Reflecting on This Mornings Cycle

There has been so much rain again, so I have been out and about cycling early in the morning in between the heavy showers and couldn't resist showing this picture I took because it was a truly beautiful morning around 7.00am

Inspirational ideas required

I'm now half way through my time to raise funds and I have achieved about a third of the way to my commitment of the £2,500.

I believe the Fashion Show will generate quite a bit, but I need some more ideas, these little candles have been fun to make up and are a good way of getting some small donations, I call them my candle with a message.

Galatians 5:22 But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

What a Glorious Evening

Absolutely and The Lord didn't make a day and evening like this to be wasted, so back out after tea to do my usual Inveralmond run along the river 17.9 kms, bringing today's total to 82.3 and with Monday - Friday at 17.9 this gives me a grand total of 172 kms this week, not bad even if I have to say so myself! I even managed a couple of short dog walks in between, I find it good after cycling to stretch out the leg muscles before relaxing completely.

All the way to Dunkeld and back ..........

Today has been the best day weather wise and it's my day off, so I packed up a few bananas in my cycle bag and headed off before 10.00 am this morning.

I took the usual route via the Inches and along the River Tay and then headed up to Luncarty, through Stanley and Murthly and headed downhill towards Dunkeld which made up for all the little hills I had to tackle earlier.

I lunched on my banana and a bottle of water down by the River Tay for approximately an hour just along from the Cathedral and then Jonathan arrived with a sandwich. Some other guests also arrived to enjoy the picnic..........

Then back on my bike and followed the river towards Caputh, back into Murthly and up through Stanley and Luncarty and arrived home around 3.00 pm, having clocked up 64.4 kms.

The traffic was quite heavy on the way home, probably the result of major roadworks on the A9 sending cars to look for an alternative route, however most were very tollerant of me and no toots this time from impatient drivers, as I have experienced in the past!

I am pleased with the distance I achieved today as it is probably the closest I have done so far to compare with what I will have to cycle in Israel, just multiply it a few times and multiply the temperature too!!! Never mind I will be a lot fitter by the time November comes if I keep this up, so I am not put off at all.

Fashion Show - Fund Raiser No 2

The weather is still not so good and just managing to get out for short trips whenever it dries up enough, hopefully August will be much better than July.

This picture was in the local newspapers re the candle party and I managed to do my own press release message, so I was able to get the message across clearly that EMMS Nazareth Hospital is a Christian place of reconciliation treating all people regardless of their belief or religion.

Photography by http://www.fraserband.co.uk/

Now I'm keeping busy organising my next fund raiser with a Fashion Show set for October, see the poster sample that is attached for more info.

I'm also organising some supporting side interests of locally made jewellery for sale and health and beauty tips and treats to make it another good night out not to be missed for all those that can come along. I'm hoping that in the run up to Christmas, people may like to get a little early shopping done and boost my funds for the Hospital at the same time.

In between I am asking people to fill up their smartie tubes that I'm handing out with 20p pieces, let me know if you have not received yours and would like one.

Fund Raiser 23.6.09

The launch of Fund Raising for the Nazareth Hospital went really well, over 50 ladies turned up to buy their Candles with a Message and over £300 was collected towards the fund with additional donations the fund has opened with a tremendous £603.

I was truly delighted by the support of friends and family who turned out on what was one of the finest Summer evenings weather wise, so many thanks to everyone who came along to encourage me in this great cause.

Pictured are both of my son's Michael; Manager of Willows Coffee Shop giving me a bicycle candle holder which was supplied by Carol Feeney of Partylite Candles. Jonathan who has featured on this blog before as being essential to keeping me organised and is extremely supportive towards the challenge. Fiona Smiley who gave tips on how to achieve physical fitness and representatives from Elizabeth Arden who provided tips on how to stay cool and look good when the Summer sun is on us.

Photography by http://www.fraserband.co.uk/

Getting fitter...

Exams are past for the time being, no more pouring over books every night, so I'm managing to average about 20 kms most nights and another 2 lbs has gone! A year at college really took its toll with all that sitting about at desks and computers, so its great to be able to get going again now that Summer is here.

Jonathan is great at getting me about, so here's some pics taken up in Little Glenshee during training sessions.

Great news I've managed to get one of Perth's top fitness instructors, Fiona Smiley to come along on the 23rd to really get me going on a programme of fitness, so all the ladies attending my Fund Raising Launch at Willows expect to get on your feet and stretch those muscles too.

Sunday 31st May - 1st Challenge

Yesterday I met up with some fellow cyclists going to Israel in November. There were also some people just back from Malawi with lots of interesting stories to tell. I was impressed with the good team spirit and enthusiasm of fund raising for these trips despite the level of endurance required on some of the rides.

Today was approximately 25 miles around the Ellon area in Aberdeenshire with bright sunshine, but quite a brisk breeze which proved difficult on the second half. This was probably my first taste of how enduring things can get as it was quite hilly towards the end and the head on breeze had put extra pressure on my tired legs.

Many thanks to Evelyn who provided a wonderful barbecue and refreshments while we all recovered in her beautiful garden where stories of past cycling trips were exchanged until we were ready to head home.

Points to remember for next time - don't forget the sunblock - my arms and legs resemble red hot pokers today!

Getting Brave!

Thursday 28th and weighing in 3.lbs down, so felt brave enough to get the shorts on to cycle today.

I went to my favourite car park because I can take my bike in the car and avoid the City traffic during the day; it's just outside Perth and I can cycle several routes from here reaching Dunkeld and surrounding areas. Today I chose to go through Luncarty and Pitcairngreen towards Chapelhill.

The first half was quite hilly and somehow the wind was always head on, so struggled a little up the hills. I came back the same route and that made up for it, downhill most of the way, wonderful feeling to whiz along these country roads.

Total distance just under 25kms and I know on Saturday when I travel to Aberdeen I have a distance of about double to complete the route, so with today's effort in mind; I think I will cope, but do not expect to be one of the leaders!

4 days later.....

Hi,I've not had much luck with the weather, so I have not had an opportunity to get some real distance practice in, however as I'm studying for exams coming up shortly; grabbing the bike between showers and study time has worked out quite well.

Today I managed college, then an hours dog walk (see pic of my two adorable girls, Meg and Ria) at the North Inch Park which runs along the River Tay.

Then a bit of study followed by 15kms around the South Inch Park. It's pretty flat and easy going and with speed restrictions, you certainly wont break any records, but it's still a worth while bit of exercise.

I intend to travel up to cycle in the Aberdeen area on the 30th of this month and get an opportunity to meet some other fellow cyclists going to Israel. I believe the route is approx 30 miles, so I am hopeful to get a practice run in this coming week before I go.

Invites are going out to plan for the 23rd, and so far the response has been quite good, and I have an opportunity to put on a Fashion Show in September to raise more funds, but more about that later.

First fundraising event

To launch my fund raising, there will be a Partylite Candle Presentation at Willows Coffee Shop, Perth on Tuesday 23rd June, 2009. Invitations are on the way, but if you haven't received one, leave a comment and I will send you one as I would like to see you all there supporting me to raise as much as possible for The Nazareth Hospital.

There will be lots of special offers on such as the 'Hurricane Lamp', and an Elizabeth Arden representative will be giving mini makeovers and 'goody bags' for participating guests.

I'm having great fun just now putting together a candle with a message for all of you to thank you for your support so far, it's so encouraging to know so many people are behind me on this one.

Thanks again for reading this post, more coming later.

Welcome to my blog

Hi, welcome to my blog.

In Novemeber 2009 I will be cycling with EMMS International on their Cycle The Jordan Valley and today is day one of getting myself fit enough to cycle around 400 kms in what will probably be quite hot conditions.

I am going as part of a group who will be aiming to raise as much money as possible for The Nazareth Hospital and you can get more information on the Charity at http://www.emms.org/programmes/article.php?articleID=24

I have always wanted to visit Israel, but never expected to get an opportunity like this to make my dream come true, so I am just bursting with excitement. I know this is going to be so exciting cycling from the Red Sea to the Sea of Galilee right into Nazareth itself. There is such historical and biblical interest for me in this trip and to be able to raise money at the same time to help people in the Middle East gives me a real sense of doing something really worthwhile.

The idea of this blog is to keep everyone updated on fundraising for this event and keep track of my progress and encourage me towards the physical fitness I need to achieve my goal.

Here's a 'before pic', lets hope the after will be a lot better!!


Thank you for reading this, if you have any tips, advice or would like more information please leave a comment.