Greetings Friends, Moomins and Gentlefolk. 

Welcome to 2013. Was 2012 good for you?

Some of you already know that in the spirit of January and new beginnings, I have opted to join the thousands of other hopefuls in the UK's first Dryathlon. My knees couldn't handle another triathlon, so this seemed like a good alternative. The orangutans have had their pound of flesh so this time round, I'm pitching my lot in with Cancer Research UK.

So many of us have had our lives touched by cancer. I lost my beautiful aunt to a brain tumour when I was 11 years old. It is a cruel and unpredictable disease, sometimes unstoppable, sometimes giving a reprieve. More needs to be done to prevent as well as treat its occurrance and this is what CRUK strives for.

Currently, my liver is the fittest organ in my body. It is so well overworked, it is undoubtedly due a well-earned break. This is a good enough reason on its own to undertake this challenge, which will test this Irish mettle to the limit... So for the next 30 days, Matt will be staying in a motel at an undisclosed location, and I will be shacking up with Will Power. Nice chap. Looking forward to getting better acquainted with him.

I hope, that instead of that Christmas drink you were going to buy me, you will opt for this alternative: http://www.justgiving.com/dryathlete-grainne-mcentee

In this wondrous age of mobile techno-babble, you can also text MONK75 £2 to 70070 (gift aid too if you can.)

Hairy Hugs for your support.