So we’re a week in. In fact, over a week. I’m going to spare you my full list of 2016 resolutions because it amounts to ten main ones with a supplementary list of a further five and I do like to try and keep my blogs tight. Besides I know there are some people who loathe new year resolutions. Like Lesley Pyne who wrote a great blog about it this week called ‘What you should really do in January’. I thought about my list – my long list – that I’d written on the flight home from Africa and felt a bit embarrassed. Because in a way she’s right – winter is a time for hibernation, spring is the time for growth.

But I’m afraid I can’t help myself. I like nothing better than a plan. And I can’t tell you how many people have asked me what I’m planning to do next…..So I will disclose one thing which is that I’ve decided that 2016 is the year of the HALF MARATHON. Yes, that’s right I did say nought point five. Because if you’re the kind of runner that dogs and small children can walk faster than you’ve got to start somewhere and give yourself time to train. But Jessica, I hear you cry, in the brave new world of ultra marathons isn’t a half marathon – even a full marathon – only mid-magnitude? Can’t you muster more magnitude than that?’

Well, you’re right, now that I’ve swum the Channel and climbed Kilimanjaro, I have acquired a taste for extreme endeavour. And this week JustGiving wrote to me to say of the five million, three hundred and twenty one thousand and twenty four fundraising campaigns in 2015 my Channel Swim was in the top 1%. That’s thanks to all of you who sponsored me and helped me get across. But somehow it also makes me feel I now have a duty to keep flying the flag of families without the children they long for, and children without the families they deserve. So I’ve decided that 2016 is not only the year of the half marathon but also the year of forensic investigation. Yes, I’m talking major-magnitude investigation. Just call me Inspector Morse. First name Endeavour, in case you didn’t know.

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