23rd January

This week I had my first skiing lesson on the slope in Xscape at Castleford. I learned about putting the skis on, basic movement and snow ploughing down the slope. My first two attempts to ski down a slope resulted in me falling over about 2/3rds of the way down. But then I started to get the feel of it and made several controlled descents. It was a bigger buzz than motorcycling or climbing, partly because I didn't feel completely in control. The instructor was an older man called Jim who was brilliant and made you feel you were doing well even when you weren't. There was only one other person in the group so it was almost personal instruction. Next time I must get some bigger boots, I just about managed to get them on but had an awful time trying to get them back off. My plan is to pass the next three levels of instruction until I am able to ski on the slope at "recreational standard". I will continue to use the slope throughout the rest of the year and then organise a skiing trip to Europe next winter. That's the plan anyway.

I climbed on the Wall in Leeds last week and for some strange reason did much better than usual. I can't really understand why. I'm not aware that I am any fitter than I have been or any other positive reason, but I did feel as though I was climbing better; using smaller holds and trusting the boots more than normal.

I put on about three pounds over Christmas but when I was weighed yesterday I had lost a pound and a half. I want to keep my weight down to about 10 st 6lb, so I need to lose another 5lbs over the next month.