More in full later, just to say we did it (every flipping hilly inch of it!) and it was simply amazing.
When I have time I'll type my journal up onto here and put in some pics...
Ruth
Highlights of the week that Fern Brittan did can be seen here:
http://www.itv.com/Lifestyle/ThisMorning/features/FerninCuba123/default.html
Monday, December 1, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
6 days to go and counting……
……counting down, counting down days and counting down participants. Sadly, only three of the four original fundraising females will be heading out to Cuba next Friday.
Some of you will know by now that in the last fortnight Alison has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and has to remain behind to start treatment. We are going to miss her gliding effortlessly up hills in front of us (quite how she made it through that ride in howling gales while her body is facing it’s biggest fight ever I don’t know) but we are going to go and do it for her, sending pictures and texts of the detail of the horror of each new hill / mossy bite / sore spot / sleepless night….. so she can sit at home supping tea and think of us!
We have spent a year planning this together, I dread to think how many texts Ali and I have swapped in the last 13 months over fundraising / training / fundraising / kit / fundraising / training / fundraising….and it is a cruel blow that right at the final post we don’t all get a chance to share in what will be a wonderful experience together. However, breast cancer affects one in nine women in Britain today, and touches the lives of one in three, and it would seem Alison is the ninth woman.
Action for charity, the trip organisers, have said they will 'hold' Alison's place, and as soon as she is well enough she will be able to go on whichever trip is on at the time (trips planned so far are Cuba March 09 and Jordan October 09), and they have also agreed that they will hold a second place for me so I can go along with her! Yay! So the fundraising is NOT over; the cycle (pun intended) will start all over again once I return, And as a silver lining in this cloud it means I raise an extra £3000 for an exceptionally good cause.
Alison, we love you, we will miss you in Cuba, and we know you will shout at us if we cop out and get on the land rover! I am sure all the readers (and there are some I believe) will join me in praying, thinking, crossing limbs – whatever it is you do – and sending lots of love for you and your family at this time.
Ruth
P.S. You know I do think there would have been easier get-outs of spending ten days solid with me.....she could just have SAID something!
P.P.S, can I encourage those of you who are yet to buy Christmas cards to consider doing so from here, and in doing so support the Royal Marsden Hospital who will be providing Alison's care.
Some of you will know by now that in the last fortnight Alison has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and has to remain behind to start treatment. We are going to miss her gliding effortlessly up hills in front of us (quite how she made it through that ride in howling gales while her body is facing it’s biggest fight ever I don’t know) but we are going to go and do it for her, sending pictures and texts of the detail of the horror of each new hill / mossy bite / sore spot / sleepless night….. so she can sit at home supping tea and think of us!
We have spent a year planning this together, I dread to think how many texts Ali and I have swapped in the last 13 months over fundraising / training / fundraising / kit / fundraising / training / fundraising….and it is a cruel blow that right at the final post we don’t all get a chance to share in what will be a wonderful experience together. However, breast cancer affects one in nine women in Britain today, and touches the lives of one in three, and it would seem Alison is the ninth woman.
Action for charity, the trip organisers, have said they will 'hold' Alison's place, and as soon as she is well enough she will be able to go on whichever trip is on at the time (trips planned so far are Cuba March 09 and Jordan October 09), and they have also agreed that they will hold a second place for me so I can go along with her! Yay! So the fundraising is NOT over; the cycle (pun intended) will start all over again once I return, And as a silver lining in this cloud it means I raise an extra £3000 for an exceptionally good cause.
Alison, we love you, we will miss you in Cuba, and we know you will shout at us if we cop out and get on the land rover! I am sure all the readers (and there are some I believe) will join me in praying, thinking, crossing limbs – whatever it is you do – and sending lots of love for you and your family at this time.
Ruth
P.S. You know I do think there would have been easier get-outs of spending ten days solid with me.....she could just have SAID something!
P.P.S, can I encourage those of you who are yet to buy Christmas cards to consider doing so from here, and in doing so support the Royal Marsden Hospital who will be providing Alison's care.
Friday, November 7, 2008
out with the old...
So B.O.D (the bike formally known as Thing) has gone. To the great bike repair shop in the sky (otherwise known as Frome tip).
This morning has seen me walking shiny new bike (needs a name me thinks - suggestions please!) to school, where the caretaker Mr. Richie fitted a shiny new trailer bike that I was buying off him - Jack and I then made it home, took the trailer off, put both bikes on the car and headed to Halfords to have remaining child seat gubbins taken off Thing and put onto Shiny new bike. Now I am all set to get Sam from school, with Jack on the crossbar seat...and it is POURING with rain!
So I promised I'd fill you in on last weekends epic journey. Well to start with Ali and I had to go to the bike shop to get a new tyre and inner tube as shiny new bike had been delivered with gaping holes. Then we gathered at Caz's; The intrpid trio ready for the off.
Caz has a great new toy on her bike; she has fancy new clipless pedals and shoes. As I was just doing a couple of laps checking shiny new bike, she was demonstrating these: the shoes clip into the pedals, and then you can pull as well as push with each stroke. To remove your foot you twist it sideways and it pops out in a flash! "Easy as pie!" said Caz, who twisted her right foot out of the pedal, and then lent left. And yes, ended up in a heap on the ground.
Hmmmm. Not a great start to our epic ride!
As we headed to Shoreham airport (within a mile of leaving!) the weather started getting bad. Windy, rainy, cold, rainy, blostery, rainy, icy, rainy, cold... By the time we had gone another mile we were discussing whether we would be able to finish. By the time we had gone a nother mile we were SOAKING wet and freezing cold!
We managed a soggy 20 miles before stopping for lunch at Bolney. We walked into the coldest pub in the world look like the most bedraggled crew you have ever seen. And yes, it really was the coldest pub in the world. We would have been warmer and drier had we spent 20 minute swimming in iced water. An hour later, we ventured out of the pub into the still appalling weather, and getting back on those bikes was practically torture. The next stretch of the journey we did about a mile (or half?) actually ON the A23. The cycle route takes you up the pavement on the side. This was just hell! Into the wind, cars whizzing past at 60/70mph, the wind and rain lashing into your face, the rain stinging where it hits you, unable to see clearly with or without glasses, and by this point my bum was SORE. Ed had assured me that sticking with the posh saddle on my new bike was worthwhile, but by gum, getting used to a whole new riding position and new saddle on a long ride in these conditions was NOT a good plan.
We plodded bravely on, discussing how in decent weahter it would actually be a very pretty route, and trying to convince ourselves we could do it. Then we hit Handcross hill. Handcross Hill goes on and on and on and on. And on. Oh, and On. Just when you think you have got to the top, you round the corner and look! A bit more up!
It finished us off. By this point the light was going and whereas we had made pretty good time before lunch covering 20 miles in 2.5 hours (please appreciate this is pretty good time for us, but rubbish for 'normal' cyclists), since lunch we had managed only 5 (up) miles in nearly an hour. The light was going, we all ached and hurt and were cold and wet as never before. We stopped in the pub, and rang for our knight in shining armour - otherwise known as Mike - to rescue us.
Once in the pub we automatically drifted towards the roaring log fire, and stood there like muppets for about 10 minutes before we were defrosted enough to even think about ordering drinks. Kit was removed, shoes were removed and put to dry by the fire, and three hot chocolates were ordered. Twice.
On Sunday, we decided to drive back to Lancing, and on the A23 we all agreed that the stretch we had done on there was very UP indeed!
Some time I will draw a picture of the three of us on this trip. Alison seemingly gliding effortlessly in front, hardly breaking a sweat, and me panting, spinning legs furiously, red in the face, puffed out, exhausted, sweating like a pig, struggling behind. Caz was somewhere in the middle I think.
Two weeks to go.....
This morning has seen me walking shiny new bike (needs a name me thinks - suggestions please!) to school, where the caretaker Mr. Richie fitted a shiny new trailer bike that I was buying off him - Jack and I then made it home, took the trailer off, put both bikes on the car and headed to Halfords to have remaining child seat gubbins taken off Thing and put onto Shiny new bike. Now I am all set to get Sam from school, with Jack on the crossbar seat...and it is POURING with rain!
So I promised I'd fill you in on last weekends epic journey. Well to start with Ali and I had to go to the bike shop to get a new tyre and inner tube as shiny new bike had been delivered with gaping holes. Then we gathered at Caz's; The intrpid trio ready for the off.
Caz has a great new toy on her bike; she has fancy new clipless pedals and shoes. As I was just doing a couple of laps checking shiny new bike, she was demonstrating these: the shoes clip into the pedals, and then you can pull as well as push with each stroke. To remove your foot you twist it sideways and it pops out in a flash! "Easy as pie!" said Caz, who twisted her right foot out of the pedal, and then lent left. And yes, ended up in a heap on the ground.
Hmmmm. Not a great start to our epic ride!
As we headed to Shoreham airport (within a mile of leaving!) the weather started getting bad. Windy, rainy, cold, rainy, blostery, rainy, icy, rainy, cold... By the time we had gone another mile we were discussing whether we would be able to finish. By the time we had gone a nother mile we were SOAKING wet and freezing cold!
We managed a soggy 20 miles before stopping for lunch at Bolney. We walked into the coldest pub in the world look like the most bedraggled crew you have ever seen. And yes, it really was the coldest pub in the world. We would have been warmer and drier had we spent 20 minute swimming in iced water. An hour later, we ventured out of the pub into the still appalling weather, and getting back on those bikes was practically torture. The next stretch of the journey we did about a mile (or half?) actually ON the A23. The cycle route takes you up the pavement on the side. This was just hell! Into the wind, cars whizzing past at 60/70mph, the wind and rain lashing into your face, the rain stinging where it hits you, unable to see clearly with or without glasses, and by this point my bum was SORE. Ed had assured me that sticking with the posh saddle on my new bike was worthwhile, but by gum, getting used to a whole new riding position and new saddle on a long ride in these conditions was NOT a good plan.
We plodded bravely on, discussing how in decent weahter it would actually be a very pretty route, and trying to convince ourselves we could do it. Then we hit Handcross hill. Handcross Hill goes on and on and on and on. And on. Oh, and On. Just when you think you have got to the top, you round the corner and look! A bit more up!
It finished us off. By this point the light was going and whereas we had made pretty good time before lunch covering 20 miles in 2.5 hours (please appreciate this is pretty good time for us, but rubbish for 'normal' cyclists), since lunch we had managed only 5 (up) miles in nearly an hour. The light was going, we all ached and hurt and were cold and wet as never before. We stopped in the pub, and rang for our knight in shining armour - otherwise known as Mike - to rescue us.
Once in the pub we automatically drifted towards the roaring log fire, and stood there like muppets for about 10 minutes before we were defrosted enough to even think about ordering drinks. Kit was removed, shoes were removed and put to dry by the fire, and three hot chocolates were ordered. Twice.
On Sunday, we decided to drive back to Lancing, and on the A23 we all agreed that the stretch we had done on there was very UP indeed!
Some time I will draw a picture of the three of us on this trip. Alison seemingly gliding effortlessly in front, hardly breaking a sweat, and me panting, spinning legs furiously, red in the face, puffed out, exhausted, sweating like a pig, struggling behind. Caz was somewhere in the middle I think.
Two weeks to go.....
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sorry, Ruth can't come to the blog right now.
Still defrosting and drying out after doing this route in the pouring rain and howling gales yesterday. Yes we were supposed to go to Redill, and back Sunday. No we didn't make it. Total ascent 925 foot. Total descent -449 foot. Yes we are exhausted. 'Nuff said.
More later.....
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Yikes...
So today is the 29th October. I last posted on the 1st October, feeling somewhat triumphant having just cycled 80 or so miles in 2 days, and with a fresh resolve to train hard for the task in hand.
Since then? I have done precisely two school runs (total distance 2 miles) and one trip to the park (total distance 2 miles with a half hour long break for see-sawing in the middle).
On one of the school run trips myself and both boys nearly ended up under a passing truck when Jack (who knew full well he should NOT be carrying toys on the bike - we have a "toys in pockets" rule) dropped Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas promptly chuffed his way into a very tight corner lodged on top of the back wheel between the frame, brake cables and tyre; the result of this being that the bike stopped. I mean STOPPED. dead. Very suddenly. A fair way from the curb as we were pulling to go round a parked car. Two children one bike and me. Jammed. On a relatively busy road at school run rush hour. I had to unload the children, send them to the pavement, lift B.O.D to the pavement (a hard job - HEAVY!) then turn B.O.D. upside down while wrestling with Thomas for 10 minutes trying to convince him that the thing the fat controller (that'd be me) wanted him to do was to chuff right back out of that spot. NOT a really useful engine.
Thomas, sadly, had a broken wheel, and we spent the remainder of the trip home with Jack screaming (top of Jacks lungs is a very loud and very high pitched place) because of Thomas' broken wheel, and he seemed to think this much more upsetting than the fact we all very nearly died. One of us certainly has our priorities screwed a little.
There is a group of us (those of us who will be going to Cuba together) chatting on Facebook now, swapping tips for what to pack, how to numb areas that may need numbing etc etc. This is a kind of breakaway group from the slightly scary Justgiving group - they were all cycling 100 miles a day and had raised double their fundraising target by March (and are apparently discussing whether or not one should take GHD hair straighteners to Cuba.....hmmmmmmmmm.) - scary for those of us who could barely recognise a bike and had raised about £10.50 by that time. However, now the FB group seem to also be leaving me miles behind. They all seem to be cycling a decent number of miles a decent number of times a week, or at least making it the gym, or doing some form of exercise more than the 'lifting-the-next-slice-of-cake-to-their-mouth' exercise that I am doing. They seem to know what they are packing, what they should be taking when they should be at the airport. All that stuff.
I know nothing! In precisely 23 days I will be sitting on an aeroplane with all these prepared and ready people. A bundle of exhausted fuzzy nerves, trying to desperately remind myself how to pedal. They do say you can never forget though right?
I am making something of an effort this coming weekend. Well that is to say I have some effort planned. Alison and I are going to drive to Caz's place on the South coast on Saturday morning, then all cycle back to Alison's in surrey (this involves South downs and North downs). The plan was that I collect my shiny new expensive bike from lovely Ed on the way to Alison's Friday evening - but still no word on the tyre that is split. Or rather the replacement for the tyre that is split. He has my brand new shiny bike all assembled and ready to go; except this blinking tyre which seems to be taking FOREVER to arrive. And if I have to do a 100 mile weekend on B.O.D I think I may just cry. Or die.
So watch this space.....I'll keep you posted!
(Just to add insult to injury - I am currently staying at my lovely friend Rosie's house, and I just managed to publish this post on her blog instead of my own! I blame her house - its all so flipping technological I am typing this on the dishwasher...)
Since then? I have done precisely two school runs (total distance 2 miles) and one trip to the park (total distance 2 miles with a half hour long break for see-sawing in the middle).
On one of the school run trips myself and both boys nearly ended up under a passing truck when Jack (who knew full well he should NOT be carrying toys on the bike - we have a "toys in pockets" rule) dropped Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas promptly chuffed his way into a very tight corner lodged on top of the back wheel between the frame, brake cables and tyre; the result of this being that the bike stopped. I mean STOPPED. dead. Very suddenly. A fair way from the curb as we were pulling to go round a parked car. Two children one bike and me. Jammed. On a relatively busy road at school run rush hour. I had to unload the children, send them to the pavement, lift B.O.D to the pavement (a hard job - HEAVY!) then turn B.O.D. upside down while wrestling with Thomas for 10 minutes trying to convince him that the thing the fat controller (that'd be me) wanted him to do was to chuff right back out of that spot. NOT a really useful engine.
Thomas, sadly, had a broken wheel, and we spent the remainder of the trip home with Jack screaming (top of Jacks lungs is a very loud and very high pitched place) because of Thomas' broken wheel, and he seemed to think this much more upsetting than the fact we all very nearly died. One of us certainly has our priorities screwed a little.
There is a group of us (those of us who will be going to Cuba together) chatting on Facebook now, swapping tips for what to pack, how to numb areas that may need numbing etc etc. This is a kind of breakaway group from the slightly scary Justgiving group - they were all cycling 100 miles a day and had raised double their fundraising target by March (and are apparently discussing whether or not one should take GHD hair straighteners to Cuba.....hmmmmmmmmm.) - scary for those of us who could barely recognise a bike and had raised about £10.50 by that time. However, now the FB group seem to also be leaving me miles behind. They all seem to be cycling a decent number of miles a decent number of times a week, or at least making it the gym, or doing some form of exercise more than the 'lifting-the-next-slice-of-cake-to-their-mouth' exercise that I am doing. They seem to know what they are packing, what they should be taking when they should be at the airport. All that stuff.
I know nothing! In precisely 23 days I will be sitting on an aeroplane with all these prepared and ready people. A bundle of exhausted fuzzy nerves, trying to desperately remind myself how to pedal. They do say you can never forget though right?
I am making something of an effort this coming weekend. Well that is to say I have some effort planned. Alison and I are going to drive to Caz's place on the South coast on Saturday morning, then all cycle back to Alison's in surrey (this involves South downs and North downs). The plan was that I collect my shiny new expensive bike from lovely Ed on the way to Alison's Friday evening - but still no word on the tyre that is split. Or rather the replacement for the tyre that is split. He has my brand new shiny bike all assembled and ready to go; except this blinking tyre which seems to be taking FOREVER to arrive. And if I have to do a 100 mile weekend on B.O.D I think I may just cry. Or die.
So watch this space.....I'll keep you posted!
(Just to add insult to injury - I am currently staying at my lovely friend Rosie's house, and I just managed to publish this post on her blog instead of my own! I blame her house - its all so flipping technological I am typing this on the dishwasher...)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
PHEW!
Well we did it!
80 Miles in two days. Phew! We all met rather nervously on the Saturday morning, greeted by the ever-enthusiastic Ed, who was the trip engineer and one of the trainers. Ed bounces everywhere. Or cycles. He's a bit like Tigger with a bike but taller and without a tail. So there was this gaggle of rather nervous women, twitching about the cold (it was foggy), their nervousness of wearing clingy lycra with padded bums, and the sheer terror of what lay ahead. I unloaded my bike and heaved a sigh of relief when Maggie promptly drove up the driveway. A familiar face is a blessing in these times! Maggie was promptly followed by Olive and the Caz and Ali who had the good sense to drive up the night before rather than on the morning as I had. Getting up that early means breakfast is not really face-able, and so the only sustenance I had before setting off on the ride was a banana. Not good.
Still, finally when Ed had gone round telling every one their tyres were too flat and pumping them up furiously we gathered for the prep talk by Trish. Trish was the group leader. A fabulously informed lady who obviously spends far, FAR more time on a bike than any of us did - and she isn't coming to Cuba! I think the only thing that Trish said that stuck in our minds, was that 5 miles in we would hit our first hill. Now on the Just Giving website there is a forum, where some of the girls go and chat. And even though I don't really go on there, the rumours had reached me about THAT HILL. Was this hill that Trish was mentioning THAT hill we all wanted to know? She wasn't sure, but did assure us the air would turn blue as we rounded the corner and saw it, which wasn't exactly reassuring.
So, we peddled off out of Lower Quinton, taking a nice easy 10 mphish, and feeling quite relaxed and reassured fora bit. We pulled over for a quick stop, shed some layers, munched some energy foods, then braced our selves. Oh lordy. Yes. That was a HILL. SERIOUSLY. Made Great Elm look like Holland.
Unfortunately the directions I have do not enable me to chart the route on mapmyrun to show you the true horror of this elevation. Suffice to say all of us swore. A fair few of us had a crack at it, some got off and walked, some (myself included) cycled the whole way but only by stopping and remembering how to breathe and regain the feeling in their legs every three minutes or so - it took 10 minutes to recover from each three minute stretch so this was fairly time consuming!
Anyway, sooner or later we all made it up. Somehow after that none of the other hills over the entire weekend seemed quite as bad. Cazzy, who has only really done training on the flat, managed to cycle most of them and we developed and excellent technique which involved a lot of shouting at each other to help get ourselves to the top. By lunchtime (we stopped at the Fleece Inn in Bretforton) Thing was dying. The chain had jammed once, the gears weren't changing up properly, and if they did the chain just slipped back off the cog it was meant to be on onto the one below. I asked Ed to have a look at it, which he did, before basically announcing the imminent death of Thing. Thing, I am told, has lived his life. Thing is exhausted, brakes are shot, gears are shot, too heavy, not worth repairing. I need a new bike. Thing was duly named by Ed, and henceforth known by the group as the Bike of Doom! (this has to be said with 'doom' kind of voice: 'bike of DOOOOOM!'. I have to say, although Ed reassured me that Thing (henceforth B.O.D. on here) would get round the weekend, it was a little harrowing to be hurtling down very steep hills very fast as the engineer who has assured your brakes don't really quite make the grade whizzes past calling "BIKE OF DOOOoooooommm" over his shoulder. Thanks Ed.
Saturday evening saw Olive leave us as she had the lurgy. I am now fairly confident she is responsible for giving me the lurgy I now have, as does Maggie. Thanks for sharing Olive! Olive did really well on the cycling, especially in view of the fact that she felt rough, but did seem to have something of a death wish just pulling out into the road without looking - a little dodgy even when one can hear oncoming traffic!
Saturday evening I did try to persuade Caz that after nigh on 20 years of friendship, and as she had experience one day of training on a decent bike, the decent friendly thing to do would be to swap. But she wouldn't. So I set my sights on Ali, who after all has asked me to be Godmother to her firstborn son, and so obviously cares about my future well being. She wouldn't swap either. Double Hmph.
Sunday morning I suggested to Ed that we had a group bike exchange, you know, to help everyone experience how it would be on a different bike. None of us after all, will be on our own bikes in Cuba. He said it was too late. Triple Hmph. Still I have to say, his tinkering did mean that BOD behaved relatively well for the remainder of the weekend, and he is going to offer impartial advice on BODs replacement, so he is forgiven.
I just want to mention Julie briefly. Julie came with Maggie, and they hadn't met before except online and are firm friends. Julie is even madder than the rest of us as she shaved her head and raised a whole lotta cash in the process. Easy fundraising. Emotional traumatic, but easy money. Way to go girl.
So here we are, Julie, Maggie, Caz, Ali and me, with (on the far left) Gwen who works for Women for Women and will be cycling round Cuba Twice. Yes really. Two consecutive weeks. She did the same thing in India and Egypt.
Also, I need to apologise to Everyone I met, cos I can't remember any of your names, unless I met you previously, or you teased my bike or shaved your head. I am sure, after a week together, we will all know each other REALLY well! Certainly seems to be nothing like a good few uncomfortable miles on a bike together to start women talking about intimate subjects!
80 Miles in two days. Phew! We all met rather nervously on the Saturday morning, greeted by the ever-enthusiastic Ed, who was the trip engineer and one of the trainers. Ed bounces everywhere. Or cycles. He's a bit like Tigger with a bike but taller and without a tail. So there was this gaggle of rather nervous women, twitching about the cold (it was foggy), their nervousness of wearing clingy lycra with padded bums, and the sheer terror of what lay ahead. I unloaded my bike and heaved a sigh of relief when Maggie promptly drove up the driveway. A familiar face is a blessing in these times! Maggie was promptly followed by Olive and the Caz and Ali who had the good sense to drive up the night before rather than on the morning as I had. Getting up that early means breakfast is not really face-able, and so the only sustenance I had before setting off on the ride was a banana. Not good.
Still, finally when Ed had gone round telling every one their tyres were too flat and pumping them up furiously we gathered for the prep talk by Trish. Trish was the group leader. A fabulously informed lady who obviously spends far, FAR more time on a bike than any of us did - and she isn't coming to Cuba! I think the only thing that Trish said that stuck in our minds, was that 5 miles in we would hit our first hill. Now on the Just Giving website there is a forum, where some of the girls go and chat. And even though I don't really go on there, the rumours had reached me about THAT HILL. Was this hill that Trish was mentioning THAT hill we all wanted to know? She wasn't sure, but did assure us the air would turn blue as we rounded the corner and saw it, which wasn't exactly reassuring.
So, we peddled off out of Lower Quinton, taking a nice easy 10 mphish, and feeling quite relaxed and reassured fora bit. We pulled over for a quick stop, shed some layers, munched some energy foods, then braced our selves. Oh lordy. Yes. That was a HILL. SERIOUSLY. Made Great Elm look like Holland.
Unfortunately the directions I have do not enable me to chart the route on mapmyrun to show you the true horror of this elevation. Suffice to say all of us swore. A fair few of us had a crack at it, some got off and walked, some (myself included) cycled the whole way but only by stopping and remembering how to breathe and regain the feeling in their legs every three minutes or so - it took 10 minutes to recover from each three minute stretch so this was fairly time consuming!
Anyway, sooner or later we all made it up. Somehow after that none of the other hills over the entire weekend seemed quite as bad. Cazzy, who has only really done training on the flat, managed to cycle most of them and we developed and excellent technique which involved a lot of shouting at each other to help get ourselves to the top. By lunchtime (we stopped at the Fleece Inn in Bretforton) Thing was dying. The chain had jammed once, the gears weren't changing up properly, and if they did the chain just slipped back off the cog it was meant to be on onto the one below. I asked Ed to have a look at it, which he did, before basically announcing the imminent death of Thing. Thing, I am told, has lived his life. Thing is exhausted, brakes are shot, gears are shot, too heavy, not worth repairing. I need a new bike. Thing was duly named by Ed, and henceforth known by the group as the Bike of Doom! (this has to be said with 'doom' kind of voice: 'bike of DOOOOOM!'. I have to say, although Ed reassured me that Thing (henceforth B.O.D. on here) would get round the weekend, it was a little harrowing to be hurtling down very steep hills very fast as the engineer who has assured your brakes don't really quite make the grade whizzes past calling "BIKE OF DOOOoooooommm" over his shoulder. Thanks Ed.
Saturday evening saw Olive leave us as she had the lurgy. I am now fairly confident she is responsible for giving me the lurgy I now have, as does Maggie. Thanks for sharing Olive! Olive did really well on the cycling, especially in view of the fact that she felt rough, but did seem to have something of a death wish just pulling out into the road without looking - a little dodgy even when one can hear oncoming traffic!
Saturday evening I did try to persuade Caz that after nigh on 20 years of friendship, and as she had experience one day of training on a decent bike, the decent friendly thing to do would be to swap. But she wouldn't. So I set my sights on Ali, who after all has asked me to be Godmother to her firstborn son, and so obviously cares about my future well being. She wouldn't swap either. Double Hmph.
Sunday morning I suggested to Ed that we had a group bike exchange, you know, to help everyone experience how it would be on a different bike. None of us after all, will be on our own bikes in Cuba. He said it was too late. Triple Hmph. Still I have to say, his tinkering did mean that BOD behaved relatively well for the remainder of the weekend, and he is going to offer impartial advice on BODs replacement, so he is forgiven.
I just want to mention Julie briefly. Julie came with Maggie, and they hadn't met before except online and are firm friends. Julie is even madder than the rest of us as she shaved her head and raised a whole lotta cash in the process. Easy fundraising. Emotional traumatic, but easy money. Way to go girl.
So here we are, Julie, Maggie, Caz, Ali and me, with (on the far left) Gwen who works for Women for Women and will be cycling round Cuba Twice. Yes really. Two consecutive weeks. She did the same thing in India and Egypt.
Also, I need to apologise to Everyone I met, cos I can't remember any of your names, unless I met you previously, or you teased my bike or shaved your head. I am sure, after a week together, we will all know each other REALLY well! Certainly seems to be nothing like a good few uncomfortable miles on a bike together to start women talking about intimate subjects!
Friday, September 26, 2008
eeeek!
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I have such a huge to-do list permanently at the moment, and as soon as 'update blog' gets a little nearer the top 10 more pressing items get themselves added on.
I just thought Id let you all know that this weekend (that'd be tomorrow!) is our training weekend. We are doing 40 miles each day, through the Cotswold's. I am told via a reliable source that Fern Britton did this last weekend and was followed by a film crew - and will be shown on Mondays edition on 'This Morning'.
It is fair to say that I am panicking slightly, having not done more than 22 miles or so in one stretch, and then my fingers went blues and my hands went numb (I now have gloves - all be it rather poorly fitting ones...). Caz is panicking about the hills having only really done flat, Alison has bought enough energy gels,sweets, powders, drinks etc to last the four of us a month as her way of coping, Maggie (remember her? We met at the car boot sale) I practically had to blackmail into coming along at all, and I am just quaking, and trying to pretend it really wasn't my idea any of us did this in the first place.
The upshot is, that come Monday we will either be REALLY panicking, or wonderfully reassured. We will probably have some trouble walking or sitting too - but that's another story...
I just thought Id let you all know that this weekend (that'd be tomorrow!) is our training weekend. We are doing 40 miles each day, through the Cotswold's. I am told via a reliable source that Fern Britton did this last weekend and was followed by a film crew - and will be shown on Mondays edition on 'This Morning'.
It is fair to say that I am panicking slightly, having not done more than 22 miles or so in one stretch, and then my fingers went blues and my hands went numb (I now have gloves - all be it rather poorly fitting ones...). Caz is panicking about the hills having only really done flat, Alison has bought enough energy gels,sweets, powders, drinks etc to last the four of us a month as her way of coping, Maggie (remember her? We met at the car boot sale) I practically had to blackmail into coming along at all, and I am just quaking, and trying to pretend it really wasn't my idea any of us did this in the first place.
The upshot is, that come Monday we will either be REALLY panicking, or wonderfully reassured. We will probably have some trouble walking or sitting too - but that's another story...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
decisions decisions.....
I will some time soon get around to writing about latest exploits on thing. In the meantime I am trying to make a decision: do I get a trailgater or a tag along? My theory being that Sam can then help up the hills! Any one know which is best?
Answers on a postcode please!
Answers on a postcode please!
Monday, August 25, 2008
deepest darkest somerset
So today, I had a WHOLE day to myself, and decided to tackle route 24 again. 9am saw me loading thing to the car (on new bike rack very kindly lent and fixed by neighbour Geoff), and setting off towards Great Elm.
And yes, I took my camera with me. This is the start of the cycle route. Well that's a bit of a fib. Its the start of the off road bit - on the disused railway.
The joy, I thought, about this route compared to previously tried routes, was that being on a disused railway it would be flat. Well. no. Not exactly. Fair to say it was considerably flatter than the route TO Great Elm, but the first 200 yards or so was very definitely up, and when you haven't cycled (or done any other form of exercise for that matter) for a fortnight, this is NOT a good warm up option.
Anyway, I made it. And I took pictures WHILE cycling.....see? I really do actually cycle sometimes....
So, the path from Great Elm to Radstock was largely tarmac, with trees or open fields for scenery, largely flat, and lined with beautiful wild flowers. Just in case we were in any doubt that it was indeed an old railway line they left a couple of reminders:
Once I got to Radstock I felt fine, so decided to carry on. The signs said that Shoscombe was 1.5 miles, and Wellow 4.5 miles. i decided to aim for Shoscombe and see what happened. The route immediately leaving Radstock was far from the pretty idle I had approached it from. Track ran alongside big industrial warehouses, separated by aggressive metal fencing, and lined on the other side by walls adorned with graffiti. About a mile in I spotted a sign which said "CAUTION STEEP GRADIENT 1.5 MILES AHEAD". Bracing myself, I thought I would approach before making the decision. Well, when I got there, it was nothing! so I free wheeled down and was glad to find myself once again in open country. The track led onto roads after a way, and the hill into Shoscombe village is pretty hefty, but I am proud o say I managed it without walking! and seeing as I felt fine, I just carried on into Wellow.
Yes really. Wellow! By road this is 12.5 miles from my front door, and by bike on the cycle path it was something similar. I explored a little, particularly down to see the DEEP FORD that was sign posted...
Clearly a ford no more thanks to a great huge slab of concrete. This seemed almost barbaric to me, in an area of such beauty. Surely if the ford was proving too tricky for today's electrically managed motors, there had to be a more attractive and environmentally friendly way of bridge building?
Anyway, after a scout around and deciding that if the pub was going to open at all today, it clearly wouldn't be for another hour and there was not enough to keep me occupied for that long, I took this picture (evidence!) and set off back towards Radstock.
Ah, maybe I should explain the Pig. Well, actually THIS will explain it far better than I ever could. I particularly liked this one though, as he was covered in mini self-portraits. Obviously a pig with high self esteem. Something similar was done with cows a couple of years ago I believe.
Anyway, about a mile and half outside Wellow, just when I was congratulating Thing on behaving himself so well (despite kicking off Jacks seat when I loaded him on the car - but I didn't really mind this as it made the whole getting on and off scenario so much easier...), when he had a strop. Chain jam. Full on proper proper jammed. again. I pulled, tugged, turned Thing on a number of varying angles and pulled and tugged again using hands and feet but resisting at using teeth. Shouted swore (yes Mum I do sorry!) started to cry and then told myself not to be so stupid. Then sulked a little. Hmph. Bloody Thing (see!) After walking for about 50 yards I got fed up and tried again. No luck. Then I decided to see I if could force the chain out of its hiding place by getting on and riding. Riding with a jammed chain is interesting; you have to pedal frantically backwards and forwards as far as possible each time (not very far) and keeping balance is tricky to say the least. So I started walking again. Then accosted a very friendly a nice man (but slightly daft obviously as was not wearing a helmet) who abandoned his ride for 10 minutes to try and prize chain out with a screw driver. After he started looking decidedly flustered I thanked him and assured him I would be fine to walk into Radstock and then get a cab to the car, then go pick up bike etc. Let me tell you I was in a STROP. Blinking Thing. I started wondering how on earth I was supposed to train and decided that I would HAVE to buy a new bike. Then I wheeled thing backwards about a centimetre. Just as a by product of scratching my neck or something equally bizarre. And out popped the chain. Just like that.
By this point I was not only exhausted and sore in places I really didn't want to be sore, I was also starving hungry and covered in oil. Black hands. Totally. That's what happens when you grab a bike chain with both hands and pull while standing on another part of it. On the way in to Radstock I had seen a sign for a pub, so decided to go off the path for a bit and grab a bite to eat there.
So I did. And how exciting, Kilmersdon is the home to the REAL LIVE Jack and Jill hill! Check out THIS for information and THIS for photos...
The pub served me very well, and I headed wearily off to complete the last 4 miles or so back to the car. Needless to say it was the hardest four miles of the day having sat down for half an hour.
Phew. I recon it was about 35 km in total, which is just over 20 miles. This is double any of my previous trips, but not even half of what I will need to do each day in Cuba. Blinking heck. Better keep practicing.
And yes, I took my camera with me. This is the start of the cycle route. Well that's a bit of a fib. Its the start of the off road bit - on the disused railway.
The joy, I thought, about this route compared to previously tried routes, was that being on a disused railway it would be flat. Well. no. Not exactly. Fair to say it was considerably flatter than the route TO Great Elm, but the first 200 yards or so was very definitely up, and when you haven't cycled (or done any other form of exercise for that matter) for a fortnight, this is NOT a good warm up option.
Anyway, I made it. And I took pictures WHILE cycling.....see? I really do actually cycle sometimes....
So, the path from Great Elm to Radstock was largely tarmac, with trees or open fields for scenery, largely flat, and lined with beautiful wild flowers. Just in case we were in any doubt that it was indeed an old railway line they left a couple of reminders:
Once I got to Radstock I felt fine, so decided to carry on. The signs said that Shoscombe was 1.5 miles, and Wellow 4.5 miles. i decided to aim for Shoscombe and see what happened. The route immediately leaving Radstock was far from the pretty idle I had approached it from. Track ran alongside big industrial warehouses, separated by aggressive metal fencing, and lined on the other side by walls adorned with graffiti. About a mile in I spotted a sign which said "CAUTION STEEP GRADIENT 1.5 MILES AHEAD". Bracing myself, I thought I would approach before making the decision. Well, when I got there, it was nothing! so I free wheeled down and was glad to find myself once again in open country. The track led onto roads after a way, and the hill into Shoscombe village is pretty hefty, but I am proud o say I managed it without walking! and seeing as I felt fine, I just carried on into Wellow.
Yes really. Wellow! By road this is 12.5 miles from my front door, and by bike on the cycle path it was something similar. I explored a little, particularly down to see the DEEP FORD that was sign posted...
Clearly a ford no more thanks to a great huge slab of concrete. This seemed almost barbaric to me, in an area of such beauty. Surely if the ford was proving too tricky for today's electrically managed motors, there had to be a more attractive and environmentally friendly way of bridge building?
Anyway, after a scout around and deciding that if the pub was going to open at all today, it clearly wouldn't be for another hour and there was not enough to keep me occupied for that long, I took this picture (evidence!) and set off back towards Radstock.
Ah, maybe I should explain the Pig. Well, actually THIS will explain it far better than I ever could. I particularly liked this one though, as he was covered in mini self-portraits. Obviously a pig with high self esteem. Something similar was done with cows a couple of years ago I believe.
Anyway, about a mile and half outside Wellow, just when I was congratulating Thing on behaving himself so well (despite kicking off Jacks seat when I loaded him on the car - but I didn't really mind this as it made the whole getting on and off scenario so much easier...), when he had a strop. Chain jam. Full on proper proper jammed. again. I pulled, tugged, turned Thing on a number of varying angles and pulled and tugged again using hands and feet but resisting at using teeth. Shouted swore (yes Mum I do sorry!) started to cry and then told myself not to be so stupid. Then sulked a little. Hmph. Bloody Thing (see!) After walking for about 50 yards I got fed up and tried again. No luck. Then I decided to see I if could force the chain out of its hiding place by getting on and riding. Riding with a jammed chain is interesting; you have to pedal frantically backwards and forwards as far as possible each time (not very far) and keeping balance is tricky to say the least. So I started walking again. Then accosted a very friendly a nice man (but slightly daft obviously as was not wearing a helmet) who abandoned his ride for 10 minutes to try and prize chain out with a screw driver. After he started looking decidedly flustered I thanked him and assured him I would be fine to walk into Radstock and then get a cab to the car, then go pick up bike etc. Let me tell you I was in a STROP. Blinking Thing. I started wondering how on earth I was supposed to train and decided that I would HAVE to buy a new bike. Then I wheeled thing backwards about a centimetre. Just as a by product of scratching my neck or something equally bizarre. And out popped the chain. Just like that.
By this point I was not only exhausted and sore in places I really didn't want to be sore, I was also starving hungry and covered in oil. Black hands. Totally. That's what happens when you grab a bike chain with both hands and pull while standing on another part of it. On the way in to Radstock I had seen a sign for a pub, so decided to go off the path for a bit and grab a bite to eat there.
So I did. And how exciting, Kilmersdon is the home to the REAL LIVE Jack and Jill hill! Check out THIS for information and THIS for photos...
The pub served me very well, and I headed wearily off to complete the last 4 miles or so back to the car. Needless to say it was the hardest four miles of the day having sat down for half an hour.
Phew. I recon it was about 35 km in total, which is just over 20 miles. This is double any of my previous trips, but not even half of what I will need to do each day in Cuba. Blinking heck. Better keep practicing.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
nearly!
At the end of last week I received a letter. It scared the hell out of me.
"FOUR WEEKS UNTIL FUNDRAISING DEADLINE"
...is what it said. Well flip.
Actually we aren't doing too badly. A quick glance at our Just Giving page will show you that we are only £1789.83 away from our joint £12000 target. Now I know that sounds a lot, but I believe Caz has some ferreted away in her sock drawer or something, so it's actually less than that.....but there is still a bit more to get none the less.
SO, please help! Get a sponsor from from one of us and take it into work, or go knock on your neighbours doors and smile sweetly at them!
Its a race to the finish!....
"FOUR WEEKS UNTIL FUNDRAISING DEADLINE"
...is what it said. Well flip.
Actually we aren't doing too badly. A quick glance at our Just Giving page will show you that we are only £1789.83 away from our joint £12000 target. Now I know that sounds a lot, but I believe Caz has some ferreted away in her sock drawer or something, so it's actually less than that.....but there is still a bit more to get none the less.
SO, please help! Get a sponsor from from one of us and take it into work, or go knock on your neighbours doors and smile sweetly at them!
Its a race to the finish!....
Monday, August 11, 2008
Uncharted territory.
I did it! I spent the whole day at work procrastinating and more dithering and talking myself into and out of cycling tonight. It was rainy, I was tired, I have other things to do (like grocery shopping - hardly fun!) but I need to train. Like really NEED to train!
So I got home from work, and practically walked in the front door and out the back (just taking long enough in between to admire my front room which my wonderful parents have finished decorating for me today, and to ring and thank them while devouring far to much clotted cream shortbread.) I know I know, clotted cream shortbread is not the usual pre-workout low GI index slow release energy source food for top athletes. But I'd recommend it! And anyway. I'm not a top athlete. (no, really!)
Once on the bike I remembered I had completely forgotten how the heck to work my little bike computer that tells me clever things like how far I've gone and average speed. Hey ho. Thank goodness for maths and mapmyrun.com! I also donned my camelbak (courtesy of Graeme) for the first time. This is an ex-military camelbak in proper khaki camouflage. Oh yes. I'm practically a pro with that on. Except when I actually tried to drink from it WHILE cycling. And nearly choked and fell off the bike. whoops. It takes practice you know! And I pride myself on my multi-tasking abilities, but cycling and swallowing was definitely a new challenge! (I conquered it by the end tho!)
So, the above map shows my route. Now the reason this was uncharted, is because I had a vague notion of trying to find the colliery way cycle route to Radstock, but wasn't entirely sure of the route. Whereas my previous long route I had run, so I knew every hill every turn, every pot hole. This I had driven part of. About a year ago.
So I headed off towards Great Elm, wondering what things would hold. Going out of Frome on that road is exhausting. Its a long slow drag all the way from my door. When I FINALLY reached the top of the hill my first thought was "Thank Heavens" and my second was "if I go down that I have to come up again" swiftly followed by my third "maybe I'll just turn around and go home - then its all down and no more up". However, I bravely pedaled on....well actually I wimped out completely in that the gradient of the hill (downwards) was so steep I braked all the way down! It was a long lovely down. And at least I kept going forwards. I had by this point decided that I would attempt to do a loop, rather than face a hill that had scared me going down - going up. Sometimes for-warned is fore-scared, and I decided I'd rather tackle hills that I didn't know just how steep and long they were rather than tackle one which I knew had scared the bejeezers out of me on the way down, and I would almost certainly fail to get up! Better the devil you don't know.
The next little bit was lovely, until you cross the river and have to go through Great Elm Village. Now that, ladies and gentlemen. Is a hill. A HILL. A STEEP LONG BIG HUGE SCARY HILL.
I walked.
Well sorry, but I figured getting home in one piece was quite important. And I doubted I would do that if I attempted to cycle anymore once I had lost the ability to keep breathing. Caz has the right idea you know. She lives within feet of the south coast. That means mile upon beautiful mile of FLAT road / promenade / cycle path just begging to be trained on. FLAT. Humph. I'm not jealous at all. (really).
So anyway, by the time I was going through Great Elm village (its really beautiful - if you haven't ever been I recommend a stroll through) I was on the lookout for cycle path signs. I finally spotted some for Route 24 at the very top of the hill - pointing away from Frome much to my frustration! My great mistake, I was realising at this point, was that I hadn't bought a map. I had slipped my mobile and credit card and door key into my pocket. But no map. eeek. Still, I do have a fairly good sense of direction so I just bravely plodded on. It was at this point that I truly knew I was in the depths of the Somerset countryside. Or should I say 'Zummerrzet Countrrey Soide'? I got stuck behind cows. Dozens and dozens of them. All being herded along by a lovely farmer who I swear was 80 years old if he was a day, sometimes using his stick to walk with and sometimes whacking a stubborn cow on the rump and saying "Com on myy byeuteee, tharts the wayyyy". Or something like that. What a great excuse to slow down again! Once the cows had sidetracked into their destined field, I pedaled off, on this now unknown lane - never been there before in my life, feeling like I was in the middle of nowhere. It was hard to believe that I was only half an hour from my suburban front door. Beautiful, stunning scenery. Honestly people, you have to get out of your cars, get on your bikes, or get your walking boots out and start really exploring where you live. I could have lived in Frome for years and not found this if I just got in my car all the time. Go in search of your local treasures. I wish I could find a way of securing my camera to my bike so I could snap pictures to share with you - maybe I will yet, but stopping to take pictures every so often isn't very practical (although a great excuse to have a breather....hmmm!) All of a sudden here it was. The track passed under a bridge, a disused railway bridge, and the cycle path started at the end of it, and ran up to join the railway! I cycled up it 100 yards or so, and found a map! Hurrah for sustrans. What wonderful people! I saw that I was 1 mile due South of Buckland Dinham, and so decided to head on up to there (abandoning the cycle path this time) and then back into Frome on the Vallis road.
Thanks to that map and my wonderful sense of direction I was only slightly flustered when I got to an unsigned junction I hadn't bargained for, and followed my gut by turning right - east - towards Frome. I will have to admit to the being more than slightly swayed as well by the fact that although I was 85% sure this WAS east and therefore the way to Frome, I was 100% sure it was DOWN (west being up!) so headed off. As I came into Buckland Dinham I had the best treat of the evening. The swallows. Loads of them, all swooping a gliding, coming REALLY close to me and seeming completely unperturbed by me and thing. It felt something like I imagine it must feel to swim alongside dolphins. I am sure they were keeping me company for a bit. Stunning.
So there you have it. 7.5 miles or so, not my longest, but my hilliest by far. If you have a look at the map click on the bit where is says 'show elevation', and you'll see. I hope you're impressed. I am!
P.S. There seems to be some trouble embedding the map - so here's a button so you can go look at it on the MMR page...
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Dithering.
So this afternoon, I have that rare commodity that is time to myself.
I have had a friend Lena staying since Thursday, and the boys all week, and today has seen the boys being whisked off to the Dorset coast at 9.30, and Lena leaving at 2. As I knew I would have the afternoon to myself (this is something of a shell shock after being with lovely people for a while) I planned to cycle. A real, proper, training sort of ride. What I had forgotten to bargain for was this spectacular English summer we are having.
I am such a fair weather sort of cyclist.
And so, right now it is 3pm, I am sitting in my cycling gear, ready for the off. But it is pouring. Three times in the last hour I have looked out the window, seen that the rain had died down a little from torrential downpour to drizzle, stood up. started moving to get things ready to go - and by the time I got to the back door in the kitchen we were back at downpour status. And three times I have returned to the computer. I have played all my moves in scrabulous, updated my face book status, sent a message trying to organise my social life, downloaded FireFox, looked up the sustrans website to get a grip of where the off-road cycle path actually starts in great elm. And now I am writing this.
The thought of going out for a cycle ride really appeals - in the sun! The thought of going somewhere that I really don't quite know how to get to, and spending two hours soaking wet fighting the wind and aching in the process; does not.
I clearly have a choice, I can either stop in and work today, (I have lots to do!), or I can go despite the rain and in hope of sunshine. The trouble is I can't even decide whether to try and cycle to the start of the cycle path at Great Elm or to drive there!
So I have, instead, spent the last hour dithering and continue to do so.I have now put a jacket potato in the oven as I am in need of sustenance, and will work until that is devoured and then re-assess the situation.
I still have tomorrow evening - so maybe I will go then.....
I have had a friend Lena staying since Thursday, and the boys all week, and today has seen the boys being whisked off to the Dorset coast at 9.30, and Lena leaving at 2. As I knew I would have the afternoon to myself (this is something of a shell shock after being with lovely people for a while) I planned to cycle. A real, proper, training sort of ride. What I had forgotten to bargain for was this spectacular English summer we are having.
I am such a fair weather sort of cyclist.
And so, right now it is 3pm, I am sitting in my cycling gear, ready for the off. But it is pouring. Three times in the last hour I have looked out the window, seen that the rain had died down a little from torrential downpour to drizzle, stood up. started moving to get things ready to go - and by the time I got to the back door in the kitchen we were back at downpour status. And three times I have returned to the computer. I have played all my moves in scrabulous, updated my face book status, sent a message trying to organise my social life, downloaded FireFox, looked up the sustrans website to get a grip of where the off-road cycle path actually starts in great elm. And now I am writing this.
The thought of going out for a cycle ride really appeals - in the sun! The thought of going somewhere that I really don't quite know how to get to, and spending two hours soaking wet fighting the wind and aching in the process; does not.
I clearly have a choice, I can either stop in and work today, (I have lots to do!), or I can go despite the rain and in hope of sunshine. The trouble is I can't even decide whether to try and cycle to the start of the cycle path at Great Elm or to drive there!
So I have, instead, spent the last hour dithering and continue to do so.I have now put a jacket potato in the oven as I am in need of sustenance, and will work until that is devoured and then re-assess the situation.
I still have tomorrow evening - so maybe I will go then.....
Thursday, July 31, 2008
and the winner is......
Hi again all,
Well today is 31st July, which is the day we draw the prize crossword result. And out of all the entries only one was 100% correct, so the award goes to Mr Alan Berry, stalwart of Frome running club! Alan has very generously donated his £50 winnings back to the cause - fantastic!
So, I can practically hear you all edging the the front of your seats, what were the answers? which was the one question that stumped everyone?
The question was this: 'Metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 10 litres' (3 down) and the answer, is not DKL or DCL as so many of you thought, but DAL.
It would seem that blogger will not let me upload a picture of the completed crossword (blogger is obviously arguing with PDF), but if you are desperate to see then email myself or Alison and we'll pass it on!
Well today is 31st July, which is the day we draw the prize crossword result. And out of all the entries only one was 100% correct, so the award goes to Mr Alan Berry, stalwart of Frome running club! Alan has very generously donated his £50 winnings back to the cause - fantastic!
So, I can practically hear you all edging the the front of your seats, what were the answers? which was the one question that stumped everyone?
The question was this: 'Metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 10 litres' (3 down) and the answer, is not DKL or DCL as so many of you thought, but DAL.
It would seem that blogger will not let me upload a picture of the completed crossword (blogger is obviously arguing with PDF), but if you are desperate to see then email myself or Alison and we'll pass it on!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
End of the road.....
...well nearly!
So, the street party. What a day! The sun was shining, the birds singing, and the neighbours out in force at 11am (as asked) to get everything ready! Within the space of an hour the street was transformed with bunting, and we were actually ready for the off ON TIME! Unfortunately the town crier cried off - he had eaten something dodgy the day before at the annual Town Crier competition, so we didn't really want to see him. Fortunately Charlie stepped up to the mark in fine fetter and did a grand job of declaring the event open! Caroline was on the announcements all day, Eddie was running around on stilts reciting poetry, my mum and Lena did a fantastic job on the hot dog stand, (my Dad just got dragged to various stalls and told to sit there for an hour at a time!). Rosie and Dean organised the Tombola, Lorraine did the Raffle, Nicky did the face painting, Sue did the PA and Candace did the cakes. Oh the cakes. HOW MANY CAKES???? I wish I had counted. At about 1pm a lovely lady (named Marion) who I had never met, drove up to my door, announced she had done a bit of baking for the party, opened her boot and there were about 12 fruit pies and 8 fruit loaves. This was shortly followed by Margaret who had made no fewer than 12 plates of fairy cakes, plus the Victoria sponge from the lovely lady at number 11 whose name escapes me, plus countless others. Cake everywhere. I should have taken more pictures, but was running around doing my headless chicken impression. The bikers arrived just before 2, and Wolf Man did rides on the back of his trike (the beast) for 50p a go, and raised £26.50 just doing that! There are countless names of new friends who I could list, if only I wasn't worried about leaving someone out - so I won't try. I will mention Caroline as it was her Birthday on the day, and boy did we throw her a party! We had a soft drink cocktails flaring bar (a'la Tom Cruise), a DJ, live music from Bugsy on guitar and Luke on piano, cakes, birds of prey, a bouncy castle, countless stalls and games, the fancy dress parade (judged by the Carnival Granny), cakes, the raffle and tombola, a community plant stall and Eco/ green stall, hot dogs, cakes, the bikers, a clothes stall, cakes, home made lemonade, toys and a few cakes.
It was fab!
The grand total raised was (minus expenses for public liability insurance etc) was £340! And as well as making money, I think it fair to say a few of us have made friends! Great eh?! What a fantastic way to bring a community together. I wholeheartedly recommend one,so go on! pick and day and go for it! selection of pictures below!
now, anyone for a cake?
So, the street party. What a day! The sun was shining, the birds singing, and the neighbours out in force at 11am (as asked) to get everything ready! Within the space of an hour the street was transformed with bunting, and we were actually ready for the off ON TIME! Unfortunately the town crier cried off - he had eaten something dodgy the day before at the annual Town Crier competition, so we didn't really want to see him. Fortunately Charlie stepped up to the mark in fine fetter and did a grand job of declaring the event open! Caroline was on the announcements all day, Eddie was running around on stilts reciting poetry, my mum and Lena did a fantastic job on the hot dog stand, (my Dad just got dragged to various stalls and told to sit there for an hour at a time!). Rosie and Dean organised the Tombola, Lorraine did the Raffle, Nicky did the face painting, Sue did the PA and Candace did the cakes. Oh the cakes. HOW MANY CAKES???? I wish I had counted. At about 1pm a lovely lady (named Marion) who I had never met, drove up to my door, announced she had done a bit of baking for the party, opened her boot and there were about 12 fruit pies and 8 fruit loaves. This was shortly followed by Margaret who had made no fewer than 12 plates of fairy cakes, plus the Victoria sponge from the lovely lady at number 11 whose name escapes me, plus countless others. Cake everywhere. I should have taken more pictures, but was running around doing my headless chicken impression. The bikers arrived just before 2, and Wolf Man did rides on the back of his trike (the beast) for 50p a go, and raised £26.50 just doing that! There are countless names of new friends who I could list, if only I wasn't worried about leaving someone out - so I won't try. I will mention Caroline as it was her Birthday on the day, and boy did we throw her a party! We had a soft drink cocktails flaring bar (a'la Tom Cruise), a DJ, live music from Bugsy on guitar and Luke on piano, cakes, birds of prey, a bouncy castle, countless stalls and games, the fancy dress parade (judged by the Carnival Granny), cakes, the raffle and tombola, a community plant stall and Eco/ green stall, hot dogs, cakes, the bikers, a clothes stall, cakes, home made lemonade, toys and a few cakes.
It was fab!
The grand total raised was (minus expenses for public liability insurance etc) was £340! And as well as making money, I think it fair to say a few of us have made friends! Great eh?! What a fantastic way to bring a community together. I wholeheartedly recommend one,so go on! pick and day and go for it! selection of pictures below!
now, anyone for a cake?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
ready for the off.....
Well I think we are.
We have the bunting:
We have the bunting:
And things like piles of paper work......
....and big bags containing display boards...
...are taking over my house! We have, I think, everything organised. Really. Which is good because I was indeed on BBC Somerset Radio this evening giving it a plug, so who knows how many people may turn up now! You can listen to the show again here.
I thought I would do some 'before and after' shots....or rather before and during. So here it is. The view from my front door as of the 17th July 07:
And looking towards Garston. Come sunday this area will be filled with people sitting and enjoying hotdogs, a flairing bar (a la Tom Cruise), lots of stalls and games, and a bouncy castle
...and the view towards Portway, where the stage area will be for the Town Crier to open the day, the fancy dress parade to end up, scavenger and paper aeroplane competitions are launched from, and the live music will be performing....
...so there you have it. The eagle eyed amongst you may well have noticed Thing. He wanted to get in the spirit of things so donned his High Vis party gear...! (and yes, thing is most definately a HE. His chain got stuck again today on my way to an appointment...he has definate 'mars-like' qualities about him!)
And last, we have a seal of approval on the day from a higher authority I think!
See you Sunday people!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
fame......
...it would seem BBC radio Somerset may want to do an interview with me about the street party.
Good work Claudia!
Watch this space - I'll keep you posted!
Good work Claudia!
Watch this space - I'll keep you posted!
Monday, July 14, 2008
street P.A.R.T.Y!
Well this thing has a life of its own! Here's a brief history.....
October 07: Ruth decides a Street party may be a good fundraiser....
December 07: Ruth is accosted at the school gate by lovely Rosie, who is planning a street party with some others and wants a rep from my road! Ruth sighs and believes it not meant to be a fundraiser and volunteers her services anyway...
Later that day: Rosie ring, and says that Eddie and Shelley who are on the 'planning committee' have agreed to do said street party as a fundraiser. :) Ruth is delighted!
January 08: All rather quiet on the street party front.
February 08: likewise.
March 08: A date is agreed, and then abandoned as it clashes with Glastonbury.
May 08: Ruth bites the bullet. Picks a date, applies for road closure and leaflet drops the neighbourhood.
June 08: Ruth is SWAMPED with willing neighbours and volunteers!
Really. Its mad. My front room really isn't that big and tonight we had 13 people in there for our final planning meeting! I meant to take pictures to show you how cosy it was - but in the excitement of the planning I forgot. People in the Wallbridge area of Frome really have some good connections / jobs / experiences / skills etc needed to make this thing happen! It is flying. SO far at the day we have:
Grand opening by the town crier, a bouncy castle, a scavenger hunt, a cake stall, a hot dog stand, and quilting stall, and eco-awareness stall, home-made lemonade, birds of prey (yes really!) a fancy dress parade, judged by the Carnival granny, a paper aeroplane competition, live music, giant games, a motorbike display, cocktails and lets not forget the BUNTING!
All in Wallbridge. In little Avenue Road. Next Sunday. Blimey.
And all bought about by the good people of the neighbourhood in the last three weeks. People never cease to amaze me. If there is one thing I have learnt through this whole fundraising process it's just how wonderful people are.
So it should be a good day! If you are in the Frome area between 2-6 nest Sunday (20th) rock up to Avenue Road, come and find me and say hello. (I'll be with the hot dogs!)
October 07: Ruth decides a Street party may be a good fundraiser....
December 07: Ruth is accosted at the school gate by lovely Rosie, who is planning a street party with some others and wants a rep from my road! Ruth sighs and believes it not meant to be a fundraiser and volunteers her services anyway...
Later that day: Rosie ring, and says that Eddie and Shelley who are on the 'planning committee' have agreed to do said street party as a fundraiser. :) Ruth is delighted!
January 08: All rather quiet on the street party front.
February 08: likewise.
March 08: A date is agreed, and then abandoned as it clashes with Glastonbury.
May 08: Ruth bites the bullet. Picks a date, applies for road closure and leaflet drops the neighbourhood.
June 08: Ruth is SWAMPED with willing neighbours and volunteers!
Really. Its mad. My front room really isn't that big and tonight we had 13 people in there for our final planning meeting! I meant to take pictures to show you how cosy it was - but in the excitement of the planning I forgot. People in the Wallbridge area of Frome really have some good connections / jobs / experiences / skills etc needed to make this thing happen! It is flying. SO far at the day we have:
Grand opening by the town crier, a bouncy castle, a scavenger hunt, a cake stall, a hot dog stand, and quilting stall, and eco-awareness stall, home-made lemonade, birds of prey (yes really!) a fancy dress parade, judged by the Carnival granny, a paper aeroplane competition, live music, giant games, a motorbike display, cocktails and lets not forget the BUNTING!
All in Wallbridge. In little Avenue Road. Next Sunday. Blimey.
And all bought about by the good people of the neighbourhood in the last three weeks. People never cease to amaze me. If there is one thing I have learnt through this whole fundraising process it's just how wonderful people are.
So it should be a good day! If you are in the Frome area between 2-6 nest Sunday (20th) rock up to Avenue Road, come and find me and say hello. (I'll be with the hot dogs!)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
training.....
Hey all,
SO yesterday was TIRING! As you may know recent events have left me with little time to run or cycle as much as I would like. SO when I get the chance to do so, I do tend to seize it with both hands and run with it(no pun intended).
Last night afforded me just such an opportunity, so 6pm saw me donning my running gear, and by 6.10 I was hauling my bike out the shed. Oh yes. I was going for the double!
Now I haven't cycled to the rugby club (where Frome running club meet) for some time, and hadn't done really any exercise for a couple of weeks, so decided to allow a good stretch of time to get there, plus some recovery time before the start of running club. I am NOT a triathlete and did not want to be cycling up at break neck speed and then throwing the thing to one side as I immediately set of on a four mile run! So with my running hat strapped onto Jack seat, and my bike helmet on my head (I nearly got very confused about this need for two pieces of headgear!) I set off. It's a pleasant ride, as you can start out along the river, but once you have done the first 3/4 mile the remainder 1 1/4 miles is all uphill. That kind of slow dragging killer up hill. (Give me short and sharp anytime!) SO it was fine, I arrived at the rugby club, locked up the thing, swapped hats, and looked at my watch. 6.15pm. SERIOUSLY? Yep. 6.15pm. And then I also remembered that my watch runs about 7 minutes fast. (and the little twiddly knob has fallen off so it is STUCK like that!)
Running club congregate at 6.45pm, ready to run at 7! I was SOOOO early! I reached for my water bottle as had worked up something of a thirst. Bum. Bother bother bother. No water! What an idiot! A hot day, early July, here was I trying to squeeze in more exercise in one session than I have done in the last three weeks, and I forgot water! Plonker. I am not thinking very straight this week! (I have also put the milk away in the cupboard, and taken a wrong turn in Bath leading to a city detour, and left the handbrake off when parking. sigh.) Oh, well, no great shakes, I'm at the rugby club, which (of course) has a bar upstairs, with a very friendly barman who would undoubtedly give me a drink of water before I start running. But no. Doors locked. I am too early even for the hard core rugby club attending beer swilling crowd of Frome! So I sit and I pace and I walk and I do some stretches (to try and stretch my just - exhausted cycling muscles) and some skipping and silly stepping things (to try and warm up my soon to be exhausted running muscles!) (These exercises really work but you do look like an idiot doing some of them......)
Finally the other runners drifted up. Some ran, some drove. No one else cycled. Hmmm. Was this a sign that it was a down right silly thing to do? Now the first week of every month is the time trial. Having achieved a personal best that I KNOW I now couldn't match i steered very clear of this, and opted instead to go out with the slow and steady group. (It does what it says on the tin!) The SAS go at about 10/11 mins a mile (walking pace I was told last night by a casual observer! hmph!) and they were doing four miles. Oh my I struggled. BUT I did it and am very proud of myself for managing it! And actually the others definitely set off far faster than 11mm and so I recon I did the first two miles at nearer 9.5. I am immensely grateful to Mark,without whose encouragement I would not have got round!
Then back to the club, LOTS more stretching or I feared I would not be able to walk this morning, then a long cold glass of iced water, while sitting on the rugby club balcony enjoying the view of the rugby play.. ahem. Did I say that? I meant to say stunning Mendip scenery. Of course.
Finally a quick, downhill whizz home on the bike (more hat exchanging before and aft) and then home to a well deserved rest!
Here is is, in 2D. Please use your imagination well to see the HUGE hills...
SO yesterday was TIRING! As you may know recent events have left me with little time to run or cycle as much as I would like. SO when I get the chance to do so, I do tend to seize it with both hands and run with it(no pun intended).
Last night afforded me just such an opportunity, so 6pm saw me donning my running gear, and by 6.10 I was hauling my bike out the shed. Oh yes. I was going for the double!
Now I haven't cycled to the rugby club (where Frome running club meet) for some time, and hadn't done really any exercise for a couple of weeks, so decided to allow a good stretch of time to get there, plus some recovery time before the start of running club. I am NOT a triathlete and did not want to be cycling up at break neck speed and then throwing the thing to one side as I immediately set of on a four mile run! So with my running hat strapped onto Jack seat, and my bike helmet on my head (I nearly got very confused about this need for two pieces of headgear!) I set off. It's a pleasant ride, as you can start out along the river, but once you have done the first 3/4 mile the remainder 1 1/4 miles is all uphill. That kind of slow dragging killer up hill. (Give me short and sharp anytime!) SO it was fine, I arrived at the rugby club, locked up the thing, swapped hats, and looked at my watch. 6.15pm. SERIOUSLY? Yep. 6.15pm. And then I also remembered that my watch runs about 7 minutes fast. (and the little twiddly knob has fallen off so it is STUCK like that!)
Running club congregate at 6.45pm, ready to run at 7! I was SOOOO early! I reached for my water bottle as had worked up something of a thirst. Bum. Bother bother bother. No water! What an idiot! A hot day, early July, here was I trying to squeeze in more exercise in one session than I have done in the last three weeks, and I forgot water! Plonker. I am not thinking very straight this week! (I have also put the milk away in the cupboard, and taken a wrong turn in Bath leading to a city detour, and left the handbrake off when parking. sigh.) Oh, well, no great shakes, I'm at the rugby club, which (of course) has a bar upstairs, with a very friendly barman who would undoubtedly give me a drink of water before I start running. But no. Doors locked. I am too early even for the hard core rugby club attending beer swilling crowd of Frome! So I sit and I pace and I walk and I do some stretches (to try and stretch my just - exhausted cycling muscles) and some skipping and silly stepping things (to try and warm up my soon to be exhausted running muscles!) (These exercises really work but you do look like an idiot doing some of them......)
Finally the other runners drifted up. Some ran, some drove. No one else cycled. Hmmm. Was this a sign that it was a down right silly thing to do? Now the first week of every month is the time trial. Having achieved a personal best that I KNOW I now couldn't match i steered very clear of this, and opted instead to go out with the slow and steady group. (It does what it says on the tin!) The SAS go at about 10/11 mins a mile (walking pace I was told last night by a casual observer! hmph!) and they were doing four miles. Oh my I struggled. BUT I did it and am very proud of myself for managing it! And actually the others definitely set off far faster than 11mm and so I recon I did the first two miles at nearer 9.5. I am immensely grateful to Mark,without whose encouragement I would not have got round!
Then back to the club, LOTS more stretching or I feared I would not be able to walk this morning, then a long cold glass of iced water, while sitting on the rugby club balcony enjoying the view of the rugby play.. ahem. Did I say that? I meant to say stunning Mendip scenery. Of course.
Finally a quick, downhill whizz home on the bike (more hat exchanging before and aft) and then home to a well deserved rest!
Here is is, in 2D. Please use your imagination well to see the HUGE hills...
Sunday, June 22, 2008
auction-tastic
Well I am slightly lost for words.
(and that's saying something!)
Despite poor ticket sales (12/30)....
(despite copious advertising).....
Despite bad weather (thunderstorms)....
Despite Having friends and family who have already given so much already I thought I had wrung them dry....
Last night, the dinner and auction raised a fantastic £425.50! I am OVER THE MOON! I had predicted £500 for the full thirty people so I am SOOO grateful to all of you who bid / came / donated prizes. THANK YOU!
So, (now I have a swanky new camera) I thought you would like some more detail....here's me, doing the hostess with the mostess bit, snapped by Dad in front of the auction table....
The red eyes due to the HUNGER waiting for the eagerly anticipated dinner and auctioning!
So, as everyone arrived (in the pouring rain) they went eagerly through the rather posh front door of the hotel (actually not quite sure if this is a pub a hotel or a restaurant - but it's blinking lovely whatever it is!), into the bar, and then were promptly turned around, taken back out the front door, back into the rain, past the gents loos, past the rubbish bins, and in the trades mans entrance, up the stairs, open the door and WOW! The staff at the Bath Arms had done a fantastic job making the room look simply stunning. A long table with three candelabras was set in the centre of a long room with a vaulted ceiling.
As my wonderful guests came in there was chance to peruse the auction catalogue in the very luxurious sofas, while sipping a glass of wine. Lovely!
Here is my Dad's left ear, Jane looking like she'd had considerable more than her one glass of wine (actually I think she was on orange juice!) talking to Mary, while Jen laughs rapturously at the excitement of it all! (Sorry Jane. Will you ever forgive me for posting this?)
And as a sharp antidote to Jens humour, My Mum and Dad are obviously taking whatever Richard is saying exceptionally seriously!
And John and Chloe have a hard time of it as I turn down their offers to smile and insist I want to take 'relaxed informal' shots. In retrospect I think that was probably a mistake! (see earlier picture of Jane!)Stick to the day job Ruth!
So here we all are!
I would like to thank Craig, our waiter, for his great service, and for throwing himself into the action by bidding (and winning!) on the theatre tour! He also gave the opportunity for the best giggle of the evening, as I wandered over the the auction table (oh, I should mention, it was a silent auction, whereby you filled in a sheet with your bid rather than waving at anyone...)and queried out loud 'I wonder what the waiter went for?' Where by Chloe, overcome with excitement, leaps forward and says 'ooh! Is there a waiter up for auction?'
Chuckle. I wish!
Special mention to Lena for helping me keep my nerves calm by letting me thrash her at scrabble repeatedly in the run up to the event - and only showing her true colours by beating me in the aftermath! (Her reward is being the winning bidder on the homemade cake!) I would like to list everyone who contributed but that will really be rather boring to read.
You know who you are! Thank you!
(and that's saying something!)
Despite poor ticket sales (12/30)....
(despite copious advertising).....
Despite bad weather (thunderstorms)....
Despite Having friends and family who have already given so much already I thought I had wrung them dry....
Last night, the dinner and auction raised a fantastic £425.50! I am OVER THE MOON! I had predicted £500 for the full thirty people so I am SOOO grateful to all of you who bid / came / donated prizes. THANK YOU!
So, (now I have a swanky new camera) I thought you would like some more detail....here's me, doing the hostess with the mostess bit, snapped by Dad in front of the auction table....
The red eyes due to the HUNGER waiting for the eagerly anticipated dinner and auctioning!
So, as everyone arrived (in the pouring rain) they went eagerly through the rather posh front door of the hotel (actually not quite sure if this is a pub a hotel or a restaurant - but it's blinking lovely whatever it is!), into the bar, and then were promptly turned around, taken back out the front door, back into the rain, past the gents loos, past the rubbish bins, and in the trades mans entrance, up the stairs, open the door and WOW! The staff at the Bath Arms had done a fantastic job making the room look simply stunning. A long table with three candelabras was set in the centre of a long room with a vaulted ceiling.
As my wonderful guests came in there was chance to peruse the auction catalogue in the very luxurious sofas, while sipping a glass of wine. Lovely!
Here is my Dad's left ear, Jane looking like she'd had considerable more than her one glass of wine (actually I think she was on orange juice!) talking to Mary, while Jen laughs rapturously at the excitement of it all! (Sorry Jane. Will you ever forgive me for posting this?)
And as a sharp antidote to Jens humour, My Mum and Dad are obviously taking whatever Richard is saying exceptionally seriously!
And John and Chloe have a hard time of it as I turn down their offers to smile and insist I want to take 'relaxed informal' shots. In retrospect I think that was probably a mistake! (see earlier picture of Jane!)Stick to the day job Ruth!
So here we all are!
I would like to thank Craig, our waiter, for his great service, and for throwing himself into the action by bidding (and winning!) on the theatre tour! He also gave the opportunity for the best giggle of the evening, as I wandered over the the auction table (oh, I should mention, it was a silent auction, whereby you filled in a sheet with your bid rather than waving at anyone...)and queried out loud 'I wonder what the waiter went for?' Where by Chloe, overcome with excitement, leaps forward and says 'ooh! Is there a waiter up for auction?'
Chuckle. I wish!
Special mention to Lena for helping me keep my nerves calm by letting me thrash her at scrabble repeatedly in the run up to the event - and only showing her true colours by beating me in the aftermath! (Her reward is being the winning bidder on the homemade cake!) I would like to list everyone who contributed but that will really be rather boring to read.
You know who you are! Thank you!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
by the way....
If you check out our justgiving page you will see that our grand target is now....
drumroll please
£9,112.40!!!
That means that three of us are definately going to Cuba, and more importantly with a LOT of help from our friends we have raised one HECK of a lot of money for a very worthwhile charity! (and don't forget an extra 28% of MOST of this is gift-aided - we can't count it towards our total but the charity still get it; so thats a maximum extra of £2,551.47 that the charity have recieved!)
Thank you so much for your continued support.
Now we only have £2,887.60 to reach our £12,000; seems like a doddle in comparison!
drumroll please
£9,112.40!!!
That means that three of us are definately going to Cuba, and more importantly with a LOT of help from our friends we have raised one HECK of a lot of money for a very worthwhile charity! (and don't forget an extra 28% of MOST of this is gift-aided - we can't count it towards our total but the charity still get it; so thats a maximum extra of £2,551.47 that the charity have recieved!)
Thank you so much for your continued support.
Now we only have £2,887.60 to reach our £12,000; seems like a doddle in comparison!
carbootastic
5.30am. That's time the alarm went off this morning. Yikes.
Yesterday evening had seen me desperately cramming a pushcahir, a CD rack, a cement mixer, a deep fat frier (new), a bread maker (used), a two tables, one chair, and a kitchen (amongst other things), into the back of my car. (After heaving all the seats OUT of the back of my car.)
By 6.15 am I had joined the unimaginably long queue of other cars, all also crammed to the sunroofs with old junk that they hoped to exchange for some poor idiots' hard earned cash! One mans' treasure is another mans' rubbish and vice-versa, or so they say.
On being allocated my pitch, I parked, opened the boot, turned around and got greeted with "oh I'M fundraising for them!" And there was Maggie, wildly gesticulating towards my 'women for Women' T-shirt.
Maggie and I had never met, and of 60 women world-wide who are going on the Cuba trip from 21st November, here, by a complete coincidence was another of them, parked right next to me, also geared up and ready to pass off her old unwanted stuff to get a bit closer to her £3000 target! Maggie's Mum was parked up the other side, also selling for Women for women - so what are the chances! Three car booters set up in a row all raising for the same charity!
Anyway, the weather held out, the flask of tea held out (yes I was very prepared) but the jam sarnies were devoured woe-fully early and I later regretted eating them as I was hungry again! It was especially galling when the two car-booters opposite pulled out bars of chocolate and started tantalising me with them. Hey ho. I survived the rush, did let the pushchair go for far too little, but got a good deal on most of the stuff. After six hours, I packed the remaining stuff back in my car, having not managed to convince the public of Frome that they wanted it.
So, two hours of sorting the stuff and loading the car, and six hours of selling, plus another hour or so to come of unloading the stuff (probably into the nearest charity shop) and I have raised my self the grand sum of £61.40.
I think my report for the day would echo those classic lines from school. "could do better". But hey - could do worse as well eh?!
Now, anyone want a CD rack? Its yours for two quid! Go on! You know you want to....its for charity!
Yesterday evening had seen me desperately cramming a pushcahir, a CD rack, a cement mixer, a deep fat frier (new), a bread maker (used), a two tables, one chair, and a kitchen (amongst other things), into the back of my car. (After heaving all the seats OUT of the back of my car.)
By 6.15 am I had joined the unimaginably long queue of other cars, all also crammed to the sunroofs with old junk that they hoped to exchange for some poor idiots' hard earned cash! One mans' treasure is another mans' rubbish and vice-versa, or so they say.
On being allocated my pitch, I parked, opened the boot, turned around and got greeted with "oh I'M fundraising for them!" And there was Maggie, wildly gesticulating towards my 'women for Women' T-shirt.
Maggie and I had never met, and of 60 women world-wide who are going on the Cuba trip from 21st November, here, by a complete coincidence was another of them, parked right next to me, also geared up and ready to pass off her old unwanted stuff to get a bit closer to her £3000 target! Maggie's Mum was parked up the other side, also selling for Women for women - so what are the chances! Three car booters set up in a row all raising for the same charity!
Anyway, the weather held out, the flask of tea held out (yes I was very prepared) but the jam sarnies were devoured woe-fully early and I later regretted eating them as I was hungry again! It was especially galling when the two car-booters opposite pulled out bars of chocolate and started tantalising me with them. Hey ho. I survived the rush, did let the pushchair go for far too little, but got a good deal on most of the stuff. After six hours, I packed the remaining stuff back in my car, having not managed to convince the public of Frome that they wanted it.
So, two hours of sorting the stuff and loading the car, and six hours of selling, plus another hour or so to come of unloading the stuff (probably into the nearest charity shop) and I have raised my self the grand sum of £61.40.
I think my report for the day would echo those classic lines from school. "could do better". But hey - could do worse as well eh?!
Now, anyone want a CD rack? Its yours for two quid! Go on! You know you want to....its for charity!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
hmmmmm
Well,, that's a bit mysterious.
I had abandoned the thing outside the back door yesterday - too tired to bother trying to put it in the shed, especially as the jammed chain made rolling it backwards impossible and hence I would have had to half lift / half roll / half dance with it to get it there. No doubt falling over it on the way.
Anyway, poor thing, he found itself abandoned for the second time on a very short space of time. I was lying in bed at about 1am when I heard the heavens open. I mean seriously. I think God stood on the roof above my bedroom window and just threw bath tub after bath tub of water down. Seriously, it wasn't just raining. It was RAINING.
So, I sighed, thought about the rain, was glad I hadn't bothered to water the garden. And then remembered the thing. Now the situation is that the thing isn't even really mine. He is my sisters; who is off doing good works in far flung places, so I do feel a sense of responsibility for looking after the thing for her, and also I do need to try and keep it in some sense of working order so I can train!
So I sigh, heave myself out of my warm bed, don robe and slippers and go downstairs, out into the torrential downpour, and wrestle (yes wrestle - literally) the thing into the kitchen (it is much easier than trying to put it away in the shed in the circumstances!) I then return to bed damp, a little achy and tired, but with a virtuous sense of having done the right thing.
This morning, I come down, and have another look at the chain. Wait a minute! Where's the jammed bit gone? Well it must be....no its....Yes. It had gone! Amazingly over the course of the rain / wrestle / cozy night in the kitchen it has un-jammed itself! Hurrah!
Is it karma? Is it the thing displaying a sense of gratitude for being allowed in the kitchen? Is it the force of the rain (it was THAT hard!)? Or was it my brute strength in the course of the wrestle.
I am afraid, that only the thing shall ever know. And he isn't telling.
I had abandoned the thing outside the back door yesterday - too tired to bother trying to put it in the shed, especially as the jammed chain made rolling it backwards impossible and hence I would have had to half lift / half roll / half dance with it to get it there. No doubt falling over it on the way.
Anyway, poor thing, he found itself abandoned for the second time on a very short space of time. I was lying in bed at about 1am when I heard the heavens open. I mean seriously. I think God stood on the roof above my bedroom window and just threw bath tub after bath tub of water down. Seriously, it wasn't just raining. It was RAINING.
So, I sighed, thought about the rain, was glad I hadn't bothered to water the garden. And then remembered the thing. Now the situation is that the thing isn't even really mine. He is my sisters; who is off doing good works in far flung places, so I do feel a sense of responsibility for looking after the thing for her, and also I do need to try and keep it in some sense of working order so I can train!
So I sigh, heave myself out of my warm bed, don robe and slippers and go downstairs, out into the torrential downpour, and wrestle (yes wrestle - literally) the thing into the kitchen (it is much easier than trying to put it away in the shed in the circumstances!) I then return to bed damp, a little achy and tired, but with a virtuous sense of having done the right thing.
This morning, I come down, and have another look at the chain. Wait a minute! Where's the jammed bit gone? Well it must be....no its....Yes. It had gone! Amazingly over the course of the rain / wrestle / cozy night in the kitchen it has un-jammed itself! Hurrah!
Is it karma? Is it the thing displaying a sense of gratitude for being allowed in the kitchen? Is it the force of the rain (it was THAT hard!)? Or was it my brute strength in the course of the wrestle.
I am afraid, that only the thing shall ever know. And he isn't telling.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
school runs
I have done a couple last week and this week I have done 5.5 - on the bike that is! The way TO school is really tough, as slow steady up all the way, but coming home is a breeze! Today tho, disaster struck! My chain, in mid gear change, somehow managed to lodge itself very firmly BETWEEN the cogs on the bike, and I cannot get the flippin' thing out! I stood and tugged for about five minutes, and then had to abandon the thing so I could go and get Jack from preschool on foot! And yes, as a reward for being heavy, cumbersome, and now unreliable my bike will hence forth be UN-affectionately named 'the thing'.
I have now managed to recover the bike from its lonely roadside resting place, and bought it home on the car to have another go. 20 minutes and several screwdrivers / implements later and still no luck!
Darn!
Just as I am getting into the habit of leaping on and off the thing every time I need to leave the house it packs up on me! How typical is that?
So, anyone know any magic words?....
I have now managed to recover the bike from its lonely roadside resting place, and bought it home on the car to have another go. 20 minutes and several screwdrivers / implements later and still no luck!
Darn!
Just as I am getting into the habit of leaping on and off the thing every time I need to leave the house it packs up on me! How typical is that?
So, anyone know any magic words?....
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
woops...
Sorry. Have been a bit rubbish at updating recently. Events have somewhat taken over. And rather scarily the last entry - 27th April - was the last cycle ride I did, and I haven't run for longer. I can feel my fitness slipping from my grasp as we speak. However I am now back to (almost) rude health and plan to get going again. The question is, if I go to running club tonight will they have to piggy back me along? I wonder if I should try a little on my own first - but in fact the very being with other people makes it easier so.....
We have a few fundraising events up coming, the first being Alison & Olives School reunion, and in swift succession the following weekend I have my formal dinner and auction at the Bath Arms - only 20 tickets remaining so quick off the posts guys! There are some great auction items up for grabs including signed celebrity stuff, paintings by local (somerset) artists, pottery classes, knitting supplies and classes, gardening and more! The star prize of the evening is a nights stay in a lovely B&B in Frome,
If you would like to see the auction catalogue and bid on any items then let me know - you do not HAVE to come on the night - although of course it will be a great evening so much more fun if you can do your bidding live!
I would also like to thank ST Johns First School in Frome, who raised a fantastic £197 by having a mufti day at the end of last half term. Their support is very much appreciated.
If you check into our justgiving page you will see that we are now just skimming the £9000 mark. Thanks so much to everyone who has supported us by taking sponsor forms to work, organised events, donated, slimmed etc. We are really grateful. With your ongoing support we have three months remaining to reach our target of £12000.
I know we can do it!
We have a few fundraising events up coming, the first being Alison & Olives School reunion, and in swift succession the following weekend I have my formal dinner and auction at the Bath Arms - only 20 tickets remaining so quick off the posts guys! There are some great auction items up for grabs including signed celebrity stuff, paintings by local (somerset) artists, pottery classes, knitting supplies and classes, gardening and more! The star prize of the evening is a nights stay in a lovely B&B in Frome,
If you would like to see the auction catalogue and bid on any items then let me know - you do not HAVE to come on the night - although of course it will be a great evening so much more fun if you can do your bidding live!
I would also like to thank ST Johns First School in Frome, who raised a fantastic £197 by having a mufti day at the end of last half term. Their support is very much appreciated.
If you check into our justgiving page you will see that we are now just skimming the £9000 mark. Thanks so much to everyone who has supported us by taking sponsor forms to work, organised events, donated, slimmed etc. We are really grateful. With your ongoing support we have three months remaining to reach our target of £12000.
I know we can do it!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
thoughts on cycling....
I did that 10 mile loop again this morning, but added an extra mile on. I competed it in 1hour 18 minutes; which means it took me five minutes to do my extra mile! yoiks. Hardly a threat to the Olympic competitors! Still in my defence I am not all that well and have a bad chesty cough which keeps threatening to turn into a chest infection. In fact I had hoped to do 20 miles today, but decided it may not be wise; and I think I was right. I was exhausted by the time I finished!
Anyway on my way round I was pondering to myself as one does, while enjoying the beautiful somerset country side (it really is a fab way to spend some time you know). The thing is I already run (well jog - slowly) and have done for about 18 months now, and lots of people had said to me when I signed up to do this, about how having a basic level of fitness will help, but that cycling is very different to running. Now I am quite slow to catch on, I know, but it was only today that I twigged that not only are the muscles used differently but your whole aerobic/anaerobic system is used totally differently too.
When i run, I make a point of not stopping because if I stop I can't go again. Well not without stopping again a bit further down the line. Stop / start running is exhausting and, for me at least, a sure way to get a slower time and a less effective workout. It is of course though vital that you have 'rest days' and rest is widely acknowledged to be as vital for a training schedule as the training itself, so when I was training for my half marathon I trained every other day, for someone super-fit they would vary their training and a 'rest' to them is a gentle 8 mile run on the flat!
Cycling however, is a completely different ball game. You have to stop and rest during the actual session. You have short bursts of moderate effort on the flat, followed by a burst of extreme effort up hill, followed by a nice little sit down, wind-in-your-hair, rest as you zoom down the hill again, and by the time you get to the bottom, your legs are rested enough from the uphill slog to do it again - even tho as you reach the top of each hill you feel like you will never recover! Consequently each hill can be faced as an individual challenge, in the firm knowledge that what comes up must come down! and doing a circular route as I am, I know that however high those hills are, sooner or later I will have the sheer joy of free-wheeling down again on the other side.
(of course though I am a wimp at going down hills and do use my brakes a bit - but am getting more confident and learning to trust myself and my bike a little bit more!)
So there you go, its growing on me. Quite allot. And in fact I look forward to putting in all those future miles necessary. A fortnight today will see myself and Alison, plus Caz hopefully, taking part in the British Heart Foundation Surrey Cycle around Leigh, and we have to complete 37 miles for that, so its a good incentive to get going. We have also been invited on a training weekend organised by the charity. That takes place in September and will be two consecutive days of 40 miles each, so will be a good chance to suss out how we are doing compared to everyone else!
With regard to fundraising we are storming ahead, with plans coming together for my dinner and auction and maybe a knitting day in the offing....as always, any support from you guys is MUCH appreciated.
Anyway on my way round I was pondering to myself as one does, while enjoying the beautiful somerset country side (it really is a fab way to spend some time you know). The thing is I already run (well jog - slowly) and have done for about 18 months now, and lots of people had said to me when I signed up to do this, about how having a basic level of fitness will help, but that cycling is very different to running. Now I am quite slow to catch on, I know, but it was only today that I twigged that not only are the muscles used differently but your whole aerobic/anaerobic system is used totally differently too.
When i run, I make a point of not stopping because if I stop I can't go again. Well not without stopping again a bit further down the line. Stop / start running is exhausting and, for me at least, a sure way to get a slower time and a less effective workout. It is of course though vital that you have 'rest days' and rest is widely acknowledged to be as vital for a training schedule as the training itself, so when I was training for my half marathon I trained every other day, for someone super-fit they would vary their training and a 'rest' to them is a gentle 8 mile run on the flat!
Cycling however, is a completely different ball game. You have to stop and rest during the actual session. You have short bursts of moderate effort on the flat, followed by a burst of extreme effort up hill, followed by a nice little sit down, wind-in-your-hair, rest as you zoom down the hill again, and by the time you get to the bottom, your legs are rested enough from the uphill slog to do it again - even tho as you reach the top of each hill you feel like you will never recover! Consequently each hill can be faced as an individual challenge, in the firm knowledge that what comes up must come down! and doing a circular route as I am, I know that however high those hills are, sooner or later I will have the sheer joy of free-wheeling down again on the other side.
(of course though I am a wimp at going down hills and do use my brakes a bit - but am getting more confident and learning to trust myself and my bike a little bit more!)
So there you go, its growing on me. Quite allot. And in fact I look forward to putting in all those future miles necessary. A fortnight today will see myself and Alison, plus Caz hopefully, taking part in the British Heart Foundation Surrey Cycle around Leigh, and we have to complete 37 miles for that, so its a good incentive to get going. We have also been invited on a training weekend organised by the charity. That takes place in September and will be two consecutive days of 40 miles each, so will be a good chance to suss out how we are doing compared to everyone else!
With regard to fundraising we are storming ahead, with plans coming together for my dinner and auction and maybe a knitting day in the offing....as always, any support from you guys is MUCH appreciated.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
so there. you go. There is now no avoiding it. we have to start training. Alison is now the proud owner of a bike (good start) and Caz has decided to resurrect hers from the shed tomorrow. I in the meantime had some precious child-free hours this morning so completed the following route.... which isn't long but IS fairly hilly. and I cycled the whole way! yay!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
YAY!
We are nearly halfway there with the fundraising! If you check out our Justgiving page we are now up to the grand total of £5671!
This is largely in part due to the fact that last night Caz held a hugely successful race night. Over 40 people attended, were plied with an excellent feast of bangers and mash, before settling in to place their bets on the horses! Thank so much to everyone who came / helped / contributed etc, as the evening was a huge success raising over £800! (and I think it is fair to say that a good time was had by all....!)
OK, a few up coming events for you. Don't forget that this Easter weekend Olive is holding three events, her auction, a Laser-quest day, and a Cuban evening (see poster above for details.)
JUNE 21st sees Ruth's 'Formal Dinner and Auction' take place at The Bath Arms in Horningsham. (www.batharms.co.uk) This lovely restaurant is very kindly donating a room, and this promises to be a very special evening. The ticket price of £30 will include a superb 3 course dinner and welcome drink in a great atmosphere, and the dinner will be followed by an auction of promises and items! If anyone wishes to purchase tickets please get in touch with Ruth, and also I am still hunting down more Auction prizes so if any of you have any talents or items you could donate all offers greatly appreciated!
We have our £50 prize crossword available still and the draw for the winner will take place on the 31st July. Again, please contact Ruth if you haven't received a copy and would like one!
Ruth and Alison are also collecting old mobile phones (complete with charger and battery but not Sim card) to recycle towards to women for women pot!
Don't forget, we are ALWAYS open to sponsorship, so if you haven't done so yet, please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraisingfemales and pledge your donation. Also please don't forget to tell your friends and family about us and what we are doing, and see if they would like to take part in the crossword, give a donation, or even organise a fundraising event on our behalf. We are so grateful to everyone for all your support.
Lastly, please wish us luck - we are planning to take part in a 37 mile cycle ride through the surrey hills (yikes - more hills!) on 11th May. Watch this space for how we get on!
This is largely in part due to the fact that last night Caz held a hugely successful race night. Over 40 people attended, were plied with an excellent feast of bangers and mash, before settling in to place their bets on the horses! Thank so much to everyone who came / helped / contributed etc, as the evening was a huge success raising over £800! (and I think it is fair to say that a good time was had by all....!)
OK, a few up coming events for you. Don't forget that this Easter weekend Olive is holding three events, her auction, a Laser-quest day, and a Cuban evening (see poster above for details.)
JUNE 21st sees Ruth's 'Formal Dinner and Auction' take place at The Bath Arms in Horningsham. (www.batharms.co.uk) This lovely restaurant is very kindly donating a room, and this promises to be a very special evening. The ticket price of £30 will include a superb 3 course dinner and welcome drink in a great atmosphere, and the dinner will be followed by an auction of promises and items! If anyone wishes to purchase tickets please get in touch with Ruth, and also I am still hunting down more Auction prizes so if any of you have any talents or items you could donate all offers greatly appreciated!
We have our £50 prize crossword available still and the draw for the winner will take place on the 31st July. Again, please contact Ruth if you haven't received a copy and would like one!
Ruth and Alison are also collecting old mobile phones (complete with charger and battery but not Sim card) to recycle towards to women for women pot!
Don't forget, we are ALWAYS open to sponsorship, so if you haven't done so yet, please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraisingfemales and pledge your donation. Also please don't forget to tell your friends and family about us and what we are doing, and see if they would like to take part in the crossword, give a donation, or even organise a fundraising event on our behalf. We are so grateful to everyone for all your support.
Lastly, please wish us luck - we are planning to take part in a 37 mile cycle ride through the surrey hills (yikes - more hills!) on 11th May. Watch this space for how we get on!
Monday, March 10, 2008
oh help...!
I live in Somerset. In the Mendips. The Mendip hills. HILLS. HILLS HILLS.
I woke up on Friday bubbling with optimism (I had achieved a pb at the running club on weds) and thus decided that cycling to the lovely Bath Arms at Horningsham (who are hosting a dinner for me and being generally lovely - more of that later) would be a good idea. Itseemed to tick all the right boxes; I could see the room for the event, get some training in, spend some time with Jack & Dougal who was on a day off, and get to have a yummy lunch into the bargain. .
It was a one way distance of 6.2 miles - a walk in the park compared to the 10 I did with Caz - so I thought.
No no no no no.
To my great shame I found it exhaustingly hard. I was pushing the bike and walking by the first sign of a hill! I am also petrified of going down hills to fast, especially with young Jack on the back, so brake all the way down which Dougal found most bemusing. So I pant up and break down, and do a bit a walking at either end and nearly expire in the process. I hadn't drunk enough and was christening my new saddle - the end result being that I DID make it to the pub, but was knackered with a pounding head and aching back by the time I got there. The utterly frustrating thing is that whereas I exercise fairly regualry, running a few times a week, Dougal does not - and yet he seemed to breeze through the whole thing! So much so infact that he cycled home, picked up Sam from school and then came back with the car to get me and Jack!
Personally i blame my very old very heavy bike (complete with small child) and the fact that when I had run my fasteset ever two days previously I had forgotton to stretch - and consequently was VERY stiff!
....do you think excuses like that will wash in Cuba?
I woke up on Friday bubbling with optimism (I had achieved a pb at the running club on weds) and thus decided that cycling to the lovely Bath Arms at Horningsham (who are hosting a dinner for me and being generally lovely - more of that later) would be a good idea. Itseemed to tick all the right boxes; I could see the room for the event, get some training in, spend some time with Jack & Dougal who was on a day off, and get to have a yummy lunch into the bargain. .
It was a one way distance of 6.2 miles - a walk in the park compared to the 10 I did with Caz - so I thought.
No no no no no.
To my great shame I found it exhaustingly hard. I was pushing the bike and walking by the first sign of a hill! I am also petrified of going down hills to fast, especially with young Jack on the back, so brake all the way down which Dougal found most bemusing. So I pant up and break down, and do a bit a walking at either end and nearly expire in the process. I hadn't drunk enough and was christening my new saddle - the end result being that I DID make it to the pub, but was knackered with a pounding head and aching back by the time I got there. The utterly frustrating thing is that whereas I exercise fairly regualry, running a few times a week, Dougal does not - and yet he seemed to breeze through the whole thing! So much so infact that he cycled home, picked up Sam from school and then came back with the car to get me and Jack!
Personally i blame my very old very heavy bike (complete with small child) and the fact that when I had run my fasteset ever two days previously I had forgotton to stretch - and consequently was VERY stiff!
....do you think excuses like that will wash in Cuba?
Friday, February 15, 2008
10 mile marathon!
Well we did it. Three people, one penguin, two bikes, and ten miles.
Yesterday morning saw Caz and I saddle up, load the cargo (Jack) and head off on our first joint cycle ride. Vez, an old school friend and Caz's flatmate, was supposed to be joining us, but her bike happened to be at the police station. Not what you think - she works there. Anyway she SAID she was going to pop into work on the bus to collect her bike and meet us at the toll bridge. Then she called and SAID she had missed the bus. Then she called again and SAID she had a flat tyre and would see us at home. I have to say - I rather think she was just hiding round the corner until we had left, and then came home and ate cake. But I won't tell her that. She is a police officer and has access to trunchons and handcuffs and things, so we are going to be nice to her.
So, there we were, waiting at the toll bridge and I asked Caz if I could have a go on her lovely brand shiney new bike (without children or extra seats) while we were waiting. Well. Honestly. Compared to me that girl has it easy! Not only can she get on and off without contorting into a miriad of positions and getting cramp in her left hip to negotiate all the child seats, but her bike weighs nothing. Literally. Is probably filled with helium its that light. SO then I get back onto my bike - doing the gymnastics and getting cramp in the process - and immediately regret having ever gone anywhere near hers! My bike is HEAVY.
So having discovered Vez was copping out (get it?!!) we went onwards up the river path, and crossed the bridge at this point apparently we had two choices - either to go back down the river on the other side (a bit narrow and very muddy) or to carry on along some country roads. I opted for the roads......10 minutes later I am faced with a mountain. Well a hill. OK ok more of a small incline. But don't forget I am heaving about 4 tons of bike and a small child all the way: and the weight want to go DOWN the hill much faster than I can go up it! Caz had very conveniently ommited to metnion the presence of said hill. Hmph. Still, we made it.
All in all, we stopped to wait for Vez, to put gloves on the very chilly Jack, and to retrieve the penguin. (Yes honestly) and still made the 10 mile loop in under an hour.
50 miles in 8 hours? BRING IT ON!!!!!
Yesterday morning saw Caz and I saddle up, load the cargo (Jack) and head off on our first joint cycle ride. Vez, an old school friend and Caz's flatmate, was supposed to be joining us, but her bike happened to be at the police station. Not what you think - she works there. Anyway she SAID she was going to pop into work on the bus to collect her bike and meet us at the toll bridge. Then she called and SAID she had missed the bus. Then she called again and SAID she had a flat tyre and would see us at home. I have to say - I rather think she was just hiding round the corner until we had left, and then came home and ate cake. But I won't tell her that. She is a police officer and has access to trunchons and handcuffs and things, so we are going to be nice to her.
So, there we were, waiting at the toll bridge and I asked Caz if I could have a go on her lovely brand shiney new bike (without children or extra seats) while we were waiting. Well. Honestly. Compared to me that girl has it easy! Not only can she get on and off without contorting into a miriad of positions and getting cramp in her left hip to negotiate all the child seats, but her bike weighs nothing. Literally. Is probably filled with helium its that light. SO then I get back onto my bike - doing the gymnastics and getting cramp in the process - and immediately regret having ever gone anywhere near hers! My bike is HEAVY.
So having discovered Vez was copping out (get it?!!) we went onwards up the river path, and crossed the bridge at this point apparently we had two choices - either to go back down the river on the other side (a bit narrow and very muddy) or to carry on along some country roads. I opted for the roads......10 minutes later I am faced with a mountain. Well a hill. OK ok more of a small incline. But don't forget I am heaving about 4 tons of bike and a small child all the way: and the weight want to go DOWN the hill much faster than I can go up it! Caz had very conveniently ommited to metnion the presence of said hill. Hmph. Still, we made it.
All in all, we stopped to wait for Vez, to put gloves on the very chilly Jack, and to retrieve the penguin. (Yes honestly) and still made the 10 mile loop in under an hour.
50 miles in 8 hours? BRING IT ON!!!!!
Friday, February 8, 2008
PLEDGE-A-POUND WEEKEND
16TH & 17TH Feb 08
Help! Help! Help! Help! Help! Help! Help!
Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please!
Dear Friend,
So far I have raised over £500 on my own, but now I need some help! I am asking everyone I know to help me this weekend by asking all their friends and family to give just £1 towards women-for-women. I would be grateful for any help you can give, and am relying on all of you for this plan to work!
So Please……
Get in touch with all your e-mail / facebook / my-space contacts and direct them to my just giving page.
Take a sponsor form and cards with the just giving address on with you all weekend and let people know it is pledge a pound weekend and encourage them to participate by pledging!
As an added incentive there is a PRIZE for the person who raises the most!
Many thanks for your help!
Ruth
www.justgiving.com/fundraisingfemales www.fundraisingfemales.blogspot.com
www.women-for-women.org
If donating through Just giving please ask you contacts to specify ‘for Ruth via your name’ in the comments box so we can track it properly – otherwise you may miss out on your prize!
Cheques payable to ‘The Institute Trust Fund’.
16TH & 17TH Feb 08
Help! Help! Help! Help! Help! Help! Help!
Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please!
Dear Friend,
So far I have raised over £500 on my own, but now I need some help! I am asking everyone I know to help me this weekend by asking all their friends and family to give just £1 towards women-for-women. I would be grateful for any help you can give, and am relying on all of you for this plan to work!
So Please……
Get in touch with all your e-mail / facebook / my-space contacts and direct them to my just giving page.
Take a sponsor form and cards with the just giving address on with you all weekend and let people know it is pledge a pound weekend and encourage them to participate by pledging!
As an added incentive there is a PRIZE for the person who raises the most!
Many thanks for your help!
Ruth
www.justgiving.com/fundraisingfemales www.fundraisingfemales.blogspot.com
www.women-for-women.org
If donating through Just giving please ask you contacts to specify ‘for Ruth via your name’ in the comments box so we can track it properly – otherwise you may miss out on your prize!
Cheques payable to ‘The Institute Trust Fund’.
Olive Upcoming Events
Ideal Home Show has kindly donated 50 tickets to us to raise funds to support vital medical research for women starting a family and for babies at the start of their life. The project is called “Women for Women.”
Please buy from Olive at £5 each (Non refundable)
(Normal price £14 each)
No reservations, first come, first served basis -Only 50 tickets available
CONTACT OLIVE LYCETT MOBILE- 07985168416 (text only)
EMAIL- olive.lycett@hotmail.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
THURSDAY 20th march 2007
Railway Tavern has kindly allowed me to use their facilities for this FABULOUS Auction Fundraising event.
Doors open at 6pm.
Hammer crashing down at 8pm.
Admission £1.
Food can be ordered before 9pm.
Bar closing at 12 midnight.
Raffle.
Auction includes a selection of autograph items including Steven Gerrard shirt. Spa Day at Champneys Tring and many more.
Full exciting list of auction lots available will be distributed nearer the time.
Thank you for your support.
The Railway Taevren, Engine Room, 15 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7NX
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The Mission Fundraising Event on
GOOD FRIDAY 21st March 2008
2pm SHARP for the BLAST OFF
Laser Mayhem has kindly allowed me to use their facilities for this fund raising event. I will be raising funds to support vital medical research for women starting a family and for babies at the start of their life. The project is called “Women for Women.”
The event is as follows:
· Collect army kit at 1pm onwards.
· Blast of is 2pm sharp
· 2 ½ hours of intense action
· Finishing at 4.30pm.
· £10 for a child. £15 for an adult. (Minimum age 8)
· Light refreshments available.
· Team challenge – PRIZE for the winners.
Address: Laser Mayhem, Pryors Farm, Patch Park, Abridge, Essex, RM4 1AA
· Please complete the form below to guarantee you a place and send a cheque payable to Olive Lycett.
Please buy from Olive at £5 each (Non refundable)
(Normal price £14 each)
No reservations, first come, first served basis -Only 50 tickets available
CONTACT OLIVE LYCETT MOBILE- 07985168416 (text only)
EMAIL- olive.lycett@hotmail.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
THURSDAY 20th march 2007
Railway Tavern has kindly allowed me to use their facilities for this FABULOUS Auction Fundraising event.
Doors open at 6pm.
Hammer crashing down at 8pm.
Admission £1.
Food can be ordered before 9pm.
Bar closing at 12 midnight.
Raffle.
Auction includes a selection of autograph items including Steven Gerrard shirt. Spa Day at Champneys Tring and many more.
Full exciting list of auction lots available will be distributed nearer the time.
Thank you for your support.
The Railway Taevren, Engine Room, 15 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7NX
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Mission Fundraising Event on
GOOD FRIDAY 21st March 2008
2pm SHARP for the BLAST OFF
Laser Mayhem has kindly allowed me to use their facilities for this fund raising event. I will be raising funds to support vital medical research for women starting a family and for babies at the start of their life. The project is called “Women for Women.”
The event is as follows:
· Collect army kit at 1pm onwards.
· Blast of is 2pm sharp
· 2 ½ hours of intense action
· Finishing at 4.30pm.
· £10 for a child. £15 for an adult. (Minimum age 8)
· Light refreshments available.
· Team challenge – PRIZE for the winners.
Address: Laser Mayhem, Pryors Farm, Patch Park, Abridge, Essex, RM4 1AA
· Please complete the form below to guarantee you a place and send a cheque payable to Olive Lycett.
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