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Thoughts before setting off for Greenwich

ByJohn May April 22, 2007July 8, 2026

I’m hoping that I’m going to post twice today…

For the last nine months I’ve trained sensibly and pushed myself further than I’ve ever done before in terms of physical endurance. Today I will discover if I’m able to complete a Marathon.

I look into the window of my mind

Reflections of the fears I know I’ve left behind
I step out of the ordinary

I can feel my soul ascending
I’m on my way

Can’t stop me now

And you can do the same…
(Heather Small – May 2000)

Personal

The National Cafe
ByJohn May June 23, 2009July 8, 2026
Most of the London based team at Career Academies (those without other commitments such as babies or small dogs to look after) went out to dinner this evening. We chose The National Cafe on St Martin’s Lane. I think it was the V&A’s restaurant, about twenty years ago, that coined the phrase “a great caff…
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Personal

Christmas Eve, 1970.
ByJohn May December 24, 2014July 8, 2026
I last saw the real Father Christmas when I was six years old. It was very late at night on Christmas Eve, or possibly very early on Christmas morning. I was asleep in the bunk bed that I shared with my little brother in our house in Sussex Street, Pimlico, London. Getting to sleep had…
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Edinburgh Marathon
ByJohn May May 31, 2009July 8, 2026
What should have been an excellent day was marred by two major issues. It was ridiculously hot. And the organisers mucked up the provision of water. So, I finished the race in 5hrs 5 mins rather than the 4:30 I had hoped for. I have written the following note to the race director: “Dear Neil…
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Top ten sweets
ByJohn May August 21, 2014July 8, 2026
I turned 50 this week. Inevitably, I got a bit mushy and nostalgic with a few friends and, as usual with a group of people of my age, the conversation led to discussions about children’s television (it was better in the seventies) and the sweets we used to eat, bought with the pocket money…
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Personal | Young People

Pride, Scouting and the quiet power of belonging
ByJohn May May 31, 2026July 8, 2026
At the beginning of Pride Month, I find myself thinking about how much has changed in my lifetime, and how much still depends on the quiet courage of ordinary people. When I was a young Scout, the United Kingdom was a very different place for LGBTQI+ people. Male homosexuality had only been partially decriminalised in…
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Personal | Travel

Park and Slide – Bristol
ByJohn May May 5, 2014July 8, 2026
Bristol artist Luke Jerram turns Park Street into a water slide! On the 4th May this giant 90m (300ft) water slide was installed on Park Street in Bristol as part of Making Sundays Special and the Bristol Art Weekender. Running from 11am-5pm for one day only, the day was an event for the city to…
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Thoughts before setting off for Greenwich

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The National Cafe

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Christmas Eve, 1970.

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Edinburgh Marathon

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Top ten sweets

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Pride, Scouting and the quiet power of belonging

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Park and Slide – Bristol

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