The parents came home

Hi all,

My week of no parents ended unfortunately when they somehow got the
train all the way home from Italy thanks to the good old volcano
popping up in iceland. It's good to have them back though as the house
is now back to it's usual state.

I was very lucky to be invited on board the TS Jack Petchey for a sail
down the Thames with a group of cadets from all the 10 cadet
organisations out there last week which was great fun! It was great to
meet Jack himself and we had a good chat about all sorts of random
things which was a laugh. It is a real honour to be working with an
organisation such as the Jack Petchey Foundation and it's fantastic to
see that though the hard work they're doing loads of young people are
being inspired to go that extra step.

I've been cracking on and still catching up with loads of college work
recently which I'm pleased to see is really progressing nicely. Also
what I'm totally dead chuffed about is how hot it is these days, it
feels like summer and I'm totally and madly excited about it! I was
out cutting the lawn this morning and it was brilliant to be able to
do so in bright sunshine and just a t-shirt.

I had a meeting with a large production company this week to talk
about some of my other future ideas which was really interesting and
we'll be seeing where that leads us...

I've been eagerly following everything happening with the Talisker
BountyBoat Expedition and I'm very excited for the guys out there who
are about to set off on the 28th. I'm a little nervous for them of
course, but gee, I really really wish I could be there participating
too! Just a shame that I fell ill at the time that I did. Good luck to
you guys, and I know you'll be having the adventure of a lifetime!

Mike

Good week to be a teenager

Hi Everybody

Since sending out a press release saying I won't be going on the Talisker Bounty Boat I've been overwhelmed by the messages of support and encouragement. Thanks so much if you sent one.

BIG Thanks for all the lovely comments I've received from people who have read my book. I still can't believe I'm offically an 'author'. One thing that might help my book sales is adding some reviews on Amazon if you don't mind.

Over the last week or so life has actually been a bit quiet for me, mostly enforced by having to take it easy when my tonsils flared up, but now feeling much better.

This week has been a dream week for any teenager – my parents have been away leaving me to eat, sleep and party as much as I wanted.

Tomorrow, I am going on board the TS Jack Petchey, which has been donated by the man himself to allow young people to experience life afloat. Should be fun! It will be good to meet the young people on board who I understand have all won Achievement Awards. www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk

Mike

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone.

Since anouncing that I will not be going on the Talisker Bounty Boat voyage, loads of people have said it is probablly for the best and now that I have come to terms with the idea, I am already planning another adventure.

This week I visited a couple more schools near Leeds which were very different. One with high security and one very relaxed which seemed to reflect the mood of the kids. The feed back from my visit was really encouraging.

Radio stations and newspapers still want to talk to me about the Bounty Boat, so I am using the opportunity to talk about my book. I also appeared on the This Morning Show and as my mum was with me, she got interviewed at the same time.

Mike