May 2014 – Head over Heels 2014

Introducing Cleopatra (in her words)

May 20, 2014May 21, 2014Aysha2 Comments

It’s a bit late for an introduction. I’ve been part of the team for over a month. …

Anyway, I am 21 years old, which officially makes me the youngest member of the team, although the way my mini person drives me, you’d think I was 80. Maybe she’s 80, I don’t know. Too old to tell the truth about her age, that’s for sure.

How did I get involved? Against my will. I was happily living a gentle life in Norfolk, trips to the seaside, taking the dog for a walk, when this mini person came along and drove me to Manchester. I feel ridiculous, I am not a city girl, I don’t have the figure for it.

I was swiftly taken to the GP for a once over. Whatever. It did make me laugh though, when my mini person had to change my tyre:

Well done mini person … I carry that around all day everyday — Well done mini person! … I carry that around all day everyday

The Cotswold way [Editor’s note: Emma’s practice run of 107 miles] was a blast. I love blatting round the country roads. It got a lot more fun after the specialist doctor, Julian, said I was indestructible. He had a proper poke and prod and called me, “Sluggish!” I’d like to see him carry four people up a hill. But, apparently, I’m to have some surgery and given new toys. Sounds good to me. I would like to be a bit speedier.

Tell you what though, that mini person has no sense of direction. I shall have to have my compass fixed or we’ll end up in Kenya. She’d get lost walking round a corner. And she doesn’t half fuss. So I dribbled a bit of green and puffed smoke on the hills. Get over it. I’m fine!

The team, are alright. I didn’t appreciate Emma saying I was “too fat”. Skinny thing. She needs more fuel, than is in her right now, to power her across Africa. Too fat! After I’ve been nice and kept the wind off her.

That Mike, had a proper skive too, I carried him and his bike up the hill. Who’s the fatty now, eh?

They’re all fussing about wrong turns, border crossings, baddies, lions, snakes and heat. The only thing I’m really worrying about is being poked in the side by an angry elephant or if they’re dopey enough to put the wrong fuel in me. As for the rocky roads, mud and sand. I say: “Bring it on!”

*****

Editor’s note:

A huge thank you to Julian at Overland Cruisers for checking over Cleopatra, free of charge, and telling us everything we need to do to get her in shape.

A massive thank you to Tony for letting us buy her off you. She’s perfect.

And Mini-Max … I would not be able to do this without you.

What made you choose Robert?

May 16, 2014May 19, 2014Aysha2 Comments

I would like to introduce you to Jackson because I’m sure if you met him, you’d get on well. He’s one of those people. Also, he and his wife, Marie, founded The SEED Project. One of the charities we are raising funds for. Today, I recorded him talking about SEED’s Project Manager, Robert Kazunga. This means, within 1 minute, you get to meet Jackson (as much as is possible), and hear about Robert and SEED.

Robert is outstanding in his role and passionate about his country and his job. When Jackson first met Robert, he was a gardener in Harare, Zimbabwe, now, he is SEED’s Project Manager. Robert’s solution to the cholera outbreak was recognised by a UN organisation as an example of best practice: educating over 70,000 people with only 2 staff. In this clip, I asked Jackson, “what made you choose Robert?” Robert’s story is SEED’s story.

Mow Cop Killer Mile

May 13, 2014May 15, 2014freedomrunning4 Comments

On Thursday 8th May 2014, we returned to the torturous hill they call ‘Mow Cop’. Both entered into the first adult category of the race. The competition between us was on. Standing on the start line we both had butterflies in our stomachs. Amongst the crowd we huddled close together and shuffled around, trying to keep our muscles warm. As our nerves grew, it felt like we were waiting for hours. Then down the hill came the lead car.

Silence…

BANG!

Off the starting blocks we all ran. Jostling for position. Weaving in and out of each other. At the beginning, Emma was ahead of Mike. This lasted for about quarter of a mile, until Mike became like a man possessed, and shot through to the front of the pack. With a smile on his face, looking like he was taking a stroll in the park, he picked off the front-runners one at a time.

By the top of the steepest section Mike was gliding along in first position, he rounded the final corner on the approach to the finish and stepped over the finish line 30 seconds ahead of the second place runner. Meanwhile, Emma was grunting and trying not to focus on the pain too much as she dragged herself up the hill, finally finishing in 6th position, and first female.