Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas!
Since my dabble in grown-up people's politics I've reverted back to my usual job of organising the Lib Dem stronghold of Edinburgh West. It was tough to settle back in after my selection disappointment but have suitably realigned myself with the successful selection candidate and he has asked me to be his agent for the General Election - another string to my bow.

Soon after my selection disappointment I took three-and-a-half weeks off and managed to make a whistle-stop visit to see lots of friends...
- I spent a few days in Vienna with Helen and Ed, my crazy friends cycling to China http://helenanded.blogspot.com
- I went to a chocolate fair in Mayfair with Claire, caught up with Euan and Mike in Westminster, went to see Wicked with Susan and Lizzie, and had a pint with Ben and Rob at King's Cross
- I made it to Cambridge to visit Ali and Andy
- I made a dash over to Bonn for a few days with Nicole, Barbara and Christian
- I took a last-minute detour north to see Danielle in St Andrews before returning to work
...it was truly epic!



Since then I have been working hard and indeed training hard. I'm back doing sprint training at least twice a week. It's winter training just now and it's doing me the power of good, am really enjoying myself. I've also taken on leadership of a new batch of Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award participants which is really refreshing.

I've also (predictably) been to see as much rugby as possible. Recently spent the weekend in Wales and managed a double-header of Glasgow vs Cardiff and Ospreys vs Edinburgh. Even the week before last I was back in Wales for Edinburgh vs Scarlets, storming victory! Went to all the Autumn tests this year too, including Scotland's triumphant victory over Australia - I wonder when the next time I'll witness such a result will be?!

Last weekend (incidentally the coldest weekend in Scotland this winter so far) I spent the weekend with mates from work in Nethy Bridge. It was MEGA cold. We stayed in a former railway station (now bunkhouse), installed a keg of beer from the local brewery and drank the weekend away. It was momentous. I think it's such a great, unique thing with my job when you meet up for random weekends with your constituency counterparts and have such a fab time.



As always I'm still managing to fit in my staple TV diet including Neighbours, Home and Away, Strictly, Casualty, Top Gear and Spooks - same old same old.

The Christmas fortnight looks like it's going to be a busy one. Got some relatives to visit, some home-returning friends to catch up with and no doubt plenty of food to eat! Nevertheless, if you're about in Edinburgh or fancy a festive phonecall, be sure to get in touch. No matter when Gordon finally decides to call the General Election, the start of 2010 is going to be a busy time for me, so it's recommended to catch up with me now!

Finally, in case you haven't seen my pleas on other media, I am doing the Bupa Winter Run in Edinburgh on 9th January. I'm running for the NSPCC. If any of you have any pennies left after Christmas or have forgotten to buy me a pressie(!) then a sponsor would be just as worthy. You can donate at www.justgiving.com/beverleyhope

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a fab Hogmanay!

BUPA Winter Run 2010