October

[Sweder]

Hello BB. 'Sweder' is a name I sort of picked up along the way, like experience or grey hair. It started out when I worked a show in Moscow in 1984. The crew were mostly of Cockney stock. Apparently, in parts of the East End, your head (my surname is Head) is known affectionately as your Swede (or Gourd). Hence I became known as 'Swede' or 'Sweder'. It stuck, and has remained with me ever since.

During my hashing experience in Hong Kong this year I was asked which Hash had annointed me 'Sweder' and why. I guess it's as good a hash name as any, and a darned sight better than some - just ask my friend Any Dick'll Do in the Wanchai Hash - so I'm sticking with that, too.

SP and I sauntered out for a pre-winter training plod along the misty Seaford seafront this evening. A gentle 2 miles at +10 minute pace, just to reaquaint the joints and muscles with the act of moving slightly faster than a slow trudge. The rain abated for the 20 or so minutes we spent idly chatting our way up and down the prom, and we accepted this as the good omen it most obviously was.

The first few steps on a long road.