In memory of Sam !

Today is Sam's birthday - the last couple of weeks have been a little "difficult", getting organised for Color Run had bought some sad feelings to the fore.  




Sam loved doing Color Run last year, the inaugural event for Brighton so it was fitting to take part this year and we were joined by Sam's mum, Lou who was chief photographer, bag carrier, supplier of water and chocolate at the end.  

This year's t-shirts were printed with our Just Giving text numbers.  

Queuing up for the start was an emotional moment - especially getting a mention from the starting crew.   We were soon off on our trip through the color along Madeira Drive.   Sam's cry of "drop and roll" featured heavily, together with snow angels and generally getting smothered in as much as paint as we could.    Last year we promised we'd revisit the pink zone on the way back to the finish !

I'm sure Sam would've loved this year's Color Run - apart from the guy in Orange zone who told us to get off the floor!

Last Sunday I took part in an SRS cyclosportive - the Brighton 2 Brighton!  I actually have no idea why I thought this was a good idea - it takes in one of the county's toughest hill climbs - Devil's Dyke  .   I've still got a lot of work to do on hill climbing and I hadn't been out on the bike very much in the last couple of weeks.   Shaun decided that the 20 mile route (Pequeno) would be sufficient to give me experience and a sense of achievement.    We arrived at Hove Lawns at our allocated time, collected our map, race number and timing chip and then joined the queue to head out to Shoreham before turning North and then starting the climb up the Dyke.   I have to say it was exhausting - some really horrible short, sharp hills, some lovely downhills.   All in all a great event, although the start of the route left a lot to be desired as it was on some very busy main roads before we got to the countryside!

The climb up Devils Dyke itself was horrible - I had nothing left.  My breathing was all over the place despite having done two separate doses on my puffer and I couldn't risk my heart rate going any higher.   I already suspected I'd have to walk the bike up - I managed the start of the incline but after a few turns of the pedals I was off.    The walk of shame was all mine!   Shaun continued on without me until he got a short way up and then he insisted on pushing me up with a few "shoves of hope".  We'd done it, between us, I'd made it to the top!    The descent back into Brighton was amazing - apart from having to stop at a large busy roundabout and various traffic lights.   We made it back to Hove Lawns in 2 hours and 1 minute and were awarded Silver.  When we got home I checked on the website and found out we'd missed Gold by 1 flipping minute.  Guess that means we'll be back next year to knock that 1 minute and a bit more off the time!

I'm pretty pleased with how it went, I knew beforehand I'd struggle up the Dyke but I'm glad we did the event - apart from the lack of medal!  Official photographs aren't available at the time of writing - if there are any I'll post them ..... of me doing the walk of shame.

So two more events done in Sam's memory and additional funds for the fundraising for Brain & Spine Foundation.    Two more events for me for this year at the moment - Pedal in Preston Park (laps of the Brighton velodrome) and support/photographer at the Brighton Santa Run.

If you would like to donate please click on the Brain & Spine Foundation link above.

Tribby's Travels - the New Forest

We've just had a lovely week off work and spent some of it in the New Forest.

On Saturday we went to the wedding of Shaun's nephew, Phil, to Emily.  

It was a lovely day - I love getting dressed up, even though I'd had a fair amount of stress finding the right dress, but eventually I found just what I was looking for.

Mother & daughter 

Daddy's girl

Me & him

Don't we scrub up nice?

On Sunday we packed up Tribby and headed to my parents to pick up the dog and start our few days away.  Our first destination and one night stopover was the lovely Beverley Farm at Medstead.   We got a great welcome from the owner Andy who showed us around this small site.  We were the only unit staying that night so we had a lovely field all to ourselves with electric hook up, and three rams in a neighbouring field.  

Hook up at Beverley Farm is a little different to most we've found - at this site you pay for what you use!  We gave Andy £2 for our overnight and the next morning just before we left Andy came down and told us we'd only used 90p worth!   Apart from the hook up, water & CDP there are no facilities so it's only suitable for motorhomes and caravans & there are only a couple of pitches.   Unfortunately we didn't have much time to explore apart from a couple of walks with the dog.  We will be back to Beverley Farm in the future for a weekend stay and explore a bit more as it's only an hour or so from home!

On Monday morning we carried on down to Sway, on the New Forest.   Rushcroft Farm is another lovely site, small with hook up (charged at £2 per night), Water, CDP, washing up facilities and two toilets and two showers.   When we were there there were only half a dozen units staying so it was very quiet, although there are quite a few pitches.

The thing I loved about this site was the railway which was a short walk away (and the only drawback to the site too as the farm backs on to the track so it was a bit noisy - but you got used to that after a while).  On Tuesday we decided to go into Brockenhurst by train.   Sway train station means that you can practically go anywhere on the Forest and beyond so there is no need to move the campervan if you want to go out for the day- no worries about parking, car park charges or traffic!  We had a lovely day walking round the shops and walking Archie on the Forest.

Brockenhurst - The Splash

Archie loved running around - especially through the poo!

On Wednesday we decided to stay local and walked around the Setthorns Inclosure (which is mainly used for camping but has some lovely trails to walk and cycle).  

It was a lovely walk and we saw a deer

On the way back we popped into the Hare & Hounds for lunch and a well earned cider!

Archie loves a pub chip!

On Thursday we headed home - we will be back to the New Forest next year.   It's the ideal distance from home for a long weekend and is ideal for dog walking.  We also need to come back with the bikes!   I think that's it now for Tribby until next year when we've got quite a few trips planned already!

Saturday saw the pass through Newhaven of the Tour of Britain.  Shaun headed into Brighton to see the finish and I stayed at home - mainly because I'd agreed to bake cakes and help with teas and coffees at our local park.   It was great to see the town turn out to support!

What's next?   Next weekend is the Color Run in memory of Sam and it looks as though I've signed up to do the Brighton 2 Brighton Cyclosportive the following weekend!   Watch this space for more news!

Tribby's Travels - Bank Holiday Weekend

Our fourth trip out in the campervan was to a very small site in the wilds of Kent at Braid Farm, Smarden    Our friends Paula and Dave have had Bessie motorhome for nearly two years and they wanted to join us so Bessie and Tribby had their first trip out together!  We left Archie with my parents for the weekend and took the bikes to get some use out of the bike rack and to see something of the area.

Bessie didn't arrive until late on the Saturday so Shaun and I headed out on the bikes - a lovely 17 mile ride around the country roads.  Not too sure about the driving of some Kent residents - they seem to have 2 speeds - go and go faster!

On Sunday morning (following a drink & food fuelled Saturday night) Shaun headed out on a solo ride for a couple of hours.   When he got back he suggested walking up the road to Headcorn Aerodrome where there was a big car boot being held.   That didn't last long because by the time we got there the stalls were starting to pack up.   As we were in cider country (and there were quite a few farms dotted around us) we decided to venture out to Biddenden Vineyard which was about 4 miles away - Shaun and I went on the bikes and Paula & Dave travelled in style in Dolly (their little towing car).   We bought some lovely produce, walked around the vineyard, tasted some cider and wine and made the journey back to the campsite!

There were a couple of things we loved about this site - one was the resident wallaby population

the other was that there were only about 10 "units" parked on the site with a massive big field and a wood to walk dogs round.

We also liked being near the Aerodrome - although it was pretty noisy all weekend with light aircraft flying in and out all the time - it was great to see the different types of aircraft and parachutists jumping out of the planes.

Monday's weather was dire for the whole day.  We left Paula and Dave and Bessie at the site and made our way home.      I think we'll definitely be back to this site, with or without the dog - not sure what he'll make of the wallabies!

Our next trip is just around the corner - we've got a family wedding on Saturday and then we're heading to the New Forest on Sunday to Thursday - the longest trip we've done so far!  We've got to get back as the Tour of Britain starts this weekend and goes through Newhaven on Saturday - wouldn't miss that for anything!