Walsingham

I'm just waiting for my lunch to settle then I'm off out in the lovely autumn sunshine on this punishing run. Phase 1 people: 10 min warm up 1 minute fastest run, 2 minutes run slowly, repeat five times 10 min warm down Phase 2 people: 10 min warm up 1 min hard run, 1 min recover, repeat 6 times 10 min warm down ~~~ Now I may not be sherlock holmes, but that looks like we fatties have a harder time this week. We don't even get to rest between sets. We just have 15 minutes hard bloody slog.

Good luck for Friday, Deraldin.

I personally 'get' the decision to use WTC steel. I mean the Victoria Cross used to be made from captured enemy cannon metal. There's a resonance to it. And good on them for choosing a marine assault ship. It's booties who fight Al Qaeda, not cruise missiles. Good on you, fellahs.

I must agree, and remind you gentlemen we are trying to solve Britain's budget problems.

Surely the standard for win must take some account of relative size. If I got in a fight with Mike Tyson and didn't die and broke his face up a bit I'd consider that a win even if I had to be carried out. I certainly think the Finns did a tremendous job bot strategically and operationally, and showed great national and individual courage in the winter war. However, I really can't remember what this has to do with Barack Obama.

Burning pigeons is an even better idea.

I'm not sure if I hate freedom, but for some reason I really want to punch that eagle. I haven't seen a head that punchable since Ronaldo.

Hot on the heels of my sugggestion that we burn the excess fat of obese Britons like myself I read that the Swedes are using rabbit corpses to generate energy. I think this is a tremendous idea, assuming we aren't allowed to eat them, as I enjoy rabbit stew. However I note that as usual some woolly-headed buffoons are up in arms. They want to make the shrubs at risk 'less tasty' and donate the animals to shelters. Ignoring three fairly blindingly obvious points: 1. If the rabbits stop eating the plants then they die horribly from starvation 2. Rabbits breed like... well... rabbits, and homes are not going to be found for all of them. Even those which are found homes are probably going to eat them if they have any sense. 3. Rabbits are vermin. You might just as well re-home rats or ****roaches.

That's the last time I buy a textbook from a man operating out of a suitcase. well, she tried to explain the concept that people have an inherent knowledge of certain things (like a circle) that is the basis for everything else we know by showing U2 tribute bands and asking us what we could extrapolate from the tribute bands about the actual band. Bpeebpeebpee?

I'm not sure if I have the authority to do so, but I think I can say that 'British' in the 1940s would about cover the British Empire as well. Although it may be respectful to list Canada, RSAfrica, Australia and NZealand each since they were not obliged to send troops.

Ok, thanks for elucidating. Plcaes I'd like to go with those aims would include Poland, Mozambique, and Alaska. Alaska is full of nutters, and very friendly, but the most expensive. It's also probably not the best time of year unless you like winter sports. Mozambique is the cheapest, and the food is pretty good, but it requires a bit of Africanista nous, and a willingness to stumble across landmines, snakes, malaria etc. Poland interests me because there is quite a bit of history, the infrastructure isn't bad, and the food and beer is good. the language doesn't seem too bonkers and I'm certain that if you bothered to learn it they'd be appreciative. Speaking of languages, if you did decide to go to Thailand (and I don't think it would meet your objectives) then go to the North and learn the northern dialect. Lots of people know southern Thai, but virtually noone knows northern dialect.

You've got a point there, Mooso. I can't stand this frankly childish attachment to the South, and particularly London. If this recession forces people to consider moving North to live for less then all ahead full! Of course I should point out that I consider a good day's weather to be a nice fine rain followed by gale force winds. All of which means settling in a pub and drinking warming drinks.

I'm genuinely scared and horrified that you'd consider refusing somewhere based on its internet connectivity.

Euler paths?

Of course. Thailand. Food, women (local and travelling), beaches, culture and the chance of a good coup while you're there. The beer's OK, too.

Good advice on the food. I'm not really fussed about losing weight. My aim is to get fit and strong. Therefore my primary concern is not being very low sugar after exercise, which prevents the body eating muscle mass to replace lost energy. Last night this meant brown rice and fish curry. I run to whatever the Wall Chart of Mystary says. It's a mix. As you can see from the program described so far.

I'd like to get credit for my immense self-restraint in not wheeling out my well-drilled counterarguments at this point, since anyone I care about here already knows them.

That's the last time I buy a textbook from a man operating out of a suitcase.

The UK can be good for visitors, but you need to have the inside scoops. Too many rip-offs. What kind of stuff do you like to do on holiday?

I'd rather see your coyote grilling video. I met a guy at my mom's funeral (one of her students) who said he found a raptor of some kind hit by a lorry. It was still warm but very dead, so he took it home and ate it. I know the rule is supposed to be no predators, but he said it was freaking delicious.

Yeah? Well I'm aweALL!

Curses! I suppose the Germans like soap, but i always assumed it was made of a mixture of monocles and bayonet steel.

Run done. Note to self, tho: don't go running on an empty stomach again. I ran flat out of energy three quarters of teh way round on the run. I kept going but it was a serious chore. Not looking forward to this fartlek training on Wednesday.

BACKGROUND Ok. Let's crack this deficit thing, boffins! Gordon Brown (our Prime-Minister) has decided to demonstrate his commitment to 'front line services' like funding of the arts and aid to Mauritius he's going to cut pointless things like our control over the instituion which handles our nuclear fuel, and training for the Army reserves. Things must be pretty damned serious at number 10. He's even agreed to pay back 12 thousand pounds he should never have taken in expenses, claiming he hadn't realised that spending the money on televisions actually used up money which could have been spent on hospital cleaners. CHALLENGE So... I want our considerable know-how applied to brainstorming solutions to the problem. I suggest all us fat Britishers have our fat siphoned off to make soap like in that film, and then sell it to the French. Alternatively we fatsos could be given tiny turbines to run on, or simply push round like in that other film. The one with Charlton Heston. Or am I thinking of the one where Sean Connnery throws young aldies about like cabers?

Apparently there is such a thing as trying too sideways.