Mark Foster's blog by Mark_Foster

Hello everyone. It’s been a pretty full on week with the usual mix of work and pleasure, but either way a charmed existence by any standards. I was out doing my bit for LOCOG which is always a pleasure and just reminds me with every week the Olympics get closer. This week I was promoting the developing infrastructure for 2012, in this case new cycle routes through London to the Olympic Park. Providing transport links is always going to be a challenge, so they are creating new cycle routes. Since coming to London, I’ve taken to cycling a bit and enjoy it. But on the main roads it can get a bit hairy especially on the main roads. Dedicated cycle routes are a fantastic idea to encourage people to get on their bikes. The improvements, which include new cycle crossings, improved paving and lighting for safety and security, will not only help spectators travelling to the Olympic Park and other London venues, but will leave London much better connected for cyclists and pedestrians after the Games.

A variety of on and off-road routes will ensure that as many people as possible are able to enjoy a fantastic way of experiencing the capital. LOCOG reckon that an additional one million journeys a day are expected to be made by foot and bike in London next summer, as spectators switch from other forms of transport. It is forecast that 300,000 spectators will cycle and walk to Games venues in London next summer, with 7,000 bike parking spaces being provided for the Olympic Park alone. The enhancements, which span 113 individual schemes and serve eight routes around the Olympic Park and river venues, are linked to existing networks and are part of a wider London Greenways Network. All eight routes are now structurally complete with the Hackney Parks route being the first to have new signage installed as part of a rolling programme. I am so happy to be part of this gig and it was also very near where I live..... so happy days.!!

It’s also that time of year again when me and my mate Steve Parry, Dodge and beast aka the Beast, always get together for a game of golf. Miraculously for this time of year, it was perfect weather for golf. The Beast cried off ( bad back!!) so it was just the 3 of us. The location was The Grove near Watford, and what a place. As much as it pains me to say this, I lost well came 3rd!! Can’t win them all!! Bring on next year. Then it was off to the Savoy for a photo shoot for Benhealth Magazine who wanted a Q&A feature about keeping fit and swimming tips which I am always happy to do to promote a healthy lifestyle. Not many of you would have heard of Benhealth, but it has a readership of over 300,000 which is a healthy circulation. It was good fun as these things usually are and the Savoy looks pretty amazing after its refurbishment.

Every now and again, I just realise how lucky I am, and the next job I had was just pure joy. I was asked to attend a lunch with Lloyds competition winners at the OXO Tower. So I had an excellent lunch and was joined by a great bunch of people and we chatted away the afternoon with one of the best views of the River Thames. Bliss. At the weekend football games don't get much better than Chelsea v Arsenal and in the bright sunshine Stamford Bridge looked pretty stunning. Well we were treated to 90 minutes of stunning fast football...... the man of the match had to be Robin Van Persie... a hat-trick in a game of 8 goals. Arsenal are playing with a lot more confidence and this game showed a real return to form. It also really opens up the top of the table.

This was followed by me and my mate Emms trotting off ( or quick stepping) to a night at Strictly Come Dancing. What a great evening catching up with old mates and watching the drama unfold as everyone goes through their paces. It always brings back very fond memories and the atmosphere is always full of good banter and then the sword falls. Bad luck Nancy. It happened to all of us at some time. This was followed by a Halloween Party at Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill, where I caught up with old mates and chatted and laughed and had a few drinks. I looked at my watch and before I knew it was 4 AM!!!! So I rolled home. I am too old for this lark but managed to spend a lazy day in bed and just mooched about. A great end to a good week. I hope yours was the same. Bring on firework night!