19.08.08
Posted in
Cycling, General
at
10:05 pm
by
Andy
Well, perhaps that is a bit strong, but recently I’ve considerably increased the amount of exercise I’m getting. Add to that my improved diet due to Espe’s new role as a nutritionist and I’m feeling pretty healthy. I’m riding 10km to work and back each day, swimming once a week, running once a week and playing tennis again. I’ve also finally got my hand on my new mountain bike. A Cube Attention which I’ve bought through this Government Ride to Work scheme getting me some 40% off the list price. She’s a beauty and together we are discovering the joys of the trails in the near by Leigh Woods (I’ve only fallen off twice so far…).
So what’s with all this sudden effort? Well apart from the mountain biking, which has been something I’ve been wanting to get into for a long time (encouraged by experiences in Thailand and New Zealand last year), the reason is that I’m doing a 10k run in September. Several months ago, Espe asked me if I’d be interested in signing up in a charity fun run, and without much thought I agreed. Now 10km is not exactly far but running it when your fitness level is somewhere around bugger all, does take some effort and preparation.
So, I’m currently in training. I’ve just got back from a six mile run around the hills of Clifton which was pretty tough. I’ve a month to go and should be ready for it by then. All that leaves me to do is raise a load of cash for Cancer Research UK. So, here’s the shameless request… Please sponsor me!!!
07.08.08
Posted in
Belgium, Czech Republic, General, Italy, Travel
at
7:27 am
by
Andy
I had the pleasure at the beginning of the month of visiting one of my best friends from my time in Madrid. I’d booked a long weekend to visit Philippe in Brussels and was very much looking forward to seeing him for the first time in almost a year and half. In that time, we’ve both had some incredible experiences and returned to our respective home countries. Naturally we had a lot to catch up on.
It was a fantastic weekend despite the mother of all hangovers (sat, sun & mon). No plans, just catching up and taking in another new city. The Friday night deserves a special mention, as the plan was to grab a few beers in a few of Philippe’s locals (living in a beautiful city centre apartment he’s spoilt for choice). The night started of a casual catch up turned into a proper club night when met some friends of his. The lovely Barbara and Katherine took us to an excellent club. Filthy electronic beats, dark and dingy, full of sweaty people and a passionate DJ… Perfect.
And while in Brussels, with Guillaume in mind (a French chap who Espe and I traveled with in Australia last year www.guizite.com), I could not help but visit his favourite building, the Atomium.
I’ve been running around since with work. We’ve finally revamped our company’s website, so I’m no longer ashamed to give out the link. Check out www.theadventurists.com to find out what on earth it is that I do now.
The simultaneous Mongol Rally and Africa Rally launches gave me my busiest working month yet (probably in my entire working life), but it was all worth while seeing the teams set off and partying with them. The Mongol Rally launch in Hyde Park was huge with about 5000 in attendance. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the spectacle as I found myself back in Milan running the launch there. The “partenza” at Piazza Castello Sforzesco was fantastic but the day was kind of ruined for us, firstly as we failed to get a lift to the party in the Czech Republic with one of the teams and secondly as Espe was robbed in the main train station as we were trying to find an alternative way of getting to the party.
Some of the Italian teams left us a little disappointed taking the rally a little too seriously (if your car doesn’t break down in the middle of the desert, then your missing out on the fun) and failing to get into the spirit of the event, although to be fair that probably had a lot to do with our lack of communication with them early on. Of all the rally starts (London, Madrid, Milan), the Italians made the least effort to go to the party, despite being the closest. Still, their loss, as the party in the castle we had hired was awesome, with three live bands, 2 music rooms / dance floors with talented international DJs and a rather aromatic chill out / tea room all in the historic ruins of an 11th century castle. The Knights and Wenches theme added to the fun too. A couple of relaxing days in Prague afterwards helped the recovery process.
After all of that it is well worth a mention that I finally had a relaxing weekend in Bristol. Only my third weekend here in as many months, and with it we were blessed with some fantastic weather. Like many places in this strange isle, Bristol is really rather pretty when the sun is shinning.
Next stop, the Nordschleife in Germany… and just this once, you’ll have to excuse the emoticon 
