First things first! It's been a busy week this week, my holiday started on Saturday, and what a glorious day it was, so went a walk down the street in my shorts and strappy t-shirt, did have sun cream on(factor 50), didn't make any difference, still got sunburned. Spent the afternoon getting ready for the car boot sale the next day, loads to sort out, but managed to get everything into the van. Was a lovely evening so had a bbq and a lovely bottle of red, nice relaxing start to the holiday. 9 o'clock and the boss phones, there are 14 in for B&B, can I help out with breakfast in the morning? Well they did want their breakfast at 7, and the boot sale didn't start till 8 so that would work, only takes 1/2 an hour to feed them and the sale is basically across the road from where I live(how lucky is that?).
Got to the boot sale and was asked if I wanted inside our out? "Out" says I, was a beautiful day again, although I was wondering if I was sane saying that as the sun started to get hotter and hotter as the morning wore on!!! What do the say about mad men and Englishmen and the mid-day sun? Good job I'm Scottish!!! Anyway - had a lovely day, everyone was very nice, and even nicer when I told them all the money was going to charity, had my Women V Cancer t-shirt on and all the bumf about the cycle challenge, so was very pleasantly surprised when I got home, put the kettle on and started counting my takings, £135!!! brilliant I thought, still got lots more to sell so a few more of those an I'll be well on my way to my target.
On Monday traveled south to my home town of Creetown, a small village on the A75 just east of Newton Stewart, took the scenic rout, wasn't in a rush and the countryside just now is superb to look at. So, to training. Thought I'd do Creetown to Gatehouse of Fleet and back on Tuesday - 22 miles, rest Wednesday and Clatterengshaws Loch to Creetown on Thursday - 20 miles approx, rest and return journey to Lanark on Friday. "Best laid plans aft gan a glee" as they say!
Did the Tuesday run ok, well not actually! Got to Gatehouse of Fleet fine, then the return trip was 6 miles uphill to Gatehouse Station! Now I have had a wee tight feeling running down the back of my left thigh for a wee while now, and I had been thinking I should get it checked out, yes well, I really should have!!! The pain in the back of my leg, I could hardly peddle, let alone sit in the seat. Thankfully it was now 5 miles of mostly down hill, so managed to make it back, but a bit slower time than I had hoped. After I did my stretches the first thing I did was get on the phone to the local osteopath, no they didn't have any appointments available for that week, but if they had any cancellations they would phone, and guess what, they did phone back and was able to see the guy on Friday morning. It's amazing, how you can hobble into a room, 15 minutes later you walk out straight as a die, and £10 into the coffers.
Now the exciting bit! I sent off the press release to my hometown newspaper, and on Friday morning I asked Dad if there was anything in the paper and he says "Yes, you"!!! And there it was, page 5 of the Galloway Gazzette "Gillian on a mission", famous at last. Here's hoping I get some feed back!!! Just need to get the local Lanark papers to print something too.
Anyway, while I was sitting doing nothing much with my sore leg, I got my sponsored dog walk all organized. It's Saturday 26th June, sponsor forms are all made up, poster is made up, just need to get it copied and posted, and an advert in the paper, think I'll take the press release with me an kill two birds with one stone.
Tomorrow's mission - to sell some more tickets for the world cup sweepstake!!
Getting into training
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Change of mode of transport
Sorry it has been a wee while since I last blogged. Last week I had the pleasure of escorting 4 German ladies on a trail ride over the Scottish Borders from Biggar to Selkirk. Over the 4 days we covered just over 50 miles, and the weather was absolutely fantastic. The sun was splitting the sky, hardly a cloud in sight and the air was so clear you could see for miles!!! The horses were brilliant, all well behaved and nobody fell off (always a bonus)!!!
Needless to say, I was a bit too tired to do any cycling, did manage a Zumba class on the Monday and Thursday, although on the Thursday it was a case of the mind is willing but the body wasn't!!!
Sunday was car boot sale day. Again it was a beautiful day, and wearing my Women V Cancer t-shirt and displaying some posters I managed to make £135. Really pleased with that. I have also set a date for a sponsored dog walk. This will take place on Saturday 26th June from 3pm at Lanark Race Course. Anyone available to take part can do so by emailing me for a sponsor form at gillian-womenvcancer@hotmail.com. The more the merrier, anyone attending is asked to dress brightly, preferably in fancy dress. The event is being sponsored by the Stables Bistro, who are providing each walker with a bottle of water and a treat for both the dog and the walker. Many thanks to the Stables Bistro, a fully licensed Italian restaurant offering a wide selection of pasta, pizza and traditional dishes. If you would like to make a reservation, you can phone them on 01555 661 161.
Needless to say, I was a bit too tired to do any cycling, did manage a Zumba class on the Monday and Thursday, although on the Thursday it was a case of the mind is willing but the body wasn't!!!
Sunday was car boot sale day. Again it was a beautiful day, and wearing my Women V Cancer t-shirt and displaying some posters I managed to make £135. Really pleased with that. I have also set a date for a sponsored dog walk. This will take place on Saturday 26th June from 3pm at Lanark Race Course. Anyone available to take part can do so by emailing me for a sponsor form at gillian-womenvcancer@hotmail.com. The more the merrier, anyone attending is asked to dress brightly, preferably in fancy dress. The event is being sponsored by the Stables Bistro, who are providing each walker with a bottle of water and a treat for both the dog and the walker. Many thanks to the Stables Bistro, a fully licensed Italian restaurant offering a wide selection of pasta, pizza and traditional dishes. If you would like to make a reservation, you can phone them on 01555 661 161.
Monday, 17 May 2010
Midnight Walk
I have a friend who raises money for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow. The Midnight Walk was arranged for Saturday night and I only just got my entry in on time. Received my info on Friday and sat down and read it on Saturday lunchtime. Now this didn't leave much time for finding sponsors, so I went round the riding yard where I work and within an hour had managed to get £82 in sponsors. I know that maybe isn't very much in the grand scheme of things, but I thought for an hours work it wasn't too bad an effort. Managed to do the walk in an hour, but by the time we got back to Lanark from Glasgow we were all knackered. Needless to say had a very quiet night on Sunday.
So, fundraising for Women V Cancer is now going to get an injection of my time and effort. This Sunday I'm going to the local car boot sale at Lanark Auction Market. Good job too, could do with offloading all the stuff in the back of my van, especially as I am on holiday next week and there is no room for the dogs or my bike!!!!
Next on my list is arranging a sponsored dog walk. Lots of my friends have dogs and lots of people walk their dogs round the old race course so should be able to raise some interest.
Training is going good, been going to Zumba a lot, if you haven't tried it you really should. Great music, and a great, fun way to get fit. Seems to be helping with the cycling too. Went out on my bike this morning (after ditching the saddle bags, think they have been holding me back), put on my gps, but didn't look at it till I got back, and much to my joy I had cycled 17 miles in and hour and a half, really pleased with myself. Just need to aim towards doubling that distance and doing it 3 times a week!!!!!!!
So, fundraising for Women V Cancer is now going to get an injection of my time and effort. This Sunday I'm going to the local car boot sale at Lanark Auction Market. Good job too, could do with offloading all the stuff in the back of my van, especially as I am on holiday next week and there is no room for the dogs or my bike!!!!
Next on my list is arranging a sponsored dog walk. Lots of my friends have dogs and lots of people walk their dogs round the old race course so should be able to raise some interest.
Training is going good, been going to Zumba a lot, if you haven't tried it you really should. Great music, and a great, fun way to get fit. Seems to be helping with the cycling too. Went out on my bike this morning (after ditching the saddle bags, think they have been holding me back), put on my gps, but didn't look at it till I got back, and much to my joy I had cycled 17 miles in and hour and a half, really pleased with myself. Just need to aim towards doubling that distance and doing it 3 times a week!!!!!!!
Thursday, 13 May 2010
The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice Midnight Walk - Sponsored by Slumdog Bar ... - The Active Network
The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice Midnight Walk - Sponsored by Slumdog Bar ... - The Active Network
Well, as part of my training I have been doing a bit of walking too. So, just as an incentive, I've signed up to do the Glasgow's Midnight Walk 2010. It takes place this Saturday, and anyone wanting to donate to this event or my Cycle Kenya event can do so here, just press the DONATE button. ps make sure you say which charity you want your money to go too. Thanks.
Well, as part of my training I have been doing a bit of walking too. So, just as an incentive, I've signed up to do the Glasgow's Midnight Walk 2010. It takes place this Saturday, and anyone wanting to donate to this event or my Cycle Kenya event can do so here, just press the DONATE button. ps make sure you say which charity you want your money to go too. Thanks.
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Inspiration
Where I work we do bed and breakfast as well as everything else we do. This week we had 9 people staying over on Tuesday night, 5 of them were cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats, the others were their back up crew. To get to us they had left Aberfeldy in the morning and arrived at us about half 4 in the afternoon and when they left, they were heading for Penrith, approx 100 miles in a day!!! Now if that is not enough to inspire me, then I don't know what is. And we have another group in on Sunday night doing the same trip. It's quite handy too, as I can pick their brains as to what I should be eating, drinking and what's best for snacking on a bike.
Also decided I need a new bike. The one I have is very good, but I don't seem to be able to get the speed I should be getting. I have bid for one on ebay and will find out tomorrow if I win the bid. It's a hybrid bike for on and off road so will see if something like that is better than the one I already have. If I do win it, and it's good, I'll sell my other one and donate the money to my funds.
My boss and I are now Zumba disciples!!! Last week and this we have been 4 nights, the music is great, the instructor is mad so it all makes for a great night and a fun way to exercise. Talking of exercise, I'm off out on my bike now, then ZUMBA TONIGHT!!!!!
Also decided I need a new bike. The one I have is very good, but I don't seem to be able to get the speed I should be getting. I have bid for one on ebay and will find out tomorrow if I win the bid. It's a hybrid bike for on and off road so will see if something like that is better than the one I already have. If I do win it, and it's good, I'll sell my other one and donate the money to my funds.
My boss and I are now Zumba disciples!!! Last week and this we have been 4 nights, the music is great, the instructor is mad so it all makes for a great night and a fun way to exercise. Talking of exercise, I'm off out on my bike now, then ZUMBA TONIGHT!!!!!
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