Author Archive

Five years later

Yes, it’s already five years just about to the day since I set off in May 2010 on my tour of 92 league grounds. It all began at Crystal Palace in a most unfortunate way. It was the day they went into liquidation and there was nobody to welcome me! It finished almost four months later in much happier circumstances at West Ham United where I was given great treatment and even allowed to cycle around the pitch. Some 120 days where I experienced some of the highs of my life and some of the worst moments.

Now five years later I am going to look back on the tour with a week by week overview. I hope that you will follow me just as you did in 2010. Why? Simple. Firstly because I value your friendship and more importantly because the cause of the refugees is still close to my heart and 45 million (and growing) people need your help. THANKS.

So, today’s the day. Back in the saddle in earnest for a three day tour of Lanzarote. My trip is confirmed – a tour of “The Rock”. 25/27 April Starting & finishing at Sun Park, Playa Blanca.

I’m off to Macher, Tías, Playa del Carmen, Playa Honda, San Bartolomé, Arrecife, Costa Teguise, Uga and Yaiza (among other stops!). Shout if you are on the route and want me to say “hi”! Thanks to Mike and Julie at www.lanzaroteinformation.com for their terrific support. Appreciated, amigos.

HUGE HUGE respect and THANKS to Papagayobike who rescued me at the last stroke! They have supplied the perfect bike at minutes’ notice!

You will be hearing a LOT more about www.papagayobike.com in the days to come, I assure you.
!!Nacho, eres la leche!!

Papagayobike

At Papagayo Bike we provide you the best service for bike rental on the island of Lanzarote 365 days a year. Anything you need, we will be there for you. Our experience, bikes and human team make our force, joining quality, assessment, amusement, security and a wide range of bicycles ensure that we can completely fulfil your requirements and wishes. We are dedicated to cycling and we have been operating in Lanzarote since 1998.

We have two centres on the island, one in Playa Blanca and another in Costa Teguise. We invite you to visit this unique island and explore the exceptional sunshine cycle it offers.

Excursions and tours

Our team knows the island like the back of our hand. Let us surprise you and we will show you the very best that Lanzarote has to offer.

Come and meet our experienced staff who will detail the numerous routes for mountain-biking and road-biking. Follow the the famous Iron Man route on one of our high end race bikes or get an off-road experience in the volcanic areas. Lanzarote is well signposted to improve your experience.

Costa Teguise located in the Northeast of the island, is the perfect place to start any road excursion or mountain excursion. You will find major climbs in the Tabayesco where you can do good training and enjoy marvelous sights when approaching the “Mirador del rio”. For the family you will find a beautiful seafront connecting Arrecife, Playa Honda, Puerto de Carmen and Puerto Calero. Papagayo Bike will attend all your cycling requirements whether at our base in Playa Blanca or in Costa Teguise.

From the base of Playa Blanca, situated in the southern tip of the island, the landscape is just extraordinary. You have the nearest access to The National park of Timanfaya, El Golfo, Los Hervideros, Los Ajaches, La Geria and much more. You will be able to make unforgettable trips on mountain bike or road bike …..or simply join us on one of our excursions.

See our website for full details.

I am delighted to confirm that we will be holding a Selfie Day at four bars in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote on Saturday 19th April between 12 noon and 6pm. Come down to Wax, DJ’s, Mollies or a Plaice in the Sun and have your picture taken and raise money for a great charity.

I am asking the customers at DJs, Wax, Mollies and a Plaice in the Sun to wear their team’s shirt and take a selfie. If you haven’t got a camera or a shirt, don’t worry we can help! The photo together with your name and website url/greeting will be displayed on www.theshirt2010.co.uk Please wear your colours with pride!

As a one-off we are supporting the Sir Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research.

I am asking everybody to donate 1 euro. My target is to raise 2000 euros for the charity so I need 2000 photos. After this weekend I will be asking all my friends and family to support me. THANKS in advance

Come down to Wax, DJ’s, Mollies or a Plaice in the Sun and have your picture taken. It’s going to be a fun day with prizes and surprises.

The Bobby Moore Fund is part of Cancer Research UK and raises money to fund life-saving research into bowel cancer, the disease that World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore died from aged just 51 years old.

Funded entirely by the public, your donation will help the Bobby Moore Fund change the odds so that even more people survive bowel cancer in the future.

If you’re a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box when donating as this will increase your donation by at least 25% at no cost to you.

One day we’ll make Bobby proud and beat bowel cancer. Please help us make it sooner by clicking here.

All of us involved with the Shirt are delighted to see that on this Friday, April 11th the Sir Booby Moore Fund has organised a Football Shirt Friday where people are urged to wear their team’s shirt and make a donation. This actually is very similar to something I was about to announce but in respect to the great man, I will promote his first.

Visit here for full details.

Elvis

Well, it’s not every day that a Legend of Rock supports The Shirt.

Today, the man himself proved that he is alive and well and living on a small island off the coast of Tennessee called Lanzarote. He dropped in to entertain the Sunrockers and whilst he was here he sportingly posed with the shirt. He kept everybody entertained for more than two hours and I can sing back to him, “You are always on my mind” as you will be while I do the hard yards around Norway. Great to have met, young sir.

Get on your bike and join TEAM GFC for the ultimate Charity ride this summer

Read more here 

My friends in Sun Park Living in Lanzarote made sure that I moved into spring with a new hairstyle. I think the last time I did not have hair was 1956! Still, it was for a good cause!

Laura has been busy!

Cycling in Lanzarote

Steve’s trip is confirmed – Cycling in Lanzarote – a tour of Lanzarote.

Three days – 11/13 April

Starting & finishing at Sun Park, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.

Steve is looking for private sponsor’s to support him on his epic journey around Lanzarote. Every €uro raised will be donated directly to The Kennel Klub. We will be preparing sponsor forms to leave in the usual places, The Bookswap PDC, The Cutting Room Tias, The Carvery PDC, Geppetto’s Tias, La Cabaña Macher, The British Cafe Costa Teguise and the car boot sale every Sunday at Lanzarote. Alternatively you can donate via PayPal to thekennelklub@outlook.com. Every € helps – if 500 people donate just 1€ that will raise 500€. If 50 businesses (below) donate 10 euros that means we raise 1000€ in one weekend.

To give you an idea of what we can do with that money:
5€ pays for one dog to be safe in private kennels for 1 day
10€ pays for a dog to be vaccinated against life threatening diseases.
15€ pays for a dog to be microchipped, reducing the chance of it ever being abandoned/lost again
50€ pays for a male dog to be castrated reducing the amount of unwanted litters.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

If you have a business in Lanzarote and would like Steve to make a stop at your shop, bar, office etc. please let us know. This is a fantastic opportunity to advertise and promote your business at the same time as helping us to raise funds. For just 10€, Steve will stop at your business and be photographed on the premises. The photos will be publicised all over the internet on social media sites such as FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn Google etc, as well as on various prominent websites such as www.thisisspain.info and www.hotcosta.com . Steve is also offering a full page advert for your business on his own website www.thisisspain.info – all included in the one off payment of just 10€ (yes!)The usual price of this is 150€!!!

Special thanks are due to Julie and Mike at www.lanzaroteinformation.com without them the trip would not have been possible!

If you would like any more information on how to donate or would like Steve to stop off at your business please contact us at thekennelklub@outlook.com

Full details of the event here

“Every day is special but some days are more special than others”

The Norwegian Seamen’s Church on the Spanish mainland (Torrevieja, Albir and Marbella) were great supporters of Bjorn.

Today my Norwegian trip was blessed at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote by the priest, Knut Kaldestad. He lit a candle for the trip in a simple, impromptu and totally unexpected act. I was very grateful and moved. He knows that I cannot claim to be am a regular worshiper but I must say that this act meant a lot to me. Thanks, Knut. I shall be thinking of you and yours as I cycle through your country.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you are ever in Lanzarote, I know that you will always be made most welcome there. Thanks again, Knut.

Contact details

Kontakt
Slik kommer du i kontakt med Sjømannskirken på Lanzarote.
Adresse: Calle Anzuelo 50, Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Åpningstider: Tirsdag – Fredag 12.00-16.00 (okt. til påske)
Telefon: 0034 928 515 561 Vakttelefon: 0034 616 407 693

IP tlf: 53 50 99 63

Web http://sjomannskirken.no/lanzarote

Gaver kan gis over kontonr i Spansk bank: 2038 7218 56 00032 9388
Norsk bank: 3000 19 43371

It is time to get serious about my training and I have now committed to joining 5×50.org

50 Days To Make The World a Fitter Place

5×50.org, a UK charity, urges people to get fit for the sake of mental and physical health.

The Challenge aims to get people of all ages in as many countries as possible to pledge themselves to 30 minutes of exercise every day for 50 consecutive days. If physical activity was a drug, it would be classed as a wonder drug, which is why I encourage everyone to take it up. It’s not just good for your physical health but also your mental health.

A worldwide drive to encourage people to commit to a prescription for better physical and mental health is being launched this spring.

The 5X50 Challenge, which is a Scottish charity, is kicking off its 50 Days To Fit campaign, which aims to get people of all ages in as many countries as possible to pledge themselves to 30 minutes of exercise every day for 50 consecutive days.
The 5×50 Challenge not only endeavours to change exercise habits for a lifetime but it has also set a target of raising £500,000 for charity.

This is the third year that the Challenge has set out to attract the attention of people – from school pupils to workers to stay-at-home mums and dads– to sign up and enjoy the lasting legacy of a commitment to improving fitness and well-being.
This year’s 50 Days To Fit starts on Sunday March 30 and runs until May 18.

Also, the 5×50 Challenge has been awarded Commonwealth Games Legacy status in recognition of its positive impact on the health, happiness and well-being of the people of Scotland and in recognition of its efforts in tackling the perception of the country as a nation of obesity and low-fitness.

The Challenge is already backed by the Chief Medical Officers for Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales and has the support of organisations and famous names who are committed to healthier lifestyles for everyone. They include former 10,000-metre world champion and Olympic athlete Liz McColgan, renowned athlete and doctor Andrew Murray, Scottish Minister for Sport and the Commonwealth Games Shona Robison and TV presenter Jenni Falconer. For individuals, regular physical activity helps to prevent and manage more than 20 chronic illnesses, including heart disease, obesity, strokes and mental health conditions. For companies, inactivity among employees can lead to an increase in costs in terms of sickness absence and inefficiency.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, who is a supporter, says: “I believe that if physical activity was a drug it would be classed as a wonder drug, which is why I would encourage everyone to get up and be active. The work that 5X50 do is extremely important and I am proud to say I support them. “Being active and doing the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week for adults is not just good for your physical health but also your mental health.”

5×50 started out in 2012 as a challenge to people from all walks of life to get fitter and healthier, physically and mentally, by taking part in a 5 kilometre run, jog or walk every day for 50 consecutive days, hence the name.
Since then, it has developed and broadened its appeal, and now 5×50 participants can sign up by committing themselves to 30 minutes of exercise every day for 50 days, which means those involved in a host of other activities (such as swimmers, canoeists and climbers) can take part. Even if participants wish to brave bitter cold and take up ice swimming – as one primary school teacher in Moscow did – they can.

For most people, the easiest and most acceptable forms of physical activity are those incorporated into everyday life. Walking and cycling are perhaps the most obvious. Research demonstrates that habits are formed after 21 days, so with the challenge running over 50 days, this will make it much easier for participants to continue beyond the end of the challenge into a new way of life.

Since 2012, more than 9000 people from 43 countries have participated in three annual challenges and have raised more than £160,000 for a plethora of good causes. One notable beneficiary is Sport Relief, which gives shelter to young people living on the streets and protection to those living with domestic abuse. Across the world, money helps children into education and provides communities with fresh water and life-saving vaccines.

The health benefits of being active have been known since the 1950s, when a study compared bus drivers with more physically active bus conductors and office-based telephonists with postmen and demonstrated lower rates of heart disease and smaller uniform sizes in the more active occupations. The 1950s is where it started, and the 5×50 charity challenge is how we hope to continue changing the results of inactivity.

Those who have benefitted include:
Eleven-year-old Ross De’Thick, of Elgin, Moray, who, from birth, suffered from various allergies, eczema and asthma and was prone to constant stomach cramps and aching bones. He could not cycle a bike up until the 5×50 challenge last year
Sarah Mather, of Edinburgh, who credits the 2013 challenge with changing her life. Facing redundancy and more than five stones overweight, she is now a svelte size 14 and has forged a new career as a personal trainer and life coach.
5X50 co-founder Raymond Wallace says: “The Challenge started off as a personal challenge in 2012 – but the impact the challenge has had in such a short period is amazing.
“We love the feedback we receive about the changes it has made to so many lives. Although this will be our third Challenge, we fully believe we are just at the start of our journey and can see 5×50 continuing to grow globally and become the success it deserves to be.”

For more information, go to:
http://www.5×50.org

Footnote: Steve Hall, the owner of ThisIsSpain is completing this challenge as an integral part of his preparations for TheShirt2010