Sorry for the lack of posts since Wednesday, seems Blogger.com is having a few issues atm.
Had £800 in sponsors yesterday from a company I have been helping with their website. I can't give the name for several reasons but they know I know and so thankyou!!
Got out on my own today and knocked up 23.5 miles, then came back and done 3 hrs in the garden!! I don't know which was harder... the cycling or the gardening. All I know is I'm knackered now...
Total fundraising to date: £2007.00
Miles Rode Today: 23.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 306
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
*Wednesday 28th April
Got out this evening after work, along with Dave "like a whippet" Daniels. A fast paced cycle along the canal up past Pontypool to Goytre Wharf and back, adding another 22.5 to the odometer.
The only problem with the nice weather and cycling along the canal... Gnats, thousands of em. I took my revenge on the little bastards though, I must have swallowed about 50 them!! What?? It's free food!!
Had a great fundraising idea from a work collegue (Jonathan Smith), a World Cup 2006 Sweep Stake... more info to come
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 22.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 282.5
The only problem with the nice weather and cycling along the canal... Gnats, thousands of em. I took my revenge on the little bastards though, I must have swallowed about 50 them!! What?? It's free food!!
Had a great fundraising idea from a work collegue (Jonathan Smith), a World Cup 2006 Sweep Stake... more info to come
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 22.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 282.5
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Tuesday 25th April
No Spanish tonight, that'll be about 5 weeks now, mas o menos!! jejeje
Was debating on going out on the bike instead but an alarm call out from work put a stop to that plan.
Hope to go out tomorrow night, weather is supposed to be scorchio
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 260
Was debating on going out on the bike instead but an alarm call out from work put a stop to that plan.
Hope to go out tomorrow night, weather is supposed to be scorchio
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 260
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Sunday 23rd April
Didn't make it out on the bike today. Weather's no good and my ankle is pretty bloodied/swollen from smacking it on those stoopid pedals yesterday!! (forgot to mention that, and the fact I bit my lip!!) lol.
Spent most of this afternoon creating a paper based sponsor form in Adobe Indesign, only problem was I've never used it before... 10 minutes of farting about later... I'm a pro!! :)
Looks something like:
Off to smack some golf balls into space so until tomorrow...
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 260
Spent most of this afternoon creating a paper based sponsor form in Adobe Indesign, only problem was I've never used it before... 10 minutes of farting about later... I'm a pro!! :)
Looks something like:
Off to smack some golf balls into space so until tomorrow...
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 260
Saturday, April 22, 2006
*Saturday 22nd April
Sweeeeeeet!! Got out on the bike today with Dave "like a whippet" Daniels and knocked up 28 miles on the odometer.
Decided on trying the reverse route of what I done last Sunday (16/04/06), so starting in Cwmbran, up to Pontypool, climb the huuuuuuuge hill going up past Cwmynyscoy and then through some fields with dodgy looking sheep!! Some more uphill until we got to the top, then it was time to literally carry the bikes up to the mast and then jump on for some serious bone shaking rocky road cycling...
We were originally going to just go from the mast across the top to the pimple and then down but we decided halfway on top to drop down and finish the last few miles of the Cwmcarn forest trail downhill and technical sections, then ride the canal back towards Newport and then home to Cwmbran. Was great!!
Weather's not looking good
Starting to clear
Time to carry the bikes
Dave hitting some speed on top of Twmbarlum
Me at the start of the technical section
Dave winging it through forest downhill section
Look at the smile, he loves this cycling malarkey
Mmmm more downhill!!
My turn to hit some speed
"Again, again!!"
No real problems today (other than the usual lungs coming out of arse!!) so I may go out on the bike again tomorrow, I'll have to see how the leg's feeling first though :)
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 28
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 260
Friday, April 21, 2006
Friday 21st April
Uuuuugh!!!!
Don't you hate it when you go out for a civilized meal with work colleagues and someone suggests you all hit the tequila's!!
Stopped drinking at 4:30 this morning... a rough few hours sleep later, 8:30am we had a full on brain storming session/innovation meeting all day. Interesting but when your getting the tequila shakes, it's not much fun.
Had another sponsor today, thankyou Paul and Emma :)
I think I've just about sobered up, it's now 7:25pm... here comes the hangover!!
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 232
Don't you hate it when you go out for a civilized meal with work colleagues and someone suggests you all hit the tequila's!!
Stopped drinking at 4:30 this morning... a rough few hours sleep later, 8:30am we had a full on brain storming session/innovation meeting all day. Interesting but when your getting the tequila shakes, it's not much fun.
Had another sponsor today, thankyou Paul and Emma :)
I think I've just about sobered up, it's now 7:25pm... here comes the hangover!!
Total fundraising to date: £1207.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 232
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Wednesday 19th April
No biking till Saturday... :(
Couldn't go out tonight as I didn't finish work till late, weather wasn't great and neither are my legs/arms. Think I still got a little HAVS from Sundays downhill adventure and I'm sure my good knee isn't too happy with me either.
Can't go out tomorrow, got a big work's evening dinner to attend and Friday we have an "innovation" meeting all day, so there goes my early finish.
No sponsor's for a while now and I need to re "email" those companies who have yet to say:-
A) "yes, we'll be happy to help"
B) "sorry, we can't help, but good luck etc..."
C) "stop f..... spamming me!!"
D) ignore me again
I'm realistic in knowing not all companies can/will help, and with respect to replying, we're all busy people nowadays (me especially). But they could at least answer with a simple "sorry we can't help, but good luck with your cause" kinda thing... it doesn't take 2 seconds to type that and it is for charity.
So... until I get either an A, B or C ... let the spam commence :)
Total fundraising to date: £1187.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 232
Couldn't go out tonight as I didn't finish work till late, weather wasn't great and neither are my legs/arms. Think I still got a little HAVS from Sundays downhill adventure and I'm sure my good knee isn't too happy with me either.
Can't go out tomorrow, got a big work's evening dinner to attend and Friday we have an "innovation" meeting all day, so there goes my early finish.
No sponsor's for a while now and I need to re "email" those companies who have yet to say:-
A) "yes, we'll be happy to help"
B) "sorry, we can't help, but good luck etc..."
C) "stop f..... spamming me!!"
D) ignore me again
I'm realistic in knowing not all companies can/will help, and with respect to replying, we're all busy people nowadays (me especially). But they could at least answer with a simple "sorry we can't help, but good luck with your cause" kinda thing... it doesn't take 2 seconds to type that and it is for charity.
So... until I get either an A, B or C ... let the spam commence :)
Total fundraising to date: £1187.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 232
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
*Tuesday 18th April
Got out after work today, legs still aching from Sunday but I didn't complain (much)...
Knocked up 22 miles including a detour off the canal following a rather dodgy trail. Led by Dave "like a whippet" Daniels, we got lost and ended up in a field surrounded by armed and hostile sheep, not nice!!
I don't think the language barrier helped in explaining to the woolly leader about Dave's invasion of his field, but with 26 more gears and faster acceleration, we sped downhill and made our getaway.
We lived to tell the tale, no harm done, although thinking about it... John "where's the pub" Larcombe was overly long in catching up... what was he doing in that field, what did he sacrifice to save me and Dave???
Only time (and a beaten confession in the canteen tomorrow) will tell...
Total fundraising to date: £1187.00
Miles Rode Today: 22
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 232
Knocked up 22 miles including a detour off the canal following a rather dodgy trail. Led by Dave "like a whippet" Daniels, we got lost and ended up in a field surrounded by armed and hostile sheep, not nice!!
I don't think the language barrier helped in explaining to the woolly leader about Dave's invasion of his field, but with 26 more gears and faster acceleration, we sped downhill and made our getaway.
We lived to tell the tale, no harm done, although thinking about it... John "where's the pub" Larcombe was overly long in catching up... what was he doing in that field, what did he sacrifice to save me and Dave???
Only time (and a beaten confession in the canteen tomorrow) will tell...
Total fundraising to date: £1187.00
Miles Rode Today: 22
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 232
Monday, April 17, 2006
Monday 17th April
All that downhilling of rocky paths yesterday has had it's toll on my arms and legs... their aching big time!! No way could I go out today, I can't even hold a knife and fork properly!!
Can you sue a mountain for *HAVS??
Brought some handlebar grips (should help on the uphill's) and a cool under saddle tool kit, golla love Lidl specials!! www.lidl.co.uk/
Can't believe the 4 day's Easter break is over!! Ho humm back to work tomorrow, still, it's only a 3.5 day week :)
Off to smash some golf balls into space so until tomorrow...
*Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
Total fundraising to date: £1187.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 210
Can you sue a mountain for *HAVS??
Brought some handlebar grips (should help on the uphill's) and a cool under saddle tool kit, golla love Lidl specials!! www.lidl.co.uk/
Can't believe the 4 day's Easter break is over!! Ho humm back to work tomorrow, still, it's only a 3.5 day week :)
Off to smash some golf balls into space so until tomorrow...
*Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
Total fundraising to date: £1187.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 210
Sunday, April 16, 2006
*Sunday 16th April
Maaaan I'm knackered. Just got in from taking on Twmbarlum, 23.5 miles in 2 hrs 47 mins. My legs are aching big time!! Was only going to do the usual canal trail to Cwmcarn and back but decided to go up to the Pimple and along the top of Twmbarlum, down into Pontypool then home instead.
On my own today so had the mp3/radio unit on and just went for it!! Was well worth the effort:
On my own today so had the mp3/radio unit on and just went for it!! Was well worth the effort:
Made up for not going out yesterday (as I said I was going to!!), ended up spending the day looking for houses instead. What a joke that was!! Seen the house prices lately??
Total fundraising to date: £1187.00
Miles Rode Today: 23.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 210
Friday, April 14, 2006
Friday 14th April
No blogs for the last 2 days but nothing much to report anyway. Other than my Dad getting a hole-in-one in golf, 156 yrds ending up costing him 70 odd quid in celebration drinks... I don't get that? If I scored a hole-in-one (or got within par for that matter) I'd want everyone to buy me drinks, not me buy them drinks!! :)
Was a perfect day for a cycle today but after last nights "seeing off" session for Rob Windmill (off to new pastures) I'm a tad worse for wear. I'm not a big drinker at the best of time and last night I think I had 1 too many vodkas, ended up stumbling through the front door at about 3 or was it 4 this morning??
Weather forecast for this weekend looks promising so with a bit of luck a few of us will be out on the bikes tomorrow. May even do the Monmouth run which was planned for last Saturday but with Carl "I can jump almost anything" Thomas doing his jackhammer impression that was soon cut short.
Should be a good days cycling, just hope this is not one of them 2 day hangovers... I certainly had enough to warrant it!!
Total fundraising to date: £1177.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 186.5
Was a perfect day for a cycle today but after last nights "seeing off" session for Rob Windmill (off to new pastures) I'm a tad worse for wear. I'm not a big drinker at the best of time and last night I think I had 1 too many vodkas, ended up stumbling through the front door at about 3 or was it 4 this morning??
Weather forecast for this weekend looks promising so with a bit of luck a few of us will be out on the bikes tomorrow. May even do the Monmouth run which was planned for last Saturday but with Carl "I can jump almost anything" Thomas doing his jackhammer impression that was soon cut short.
Should be a good days cycling, just hope this is not one of them 2 day hangovers... I certainly had enough to warrant it!!
Total fundraising to date: £1177.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 186.5
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Tuesday 11th April
Didn't go out on the bike tonight. Initially it was because I usually have Spanish on a tuesday but it's off for 2 weeks during the Easter period, so I decided to update my site instead.
Added a funky new random image script on the Company page which ummm, kinda randomly displays images on page refresh. Check it out, it's pretty cool: http://www.cycle4charity.org/company.htm
Had another reply from my mass of emails sent to various companies, more news on this once I get confirmation.
Carl "I can jump almost anything" Thomas is home... albeit without having a CT scan.
Doctors obviously think he doesn't need one and who am I to argue? My only medical experience is from watching Quincy during my Uni days...
Total fundraising to date: £1177.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 186.5
Added a funky new random image script on the Company page which ummm, kinda randomly displays images on page refresh. Check it out, it's pretty cool: http://www.cycle4charity.org/company.htm
Had another reply from my mass of emails sent to various companies, more news on this once I get confirmation.
Carl "I can jump almost anything" Thomas is home... albeit without having a CT scan.
Doctors obviously think he doesn't need one and who am I to argue? My only medical experience is from watching Quincy during my Uni days...
Total fundraising to date: £1177.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 186.5
Monday, April 10, 2006
*Monday 10th April
What a day... work was really busy (as I like it) but I managed to get out early.
Weather was stunning so me and Dave "like a whippet" Daniels went out along the canal. 23.5 miles in 1hr 55. Definitely getting better!! Although the lungs would argue with that statement. The sunset on the way back was spectacular, just wish I had my camera with me!!
Had an email from another company possibly offering me some free gear to use/train in and auction/raffle off. More news to come on that once I get confirmation.
Had another sponsor today, thankyou Dave Field!!
Heard from Karen (Carl "I can jump almost anything" Thomas' partner), he's being kept in another night and will be getting that CT scan after all.
He's been complaining of nausea since he was admitted, he's had a huge smash to the head, numbness, loss of feeling... Doctor said he was fine to go home today. He's had an x-ray and some pain management, that's it!!
FFS!! What the hell are they teaching doctors these days!! It's blatantly obvious he needs a CT scan so why the f*** don't they give him one?? He should have had it on Saturday IMO!!
Without me going down the politically incorrect path of me ranting and raving about the NHS and such, the Staff Nurse suggested he stay in another night and HE will advise the so-called Doctor in the morning that Carl IS to have that CT scan.
Just hope everything is OK...
Total fundraising to date: £1177.00
Miles Rode Today: 23.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 186.5
Weather was stunning so me and Dave "like a whippet" Daniels went out along the canal. 23.5 miles in 1hr 55. Definitely getting better!! Although the lungs would argue with that statement. The sunset on the way back was spectacular, just wish I had my camera with me!!
Had an email from another company possibly offering me some free gear to use/train in and auction/raffle off. More news to come on that once I get confirmation.
Had another sponsor today, thankyou Dave Field!!
Heard from Karen (Carl "I can jump almost anything" Thomas' partner), he's being kept in another night and will be getting that CT scan after all.
He's been complaining of nausea since he was admitted, he's had a huge smash to the head, numbness, loss of feeling... Doctor said he was fine to go home today. He's had an x-ray and some pain management, that's it!!
FFS!! What the hell are they teaching doctors these days!! It's blatantly obvious he needs a CT scan so why the f*** don't they give him one?? He should have had it on Saturday IMO!!
Without me going down the politically incorrect path of me ranting and raving about the NHS and such, the Staff Nurse suggested he stay in another night and HE will advise the so-called Doctor in the morning that Carl IS to have that CT scan.
Just hope everything is OK...
Total fundraising to date: £1177.00
Miles Rode Today: 23.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 186.5
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Sunday 9th April
Just got back from seeing Carl in Abergavenny hospital, took him some grapes and a few magazines (hospitals are so boring!!).
Although in quite a bit of pain it looks like he hasn't done any real damage, no broken bones, brain damage (that would prove hard) and he's in good spirits even asking when we going out on the bikes again!! I've said I'm not going cycling with him until he gets a helmet and bubble wrap body armour!!
They've decided to keep him in over night again, just to be on the safe side. Although they have said he may need a ct scan in the morning if the pain and numbing doesn't subside.
He can't really remember much (that's shock for you) so I had to explain what happened... his only concern being "did it look good" referring to his "180 somersault back flip 45'er head smash tail grab"
We've also come to the conclusion the patch of hair we saw on the concrete yesterday wasn't someone else's!!
Although in quite a bit of pain it looks like he hasn't done any real damage, no broken bones, brain damage (that would prove hard) and he's in good spirits even asking when we going out on the bikes again!! I've said I'm not going cycling with him until he gets a helmet and bubble wrap body armour!!
They've decided to keep him in over night again, just to be on the safe side. Although they have said he may need a ct scan in the morning if the pain and numbing doesn't subside.
He can't really remember much (that's shock for you) so I had to explain what happened... his only concern being "did it look good" referring to his "180 somersault back flip 45'er head smash tail grab"
We've also come to the conclusion the patch of hair we saw on the concrete yesterday wasn't someone else's!!
Where he hit the ground he must have sort of slid along momentarily ripping chunks of his hair out. I couldn't see this yesterday due to the blood, but now the wounds are cleaned, you can see he has quite a big bald patch where it got ripped out. Ouch!!
He should be home tomorrow so...
I didn't go for a ride today, felt like giving my knee a rest.
Total fundraising to date: £1127.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 161
Saturday, April 08, 2006
*Saturday 8th April
After last nights rain I didn't think I'd be out on the bike today but a phone call this morning changed all that.
Carl rang me first thing asking if I wanted to go to Monmouth for a day's cycling along the riverside. Looking out the window the weather was perfect so I agreed.
After spending nearly an hour repairing the puncture from yesterday (stoopid tyre!!) and getting my kit together, I was ready. Bikes in the back of the van, an hour later we in Monmouth...
Beautiful day, the sun was shining, the scenery was stunning and there was a gentle breeze in the air (no gale force Siberian winds like yesterdays ride)... perfect for a long day in the saddle.
After about 200 meters Carl "I can jump anything" Thomas spotted a bike park and rushed ahead... he cleared his first attempt at a rather high jump, then on his second attempt... disaster!!!
Carl rang me first thing asking if I wanted to go to Monmouth for a day's cycling along the riverside. Looking out the window the weather was perfect so I agreed.
After spending nearly an hour repairing the puncture from yesterday (stoopid tyre!!) and getting my kit together, I was ready. Bikes in the back of the van, an hour later we in Monmouth...
Beautiful day, the sun was shining, the scenery was stunning and there was a gentle breeze in the air (no gale force Siberian winds like yesterdays ride)... perfect for a long day in the saddle.
After about 200 meters Carl "I can jump anything" Thomas spotted a bike park and rushed ahead... he cleared his first attempt at a rather high jump, then on his second attempt... disaster!!!
I don't know exactly what happened (nor does he) but somehow, mid-air, he done a 180 vertically and a 45 horizontally, resulting in big drop smashing head into concrete. It went something like this:-
The noise of head meets concrete was gross, (I've heard it before but it's always a stomach churner) he didn't have time to put his hands out to soften the blow.
He was out cold for about 10 - 15 seconds and I got to admit I shit a brick. I didn't have a clue what to do!! I knew he shouldn't move so I checked his head injuries, they didn't seem to bad (no gushing blood) but I was more concerned with the fact he had blacked out. After a few minutes of swearing and apologies, he sat up. Keep them talking!!
After about 10 minutes of him swearing and my banter we managed to walk the 200 meters back to the van. I ran across the road to Monmouth leisure center to ask for a first aider, they happened to have a trainee nurse on site and she came rushing over with blankets, pads etc... and then called for an ambulance. I called Karen (Carls partner) and gave her the sitrep.
Carl was not looking good, in and out of consciousness and feeling extremely nauseated, I was getting pretty concerned... at least at the park he was talking and still having a laugh. Another couple who were near by gave us more blankets to keep him warm, I could see he was going into shock. Keep casualties warm!!
Another 15 minutes passed before the ambulance turned up and promptly fitted a neck collar and gave him some oxygen. After being strapped onto a hard plate they rushed him down to Abergavenny hospital.
I managed to drive the van back even with american style dashboard gears and the handling of a pig on roller skates, and I've not long heard from Karen that he's had an x-ray but is still in and out of consciousness, he'll be kept in overnight at least.
I'm sure he'll pull through OK and by monday (if he's in work) we'll be taking the p*ss big time, Carl "I can jump almost anything" Thomas!!
I'm just glad he didn't try:
I learnt 2 lessons today:
- ALWAYS wear a helmet!!!
- Need to attend a first aid course ASAP!!
Hope your back on your bike soon mate!!
PS I took the photos after the accident (as Carl was shouting abuse about his acrobatic and head bouncing techniques), just incase your thinking I'm a cruel bar-steward...
Total fundraising to date: £1127.00
Miles Rode Today: 0.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 161
Friday, April 07, 2006
*Friday 7th April
Got out this afternoon and took on Twmbarlwm with 4 work mates. Dave "like a wippet" Daniels, Julian "Demon Legs" Wilkinson, Carl "i can jump anything" Thomas and John "where's the pub" Larcombe).
Only a short 13 miles but the hills and off-road terrain made it feel double that. My legs are actually aching today!!
I managed to fall off in true stuntman style (including the roll) at the bottom of a pretty steep and fast rocky section, smacked my knee good and proper :(
Still up for a 30 miler tomorrow, just hope the weather holds out!!
Total fundraising to date: £1127.00
Miles Rode Today: 13
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 160.5
Only a short 13 miles but the hills and off-road terrain made it feel double that. My legs are actually aching today!!
I managed to fall off in true stuntman style (including the roll) at the bottom of a pretty steep and fast rocky section, smacked my knee good and proper :(
Still up for a 30 miler tomorrow, just hope the weather holds out!!
Total fundraising to date: £1127.00
Miles Rode Today: 13
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 160.5
Thursday, April 06, 2006
*Thursday 6th April
"What a stunning day for a bike ride" I thought to myself as I studied the thousand odd lines of coding for the company website this morning...
Haven't been out on the bike since last friday and I've had a hell of a week in work, really needed to get some fresh air and endorphins running
So... I went out for a wee cycle after work with Dave and Julian (work mates), just a short 23.5 miles along the canal, no sweat... until we hit the *killer
Legs were fine apart from my "good" knee hurting a little, but the old lungs were finding it the hardest...
As soon as I get my "high priority" projects done in work that's it!! I'm quitting!! I would quit (smoking, not my job!!) now but it's a major stress relief and an excuse to drag myself away from the desk/monitor!!
Had another 2 sponsors today, thankyou Joyce (that's really my Mum pretending to be anonymous) and thankyou Mrs. Zoe Cross (my best mates wife) :)
Hope to go out again tomorrow after work, clock some more miles up. And if the weathers good on the weekend... maybe a 30 or 40 miler
*Killer - energy sapping, never ending, are we at the top yet, lung bursting, big **** off hill
Total fundraising to date: £1127.00
Miles Rode Today: 23.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 147.5
Haven't been out on the bike since last friday and I've had a hell of a week in work, really needed to get some fresh air and endorphins running
So... I went out for a wee cycle after work with Dave and Julian (work mates), just a short 23.5 miles along the canal, no sweat... until we hit the *killer
Legs were fine apart from my "good" knee hurting a little, but the old lungs were finding it the hardest...
As soon as I get my "high priority" projects done in work that's it!! I'm quitting!! I would quit (smoking, not my job!!) now but it's a major stress relief and an excuse to drag myself away from the desk/monitor!!
Had another 2 sponsors today, thankyou Joyce (that's really my Mum pretending to be anonymous) and thankyou Mrs. Zoe Cross (my best mates wife) :)
Hope to go out again tomorrow after work, clock some more miles up. And if the weathers good on the weekend... maybe a 30 or 40 miler
*Killer - energy sapping, never ending, are we at the top yet, lung bursting, big **** off hill
Total fundraising to date: £1127.00
Miles Rode Today: 23.5
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 147.5
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Tuesday 4th April
Wow!! Sent a few emails around work today asking for sponsors... managed to get another £150 in donations
Thankyou to: Dave Crotty (our man in Asia), Don Paul Harrison (muchas gracias mi amigo), Heather Hopkin (another great charity fundraiser), Mike Kelly (no relation), Jeremy Llewellyn (proof you can get money off an accountant), Simon Wick (cheers me old china) and Rachel Daly (kinky boots).
Also had a promise from Rob Windmill (fellow biker and design engineer extraordinaire) who has said he'll sponsor me £100 to ride around the SAAB 24hr Mountain Meyhem in a dress!! I've accepted his challenge, may even go out and pick a dress this weekend!! (Just kidding!!!!) 1 lap only Rob, it'll only "slow" me down!!
He also suggested I wear a garter, I said I'll wear it as long as he put's it on with his teeth... He said he'll donate a further £20 if I put it on myself!! :)
Swiftly moving on.
The remembrance service at St Anne's tonight was nice, if you can say that?? Some people were moved more than others but I didn't really find it upsetting, infact at one point I couldn't help but laugh to myself...
Someone from each family was asked to light a candle and place it on the table (there's a proper word for that but...) Anyway... Uncle Dave (my Granddads son) went up for us.
As he tried to light the candle the wick fell out leaving him unable to light the candle. Without any option he put it on the table unlit. This being the only candle unlit on the table...
After everyone had lit their candles, one of the Sisters got up, picked Granddads candle up and went and got a replacement. She tried to light that and the same thing happened, the wick fell out again, so off she went to get another candle which she managed to light. Third time lucky!!
I could just imagine my Granddad sitting next to me saying "See!! I'll get them to work even from the other side". I just found that funny. He always joked with the nurses and sisters. "Nice hotel, good workers" he would joke as they tidied his room.
After the service I met with Debbie Raynish (St Anne's Fundraising Retail Manager) and we had a coffee and a good chat about my Granddad, my training, my work, her work, how the money helps, promotional work etc... and to be honest I was more moved by our conversation than the service itself. The staff there really are caring people and 100% dedicated to their job's.
It was only when she said she would have loved to have met him, that was the "tear jerking" moment for me.
Total fundraising to date: £1077.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 124
Thankyou to: Dave Crotty (our man in Asia), Don Paul Harrison (muchas gracias mi amigo), Heather Hopkin (another great charity fundraiser), Mike Kelly (no relation), Jeremy Llewellyn (proof you can get money off an accountant), Simon Wick (cheers me old china) and Rachel Daly (kinky boots).
Also had a promise from Rob Windmill (fellow biker and design engineer extraordinaire) who has said he'll sponsor me £100 to ride around the SAAB 24hr Mountain Meyhem in a dress!! I've accepted his challenge, may even go out and pick a dress this weekend!! (Just kidding!!!!) 1 lap only Rob, it'll only "slow" me down!!
He also suggested I wear a garter, I said I'll wear it as long as he put's it on with his teeth... He said he'll donate a further £20 if I put it on myself!! :)
Swiftly moving on.
The remembrance service at St Anne's tonight was nice, if you can say that?? Some people were moved more than others but I didn't really find it upsetting, infact at one point I couldn't help but laugh to myself...
Someone from each family was asked to light a candle and place it on the table (there's a proper word for that but...) Anyway... Uncle Dave (my Granddads son) went up for us.
As he tried to light the candle the wick fell out leaving him unable to light the candle. Without any option he put it on the table unlit. This being the only candle unlit on the table...
After everyone had lit their candles, one of the Sisters got up, picked Granddads candle up and went and got a replacement. She tried to light that and the same thing happened, the wick fell out again, so off she went to get another candle which she managed to light. Third time lucky!!
I could just imagine my Granddad sitting next to me saying "See!! I'll get them to work even from the other side". I just found that funny. He always joked with the nurses and sisters. "Nice hotel, good workers" he would joke as they tidied his room.
After the service I met with Debbie Raynish (St Anne's Fundraising Retail Manager) and we had a coffee and a good chat about my Granddad, my training, my work, her work, how the money helps, promotional work etc... and to be honest I was more moved by our conversation than the service itself. The staff there really are caring people and 100% dedicated to their job's.
It was only when she said she would have loved to have met him, that was the "tear jerking" moment for me.
Total fundraising to date: £1077.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 124
Monday, April 03, 2006
Monday 3rd April
Roll on the weekend!! I was so tired yesterday after work I didn't make it out on the bike. Lame excuse I know but I really was knackered. I hate working weekends!! Even more... I hate counting pathetically small electronic components!!
Got a service to attend in St Anne's Hospice tomorrow at 7pm. Have to admit I'm not looking forward to it but I've said I'll go.
Will be missing another Spanish lesson but I think it's important someone from the family goes.
I know I'll get upset just walking through the doors yet alone standing and listening to the speakers read out names of people who have died recently.. I'll be hearing two names...
Total fundraising to date: £927.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 124
Got a service to attend in St Anne's Hospice tomorrow at 7pm. Have to admit I'm not looking forward to it but I've said I'll go.
Will be missing another Spanish lesson but I think it's important someone from the family goes.
I know I'll get upset just walking through the doors yet alone standing and listening to the speakers read out names of people who have died recently.. I'll be hearing two names...
Total fundraising to date: £927.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 124
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Saturday 1st April
Didn't make it out on the bike after work today. Knackered from the early start and the mind numbing task of counting tiny components all day gave me a massive headache. I did manage to give the bike a going over with a little love and WD40 and a change of much needed brake pads!!
Heard the bad news that one of my Mum's good friends died this morning. Another victim of cancer. She was staying in St Anne's.
Although I only met Sue a few times, she was a lovely lady and always had time to ask how I was, how work was going etc... my thoughts are with her family and friends. I was truly sorry to hear she passed away.
Really am going to try and give up smoking now!! maybe even a new outlook on life is needed... A few things have happened over the last few months that kinda put things into prospective...
Total fundraising to date: £927.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 124
Heard the bad news that one of my Mum's good friends died this morning. Another victim of cancer. She was staying in St Anne's.
Although I only met Sue a few times, she was a lovely lady and always had time to ask how I was, how work was going etc... my thoughts are with her family and friends. I was truly sorry to hear she passed away.
Really am going to try and give up smoking now!! maybe even a new outlook on life is needed... A few things have happened over the last few months that kinda put things into prospective...
Total fundraising to date: £927.00
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 124
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