Taking the Plunge

Hello blog. Long time now speaky! What can I say?

Life has been, well, progressive I guess. After the last year and all of the mental challenges it finally feels as if I’m coming out the other side and into the Sun (Although, this is a metaphorical sun as it seems that the real thing has disappeared for good in Kent). Working hard with the new job. Playing hard in the meantime. Put on a little weight, however mostly muscle. Lots of gym work, lots of cycling. I’m happy and at peace. All is well!

The bike ride I’d signed up for didn’t happen, due to a gammy ligament in my right knee. Training went out of the window which is highly frustrating. However, I’m booked in to the London Bikeathon in September, spending a lot of time in the gym trying to strengthen that knee up. The new bike is actually being used. (Huzzah!)  Although the racing saddle is proving to be the challenge of what I need to get used to. Gel shorts have been purchased! However, nice baggy boardie looking ones, rather than the lycra. After seeing my friend get off his bike last year after the London to Brighton; in lycra and looking like he was wearing a full nappy, I decided they were probably not for me. The even better part of joining up to this charity event is that I’ve bullied my brother and the boyfriend into taking part too. Both aren’t exactly exercise nuts like me, so I’m quite chuffed they’ve accepted the challenge. Go team Edwards! Also may have planned a little sky dive trip in July. Not talking about that one though, it scares me just thinking about it. Going to just forget about it until D-Day arrives.

On the same subject of exercise and hobbies, one thing I have done recently is finally set about having my own dive kit. I’ve been deliberating the pro’s and con’s of having my own scuba gear for quite sometime, and finally decided to take the plunge. The London Dive Show at Excel back in March finally swayed me when I picked up a good deal on some regulators. Ebay has been my fwiend ever since J Not to mention I got an absolute awesome BCD (Bouyancy Control Device) through family at a bargain. I’m near enough fully kitted out now. I have to thank my good twitter buddy @Fivemetrestop for all his advice, and the help I got off his website blog, of which you can find at www.fivemetrestop.com  All I’m missing are the gauges and the mask, both of which I shall be purchasing in Dahab, which happens to be next week. I also need to learn how to use the i3 tech. I’ve always been the typical “normal” BCD user, this new fangled technology has thrown me a little, read the instruction manual and just hoping that I can make sense of it when it comes to the crunch!

So my current set up is:

Wetsuit: 5mm Semi Dry Waterproof Lynx/ Mares boots.

Regs: 1t Stage Aqualung  Calypso/ 2^nd Stage Octo

BCD: Ladies Aqualung Pearl i3

Dive Comp: Suunto D4

Fins: Mares Avanti 3’s.

The aim is to use my 3mm shorty wetsuit over my 5mm and actually attempt to dive off Kent this Summer. However, at the moment the weather is dictating no, in the “computer says noooo” fashion. Come on weather, buck up!

Anyway. That’s me for now. Excited about my holiday next week, however I’m not really going solo anymore. I’m off for 11 nights and the boyfriend is joining me for 7 of them. Bloody gatecrasher! On the brighter side, he’s a diver too and has been bitten by the bug. It’s such an addictive hobby, it’s just such a pity it’s not cheap!

Signing off for now.

2013? Bring it on!

Where to start? I normally don't bother with resolutions; they get bent and broken so easily.Instead I'm going for hopes and aspirations, after last year being a bit of a big cock up, it'll be interesting to see how these pan out. A new, fresh start:

1. I'm going to support my Mum and watch her kick the big "C"'s arse. We're half way there but she has still got a long time to go. I know I cannot cure it, but a positive attitude and help when I can is a must. As with most people, we're close to our parents. Mum and I created a strong bond over the time I was ill. Fighting all the way, and I'll be there with her.

2. Learn new things and have different experiences. (Without being alcoholically challenged!) Perhaps finally learn an instrument, or go back to playing the piano and develop my skills. Go back to learning another language. It's been too long since I've done something practical, I enjoy learning and I should utilise this further. I now have the time, rather than watching films, or sitting in the pub I will make sure that I will be proactive with expanding my horizons. (Admittedly signing up to a 200 mile bike ride was a little bit of a crazy moment, but that will be.... Interesting, a challenge??)

3. Keep my head down and work hard. I have a new job starting soon, it's a chance for a whole new career and life. So many options from it.. Thou shalt not cock it up. I want my own place and to prove things can be accomplished on my own.

4. Support Herne Bay in any way, shape or form that I can do and not just on a Council level. So many events to plan that are all just going to get bigger and better as the year goes on. I'm looking forward to my 2nd year in the BayPromoTeam. They've become a second family, They are all crazy in their own ways but what we've managed to accomplish is totally amazing, long may that continue (and Gerald's amazing costumes!)

5. Dive the US Thistlegorm. I've been to Egypt god knows how many times, I miss out. This isn't a hope, this is happening.  My idol Jacques Cousteau discovered it, I need to do this wreck. I'm back to Egypt on my own this time. I'm quite excited about this. The Thistlegorm is a war grave, a very sad wreck from 1941, but it's probably one of the most interesting wrecks ever. Full cargo.

6. Last and final one, to learn to be happy for myself and myself alone. This is going to be the hardest one, but against 6 months ago, there's no comparison as to what I feel about my life. I just must look to the next 6 months and see what I can accomplish. As Mr Shakespeare once said, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players". Time for me to take a main role.

To the family, friends and crazies who seem to like hanging about with me, thank you for everything. XX

Life, 2013, bring it on. I'm ready and waiting! Just let me get out of bed and over this damn hangover first...

A Little Bike ride

Soooo... I got my bike out today. It's been about 3 years. Two flat tyres.. Quite a bit of rust and lo and behold needing a little bit of TLC. (A little bit meaning quite a lot!)


I pop round to Daddy Edwards' magical mystery shed to see what he can do and within 10 minutes my tyres were blown, the chain oiled and, well, the rust is still there but I don't mind. I'm not perfect.. why should my bike be too? A little rust adds character. I swear it.


It also turned out I shouldn't bother to use my back brake.. Which was fineeeeee;  by the time I'd squeezed on the front brake the noise factor made sure that anyone within a 300 meter radius knew I was there. Handy when you don't have a bell! But highly embarrassing when everyone who sees you looks at you as if you're a public nuisance (or nutter!)


I leave my parents to pop home and grab my drinks bottle and a jumper et al. Climbed on, wiggled the handlebars and set off... only to brake at the end of the drive by the pavement and nearly end up on the floor. Making things that little bit worse; two youngish lads walk down on said pavement, sniggering away at my uselessness. Nice start Jen; weak legs and not a clue how to ride.... Whoever said that you never forget how to ride a bike needs a short sharp punch. It's lies. I looked a muppet.


So, after collecting my bits and bobs... off I went. I live the "Kings Hall end" of Herne Bay. Not even 2 minutes walk to the beach. I like it that way. Natural outstanding beauty on my doorstep. I don't think I could ever live away from the seaside now. It gets under your skin. That and of course, pubs are on the seafront. This aids my love just a little bit more really.


I headed towards Hillborough, a nice straight route for the "learner" cyclist. I'd only gone out to test my skills and to see how the bike faired. Next thing I know I was there and not wanting to turn back. Dog walkers and cyclists were out all round. I couldn't blame them. It's been such a glorious day. 

I thought it would be rude not to try out the new Oyster Bay Trail to Reculver. I trudged up the hill at Hillborough (walking.. I'm not that fit!) and had great fun on the new track around Bishopstone Glen. I kind of wanted to stop and do it all again as it reminded me of being a kid with those kind of "go faster" hills. Before you say it.. My brakes made sure everyone knew I was coming round the bends!


Next thing you know I'm over hill and down dale in front of the beautiful towers. The sea was like a mill pond. If it wasn't the fact it was only March I'd be out waterskiing. But hey ho.. That's one for later in the year.


By now the adrenaline was running high. I'd joked earlier that I'd stop at Minnis Bay for a pint. Little did I actually realise I'd manage it. Yes.. I cycled straight past the towers, resisted the urge for a swift one at the Ethelbert and straight on track to the Minnis. (Everyone's got to have a target.. By then it was a pit stop with a pint!)


I got to the Minnis in 50 minutes flat. I was so chuffed at myself; until I came to a halt and realised I couldn't quite make it off the bike. My legs had turned to jelly. I also had a slight ache in the gluteus maximus region that wasn't there before. (I think I managed to put that very politely!)


I laid out on a picnic table bench with some amazing music in my ears (Seth Lakeman, Frank Turner and U2, if anyone's interested) and disappeared into a nice daze for half an hour whilst slowly supping on a nommy pint of Gadd's whatnot. By then I was slightly tempted to call the parents to see if they'd pick me up.. Jelly legs had really hit in. Also by then, my pint had begun to take effect. Lazy days by the sea; you can't really go wrong.


I started to people watch; only to find a chap walking up on what could only be described as one gigantic horse onto the beach. By the time he'd got him onto the sand and let him play in the water I think I'd fallen in love. (To be fair, I couldn't see what this chap looked like.. by my god he could ride. That was enough. I think I got up from my bench and stood royally perving for a good five minutes before I realise what I'd actually been doing.) He then decided to go for a royal gallop up the beach. By then my enthusiasm for heading back had been spiked by wanting to watch this man on such an elegant horse. So I got on my bike and followed him up on the grass. Of course I couldn't catch up but I did manage to take a couple of shots of such a magnificent sight, I'll only put one up as so not to bore you all:

I didn't want to leave. It was pretty mesmerising. I spent the next part of my journey wishing I had a horse rather than a bike. Although I probably would ache far, far more.


By then, my energy levels had peaked so I headed back towards the towers. Not that I could see them. A haze had dropped over the seafront and gave this eerie glow with the sun trying to break through. I pottered back across and took another photo. Get me with my camera phoneyness! I was quite chuffed with this as I think it does the haze that I'd described some justice.


Anywho, I managed to make it all the way home. I was very proud. I had to stop on the lovely green patch after the towers. My poor legs really couldn't take the up hill battle. My glutes had begun to ache just that little bit more but I still managed to have the greatest of fun down the Hillborough track. Got a fast speed up and wooosh... Almost as fun as being at Thorpe Park! 


I'm home now. It took me just over two hours with my pint stop. I'm about to pour a bath with TONS of aromatherapy oils in as I have a great feeling I shall be needing the 'therapy part.  


I'm meant to don 4 inch heels for my friend's 21st birthday party tomorrow night. Good luck to that one me thinks!