Good morning from the chilly estate. The price for leaving a skylight open is 1) a very cold kitchen and 2) spider webs where spider webs shouldn't be. I knew I should have been more ruthless in throwing out my squatting arachnid friends but it is too late now. An early morning flourish with a duster and all will be well.

Interesting conversation with an American friend last night, most impressed with the coverage and tickets sold at the Paralympics here. Then this morning reports of the almost media-black out in the States about the games; NBC are not showing highlights till September 16th! The host broadcaster will always provide more coverage than foreign ones of course but our American friend felt it reflected wonderfully on the UK that we get excited by the Paralympics. It's only a sample of one but thought you'd like to hear it.

2 show day today with the good doctor back in place after his ridiculously long holiday. Ray Winstone (in case you miss/missed him on Chris's show) with his Sweeney co-star Ben Drew who is Plan B the rapper. They are the Regan/Carter double act in the movie of The Sweeney. Except it isn't. It is nothing like the loveable cheeky-chappy cop show and really a violent London cops and robbers film, fronted by a Carter and a Regan.

Then it's a swift Central line to R2 for some ARF duties and the crowning of a new ARF Queen/King. Over to you.

Have a startling and affirming Friday, see you after 5.

That Autumnal chill lets you know precisely where we are and who's in charge. 2 enormous spiders in the house late last night too-I let them proceed unimpeded. There will be a moment of reckoning here as I'm sure there will be a moment shortly when certain demands are made and their ejection is called for; the old postcard and cup trick will be do fine. I've no idea about the spider life-cycle but my guess is this is their favourite time of year. Webs everywhere, house visits to make, bath trips to enjoy. Something is up.

Straight from the show last night to a showing of a friend's new film so consequently no food was consumed until late night nuts (not a good life choice). Now a large breakfast will be needed to make up for it. The threat of Nigel only delivering a salad tonight is only making things worse. Ok it might be a Lamb Za'atar salad (not sure either) but it is still a salad and we expect more frankly. Come on Nige, pour some chilli sauce on it.

And it's DR WHO oldies please. New series on BBC1 this weekend (you hadn't noticed?) so it is time for those timelord tunes you have knocking around please.

Have a well-organised and on-time Thursday, see you after 5

That Autumnal chill lets you know precisely where we are and who's in charge. 2 enormous spiders in the house late last night too-I let them proceed unimpeded. There will be a moment of reckoning here as I'm sure there will be a moment shortly when certain demands are made and their ejection is called for; the old postcard and cup trick will be do fine. I've no idea about the spider life-cycle but my guess is this is their favourite time of year. Webs everywhere, house visits to make, bath trips to enjoy. Something is up.

Straight from the show last night to a showing of a friend's new film so consequently no food was consumed until late night nuts (not a good life choice). Now a large breakfast will be needed to make up for it. The threat of Nigel only delivering a salad tonight is only making things worse. Ok it might be a Lamb Za'atar salad (not sure either) but it is still a salad and we expect more frankly. Come on Nige, pour some chilli sauce on it.

And it's DR WHO oldies please. New series on BBC1 this weekend (you hadn't noticed?) so it is time for those timelord tunes you have knocking around please.

Have a well-organised and on-time Thursday, see you after 5

That Autumnal chill lets you know precisely where we are and who's in charge. 2 enormous spiders in the house late last night too-I let them proceed unimpeded. There will be a moment of reckoning here as I'm sure there will be a moment shortly when certain demands are made and their ejection is called for; the old postcard and cup trick will be do fine. I've no idea about the spider life-cycle but my guess is this is their favourite time of year. Webs everywhere, house visits to make, bath trips to enjoy. Something is up.

Straight from the show last night to a showing of a friend's new film so consequently no food was consumed until late night nuts (not a good life choice). Now a large breakfast will be needed to make up for it. The threat of Nigel only delivering a salad tonight is only making things worse. Ok it might be a Lamb Za'atar salad (not sure either) but it is still a salad and we expect more frankly. Come on Nige, pour some chilli sauce on it.

And it's DR WHO oldies please. New series on BBC1 this weekend (you hadn't noticed?) so it is time for those timelord tunes you have knocking around please.

Have a well-organised and on-time Thursday, see you after 5

There you all are. Well done. It's Wednesday already and we've barely broken sweat (you speak for yourself Mayo-you only put records on). The London drains are flowing with Gloucestershire's mud and the post-holiday wash is almost done. The autumnal spiders are taking over the garden and the first glimpse of school uniform has emerged in the ironing pile. The start of the school term (England and Wales only of course) can't come soon enough for many-the last few days of the holidays seem a particular challenge. We've used up every idea, every game, every trip; now be off with you and don't forget your pencil case.

Blog discussion on Flanders and Swan a delight as (like some of you) I was brought up on them, Gilbert and Sullivan and then Tom Lehrer. The 'Follow me follow' title yesterday was indeed a reference to 'The Hippopotamus Song' (Mud, mud, glorious mud etc). They aren't often on the stereo but whenever they turn up on my generic mp3 player-set to shuffle-I'll be singing along with the crowds of 1964. The albums were produced by George Martin and it was on one of them that Michael Flanders said 'responsible music for respectable people'. So borrowed/nicked it.

We were going to have Dave Stewart on today but he didn't get on the plane we thought he would. So we will speak to Robin Ince, stand-up and science nut. I watched him this weekend do his 'Happiness through Science' routine and very good it is too. As co-presenter of The Infinite Monkey cage with Prof Brian Cox, Robin has to be a really smart cookie and it is clear he is onto something. His enthusiasm for mind-boggling ideas and concepts is infectious and you can hear him after 6.

And oldies please for the start of the Paralympics which begins tonight. The flame, the crowds and the volunteers are back!

Have an easy and rewarding Wednesday. See you after 5.

Well here we are again and thanks to young Elton for sitting in for me. A great selection of songs too-he's welcome back anytime (bank holidays and weekends preferably). If you had one, I hope your bank holiday was a good one. I was at the Greenbelt festival on the Cheltenham Racecourse which was graced by the likes of The Proclaimers, Bellowhead, Seth Lakeman, Frank Skinner and Robin Ince. And mud. Mainly mud. Spectacular lakes of the stuff which spread as far as the eye could see. If you didn't have wellies or staff to carry you on your sedan chair, you had no chance. This was all due to a spectacular few hours of torrential and at times horizontal rain and hail. There I was innocently signing books in a large marquee when the heavens opened and a river ran under my table in an instant. Elsewhere a friend reported the rain was so fierce as it hit the side of the tent that it vaporised and turned to spray. This was a storm alright.

Anyway we now have enough washing to last a lifetime and half a Cheltenham field caked into its folds and creases. I need to tart myself up bigtime for today's show or I'll not meet the R2 code of style and cleanliness introduced by Ken Bruce a few years back. We have standards you know. I fancy some crisp linen but might have to settle for an old Nashville t-shirt instead.

Today we talk poetry with Roger McGough 'the patron saint of poetry' according to Carol Ann Duffy. Roger has been in our lives since The Scaffold and Lily The Pink days but it has been with his poems that he has been making a name for himself for decades and his latest collection is 'As Far As I Know'. Roger from 6 and your songs please on the subject of WILD ANIMALS ON THE LOOSE EVEN IF THERE AREN'T ANY AFTER ALL. You can do LIONS if you wish of course but I thought I's spread the net wider.

Have an encouraging and efficient Tuesday, see you at 5.

Here we go with another,in some parts, bank holiday weekend. But in others, just another ordinary one. We carry on and gloss over the differences (though taking Monday off is hardly helpful you may think). The weather forecast suggests that those with nothing planned might be getting it right; rain and rain and then rain doesn't bode well for anyone trying anything more adventurous than a spot of gardening. However the sun always shines on the optimist and Chris and his happy Carfesters seem to be having a swell time. If your hall is full of camping stuff and waterproofs/wellies/sleeping bags ready to disappear for a few days, the best of British to you. Let us not be beaten down by small things like lack of comfort, rivers of rain and the absence of amenities! Their are joys to be had in a field on lumpy ground and we are determined to discover them. The osteopath has been booked for next week and the central heating can be turned on when you return; your imminent diet of pies, chips, baked potatoes, pizza and biscuits will be easily balanced by your return to proper dietary rules next week. Or something like that.

But first a film show and an ARF to perform. Noisily boisterous head and toe-tapper required-apply below.

Have a prosperous and sound Friday, see you after 2&5. And, if you have one, enjoy the extra day off.

Morning or 'Hey' as we seem to say now. I think it's to do with Friends where everyone greets everybody else with 'Hey'. This seems to have replaced hello, watcha, and good morning. . It makes life simpler I suppose but feels inappropriate with the grandparents so we are keeping a more formal "How do you do grandmama, you slept well I trust?". This is followed by a frisbee in the abdomen or a tennis ball to the shoulder. We're making new traditions that's all.

We have no GCSE pressure in this house this time indeed and will be spared that until 2016. By then we might know how to handle the pressure but until then, sympathies and caffeine to stressed households. Many appeared to be up early with the parents eating cake and chocolate for fun. Chris is talking about drinking cider; we need to get back into the healthy lifestyle someday soon.

Showday with Nigel cooking something meaty and Portuguese though I forget what precisely and oldies please for PRINCE HARRY. Thought of doing VEGAS or CROWN JEWELS but it seemed simpler to stick with the man himself.

Have a satisfying and creative Thursday, se you after 5

Here we are with a lovely Wednesday to do something useful with. I've got a movie to see and a show to do but apart from that I'm not sure what I can contribute. Oh yes I remember there's ironing, washing, dealing with kids and visitors, opening the post which i've ignored for ages, and ring your mother. And other things I'm sure but that'll do for the moment. The movie I think is The Sweeney with Ray Winstone which bodes well as Ray is always a terrific watch but we shall see.

Still trying to work out whether Vic Reeves really did have a barbecue to go to. I wouldn't have doubted it but then Bob Mortimer (and listeners) planted seeds of doubt. Anyway, his suggestion of liver seemed entirely wrong to me but might be worth checking with Nigel tomorrow. I didn't mention Vic's uncanny resemblance to Nick Duncalf while Vic was in the studio as apparently Phil Williams had suggested the same point on 5 LIve a while back and it didn't go down too well. So I restrained myself but it still needed to be said.

Today we catch up the two of the brightest, shiniest pop stars we have. The Noisettes have been a hit at R2 with 'Never Forget You' and now 'That Girl'; they sound classic and modern at the same time which some achievement. They are Dan Smith and Shingai Shoniwa and they'll be with us from 6.

And tunes today please for the FARMERS. The harvest is being gathered in and some have been digging their tractors out of the lakes of rainwater that have fallen and others have been roasting in their cabs. And its been a tough year so songs for the FARMERS and FARMWORKERS of the UK (might not play The Wurzels btw).

Have a firm and toned Wednesday, see you after 5.

Hello, morning and a good Tuesday to bloggers everywhere. The first creepings of autumn are discernible across the estate as spiders spin and leaves turn. And those nights are creeping in, damn them. Anytime now I'll start to feel nervous about going back to school and going up a year. Need a new pencil case and protractor at least. And a slide rule. Never had a slide rule. Not even sure what they did but they looked cool and complicated and I wanted one. Life is just one disappointment after another.

Speaking of which, sorry that Jon Snow never happened yesterday. It was all fine on Friday but all fell apart Monday. But thanks to Ronan Keating for re-routing and stepping up at the last minute. He's looking exactly like someone who has been taking his clothes off in a movie should look. And just like we all do at radio 2...

Last night I finally got to let go of the second book and sent it to the publishers and then this morning the inbox pings with the American version of the first! Hell yeah! (as they say over there) Life is just one thrilling moment after another. It might be a while before I can give it the attention it needs what with the show to do and all. And today we welcome Vic and Bob to Drivetime who host a new show called Lucky Sexy Winners. It is classic Vic and Bob and the look of bemusement on the faces of the guests (apart from Eddie Izzard) is quite something to behold.

And oldies today please on the subject of the NHS. After Danny Boyle's opening Olympic ceremony, the NHS brand is apparently to be sold around the world so we'll help it on its way with a few songs of your choice

Have a focused and rewarding Tuesday, see you after 5.

Good morning and happy Mondays all round. Even if this posting is written through a veil of tears. I went to the Edinburgh Book Festival on Saturday and at Kings Cross I sneezed. I spent the whole journey north with a cold that gathered speed so that by the time I reached Edinburgh I was in full manflu mode. My presentation/talk/reading was punctuated by sniffs and dabs, a pathetic sight. In the signing afterwards (can't read the blog posts at the moment but this may well have been discussed above-a wee bloggers convention was held! Good to meet you!) I'm sure I must have spread my London cold far and wide so apologies to all. But I had a great time anyway. I love meeting the people you write for and broadcast to; fine folk indeed.

Today we welcome Jon Snow to Drivetime to talk about Chanel 4's coverage of the Paralympics which starts on Wednesday but Jon has a programme which features Clare Balding Jonathan Edwards and Jimmy Carr(!). Jon's been the face of C4 news since 1989 and always essential viewing/listening .

And oldies today for a HAPPY MONDAY as 'researchers' have 'found' that the blue Monday feeling is a myth. People's moods are no worse on a Monday than any other day bar Friday. Apparently. The Blue Monday is a myth but don't tell Fats Domino or New Order. Just remember that as you trudge around the place today. It's a myth. Stop it.

Have a smart and astute Monday, see you after 5

Well that was a day. Thanks for all the best wishes to child 2- suffice to say she spent the day feeling mightily relieved. Though not as relieved as Parent 1 and 2. A celebratory pizza and fizz was required and duly delivered. But that is quite enough. I remember how tricky it was when other results at other times were somewhat more challenging and the media was full of celebrating lovelies and reports of how well everyone was doing. Difficult times. Time to switch stuff off and go for beach walks. The students of course are so connected they know how everyone has done as soon they've updated their status's (status'?). Before breakfast they know how everyone has done, who's got in where and who hasn't got in anywhere. We are mere observers again.

Drivetime by the way has a lovely Facebook page but I can't be bothered to do it on my own and anyway les enfants have decreed that parents should be banned from Facebook as it is their thing; I am quite happy to oblige.

2 shows today again; films at 5 with guest Colin Farrell who stars in the remake of Total Recall then the mighty ARF. Let's blast the radio with an opening song of wonder and noise.

Have a significant and startling Friday; see you after 2&5.

Up early, heart pounding. I will say no more.

Here's to a fine day, looking set for a sunny one here on the estate (and we appear to be fox-free at the moment, so praise be). Really enjoyed yesterday's show and Eddie M was on fine form I thought; thoughtful, open and profound. He was wearing some natty yellow trousers too which takes a certain panache and je ne sais quoi (which looks really stupid written down). There is, in my opinion, no such thing as a bad Eddie Marsan film.

As I wrote that paragraph, the ping from the inbox signified the arrival of child 2's A level results. What a terrifying sound. Normally so innocuous, you would normally pay it no heed but today? Oh boy. I remember my dad chucking an envelope at me in my tent as we camped somewhere (Cornwall probably) and the heart pounding in EXACTLY the same way. In those far off days, my 2 B's and a C was considered pretty good and fine enough anyway for Warwick. It would be unwise to blog about child 2's results as 1) she hasn't said I could and 2) Grandmas don't know yet. Etiquette matters.

We move on.

Nige is back with a tasty chocolate tart for you (well me really) and oldies please on the subject of CHEATING. The world of Scrabble has been shocked to its core by the revelations of cheating in the US National Scrabble Championships. One of its young players was caught with 2 blank tiles under his shoe and has been expelled. Songs for the cheats please!

Have a sunny and coherent Thursday, see you after 5

Well here we all are again. Wednesday it is and another fine show on the way (though you'll obviously be the judge of that). Today should be a calm day. Tomorrow is A level results day and won't be. But today, ignorance is bliss. No point in worrying, can't change it now, just wait and see etc. AS was bad enough last year but that is just a trial run for tomorrow. I remember mine, you may well remember yours and it all seems like the most important thing in the world (which it is but don't mention that too loudly). For parents it is a particularly exquisite torture as we look on with a number of wise statements to hand but none that seem appropriate. Providing balance and perspective will be useful in time of course but it might have to wait. You have champagne in the fridge for a celebration and tissues on hand if it all goes, shall we say, rather disappointingly. So tomorrow's blog will not contain musings of this nature as everything will be a tad too frantic.

Today we welcome the wonderful Eddie Marsen to Drivetime. Eddie is always brilliant whether as the manic driving instructor in Happy Go Lucky, a dwarf in Snow White and the Huntsman or Inspector Lestade in Sherlock Holmes. On Thursday he stars with Rob Brydon in The Best Of Men on BBC1. It is the true story of Dr Ludwig Guttman the inspirational doctor and neurologist who essentially created the Paralympic Games. Until Guttmann arrived, paralysis was considered terminal but he used sport to build strength and self respect. It is a wonderful piece of TV and also stars Rob Brydon as a paralysed Welsh soldier. Eddie will explain more from 6.

And oldies please for RAIL COMMUTERS. Price rises of up to 20% over the next 3 years on trains that are already amongst the most expensive in the world mean glum faces on the 7.35 this morning. And every morning. Cheer them up with a well chosen tune!

And then we'll see you after 5.

And a good morning to you, bloggers old and new, cheery and weary, working and resting. Whatever was aid yesterday, it is today that feels...you know...well...how shall I put it...normal. Ordinary. Plain. Standard. Regular. Routine (ok you have a thesaurus, move on). On top of that, it's Tuesday-universally acknowledged (with respect to Jamie's jazz show) the least exciting day of the week. But here's the thing; I like normal (ordinary, plain, standard etc). Because if you can make the 'normal' days good then you're laughing. The 'ordinary' is where most of us are, most of the time so if you can make that enjoyable, even Tuesdays can sparkle. Plus the 'it's later than you think' mentality that is a middle age trait soon kicks in. I'm back to the Courtyard Hounds 'Fear of Wasted Time' song again and I've written about that before. 'Wasted Time' by The Eagles on Hotel California does the same thing, so now I'm all set to be unbearable today.

The show should have its share of fairy dust sprinkled as Keane play live. I know we promised that a while back but this time it really should happen. Really really. Their song Sovereign Light Cafe is a real highlight of the playlist I think and their album Strangeland is their fifth consecutive number one. Proper grown up music for grown up people. With melody and class, that kind of thing. And just because it will produce some fine songs, lets do KEEN and ENTHUSIASTIC oldies.

Have a positive and eager Tuesday (it is possible). See you after 5.

Well that's that. And welcome to the rest of 2012. Not sure the closing ceremony was precisely what I would have ordered but it was a party. And it went on for so long, in the end I was quite happy for it to stop. So it worked! Liked the Spice Girls, Ray Davies, Muse, Eric Idle, Queen and Elbow (even though the tv commentators talked incessantly over 'One Day like This'. Until, I suspect, the producer told them to shut up). But I hope Lord Coe allowed himself a small creme de menthe last night. My 3 worder would be 'surprised by pride'. Took child 3 around the City Hall/Tower Bridge area at the weekend-where we did the show from in Olympic week one- and surprised myself by the glowing terms in which I was talking about my home town. I hope the memories last a long time.

And the Olympics beats all other competitions because (amongst many reasons) the stadiums and public transport fill with families and women. Coming back from the show on friday, the train filled up with Hungarians, Irish, Germans and Aussies. There was no tension, no beery, oppressive behaviour, no looking-the-other-way from the other travellers, just smiling, tired faces. Nice one Seb, Britain did indeed get it right.

And all of us not on holiday (Matt and Rebecca long gone) need to hold hands and support each other and a top Drivetime comes your way at 5 (trust me on this). Simon Callow is in after 6 to talk about his play The Mystery of Charles Dickens and we'll do CLEARING AND SWEEPING UP oldies please. It's your small contribution to the national effort.

Have a cheery and tip-top Monday, see you after 5

Well that's that and back into the studio. The first show seems light years away but we are done and it's been a great ride.

On the way home from the show yesterday, squeezing in between Aussies, Dutch, Irish and Union Jack-clad fans, we were wondering whether we would experience anything like this in the UK again. The answer, presumably, is no.

The football tournaments are great but bring with them supporters who are overwhelmingly male. And they shout a lot. These games have brought families of cheery fans, all amazed by what they are a part of. And smile a lot.

Sorry about the technical problems we had last night; much frantic re-wiring and re-plugging got things sorted eventually. The studio at Radio 2 central will appear an oasis of calm in comparison.

Watching and meeting athletes who get ignored all year round but then get their moment in the light has been terrific; the sailors, riders and taekwondo stars were the highlights of recent days.

Soon normality will return and the sporting headlines will be about the spoilt millionaires of football (sounding like Sally now, will need to watch that). But until then...

We have another party to start ladies and gentlemen of the blog. Choose your partners for the opening dance and choose the song to dance to. Get your requests to the DJ in now!

Have a fruity and nutritionally balanced Friday, see you after 5.

Well the sunshine is out and the man is saying 27 degrees. Can this be right? Well sounds good to me - we have our last Olympic Drivetime today live from the park and everything seems set fair.

Weymouth was great fun and 'learning to sail' with Pippa Wilson a real highlight. There is something about a gold medal winner. Even if the aura is entirely of our own making, everyone feels it. When people realised who Pippa was they reacted with wonder and real delight.

The catamaran was a beautiful boat and even though I hadn't sailed for decades, it felt wonderful to be back on board. Particularly when you knew Pippa was in charge. There's not a lot of sailing in my neck of the woods but given half the chance.

And what an opportunity for the lucky folk on the beach in Weymouth - all the sailing is free! It's just there for the duration of the Olympics and run by volunteers - a great way to get introduced to the ways of the sea.

The silver medals of Ian Percy and Andrew Simpson were something to behold too. So heavy! They still seemed a tad dejected by their last-gasp failure to win the gold; to lose in the last few metres of the last race of ten must be a sucker-punch. But as they both mentioned, in time they'll realise how great their achievement was and the silver will glitter and glow with their other awards.

And entirely incidentally, there is a healthy, suntanned, piratical glow to all our sailors-who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

Our interminable journey back was aided by producer Mark's pack of cards which meant poker (never played before) and cheat (really quite good). The chinese takeaway was a surprising addition and stank the carriage out but no one seemed to care.

Today we are back where we started at the Olympic Park and looking forward, amongst other delights, to the breakfast show's Vassos Alexander confession.

And our oldies should be for RECORD BREAKERS. The GB team are record breakers, there are many individual record breakers so let's give the whole lot of them a fine musical selection of tunes (what finer tribute-never mind the open-top bus).

Have a consistent and steadfast Thursday, see you after 5.

Up early for a wee trip to Weymouth. I think we've been here before. The journey is a beautiful one and when it runs alongside the sea is quite spectacular.

The journey home seems twice as long and thrice as boring. But that's when Rebecca steps up to the plate and organises party games for the whole carriage. Singing songs, telling stories and wearing a variety of costumes, she hosts the train with style and panache.

I'm going to take some stirring Churchillian speeches to perform and maybe take my old unicycle to ride up and down the aisle. And maybe when we get back to London, we'll just stay on the train and wait to go back again. [This man has clearly lost it. Stop him now]

We'll be going sailing and talking to tour medalling and podiuming sailors and reflecting on another extraordinary day in this Olympic games. Having watched all the best bits again and again, I think Sir Chris Hoy is the colossus of the games. So eloquent, so talented, so powerful. And when he lost it on the podium, there can't have been a dry eye in the house.

So let's do TEARS and CRYING and EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD oldies. The competitors, the commentators, the watching fans have all choked up at various times (and you, dear blogger, you too?) so we'll chose the tunes to fit the happy howling.

This journey will be over soon (unlike the Weymouth train) so let's enjoy it while it's here. Have a powerful and inspired Wednesday, see you after 5.

Morning all. If it's Tuesday, it must be somewhere else. Horseguards again I think where the scrapping in the sand is still going on. Fortunately no trains needed today so minimal risk of me ending up somewhere I shouldn't be. Yesterday I was too engrossed in my paper to notice that I was going to the wrong part of London. Wrong line, wrong direction. Fortunately there were lots of confused visitors around so I mingled with them.

Finally all was well and Greenwich was as beautiful as ever. We filmed some madcap bits for the website on the Cutty Sark, had a team meeting in the pub and wandered home (right line, right direction).

Loads of blog mentions yesterday, thanks for the tunes. I lost the Facebook and Twitter names so it was a walkover for you guys. Today we should salute the mighty EQUESTRIAN team getting their first gold since Disraeli was Prime Minister or whatever stat Matt had yesterday. That jump off vs the Dutch was a nailbiter even when you knew how it finished. And Nick Skelton's story is amazing. To win gold at the age of 54 after breaking your neck and getting a new hip after a fall is quite something. His horse Big Star was getting plaudits too so lets raise a tune to for Ben Maher, Scott Brash, Peter Charles and Nick Skelton.

EQUESTRIAN oldies if you have a moment (and maybe don't bother with the Racing Cars tune, fine though it is).

Have a controlled and fault-free Tuesday, see you after 5.

And good morning to you. Welcome to new bloggers and the wise old blogvets of many years standing. Here we are again with that awareness that this time next week, it's all over. We'll be kicking our heels and wondering what we are supposed to do now.

In the meantime we have another week of six-packs, rippling muscles ("why don't you look like that?") tears, anthems, medals, podia, anthems, "how do you feel?" being asked over and over again, smiles, singing, flags, souvenir editions of the newspapers, chariots of fire, visitors liking us, gold, silver , bronze, the Queen, James Bond, Elbow (feel free to add to this list) and John Inverdale's choice of shirts.

I caught most of the events of Saturday in between helping Mrs Mayo launch her latest ceramics exhibition in Suffolk - my ambition is to be a kept husband. Loads of prosecco drunk, much porcelain purchased. Then we retired to the pub to watch Jess Ennis, Mo Farrah and Greg Rutherford. It all felt very un-British.

If you read Harry Potter you might remember the Felix Felicis which grants whoever drinks it unusually good luck. Had our team drunk this liquid luck? Had a spell been cast across the land? How long can it last?

Chris is flying in the O park every morning (and that's every morning - is this the new Radio 2 schedule being written here?) and we are back at one of our favourite venues - at Greenwich by the Thames and the Equestrian events.

Matt will keep you updated on all the medals of the day, assorted happy ticket holders will wander past and folk clad in purple will try to help us as whatever our concern; I'm thinking of taking my ironing today to see if they can help with that too.

And oldies please for USIAN BOLT, THE FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD. And it's 50 years of Jamaican independence today too. Great tunes please!

Have a spiffing and top-hole Monday, see you after 5.

Well good morning again bloggers, normal service resumed. Even if everyone seems to have disappeared. August eh? Yesterday's adventure by Tower Bridge was quite a treat. It's a stunning place for a wander. As our wonderful architect (wearing a boater) explained, it is a fascinating mix of the very ancient (Tower of London 1066) and the glassy, brash modern (County Hall 2002). And a splendid international venue to watch a big screen-step forward sweary Australian man with a pint in his hand (I wonder if Aussie swearing and Irish swearing doesn't count as much as normal swearing as it seem s to be part of everyday language? Maybe not).

I hope you're all enjoying the shows; I think there is real momentum behind the games now and I'm already wondering what on earth we are going to do when it's all over. Yesterday was a great day for judo, cycling and shooting and we all cheered to the rafters. I love the Matt cartoons in the Telegraph but he excels himself today. The old guy watching the tv is shouting "COME ON, whoever you are, keep doing whatever you're doing. YESSS! NO..have we won?" Which sums it up nicely.

But it is the ARF today, back in the studio for one day. It can still be an OARF but an OARF that is studio-based and teeing-up your weekend as normal. Time to crown a new (O)ARF King/Queen...your song please.

Have a knowledgeable and wise Friday, see you after 5.

Morning bloggers.

Firstly apologies for the record breaking lateness of yesterday's blog which delayed somewhat your participation in yesterday's show. It was written at the normal time but got stuck in the Olympic slow lane. Hopefully this won't be happening again! Systems are in place, meetings have been held etc. Keep calm etc.

The rest of yesterday went rather well however. Our viewpoint in the old Admiralty building was extraordinary with Nelson in one window and Horseguards Parade, No 10 Downing St and Big Ben in the other. The only frustration was not being allowed to take pictures but hopefully the show was descriptive enough. We'll be back there next week and we look forward to walking the maze-like corridors of power again. I believe that if you get lost in there, it can be many years before anyone sees you again.

And what a day it was with gold medals at last and more victories in the sitting down sports that we do rather well in. It has to be BRADLEY WIGGINS oldies doesn't it? And having done Tour de France oldies a while back maybe we avoid Queen and Kraftwerk for now. And Chris has been modding it up too so let's have some tunes for Sir Bradley asap.

So after much triumphing, medaling and podiuming (anything can be a verb you know), our show comes today from another of the big screen areas by Tower Bridge and London's City Hall, home of the high-wire mayor. Wander past, buy us an ice-cream. You're not that far away really.

Have a well-balanced and nutritionally perfect Thursday, see you after 5.

Morning all Olympic synchronised bloggers.

A late one last night as the team beat it's weary way back from Weymouth (via a store for snacks and refreshment). Games were played (run by R Pike), gossip exchanged and the view was enjoyed. Until went it went dark of course. And that journey! Boy it's a long one. And a return planned next week so plenty of time to come up with more train games. The beach in Weymouth was stunning and, as we reported, pretty deserted. The sailing fans are there alright but the tourists have stayed away and the local restaurants and traders are getting a bit desperate. If you haven't planned your beach holiday, there's a large piece of beach on the Jurassic coast available.

Today we are at Horseguards Parade for the beach volleyball.It seems amazing that it's an Olympic sport at all, however brilliant the athletes are. It's the beach bit I think. Beach football, beach hockey, chucking frisbees are all great fun but the fact that they are on the beach seems to make it more of a holiday past time than a serious sport. But I'm willing to be convinced! And at least everyone else is trying to win, unlike the badminton players of China, South Korea and Indonesia last night. We can all endlessly serve the shuttlecock into the net, and I have done so many times, but no one paid £75 to see me. But the beach volleyball is fantastically popular and attracts all kinds of comments like Boris Johnson's otters quote above, so we will don our trunks and vests and hope no one laughs.

So let's try BEACH VOLLEYBALL oldies then (steady) and see what happens. Thanks for all your suggestions so far, more needed today!

Have a well-honed and wee-clad Wednesday. See you after 5