Virtually every Monday I go swimming in a pool called the Oasis in Central London, along with a group of gay men called Goslings. Healthy exercise, followed by a pizza with the same guys at the local pizzeria. Same type of pizza each time, same jokes...in some cases for nearly 20 years!
Skiing is another interest, sparked by a former boyfriend. I suppose I'm middle intermediate in standard, and in 2001 was off in late March to the gay sky week at Les Deux Alpes in the French Alps to the east of Grenoble. Generally good weather and a very friendly bunch of people - over 600 actually!
For more details, click here
Last year at Alpe d'Huez, click here
Cycling is very much a summer sport. I like to cycle to work once or twice a week when the weather is good - it takes about 50 minutes each way, and much of my route is via parks and commons. London has a surprisingly large number of open spaces, often with some woodland...
Lest I seem totally sporty (I'm far from that, with a loathing for team sports), I do enjoy music. I'm the guy you can just see in the audience...
For about a year now, I have been taking Alexander lessons. The Technique is about the way we use our bodies: how we stand, hold and move our heads, walk, sit, etc. I once asked a friend what Alexander was about, and he answered with a further question: "Do you comb your hair with your comb, or your comb with your hair?"
I have found it immensely valuable in getting rid of intractable problems with my shoulders and back - and recently even with foot discomfort caused by fallen arches. To find out more, try these sites: The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique and Move with Ease
In 2001 I started as an Open University study. I took the A295 Homer: Poetry and Society course, which looks at both the Iliad and the Odyssey as poems, and at their social and archaeological background. I'm delighted to say that I was awarded a Distinction for the course, and in 2002 will be tackling A297 Reading Classical Latin.
This Classical focus is all rather odd, given that I really didn't like Latin at school at all...
I'm a reasonable cook - though tossing pancakes has never been one of my accomplishments.
