´óÏó´«Ã½

I always find the best way to compensate for the latest blog of the year is to follow it up with a ridiculously early one from my garden the next day.

It's 5.20 a.m. and I'm stood outside my office with my morning cup of coffee thinking about what we might do on today's show, and whether or not I risk packing one more meeting into this morning's post show schedule that I already know I don't have time for.

But lo, what is that I hear down the bottom of our yard, behind the garages coming from the trees? I'm not sure but it needs investigating. Wish me luck, I'm going in.

CLP

2010

X.

P.S. Watch the first instalment of The Sporting Challenge Series Two: Figure skating

So if I told you why - you probably wouldn't believe me. Let's just say there's one very happy lead singer of AC/DC sitting at home tonight. Probably grinning from ear to ear I should imagine. It's cool when you can make nice things happen for good people.

You know Brian Johnson, the leader singer of the world's greatest live rock act and at the age of 62 !!!

He didn't get his big break until he was in his thirties, when he thought his life was going in an entirely different direction.

You see you never know, you just never know

CLP

2010

X.

Jonny and I and Robin Cousins.

Well, if someone had have told me twenty years ago that was a combination I was going to be part of, I would have laughed them out of town. Robin was an absolute hero of course, when any international British champion drew millions of viewers to every television screen in the country.

We are at Lee Valley Ice Rink in East London to get changed into our "outfits", learn to figure skate and be back on our way by one o'clock. We would have more chance of plaiting sand - but here goes anyway. Nothing ventured and all that !!!

See you on the radio tomorrow - or if not - down at the nearest A & E department for a plaster cast and a cup of strong sweet tea

CLP

2010

X

P.S. click here to watch a video of our capers on the ice

Sometimes there just isn't enough time - so you have to create it.

That was today.

Patient publishers had begun to scream. I was clinging on to the final draft of Book ll of my rollercoaster ride in life, reluctant to let it go.

I didn't want to finally "deal" by declaring, "There you are that's it, there's nothing more I want to change - in an attempt to put it across more dramatically, more humorously, or more succinctly."

But every time I look at the manuscript, another crease cried out for a hot steaming iron to smooth it out.

I'm not saying my day is still several hours shorter than I need it to be, but I am currently installed inside one of the lavatories of the publishing house concerned where I have snuck off to in order to write a quick blog.

Peace and love my friends, it's all about the edit and I think we're almost there!

CLP

2010

X.

Haven't come up for air since show finished. Been huddled away with my editing pencil in my manuscript. That's what a book becomes you see: an idea, a load of notes, a mess, a muddle, a draft and then a manuscript which needs to be corrected like a piece of English Language homework.

And that's what I'm doing, except because I made the mistakes in the first place it's actually quite difficult for me to make the apposite changes.

Still, it's amazing what five cups of coffee and a tin of shortbread can help achieve.

Forgive me, but I'm going back in.

CLP

2010

X.

PS: Don't Forget Your Top Gear - tonight (Monday) 7pm ´óÏó´«Ã½2

Just wrapped up for the day with the final, final draft of Book ll - It's Not About Me: Breakfast, Billie and Beyond.

I know it's not a proper job, but after six hours of non-stop "changes" as we call them, my eyes are not speaking to me anymore and my brain has turned into Angel Delight.

I always work down at my garage, so I'm just about to lock up and head back to the house for a full on Noah hug and who knows what (but here's hoping) from Natasha a.k.a. The Girl On The Sofa.

Simon and All Request Friday you are a "must have" in my life tonight.

Have a fab dab weekend blog dudes.

CLP

2010

X.

If I could be a date, it would be today: July 22nd. I think it's the most pleasant sounding day of the year. Say it to yourself, out loud if you like - enjoy it Ju - lie - twenty - second.

How good does that sound?

It looks good too - hey you know, it even FEELS good.

If July 22nd was taken though, I would go for April 11th next - hear how daintily that trips off the tongue - again say it out loud - Aprrr-illl - ee-lev-enth.

In third place by the way, May the 7th. . . And quickly, whilst we're at it - a commendation for September 17th.

What say you people of the blog ???

CLP

2010

X.

How many bananas have you eaten over the years do you reckon? And what have they done for you?

I eat at least one banana a day, always have - probably always will. I actually ate two yesterday, and am scheduled for another two today.

I don't necessarily like them - or not like them - but I know they are good for me.

Plus, they look friendly. Indeed, is there a friendlier looking fruit than the cheery yellow banana?

I don't think so.

Happy Wednesday to you

CLP

2010

X.

Don't normally do this, but am off to play in a charity golf tournament today. Justin Rose's Golf Day is for a very very worthy cause and it should be a fab experience all round.

So, I'll finish the show, meet the accountant (always a knee trembler), and then I'll attempt to find the golf course in question - that's the most difficult bit. If I ever get there, I shall keep the head down, the left leg straight, and then try not to lose too many balls.

Where do they all end up by the way ???

CLP

2010

X.

You can't spend all your energy beans at work, and then go lie down for two weeks when your family finally get you to themselves. That's a no deal situation.

Having said that, I do feel as though my mind has been cleared, which I suppose is as good as a rest. So here's to mind clearing - what say you ?

Here's to the rest of the summer in good old great GB.

CLP

2010

X.

No - it's only just begun !!!

As I write this, we are a day and a half into our four day Drive, Dine And Disco extravaganza in aid of Children In Need. We are on the road again to Haynes Motor Museum...and we have just driven over the most extraordinary ridge where the road literally disappeared from beneath us, and all we could see was sky. It was all very final scene Thelma And Louise.

Thruxton and The Stig this afternoon, and then a slap up meal at The Cottage Inn with an overnight in Berkshire before we hit the golf, the food, The Feeling and Goodwood over the weekend.

We can't thank all the people and companies who have helped us put this together enough. It simply would not be possible without them. [Click here to see our roll call of thank you's]

Onwards.

X.

Clp

2010

PS: Click below to watch highlights from yesterday's show:

PPS: Don't forget you can follow our progress over the weekend on our special Interactive Map

PPPS: See the latest photos from Day 2 of Drive and Dine 2010

And they're off - go to our website to see a video of how the day started - who knows how it will all end.

Be careful out there people and give us a wave if you happen to see us fly by.

CLP

2010

x

PS: You can follow our progress over the weekend on our special Interactive Map