A rambling introduction

You should get out more. Tell me about it. I’ve been sitting behind this desk, or others like, it for 35 years. This body – once honed by weekly badminton, squash and 5-a-side – is beginning to complain if I bend to get my sandwiches out of the bottom drawer (usually before 12). The Grey Bombshell gave me a long withering look the other day as she regarded my profile. It’s not a beer belly, it’s just the way I’m sitting.

So, time for action. Nine walks in a week should sort it. Okay, they are not necessarily long walks – I have my heart to think of – but they should get me breathing again. Lungfuls of fresh air and the tranquillity of the national park should get my stress levels back on the scale. And perhaps one of those famed Rothbury pies and a pint after a long day in the hills? You have to give yourself some incentive.

I was going to call this the Office Worka, but the good people of Northumberland might not have understood the subtle Geordie play on words. I also considered A Wark on the Wildside – but that might have been too close to the truth – I always drive through there with my windows up and doors locked - you can’t be too careful with all those Reivers about.

Now where did I put my pedometer?