BSB Test Day, Donington Park, Thursday, 14th March, 2013.

Using all the skills he has finely honed in winning the BSB title three times in the past, Ryuichi Kiyonari negotiates some steps whilst clutching a racing boot.

We are grateful that the weather forecast was right: it won't rain today. Trouble is, they didn't say anything about snow! Blimey, it's cold in the Pit Lane.

Simon Andrews: fastest Superstock rider of the day. He's from Worcester, y'know.

Jacob Smrz and Clive Padgett are hoping to put together a budget to enable them to run a Honda for the whole season. We shall see.

Queuing up for the Food of the Gods. The Paddock Cafe did a roaring trade all day. We had Pesto Chicken and chips in case you were wonderin'. Just the job on a freezing cold day.

Oh yes, we remember the good olde daze when riders used to battle with the raw power of their machine as they exited Redgate. Now, thanks to all the gizmos and rider-aids this is about as good as it gets. This is Dan Linfoot, by the way, we like him. He can pull a little wheelie out of Redgate.

Connor 'Too Tall' Cummins getting in some sneaky practice for a season on The Roads with his Superstock Yamaha.

Trying to get a shot of Simon Andrews. He's from Worcester, y'know. Have we mentioned that?

It's time to go home and Vicky and Howard have selected their chosen steed but, given the temperature, they'll stick to the innards of a cozy Lancer if it's all the same to you.

Yay! Another season of motorsport has started!

Crufts, NEC, Friday, 8th March, 2013.

Precision walkies in one of the small arenas. Looks like fun.

Making friends.

The Agility Trials in the main arena - it's a long walk to get there so it's nice to just sit for a while and take the weight off.

Victoria Pendleton (she's one of those Olympians y'know) promoting something or another. Can't remember what now.

Stratford-Upon-Avon, Sunday, 3rd March, 2013.

A bloke in a poncey jacket, and a poncey scarf (tied in a poncey way), in a poncey town.

Note look of extreme guilt as he clutches his most recent slot car purchase, hidden in a plain black bag, purchased from the den of iniquity that is Much Ado About Toys.

Methinks we shall be returning to Stratford on a more regular basis (oh yes).

Vicky and the very bridge upon which a very important person nervously asked her a very important question back in 1984.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Two very gnarly things.

Vicky shows off to David the office she is based at when covering the Stratford area. 

Looks nice.

Stratford as its Tourist Office would like you to imagine it.

Our royalties are in the post, I expect.

Evesham Cats Protection, Sunday, 17th February, 2013.

Some timid cats hide under a blanket on top of a bed. Others hide under the bed itself.

Vicky gets to know newcomer Missy.

Guess who's still eating all the pies (yes, it's Maggie).

For a feeling of sheer wellbeing, you simply can't beat a good old fashioned roll about on a slab of sun-warmed concrete on a quiet Sunday morning.

Friday, 15th February, 2013.

Ooh, now this is interesting.

A pair of nuthatches are taking over the nest hole drilled out by a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers last winter (do GSW's only use a nest hole once?). I missed the day that the young woodpeckers fledged last year (curses) but, perhaps, I'll have better luck this year?

Always good to have something to keep my eye on as I take my (almost) daily constitutional along the river other than the rising and falling of its level (it's rapidly rising again. Probably wont be able to walk along it tomorrow).

Wednesday, 6th February, 2013.

Vicky hard at work at home.

Emlyn looking suitably guilty.

Saturday, 2nd February, 2013.

Walking back home from town we spot two of the things dreams are made of.