Back in Blighty

I’m back home now after a couple of brilliant weeks, so I thought I’d just spill the beans on what I’ve been up to.

After all the excitement at the pool for the Commonwealth Games, some of my teammates and I decided to stay in Delhi and see a few sights. Perhaps India’s most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, was absolutely amazing, truly one of the best sights I’ve ever seen - just pipping the Great Wall of China to first place!

We also went shopping to one of Delhi’s many markets, where I bought a very cute jewellery box. When we weren’t out and about, my fiancée, David, and I spent a lot of time around Scotland House – which was great fun. I also really enjoyed the closing ceremony where David was brought out on a tuktuk!

The morning after the ceremony, I had to be up early for the flight home, and it was great to touchdown in England after a few weeks away. I spent first the few days back in Manchester with my family - we had a party, my mum made cup-cakes and my favourite meal!!!

After the welcome home, it was down to London for a few days with my sponsors, Speedo. Becky Adlington, Liam Tancock and I all went to watch Arsenal play a Champions League game and were invited out onto the pitch at half time, we got an amazing response from the crowd! The next day the three of us had a Speedo photoshoot outside its flagship store in Covent Garden and following that we did some media interviews and taught a handful of journalists how to improve their stroke!

The day after I did a talk with another sponsor, Lloyds TSB. They were giving a staff member tickets to the opening ceremony for the Olympics in 2012 – it’s really getting that close, how exciting!

So it was a busy return from Delhi! After London, it was back up North and some wedding planning with David – scary!