well, where do i start, thanks so much for all the replies, i never expected so many to reply and give me such good advice. I've been on forums in the past for plumbers/electricians etc and they are all a bunch of miserable bar stewards, you guys are so up beat and seem genuinely happy in your work and unlike them happy to help people out.
so, with regards working outside in all weather and doing a manual job, my first job was working for a scaffolding firm, bloody hard graft and in all weathers, so I know what it's like, not always the most enjoyable thing, but I do strangely like the thought of getting wrapped up on a cold winters morning and stetting off for the day.
and about window cleaning not being thought of as the best job in the world, I have thought the wife might not be keen on telling everyone what I do, we've just moved into a new house and some of the neighbours are doctors and the like, to be honest I couldn't give a toss what people think of me, but the wife might, I did think she can say I'm the managing director of a cleaning company and we have 5 vans on the road etc, they'd never know!
my job at the moment is a bus driver

, done it dor the last 7 years, compared to the scaffolding it's not hard graft, but it is really tiring work mentally. If it weren't for the bosses, passengers and other road users, it'd be a great job!, but seriously I feel like every day I get home thinking I can't do this for the rest of my life.
I have to admit, canvassing would not be my idea of good fun, I enjoy meeting people and get on with people and will enjoy seeing people when I'm cleaning windows and don't mind calling to collect money

etc, but I know how I feel when someone knocks on my door selling something. How ever I'd try and get the wife or someone in the family to go out canvassing so I know they'l do a good job. If and when I left my full time job i'd probably give it a go.
I do intend to start and do my day off in the week window cleaning and there is the possibility of me going to a 4 day week so I might be able to do 2/3 days window cleaning before having to make the jump and leave employment.
As for my stomach, after 7 years as a bus driver, I've put on 2 stones, there are very few people who come to work there and don't put on a stone or two, but as you said and I admit I do enjoy the odd take away etc that I probably shouldn't have, and could make more of an effort to keep fit, but hopefully the window cleaning will start the belly shrinking instead of growing!
So, thanks agian and I look forward to reading more of your replies.