The Launch - cont

Thursday the 29th, began early and with an insy hang over, not so much a hango'r more fatigue, from the late busy night. Luckily my children had stayed at their Dads, and had been picked up, after I'd gone out to Jumbos.

Steve Marsden, was prompt, and looking anxious. I asked him about it, and he claimed to be totally relaxed. So I called him a Fibber, he laughed and admitted to being very anxious, and I think like me, he'd been awake for a while wondering what the day would bring. We pulled into thde car park at Hillsborough, at the same time as a tired and a little sad looking Nick. It was indeed the end of a really happy team, but hey atleast he's got a job, in another park.

Steve, is always cheery, and I know he just wants things to be right, but I think he needs to trust that I can make Orange Cordial, correctly :D and not have to check it! wE LOADED sTEVES VAN WITH CHAIRS AND A FOLD UP TABLE AND CONTACT FORMS, AND LEAFLETS, and The CTC champions banner (probably before it's assigned to the cupboard, forever. As the CTC champions finish officially in June. But We are all so fortunate that Cycling for All, was the one that the lottery, decided to fund for another year :) I am so relieved, not just for me, but for everybody who benefits from it.

Pedal Ready, which is on the business side of Cycle Training, is running the Cycle 4 Health at Endcliffe and Hillsborough, as a business. But it will mean, I'll know most of the Cycle Trainers, and Fred may even pop into Hillsborough again. But as for now, it appears fresh blood and enthusiasm is what's required. At the Launch a guy, introduced himself.......it's gone. But he is the fresh Health Champ at Hillsborough. Does that mean they want me to go????? I doubt it, he doesn't limp!! And if it wouldn't cause him to blush, I'd show you the Testimonial Steve wrote for me, it is very good, I felt like crying with pride, it's gorgeous, and so personal, it's clearly written about me :)

All together there were 81, folk came to the Launch, and then there was Dave's Secret club,....:) which is no secret, it's just a few of the usual. Who come to the park on a Thursday morning, and borrow the bike and enjoy the company. There was actually 18 of them bringing a total of 99 folk. Which is a massive success, and unlike last year, they all came in a steady stream, that was constant from 9am starting with Mark Parker from the Brain Injury Rehab place. He was persuaded, (by me) to try the side by side (settee with pedals), I think he felt a little overdressed, in his grey suit. To the young teenage girls, i recruited at 4, to help me take the cycles back to the lock up. And vowed to come back after Easter, to the Cycle For Health.

A few of my mates turned up to offer support, like Lorraine and Paul who's a Cyclist and a Social Worker, who tried in vain to fit Ziggy in the car, so I could use them as a back up. Because I think Paul decided, that he was going to volunteer at Hillsborough. Pam came in her capacity of my friend and a Cycle Trainer, at Endcliffe. Liz Salmon came as my ex colleague on the SDS team, and Paul's ex boss all these folk witnessed me being not well, I think because I hadn't stopped, since I woke this morning and only managing half a cuppa, because I'd wanted to make sure Holly had a decent walk. Just in case Julie Andrews, didn't make it round (I needn't have worried) Radio Sheffield turned up (prompted by myself) and interviewed Steve M whist cycling round, which was a novel thing.

Steve dropped me home at 5, and I totally crashed out on the settee, shaking with goose bumps. Yep I'd got sun stroke.....IN MARCH!!!! I ordered an unhealthy as in full of salt Pizza!! with a 2 litre bottle of Coke, and stuffed my face. Content in the knowledge that we had pulled off another successful Launch.

The Launch

I'll be brief, i think I've got sunstroke, if that's possible in march!!

Long day at Hillsborough, Steve fetched me at 8 and dropped me home again at 5.

Between, Steve, Nick, Dave, Graham, - new guy seems nice, Chris, new Health Champ and yours truelly. We saw 88folk!!! I am very tired,

I'll say more tomorrow.

Wednesday

Gotta be brief, i'm all togged up, and waiting on a taxi, to take me to Nicks leaving do, and the end to the most successful team at Cycling 4 All. I say most succesfull, but I know that we are going to get better :) With Steve M in charge, he's a bit of a Task Master, and perhaps not as laid back as Nick was.

Calendar are making an appearance :) and Radio Sheffield. I don't think Steve, liked the fact that Radio Sheffield wanted to speak to him!!!!! :D

Taxis here, hey ive cycled miles today.

Awwww I do love Steve Marsden :)

Steve cycled to mine today, in the glorious sunshine. And we sat in the garden and reviewed my Record of Involvement, and talked about Hillsboroughs future. He met Holly, and we wondered how her and big Robbie would get on. At the end of April when I go to the All ability Cycling Conference in Newquay.But I reckon they can both run fast enough to escape!! If there's any trouble. He did like the RoI but I'm not sure really because he'd have found it difficult to say otherwise.

My sons come home wi golf balls as tonsils, so I doubt if he's going to school in the morning.

I heard from Mark Witti, today, who promises he will do his best, to get the media there on Thursday! Steve was a bit confused by this saying, it's not about You Caroline.

I replied:

Of course it's not it's about showing other disabled folk there is an alternative to the mobility scooter.

A Crap 7 days

I'm feeling weak, (i know weak is not what springs to mind, if you know me!!!) But instead of striding out, putting my assertive best foot forward type of thing? I step tentatively through my life at the moment.

Moneys not easy anymore, I've used up all my reserves. :(

Mikeys never called :(

I'm not capable of doing the things associated with cycling, nothings easy for me, even pumping tyres!! Getting Ziggy out of her house, even the new hand brake I struggle with sorry Pete, I think it has s'thing to do with m,y eyesight, so maybe I'll just get used to the touch and feel.

Holly dog got biten yesterday bless her, and was bleeding from her eye (sympathy for me) Atleast, I've seen that I do have some valuable mates, around me.

Fat Cycle Rider.

No, it's not me......well it is butin this instant it's a guy called Toby, whose lost about 8 stone since joining the Ride To Work Scheme. See his blog, I tried to copy and paste the link, no suprises that it didn't work!! So you'll have to google him.

Urrrrgh teenagers!!! Enough said!!

I had such a boringly domestic day today, because I'd had 2 days 'off' from my chores this week, the washing was crawling out the back door!!!

thanks Pete

Pete's added the link to the radio Sheffield Interview I gave, in the comments , from yesterday.

:( This morning......

Thank you Debbie, from across the road for being first on the scene., Pete my neighbour, who probably owes me one :) a favour that is.....what else? Dave H, for phoning, Matt for helping me off the floor. Julie Andrews, for checking in on me. My bruv for phoning, Hanna for the loveliest texts in the world. Dave Santa and Lorraine, for the same.

I was in such a happy mood this morning, it began with Steve M, phoning me, to make arrangements to call at mine Monday morning. Which is really nice. It is so he can get a good look at the Record of Involvement. Because I do expect that a lot of my work in the next year will be under (in my dreams-but not really) .....at Hillsborough.

I am on this weeks Cycle Clips, btw.

If you hadn't gathered I had a mighty tumble today. I feel so incapacitated, I am crap, at looking after myself. So I didn't get chance to go to Creative Writing.

I did limp :) (more than usual!!) to the Park with Holly. I do love her so. My left knee is like a football, and throbbing!! Random I know!!!

Hey, I've been asked by Totley Residents Associations Farmers Market' ' Where they boast about what Totleys got. :)Hey and I'm considered an asset apparently!! Oh well, it gives me chance to shout about Inclusive Cycling.

Perfect day :)

Dial a ride phoned to tell me to get me to get my ass in gear, and they'd take me to Hillsborough. Don't quote me thou!!!They may have used slightly different words.

I'm so tired, but happy tired, it was such a nice day today. You know to say, Hillsborough isn't open???? 24 folk turned up between 10 and 2. It was the last day, the great team will work together though. Which is sooo sad :( Because it's been my motivation for so much, and I can thank Hillsborough for giving me so many opportunities.

Anyway Steve Marsden, is taking over, and he assures me that everyone is very keen for me to keep doing the bit that I do. So if travel becomes an issue, they will sort it?????? I think!! But hey I'm ojk as long as DAR turn up.

We made arrangements to all go to Jumbo's again on Weds, I can't drink too much because I've goy the Launch of Cycling 4 All, the day after. I've phoned my friend Mark Witty, about the Torch and the Launch so maybe we'll get a mention on tv.

I need my hapiness

Dial a Ride phoned to cancel tomorrows transport to Hillsborough, and because I resembled a lopsided Bull frog, I cried again :(

S'one phoned today from 'Evolve'magazine, they wanted to do a piece on The Olympic Torch thingy, to which I said of course but will you plug March the 29th at Hillsborough for me :) So I sent some pics etc.

I was soo scared getting Ziggy out today,I needed to test my new hand brakes :) (passed wioth flying colours) I'm not normal!!! I cycled to the pharmacy, wioth the EYEdea :D sorry!!of getting some saline, or s'thing to irrigate my eye ball, which still feels pretty sore. Anyway Taz the Chemist ordered me to the Drs!! So I called hoping to penetrate (ot in a vaginal way!!!!!) the Bouncers on the Reception desk. Anyway I cant have an appointment till Monday!!!How ridiculous really!!I could tell the Twin Set and Pearls clad woman (who reeked of Wood burn fags!!) was staring at my eye, I think you should telephone in the morning, to arrange to have some anti biotics prescribed, and delivered by the chemist. I totally agree, but is it right that a post menopausal woman should be deciding, when she's possibly about as qualified as I am.

I think I'm getting a taxi in the morning and claiming off Zest, because Miriam gained £140 for my travel to Hillsborough, of which I ain't claimed owt, because I've been covering the cost of DAR. And I need Dave's comforting irish tones.

I called in Master Chef, thing is though, I felt like everyone was staring at my Eye!!!! So I began lots of individual conversations, just so I could say...

The gorgeous guy from the photo phoned today :) and went on to tell me how busy he was!!!!!

Nite xxxx

Ouch !!!!

It hurt soooo much!! My flagpole caterpulted me in the eye, when I got Ziggy out of her little home.

And I must thank Pete, but did you mean to not use the Pedal clips in any way and to just use the straping and buckle. Because thats what I've done and it appears to work fine.

Apparently Tescos are taking the Shopper Bus off, at the end of April. It's been my life line, once upon a time.

It's official!!!

ON JUNE THE 26TH, I CARRY THE OLYMPIC TORCH :)..........in Rotherham?

But hey, I'm just very happy and very proud, and the Radio DJ, I'm not sure who he was because he wasn't the usual guy? made me feel a bit crap today Booming!!! in a very loud 'FUN' voice he said 'So you're a bit disappointed because you've been told your patch is Rotherham!!!(Thanks for that then, most of the listeners are from Rotherham, I reckon!!!) I was a bit 'Coy' I think, I was feeling a little mischevias!! I was on at 845, if anyone wants to listen?

I got in about, March the 29th at Hillsborough. I mentioned Steve M, the CTC, and Nigel, so I think I got the movers and shakers.

Awwww, I don't think I'll get to see Mick again, which is a shame, but he's just too busy, from what I gather. So I've left it upto him.

Julie Andrews called today. Awwwww, and Holly dog, the barkless dog (she NEVER barks) tossed a big fat round very prickly Hedgehog, accross the lawn!!! Poor wee mite, I ran out with a towel, scooped Mrs Tigglewinks up, and placed her in the shed, with the door ajar, and a bowl of dog food (i didnt pocess cat food!!) I looked when I came home, the food and Mrs TW had gone.

Oh, I called at Redvers House to do some printing and to get some Testamonials' for my RoI. Hannah Boneham, who've worked with for about 3 years? Gave me a stunning one, it was sooo individualistic. I wanted to cry, ahhh.

Sustrans rang and emailed today, so I sent them a blip... and returned their call. And she's gonna help publisise March the 29th also. I'm getting excited about it already!!

My children are Ace!!!

I've spent much of the day, lazing around. I enjoyed taking Holly.... I do love Holly :) Just occasionally, I get a glimpse of her past, when she absolutely snarles and bares teeth, at Richards vacuum cleaner!! Or when she retreats to where she feels safest (under my desk) Most of the time she is my shadow, lying on the landing staring at me in the shower!!1 Yes I know it's weird. I hope she's ok at Steve Ms with big Robbie!!

I went for a lie down, next thing I knew my kids were shouting 'Mum' we've done your tea, and I sprang up all kind of loving the attention, but with trepidation. But I needn't have worried, Finn had bought flowers Daisy had lit candles and ordered a chinese meal from the red lion. And it had been delivered and everything!! (and they'd saved up the money and done extra jobs for their Dad!!)

Mike, the guy I met yesterday, has put our photo as his profile pic on FaceBook!!
:) :)