Byline: John Bright

I bump into John Matthews, construction and property expert, who retired earlier this year.

So what is he up to now?

He tells me: "I have been to South Africa for two weeks, the Lake District for three days, and Prague for a week's drinking ... and I haven't had time to book a holiday yet!"

Goodness. That's the sort of schedule which Trade Minister Digby Jones and socialite John James would be proud of.

But there's been the more mundane too.

John reveals: "I was dog-sitting as a favour for friends in downtown Broadwas-on-Teme in Worcestershire, whilst they were attending a family wedding in Italy.

"The residence is situated at the top of a hill in the village and has fantastic views over the Teme Valley with the Malvern Hills as a backdrop.

There are also many Fine pubs in the locale, so all in all, it was a relaxing week.

"My sole requirement was to take Mitch, the ageing mutt, for a daily walk which, from our lofty location, meant that we had to go down fairly steep hills.

"The bad news was that, in order to get back, we had to stagger back up said hills.

"For two elderly males, this proved quite knackering."

I know the feeling.

Still, there is yet a sparkle in the Matthews eye even if there isn't much of a spring in the step.

1 1 1 Fresh from putting his problem-solving skills to the test in the Stoford Challenge, Alex Morgan is stepping out today for something far more stamina sapping.

The commercial property project manager, who was part of the Stoford Developments team that Fnished in third place this year, has set himself the task of running 100km across the South Downs in fewer than 12 hours.

He is taking part in Trailwalker, the annual event which raises money for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust, First established by the Queen's Gurkha Signal Regiment in Hong Kong in 1981 as a military exercise.

It covers two days from July 19-20 but the Lost in Wanchai Boys will be aiming to start and complete the job in one.

Alex is no stranger to the event - in 2007 he was part of a mixed team which set a record by completing the course in 12.5 hours.

"As we were so successful, we decided to enter both a men's and women's team this year in the hope that we will raise more money," said Alex, who has been preparing with 30-mile runs each weekend.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Alex, and there's still time, should click on www.justgiving.com/lostinwanchaiboys 1 1 1 Responding to Edgbaston's Conservative Councillor Deirdre Allen (Birmingham Post June 25) and her battle cry of "We can Fight and win post office closure plan". …