That's it - I'm 30

On our way up...visibility before the clouds

Well, I would say au revoir to my 20s but of course I shalln't see them again. That's it. I'm 30.

One more World Cup; I reckon I could play full-back at 34. And at a push, I could play a bit-part in Euro 2020. But the reality is, that's at best, highly unlikely to happen.

Then again, eighteen months ago I would have said tour New Zealand, cross the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, go to Singapore, support England at a World Cup in Brazil, get a job I love, appear on a TV show, run two half marathons and climb a mountain seemed pretty far-fetched.

I've just returned from completing what was to be my final challenge...climb Snowdon. A group of eleven of us set off on the 5 hour trek to reach the summit of Wales' highest mountain peak. Despite visibility of zero at the summit - the challenge was complete and I can sign off my list having a huge sense of achievement having climbed 3071 ft.

The End

Snowdon Summit - and #24 complete

What was initially a passing comment by a former colleague has, over the last eighteen months or so, turned into a fascinating journey which has, for the most part, kept me amused and out of too much trouble. It's done what I needed it to. I've traveled around the world which has opened my mind to new adventures, it's given me back the self-confidence to try new things and to hurl myself outside of my comfort zone once in a while. 

But I couldn't have achieved half of these things without some incredibly good people behind me. My family have been great - and I take two pearls of wisdom from my parents which have had a profound affect upon me and, which in hindsight, I wished they'd imparted many years ago: "there's always a plan B in life" and "don't fall for the first bint who throws herself at you". I'll leave you to decide which quote is attributable to which parent. 

Have I learnt anything?

Well I've learnt that I have some incredible friends - it would feel like an Oscar's acceptance speech were I to list them all - but hopefully they know who they are. But I need to make a mention to two in particular; Dav and Bordy. They might not have undertaken their duties officially, but they've been the best men I could have ever have wished for.

I've learnt that taking a dance class in a city centre bar on the night of a Wolves game is an exceptionally bad idea.

I've also learnt that it doesn't matter so much what you do and where you go in life; it's about the people you share these things with. The panoramic views and sun-set landscapes will no doubt stay with me for a long time; but the people I've shared them with are the ones which make the real memories.

"While there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour". Charles Dickens

When I sat down and wrote my list of 30 things to do before I turned 30, I actually included a 31st thing to accomplish. It simply read; "be happy".

I guess that's 31 things I've achieved before 30.

And for those who wanted to see the list in its entirety, here it is:

1.     Visit New Zealand

2.     Visit the USA

3.     Stand on the Golden Gate Bridge

4.     Visit Alcatraz

5.     See a show in the West End

6.     Eat seafood overlooking the ocean in San Francisco

7.     Read a Dickens Novel - (The Signal-man and A Christmas Carol)

8.     Get a pet

9.     Watch cricket at Lords

10.   Go to a World Cup

11.   Watch a football match at Wembley

12.   Go to an England away game

13.   Get a job/promotion at work

14.   Grow vegetables in the garden

15.   Buy a new car

16.   Start a blog

17.   Go to a yoga class

18.   Take a dance lesson

19.   Score a goal on the pitch at Molineux

20.   Appear on a radio show

21.   Have a lads summer holiday abroad

22.   Go to at least 10 music/comedy gigs (The Darkness, Status Quo, Chas 'n' Dave, Made in Birmingham, Blondie, Definitely Might Be, Beady Eye, Stereophonics, Winter Dance Party, Jack Whitehall and Dixie Chicks)

23.   Learn to swim properly

24.   Climb Snowdon

25.   Cook, from scratch, a Sunday roast dinner

26.   Visit Scotland

27.   Run at least two half marathons (one at least sub 1:55m) (Oldham, 2hr 01m and Stafford, 1hr 51m)

28.   Visit 10 new football grounds (Brighton & Hove Albion, Stafford Rangers, Carlisle United, Burton Albion, Fulham, Arbroath, MK Dons, Home United of Singapore, Shrewsbury Town, Belo Horizonte)

29. Appear on a tv show

30. Go to the top of the Shard

31. Be happy...

2013 - that was the year that was

So we're fast approaching the end of another year. 2013 has been an eventful one. We've lost some of the world's most iconic historical figures in Thatcher and Mandela, a Brit finally won at Wimbledon and Wolves sunk to new depths with a second consecutive relegation.

But for me 2013, without sounding too X Factor-like, has been a journey. I've clocked up thousands of air miles, scored at Molineux, went to Wembley, took a dance class and survived the Oldham Half Marathon to name but a few.

I can't believe it's been twelve months since I set myself the challenge to complete 30 new things before I hit 30. With just eight months to go until I wave a final goodbye to my 20s it seems like an opportune time to look back and reflect on the journey thus far...and think ahead to how on earth I'm going to complete the rest of my challenges.

I've taken a look back over the year and picked out my top five moments (it's still December so I wonder if Noddy Holder will do the countdown for me; he seems do all the others at this time of year)...so here are just some of the highlights of what's been a year to remember:

I'm not sure this was in my new job description

Coming in at number 5: New job

It's been eight months now since I said a fond farewell to South Staffordshire Council. My professional home for nearly six years, leaving Codsall was actually one of the most daunting experiences of 2013; but ultimately it's proven to be one of the most rewarding. The time was right for change, and professionally, I couldn't have made a better move.

Number 4: When a non-stag doo stag doo is better than a stag doo

It might not have been on my list of 30 things to do but what should have been my stag doo turned out to be one of the best weekends of the year. Munich now holds a special place in my heart. Its architecture, its cutlure, its beer halls. Seeing the Olympic village, Dachau, the Allianz Arena and of course Rogers the Spaniel and 'Des Lennis'.

Number 3: The Golden Gate Bridge

My trip to San Francisco was incredible. Some great people, some wonderful places - but for me, taking an early morning stroll over the Golden Gate Bridge as the fog sweeps in from the ocean over the 'Frisco Bay was just incredible.

There was something cathartic about that walk, with my ipod playing Bob Dylan and with me inadvertently wandering into the middle of a 'Free Tibet' demonstration.

Number 2: Down Under with Rich


New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country. The views are spectacularly stunning - and I got to spend some quality time with one of my best mates who I haven't seen nearly enough in the past few years. I also managed to take a trip on the 'Vomit Comet' ferry, get bitten to buggery on a beach and watch an England test match in Auckland (back in the days when we were good at cricket).

Number 1: My biggest failure

My inner-child still chuckles at this

We didn't manage it up Snowdon

I feel like I've done and achieved so much this year - but strangely enough, my only failure to-date has arguably been my most enjoyable. Coming in at number 24 on the list is to climb Snowdon. On 4th April (what would have been said wedding day) me and my entourage of misfits set out to conquer Wales' most famous mountain. Sadly, the snow scuppered those plans. But it turned out to be one of the best weekends I've had for years. Surrounded by my brothers and closest friends we had a great time full of laughter and fun. A walk - an on-going battle between Rogers and Becs over his inappropriate choice of footwear and a late night sing-song. It was a nice reminder that it doesn't really matter what you do, or where you do it, it's all about the people you do it with.

It's impossible to predict what lies ahead in 2014 - but I'm hopeful it will be as eventful and fruitful as 2013. I've got 8 months to get back in the swimming pool and prove my doubters wrong; my plans for a TV debut have taken a big leap forward - and it looks like I'm going all Samba in June!

I've been incredibly fortunate to have the love and support of some very good people throughout 2013 - I hope you all have a great 2014.