Radio Features

How good can the weather be in early February? Wall to wall sunshine all week prompted a 12 mile bike ride.

Only a few more miles to go!

My usual quiet route coincided with the annual Doe Show at Ulting. I was suddenly faced with hundreds of people crossing the road to buy new tractors!

I'm really glad that I've re-discovered my bicycle, and you end up feeling fit, although when it's head-on into the wind and uphill it can get a bit heavy going.

Eventually I reached the halfway point and sat in the sun alongside the canal; find the right bits of Essex and it's idyllic.

Raymond Colin Clark aged 13 years 7 months

Dear diary.....

The secret teenage diaries of Raymond Colin Clark, aged 13 years and 7 months, were rediscovered and led to much conversation about guinea pigs..... the diary extracts also prompted Planet Ray listeners Sylvia and Rosemary to allow us to read 'selected parts' of their teenage chronicles too.

Always the tactful one, I upset BBC Essex website 'good guy' Paul Joslin, by suggesting that the sight of his knobbly knees might scare the young people of our county. The heated discussion resulted in a formidable line-up of Ray Clark Breakfast Show knees.

You can join in by matching the knees to the voice:

Tom has been chatting to furry animals and driving tractors. Next week he's off in search for some 'green' houses. If you've got anywhere that you think he should go, e-mail him at tom.warmington@bbc.co.uk

Who's who in the knobbly knees stakes?

A word from Ali

And Alison continues to keep me and Tom in order, besides leading a very busy life.....

"Pancakes, Parents Evening and Parties… not sure which was the most stressful event this week…..

When you're making pancakes it really helps to have a great frying pan.... I didn't - and ended up making them in a wok - which made them impossible to toss and rather too thick for my liking but three children needed feeding so it was better than nothing.

Still intact, despite Tom's best efforts

They must have tasted OK because there were no leftovers for Ray or Tom!

The next day I had the embarrassing position of muddling up party invites for Youngest Son. One went to Child A not Child B - so after a quick swap in the playground, now Child A's mother thinks Youngest Son doesn't like him.... which I'm sure isn't true.... is it?!

And the week ended with the ordeal that is Parents Evening. OK, it's not that bad but don't you just feel like you're a schoolgirl again - especially having to sit on the tiny plastic chairs that numb your bottom.

Have a great half term!"

And finally for this week, the 'Where in Essex' clues:

A former Essex Olympic runner perhaps? - Linford, near Stanford-le-Hope (Lindford Christie)
Gentry travelled up an Essex river to get here - Earls Colne
A Nordic god, a bell and a heavy weight - Thorrington
Underground campanology -Tollesbury
Drivetime John from cockle town - Hazeleigh (John Hayes/Leigh on Sea)