This is the first week I have swam 2 1/2 hour sessions. And today I had to make my own way to the swimming pool as Stuart has to go to Rotherham for a meeting. It was a beautifill morning, cold and clear. I was lazy and got the bus back, but I could still end up walking 4.7 miles today.

As for the swimming I think my stammina is increasing I am now swimming 2 backstoke 1 breaststoke and 1 back paddle I say paddle I rarely use my hands. The trouble with swimming on your back is that you can't see where you are going and it annoys people. Ladies who manage not to get there hair wet untill they get in the shower. I think I am fitter in myself as well although I think I need a bit more stamina for the big day.

So Other than the rugby club by that I mean Bishop Auckland not Aycliffe. I have been commisioned to knit for my grandchild. They asked for a blanket and a toucan. The blanket will consist of 100 10cm square so far I have knitted 4 along with 1 pair of baby socks and mits and a hat. I suppose this is one of the qualifications for being a granny.

I am really proud that the County website (www.durhamrugby.com) have put a link to the county pictures I took last Sunday at Bishop Auckland. The wheather was terrible dark and rainy.

Now I am thinking will I continue after the big day, I really don't know, but if I didn't it would be as stupid as a rugby club running out of beer

As the week draws towards Thursday I am thinking do I really want to do this. Do I really want to remove my body hair again. Funny thing is, walking back with my legs hurting it all seems worth while.

For the lads; I swam for 40 minutes one backstroke, back paddle, breaststoke, back paddle. The back paddle lengths took 50-55 seconds the breast stroke was faster and and the backstoke faster still. So I probably swam more than 40 lenths. My plan of action is to go once a week untill March and then twice a week untill the sponsored swim excpt the last thursday. I should probably swim at Bishop, where I intaily learnt to swim, at least once before the sponsorhip.

I find the first 20 or so length the worst then there come to a point where I could go on for ever. I should have taken something to tie my hair up with.

Swimming is a bit like taking the dog for a walk, which I think keeps me sane in that your mind wonders and sorts the world problems out. Who is annoying you who isn't who is growing on you, and at the same time is infurriating, and who is just infuriating you.

The rugby club has two Seniro home games this weekend and two junior home games again with the un16 and u13s. Last weekend I got some pictures of my son beating Consett. The pictures from the under 16s match were lifted from the bishopaucklandrugby website and spread round facebook like a virus. Some of the lads using the pictures as profile pictures. So they are all helping to promote rugby and the club.

And so as next Thursday draws near the less I will want to go.