Call it a death wish, if you like

Late last year, it suddenly dawned on me that what I really want to do is run the Marathon des Sables, a mad venture involving six marathons back-to-back across the Sahara.

But first...

OK, so the decision is easy to make, sticking to it and getting out to the desert is somewhat harder. There are no places for another three years and I have time to get fit, gradually building up the distance.

So I'm doing a half-marathon in September, the Great North Run. I'm under no obligation but I'd like to raise some funds for Alzheimer's Society. Please give what you can...

http://www.justgiving.com/alexguest74/

The MBA versus the crazy old witch

Scott Adams has been taking a dig at MBAs this week...



Have a great Bank Holiday weekend!

Lemon mousse

A wonderful, refreshing dessert after a good dinner.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 250ml double cream
• Juice of one lemon
• Zest of one lemon
• 3 heaped dessert spoons sugar
• 2 egg whites

Method:

1. Whisk up the cream, lemon zest and sugar just until it begins to thicken.
2. Then add the lemon juice and whisk a little more. But don't let it get too thick.
3. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks, add to the cream mixture and fold in.
4. Spoon into 4 small bowls or glasses and put in the fridge to chill.

Chunky spinach soup

A tasty starter, ideal for a dinner in winter.

Ingredients:

• 50g salted butter
• 3 shallots chopped
• 1 pint chicken stock
• 300g spinach leaves chopped
• nutmeg
• 75ml creme fraiche
• 75g gruyere cubed

Method:

1. melt the butter in a large pan
2. throw in the shallots and cook gently for 10 minutes
3. pour in the stock and simmer for 5 mins
4. then add the spinach, with a generous grating of nutmeg, then season and simmer for 20-30 mins
5. take off the heat and allow to stew for a while
6. warm up and stir in the creme fraiche just before serving
7. add the gruyere cubes

Wine suggestion: a medium bodied red - a burgundy would be ideal