IT's been a fun packed week, starting off in Devon and finishing in Hungary, with several stops in between.

After a brief stop in Bath for a morning of training, it was up the M4 to the big city for the annual Sports Aid Ball. The highlight I'd been looking forward to all week was the champagne reception, however after a few hours sat in really bad London traffic I was lucky to arrive just as the main course was being served. I'd naively thought allowing four hours from Bath to London would be ample.

After sitting stationary for an hour outside Harrods (could think of worse places), I decided to venture off route with the aid of my A-Z and directions from locals. I soon discovered you can't find locals in London, no one knew where they were, let alone where I was hoping to get to, and that was before I mentioned I wasn't on foot but in my car! Having found the hotel I was then told I had to negotiate more one-way systems just to park it. After a speedy change (make up already done thanks to the static traffic) I thought the 400m walk to the venue would be simple. I'd be so lucky! After several phone calls and attempted directions from supposed locals I arrived. Believe it or not it was worth it all, I had a great night and got to catch up with several sporting friends and a few sporting heroes. The next day was onto another hotel, but this time once I'd paid my £20 to leave the car park it was straightforward.

After two great nights out it was time to leave the Big Smoke. A 6am alarm call and I was back on the road heading to Newbury races. You might ask why the early start, I certainly did. I was given a great opportunity to watch the live filming of Channel 4's 'Morning Line' from the Royal Box. A real insight to what goes on behind the scenes — a perfect start to a great day of racing' culminating in the Hennessey Gold Cup.

It's back to the hard graft with a bump, I'm now in Hungary for a week's training camp.