Going for a song

IMG_0190.JPGAmazing, fantastic, exhilarating, enjoyable, strenuous. Just some of the words I’ve used as people have asked me how the C2C ride went.

Many are surprised that I’m suffering no after effects from the ride, but to be honest it’s not really the marathon people think it is. I’ve talked to several people since Friday who have also completed the ride – just a few among the twenty thousand who complete it each year.

If you were one of the people who sponsored me I am really grateful for your support. You may like to consider giving regularly to either of the charities I was representing.

logo_100x122.gifRiding Lights Theatre Company has a membership scheme for regular givers. It offers a number of benefits as well as the confidence that you are supporting a very special professional and Christian Theatre Company.

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The Funzi and Bodo Trust is engaged in long term projects in those communities on the south eastern coast of Kenya. Regular support allows them to plan their educational and medical projects with confidence.

If you didn’t sponsor me it’s not too late. The Justgiving sites are still open for business. Click on the links and you can join in to help.

Riding Lights Theatre Company
The Funzi and Bodo Trust

On Black HillWhere to next for me and my machine? I’d love to do John O’Groats to Lands End but that would carve a huge hole in my diary. Possibly Liverpool to Hull – I’d need to borrow a hybrid bike for that one because of the many off road sections. Be sure I’ll let you know when it’s being planned.

Thank you for following my adventure – I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. The memories will stay with me for a long time. One thing I discovered as I drove my bike upwards in the Pennines. Singing is a great way to control breathing on the inclines. So if you were somewhere near the summit of Hartside or Black Hill and thought the local chapel was having a choir practice it was possibly me belting out hymns and songs of praise in the strange rhythm my panting heart demanded. I can recommend it – not just on the hills. Singing is good for you – body, soul and spirit. Especially if you have someone to praise for your very existence.

Latest delicious thoughts

delicious thoughts for May 4th from 12:55 to 22:29:

Latest delicious thoughts

delicious thoughts for March 24th from 09:14 to 21:52:

  • 4am Project – This is fun. A snapshot of the world at 4am on 4/4/2009. Sit your lightbox on a tripod, open your lens and capture your 4am world. Submit the images to this site and see what happens.
  • The Funzi and Bodo Trust's Blog – This project was initiated by a friend of mine, Ashley Peatfield.
  • Touchnote.com – your photo, your message – posted – This is much better than sending an e-card – Touchnote creates a printed card from you image and text and posts it, snail mail, to your recipient. So they have something to touch, pin up and save.
  • BBC NEWS | Health | Will 'shocking' care be addressed? – As the father of a guy with learning disabilities this lack of care and treatment is quite distressing. Specialist 'learning disability' health teams should be introduced. It's not enough to say it's impractical or expensive – it's not as if we don't know the people with learning disabilities exist.

Billy Graham’s Suit

I received this story in an email from my cousin – I felt it needed to be shared …….

Billy Graham

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is now 86 years old with Parkinson’s disease.

In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor.

Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, ‘We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you.’
So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said,
‘I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century.  Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching thetickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets.
It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it.
Then he looked in the seat beside him.
He still couldn’t find it.

The conductor said, ‘Dr. Einstein, I know who you are.  We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.’
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car , he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket.. I’m sure you bought one.’

Einstein looked at him and said, ‘Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”

Having said that Billy Graham continued, ‘See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. My wife, my children , and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion.

You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which
I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing . I want you to remember this:

I not only know who I am .. I also know where I’m going.’

Blueberries ‘reverse memory loss’

BBC NEWS | Health | Blueberries ‘reverse memory loss’
Blueberries ‘reverse memory loss’

Scientists claim blueberries activate learning and memory in the brain.

Eating blueberries can reverse memory loss and may have implications in the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer’s, University of Reading scientists claim.

I am already a regular consumer of fresh fruit but if blueberries can revive my brain’s memory banks then I must add to to the weekly shopping list. I hope I remember  …….