Thursday 24th December

Well it is the night before Christmas, the family have been round for most of the day and we all had a great time. So now all I have to do tomorrow is to visit two cemeteries to place some flowers on the graves of two very dear people that are no longer with us. That is always the saddest part of Christmas, but it has to be done. Then, with all responsibilities fulfilled, it will be time for some well earned rest. So all that remains is for me to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Christmas, I hope that Santa brings us all the things that we want.

Tuesday 22nd December

Just three more sleeps! Well for once I am fully organised for Christmas nice and early, all of the presents are wrapped and under the tree and everyone has their cards. Most importantly, I am having the whole family round on Christmas Eve, however they will want feeding. I'm not kidding you it will be like watching the Klumps! Thank goodness for Asda, I have loads of party food that will keep them all quiet, then when they have all gone I'll clear up and then head to the airport for some well deserved winter sun. Like the song says, I wish it could be Christmas every day!

Monday 21st December

Only four more sleeps now! I don't know what I like best about this time of year, all the extra food, a few days off from training or extra time with the family, especially the Grandchildren. Or maybe it's the weather, I love the snow but I love even more the stupid and idiotic phrase that is trotted out every winter by some inbred or another "it's too cold to snow". Well if you ever go to the arctic circle it's about minus 30 which a lot colder than it is here and they have bloody tons of the stuff! Give me strength.

Friday 18th December

Only seven more sleeps to go! I love this time of year now that I have Grandchildren, Santa is bringing them loads of nice stuff including matching outfits and Caden's first bike which is the smallest bike I've ever seen. Things are great at the gym, everyone is making the most of being able to eat whatever they like because in January those that are competing all start their clean diets or in some cases their competition diets. Spent some time with Steve and Amy last night, they have a huge year ahead of them next year and I'm really looking forward to being a part of it and helping as much as I can. By the way, all I want for Christmas is the baby girl that I have been waiting for.

Sunday 13th December

Tiger Woods. Instead of saying "I told you so" I will say this. We live in a throwaway world and the more you achieve the easier it is to throw things away and replace them. But one thing you should never throw away is your one true love because it cannot be replaced and moreover it is the thing that underpins everything that you have acheived and everything that is good about the person that you are. Like it says in the song by Neil Young "Yes only love can break your heart, what if your world should fall apart?"

Thursday 10th December

So last night I went to see David Gray, after a 2 hour drive to get there I was surprised to find that all of the stalls seats had been removed from the Hammersmith Apollo and replaced with a mosch pit, which I found myself in the middle of, taking me back 20 years to a time when sitting down at a gig was unheard of. As it turned out, it was, believe it or not, actually a lot more fun than sitting in a comfy seat! The show itself was great, each song rehearsed and performed to perfection with orchestration and production at the forefront every time. I've seen David a few times and he is always excellent, here's to the next time! Finally, a big thanks to my son Steve, who runs the website, for getting the Hercules pictures on and revamping everything. He's great, I'm lucky to have him as a son.

Tuesday 8th December

Well you would think that at this time of year people would be getting ready to relax. Not so at Atlas gym, all the talk there is of next years competitions. I currently have five different friends at the gym who are all competing next year. I am going to help each one of them get ready, two have competed before but the other three are absolute first timers so that will be a lot of work but it will all be worth it if they do well, which they definitely will! The official Hercules show photos have finally arrived and will be on here as soon as Steve has a chance to do them but here's one of them.

Thursday 3rd December

Tiger Woods - my theory. He gets home at 2 in the morning and receives a call from the girl he has just been with (ah deja vu). The wife goes chicken oriental and he tries to escape by jumping into his car and driving off. She chases him and caves in the rear window of the car with a golf club, causing him to crash. Is that too simple or am I just being cynical?

Friday 27th November

I'm well into off season mode now and the weight is finally back under control. I peaked at 18 stone 8 lbs but now with a bit of clean and sensible eating I am back to 18 stone, pretty lean, and happy to go through the winter like this in an effort to build a bit more muscle for next year. Off season training is only 4 x 80 minute weights sessions per week plus 30 mins a day cardio on training days only, so that gives me a lot more spare time. You can probably guess that I spend as much of it as possible with Caden, I have some great video footage of him and some new pictures like this one (drums? whose idea was that?). Colby needs some of his Granddads attention too, whenever I see him he lays spreadeagled on my chest listening to my heart, sleeping soundly.

Monday 23rd November

Well done to my two friends Leejay Miller (pictured) and Kirk Grimsley who yesterday competed in the NABBA novice finals. A group of us went to Birmingham to support them. Kirk looked great but was in a huge class of 20 first timers, although most of the guys looked like they had been competing for years! Kirk is a genuine first timer and he didn't place but that was not a surprise, they really must do something about making sure that first timers are exactly that! Leejay was in a class of only two which he won easily, he was in superb condition and would have preferred, I'm sure, to have to competed against more people but as I know from previous experience, you can only beat the people that turn up on the day, and Leejay certainly did that.

Friday 20th November

Feeling great! Well that's what a week in the sun will do for you. It's good to be back though, I think I must be getting old, I miss my kids and Grandchildren so much while I'm away! Returned to the gym today and of course it hurt more than usual and will continue to do so for the first week or so but I don't mind that one little bit, it just proves to me that I'm training properly. This is one of the best times of the year, no dieting and some heavy training will make me bigger and better for next season. So, let the pain begin!

Wednesday 11th November

Firstly, I do hope that everyone wore their poppy with pride today and observed 2 minutes silence. Not just for the soldiers that we have lost in previous wars but for the brave souls that are stuck in that hell hole known as Afghanistan. I'm no politician but surely we have to think about bringing them home soon? On a less important note, the Hercules stuff has begun to arrive, I'll try to get the photos on here before I go on holiday but in the meantime here's the link to see some of it on you tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCMqX6zunEw

Monday 9th November

Well we are finally getting the website updates in place. My son Steve who runs the website is a very busy man so I am very grateful to him for doing this for me. Please have a look at the new photos and video from the British finals, I would value your honest opinions. The Hercules photos should also be on here soon, they have not arrived from the show organisers yet. Meanwhile I'm coming to the end of the rebound training and diet and now weigh in at 18 and a half stone yet I'm still lean. A holiday in the sun beckons next I think!

Thursday 5th November

Steve assures me that all of the new photos will be on here by the weekend, but in the meantime this is one of when I had just won the Mr. Hercules, also there is a new video from the British finals on YouTube, here is the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClbiLKrocmI

Wednesday 4th November

Busy times as usual. I've been hitting the rebound training hard but had to stop yesterday as I had the calf that caused all the problems operated on. Fortunately I have a friend who is a plastic surgeon and he did it for me on the cheap. Sadly, I was his last patient for a while as he has been diagnosed with abdominal cancer at the age of 55, my prayers are for you Don. I'm resting for a couple of days now, spending extra time with the Grandchildren, I gave Colby his bottle for the first time today, he is an amazing baby, and Caden has been his usual incredible self all day. I am blessed to have such wonderful Grandchildren.

Saturday 31st October

After some hard rebound training at the beginning of the week I've spent the last few days in Spain where it is still very warm; but that's the only good thing about it out there now. I've had a villa out there for the last 1o years but the place has changed so much that I've now sold up (and made a good profit - obviously) I lived there for much of 2008 but it's so different now. It's a sad but true fact of life that nothing good lasts forever and no matter how hard you try to get it back it won't happen so it's better to store it away as a good memory and leave it as that. The British finals official show photos have arrived, here's one of them, the rest will be on here as soon as I can get my dear son Steve to do it!

Monday 26th October

On Sunday I won the over 50's Mr. Hercules, an event with such a high profile that it carries with it an automatic qualification for next years British finals, what a great way to end the season! I also found out "unofficially" that the reason I was marked down last week was because my left calf is still a mess from where I had the op in June. That does explain a lot to everyone that disagreed with the judging. I also spoke at length to Paul Ehren who placed 2nd but who I thought should have won, he gave me a lot of good advice, including go on holiday soon which I am definitely doing! After that Paul & I are going to do some work together and the preparation to win next years British title will start then! Lots of new photos and videos on here soon, here's one of them (click to enlarge)

Friday 23rd October

I would just like to say that I have been overwhelmed by all of your messages of support after last Sundays disappointing result. It's good to know that so many people care! I'm off to Colchester at the weekend for the Mr Hercules show and I will be trying my best to come away with a better result this time. By next week I'm hoping to have more photos and videos to put on here and I will of course give you the full story of the Mr. Hercules event on Monday.

Tuesday 20th October

Just a quick one today to let you know that the show photos are ordered and should be on here in about a week, depending on the wonderful postal service of course! Anyway, here's me with a better and far more important trophy from the weekend, my new Grandson Colby. When Caden was born he was no bigger than one of my "Gorilla prints" hands but Colby is, and he is just so gorgeous!

Monday 19th October

Well we are all still trying to work out what happened yesterday. After the pre judging on Saturday a lot of people were saying that they thought that I had won it. The people closest to me, Perry & Eddie, were far more critical, but that's exactly why they are closest to me, I prefer to be told straight. However even they both said definite top 3. In the event I didn't even get a place. I'm not going to whine about it, that's not what I do, I'll get the show pics on here ASAP & let you all decide. Meanwhile I'm entered for the Mr. Hercules show on Sunday 25th October so I'm back in the gym with a vengeance today!

Friday 16th October

Well I've just done my final posing practice and I look in the best condition of my life. Definitely bigger and more ripped than I was in May and I still have 24 hours more to finish the carbing up and to get rid of the tiny amount of water that is left. Can I just take this opportunity to thank everyone who has sent messages of support and everyone that has helped me, Eddie and the guys at body limits of course, but especially Perry, Tommo & Leejay from Atlas gym who have been so much help to me during my preparations. I'm looking forward to lunchtime tomorrow, after the pre judging, when I will sit down with Perry and Eddie and they will tell me honestly whether or not they think I will win on Sunday. As soon as there is any news I will put it on here!

Thursday 15th October

Mmm carbs! By the time my depletion was finished it was an effort just to stand up, now I have a sudden energy rush as the carbing up procedure takes effect. I'm also shedding water by the bucketload and looking better every hour. I'm more confident than ever and if I don't win then I can't complain, I've done everything right and I'm bigger and more ripped than I was in May. I can't do anything more now than get the posing right on the day, and that shouldn't be a problem. If anyone has got in better shape than me then they deserve the title, but I don't think that anyone has!

Tuesday 13th October

He's here! Baby Colby was born this morning and weighed in at a very healthy 5lb 6 oz. It feels like I have had a weight lifted off of my shoulders, I have so much going on at the moment but this was the one thing that was worrying me the most. Mother and baby are both doing well and are so gorgeous, Natalie won't thank me for putting a picture on here of her just after giving birth but the picture is just so beautiful and emotional. As good things happen and other good things get closer it proves that life does indeed just get better.

Saturday 10th October

Today was a good day. Saw Natalie last night and she is very well and looking forward to Tuesday morning when Colby will be delivered. Then this morning I did posing practice with my coach Eddie Abbew and also Dean Ash from LA Muscle TV (Sky channel 281) Dean said that I looked really good, he was very complimentary and didn't actually believe that I was over 50! Eddie was also pleased and for the first time ever he didn't cut my calories, so now I know that I'm ready. If all goes well by the time of the next blog I should be a Granddad for the second time and also be stuffing myself full of carbs, I don't know which one I am looking forward to the most!

Thursday 8th October

Apologies for the lack of blogging but these are busy and stressful times. Natalie has been taken back into hospital and this time they really are keeping her until baby Colby is born. My poor darling daughter is having CTG scans two or three times a day and she is in pain but determined to wait until Tuesday when she will be 35 weeks and Colby can be delivered without having to go straight into special care. She is a remarkable and amazing woman let alone daughter. Dealing with all of this on a zero carb diet is tough for me but its nothing compared to what she is going through, she is an inspiration to me.

Thursday 1st October

Good news today, they have let Natalie come home from hospital for a few days. I will still be taking her in for checks most days until the birth but at least now she is at home, which is where she is happiest. Other good news is that I managed to get David Gray tickets for December! When the dieting is hard, as it will be over the next 10 days or so, I take my mind off of it by planning a holiday for after the show. Can't decide between the Maldives or a safari in Africa. Hopefully someone will help me decide soon!

Wednesday 30th September

Less than three weeks to the finals now and it's all going very well. I'll see Eddie on Saturday and see what he thinks but I know that he will put me on zero carbs as we are doing a long slow depletion and then a big carb up. I'm looking forward to it, I will be in the best condition of my life by far come showtime. The last of the cheat meals was at the weekend, most people go out for a huge curry or Chinese. I prefer to stay home and have Heinz big soup with some cheese sandwiches. Only one person in the world will know why that is my favourite cheat meal.

Monday 28th September

Spent some time with Natalie today. She looks incredibly well, the bed rest is doing both her and Colby the world of good and her bump is now enormous! We will find out on Thursday what day Colby will make his big entrance, until then I've told Natalie to get all the rest she can as she will need it! She is such an amazing daughter, here's a picture of us on her wedding day, quite simply one of the best days of our lives.

Sunday 27th September

What did I say last week about Sundays at the gym? Today was awesome! Had a great talk with The Rev. John Lennon (yes that's his real name!) an Irish priest who trains at Atlas gym on Sundays but also goes round the country preaching positive motivation and philosophies like this "Don't just hope to win, simply set a standard that the competition cannot reach" I didn't think I needed motivating but he made me feel ten feet tall. Thanks John, I now wish the finals were tomorrow!

Friday 25th September

The doctors have decided that they are keeping Natalie in hospital until baby Colby is born in about 2 weeks time. She is a brave kid and although she is in pain she is happy to stay in pain and in a hospital bed to ensure that baby Colby is fine when he is born. I expected nothing less, when my kids are facing adversity they suck up the pain and meet it head on, I am so proud of both of them. My family have sorted a rota for us all to be babysitting Caden without it affecting my contest preparations, but of course Natalie and Colby are constantly on my mind.

Wednesday 23rd September

Today was a rest day from the gym, good job too as it turned out. This morning Natalie called to say that she was having abdominal pains so I took her to the hospital. They have kept her in, mainly as a precautionary measure. With baby Colby due in just a few weeks these are anxious times, I’m just so glad that I moved here when I did so that I can be this close to my children and look after them whenever they need it. On the plus side it means that I get to spend even more time with Caden as I am looking after him most of the time while Natalie is in hospital. Since I have lived here Caden and I have developed an incredible bond, being a Grandparent is just an amazing experience, right now he is actually helping me to write this!

Tuesday 22nd September

OK here is the embarra-ssing picture as promised. Im not posing, Caden kept on grabbing my bandana. Needless to say the silly David Brent goatee and feather earring were removed straight after the party! As my girlfriend couldn't attend, I found myself spending a lot of time alone with the kids, in fact by the end I was sat outside with a group of them telling me what they get up to at playschool. If it's true that the children are our future and this lot are anything to go by, I would say that the world is in pretty safe hands.

Sunday 20th September

Took the day off yesterday for Caden's "pirate" themed Birthday party, embarrassing pictures coming soon! Returned to the gym with a vengeance today though and trained really well. I love training on Sundays, it's usually quiet apart from the really dedicated. Saw my friends Kirk, who I have mentioned before, and Darryl, who has decide to compete in March and I am absolutely positive will do very well!

Friday 18th September

Well today is Cadens 2nd Birthday so I am looking forward to seeing him later and giving him the big train set that I have got him for his Birthday. He already has a small train set here and he loves trains for some reason so this seemed a great idea for a present even if it is going to fill up my dining room! Here's a picture of him on his first Birthday, a year ago in Spain, covered in chocolate Birthday cake, we had a fantastic day that day. Life for me has changed so much since then, it doesn't seem like a year ago!

Monday 14th September

Feeling good after training exceptionally well yesterday I decided that it was high time I sorted out my posing routine for the British Finals, trying to incorporate all the different poses that people have recommended. It took some time but I'm very please with the result and my good friend Paul Kemal has mixed me a superb track to pose to. The routine looks great even on first practice! Leg training and posing practice with Eddie later too, it's all going exactly according to plan, less than 5 weeks now and I just can't wait!

Wednesday 9th September

Having trained hard for five days solid, along with doing cardio twice a day, a day off was called for. Of course that meant spending some time with Caden as it is my favourite way to relax. It helped Natalie too, she will be having baby Colby in about a month so she appreciated an afternoon asleep while Caden and I played together. Here he is on the big swings at the park.

Saturday 5th September

Just a quickie today because after double cardio, a killer shoulders and traps session and posing practice too I'm knackered! Eddie is pleased, we are well on course for October. More importantly, here's the first picture of the Princess!

Friday 4th September

Yesteday I took my darling Daughter Natalie for her 30 week scan and baby Colby is doing great, it was so emotional to watch the scan. Then this morning my amazing Son Steve and his gorgeous girlfriend Amy had their 20 week scan and found out that they are having a baby girl. This has to be one of the happiest days of my life. I honestly can't imagine that life can get much better than this!

Tuesday 1st September

Well Rob unfortunately didn't win but he was a close second and was without doubt in the best shape of his life and his routine was great too. The winners legs were so defined though, that was the difference I think. Rob can at least start eating, I'm now into the middle phase of competition preparations which means dieting even harder, but it is working really well and as soon as Steve is back from holiday I'll get some recent pics put on here.

29th August 2009

What a busy time at the moment! As well as my preparations for the British finals stepping up a gear this week, I've been spending some time getting my good mate Rob ready for a show; he is competing in the Kent Klassic tomorrow. Eddie, who coaches both of us has been on holiday but is back now and will take over again today, I'm hoping that he will be pleased with Rob's condition. Also we have done some good work on Rob's posing this week and I think that he looks better than he ever has before!

28th August 2009

My daughter & her husband are at my place in Spain so I'm getting extra time with Caden this week. Yesterday we went to Toys R Us to choose his Birthday present. Unfortunately he wants the whole shop! I'll have to see what I'm allowed to get him, his Mum says that I spoil him. Here's a picture of him on a little something that we got yesterday, wouldn't you spoil him?

Tuesday 25th August

Legs day again, what a rush. I do legs every 4 days when getting ready for a show and it's well worth it. Eddie is on holiday for a week but he left me specific instructions on how to train while he's away. He will be pleased when he gets back (I hope!) Legs already look better than they did in May and I have another 7 weeks work to do on them yet!

Monday 17th August

Just done my legs with Eddie Abbew. Did I say that he would kick my arse? What an understatement. Sweat, pain, tears, blood, but what a pump! He wants my legs bigger and more cut, have a look at the video and pics and tell me if that's even possible! It will all be worth it come October, but I need to throw up just now and then get some sleep!

Friday 7th August

Did a kick arse leg session today and with good reason. Eddie is away competing in The Tampa Bay classic, he should do well, he looks awesome. When he gets back he is taking over my leg training, I thought my legs looked OK in May but he wants them better for the British finals so that means there is only one arse that will be getting kicked between now & October and that's mine! I don't mind, I love training legs and at the end of every session with Eddie I can't walk. Us bodybuilders get pleasure from the strangest things!

Friday 31st July

Spent the day with Caden again yesterday and got the picture that I promised you. He now insists on eating his "Crunch Corners" all by himself, although he might as well bath in it instead! Shortly after this was taken he gave his verdict on his snack, mmm delicious! he said. I just couldn't stop laughing!

Sunday 26th July

So, the first week of full preparation training and dieting is done, just another 12 to go then; easy. Yesterday, as a reward for a good weeks work I spent most of the day with the person that I love most in the whole world, my Grandson Caden of course. We had the best time ever. As I was reading him a book he looked up at me and said "love you Granddad" and then wondered why his Granddad had tears rolling down his cheeks! We had such a busy day we didnt even have time for new photos, but I'll do some next time and put on one on here.

Monday 20th July

Well the calf is still a bit painful but after 5 days out of the gym I couldn't resist going back today, and I trained well. I saw Eddie yesterday and he wants me to be even more cut up than ever before for the British finals so I have started my competition diet today, a week early, just to be on the safe side. As if to make it as difficult as possible, just as I'm preparing the days food an advert comes on TV for Cornetto McFlurry, great, they couldn't bring those out while I wasn't dieting?!

Wednesday 15th July

Had surgery today for the calf infection that has been recurring all year. You can see from the photos that my left calf was bigger then the right one, that's because it was swollen up and infected. The antibiotics were fighting a losing battle so they have opened it up and cleaned it out. I now have a week off for that and everything else to rest & recover and then I start dieting and full training for the British finals in October. I honestly cant wait to get back into full competition preparations, I must be one of the few people that enjoys the competition diet, but I do simply because of the shape that it gets me in. I am hoping to go into the finals slightly bigger at 17 stone and even more ripped than last time, its a big ask but then again its a big competition!

Wednesday 8th July

What a busy day! Coaching this morning and this afternoon as well as training this afternoon. As if that wasn't enough I had a brilliant cardio session at home in between visits to the gym! Getting some really good feedback from people that I have put on diet and cardio plans to get ready for their holidays, it seems that everyone gets these things wrong and when I straighten them out they can't believe the results, I've never seen so many male midriffs! At this rate Milton Keynes will become the "national abs showing centre"

Saturday 4th July

(As it's American Independence Day) "Looking out over that golden gate bridge on another gorgeous sunny Saturday" Ah yes, another gorgeous sunny Saturday so guess what I decided to do? Yep, spent the afternoon in the gym. I wasn't the only one with that idea though and a good session was had by all. We found the AC / DC greatest hits CD again! Met up with my mate Kirk Grimsley who has his next competition in November. He is looking good; bigger and still quite lean, I think that he will do well, this is a picture of him in his last show.

Thursday 2nd July

Man it's hot at Atlas gym! Did a very sweaty but excellent back and biceps workout today and also had a good chat with 3 young guys who were training all wrong! Sorted out their training, will do diet next time as that's the most important thing. Then had Caden this afternoon, I want to show him this photo when he gets his first girlfriend because no matter how cute he is then, he will never be cuter than this!

Wednesday 1st July

So a weekend out of the gym turned into a week of having a brilliant time in Spain. Ah the joys of being retired from work and in between contests! Trouble is that a week of eating food cooked in oil and garlic has started the tummy troubles again. It's not too serious, just need a diet of pro peptide, whey protein and lots of water for a few days to clean it out of the system. The thing that I dislike the most about holidays is that after about 5 days of no training and crap food I start to look flat and feel bloated. That's why I rarely go away for more than a week, I do have a good gym in Spain http://www.gymnoray.com/ but it's not the same and I miss being in both of my gyms here!

Wednesday 24th June

Wow! Someone at Atlas Gym has had an attack of good musical taste! Today's session was accompanied by the greatest hits of AC / DC blaring out in place of that usual house / garage / shed? music that they play. Thanks to Bon & Angus I can hardly even type! I have trained really hard for the last 5 days and think I need a long weekend away from the gym, sometimes the rest can be just as beneficial as the training, Eddie always tells me off for overtraining so at least he will be happy now!

Monday 22nd June

So due to popular demand I am now getting more involved in personal training, I am doing it alongside my friend at Atlas gym, Nigel “Tommo” Thompson, who won the UKBFF over 40’s the same day that I won the over 50’s. All initial enquiries should be directly to Tommo at tommosadad@aol.com. He will then decide what you need and which one of us will coach you. Prices are extremely reasonable, training will be hard, and you will get results!

Sunday 21st June

So today was Fathers Day and being in such a close knit family all the Dads went out for a drink at lunchtime together. That's me, my ex wifes second husband Gary, and Cadens Dad Marc. I always stress the importance of family to everyone and this is a great way to show what I mean. If only the rest of the world could find a way to get on as easily as that eh?

Friday 19th June

Another day with Caden! Am I spoiled lately or what? Today he decided that he needed a bath, well that's fine, but now I need a new bathroom! He is just the most amazing kid I have ever met. He has now learned say "Thank you Granddad" As you can imagine, it brings a tear to my eye and I just want to cuddle him forever.

Wednesday 17th June

Well I've had my tutorial from Steve and I can now upload my own blogs. Maybe. Visited him and his gorgeous girlfriend Amy this evening, for once Amy wasn't in her pyjamas by 8 o' clock! Their cat buttons has just had a litter of tiny kittens, they are so cute!

Sunday 14th June

Well it’s Sunday morning and I am lucky enough to be looking after Caden again although it is only for a short while. We play trains and then play football in my garden. Soon my ex wife and her husband come round as they are having him for the afternoon. We all sit in the sun for a while and have a great time; we are all very good friends and often hang out together. I go to the gym in the afternoon for an extra leg workout. Eddie’s favourite saying is “Legs win shows”. He is right of course and I want my legs to grow by an inch and be up to 30” circumference at their widest point before the British finals, there is only one way to achieve that and that is by hard work. I must be one of the very few people that love training legs!

June 12th 2009

Well the site is now up and running, earlier than expected, but that is because my son Steve is so efficient and well organised. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for me, I still have stuff to do to add to the site but I have a very good excuse. Yesterday I spent the day with my Grandson Caden, and when that happens everything else in my world stops. No gym, no computers, no nothing, just quality time with the greatest little boy I’ve ever known. Having kids is one thing but having Grandchildren is something different, he has changed my life, in fact he is just one of the reasons why I live where I do now, I spend every possible moment that I can with him, have a look at this photo of us “playing football” and you will see what I mean.

Anyway, I’ll try to get the rest of the stuff sorted out over the weekend and loaded onto here as soon as possible. Whilst we were out we popped into Asda to get yet another football and got accosted by one of the managers who wants to start weight training but needed some diet advice, I couldn’t chat for long as I had Caden with me but didn’t need to as I just referred him to the website. Now I see why it was a good idea!

June 8th to 11th 2009

Spend as much time as possible getting stuff ready for the website in the mornings but spend every afternoon in the gym. The British Finals aren’t until October 17th & 18th but I want to be bigger and better for this one so the work starts now. Meanwhile, Steve tells me that the website will soon be up and running!

June 6th 2009

Steve, as well as being a brilliant web site designer and the perfect son, has also managed to get tickets for the England ‘v’ Argentina rugby test at Old Trafford, so a weekend away in Manchester sounds like an excellent idea. The weather is cold so I wear a big cardigan all day except for when I’m driving. As we park the car in The Railway Club in Stockport Road near Old Trafford, I get out wearing a t shirt and the car park attendant says that I look “obscenely healthy”, nice compliment, so I have a chat with him and soon we have a little crowd talking about bodybuilding and I tell them what I have achieved. They are all most impressed and ask if I have a website to show their friends, they also agree that as they are all beyond hope of ever looking any good they will have another pint to cheer themselves up! Steve and I discuss the website again; we decide that we have to put it into action.

June 2nd to June 5th 2009

Well I’ve now done every body part once since I’ve been back and I ache all over. While I’m away I always stretch every body part every day to stop this happening but it clearly doesn’t work!

May 30th 2009

Back in England now, at least the weather is good. I’ll have a couple of days to get straight and then get back to the gym. I am pleasantly surprised to find myself in the local papers, my daughter Natalie texts me to say “welcome home – you are famous!” She is joking of course, but it’s what I expect from her, she is so lovely.

May 23rd to May 29th

If I thought that the airport incident was a one off I couldn’t be more wrong. In the last week I must have had my photo taken with at least a hundred people, just on the day that I went to Cairo and Giza to see the pyramids I did at least 50 photos. The Egyptians that I meet outside of the hotel complex are all lovely people but most of them can only say “photo, website, Facebook” I won’t go on Facebook but the website idea is now in my mind. Luckily I know a brilliant website designer, my amazing son Steve, so maybe I will ask him when I get home.

May 22nd 2009

Arrive in Egypt in the evening and am astounded at what transpires as soon as we get there. The first thing that I do is pop into the airport loo. As I come out I’m confronted by two attendants and a security guard. As I wonder what I’ve done wrong they all get out their mobile phones and ask for photos. I’m happy to oblige of course. Then as I queue up for passport control the youngsters in the queue behind me are all taking photos of my back. I turn round and ask them if they would like some proper pictures and soon the airport is at a standstill as they take turns to have their photo taken, each sitting on one of my shoulders while I pose the other arm for them. It’s all great fun and soon we are all off to the hotel but not before they ask if I have a website, again I think nothing of it.

May 21st 2009

I’m happy to say that I’ve spent the last two weeks eating whatever I like and doing rebound and recovery training. My weight is over 18 stone now, almost 2 stone heavier than when I won on May 10th, but that’s OK as long as I start to eat clean again now. Everyone I’ve seen since the show has congratulated me, they are all genuinely pleased for me, I’m still on cloud 9 and tomorrow I’m going away for a well deserved week in the sun.

May 10th 2009

Well this is probably a good place to start, although I’ve never done a blog before and actually had to ask some friends what sort of stuff to put in it!

So I’ve just won the London and South East championships, spent ages in the shower trying to get at least some of the pro tan off and I finally manage to get to the foyer area to grab a skinny latte, as I’ve not had one for 3 months.

To my amazement, there are about a dozen people, all of whom I have never met before, who all want to shake my hand and have a photo taken with me. So in each case I hand them the trophy and we have photo taken together, if I was on top of the world before I am now in orbit around the planet. Just when I think that I have spoken to everyone, more people come out of the show for the same reason. I can’t stop smiling. Someone asks me if I have a website, I say no and think nothing more of it.

I walk into the show to see the last class being judged. People sitting around me all shake my hand. Bodybuilding fans are the greatest. I finally manage to get out of there and drive home. What a day it has been.