Heather Fell, Olympic modern pentathlete silver medalist, writes about her life 'on and off' the track.

IT has been too long since I was home last and it was nearly even longer! Since returning from America I hadn't noticed the lack of fuel in my car and considering I can travel 600 miles on a tank I didn't feel any need to panic (unlike the rest of the country) when David Cameron suggested filling up immediately.

I should have joined the queues earlier in the week instead of setting off for Devon at 10pm with my fuel light already showing. The first garage I passed had closed minutes before I arrived but with 20 miles apparently still possible I hit the motorway. I started to worry slightly when the M5 junction was shut and I was heading towards Wales — a resultant diversion through Avonmouth looked hopeful for fuel, but no luck. So it was onto the M5 and to my relief I reached the services as the dial informed me I was on zero — only to find garage closed. I was told the next junction might be hopeful but after driving away from the motorway for five minutes I gave up and returned on my journey south. By now I had smashed my Volkswagen Golf's previous best of 18 miles on zero and reached Sedgmoor Services another six miles later!

n I was given the opportunity that any shoe loving girl would not dream of turning down. Manalo Blanhik is probably the world's most legendary shoe designer and, as I discovered on meeting him, he is a truly inspiring man. Maybe I was still dreaming of a pair of Manalos when I turned up at Sandy Park in Exeter to watch the rugby in some heels only to be invited onto the pitch at half time to embarrass myself by attempting to kick the ball through the posts. It was still an honour even if my attempt was feeble but the heels came in as a good excuse!