Wednesday 29 June 2011

Let's hope so...

I've just replaced my stock tyres with Bontrager all weather hardcase tyres. This week we've had a heatwave, a thunder storm, regular rain and some overcast muggy-ness. I only need snow for the full set!

The previous post is the state of my hands after handling tyres that have been on British roads in the rain.

Monday 27 June 2011

Grandad's 90th and the steam fair


A lovely weekend all round. It started with a trip to Kimberly near Nottingham for my Grandad's 90th birthday party.. Got to catch up with family, and Sophie got to meet the cousins, aunts and uncles on that side of the family (my mum's)

Managed to get a whole two sundays out of sunday. Breakfast with the family at the hotel. Train journey home. Lunch at callucio's. Swelltering afternoon in clissold park at the steam fair. The bottom picture is from a fortune telling machine that for 1d (google it) would show you a picture of your first born. I also got a mechanical palm reading.

I'm getting what appears to be a shepherdess.

Monday 20 June 2011

Buskers on bikes press release

For Immediate Release:


(Insert date)



BUSKERS ON BIKES GOING ALL OUT FOR

CANCER RESEARCH UK





Just six months ago, seven strangers met for the first time to plot the magical, musical adventure of a lifetime: to cycle the length of the country, stopping only to pull their instruments from the back of a van and busk for their lives – and for Cancer Research UK.



Last October, Warren Howard, 35 – who, like many in the group, hadn’t approached a bike in anger since his teens – decided to merge his hankering for the open road with his love of music and raise a pot-load of money in the process. Busking Cancer – a musical project launched by Cancer Research with the beautifully gung-ho premise of belting out songs for donations – seemed like the perfect cause. A plea for like-minded recruits went out on the internet – and Buskers on Bikes was born.

On 25 July, Warren, Dom, Jonny, Neil, Dave, Dan and Brian will be setting off from Land’s End with a rambunctious repertoire of rock’n’roll, rockabilly, soul and pop classics, ending their tour 18 days later in John O’Groats. Along the way they will be delighting crowds with impromptu performances as well as performing at planned gigs, too, in which local musicians will join them to knock out a few numbers – and support Cancer Research in the process.

Warren said: “It’s going to be an unforgettable experience – and undoubtedly pretty gruelling, too. The fundraising target is a heady £15,000 – but I’m sure that Buskers on Bikes have the legs, the lungs and the heart to achieve it..!”



Cancer Research UK’s area volunteer manager Felicity Jones, said: “We can’t thank Buskers on Bikes enough for their support. Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses.”



For further information or to enquire about forthcoming gigs visit www.buskersonbikes.org or call Cancer Research UK 020 7358 9008.





ENDS





For further media information, interviews and images, please contact:



Felicity Jones, area volunteer manager for Cancer Research UK on felicity.jones@cancer.org.uk, 07771 772 321



Warren Howard 07876 684838; nerraw_10@hotmail.com



NOTES TO EDITORS



About Cancer Research UK

• Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.

• The charity’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. This work is funded entirely by the public.

• Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates double in the last thirty years.

• Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of more than 4,800 scientists, doctors and nurses.

• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.


For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org

More Dorset photos

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Sunday 19 June 2011

Dorset weekend...


Just for the record... I'm aware that these photos are largely wiltshire, but I was on my way back from Dorset.

Thursday 16 June 2011

Wish list

So I'm starting to get a serious aquisition syndrome for a few items at the moment. Yes I need a new Macbook/Imac. Yes I need a video camera... but look at these lovely goodies...

 The Creme "Cafe Racer" for leisurely cycling with the Lady S when she gets her pashley bicycle. Needs a box and a Jack Russell obviously


 Fujifilm x100 digital camera that works like a vintage compact camera!!

And last but not least a Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Jazz/Blues guitar for rock'n'roll greatness (Impending)

Brighton WNBR and such the like...

Well I did it again. Even though it was pouring down with rain and blowing a gale.

Made me think of this terrifying bumper sticker I saw the other day.



I set off fully expecting the whole event to be cancelled. Wet and rainy ride to London Bridge. American girl having a complete fit about the standards of customer service at the station (Tip: Don't call the counter Clerk a bitch when enquiring how long service may take).

Brighton station out of pasties too...

Got to the level to find nearly 300 semi-clothed cyclists, who as I approached, gathered to set off. I did the first half of the ride clothed and the second half undressed with a waterproof jacket over the top.

Gloryously bloody minded and incredibly British. A naked ride in the rain!!

Last year we had glorious weather http://wheelsstringsandpictures.blogspot.com/2010/06/pedals-not-petrol-world-naked-bike-ride.html

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Buskers on Bikes: Website Updated

Jonny just updated the website for buskers on bikes (I'm part of this... hence the repost.) we've got a logo and everything.



Buskers on Bikes: Website Updated: "Hi, I've updated the website to use our new logo and a nicer design. Let me know if you have any comments. www.buskersonbikes.org Jonny"

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Artevict

Well tonight's actions took place on the roof of a south London squat. I was disturbed to hear that the police chose the day of the royal wedding (& I suspect the extra powers they had around that time) to raid this venue and cut off the power. I was mistaken for one of their neighbours who wants them out. I was still made to feel welcome and the mistake only came to light as I was leaving. You can't fake that level of good natured behaviour.

Bruno Bikes

I passed one of these up near Dalston yesterday. I immediately fell in love with it's peculiar one-size-fits-all-and-blow-me-if-tiny-wheels-aren't-cool. As with almost everything else that's a bit strange, the mini-velo is the latest cycling craze in Japan.

The small wheels work well on city streets. Easy to get moving, turns on a dime (or a 1pence/euro piece) solid as hell.