Rather than a number of separate posts I thought I’d combine all my recent nights out (for goals 15 & 93) into one post. But I will keep them in chronological order.

The first night out with the family was on Saturday 14th December, where we made the trip up to Alexandra Palace, for Peter Pan Goes Wrong! For anyone that has seen any of the Mischief Theatre plays, will know that this wasn’t your standard Pantomime. Quiet the opposite.

I saw the edited version for tv on the BBC a few years ago and loved it. But to watch it live on stage was so much better!

That evening out was quickly followed on Thursday 19th, where we met up with our friend’s Emma & Martin, and their eldest daughter Amy, to watch the new Star Wars film!

I don’t care what the critics say, I really liked it. Although I did spot the “link” early on. I won’t say just in case anyone hasn’t seen it yet.

The following evening I went out with my friend Emily, to see Cats. Now I should point out, before I mention about the film, that this is not only the first time I’ve been to the cinema on two consecutive days, but both film were also on their release days too!

Anyway, to the film. Cats had been panned by critics, but I liked it. I’ve never seen the stage show, but I found this quite easy to follow. I thought the performances we good, and I had a great night. I think the critics missed the point that stage show has been a hit for many years, and it’s the same story!

In keeping with my packed diary, the next evening (yes, 3 nights in a row), it was our family night out to see an actual Panto at Greenwich theatre. This year the offering was Sleeping Beauty. There was a twist on the original story, but I still ended up with my sides splitting from laughing.

There is still one more to add. In an impromptu last minute plan, as I sometimes do, we are tonight watching the new Jumanji film.

So that’s two more theatre trips, and three cinema visits to add to the those goals, making it the halfway point for both of them.

Firstly I’d like to wish anybody reading this blog, a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

In the words of my eldest daughter Laurie, this 101 list made Christmas shopping [for me] a lot easier. It’s fair to say that I used it too for a present idea for someone else too.

So, the ones I received. Both my girls, and Laurie’s boyfriend Ash, as well as one of my best friends, Emily, all had the same idea. The got me Origami books, and set, for me to make the 5 animals I set for goal no.44! What made this even funnier is the book Emily bought, was the one the girls tried to buy, but couldn’t as it was out of stock. I had to laugh. Great mind think alike! I somehow think there will be more than five animals being made now though.

I also received a Vue Cinemas voucher from Emily, to go to my next trip to the cinema for goal no.15.

But then Claire and I also bought each presents that were list related too! She bought me an Italian Cooking masterclass, for goal no.58.

Claire loves her afternoon teas, with her best friend Dawn. However, I’ve never actually been able to take her to one. The other problem is that she done a lot of the big famous ones: Fortnum & Mason, Harrod’s, and even Betty’s in York! So I really had to think outside of the box. Well, I think I achieved it. For her Christmas present I am taking her on the Big Red Bus afternoon tea tour bus around London. I even purchased the VIP seats at the front of the bus on the top deck! Worth it.

For those that know me, know that I like to book ahead. I’m not the spontaneous type. As a result I’ve already made some bookings for quite a number of the goals.

7. Get trained to be a Mental Health First Aider.

I am really happy about this, as I had my application approved at work, and I am booked to attend my training course on 27th & 28th Feb.

47. Complete a Marathon.

I have entered the Manchester Marathon on 5th April. I have already started training for this. This will also tick off goal no.52 as well, as it’s outside London.

55. Attend and England football match at Wembley.

We have got tickets for the England v Denmark friendly, on 31st March.

56. Visit 5 new away grounds with Charlton.

In January I will be visiting the first of my 5 new grounds, as I’m visiting Deepdale. The home of Preston North End.

73. Have five more tattoo sessions.

My next session is booked for 18th February.

99. Travel by Eurostar & 100. Visit Paris with Claire.

Yes, we have booked this for May. There is most likely going to be museum, and gallery visits, and possibly even a wine tasting. But I won’t mark them as in progress until I actually make some bookings.

There is also a couple of other events that I have booked, but won’t mention them yet, as the may (or may not) involve Christmas presents. 😉

Well it’s been yet another busy month! Lots has been going on, and even though I haven’t completed any further tasks, I have made a lot of progress on a few of my longer term goals. So let’s see what I have done since my last post.

12. Buy flowers once a month.

For December I bought a lovely colourful bunch of carnations, while they were still in buds. I did this in November too, all be it different colours, and they actually lasted nearly a month! So that’s our Christmas table flowers potentially sorted.

33. Learn 10 new songs on my bass guitar

With all of my commitments over the last few months, finding time to actually pick up my bass and play, has been extremely rare. Thankfully last week I actually got a chance. The new song I decided to learn was a rock cover of an 80’s pop song I found on Spotify. I’ve been quite into rock covers recently, but that was largely due to reliving memories of my old band, when we covered Hero! Anyway, the song I learned, and even added to the bass line of during the instrumental bridge, was Gemini Five’s cover of You Spin Me Right Round.

Only 8 more to go.

45. Achieve my 50 parkrun’s status

Since my running has taken off I’ve been clocking up the Parkrun events nicely. When I looked at how many I had completed in my first year, I actually thought that this might not be achievable. However, since putting together a training plan for a marathon, the numbers have been rising steadily.

On Saturday I completed my 14th Parkrun, finishing in just 18th place! I have also got my PB down to sub 22mins at both Avery Hill and Danson Park! Very happy with that!

I have also started putting a number of bookings into place for 2020, but more about that in my next post.

Just a little progress update on goal no. 12. I’m still keeping up to date with this one.

November last year was a turning point for me, as my health hit probably it’s lowest point. So for this month’s flowers, I bought Claire some carnations, but they were still mostly buds. So instead of just a week of there being flowers in the house, we’ve seen them bloom and they’re still going strong after 2½ weeks.

Much like my mental health over the last 12 months, it’s bloomed. I thought it was a good metaphor. Sometimes it’s the little things that make you smile the most.

Anyway, item number two on the agenda….. medals!

Just before I started this challenge I’d run my first 10k at the Olympic Park, and got a medal for it. This was my first proper running event since injuring my knee, back in 2013. So when I set myself a target to get 10 more medals, I didn’t expect to be running as well as I am. In fact, I’m shocked at how well I’m doing.

On Saturday I completed my 3rd half marathon in just 7 weeks!! Each one has been faster than the previous. Before this challenge my PB for a half was 2hrs 10mins. But, I have obliterated that with my new PB, that I got at Victoria Park on Saturday, of 1hr 41mins 33secs!! This was my 5th event, so already halfway to achieving this goal.

I’ve got four more events planned for early next year, which is 3 more half marathons, and the Manchester Marathon. As for medal number 10, I’m still waiting to hear if it will be the event I want it to be.

Fingers crossed.

I had a very, very, long 36hours after Parkrun! First I had to complete a 12hr nightshift at work, before driving for 2½ hours to Glevum in Gloucestershire, for my latest Crossbow Competition (goal no.38).

The competition was the National Indoor Championships, at 25m. Last year I took the title, and set the World a Record at 482 out of 600.

Despite being shattered, I did really well. Not only did I retain my title (Goal no.36), I also broke my World Record by scoring 519! (Goal no.37- completed).

By the time I got home was exhausted. But it was worth it!!

45. Achieve my 50 Parkrun’s status

It’s taken a while, but I finally completed my 10th Parkrun on Saturday. It was just myself and Laurie for this one, and we went and run Greenwich (Avery Hill). As Danson Park was closed for their fireworks display that night.

Anyway, despite England playing in the Rugby World Cup final, I still ran. The weather was horrendous!!! Driving rain, and gale force winds! We were drenched!

However, that’s 10 done, and 40 to go!

Yet again, life has meant that I couldn’t write this post as quickly as I would’ve liked to. Sorry about that.

Anyway, back to the update. When I originally set my goal list, number 11 was simply to go for a round of mini-golf. I quickly edited that as I was inundated with offers, so I increased that to 3 rounds of mini-golf. Back in June I completed a round with my scouts, but I also had my girls offer to take my as well for my birthday.

Well, finally on 27th October we managed to get all four of our diaries to sync up!

Well, I was in for a bit more of a treat than I expected, as the girls got me two rounds of golf in! Therefore hitting my magic three!

As a foot note, over the two rounds I won! That’s all that matters.

Goal number 11. Completed!

50. Achieve 10 medals for running

Just two weeks ago I clocked up my 3rd medal, completing goal number 46 in the process, as it was a half marathon.

My plan for this weekend was to actually just do my 9th Parkrun, towards goal 45. However, when I got the weekly email from Runthrough, I saw that a 5k/10k & Half Marathon was advertised at Victoria Park. After a quick discussion with my two girls, we all signed up to take part. The girls once again doing 5k, and I signed up for a second crack at half marathon.

The course was lovely and flat. The temperature was my perfect 12°c, with barely any wind. However, it was raining. Only lightly, but it was constant throughout the whole event, getting heavier the closer I got to the finish.

The rain caused the cold to get into my legs a bit, and I was truly spent by the end.

I’d set myself a target to beat my PB of 1hr 49mins, and a stretch target to achieve of 1hr 47mins.

Well I did a little better than that, which will explain why I had nothing left at the end. I finished with a new half marathon lifetime best of 1hr 43mins 21secs!! I was shocked to say the least.

So that was medal number 4, and a new half marathon PB. Will need to train seriously hard to beat that one. It may well remain my PB for some time to come.

12. Buy flowers once a month

I can’t believe that this is the six month of the challenge already!! It’s frightening how quick this is going which means on a few other challenges I need to start some serious planning.

As I said it’s the sixth month of the challenge, and therefore my sixth purchase of flowers. Usually I try and link it with a celebration, or special significance. This bunch was no different.

Claire’s been battling a nasty cold since we got back from Gilwell Reunion, at the beginning of September. She’s finally getting over it, but to give her a feel good boost I got her some flowers, on the way home from a half marathon. So it came as a surprise, as she didn’t expect them then.

The flowers are now brightening up our dining room.