Following on from the Brussels 20k, I've confirmed my participation in the Reykjavik Half Marathon on August 19th.

While I'm there I'll be visiting the headquarters of Ossur, makers of my beloved Cheetah.

Frostbitten stumps. Ouch!

My thoughts are with the families of Paul Douglas and James Brolan -- and with Kimblerly Dozier.

With an official time of 2:03:08 I completed my longest race to date -- the Brussels 20k.

I'm using my perennial excuse of huge crowds slowing me down to explain why I didn't manage my goal of finishing in under 2 hours. Aside from that it was the perfect race -- well organised, largely flat and pleasantly cool.

I'll be back next year.

Amputee on Everest -- the backlash begins.

"Sneering at a woman on the grounds that she is an amputee is...about as low as you can go" says the Belfast Telegraph.

I disagree.

We amps don't want special treatment and we don't want to be regarded as any different to anyone else.

Sneer away.

On my way to Podgorica for tomorrow's Montenegrin independence referendum.

More from there.

To the Frontline Club last night to raise a glass in honour of Allan little and Peter Burdin, winners of the first Dart Award for Excellence in Reporting on Victims of Violence.

You can listen to the award-winning three-part series here.

In addition to the cyclosportives I've got planned over the Summer, I'm tempted to take part in this ride -- although I'm worried about chafing.

Thanks to David for drawing attention to the weird'n'wonderful tale of Shane Torrance, who's trying to sell his amputated leg, which he has kept in the freezer for more than a year, on the internet.

That's another money-making opportunity I've missed out on.

Back from Cardiff, where we've gone back to the drawing board on the design of my new prosthesis.

The foot we were using, made by Freedom Innovations, was comfortable but had a very high profile, making it difficult to attach the torsion adapter that allows me a greater range of movement.

So Ian, my prosthetist, is going to try a Blatchford Elite foot instead.

Billed as "the all-terrain foot" it's the gimp equivalent of a 4x4 -- but without the poor fuel efficiency and risks to pedestrians.

Wherever you look at the moment, American amputees seem to be taking part in long distance cycling events.

The second part of the 2006 Soldier Ride is underway, helping to raise awareness and money for injured servicemen and women.

Dan Sheret is about to arrive in the UK with the aim of cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End.

And the Amputees Across America team set off early next month on their latest voyage across the States.

I'd love to be able to spend two months pedalling across America, but as I can't I'll be joining other amputees at the 70 mile Lingfield Park bike ride next month.

The Paul McCartney-Heather Mills split is good copy for the tabloids -- but it's potentially bad news for the anti-landmine cause.

As I saw at first hand a couple of years ago, the couple's star status encouraged high rollers to part with large amounts of cash for Adopt-A-Minefield.

Let's hope the money keeps flowing.

A few days ago Gavin wished me luck on the road to fatherhood by linking to his photoset of pictures of his newborn son, Oscar.

Is it possible to imagine a child more perfect?

Surely, even the least broody person in the world couldn't help but coo at Gavin's photos.

Aileen and I looked through the photos (cooing madly) and agreed that if our son-or-daughter--to-be comes anywhere near Oscar on the cute-o-meter we'll be very happy parents.

Huge congratulations to Kiwi Mark Inglis, who has become the first double amputee to reach the summit of Everest.

The already-legendary taxi driver video is now available online for universal enjoyment.

Who'll be first to secure an interview with him? My money's on the Daily Mail.

UPDATE: Our mystery man is revealed. Sadly, cock-up lovers, it turns out he wasn't a taxi driver at all, but a job seeker with a name not dissimilar to that of pissed-off pundit Guy Kewney, who's taking quite a pasting over his response to the debacle.

Our cab driving pundit makes it into the Guardian and the Times.

Advice to TV runners...If you want to keep your contributors sweet, every time you go to reception be sure to check you're picking up the guest who's due on air and not the cab driver who dropped him off at the studio.

As I way passing through Oakland, CA on my way back to the UK last week I made a diversion to do one of the stories that's been in my Long Term Futures file for an age.

Creative Growth is the world's oldest and largest art centre for adults with developmental and educational disabilities and a powerhouse of what's been termed "Outsider Art."

As the Guardian recently pointed out, the concept of the outsider artist can be an unsettling one.

Still, Creative Growth is a fascinating and inspiring place and some of the artworks produced there are truly amazing.

My article on the centre will appear here in due course.

The BBC has updated its guidelines concerning off-air activities undertaken by editorial staff.

The document "provides additional guidance for those working in news and current affairs areas where the BBC’s reputation for impartiality is crucial and where there are particular sensitivities about off-air activities."

If you ever find yourself wondering why I don't blog about certain issues the answer may lie here or here.

New baby requires new bike kit.

Back from California and straight to Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, for confirmation of the life-changing news I've been bursting to mention for weeks.

My first bloglet is 13 weeks old and Aileen and I are over the moon. She's due on November 6th.

We still don't know the sex but if you look closely at the scan, squint hard and then look at this photo I think you can just about tell.

Life's about to get very weird.

Fame at last -- entry into Frank Gardner's "Club of the Brave."