Rachel Mathews kindly awarded me this hugely prestigious title. Never heard of it I hear you cry – well no neither had I until I received my nomination (thanks Rachel…)
The idea is to share 10 things about me that you wouldn’t know about me from reading my blog and then tag 7 others (before running very swiftly and hiding where you can’t be found – ps I’ll get you Rachel somehow someway!!!)
So here is the award
pretty magnificent I’m sure you will agree – and to think I had never heard of it – shame on me!
So here goes 10 things you probably don’t know about me: (one of which I share with Rachel!!!)
1 I’m married with 4 children – easier to understand when you know that my wife was a Norland nanny and adores children – having our own provides plenty to keep us busy (busier as they all grow up!!!)
2 My favourite food is smoked salmon and scrambled egg served with brown bread and plenty of ground black pepper washed down with a glass of fresh orange juice. I think I could survive quite happily for many years on this diet! Strangely, though I love growing fruit and veg I’m not that fond of eating it!
3 Before taking up gardening professionally, I spent nearly 25 years in the printing industry. This is sort of in the blood! My mothers side of the family were Harrison – amongst other things they printed all the stamps and a lot of foreign currency. The company sadly no longer exists but I have an extensive history going back over 200 years and delighted in collecteng 1st day covers – particularly when the name of the printers used to be included on the stamp. Sadly I never worked for the ‘family’ company but did manage to do a tour before it closed.
4 While I was still involved with printing I became the YMP National Chairman – YMP stood for Young Managing Printers and was a training organisation set up to further the careers of those in the industry. I chaired a number of projects including a Lifetime Learning paper.
5 Despite my relatively small frame I successfully rowed for the school 2nd VIII – not only was I rather shorter than the average oarsman I was also much lighter – they stuck me in the bows to lift the front of the boat out of the water and make us go faster – with some success. Famously I came home at the start of one summer holiday and announced to my mother that I needed to gain 2 stone before ruturning to school – needless to say I tried (but didn’t succeed!)
6 I love the water and have always preferred being on it rather than in it. A particular passion is sailing, racing Contessa 32′s successfully for many years in the Solent and laterly being rather more sedate with trips across the Channel and around the beautiful English Coast.
7 Before I get too old I’d like to drive slowly round the UK with my wife and stay ‘off the beaten track’ – discovering the glories of these great islands we call Britain – so much to see and do!
8 I really enjoy Scottish Country dancing – taught by Poppy Anderson – wife of Dr Eric Anderson and went on to enjoy many Burns Nights St Andrews nights and even squeezing in a couple of Caledonian Balls (at the opposite end to any Royalty mind!)
9 I have secured a place for the 2010 London Marathon – sadly I won’t be running in it this year but will push it over to 2011 – I have run 2 marathons previously The first was in Abingdon in a time of 4hrs 41 mins – the second was in London in 2005 where I achieved a time of 4 hours and 13 minutes – oh boy how I would love to get a time of 3 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds – ok anything with a 3 in front!!
10 The moment Rachel Mathews was waiting for the thing that I share with her list of 10 – I too am Taurean!
So there you have it – a random selection of past achievements and goals for tomorrow.
And in the true spirit of the award here are 7 bloggers that I would like to nominate to take up the challenge! Who will accept and who will shy away – we’ll wait and see!
Helen Johnstone – The Patient Gardener
Elspect Briscoe – Elspeth
Michelle Chapman – Veg Plotting
James Alexander-Sinclair – Blackpitts
Dusty Gedge – Green Roofs UK
So – over to you guys to carry the baton…
Enjoy.
Tags: blog · Honest scrap award1 Comment
Well done Tim for being such a good sport. I look forward to reading about the people you have passed the baton to! Looks like you’ve chosen a good selection.