YIMMIN'S BLOG

Sally D

2011-07-31T07:31:00.002+01:00

Well last night lasted a bit longer than I expected.

Me and the good lady went to a 30th birthday party of the wife of a very good friend. As I was meant to be in work first thing I took the sensible option of driving. Planning to leave early and get some much needed kip before riding include morning.
Well that didn't happen, when we go there a few people from by ours were having to get a taxi back so I offered a lift meaning that I ended up out till gone one driving one normal person, one who couldn't stay awake and one that wouldn't shut up.
To top it off she'd had a couple and was all wide awake and happy. I'll let her off with that as it was nice to see her out and enjoying herself, full of confidence and back to her old self.

I really wasn't up for the 5:30 wake up or the cycle in but it wasn't too bad.
http://bit.ly/n31TcJ

Anyway thanks to James & Sally D for a great night.

Nice ride in

2011-07-30T10:01:00.002+01:00

It was a bit chilly this morning, made even worse by the fact that I had no gloves and had hands like claws when I got to town.

http://sportypal.com/Workouts/Details/1400901?key=1f4ef4b39f0b0410c52a3f68fb7ec0dc66516f61

Day 5 - 65 miles

2009-05-28T22:44:00.001+01:00

Today started out like pretty much every other day, a hill and rain. I’ve found my legs though as I’m powering up these hills with no trouble at all. I’ve left everyone I’ve been riding with behind so I’m looking for new friends now.
We left Lisieux and headed on to Bernay, along the route we stopped for a water break and had a talk from Chris Barker the commandant at Selly Oak who told us all about his role and how he’d seen a shortfall in the care received and what he’s done to change it. It’s amazing how much difference one person can make.
From here we continued on until we reached Bernay which is where a lot of the resistance came from. We had talks from two of the FANY’s and SOE’s from the day. After this there was a wreath laying.
It was just onwards and upwards after this towards Evreix, more hills, more rain and more pain……until! We did it, we found a local bar, had a couple of drinks then moved on, and then me and Geoff found another bar wit everyone outside so we had a few more drinks. When we went to leave one of the lads had a puncture so as Geoff was in a different hotel I told him to go on. We sorted the puncture and continued on, as we hit the final hill I put my feet down to get a good hard start and both feet came out of my clips (I’d ruined the bottom of my shoes with all the walking so I couldn’t clip into my pedals) I fell with all my weight onto the cross bar, the pedal hit my shin then span round and hit my calf……..PAIN! I got tot the top of the hill and Chris asked if I was okay, at which point I was shedding a tear. Ah well at least I made it, so this evening has been all about checking that nothing is swelling and hobbling around.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Day 4 - 78 miles

2009-05-28T22:25:00.003+01:00

Today shall officially be known as Hell Day!
We thought it was going to be pretty laid back with an 8:30 start but then the hills came and came and came some more, then came the rain.
The day itself was pretty cool we stopped at a Canadian cemetery for a walk around and a water break, from there we moved onto Montormel where Uncle John and Sgt Major Andy Newel told us of how they had been wounded in action, in WW2 and Afghanistan, this was followed by a wreath laying.
From here the day seemed to get better, the hills were all down and the rain was just drizzle but then the big hills arrived. I may need to see the physio after tea. So all in all not much happened but we hit the miles hard.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Day 3 - 50 miles

2009-05-27T00:08:00.005+01:00

Today was one of the easy days, we just had about 50 miles to cover and it was all pretty flat. There was the standard cheeky hill at the start then onto the real speed cycling, we averaged about 20 mph today.

We started the day with a short trip from Bayeux up to Arromaches where we were treated to a visit to the museum and a 360 cinema show, this was amazing, it was a video of the landings but all around you. We also had a wreath laying at the coast where a habour was built in a few days by the british forces. There we were also treated to a talk from Uncle John who had been part of the invasion.

After lunch we moved onto Mereville where we visited an Gun Battery defence which was in use as part of the Nazi's Atlantic wall built to defend continental Europe from Allied invasion. It was one of the first places to be attacked by Allied forces on D Day.

Onwards we travelled to Pegasus Bridge where a ceremony was held at the sight of the liberation and then a second at the Café Gondrée which is now run by Arlette Gondrée, who was a small child living in the home when it was liberated. Free drinks were laid on by Madam Gondrée.

From here we travelled on to Caen to our hotels, it was here that I struggled to find the white markers and ended up 5km away from where I needed to be...ah well!

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Day 2 - 75 miles

2009-05-25T20:09:00.005+01:00

Today was a stupidly early start, anout 6:30, so after a fine breakfast from Basil & Sybil we got the coach back into the harbour and collected our bike (mine was now fixed) and waited fo the off to leave Cherbourg.

After waiting for 20 minutes at the first set of lights we finally got on our way. The ride had begun! I was felling great, looked the business in my new kit and had my bike back running like a dream. Then it happened....the first hill, it was a monster! 200 meters up and it felt like riding up a wall. Once we got over this the day just got better. We arrived in St Mere-Eglise which claims to be the 1st town liberated on D Day where 3 Paratroopers came down with the masses but ended up getting caught on the church steeple. 1 died, 1 cut himself away and the 3rd was up there for 2 hours before being caught by the Germans and becoming a POW before the Americans claimed the town. Here we were treated to guided tours, visits to the Para museum and a show from the Red Devils.

After the air display there was a wreath laying ceremony with a father whose son died in conflict a year to the day. A speech was also given by an American officer who'd come over for the trip.

Following on from this we were led out of the town by a group of Harley Davidsons and headed up to Colleville-sur-Mere where we visited the American Cemetery and Memorial where we held a wreath laying and had talks from two service men from the D Day landings. This was a very emotional event that really brought home the hardship and sacerfice that those men went through.

Following on from thsi we headed the last 16 miles into Bayeux where we took our hotels and rested out weary legs. The hotel was much nicer this time and we got fed. Now I'm off for a well deserved beer.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Day 1 - 5 miles

2009-05-25T18:09:00.004+01:00

Today was brilliant, a nice gentle start and some amazing sights and tours.
We left the hotel and headed up to Southwick Park to register and get all our admin sorted. About 2 miles into the journey the part that I bent yesterday decided to go into my wheel causing it to jam up and also gave me a puncture. So this is it, I've fallen, broke something and had a puncture, that's it for me now nothing else will happen all week.
After walking about 3 miles with my bike on my back I arrived at Southwick Park to be greeted by Dave in a van coming to collect me...too little to late. He did take the bike away and gave me a spare while it was repaired. I'm yet to get the bill!
Once I got sorted out I registered, got my T-shirt and all my bits and enjoyed the bay at Southwick, we were given a tour of the Map room where, on 5 June 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower made the historic and risky decision to launch the D Day invasion. We were then treated to a spot of lunch whilst one of the bands played to us. After a quick meet and greet with the organisers and a quick briefing we went back outside to get ready for the off.
At the leaving ceremony there were speeches by Ross Kemp, Bryn Parry and Mrs Gregory who was at Southwick Park when Eisenhower gave the Green Light for the D-Day landings. As the old Artillery guns set us off we headed down to the Ferry port to cross over to Cherbourg.

Once we arrived in Cherbourg we all head our seperate ways on coaches to get to our hotels, this is what I was greeted by;Basil Faulty would have been gutted with this place. There was no bar, no restaurant and being a bank holiday nowhere was open. Good times! Ah well off to bed to get set for the first big day

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

It Begins.

2009-05-25T18:01:00.003+01:00

Well it's been an eventful start, 8 hours on trains from Liverpool to Coventry to Euston then a mad ride across London with all our kit to Watersloo then onto Portsmouth then to Cosham. During the ride ascross London I had my first and only accident of the week, cracked my helmet and bent some bits. Got here in one piece though so got on the lash.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Plutus UK Ltd Save The Day

2009-03-28T11:30:00.003Z

Yesterday I received confirmation of our final sponsor for the kit for the ride.
Kenny at Plutus UK Ltd has agreed to fund the final amount to ensure that we can get the kit made whilst donating a healthy amout to Help for Heroes. Here's a little something about Plutus UK Ltd from their website
When you're putting your trust in someone to look after your stock or delivery of consignments. Our main services include:
:: Contract Packing
:: Bonded Warehousing Solutions
:: Archiving
:: Bonded Bulk Liquid Storage (Hazardous Material)
As an independent business, Plutus was established in 1993 and has enjoyed impressive growth by providing efficient solutions to wide range of clients.
Operating on a 24 hour, 365 day a year basis, our service reflects a total commitment to our customers' needs.
We're large enough to cope yet small enough to care, and ideally situated at a prime logistical location with access to Liverpool Docks and main motorway networks.

I've been in touch with Andrew at Custom Cycle Clothing and he's getting the final design drawn up, as soon as this is done we can get it made and get out and about to show them off. A few people taking part in the ride have asked about buying some of the kit for themselves so I've agreed that if they let me know before our order goes in we can add some bits for them so if you like the design just let me know and we can order more if need be.
For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Aquity Have Done It Again

2009-03-16T18:17:00.010Z

Again Aquity Special Forces Kit Supplies have been a great source of support, they have provided me with a hydration pack and 2 pairs of sunglasses to be used as prizes on the charity night.

I want to thanks all the staff at the store and I hope that you will help them out and pay a visit to their website and pick up a bargain. Here's a little bit of info from their website:

Special Forces Kit Store provides Specialist Tactical Equipment for Military, PSD and Civilian Operators. All products in our Kit Store are thoroughly field tested and extensively used by Special Forces Units worldwide.
We specialize in the supply of ballistic protection armour. Our equipment capability research team keep abreast of the latest body armour technology allowing us to obtain the most covert/overt, low profile vests in the world as used by Special Forces Units.
All our armour is accredited to the minimum of NIJ (National Institute of Justice Level) IIIA. Our SF range offers in addition extremely high V50 fragmentation ratings whilst still offering lightweight properties. Bulldog Armour has the British Home Office rating of HG2 and stab/spike resistance of KR2. It offers a 10 year manufacturer guarantee and has waterproof properties. AQUITY is also the supplier of England’s Armour including the England’s covert vest and the award winning Inflatable Body Armour System IBAS®
The ballistic helmets listed in our kit store are the Bulldog Gentex Style based on Gentex TBH and the Bulldog SF helmet. All ballistic items offer the minimum standard military levels required. We have large stocks of British Airborne Para Helmets and can obtain most british military styles if requested.
AQUITY also offer the unique service of personalising your assault vest with any of our soft armour range. We have the armour specifically cut to fit your carrier or assault vest. We have large stocks of armour cut to fit most of the BlackHawk tactical range such as the Tactical Cutaway Vest, Cutaway Plate Carrier and the Plate Carrier or Heli Vest. Other vests include the Paraclete RAV and the Warrior Assault Systems RICAS vest, Eagle Industries MARCIRAS and CIRAS. If you have a carrier not mentioned we can consider armouring it for you to your specifications.
We stock a wide range of BlackHawk items, any that are not shown in our kit store can be ordered in specifically pending a waiting period. Other products in our store include – Red I Laser, 5.11, TAS Tactical Adjustment Systems, Garmin, Original Eickhorn, Lowa boots, Adidas GSG9 boots, 5.11 boots, Body Armour and Bullet proof vests.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Wall-E Gone!

2009-02-27T12:23:00.001Z

The auction for the Wall-E promotional display model has ended and reached £26.34 so that will be added to the total for Help for Heroes.
Thanks to everyone who put in a bid.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Still Seeking Sponsorship

2009-02-27T12:13:00.003Z

I've been speaking with the compaby that are planning to make my cycling kit as it's getting close and we're still without a main sponsor. He's agreed to drop the price a little in return for his logo on the design. With this in mind we can now drop the main sponsor contribution from £600 to £400 allowing us to get the kit made up but also have a good amount to give to Help for Heroes.
We are now asking anyone with a business or in a position to act on behalf of a business to get in touch.
So far we have Howdens Joinery, Clarks BMW Bikes and Cycle In Style supporting us.
For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

12 Hours to Go On Wall-E

2009-02-26T08:44:00.002Z

The eBay auction has just 12 hours left to run and it's only at £5.50, if you loved the film now's the time to get the real thing.
Click on the link below and get a bid in.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=300294439482
Don't forget all the money goes to Help for Heroes

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

WALL-E Promotional Display Auction Live NOW!

2009-02-16T20:14:00.002Z

The auction's live now!
Get yourself to eBay and have a look and get a bid in. If you know anyone who would love to have this in their house/room/bar please forward this link onto you?

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

2 Sponsors Sorted - Clarks Motorcycles & Howdens Joinery

2009-02-11T09:50:00.007Z

Geoff and myself have managed to sourse the 1st of our kit sponsors. Both Clarks Motorcycles & Howdens Joinery have agreed to donate £200 each to help cover the cost of our kit and to support Help for Heroes. We just need to source the last Primary sponsor for £600 so we can get the kit in production and get out there and start wearing it.

Clarks is a BMW motorcycle dealer in Birmingham, around 12 months ago it was taken over by the current MD Daniel Morgan who has tried to adopt a fresh new approach to the business.
The deal in both new & used bikes and all the accessories you could imagine. Check out the website or pop along to meet the friendly team and see the great offers they have on.

The Howdens Joinery Company offers a range of kitchens and joinery products specifically designed to meet the needs of modern living; complete with a full range of accessories, built-in appliances, work surfaces, sinks and taps.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Wall-E Comes To Town

2009-02-09T19:47:00.006Z

I've managed to get hold of a display from the feature film WALL-E, this is a massive display and would look great in a kids playroom or even in the corner of any student house. The box on the left is the size of a pallett and holds WALL-E to keep him safe. I'm going to be auctioning him off from Monday on eBay so check out my link at the top right to buy wristbands and you will find the auction there.

All money raised from the sale will be going straight into the collection for my bike ride to raise money for Help for Heroes. Keep your eye on the site to find out more.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Prize Number 1

2009-02-02T23:11:00.002Z

I was given my 1st prize this week. Thanks again to all the staff at The Fulwood Arms again for their kind donation of a meal for two.
The Fulwood Arms can be found directly facing the entrance to Sefton Park Lake on Aigburth Road. It has a stunning Victorian Burlesque interior with gilt mirrors, chandeliers, velvet curtains, antique bar and Pre-Raphaelite wall papers. It offers a wide range of cask ales, beers, spirits and wines with food being served from 12 noon - 8pm 7 days a week.
I've been in a few times and really enjoyed myself, the foods great and the place has a laid back atmosphere.

Hopefully this is just the start of it. I'm planning on getting loads more prizes.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

It's a Pair Now

2009-01-05T23:15:00.008Z

I've been speaking with another rider in this years BBBR. Geoff is 41 years old and lives in Northwich, Cheshire with his wife and 2 children, Geoff is a former soldier of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps who served for 5 years including tours of Cyprus and Germany.
Geoff is on board with the kit and is now also looking for sponsors so we're now looking for either £1000 or 3 sponsors of £600, £200 & £200. This means that whoever helps us out will be getting local press around the Liverpool, Northwich and surrounding areas. If anyone else on the ride is interested please get in touch with me.

I've mailed a couple of local cycle clubs tonight to try and get some training buddies as the long lonely night rides really get to me. This could also be another great way to tap into some sponsorship.

For further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Advertising Sponsor Required

2009-01-02T15:59:00.003Z

I'm looking for some sponsors for a shirt I want to get made up. I'm looking for 3 sponsors to provide money for the shirt and Help for Heroes in return for their logo on the kit. I'm offering 1 large chest or back logo for offers of £300 upwards and 2 sponsors of £100 upwards for an arm and leg logo. These prices are based upon a kit for myself but I may have another rider joining in so I would be asking for £600 and £200 to cover the additional costs and ensuring that the charity gets a decent amount.

This is a mock up of the shirt to give people an idea of how it might look. If you have a business of know of someone who would be interested please point them in my direction.

Santa Dash - DONE!

2008-12-09T08:58:00.003Z

The 1st tasks done now, I got round the 5km course in 25 minutes. I may have been quicker if it wasn't for the huge numbers of runners I was stuck behind.

Of the money raised for the dash the 1st £20 has to go to the Echo's chosen charity but anything else will be going into the Help for Heroes Pot.

Every year I do this and I've not managed to get a photo of myself yet.

All by myself, Gonna be all by myself.

2008-12-06T16:26:00.005Z

It seems like I'm the only one out of the people I met last year that is able to take part in this years ride so the team has been reduced to just me. I'd still like to get a kit made up and would very much like a sponsor to help me out. Above is a design that was drawn up for me by Andrew Saunders at http://www.cycleinstyle.org/. As soon as I can get someone to help me out with the costs I want to get an order in. Anywhere that you see text on the design is where the Just Giving, Help for Heroes and sponsor details can be included.
I'll be writing to as many companies as I can in the local area to see if any of them would be willing to help me out with a sponsorship deal so I can get the kit made up. As the numbers have dropped I'm thinking that the prices are going to have to go up. I'd like to get 1 sponsor of at least £300 and 2 of at least £100 to cover the cost of production but also making sure the charity gets something out of it. If someone is willing to help out please get in touch, if I can get more I would be made up.

2008-11-29T17:45:00.002Z

In May 2008, 275 Help for Heroes cyclists, including a team from the Tri service rehabilitation centre at Headley Court, cycled through the battlefields of Northern France to link the actions of servicemen and women of the past with those of today. By the time we reached the shores of England hundreds of other riders joined us at Whitehall and we all rode past The Cenotaph, the ride had raised more that £1.3m for Help for Heroes.

In May 2009 Help for Heroes are doing another ride, The Band of Brothers Bike Ride. 300 of us will ride through the Normandy battlefields to commemorate the Allies’ liberation of Europe 65 years ago. With us will be teams from our Allies of today, wounded servicemen from America, Canada and France as well as our own from Headley Court.

The ride will be a challenge, France is not flat, for some it will be life changing but for all it will certainly be one of the most worthwhile things they have ever done. We will ride alongside brave men and women whose lives have also changed forever through their injuries and we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we will be helping raise money for them and hundreds like them.

Whilst remembering the efforts of all the WWII heroes, we are doing this ride to remember and care for the wounded soldiers of today. Each rider has pledged to raise money for Help for Heroes and by taking part we will be making a significant contribution towards the H4H cause. Last year I managed to raise just over £3500 so I've upped the ante this year and set a target of £5000.

At the moment I'm just waiting on the actual details and route of the ride and also on confirmation from a few people who I rode with last year as we are looking at the possibility of a team effort.

As soon as I know more I'll get the details on here.

To start the money coming in I'm taking part in the Liverpool Santa Dash for the 5th year on the 7th of December. As I'm still waiting on info about the team entry I haven't set up a just giving page yet so please visit my Facebook page which allows you to make donations. FACEBOOK

Confirmed

2008-11-28T16:22:00.006Z

I've just received an email advising me that I've got my place for the Band Of Brother Bike ride in May 2009. I've also entered into the 2008 Santa Dash in Liverpool and also the 2009 Liverpool Half Marathon.

I'm hoping to find out if anyone else has been able to get places for the ride this year to see if the team is going to happen before I set up the Just Giving site. But in the meantime I can still accept sponsorship and donations via my facebook page and also the good old fashioned cash.

Watch this space for more information

Team BBBR

2008-09-27T10:47:00.004+01:00

This year I've spoken with a few people that I did the ride with last year and we're talking about the possibility of putting a team together for next years effort.

I've been speaking with Andy at http://www.cycleinstyle.org/ about a team kit, the initial design looks pretty good.

Training Plans

2008-09-10T18:18:00.002+01:00

Last time I really didn't prepare for the bike ride properly so this time I'm going to do it properly. I'm going to get a good plan together and stick to it. I'm planning on doing the Santa Dash and Liverpool Half Marathon to start with and hopefully get through them injury free this time so I'll be nice and fit for the bike ride.

I've set up a Sponsor Me page through Facebook until I get all the details of the bike ride to be able to use Just Giving again. If you want to visit it and become a supporter please feel free.
Help For Heroes - The Big Battlefield Bike ride Tales
I'm also selling the wristbands to continue to raise money and they are available through eBay.
Help For Heroes Charity Wristband

If you have any ideas on ways to raise money or you know of someone or a company that would be willing to help support the event please let me know.

Am I crazy!!!!!!!!

2008-08-17T14:45:00.001+01:00

My Mum has put in for a trek along the Great Wall of china next year and i think I may have also put my name into the hat. With this and the next bike ride I'm gonna loose all my mates.

I'm going to need some big corporate sponsorship for this one.

It's happening again.

2008-08-16T12:29:00.002+01:00

I've just received a mail telling me that the next Bike ride's in the pipeline.

It's going to be based around the D-Day landings and is set to be bigger and better than last years ride. I've already thrown my name in the hat and have started to put the money from the sale of wristbands away to add to my sponsor ship. I want to get a good start on it this year so I'm starting to plan a few money spinning ideas, as soon as I get the go ahead for a place I'm going to spring into action. Keep your eye on this space and let me know if you know any big spenders who are likely to sponsor such an event.

Day 1 - The Ferry

2008-05-27T20:44:00.002+01:00

Sunday 25th
We all set off at about 14:00 to get down to Portsmouth. So me, Donna, Tom and my mum all piled into the fiesta and set off.
After a pretty good drive down we arrived in Portsmouth and settled into our hotel which was host to the regional Crown Green Bowls competition, we managed to lower the average age to about 70. We went round the waterfront for a few drinks and found that there isn't that many places and the ones that were open were dives, so we ended up back in the Hotel bar.

Monday 26th
The folowing morning we all got up a little bleary eyed after our late night escapades and went for a hearty breakfast before heading off to the meeting point. On route we looked round the shops and tried to get our heads back to normal working order. at 14:00 we went to the Historic Dockyard to get me registered and it was there that the fun began.
Firstly everyone had massive bags so I started panicking thinking that I'd missed something off the kit list, then everyone looked really serious and in great shape. This was not going to be fun. Then I started to see the older riders arriving an the beer loving ex-squaddies we know and love. My kinda people.
After registering we dropped all my stuff off then waited ropund for the starting build up. There was a fly past by the Red arrows at about 16:00 which was pretty good, but I did think that they should have come back round again. At 17:30 all family and friends had to leave the Naval base so I was on my own with a massive hangover. I had a drink to try to sort me out and something to eat, I went over and introduced myself to Craig Lundberg, a 22 scouser who was injured in combat in 2007, and his co rider Phil. They were doing the ride on an old beat up tandem.
After we had an introduction from Bryn & Emma Parry who set up the ride and Help for Heroes and Jonathon Bryan from Discover Adventure we eading back to the area by HMS Victory where a group of riders from Headley Court an several others were waiting to start the ride. The Royal Marine then played a Ceremonial Sunset which was brilliant then the riders were sent on their way by the Second Sea Lord and the Commodore. At this point the rest of us gathered our bikes and set off on the short journey to the Ferry Port.
Once at the port we waited for what seemed like forever in the cold before being allowed to board. Once on board I shared a cabin with Olly, Olly and Harry, then it was to the bar. After a couple of hours the bar closed and it was time for bed and to worry about the days riding ahead.

Total Miles - 2.3

One More Day To Go

2008-05-24T10:05:00.003+01:00

It's been a while since my last post as I've been busy sorting stuff out and I've spent a week in Spain.

The Race night & raffle were a great success raising around £800.

I've really let myself down with my training with everything that's been going on of late but I'm confident that I'll get through it.

I called BT on Wednesday to upgrade to their new BT Anywhere service as they offer a mobile phone that gives you free internet via hotspots. I explained to the girl that I needed it for the bike ride as I wanted to keep the blog updated whilst away so she advised me that I'd receive the phone by Friday. I go the SIM the following day but heard nothing about the phone so I called up today to query this and found out that the order had not been completed. Due to this I am not able to get the phone until the 2nd of June which is a waste of time now. I spoke to a manager who just spent 5 minutes apologising and not offering any solutions, when I asked if there was anyway that I could get it couriered.....NO! could I collect it....NO!
I've always been pretty impressed by BT in the past but I'm gutted about the crap service I've had this time.

Hopefully I'll be able to find a way to keep this updated while I'm away otherwise it'll be a mass blog when I get back.

Come And Get Your Tickets

2008-04-26T09:07:00.002+01:00

The tickets are available for the Race Night at the Aigburth Cricket & Bowls club in aide of Help for Heroes. This charity works to provide support for servicemen & women who have been injured in combat.

Friday 2nd May starting at 8pm.
Entrance fee £5, including a free Raffle ticket.

8 Races
Cash prize for the owner of the winning horse
Cash prize for 1st place

Raffle - £2.50 a ticket
There are lots of Prizes on offer, so far there's meals at Alma De Cuba & Est Est Est, vouchers for The Fulwood Arms, tickets for the Anfield Stadium tour and the Beatles Story exhibition. There's a hair, massage & nail treatments from local beauticians & also canvas prints, photo prints, a cycle computer & Sunglasses & T-Shirts. I've also got lots of biscuits and sweets available.
If you would like a ticket please mail me, if you like you can pay the £2.50 direct to www.justgiving.com/ben_appleton-bbbr and let me know.

Live Band
I have been offered a local band Triphazard by a local recording studio Squeeze. they are a great 4 piece act.

More info to follow, hopefully I'll be able to get some food laid on.

Contact me for tickets - 07949247491

Something For The Boys

2008-04-17T12:32:00.004+01:00

I won an SAS smock the other week so when I mailed the company with my size I asked for some stuff and brilliantly they've sent me 4 pairs of BLOC sunglasses & 4 5.11 Tactical T-shirts. So a massive thank you to Liz & the staff at Aquity Special Forces Kit Supplies. Please take a look at their site and see all the great offers they have on military kit.

Raffle - £2.50 a ticket. There are lots of Prizes on offer, so far there's meals at Alma De Cuba & Est Est Est, vouchers for The Fulwood Arms, tickets for the Anfield Stadium tour and the Beatles Story exhibition. There's a hair, massage & nail treatments from local beauticians & also canvas prints, photo prints, a cycle computer & Sunglasses & T-Shirts. I've also got lots of biscuits and sweets available.

For tickets or further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

More Prizes Coming In

2008-04-12T21:28:00.003+01:00

The prizes are still coming in, a little slower that I'd like but they are coming.

I've been offered a voucher towards a meal at the Fulwood Arms on Aigburth Road.
The Fulwood Arms can be found directly facing the entrance to Sefton Park Lake on Aigburth Road. It has a stunning Victorian Burlesque interior with gilt mirrors, chandeliers, velvet curtains, antique bar and Pre-Raphaelite wall papers. It offers a wide range of cask ales, beers, spirits and wines with food being served from 12 noon - 8pm 7 days a week.

I've also received a voucher for a Wash & Set at Glamor on Aigburth Road. Thanks to Catherine there who spoke with the manager and arranged it. They can be contacted at 264 Aigburth Road, L17 9PJ. Tel: 0151 726 0009

I'm hoping that I'll also have a signed Liverpool & Everton top to be auctions off on the night, I'm in the middle of trying to get 2 tops done so keep your eye on this one.

Raffle - £2.50 a ticket. There are lots of Prizes on offer, so far there's meals at Alma De Cuba & Est Est Est, vouchers for The Fulwood Arms, tickets for the Anfield Stadium tour and the Beatles Story exhibition. There's a hair, massage & nail treatments from local beauticians & also canvas prints, photo prints & a cycle computer. I've also got lots of biscuits and sweets available.

For tickets or further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

Help For Heroes Charity Race Night

2008-04-02T11:18:00.006+01:00

It's on!

Friday 2nd May 2008 - 8pm @ Aigburth Cricket & Bowls Club, Southwood Road next to St Michaels Train Station, Aigburth. - £5 including a raffle ticket.

Horse Racing - There will be a series of races being run, you will be able to bid on the auction before each race to buy a horse and the owner of the winning horse will receive half of the total sale. You can then bet on each race as many times as you like and possibly win big money.
( I am looking for local business to sponsor the races and would be like to hear from anyone interested - yimmin@btinternet.com)

Raffle - £2.50 a ticket. There are lots of Prizes on offer, so far there's meals at Alma De Cuba & Est Est Est, tickets for the Anfield Stadium tour and the Beatles Story exhibition. There's a massage & nail treatments from local beauticians & also canvas prints, photo prints & a cycle computer. I've also got lots of biscuits and sweets available.

Live Band – Triphazard, a great local four piece band will be providing music on the night. They have kindly given up there time free for Help for Heroes.

All proceeds from the evening go to Help for Heroes supporting our wounded. Help for Heroes provides practical direct support to those servicemen and women wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For tickets or further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com

What A Sweet New Bike

2008-03-31T18:34:00.002+01:00

A massive thanks to Justin & Mike at MDI cycles, they've just sorted me out with a great set up for a new bike. I've just had it all build up and it's like a true beauty. I'm off tomorrow so I'm going to break my arse into the saddle, it's hard work but someone's got to do it.

More prizes

2008-03-31T17:45:00.007+01:00

I've been offered a more prizes now, I've got a Back, Neck & Shoulder massage from Elegante Beauty & Holistic Therapies in Bootle. thanks very much to all the staff there & to Cathy for sorting it out. I've also been offered gift certificate for a a set of Creative Acrylic nails from Advanced Mobile Nails, thanks again to Jenny for that one.

Triphazard Rock!

2008-03-19T14:35:00.005Z

I've just been informed that local band Triphazard have agreed to play on Friday 2nd May at the Race night.
Triphazard are a four piece band who are born and bred in Merseyside which consists of two girls and two guys.

The bands roots began when Stef Stokes, a successful solo performer wanted to form a band. Stef, since the age of 14 had gained recognition on TV, newspapers and radio but wanted to be recognised as a music professional similar to Chrissie Hynde, Debbie Harry and Annie Lennox.
Auditions took place from November 2004 onwards with advice from successful professionals within the music industry. Those candidates who were serious, had character and dedication were chosen. Constant rehearsals and perseverance followed and Triphazards first performance was at a Charity Gig for Marie Curie.

Successful appearances took place within the Northwest and as a result, Triphazard launched the event of Strummers at the Mint Lounge in Manchester. They have appeared numerous times on radio stations such as Radio Merseyside, Juice FM, Radio Lancashire, KCR Radio, QT Radio and Aiiradio.

Currently, they are in the studios putting down tracks for their new album which is due for release in 2008.

If you wish to contact Triphazard for gig opportunities, their e-mail is: triphazardband@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks to Andy & Sue at Squeek Studios.

My Work Colleagues aren't Bad Really!

2008-03-18T17:08:00.002Z

Today in work I was made up to have one of the lads come round selling raffle tickets, all the money raised from this will be going to Help for Heroes.

We get a budget for incentives and the likes and they's managed to get hold of an HD DVD player as a prize which is great, there's also a huge whiskey bottle full of coins and theres a prize for the person who gets the closest total.

That's an extra 50p per raffle ticket and guess, it's all adding up.

The Clubs Are Getting Behind Me

2008-03-12T13:04:00.007Z

This morning I have received a letter in the post from Liverpool Football Club, Beverley Roberts the PR Officer has provided me with a family ticket for the Anfield Stadium & Museum tour. This allows up to four people to follow the stadium tour which takes you behind the scenes at Anfield, visiting the dressing rooms, down the tunnel to the sound of the crowd, a chance to touch the famous “This Is Anfield’ sign and sit in the team dug-out. Informative tour guides will tell you about the great Anfield Stadium and escort you on to The Kop - surely the most famous terrace in World football. You can then visit the Museum which features two film shows - the first is in a recreation of the standing Kop and tells the story of the incredible 'Kopites', the other is a cinema showing 'One Night in May', the wonderful documentary about that night in Istanbul.

So far the prize list consists of:

Meal for Four & Bottle of Champagne - Alma De Cuba

Meal for Two – Est Est Est
Familt Ticket - Anfield Stadium & Museum Tour

Family Ticket – The Beatles Story Exhibition
Canvas Portrait – gocre8

A2 Photo Print - Country Art

Biscuit Hampers – Burtons Foods

Why Haven't I Offered Anything?

2008-03-10T18:22:00.003Z

I was just sat here looking at my Country Art site and suddenly thought why haven't I offered something? So I'm going to provide any print from the site in A2. I'm in the process of getting more ready to add so there will be a much better choice for the winner. Have a look at what we've got there so far on Country Art

And The Prizes Keep On Coming

2008-03-09T16:04:00.019Z

Great news this weekend I've been offered a great prize from my step-dad John McNally and the Management team at Alma-De-Cuba.
They have kindly offered a bottle of bubbly and a meal for four as a prize. They have recently taken over the bar and are in the process of setting up their website, please visit their site and register your name to keep up to date on future offers, better still get yourself down there and try some of the amazing food and enjoy the carnival atmosphere.

I have also received some amazing gifts from my cousins boyfriend Justin. He runs a website called velosave, they sell all kinds of bike components at great prices. He has offered me some clothes and shoes for the bike ride which is brilliant as it saves me having to go out and buy them. He also also agreed to help me out with a new road bike at a brilliant price. so thanks again Justin.

Possibly I've got some great prizes of the way, a colleague in work has been onto a member of his family regarding prizes and they have got back to him saying that I may be able to get Blackburn Rovers signed items, David Bentley signed England shirt, vouchers for Jackson the jeweller in Blackburn & Spirits as smaller raffle prizes. So watch this space and hopefully these will come off.

So far the prize list consists of:
Meal for Four & Bottle of Champagne - Alma De Cuba
Meal for Two – Est Est Est
Family Ticket – The Beatles Story Exhibition
Canvas Portrait – gocre8
Biscuit Hampers – Burtons Foods

Oh The Pain

2008-03-05T10:15:00.004Z

Well I did the Liverpool Half Marathon at the weekend...that was nice.

At roughly the 6 mile point my ankle did something funny and got quite painful, I battled on to the to of Parliament street and then down Princes Street till I saw an ambulance. I got a lovely plaster for the blister I'd been cultivating and noticed a big red ankle thing going on. Being a real trooper I hobbled round the rest of the course so I could collect my medal then went home to sulk. About an hour after I finished I even got a text to tell me how badly I'd done.
Your time - 02:17:35
Position - 2886
Chip Time - 02:14:11
Rank - 2911
Category - MOPEN
Category Position - 1404
talk about rubbing salt in to the wounds... I was hoping for around 01:45, ah well there's always next year.

Anyway back to the ankle, I was off on Monday & Tuesday (thank god) so I went to the doctors to see what had happened. They had decided to change the appointment system and as my leg was still on it wasn't an emergency and I was told to call up in the morning to try and maybe get an appointment on the Thursday. Gutted, I went back to the car to find that it wouldn't start...this day was getting worse, oh I forgot to mention that Donna had my keys so I was locked out till I could get to her work and pick them up. This was going to be a long walk in to town. 2 hours later & £80 down the RAC got me back on the road, I went and got my keys and went home to sulk again.

On the Tuesday I got up bright and early and went to the Drop-In centre and was told that I had a sweet case of achilles tendonitis, so it's 1-2 weeks on crutches and loads of ibuprofen pills for me then. I don't want to delay it's recovery or make the injury worse so I'm sticking to the letter on this one, 2 weeks out is bad but if I couldn't do the ride I'd be gutted.

Anyway the sponsorship is starting to build up now and hopefully I'll have a few more prizes for the raffle soon, I'm going to have to start looking at getting some tickets printed...any ideas?

Anyone for a Biscuit?

2008-02-28T08:04:00.014Z

I had a great donation last night, one of the lads from work Alan had sent a mail out to his family asking if they would be able to help out with any sponsorship or prizes for the raffle and came up trumps.
He told me that his brother had a few boxes of goodies for me, when I got to his I found 6 massive boxes full of biscuits and treats.

I’ve split them all up into different size packs and they will all be offered out as prizes in the raffle. So thanks Mark Pattie & the staff at Burtons foods.

Also Sarra who works with my Fiancée Donna spoke with her partner Darryn who has offered to provide a canvas portrait as a prize (winner provides the picture). Thanks to Darryn Kennerley and staff at gocre8.

gocre8 provide all aspects of print from design to print to display and new media, so whether it's a few flyer's you need, a banner for a building or covers for CD cases they can provide it all.

So far the prize list consists of:
Meal for Two – Est Est Est
Family Ticket – The Beatles Story Exhibition
Canvas Portrait – gocre8
Biscuit Hampers – Burtons Foods

It’s starting to grow now, please keep asking around though and let me know if you get anything.

In A Bit Of A Drought

2008-02-21T16:49:00.004Z

Everything seems to have tailed off a little bit now, I've stopped getting letters and mails back from my requests for sponsorship & prizes and the wristband sales have slowed down on eBay.

I've posted on a few forums to try to boost the sponsorship and that seems to have had some impact which is good. I'm going to get onto the council about doing some public campaigning and go and shake some collection tins at people.

If anyone has any ideas of how I can raise money or of someone or a company that would be able to help please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

Back from Bastogne.

2008-02-18T11:25:00.008Z

Well not quite, more like Salisbury Plain but it did look like Bastogne.
I've been on a Lance Bombardier Leadership Course all week which was really good. It was mainly classroom based with a few command tasks but then we had an overnight exercise which was emotional, I reckon it was down to about -5 at least.

I got back to find that the 10 wristbands on eBay had been sold so that's 20 so far, I've just thrown another 10 on. If anyone would like one please visit my eBay page where you can buy them.

Unfortunately there hasn't been anymore offers from the letters I sent out asking for sponsorship, equipment or prizes over the past week, hopefully people have just been thinking really hard about what they can offer and will get back to me really soon.

Last little bit now, it seems like I'm going to have to miss the Liverpool Half Marathon due to a T.A. course that I'm on so if anyone wants a number for it I've got one going. I'm a bit gutted as I was looking forward to it but ah well, time to get on the bike now then.

More prizes

2008-02-08T09:49:00.001Z

Last night I received a letter from the staff at the Beatles Story exhibition in the Albert Dock, Liverpool, they have very kindly donated a family ticket (2x adults, 3x children(5-16)) as a prize for me to raffle off. This is a great start so far and a massive boost to get such a big attraction in the city to back what I'm doing and what Help for Heroes are doing.

The first 10 wristbands that I put on eBay have been sold already, at £5 each I had budgeted for the cost of eBay fees, Paypal fees, Jiffy bags & postage and was expecting abouth £3 left. I have managed to get the jiffy bags and postage through work so just have the fees to deduct which means about £4.50 is going into the pot.

I'm going to be away on a course for the next week so hopefully when I get back there will be a raft of goodies for me to tell you all about and loads more sponsorship and wristbands sold.

Bad News

2008-02-06T16:29:00.000Z

When I was in the T.A. last night I found out that a course I'm on clashes with the Liverpool Half marathon, I'm going to have to have a word with the Sergeant running it to see if there's anything that I can do to get round it. Everything seems to be against me at the minute with this run, I'm on another course all next week so my training is going to be hampered quite heavily by that.

I just hope I can get something sorted out.

First of Many

2008-02-05T08:15:00.002Z

Last night I came home to a very welcome surprise, VDO Computing had sent me a new cycle computer to help me track my training.

I would like to thank everyone at VDO Computing for their very kind gift and support for the Big Battlefield Bike Ride.

I had written to them to let them know about the BBBR and to see if they could help out in any way and they came straight back within a couple of days. They sent me a new C2 cycle computer.

:: current speed, :: trip counter, :: trip ride timer, :: average speed, :: maximum speed, :: manual stop watch, :: clock, :: total odometer, :: total odometer bike 1 & bike 2, :: comparison of current and average speed, :: 2 wheel sizes (bikes) selectable

Of all the companies that I have written to VDO are the first to get back to me with a positive response, I hope that many other companies will follow suit.
Please follow their link above to check out the excellent products they have available.

I also received an e.mail from Sam Grocott at Living Ventures, she has sent me a voucher for a meal for 2 at one of their Est Est Est venues which I will be either raffling or auctioning off to raise funds.

Visit their website and pop along to one of their restaurants for a great meal. They are also doing their own bit to support H4H, here is a extract from their site.

News

Help for Heroes

Est Est Est are delighted to be a part of The Sun newspaper's campaign for Help for Heroes. Please read on for further details.....

As a show of support to all armed forces Est Est Est will offer complimentary dining to any member of the armed forces who dines in our restaurants.

On production of a valid Armed Forces ID the bearer will be entitled to a free starter, main and dessert when there is at least one full paying customer purchasing the equivalent amount of courses. Management reserves the right of admission. There is no cash alternative.

It's great that companies are really getting behind the forces.

Big drive for support

2008-02-04T08:58:00.000Z

Over the past few weeks I've been putting in a massive drive to try and drum up support and sponsorship for the BBBR. I've sent letters and e.mails to all the local bike shops and all the UK bike manufactures and basically anyone who makes or deals with bike parts, clothes and equipment. Hopefully I'll hear back from some of them soon.

I've also been sending letters and e.mails to a lot of restaurants, shops and local attractions around Liverpool asking if they can offer me anything that I can either raffle or auction off to raise funds. I've also sent letters and e.mails to both of the football clubs in the hopes that they can help out in anyway at all.

The quickest money seems to be coming from the Help for Heroes wristbands that I've been sent, I'm selling them for £3 and have auctioned some on eBay at £5 to cover postage and charges, they are going pretty well.
www.ebay.co.uk/Help For Heroes Wristband Charity Sale

New Year, New Approach

2008-01-05T16:07:00.000Z

Right 2008 is going to be my year to make changes and do things properly.

I've got a couple of targets to aim to so that's going to make it easier. I'm still doing the BBBR in May but I've also been roped into the Liverpool Half Marathon at the end of March. The idea is to train for the run up until March with a specific training plan but throw in a few walking days and rides then after the run kick hard into more cycling. This way I'll have a good all round fitness and just need to build up the all day stamina and strengthen the ass for the saddle. I've already been out running at 5am and dropped the car for getting to work. I can tell it's going to be hard work but It'll all pay off in the end.

I'm also kicking into gear to get the sponsorship in, I've had posters put up all round work and I'm going to see about getting some professional ones done. Today I posted a few letters out to local bikes hops again asking for stuff for the ride and sponsorship, also I've given some to local restaurants and shops in the hopes that I can get some free stuff to raffle or auction to raise that little bit more.

If anyone knows of anyone who they think would like to help or can offer something please point them in my direction.

Great boost in Sponsorship

2007-12-22T17:54:00.001Z

I've just come back into work today and I've received a mail from one of the Virgin Media Community Fund panel, this fund is basically helping to fund charitable and community projects, which staff are actively involved with, across a wide range of arts, sports, heritage, charitable and other community activities and events.
Put simply, if you're raising money for a charity or community project, they'll match what you raise - penny for penny, up to £250.
Here's the letter that I was sent;

Ben Appleton
Virgin Media
Consumer
Atlantic Pavilion

21 December 2007

Dear Ben

I’m delighted to tell you that your application for a Virgin Media community fund award has been successful.

I’m a firm believer in supporting associates who are giving something back to their local community or charitable causes. I think it’s crucial to our longer-term success that we get closer to our local communities to build our reputation as a company.
So I’d like to thank you personally for what you have done to date in support of
Help for Heroes.

Payment of a maximum £250.00 (matched to what you raise) will be made upon receipt of a donation request from your charity or organisation once you have completed the Big Battlefield Bike Ride. You should also ensure you supply the address the cheque should be sent to. Please send this information directly to Lucy Otter in Bradford who can be contacted by email.

Thank you again, and my very best wishes for your ongoing endeavours.

Regards

Virginia Budd
On behalf of the Community Fund Panel

This is a great boost to my target, I just hope I can get the rest of it as easily.

I love it when a plan comes together

2007-12-12T20:03:00.000Z

I went to the gym today and had my fitness review with Mark one of the personal trainers. We sat down and looked at what I wanted to gain and how I was going to go about it. We decided that for the 1st few weeks (I really mean over Christmas) I'm going to concentrate on getting my general fitness back up there while improving my stamina.

Plan 1 - Week 1
20 Minutes Interval training - Treadmill - *1min walk*~*1min run*~*30sec sprint*
*level 5*~*level 10*~*level 15*
12 Minutes Interval training - Cycle - *2 min steady*~*1min sprint*
*k/watt 130*~*k/watt 190*
30 Minutes Weight training - General all round

That's the plan so far, I'll update it in a couple of weeks to see if it's any better.

Bit of a bonus as well today, I got to work thinking I had a couple more days in the 5 days off only to find out that I'm off for 5 days now...great! I'm going to try to get out on a good ride at some point and see how far I can get without pushing myself too hard.

How unfit was I?

2007-12-11T23:17:00.000Z

Over the past few months I knew that I'd been a bit lazy when it came to working out, the only exercise I did was what I needed to do with the T.A. or an occasional game of 5-a-side. After finding out that I'd got my place on the BBBR I thought that I'd better do something about it...I didn't. I then did the Santa Dash in Liverpool, this is a 5 km circuit round the city centre in a Santa suit. Essentially it's just a good old fashioned fun run, not on this wet Sunday morning though. I got up feeling pretty good and headed into town to meet the other lads from the T.A. when I got there I could only see two of them........the PTI's (Physical Training Instructors). I knew this wasn't going to be fun.
I think the first half of the course was a OK, I felt fine and had a good pace about me and I was keeping up with the PTI's sometimes pushing them. Then all of a sudden, I'm guessing around the 3 km point I started to feel it...the wall, I thought this can't be it I've run further for a shite and been OK. I struggled on, then during the last 500 m I knew I was dying. I just about made it to the finish line while the PTI's skipped and jumped for the cameras. It was at this point that I thought...350 miles, 5 days, 1 bike seat! I'm gonna need to sort this out.
I'm getting back into the swing of it, I've got my bike back on the road and I'm giving up the car, I've got an appointment in the gym tomorrow to get a fitness review and get a plan together to try and get fighting fit. I need a plan cos I'm crap at motivating myself to start with, once I'm on the tracks I'm good but it's just the first few steps I need help with. So it's just a case of watch this space. On my last PFT (Personal Fitness Test) I got 48 Sit Ups, 60 Push Ups and Level 9 on the Bleep Test (I think, I'll check on that). I'm going to do it once a month starting in January and post my results, lets see how much I improve.

Big Battlefield Bike ride

2007-12-04T22:06:00.000Z

Well I've been accepted for a place on the Big Battle Field Bike ride, essentially it's a ride from Portsmouth, over on the ferry to France then we cycle towards Calais visiting various WW1 & WW2 battlefields along the way for around 350 mile then get the ferry back to Dover then do a big ride round London.
I'm really looking forward to it as it's something I would never normally do and it's an amazing opportunity. I've got to raise £2000 for it which is probably going to be the hardest part.
http://helpforheroes.org.uk
http://www.justgiving.com/ben_appleton-BBBR

The New Website

2007-11-22T19:31:00.000Z

We're all official now!

Well almost, we're just waiting on confirmation but www.countryart.org.uk is on it's way into business.

I've also just come back from a few days in Budapest, Hungary. It wasn't the best holiday but it was nice. Everything was closed due to the closed season and the weather wasn't great and I'd really hoped to get a few good pictures with my new camera (I'll come to that). In the end it pretty much ended up being a lost booze cruise.

Anyway about the camera. I'd ordered a new Sony A100K Digital SLR from John Lewis on the Friday and paid the extra for Saturday delivery so I would have it in time for the flight on Sunday. I waited in all Saturday and nothing came so I called John Lewis who basically said that they don't have a number to call Home Delivery Network, and that they couldn't do a thing so I was screwed but they would call me the next day to tell me more about being screwed. The next day I didn't get a call so I phoned them back to see if I could collect on from the Liverpool store and they could call ahead for me. No as they're different groups. Brilliant now I have no camera.
I told the agent that I wanted it delivered on Thursday when I was back and I wanted a 1GB memory card for the problems. So I waited in again all day and nothing so I called them and apparently it was delivered on the 19Th but obviously not to me so I'm currently £400 down and camera less.

Watch this space......

Country Art (click here)

2007-10-31T09:25:00.000Z

After talking with a couple of mates that I go walking with we've decided to set up a site together to sell our pictures therefore offering people a wider choice. The sites starting to look really good at the minute so go and check it out.

Yeah!!!! We got our first order today, we're on our way to millions now. Whose next on the order list I just don't know.

I'm selling my soul

2007-10-28T23:12:00.000Z

It's been a busy day today, I got up a little early cos stupidly I forgot to put the clocks back so I missed out on an extra hour in bed which I could have done with.
I'd arranged to go to the shop 'GO Outdoors' with the missus and her step dad today but he couldn't make it I took my mum instead. Last time we went there they had some fantastic deals, if you can get to one I would recommend it, anyway it was a little disapointing as I didn't get anything (this time).
We then went to a pub in Rainford called the 'Bottle & Glass Inn', the food was really nice and I will be taking a trip back someday.

I've just set up an online site to sell some of the pictures that I've been taking whilst out and about in the hills. Please feel free to take a look, it's in the very early stages so far but I will be adding a lot more pictures in the near future.

It's started...

2007-10-27T15:47:00.000+01:00

I'm currently taking courses in all aspects of mountain leadership. I am looking to start taking groups of people out onto the moors and hills to experience the great outdoors, I would also like to start selling pictures that I have taken whilst out and about.
If anyone has any advice or tips on this I would be grateful to hear from you.