Monday, September 16, 2013

Back in Blighty (TT column 16.09.13)


It is time to return to reality. After a few days of being at home I must stop comparing everything back to my holiday; the fact that the temperature has halved and the cost of an hour long Thai massage is the same as a coffee back here, will soon be forgotten. Yes I have the holiday blues and it seems that I might not be alone as I've been told that the summer is now over. It's not all depressing though, I was delighted to leave the mosquitoes behind, apparently my blood tastes far too good, okay now I'm running out of other disadvantages.

As much as I found it difficult to return home there was plenty of sport to get excited about last weekend. At a local level I was involved in the Ecover Blue Mile being held in Plymouth; it was refreshing to see so many people taking part in the various water based activities and engaging in raising awareness of ocean conservation. It was primarily aimed at participation but with the presence of two London 2012 gold medallists all of the competitions soon heated up. I must admit my role was purely land based and probably a good thing as the refreshing waters of Plymouth sound might have come as a shock after the thirty plus degrees I've become accustomed to.
Staying with the Olympic theme there were more serious events happening over the weekend and we saw the crowning of two new British World Champions in triathlon and canoeing. The wave of sporting success we saw a year ago is showing no signs of ceasing.