And the beat goes on

Another year ticks by, and coffee machine talk is of eating excess, family gatherings and travel delays. 

We had a great Christmas and New Year, surrounded by snow while skiing in Val d'Isere with a bunch of friends. Not only did we have the Big Two to celebrate, but two birthdays as well which meant far too much bubbly and, being France, rich food.

So, time to choose some new year resolutions. The first have to be the usual two - do some exercise every week and try and lose some weight. I actually did pretty well last year, shaving 8kg off my frame and playing tennis every weekend when I was in London, so I've got no excuse to let these drop. 

The third is one I ought to really enjoy - practise piano every morning (ok, four mornings a week, plus a bit more at weekends). My rapid progress of the first year or two has somewhat ground to a halt, and although my piano teacher Alexandra has the patience of a saint I need to push myself. So, some exams as a target; Grade 2 jazz by Easter, and Grade 4 classical by the summer. We even have a very swish new Yamaha Clavinova Modus H11 piano at work to practise on, so no excuse. There, I've made it public. Feel free to berate me if I've not declared success by the above dates!