I do feel like I have neglected the blog for a while. We have been extremely busy here at the centre. A lot of time has been spent on coming up with new ideas for next year, planning the fundraising schedule for 2011. We have also put in a bid to become Radio Cornwall's charity of the year, we would like the appeal to allow us to build the Hydrotherapy Pool at the centre, providing hydrotherapy treatments for all of Cornwall. Fingers crossed we get the appeal.
Our Christmas Fair was held on Friday the 5th December, dispute the freezing cold weather and icy roads our dedicated centre supporters made it up to us, starting the festive celebrations early by indulging on mince pies and hot drinks and cakes.
On Friday the 10th the staff at the Merlin Project were able to give their thanks to the wonderful band of volunteers who dedicate so much of their time and effort to helping the charity run. I think everyone had a lovely time, with plenty of food and drink to go around and lots of laughter. I hope they all realise just how appreciated they all are!
With Christmas just around the corner, creeping up fast I will take this chance to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Watch this space for a bigger and even better 2011.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Monday, 8 November 2010
The India Bike
Wow....the Indian Bike Challenge is complete! The time has gone so quickly. but the participants are due back today. We can't wait to hear their news...
Frank Oak has said it has been difficult to get internet connection so his updates have been few and far between, but we are sure we will get all the lowdown when they are back to normality.
Frank did send us this so we know they are all okay....
This is only going to be a short message, I have not been able to update on route due to the remoteness of the places we have stayed and constrictions placed on us by the length of our days motorbiking. Also I am using the hotels business computer to be able to send this message. We all survived the trip in extraordinarily good shape with one or two hairy moments for several of us, but all in all we definitely bite the bullet and won! There will be a lot more to come. I arrive home on Monday afternoon and then all will be revealed.
Frank Oak has said it has been difficult to get internet connection so his updates have been few and far between, but we are sure we will get all the lowdown when they are back to normality.
Frank did send us this so we know they are all okay....
This is only going to be a short message, I have not been able to update on route due to the remoteness of the places we have stayed and constrictions placed on us by the length of our days motorbiking. Also I am using the hotels business computer to be able to send this message. We all survived the trip in extraordinarily good shape with one or two hairy moments for several of us, but all in all we definitely bite the bullet and won! There will be a lot more to come. I arrive home on Monday afternoon and then all will be revealed.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Indian Bike Challenge- Frank Oak
Today we have ridden 230km or more over roads varying from z grade farm track to clean smooth tarmac. Also it was filled with every type of vehicle, many travelling on the wrong side to the road, even on dual carriage ways . Travelling in the slow lane you can be confronted by tuk-tuk, a bike or even a tractor going the wrong way!
Collectively we had several close calls but no real dramas. The final part of the journey took us through a river bed because the bridge was washed away 5 years ago and they are still building the new one, (probably only working when there are 5 thursdays in a month and then only on thursdays!) That is india!
Tonight we are in a beautiful hotel near the home of the Dali Lama, high up on a mountain reached by a winding steep loose stone road. Everytime you put power to the back wheels stones shoot out and the wheel does a little wiggle, absolutely fantastic. We have been winding down since about 4.30 pm, a fantastic meal yet again, every meal has been fantastic. Tonight a lady asked what my personal "Merlin Bites The Bullet" was far. I ended up giving short introduction to the Merlin Project and my involvement. I ended up giving out abaout 15 just giving cards and came away with 50 pounds in donations, very emotional for me.
Some relaxation now and a well earned rest, once I get my head back on the ground!
Collectively we had several close calls but no real dramas. The final part of the journey took us through a river bed because the bridge was washed away 5 years ago and they are still building the new one, (probably only working when there are 5 thursdays in a month and then only on thursdays!) That is india!
Tonight we are in a beautiful hotel near the home of the Dali Lama, high up on a mountain reached by a winding steep loose stone road. Everytime you put power to the back wheels stones shoot out and the wheel does a little wiggle, absolutely fantastic. We have been winding down since about 4.30 pm, a fantastic meal yet again, every meal has been fantastic. Tonight a lady asked what my personal "Merlin Bites The Bullet" was far. I ended up giving short introduction to the Merlin Project and my involvement. I ended up giving out abaout 15 just giving cards and came away with 50 pounds in donations, very emotional for me.
Some relaxation now and a well earned rest, once I get my head back on the ground!
Monday, 1 November 2010
India Motorbike Challenge- Frank Oak
OH MY GOD!!! Just where do I start? India is bigger, noisier, dustier and busier than I had ever imagined.
After our flight from Heathrow which was shorter than I thought we were collected by our Indian guide and a minibus. I was not allowed to carry my pack anymore. It was either share carried or a porter was employed leaving me to photograph. The "express" took 6.30 hours to do 280 miles which was not bad, Wide coaches 5 seats wide with a good passageway and they kept feeding us! Called "Meals on Wheels" It started with afternoon tea, sandwich (carrot) and cakes, then later a three course dinner of vegetable curries and more sweet cake.
Today in Amritsa we all went to the Golden Temple, the most revered Sikk temple. It was absolutely mind blowing. Bare feet, thousands of people all wanting to have their children photographed with westerners when the parents had cameras, or just photoed by westerners. Strangers kept pushing their children into the poses as and when possible.The temple feeds everyone and I mean everyone that wants feeding and it is free, done by volunteers. The food preparation was a massive production line with 8 foot vats thousands of stainless trays, constantly on the move. Given, filled, eaten, returned and washed and piled again ready for re-use. The noise is like a metal workshop, never stopping. I was invited to go right through the massive kitchen, photographing what I wanted..
After leaving the temple, very reluctantly on my part, I could happily stay there for much much longer, we tried out the enfields. Like a duck to water. 10 minutes and we were veterans, but the "modern" bikers had a little more problems adapting than old grandad. Been there done that and now doing it again. Cren was a little apprehensive but after training in a open yard area helped ride the bikes back to the hotel through the traffic with great aplomb.
After lunch, again purely local Indian food, very varied and tasty, we are of to the India Pakistan border for the ceremomials which are fiercely competitive.
After our flight from Heathrow which was shorter than I thought we were collected by our Indian guide and a minibus. I was not allowed to carry my pack anymore. It was either share carried or a porter was employed leaving me to photograph. The "express" took 6.30 hours to do 280 miles which was not bad, Wide coaches 5 seats wide with a good passageway and they kept feeding us! Called "Meals on Wheels" It started with afternoon tea, sandwich (carrot) and cakes, then later a three course dinner of vegetable curries and more sweet cake.
Today in Amritsa we all went to the Golden Temple, the most revered Sikk temple. It was absolutely mind blowing. Bare feet, thousands of people all wanting to have their children photographed with westerners when the parents had cameras, or just photoed by westerners. Strangers kept pushing their children into the poses as and when possible.The temple feeds everyone and I mean everyone that wants feeding and it is free, done by volunteers. The food preparation was a massive production line with 8 foot vats thousands of stainless trays, constantly on the move. Given, filled, eaten, returned and washed and piled again ready for re-use. The noise is like a metal workshop, never stopping. I was invited to go right through the massive kitchen, photographing what I wanted..
After leaving the temple, very reluctantly on my part, I could happily stay there for much much longer, we tried out the enfields. Like a duck to water. 10 minutes and we were veterans, but the "modern" bikers had a little more problems adapting than old grandad. Been there done that and now doing it again. Cren was a little apprehensive but after training in a open yard area helped ride the bikes back to the hotel through the traffic with great aplomb.
After lunch, again purely local Indian food, very varied and tasty, we are of to the India Pakistan border for the ceremomials which are fiercely competitive.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Quiz Night
We had been gearing up for the centre quiz night for ages, debating who was maybe more clever than they looked, making suggestions as to who would win.
I think most people found the questions extremely difficult, well thats what they said anyway!
No questions on music, but a rather difficult ' Cornish' round even for a native Cornish lass such as myself.
The night managed to raise over £500.00 for the centre which was fantastic news and is set to become an annual event here at the centre along with the possibility of a Bingo Night!
I think most people found the questions extremely difficult, well thats what they said anyway!
No questions on music, but a rather difficult ' Cornish' round even for a native Cornish lass such as myself.
The night managed to raise over £500.00 for the centre which was fantastic news and is set to become an annual event here at the centre along with the possibility of a Bingo Night!
Monday, 4 October 2010
Hoe-down show down makes money for us!
On Saturday 2nd October the St Austell and district branch of Soroptimists, held a barn dance with proceeds very kindly coming to the Merlin Project.
The lovely lady who organised it all Judith Skinner came into the centre today to drop in a donation for us. £329.00 was made on the night!
It sounds like everyone had a really wonderful evening with attendees who said they just wanted to spectate not partake finding it irresistible to not join in.
I am hoping that they hold the dance again next year...I quite fancy getting my cowgirl gladrags on and dancing the night away to a good ol fashioned hoe-down
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
The lovely lady who organised it all Judith Skinner came into the centre today to drop in a donation for us. £329.00 was made on the night!
It sounds like everyone had a really wonderful evening with attendees who said they just wanted to spectate not partake finding it irresistible to not join in.
I am hoping that they hold the dance again next year...I quite fancy getting my cowgirl gladrags on and dancing the night away to a good ol fashioned hoe-down
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Here and Now Magazine-charity of the month
The Merlin Project are being featured as Here and Now Magazine's Charity of the month in its latest issue.
A few weeks ago Tania, a reporter from Here and Now came to have a look around the centre and meet with Loraine Long, the centre manager.
Read the full story on page 26 of this months issue.....
A few weeks ago Tania, a reporter from Here and Now came to have a look around the centre and meet with Loraine Long, the centre manager.
Read the full story on page 26 of this months issue.....
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