Some of you might have already seen this, but it is great. If you get a chance you should have a look at his web site, there are 3 videos on the “About Matt” link on the top (about 75mins worth of watching) . He is giving a presentation about his travels – really interesting guy – I could see Mikie doing something like this – maybe playing his sax!!
Mum and Dad phoned on Friday to see if the kids fancied a sleep over at their house. We dropped them off after the skiing on Saturday and we will get them on Monday – it is a holiday weekend.
I got up this morning and went a run – the 10k is getting closer. I am not doing too badly with the running – I feel a lot fitter and healthier because of it.
Carolyn had stayed over again and we decided to go out a run in the car as it wasn’t a bad day. We headed down to Dunure in Ayrshire. We had a walk along the beach, I took some photos and we went into the Dunure Inn for an early dinner. Headed home and about to open a bottle of wine – great. Mo and Carolyn are looking the part!!! I like my fishing boat picture.
When I got back from work on Friday, Mo and Carolyn were sitting out the back with a glass of wine. It was a lovely night, and nice and warm in the sun. I had made up my mind to go for a run before dinner and Patrick came with me. We went to the Coop and back – he did great, didn’t have to stop once and still had the energy to put on a sprint to beat me both ways.
Anyway, the adults sat out the back and drank some wine, and the kids played lego on the grass – if we could only guarantee weather like this for a few months of the year it would be great. We had cold and wet on Sturday!!
Only 5 weeks till Denia!!
I have been doing 3 runs a week over the last 2-3 weeks. The most I had done was 5k, but the last one I did I felt quite good when I had finished, rather than collapsing in a heap.
We were all over at Hamilton yesterday and I took my running stuff – I was planning to run from the golf course, round the loch and back, which I reckoned was 8k. Michael and Dad came along. It was a walk in the park for Mikie – he ran on ahead, got to the end of the loch, ran back to us, then ran on to wait for us at the car.
I was pleased with my effort, managed to get all the way without stopping – and managed it in 44 minutes. If I manage to keep that pace up on the day of the 10k I would finish under the hour mark – 57 mins. I need to break the hour!! This is the route for the 10k
I have currently raised £425 for the The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice– thanks to everyone who has donated.
I have added another blog that I follow to the side - Mark Beaumont - Cycling the Americas. He cycled round the world last year and broke the world record while doing so. His adventure was made into a 4 part BBC documentary, and I thought it was great. He is about to start another adventure and you can find out about it and follow his progress for his web site.
Mikie was snapping away at Patrick’s First Communion on Sunday. I love the one of Ella at the end and also the 2 of Patrick on the left with the guys sitting out of focus in the background (you should have moved the slide but!!)
6 weeks tomorrow till Denia!!
It was Patrick’s First Communion on Sunday, and we had an excellent day. We were up sharp to get ready – mass was at 11 o’clock and everyone had to have showers and get the glad rags on! Patrick was wearing the kilt and he looked great. We had got him a pocket watch and got it engraved on the back as a memento of the day – he was really chuffed. Jean and Eddie had got him a lovely kilt pin, which he loved too.
We were at the church in plenty time and everything went according to plan.
We had booked the local restaurant for lunch so after the photographs, everyone headed down. Lunch was great – a carvery. After lunch everyone headed back to the house.
We have had a terrible week of weather - cold and wet. We had hail stones on Friday, and on Saturday it didn’t stop raining all day. However, Sunday was lovely, we sat out the back the whole afternoon until everyone left at about 8 o’clock.
It was such a great day – the kids had a ball, and the adults were all just sitting around chatting and having a few glasses of wine.
Here are the pictures …
It was the annual competition for the camera club last night. You hand in 3 Colour, 3 Black & White and 3 Digital images from the year and an external judge comes along and gives his opinion. I didn’t get placed in the top 3 but got a commendation for my “John O’Groats Harbour” – which has probably been my favourite of the year. Not as well as I was hoping, but you can’t win them all!
I joined a gym last month to try and get a bit fitter and needed some kind of goal. I have signed up for a 10k on the 21st of June and there is no point putting myself through the agony of the training for nothing, so I have decided to try and raise a few bob for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, where my Granny spent her last few weeks.
Unfortunately Mo, myself and the kids were all in Canada when she got taken in and she died on the day we flew back, so we didn't get to see her in the hospice. However, everyone said that the place was lovely and had a great atmosphere, despite the fact that most patients were in the last few months of their lives.
The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice is a registered charity and all care is free, regardless of patients' circumstances. The actual cost of Hospice care is about £3.8 million each year - and two out of every three pounds comes from voluntary contributions and fundraising activities. That means they must raise around £6,000 every working day, just to keep the doors open!
You can sponsor me from the Justgiving site below. Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me:- The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. It also saves me having to ask you all individually!
http://www.justgiving.com/martinbrawley
Thanks in advance.
Martin
Mikie sent me pictures he has taken with my old camera – he seems to be loving it – I am glad it is getting used. We are going to do everyone's nut in on holiday!! Ella got bike stuff for her birthday – helmet, basket, stand etc. When everyone was over for her birthday, Dad brought his tools and put everything on.
He sent me pictures from the weekend up the backroads too
And some from the gig he was playing at on Saturday night.
