Facebook can be good

Hello - Well my ankle feels better enough to start training - Good job as the pool is damn cold!

Did 30 mins on an exercise bike - But it wasn't good for confidence that I was surrounded by the Widnes Vikings Rugby Super League squad were all around me doing 100 mph and still chatting.

In the last couple of weeks I have decided on three trips abroad. Two are to Germany - including one to see a rock festival and one to Holland - for the European Transplant Games...

The first is to see a friend who I have been promising to visit for months...

Three old friends have recently got in touch on Facebook including an ex and a former holiday romance - things are looking up in Mark ville...

Hugs and sparkles

MARK

Back in The Wood (briefly...)

Hello - WIth the gales trying to blow my house away here in Cheshire it may be time to catch up on some blogging...

It was the first time in a few years I got the while of Christmas to New Year off I think... So I made the most of it..

I went back to Cannock Wood on Xmas Eve - (good night at the Park Gate), Christmas Day my mum had all the neighbours in (then pub) and Boxing Day was the family do in Halesowen...

I came back to Widnes for a couple of days and then went up to Newcastle for New Year (see pic!) and then to Gateshead (to see Sarah and see The Lady - brilliant film)..

Health wise I had a few sugar level issues at the end of the year so I am going to be fitted with a device to monitor then 24/7 for a few days to see when they peak and trough.

This year I have got a lot of plans - which will take energy and time.. Hope work doesn't keep me occupied 24/7...

As well as the day job I may well be doing some promotion for a well known author...

Tottle pip and happy 2010 to all my blogg-ettes....

Ups and downs and Nick Clegg

Hello Blogettes - Well it has been an up and down few weeks. I had a great 'Dead Celebrity' party (Dead Famous) at The Stobart Stadium, Widnes... It was good to catch up with friends old and new.

The next day I saw Erasure in Wolverhampton - on my 40th itself...

Then I followed the torn ligaments in my ankle I got tendonitus - which put my recovery back a few weeks again.. I hope to go back to spin class next week..

My cold meant my lung fuction was down at Newcastle when I went for my check up. But because there is a reason they are not concerned.. It is still between the 20 and 25 per cent mark.

I have been back to Cannock Wood twice in two weeks (having not been back to my home village for months) and will be back at Xmas - strange how these thing happen.

Very tired these cold winter nights..

I was with Nick Clegg yesterday - we have generated more than 80 mentions of his trip so far in the media. In fact last month we got more than 250 media mentions for Halton Borough Council -not bad for a team of two!

A bientot xx

Ligament lament

Its been a busy few weeks Blog-ettes, including a couple of visits to London (nasty, dirty place - why would ANYONE want to live there???) And a torn ligament in my ankles...

The latter has left me unable to really exercise for eight weeks - I am putting on weight and getting very frustrated...

It was done trying to stop a psycho girl at my BBQ barefoot stamping on some glass - She was out of control and not my favourite person...

In other news the cats came to stay the sun got hot and went away again (as did they!)

Strangely my hospital visit after my ankle injury showed best lung function in more than a year!

I had an appointment at St Helen's Hospital to try and solve a side effect of my anti-rejection drugs - greasy skin.. The cures all seem to have worse side effects apparently...

Time to consult! x

Knee-d dem medals

Hello,

Well the UK Transplant Games in Belfast was my best ever. I picked up a gold medal and three bronzes and had a really good time with cool people...

Carmel stayed with me and I also met Michelle (an old school friend) and Pauline (who I also knew from Korea) during the fun.

I did tear a knee ligament - probably while throwing the javelin - and did the same to my ankle trying to supid barefoot girl treading on a broken glass at my BBQ...

Then this weekend I spent a lovely time in dirty north London with the lovely Sally... 400 mile round drive not good for my knee and ankle.. Oh well...

Isn't Golders Green a dump - we ended up on our hotel room with wine, X-Factor and face packs!

Oh I almost forgot, despite limited exercise in the last fortnight for obvious reasons my lung function was over 30 per cent for the first time in more than two years... x

My new single and UK Transplant Games

CLICK

Its my new single - which will be out on iTunes and Spotify within days..

News: I am in the Widnes Weekly News and Widnes World this week about the Transplant Games and on BBC Radio Merseyside (7.50am today if you want to listen again)

CLICK to read article...

I am off to Belfast to compete - wish me luck x

Chester Rocks - Mark wilts

Hello, Well, hello Bloggettes. Sorry if I have deserted you. I still love you... We had the annual cricket tour to Weston-Super-Mare - to mark the 20th anniversary of the club... It was exciting - great weather and the hotel opposite burnt down!

I came back with a bit of an infection - the GP gave me antibiotics. I still haven't had a referral to a dermatologist (the greasy skin is a side effect of the anti-rejection drugs) - apparently he hasn't got the info from Newcastle...

Then I have had two weekend in Chester - one with Chester Rocks.... and one at Chester Races - good company and good times...

Work is busy - my colleague is on long term sick and my other one is working for Cream three days a week so am basically on my own.. and snowed under.

The cats were messing on the beds too last week.. Still waiting for the cat flat to be fitted and they are scared to go out! I can't have cat litter around...

Well next weekend is the final of Halton's Got Talent 4 - I am a special guest, having judged the heats... should be a goods night..

Chat soon(ish)