My blog will now be on Wordpress there will be lots of photos and stories. It's easier for people to navigate, leave comments and look at the photos. Below are my old posts though. I will post videos below on this website as people might just read the blog and not visit this page and donate if they are bad. I'm not cycling and writing this just for entertainment, I want to help other people through my blood, sweat and tears as I'm not a teacher or doctor so can't offer these people my support that way.
So the Blog is where I'm going to put updates of how things are going and pictures. Sometimes it might seem to go off at a tangent, but that's just me and I want to be as honest as possible. Also it will be hard to update constantly as I need internet and electricity which i don't get if I'm cycling and camping of in the middle of no where.
New Video clips for germany below
Mon 14/3/11
Ok so my first event is coming together nicely. So I keep thinking that i've set a big target to raise and there's sometimes a nagging voice that says it's not possible, which occassionally paralyses me into doing other things as this idea is crazy. This is when I need to remind myself why I'm doing this. Other positive thoughts that help are that I have faith in humanity, people are generally helpful, people don't like to see or think about suffering.
Just a side thought, but is this a slight reason why kids like to pretend or want to be cops, doctors or firemen? These people help others, is that something that kids want to do instinctively? A lot of us balance looking after ourselves first and looking after others, who hasn't heard the saying "you got to look after number one?" I think sometimes though looking after others helps us look after ourselves.
So with my faith in humanity I'm hoping that when I ask for help or donations that If I can communicate what i'm doing then a lot of the time i'll get help or donations. Also I'm thinking that I just need to let lots of people know, alot of small donations will help raise a good amount. And you know even if I don't reach my target after I've finished my trek there's two things I can think about one that I will still have raised a good amount where as If I give up I raise nothing for the charities, so that's not a difficult choice to make. And also I can just do more events when I get back :) It reminds me of a friend at work that raised over £1,000 for marie curie cancer by doing a halloween party. She was very stressed organising it and never wanted to go through that again, but is going to do it again this year!! I think that's very admirable.
Tues 15/3/11
So 4:30am and I can't sleep, it could be my years of working nightshift or because I've got things on my mind. Thought it best to write it down otherwise I'll keep thinking about writing it down instead of sleeping! So my best friend and his wife are having their second child in a few days which is amazing news. It did get me thinking about children in africa though as earlier that day I'd been reading Amy's diary (who runs forever angels orphanage). It was tragic to find out baby Prisca who used to be at the babyhome passed away.
Prisca Nehema at 3 weeks old.
Children dying happens all too often in africa, 1 in 5 children in Tanzania don't reach the age of 5. So much of these are preventable which is a true tragedy, it makes me think that this situation is an everyday disaster as family or friends dying is a part of everyday life there. It's good to know that money raised for all the charities i'm supporting in Tanzania will be used to stop preventable deaths, such as malaria medication, other medical supplies and facilities that give these people a chance at a a happier life. It was big news here when Cheryl Cole had malaria and the nation wished her a healthy recovery, I hope the same people might find it in their hearts to help prevent malaria taking african lives yound, old and not celebraties.
17/5/11
Have been gradually getting my bike uppgraded for my cycle trek. A big thankyou to Macdonald Cycles in edinburgh for advice and servicing my bike. They have even donated a raffle prize of a free bike service for a raffle.
Mon 6/6/11
Have been looking around for what equipment I'll need to bring on my long trip. A big thankyou must go to Cotswald store in livingston. The manager there has been kind enough to give me a discount as I'm doing this trek for charity. Rachel there has been great for advice and helping me come up with a list for my camping needs. Soon i will be an owner of a tent, sleeping bag and much more camping essentials. Now I just need a few more companies to help me out.
Sat 25/6/11
Has been hard to get a rear rack fitted to my bike. I'm using an old green Kona Lava Dome. Problem is this is not a standard bike for touring. No mounts on rear tube for attaching rack and unusual tube sizes meant I realied on the great work of macdonald cycles in jigging together a mount from my seat post that is really solid.
Mon 27/6/11
Bought my front and rear panniers today. It cost a few bob, but had to buy waterproof ones. If I can't cycle with confidence while it's raining then i'd never make it out of Scotland!! The Edinburgh Bike Cooperative had a 15% sale of everything so at least I saved some money.