Not sure what to wear today. Off to Weymouth where it is raining but I think will be dry by the time we hit the beach this afternoon. Matt wants to wear shorts but I'm not so sure. And the train leaves very soon! Decision time!

The last time I was on the Dorset coast I do believe I was in shorts-of the 80's variety-and introducing Bros on the Radio 1 roadshow. Well we shut the place as you can imagine. They were the top act of the day and the place went seriously wild. The beach trembled and the coast line eroded just a little faster for the duration of "When Will I Be Famous?". Or whatever it was.

These Olympic shows are quieter affairs because they have to be; we are not allowed to put on 'an event' so we are quiet and unassuming, tucked into small corners and by large ships. Enjoyed yesterday by the Cutty Sark and who knew Rory Bremner was such an Equestrian fan? Well we did obviously, as thats why we booked him, but he was seriously good I thought.

The Olympic confession from Juliette Ferrington went down a storm and the quiz is a splendid sparkly thing.

And as we are in Weymouth let's do SAILING oldies please. You know what we need! Gunwales, sheets and spinnakers ahoy!

Have a restful and courteous Tuesday. See you just after 5

Well good morning to all bloggers, welcome to our Olympic Monday (a). I hope your weekend was happy and glorious. We went from the OARF to a friend's party where we all watched the opening ceremony. And we whooped and cheered for James Bond and HM, laughed with Rowan Atkinson and (the softer amongst us) shed tears for Jerusalem (insert national song of choice). But the sheer spectacle of it all was what bowled us over, relief that it had all worked and relief too that we had avoided the bombast and pomposity that marks most of these things. So well done Danny Boyle, top genius.

Then on Saturday we spent hours and hours watching the road race trying to spot family members gathered by the roadside and trying to understand WHAT WAS GOING ON. I worked it out just as it all finished. Then the gymnastics was great and it was time to go watch Batman 3. Favourite quote so far was from an (unnamed sadly) athlete who managed to say 'It's not everyday you get a once in a lifetime opportunity'

Today we up-sticks from the Olympic park to just by the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, which is quite the thoroughfare for keen and excited ticket-holders. We'll bring you all the days action, some special guests-Rory Bremner is due to join us- and the first of our special Olympic Confessions; we have asked many of The BBC's finest commentators to confess to something that won't (presumably) get them sacked. We can't grant them immunity but we can offer forgiveness. We'll keep the oldie selection I think-they'll all need to be in by lunchtime so that we can get our techie act together. So let's do GYMNASTICS today. The women were great yesterday and the men have made history by qualifying for the Artistic Gymnastics Team final for the first time in 88 years. The rings, the pommel horse, the parallel bars, the floor; we can all do it if we wanted but it's just that we are a bit busy that's all.

Have an acrobatic and stylish Monday, see you at 5. Come down and wave! No tickets needed!

(Olympic grumps and deniers look away now)

Well you have been busy. Glad the blog's diodes (?) have been humming. Cornwall and Suffolk were wet, cold, sunny, hot and everything in between. The surf was mighty and then 'fiddlin' and small'. The chips were bountiful and the assorted illnesses which afflict holidays, rather annoying. Each morning would begin with me dutifully trying to finish off book2 at around 6.30. A couple of hours later it was time to eat breakfast with the 'continental' breakfast morphing into 'full English' without exception. The gym is calling but I shall have to ignore it for a while longer.

Post hols, it usually takes a while to get up to speed but this Olympics opening day feels like quite something; I'm arriving at optimum-speed asap. Here's hoping it'll be a wonderful party where the athletes make the headlines for all the right reasons. I think we'll be wonderful hosts and that Danny Boyle will set the tone tonight. Lets have less of Mitt Romney and more of Boris's 'geiger counter of olymo-mania going zoink'.

I have been fortunate to go to 3 games: Barcelona, Athens and Beijing and if London gets it right, there will be a feel-good factor that might be quite useful for the rest of the year. It won't be here again in our lifetimes so your Drivetime team intend to enjoy it! Starting today with your OARF opener. I don't think we can allow Chris to choose the tune as he wanted to this morning, so it's still down to you. Our very own cut-price opening ceremony.



Have an eccentric, inspired Friday. See you at 5.

Postcard from hols.

Weather and family pleasant, fewer chips needed.

See you Friday.

Well an interesting double blog for no apparent reason, no idea why that happened. Who knows how many will appear today? Maybe you could get one each? Now that would be fun.

The sun of course didn't last and through the torrential rain and gazebo-tilting, our last blade of grass disappeared under the muddy waters. We clearly have chosen the perfect time to go on holiday and enjoy the English summer experience. Paddy might think he's filling in for a fortnight but I may well have had enough after 4 days and reappear. I also have the small matter of Itch 2 to finish or important people will get cross. It's rapidly turning into War and Peace and that might not be what's expected.

Paddy K is on the show next week and most of the following week too. I'm back for the first of our Olympics shows on the opening Friday. It'll be an all requester from the Olympic village, just before the opening ceremony and then we're off around different sights to bring you some top Olympic Drivetime action (which means I'm not quite sure what's happening but it'll be great).

In the meantime we have a tip-top and sparkly ARF to deliver and I'm already looking forward to it. The movie show features Matthew McConaughey who stars in Magic Mike but how much film action we get depends on the John Terry verdict which is due this afternoon.

So let's get this ARF started in time-honoured fashion. Go on, impress us.

My prediction is 765 blog posts by my return. Can I win a cake?

Have a well-chiselled and highly-toned Friday, see you after 5.

Good morning.

A sunny morning and Alan D on the news just now said 'it would remain dry' but I think that can't be right. Water on the brain or something. Child 3 off on a school trip to Legoland and was quite confused at the prospect of what to wear. In the end though the prospect of all those water rides meant that waterproofs won the day and sunblock got forgotten. We shall see.

So child 1 has had his 21st, now wife 1 has her 50th and it's time to party one more time. This weekend sees a clan gathering, speeches, quizzes and assorted merriment before we all collapse in a Roman-esque, post-feast saggy heap. But then we're on holiday, so hooray for that. Around the estate the clear up continues. Streamers, bottles and cake may well be turning up for years to come like relics from a bygone age. It has certainly given the pesky foxes something to worry about; I'm hoping they may decide to go and urinate in someone else's garden.

Glad my 'sexy Larry' voice went down well. I quite enjoyed it myself really. In actual fact, that bit on the Floaters record is quite camp so really I chose the wrong voice. Might play the whole thing today for cpomparison.

Nigel cooks quail with grapes and ginger tonight (I know) and songs please on the subject of CAMPING. As the holiday mentions really start flooding in we need to recognise the selfless heroism of all those intrepid campers who are still setting off for their hols with tent/caravan/campervan at the ready. Can be great, can be a waterlogged nightmare. Tunes please!

Have a sunkissed and warming Thursday. See you after 5.

Hey bloggers! Who fancies some clearing up then? Some washing up maybe? Little bit of taking out the bottles? Or some packing -up-the-gazebo perchance? Oh well. No reason you should really. It's that morning after when you're the only one up and a days worth of clearing up awaits. Better to write the blog for a while and see who else gets up I think.

The 21st went off well I think; speeches were made, loud (and horrid) music was played and all food was consumed with relish. And gusto. They then disappeared into the night only to return in the er, small hours. Gardening didn't need to be done at that time but it was kind of them to offer.

Apologies to Keane fans who were hoping for some live tunes- as were we! Then along came 'personal issues' and that was that. And what with the Stock, Aiken and Waterman gig being cancelled, it would seem only right to do songs of CANCELLATION, ABANDONMENT and UNDOING today. In your capable hands, it'll be a treat.

Also today comedian Marcus Brigstocke is in to talk Spamalot, the Monty Python show where he returns as King Arthur. He appears to be doing a job share with impressionist Jon Culshaw who is also King Arthur. I'm sure all will become clear after 6. Always assuming he doesn't develop 'personal issues' which can strike at any time.

Have a dependable and forthright Wednesday, see you after 5

Feeling old this morning. Feel old most mornings. But child 1 turns 21 today and memories, photos and presents are much in evidence along with articles and newspaper cuttings revealing the advancing years. It's one of those 'Sunrise,Sunset' moments (younger bloggers need to refer to 'Fiddler on the Roof' here) that seem to occur with amazing frequency now. I remember playing Baby Baby by Amy Grant on the show the next morning and trying and failing to say something meaningful. And looking back there were probably a few better songs to play than Baby Baby but at the time...what did I know etc.

Hey we have Keane on the show today. New album is Strangeland, their 5th consecutive No 1, a record only bettered by The Beatles (from debut recording this is). I do enjoy their melodies and Tom Chaplin's singing so look forward to Keane after 6.

And oldies please for the TOUR DE FRANCE which Matt reports on every night and in which Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky seem now to be the favourites. It must be one of the biggest prizes in sport and it's time to salute the yellow jersey. Tour de France tunes please.

Have a fragrant and well-powdered Tuesday, see you after 5

Today's blog brought to you courtesy of another railway company and their fine rolling stock. I'm heading to the wilds of High Wycombe to talk to another school and prime them for their Radio 2 years. I always start the slide show/PowerPoint with the Radio 2 logo which makes the teachers laugh if nothing else. I will leap about and perform to the best of my abilities just like the Radio 1 Roadshow of old. It'll be like Barry Island 1986 all over again (but without the drunks at the front I trust).

Today we offer you another book club choice and this time it's Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl: The last Guardian. This is the last in a fantastically successful series of children's books about a 12 year old criminal mastermind, famously described by the author as 'Die Hard with fairies'. There is a chapter for you to read of course and then hear Eoin after 6.

And oldies does indeed need to be ANDY MURRAY. He put up a fantastic fight but when you're up against a magician, what's to be done? And even the Murray doubters seem to have been won over with his emotional, post match speech. We could go for tears, getting closer, or whichever angle you fancy really. A pick-up needed.

Have a cheery, good news filled Monday. See you after 5

The rain is never ending so I'm doing the only thing that seems decent. I'm going to Wimbledon. Haven't been there for many years it seems and it will be good to see the old faces again (no disrespect to La Balding, J Overend et al). We've been asked to perform our movie show at midday today to make way humbly for the tennis so we shall do precisely that. So as part of the build up to the Murray match (which will doubtless be on at the same time as the ARF) the movie reviews will come from centre court, or thereabouts. Movies this week include The Hunter, You've been Trumped, The Players, God Bless America, 7 Days in Havana, Ping Pong.

Then a few games of the Djockovic/Federer match and back to London's glittering West End for your traditional weekend curtain raiser. A song for Andy? A musical dash of encouragement? Or just your usual madam? The choice is yours.

Keep it dry everyone! Have a guilt-free, pleasure-laden, hyphen-heavy Friday. See you at 12 and 5.

Well that was all ok in the end even if the voice sounded a little feeble to me. It was good to be at least 'giving it a go' rather than just lazing around moaning. The only trouble with going back to work is the long list of folk who feel they have to tell you how pale, ill, exhausted, wan, heavy eyed and thin you look. If I had a badge saying I ALWAYS LOOK LIKE THIS I'd be tempted to wear it. A lot. What a great thing radio is. I had to cancel a school talk today which is a shame but I'm not sure I could have coped with 11 and 12 year olds looking at me with concern in their eyes and suggesting I should 'take it easy' or 'could they get me a glass of water?' I shall return when I am strong and vigorous.

Welcome to new bloggers and blogvets and regulars, another day of unbridled yet politely moderated conversation awaits and as Nigel is doing some BBQ chicken, let us tempt fate and do SONGS FOR THE BARBECUE which might be easier than the Higgs particle.

Have a calm and controlled Thursday, see you after 5

Well frankly it seems more interesting if I don't come to work. Normally the blog ticks along nicely, doing good business and setting the world to rights. Then I'm off for a day and suddenly hundreds of posts arrive as you all take over the show! And a pretty good job you all did too. I'm thinking I should be off more often and let you guys take the strain; if I'm short of quiz questions, confessions or oldies ideas, I know exactly where to go. Way to go bloggers (as young folk say). And thanks to Richard A. who stood up like a trooper and who I now you all love anyway.

I'm hoping things are on a more even keel after a day in duvet land, but you can never be too sure. I shall step forward hesitantly towards today's show. And even though I know you can do this perfectly well without me, the oldies today on the HIGGS BOSON/GOD PARTICLE which is definitely definitely there. They are calling it a 5 sigma result which means you are 99.9999% sure. Which seems a darn sight more certain than most things in life. My attendance today might only be a 3 sigma. The Higgs particle seems a bit like the LIBOR. With one you don't really understand it, but it seems a very important and good thing. With the other you never really understand it either but it seems like a bad thing. Or maybe my brain is fuddled. Oldies about very small things indeed please.

There's an Independence Day Mosh today; you might as well rock your way to choir practice with us after 6.

Have a controlled and ordered Wednesday, see you after 5

Not much to say other than feeling rather lousy. There is a chance that some other top R2 person will host the show today. But then again, who knows...

If I do make it, it'll be the wonderful Michael Palin after 6. He's written a novel called The Truth and I have had plenty of time to readout from my sick bed (oh do stopping on). And so oldies about THE TRUTH and things that are TRUE might work nicely. Unless I'm feverish and delusional in which case it won't.

I'm back to bed. Have a healthy and upright Monday. Maybe see you after 5...