That most beautiful of all planets (apart from Earth) is in conjunction with the crescent moon this evening. That means it lies alongside from the viewers perspective. Lovely clear skies here so I will be outside with my telescope. There was a time when I would have spilled my wine as I worked the telescope, not any more.

Huge sea here at Selsey this afternoon but it didn't stop me and a friend going out on the kayak. Being with someone  at least twenty years my junior and having to show them the ropes I don't think I have ever felt so fit and proud of what I have achieved since I kicked the drink.

Just watched the new Doctor Who on the BBC. I was a bit disappointed in that there was a scene where the Doctor poured himself what looked like a whiskey and said he needed a drink. You didn't get to see him actually drink it but a pity anyway that they made alcohol a necessity for even a Time Lord. On that time note however I have now done 600 days!!!! The pic by the way is of myself and my very own weeping angel from the Selsey raft race last year. This year we were lobsters!

Just in case you didn't believe me, here is a picture of the local Winebulance. Even though we live in a small town they have two! the local NHS has to send their ambulances all the way from Chichester. 

Managed to go kayaking today. Luckily I had my wetsuit as I was thrown overboard by a large wave! Where is summer?

Just back from a wonderful lecture given by Dr. John Mason on the Big Bang and discussing the new data expected this October that may prove the theory of inflation. My wife reminded me that two years ago at the same event (different topic) I had four glasses of wine lined up to drink during the one hour show. I had also had half a bottle of wine before we turned up (in case they didn't sell any in the lecture hall) and another half waiting for me for afterwards. What a drunk I was. This time just had a tub of ice cream. Outside however the 'winebulance' was waiting for someone! Yes this does exist and I will take some photos to prove it. I also gave Dr. John a copy of the 7.52 by way of a thank you - poor bloke!

I went and swam a mile at the London Olympic pool today. To say I was underwhelmed is an understatement in itself. First of all you have to walk through the stinking multiracial sewer of Stratford to get to it and suffer all the kebab and cigarette smells (not what you want before a swim), then the place is very nice but with no wow factor I have experienced in Olympic pools in Cities such as Sydney or even our own 50 year old Crystal Palace. I even had to check the pool was 50 metres in length as it all looks so small and insignificant, and then you have to walk back through the reeking sewer again to get a train home. I also thought that the iron and concrete tower thing next to the pool (I have no idea what it is supposed to represent) was a complete eyesore and will no doubt be consigned to the bin before long.  Altogether a disappointment given the anticipation I had beforehand. back to Crystal Palace for me.

Having read about a local man who is still happily alive but who lived at home until he was 102 years old (three years ago), I decided that in my 100th year I am going to do the swimathon (assuming they still run it in 2057). This is something I do every year when I am in the UK. It is a 5 kilometre swim or 200 lengths of a standard sized pool - non-stop.

I watched a neighbour of mine walk slowly back from the pub yesterday. From the way he was favouring his foot and despite his having said he is recovering from a sprained ankle I could tell at once it was gout. The focused expression on the face, waiting expectantly for the pain to kick in should he make the slightest mistake in his step is a clear giveaway. Just think, two years ago that would have been me, instead I have been running round the garden being chased by my cat.

I thought about drink today. For some reason I was remembering when forty years ago I used to go to the White Hart at Walton on the hill with my parents. I used to get there early with my brother for a pint or two of real ale and we would then go in for the fantastic Sunday lunch they served. My parents would usually have some overseas guests with them to make it even more interesting. White wine, rich red wine and then brandy to follow, it all came flooding back today and made me wish for those times. Then I remembered coming out of the restaurant late afternoon; how I resented having missed the best of the day; how I had had too much drink to drive anywhere and so just wasted the rest of the afternoon watching nothing on telly until the pubs opened in the evening, just to have some more drink I didn't really want anyway, but purely for something to do. Then I felt so massively glad those days are over and I don't drink any more. Still, it's nice to be able to think back. then we went blackberry picking so we could have crumble for pudding this evening.