We all smell of petrol fumes - we love it - we're not sure about our wives, but they don't seem to mind. Day One of this year's Children In Need Drive and Dine is done as far as the first four of seven stages of driving are concerned, and we are having a relaxing cold drink on the terrace at Chewton Glen - our first overnight stop. Lifelong friendships are once again being forged, and talk of motor cars and the legend within is rife. It's like wacky races for real people.
Jody Sheckter has been amazing, providing breakfast at my house from his farm, and then a tour round his racing car collection back at Laverstoke House, our first stop. Lord Bath surprised us by coming to say hello at Longleat, and Alison and her monkeys were as energetic and unpredictable as ever at Monkey World. We are now in the hands of Andrew and his band of merry men and women for the drivers' banquet in the New Forest, before we turn in for the night and take to the road again tomorrow.
My mind is whirring, my goosebumps don't know what to do with themselves, and my face is redder than a red thing from Redsville. Is it sunburn, high blood pressure or the general excitement of the culmination of another year of Children In Need and all these generous folks? Probably a mixture of all three and more.
Life is sweet. Hope you are all well and see you on the radio tomorrow.
Peace, love and may your own exhaust fumes be happy ones.
CE 2011
Xxx.
It's the morning before, the first morning of the 2011 four day caper for Children In Need - ninety-six hours of who knows what, where and when.
We begin at my house live on the radio tomorrow, and then off we go. Seven cars, seven bidders with their seven shotguns (partners), two mechanics, a former F1 world champion, Enzo Ferrari's son Piero and superstar guest start - Jonny Saunders on his last CIN Drive and Dine, before he heads off for a new life in the classroom as a teacher.
I've checked the weather and it looks ok - ish. But that's what they said about this morning, and as I write this at 6.00 am the sun is literally cracking the flagstones. More please.
CE
2011
X.
P.S. Come on Andy !!!
Four days on the road begins Thursday morning with this year's Drive and Dine for Children In Need.
Sleep between now and then is mandatory - as very little is usually available once we roll. T
he worst bit is that the whole team (twenty of them) doss at my house on the Wednesday night before, which is a recipe for a late night and most of the things we shouldn't be doing on the eve of our annual adventure..
I shall try to sneak off to bed early that night but I will definitely be sleeping at every opportunity between now and. . . zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Zz
Zzzz
Z.
The day after today is always tomorrow of course, but the day after 2Day is today.
I think the boss did it to make us all realise how much we love our own slots, along with showcasing what else we have to offer as a far reaching, enthusiastic network.
I've never been happier to see Ken at quarter past nine than I was today.
Here's to today and 2Day - and tomorrow - whilst we're at it. Have a great one y'all.
CE
2011
X.
2Day gets under way in ten minutes. I know this because even though I technically have a lie in because I'm not on till midday 2Day because the traffic is so bad ALL THE TIME in London, I thought I might as well get in the car and get on my way anyway and so I am pulling into town now and listening to Lynn Parsnip talk about it.
So, what to do for the next five hours, I may take the drastic action of going to the gym to kill a bit of time and shock my body into some kind of physical exertion.
Or maybe I'll just go for a massive fry up.
CE
2011
X.
Have hit the sack before nine p.m. - just now. The last time this happened, I was setting my alarm for my paper round, and trying to remember whether or not I'd done my geography home work.
Feels good though, oh so good. This is our busiest fortnight of the year, culminating in a five day event for Children In Need next week where perhaps even less sleep is achieved each night than on the final day of a certain U.S. golf tournament. Nudge nudge, wink wink.
I wonder where Rory's head is tonight? Wherever it is, I hope it's as happy as it deserves to be. How about we all try to be as good at what we do as he is at what he does? Perhaps you already are. Just me then.
Sleep required for any future attempts.
CE
2011
X
Jake The Humph Humphrey, what a super-sub he has been for the last 3 days. And Jonny back tomorrow to reveal the mystery of his mini break. You're not gonna believe it.
But hey - how about a mention for Day - our Assistant Producer who leaves us tomorrow after 27 years of sterling service to us on The Brekkie Show.
Tall, lithe, always perfectly turned out, sharp as a tack and not a bad bone in his bod, he is the toppest of top men, and is leaving us for that Saturday night dance show thing. Telly! Where meetings are long, and car park spaces are like four leaf clovers. Great canteen though, especially on fish and chips Friday.
Good Day.
CE
2011
X.
Good morning friends and thanks for blogging on. So, how are you liking Jake Humphrey in for Jonny Saunders?
I cannot thank him enough for stepping in to cover, but why was there any need?
Where is our normal King Of The Locker?
Jonny will return on Friday, and all will become clear. You would be hard pushed to guess what he's been away doing, in fact if I didn't know, I wouldn't have guessed in a million years.
The blog will be open for posts again from today. Hurrah, we're back.
CE
2011
X.
What an amazing bundle of talent was on display in our 500 Words 50 finalists at Hay today.
Sure - there had to be two overall winners, but everyone seemed equally as thrilled to be there. And what an effort from our ten guest readers to come and join in the fun.
All round, we loved the whole experience - and yes - we are doing it again next year, apart from that Alex Jones woman who demanded jelly and ice cream upon arrival...and one bacon sandwich every 20 miles home, until we were within half an hour of The One Show studios.
I'm with her now. She's beating her chest in a primeval fashion in a way that would make Raquel Welsh green with envy circa One Million Years B.C.
Help !
CE
2011
X
Just eaten one of those big bags of crisps I swore I would never go near again. D'oh !
Also the traffic has been like a game of avoid the jam. We've been in every direction save the one we need to go in. An hour and a half on the road, and still nowhere near. But it will all be worth it when we pull up to the chippy in the high street the moment we arrive. Or shall we go to the ice cream parlour first ? Fields, books, tents, chips, ice cream parlours - oh and pubs by the river.
Suddenly the traffic seems like a small price to pay.
See you on the radio tomorrow.
CE
2011
X.
The DJ's DJ is having a dooo ! It's tonight and I'm on my way there now. David Jacobs still very much firing on all twelve cylinders at the ripe vintage of 85 is having a knees up. What a splendid night is in store for all. And if his tales of Radio Days gone by are anything like they were last time he let me into his secrets locker, I shall be blushing more than my pre-ordered beetroot salad.
Can't wait. Will report further via the wireless on the morrow. All that I can at least.
CE
2011
X.
