The lovely thing about this gym is its location and proximity. It's actually owned by (and named for) Liz McColgan, the Dundee-born long distance runner, who is very much in evidence most days, and can often be seen running and cycling around the neighbourhood. After being used to gyms in cities (when on tour with shows, it's not unusual to find that theatres have special arrangements with local facilities) where you come out onto noisy streets full of traffic fumes, the walk down the wooded drive to the coast road with the tang of the sea is a very pleasant alternative. There's a steam room, sauna and swimming pool, too, so it can be used for relaxation as well as work-outs. Even with the walk, I can complete a full programme and be back in about 90 minutes, and since it's open from 06.45 until 21.00 on weekdays it's rarely that I can't find some space in the day to pop along.

To return to the blood donation: I'd certainly urge every who could do it to put it into action: with a close family member having already needed ten units of it over the past fortnight, I'm very aware just how vitally important plentiful stocks are, and was delighted that I had to queue for some little while in Arbroath yesterday because the turn-out at the community centre was so high that the team were overwhelmed. Acceptance conditions are fairly stringent, so there will be some here who might not be accepted, but for many it's no big deal, with virtually no discomfort or side effects, plus the satisfaction of knowing that one has helped others.

I used to give blood, but shortly after getting my bronze badge they changed the rules, due to the CJD scare. I dutifully reported that I had received cranial surgery in the mid-seventies. When they tried to check, the notes on the op. had gone missing, so they could not sort out for sure whether any foreign dura matter had been involved. To play safe they 'banned' me from donating.

I see they have since further tightened the precautions to exclude anyone who may have had a blood transfusion since 1980. Agreed, Ron, all the more important that those who can, do donate.

Still  here in York!

I wonder whether these are the same flaws that affect my occasional days of working at home to catch up with report writing away from the distractions of the office ... only to be seduced by the distractions of home, garden, CD player and these boards 

Hope you enjoy it, flaws notwithstanding, martle. If you don't mind tellin', where exactly? You'll have to visit this page a lot to get yourself in the mood!