It's September and it's a full month of charity fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK.

Starting on the 1st of the month with my commitment of 11,000 steps each day for March the Month and ending by running the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon in Glasgow.
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"Well that was interesting" - That was my facebook and twitter response on Stirling Weather to being caught up in the heavy rainfall on Monday evening (24 June 2019). A tweet and phrase I came to slightly regret saying after seeing and realising the damage the rainfall and subsequent floods brought to some businesses and homes in parts of Stirling.

While "it was interesting" to be out and about during our worst flooding in many years it certainly is not how those who's properties have been affected by the water damage will feel.

But as the week progressed the word "interesting" could again be used to describe our weeks weather in Stirling.
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So in one week I will take part in the Stirling marathon, or as its been branded this year the Great Stirling Run. The event is now in its 3rd year and it's a scenic marathon starting and finishing in the City of Stirling while taking in the surrounding rolling countryside to the north of the city,  passing through small towns such as Doune, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan where the locals come out in force to support the runners.

Now let me be honest from the beginning, I am no running expert, while I was actively fit playing football at a reasonably competitive youth level up until my late teens, for the next 16-17 years I let myself go, fed up with sport, giving no thought to exercising or what I was eating, I was just being consumed with work and business and as my business developed and grew and I became more office based instead of doing physical work my weight ballooned.

My new podcast is now available where I will discuss business, fitness and family.

Hopefully I will provide some words of wisdom along the way.

The podcast is available to listen and subscribe to on a host of popular platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Full details are on my new podcast page.

Congratulations Loch Katrine on the official opening of the new Eco Camp.
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​https://www.facebook.com/visitlochkatrine/videos/2189134414446917/

A brave and inspirational watch as Stephen Fry describes in his own unique way his battle against prostate cancer. 

A message for us all not to ignore any signs and also for regular check ups. 

​Encouraged to hear that his recovery is going well.

​Video from www.stephenfry.com
More information at Prostate Cancer UK
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Do you go out of your way to say 'hello' or 'good morning' etc to a passer by in the street.

I'm not the most upfront or forward person in the world but I do know that I find it hard to walk past someone without trying to give some sort of greeting to them. 

I'm not talking about walking past someone in a busy London street or in the foyer of a pop concert hall, I'm more talking about when you pass someone in your small town or village while walking on the pavement as you pass each other by when there's not many other people around.

Just like waving to acknowledge a car driver when they have stopped for you to let you pass I believe where you were brought up and where you live now has a lot to do whether you will or not give out a small greeting or thank you gesture.

For example I've worked on the Isle of Islay and every car driver waves at you to say hello as you drive past, while in the village where I now live sometimes you can tell if someone has lived elsewhere simply if they do or don't do these greeting or thank you gestures.

Going for an early Sunday morning walk like I did today is a prime time to see how many people will say hello to you. This time is when you are more than likely to receive a response. 

Every time I walk past someone in a relatively quiet street I always raise my head or glance towards the person to try and say hello or good morning to them but it still amazes me how many people 'of all ages' just don't glance back in your direction so the hello interaction can never begin.

Don't get me wrong as I approach these people I will likely have my head lowered and nose buried in my iPhone working away and responding to emails but I feel awkward and wrong if when people approach to pass me if I dont raise my head and glance at them to see if they look towards me so the opportunity to say hello to each other can take place.

Is a simple kindness greeting too much to ask for in this situation?