We used to enjoy watching these films, especially as the new versions had Christina Ricci in them as 'Wednesday', the 10 year old ish girl.
Sitting at the dinner table, Wednesday said something like
"Pass the salt"
Her Mother, Morticia said
"What do we say dear?", to which Wednesday replied forcefully
"NOW!"
Indeed it is for our decrepit band of travellers. It's stupid o'clock, pouring with rain, and we're all on a mission, even having remembered the kitchen sink. My wife was rightfully worried, security wise, about the bikes on the back of the car, which actually have half a mile of chains, locks an goodness knows what.
We also have one of these
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee3L9BQQ4Gs
It's what we do!
Monday 23 August 2010
Sunday 22 August 2010
Corpulent punishment with Mr Thomas
I went out for a little training ride with Mr Thomas, our headteacher last night. He was worried he wasn't fit enough. My goodness me, he spent most of his time when we were going up grovelling long hills with me gasping away, selling the virtues of his private business, utility warehouse. He then topped 40mph descending like some kind of wheeled Kamikaze, then tried to trigger the speed cameras going through the built up areas. A beast of a man.Fresh as a daisy, we got back to his house, me a dripping mess, and he told his wife I needed a glass of water. He promptly bounded off up the stairs to take part in one of his phone conferences, then came back down later, no doubt having made at least £10 000.
Thankfully, he's only doing the one day with us, or I would surely die.
Disaster
PC Emma has had to drop out. If you are a keen and fairly able cyclist, you can get a ride in our tour bus, setting off 6 am Tuesday 24th, cycle a few days in Scotland. Accom. and flight back to Cardiff on Mon 30th all sorted for you.
Meanwhile, I came across this picture. Strangely, the checklist seems to cover all the stuff you are guaranteed to experience on some of the touogher stages!
Saturday 21 August 2010
Coming soon to a place near you!
Sorry no new posts recently, there will plenty more to come. We're catching up with all the mapping stuff so you can all come and hurl abuse/vegetables etc at us. A cup of tea and a slice of cake would be more desirable, however we aim to please in whatever way we can.
We're in the process of getting all kinds of TV people interested, so if you want to be an extra, we will pay you absolutely nothing at all if you want to walk around in the background, especially if you goof about because the camera is on. Likewise with the radio, we don't want a frog's chorus of eructation as a mood setter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jowe0jPBrBA&feature=search
We're in the process of getting all kinds of TV people interested, so if you want to be an extra, we will pay you absolutely nothing at all if you want to walk around in the background, especially if you goof about because the camera is on. Likewise with the radio, we don't want a frog's chorus of eructation as a mood setter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jowe0jPBrBA&feature=search
Monday 16 August 2010
Much more detail to come.
Even more juicy details of our planning and prep for the tour will be coming soon. Watch this spot. Here's a couple more pics to whet your appetite.
Day 16 Thurs 9th Sept Lostwithiel to Lands End
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lostwithiel&sll=50.980912,-3.243713&sspn=0.847308,1.680908&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lostwithiel,+Cornwall,+United+Kingdom&ll=50.192726,-4.963074&spn=0.861611,1.680908&z=9A390 to Truro. Then weird backroads towards south of Redruth, getting onto B 3297.B3280, A394 at Marazion, A30 to Penzance, Lands End.
More tea and cakes with whoever turns up. Y'all welcome!
Day 15 Wed 8th Sept Exeter to Lostwithiel
B3212 south across Dartmoor, with loads of stops for a breather! At Two Bridges, take B3357 to Tavistock, A390 through Liskeard to Lostwithiel.
Day 14 Tues 7th Sept Burnham on Sea to Exeter
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=exeter&sll=51.443737,-3.023987&sspn=0.838834,1.680908&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Exeter,+United+Kingdom&ll=50.980912,-3.243713&spn=0.847308,1.680908&z=9Boring, get some miles under our belts A38, to Taunton, via Bridgewater, to Waterloo Cross , near M5 j27.
B3181 to Exeter
Day13 Mon 6th Sept Cardiff to Burnham on Sea
Meetup 9am City Hall probably, then Newport Road to TGI Fridays head towards Tremorfa steel recycling place, then pretty back road B4239 through Wentloog, St Brides to Newport.
A48, then B4245 to Magor services for tea and buns.
The Stig then has to take us all over the Severn Troll Bridge, because it is a motorway. Well then get out again for more tea and cakes at Severn View Services, then back on the bikes.
We'll follow the A403 to Avonmouth, then get on the A 369, then B3124, B3133, A370 to Weston super Mud, then A3033, A370,, wiggly coastal raod past dunes etc to Burnham on Sea.
Day 12 Sun 5th Sept Llandrindod Wells to Cardiff
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cardiff&sll=52.578019,-3.405762&sspn=0.817837,1.680908&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cardiff,+South+Glamorgan,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.859532,-3.364563&spn=0.831175,1.680908&z=9A483 to Builth Wells, B4520 through an interestingly named 'Danger Area' to Brecon, then the merciless grind up the A470 to it's peak at StoreyArms, where we'll stop for ice cream, oxygen and counselling. We then follow the A470 to Merthyr Tydfil until it becomes a dual carriageway, where we pull off and join the A4054 through Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Vale, Tongwynlais, then Horrid busy North Road into Cardiff City Centre to meet anyone who turns up to play outside City Hall at around 5pm for photos, hugs, handshakes , collection of vast quantities of cash etc.
Check with our driver. The Stig via the mobile number for update on times of arrival at City Hall. This is one of the hardest days, so though we will try, it might be a little later. We'll know a bit better after we've gone over Storey Arms, when the tendency becomes downhill.
Day 11 Sat 4th Sept Oswestry to Llandrindod Wells
A483 through Welshpool, Newtown, Crossgates, finishing at Llandridnod Wells.
Day 10 Fri 3rd Sept Wigan to Oswestry
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=oswestry&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Oswestry,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.214257,-2.768555&spn=0.805918,1.680908&z=9A571 to St Helens, A557 to Widnes, A56 to Chester, B5445 to Wrexham, A483 to Oswestry. We're hoping to meet up with a nice lady called Emily from one of the local papers here.
It is a fascinating, beautiful place with an incredibly rich and turbulent history. I walked Offa's Dyke many moons ago, and felt the need to come back. It also fit's Jess's demands that the route remains as pretty as possible.
Day 8 Wed 1st Sept Carlisle to Windemere
A6 south to Penrith. A592 along Ullswater over Kirkstone Pass into Windemere.
Day 7 Tues 31st August Sanquar to Carlisle
A76south to Dumfries, A75, B724 tO Howes, B721 to Gretna Green for some romance (all suitors are welcome!) then minor road that exactly follows M6 south, to it's west, to Carlsisle.
Day 6 Mon 30th August Paisley to Sanquar
A726 south , then a77 south, then A719 (via Moscow-cool!) to Galston. B7037, B713, B705, B7083 to Netherthird, then A76 to Sanquar.
Day 5 Sun 29th Aug Crianlarich to Paisley
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=paisley&sll=56.632064,-4.910889&sspn=0.740229,1.680908&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Paisley,+United+Kingdom&ll=56.350034,-4.372559&spn=1.491544,3.361816&z=8Starting 9am, following A82 South along Loch Lomond to Old Kilpatrick, over the Erskine Bridge, then A726 to Paisley airport. We hope to meetup with some friends here. The more the merrier!
Day 4 Sat 28th Aug Fort William to Crianlarich
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=crianlarich&sll=57.128786,-4.691162&sspn=0.730457,1.680908&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Crianlarich,+Perthshire,+United+Kingdom&ll=56.632064,-4.910889&spn=0.740229,1.680908&z=9Starting 9am, A82 south, to North Ballaclush, then over the bridge to A82 East towards Glencoe and Royal Forest continuing to a well deserved rest at Crianlarich
Day 3 Fri 27th August Drumnadrochit to Fort William
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=fort+william&sll=57.660096,-4.378052&sspn=1.439931,3.361816&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Fort+William,+Inverness-Shire,+United+Kingdom&ll=57.128786,-4.691162&spn=0.730457,1.680908&z=9Starting 9am, following A82 south, looking for Nessie, down to Fort William. We will be stopping for anything pretty for photographs, including people. That last bit will get me a kick from the wife...
Day 2 Thurs 26th Aug Brora to Drumnadrochit
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=drumnadrochit&sll=58.237272,-3.982544&sspn=1.344597,3.361816&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Drumnadrochit,+Inverness,+Inverness-Shire,+United+Kingdom&ll=57.660096,-4.378052&spn=1.439931,3.361816&z=8Starting at 9 am.A9 southwards, hoping to visit http://www.glenmorangie.com/home.php#/outils/contact.php?resolution=1024
at Morangie., down to Invernesss, where we'll take the A82 along the shores of Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit.
Day 1 Map. Wed 25th Aug. JOG to Brora
The pic tells you what we're up to. We'll be kicking off at 9am every morning, averaging around 10mph, so check the scale and do the maths.
We're following the A99 southwards to Dunbeath, then the A9 down to Brora. The DISTILLERY looks like the kind of place we will be checking out if you want to meet up.
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Fire hazard
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Fire hazard
Here's me, or at least a facsillyme, pictured in my office, dealing with the fanmail and requests for sponsorship forms.
Fire hazard
Here's me, or at least a facsillyme, pictured in my office, dealing with the fanmail and requests for sponsorship forms.
If you click on the pic, you may note that the human person appears female. I am a big fan of Eddie Izzard, and indeed share some of his outlook on life, and this cycle tour was in part motivated by his epic marathon tour.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00m3z1f
In one of the his films, he was some kind of computer boffin, needed to make a hologram of a Faberge style egg. His answerphone message, in the background of one of the scenes was. "If you must intrude upon my consciousness, leave a message after the beep,. I might get back to you". Reminds me of someone I know very well.
Cross dressing isn't usually my thing, though I have worn women's clothes before. In fact, I entered my Doctor's office one day, and without looking at me, he said "Good morning Sharon". I used my best Billy Goat Gruff voice, and replied " I assure you that whatever my problem, gender confusion is not my problem". He actually smiled.
The bits of paper thing, phone calls,emails etc is more difficult than the cycling part. That is a blessed relief by comparison.
Because of the administrative nightmare, Jess and I are meeting up with the management at MDF Cymru, to discuss how they may take some of this work off our hands in order to maximise the effectiveness of our cycling efforts, by looking for more people who benefit from their largely free services. They are splendid people, and that is why Jess and I are doing our thing.
http://www.mdfwales.org.uk/
Sunday 1 August 2010
Saddles. They have to be right
Members of our team have been addressing the issue of getting the right saddle, as comfort is important, if not essential. Turns out that what is OK for popping roound the block turns out to be a device of torture on longer trips.
Poor us. Poor me. As chief mechanic, I have to think about bottoms a lot, especially the ladies, as I am told they are different in their requirements.
Nothing new then!
Everybody's doing it
Cycling end to end is nothing new really. It is still quite an achievement, as most people can't claim to have done such a thing. Many are low key affairs. Some are very high profile involving famous people who get given loads of cycling kit, even though they wouldn't notice how much iut cost if it were debited form their account. (Jealous? Me?).
So why are we doing it? Surely there's enough exposure?
Noone seems to be doing it with regard to making a noise about mental health, so maybe we'll be amongst a minority when it comes to having done that. Does a little bit make a difference?
Consider a mosquito in your hotel bedroom, or the following little story.
A little boy was on holiday at the seaside once, staying nearby with this family. He set off with his towel and body board ready to see the ocean and go play with it, following the now familiar path over the dunes he'd used the last couple of days.
On reaching the top of the dunes, he gazed out at the ocean, looking for the right kind of surf, especially as there'd been a storm during the night. Seeing it was all very promising, he looked downwards to make his way towards the water.
Something was wrong. The beach was not covered in sand like it should be. It was covered, as far as the eye could see, left to right, front to back, with Starfish. He frantically ran down to the water's edge, dodging through them as much as possible, and started carefully picking them up and throwing them back in the sea.
Some time later, a man approached him, and said "Son, I admire your care for all this little creatures, but there are so many! You can't possibly save them all. In the grand scheme of things, you won't make any difference"Undeterred, the little boy picked up yet another writhing starfish, and carefully slipped it back into the sea where it belonged.
"Made a difference to that one" he said.
Please help us make a difference.
So why are we doing it? Surely there's enough exposure?
Noone seems to be doing it with regard to making a noise about mental health, so maybe we'll be amongst a minority when it comes to having done that. Does a little bit make a difference?
Consider a mosquito in your hotel bedroom, or the following little story.
A little boy was on holiday at the seaside once, staying nearby with this family. He set off with his towel and body board ready to see the ocean and go play with it, following the now familiar path over the dunes he'd used the last couple of days.
On reaching the top of the dunes, he gazed out at the ocean, looking for the right kind of surf, especially as there'd been a storm during the night. Seeing it was all very promising, he looked downwards to make his way towards the water.
Something was wrong. The beach was not covered in sand like it should be. It was covered, as far as the eye could see, left to right, front to back, with Starfish. He frantically ran down to the water's edge, dodging through them as much as possible, and started carefully picking them up and throwing them back in the sea.
Some time later, a man approached him, and said "Son, I admire your care for all this little creatures, but there are so many! You can't possibly save them all. In the grand scheme of things, you won't make any difference"Undeterred, the little boy picked up yet another writhing starfish, and carefully slipped it back into the sea where it belonged.
"Made a difference to that one" he said.
Please help us make a difference.
STEPHEN FRY INTERVIEW
Great summary of what it's all about, and the problems associated with the condition.
http://www.itv.com/wales/stephen-fry-interview57034/
It also explains some of the reasons behind 1000 miles.
Professor Nick Craddock's summary of the global impact of depression related illness, and the apalling lack of funding in relation to healping deal with the problem.
Please email for short Powerpoint file, stating 'pp request'
mindworkseducation@gmail.com
http://www.itv.com/wales/stephen-fry-interview57034/
It also explains some of the reasons behind 1000 miles.
Professor Nick Craddock's summary of the global impact of depression related illness, and the apalling lack of funding in relation to healping deal with the problem.
Please email for short Powerpoint file, stating 'pp request'
mindworkseducation@gmail.com
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