FOR TODAY

What a week I’ve had. First, there was a not unexpected low as my favourite ultra-marathon, the Marathon des Sables, was finally postponed for 2020. That, however, was the only dark cloud.

My monthly prostate cancer test came out as good as it can be with no change.

Next, I spent a day with my friend Jim and we helped our pal Steve – who coincidentally organises the MDS for all the UK runners – sort out some things in his garden.

Steve has lots of other stuff going on because of the event cancellation but it felt really good to give something back to a friend when the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

And finally, I went to

Hope Cove in Devon to run along the glorious South

West Coast Path for a couple of days with another friend, Matt.

I met Matt while taking part in the MDS in 2019 as we were in the same tent.

We have since become good friends, building on what was created when we were struggling in the sands of the Sahara.

We took out a boat and zoomed along the waves parallel to the coast path we had just run.

It looked so much steeper from the sea but that added to the sense of achievement we had from having done the run.

All week I have felt so privileged to have so many friends to share my life with. They help me live every day in so many different ways.

Sometimes it’s a bit of an effort to hook up with people, but it’s always worth it.

I hope that you too will make an effort to contact friends this week and do something that will do others good.

Until next week,

Kev

justgiving.com/fundraising/kevin-webber8

There are few things worse than the headsplitting pain that comes with toothache. But what can you do about it at the moment?

“Your dental practice should be able to see you now,” says Mayur N Pandya, dentist at Together Dental. “But you can obtain a temporary filling from a supermarket or pharmacy in the meantime.”

Over-the-counter paracetamol and ibuprofen can also help, and clove oil contains a natural anaesthetic that can reduce pain.

Dr Pandya adds: “Pain from wisdom teeth is usually due to inflammation of the gum over the erupting tooth, which might be worsened by trauma from biting. Most flare-ups can be managed with good home care and should settle in a few days.”

The dentist suggests using a homemade mouthwash of cooled boiled water and salt before dabbing Corsodyl Dental Gel (£4.35, boots.com) on the inflamed area.