us' guv.

The interesting thing in last nights London Lite was that some Labour strongholds were described as amongst some of the worst places to live. And a review of how the Tories have had to give £8million back!

Then this afternoon I was asked to be the guest speaker at Hammersmith & Fulhams AGM next month, very nice to be asked, I am looking forward to it.

A busy weekend coming up in Barking & Dagenham - see you there?

Cute baby shoes as promised

Here are the shoes for baby bubble, Xmas is going to be dressing up time year after year.

Bermondsey, Barking and a little bubble

Today is off to Bermondsey to meet our new Organiser there, and chat through the key priorities for now through to the General Election - we are all agreed and work starts here. The office is part of St. Anne's Church in Thorburn Square, where they were filming yesterday for The Bill.

Then off to Barking to Eastbury ward for a good walk round.

Homeward bound and a little time for some baby shopping, Rogers Sister is due to have bubble very soon so off to Mothercare where I picked up some lovely shoes, picture to follow :-)

Then Boots where I used up my points off the old advantage card and bought 400 nappy bags and then Sainsburys for some odds and sods, home at a reasonable hour ie still daylight (just) played with Zennor (see picture) for a while then washed up and watched Deal or No Deal in between sink fulls while waiting for Rog to get home, nice evening in front of TV.

The training still goes on

Last night we did a DTP training session, originally for the election but now instead for next years election. We had people from all across London including Hackney, Putney, Greenwich, Westminster and Brent.

Tonight is part two of the training and much more is planned.

May 2008 is going to be a good time for the Lib Dems.

I cannot stop laughing - well done Will

Well done to Will Howells, this film is awesome.

If you are having a down day, then watch and laugh.

Must do better - cheers Gordon

Well, as most of you know I didn't end up doing the Great North Run 2007, and have deferred to next year - because from just before conference to last week I was much busier dealing with a potential general election etc that my training was non existent.

So, now I need to get back into shape, stay focussed on weightwatchers and get ready properly.

This weekend has been slightly bizarre and the atmosphere today at work is weird by any stretch of the imagination.

I have been calling suppliers today to see how and why things have changed but then I remembered the occasion when I went to see a supplier earlier in the year (see the picture on the right!), I suspect it will be the nearest I come to seeing my name up in lights.

I have also decided now to blog a little more often rather than just my running so get ready for more......

Blogging oh la la

I haven't been on here for ages, mainly because I haven't done as much training as I should and becuase work has been so hectic in the last month or so.

NHS surveys.........................................need I really say more?

So, a new month, a new regime, up at 4.35am today (thanks Zenbo), ran a bath, hadn't put the plug in properly so no water, so grabbed a change of clothes and caught the train and showered at work.

Had an immediate funny conversation - why is the new reception sign going to be blue and white, well Will Howells and I thought it was funny, it was one of those you had to be there moments really.

Have a campaign meeting today and then a quick trip down Brighton to do a site visit for the venue for the conference London Mayoral Hustings (Wednesday 1pm to 2pm) and then back.

So TTFN

Ealing and onwards

Well, I am glad I am not David Cameron or a Tory. The Lib Dems had a great night on Thursday and then a fantastic weekend too.

The running and training starts properly now and am off to weightwatchers from tomorrow too so watch this space......

Greetings from Ealing

Todays post is nothing to do with running, nut given todays newspapers etc I couldn't resist!

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1275245,00.html

The Tories are likely to be running for cover......

Andrew

Running the Ealing Way

Well, I am not getting much running actually done, although with three staircases in the Ealing Southall HQ and the escalators on the Underground my calf muscles should be nicely developing.

Although this will depend on the diet at the by-election HQ, pizza, coke, pizza, more coke and then of course curry, chines and burgers and chips with the obligatory ketchup and mayo.

Last night, well this morning really, I did the Southall to Charing Cross dash, the target was to be in Charing Cross and on the train by 12.14am. Unfortunately, I failed on this one, so sat on the tube made the decision to stay on until Waterloo and try to catch the train up - failed again! So, I try a cab from Waterloo Sarf' of the river mate £50, I don't think so!

Then a brisk walk back over to Charing Cross to Heaven (no, not a night out, they offer a cab scheme) again £50.

So, plan C or is it D, anyhow so train from Charing Cross to Orpington leaving the station at 01.03am, arrives in Orpington at 01.36am and then a £33.40 cab ride to home in Dartford.

Into bed, eventually at 02.30. The alarm is set for 05.06am!

However did "Challenge Anneka" manage it............

Running in the sun - The tour de France

Well, what a bizarre Sunday, first couldn't get anywhere due to the Tour de France and how bad are ITV, just as they enter Dartford the adverts come on and when they finished the cyclists were out in Greenhithe!

Anyway, the shorts came out and off I went in the sun, with my new ipod in the fancy runners armband, although, it did work.

Ran out to Stone, and down East Hill then into town, around the one way system and back up Temple Hill - nearly into Costa coffee, but held off.

Once Ealing and Wyboston are out the way I need to step up a grea and enter a 5K race and a second one by early August.

Andrew

Running, Ealing Southall and weight

Did another short burst on the exercise bike again this morning, but must do better. I am doing the Great North Run in 88 days so need to move this up a gear or three now.

Am back over in Ealing after doing lots of stationary orders yesterday for Ealing and Sedgefield.

So, shorts and tee shirts at the ready, but will the Ealing Southall by-election team be ready for the knees..........

Early mornings are no better, no really!

I decided last night that as I have been busy and getting home late I would try the exercise bike out this morning.

So, the morning went like this....

5.19am - alarm went off
5.25am - got up
5.30am - thought the exercise bike idea was stupid so watched showdogs parents or somesuch other rubbish on Sky.
5.45am - thought, oh go on then, so actually did my 30minute session on the bike.

NO, its no better doing it in the morning and whats worse is I was even more tired than normal.

So, I now need a plan C......

Really must try harder

Need to run off all of the good food from the fantastic weekend in Wyboston. It is not helped when jaffa cakes and sweets are just lying around to tempt you.

Although, 10 out of 10 for those who were more disciplined than I at doing their running, swimming etc

Blue is the colour......

Did a run on Sunday in between artworking a residents survey. The heat was a little too much for a mere begineer like what I am but heyho. I have four months, well 119 days actually to get my body ready for the Great North Run.

Hmmm, that hand seems familiar

http://pinkdogster.blogspot.com/2007/05/now-this-makes-me-happy.html

Naughty, naughty

Sorry everyone, I have been a tad busy and have not always been near a computer. Last week I was in Dudden Hill, where we were defending a seat on Brent Council and WON despite Labour fighting a very negative campaign, see the results http://www.sarahteather.org.uk/

Then the weekend was mostly away with work so am back now and will be on the exercise bike this evening.

I am also so chuffed that so many of you have already sponsored me and I still have four months until I actually run - THANK YOU

The Great Outdoors

Well, I have downloaded my first two modules for my course;
The Great Outdoors and Injury & Illness Prevention.

I have the option of going for Bronze, Silver and Gold - I've decided to go for gold - excuse the pun.

This will be more work than expected but will focus me a little more on getting rid of some blubber and be a lean mean running machine - hehehe

Sore feet and blisters

I know, I know - I really should not be moaning yet about this but yesterday I spent 6.5 hours walking on the streets of London.

A good cardio workout I feel.

The other thing connected to my run is that I al also studying an online course at Newcastle College - BTEC First Certificate in Sport - which should be fun, although I have to do modules by the 29th June.

Photos will start and appear on here soon.

I've taken the plunge

I never thought I would have a blog, but after working for Lynne Featherstone for 18 months http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/blog.htm and deciding to do the Great North Run this year I thought, lets just do it.

It should act as a motivation tool.........