I’ve just been (yet again) to see the Eden Project in Cornwall. For those that don’t know, this is a very professionally presented educational charity.
Their vision is:
“Overall we believe the world we live in is facing radical change – and our aim is to help find positive futures in the face of that change. To get in shape for the challenges of the future we need a culture that knows how to sustain the things that sustain us and at the same time nurtures creativity, imagination and adaptability.
We are an organisation that believes in "learning by doing" and we try to run our operations in ways that help address some big questions. Questions like: How do we ensure the economic benefits of our work go back into the local economy? How do we manage food supply and waste? Or how do we construct buildings in a way that reflect the needs of the 21st Century?”
They welcome a million visitors a year to their award-winning site in a disused china clay pit. Its a great place to visit at any time of the year. The joy of multiple visits over the years is that you see real change. This is NOT a static stuck-in-a-time-warp site.
I think what impressed me most this time was how happy the kids were. It was half term, and there were many families with children of all ages. Yet I never heard a child cry without a real reason - like falling down. It was a pleasure to visit an major public exhibit without hearing whine and screeches of boredom and attention seeking. My congratulations to the Eden Project for both what they have set out to do and for making the facilities so child-friendly.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Sam Davies coming home......
The Vendee Globe is coming to an end. Michel Desjoyeau has won in record breaking time, and in style. The remaining fleet have now all rounded Cape Horn. Months of sailing are coming to an end.
I have found it really entertaining, not in the least because I too have been racing around in the Virtual Race. I’m west of the Canaries at the moment. The Vendee Globe website www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ for the real race has been particularly well serviced, and the interviews and e-mail comments from the skippers have been well worth following.
I have so much enjoyed Sam Davies’ comments. She did a great commentary on ‘types of waves’ the other day www.vendeeglobe.org/en/newswire/8721/sam-on-waves.html - so true. For unadulterated commentary from Sam, have a look at Sam’s very pink website www.samdavies.com/gb_les_news.asp- (its a bilingual site, so if it comes up french, click on the Union Jack top right).
I have found it really entertaining, not in the least because I too have been racing around in the Virtual Race. I’m west of the Canaries at the moment. The Vendee Globe website www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ for the real race has been particularly well serviced, and the interviews and e-mail comments from the skippers have been well worth following.
I have so much enjoyed Sam Davies’ comments. She did a great commentary on ‘types of waves’ the other day www.vendeeglobe.org/en/newswire/8721/sam-on-waves.html - so true. For unadulterated commentary from Sam, have a look at Sam’s very pink website www.samdavies.com/gb_les_news.asp- (its a bilingual site, so if it comes up french, click on the Union Jack top right).
Monday, January 26, 2009
Watching the British Legal system at work
I live near a County Court House, and today, out of sheer curiousity, popped in to see the legal system working. The receptionists told me I was lucky - there were some big cases on today.
I saw the judgement and sentencing of a murderer and heard some of the evidence in a child rape case. On one level it was really interesting, on another - oh! the human pain of it all!
The judgement was very like sailing protest committees, in that procedures and rules had to be followed, so there was a familiarity about it. Yet the judge able to express his feelings against the murder within this, and this, along with the measured clarity of his speech and expression, gave me a sense that he really was speaking on behalf of decent society. Incidentally, the murderer got a life sentence, with a minimum of 16 years to be served before being eligible for consideration for parole. This, given the defendant is 65 years old, could well be a remainder of ‘life’ sentence in incarceration, which reflect the severity of the crime. His teenage partner was strangled and stabbed to death in what was accepted to be an little provoked but unpre-meditated act, and then after smoking a cigarette, he then killed their 4 year old little boy. UGH.
The other case ( an accusation of incest child rape between Father and children) was mid-process of being heard. They were going through the transcripts of police interviews. What was interesting was that the Policewoman ( Inspector?) was reading out what she said, while what seemed to be a barrister read out the defendant’s answers. They did it very well, and bought reems of paperwork alive. I never knew they did this and it was very effective in the process. The process felt transparent, and encouraged a fair trial.
This evening I’ve been reading in the paper an article about systematic gang rape as a deliberate act of war in the Congo. The contrast between our judicial system, alive and well, compared to the total lack of justice in the Congo for a such widespread violation of fellow human beings is awful to think about. “No man is an island...” said the poet John Donne.
I saw the judgement and sentencing of a murderer and heard some of the evidence in a child rape case. On one level it was really interesting, on another - oh! the human pain of it all!
The judgement was very like sailing protest committees, in that procedures and rules had to be followed, so there was a familiarity about it. Yet the judge able to express his feelings against the murder within this, and this, along with the measured clarity of his speech and expression, gave me a sense that he really was speaking on behalf of decent society. Incidentally, the murderer got a life sentence, with a minimum of 16 years to be served before being eligible for consideration for parole. This, given the defendant is 65 years old, could well be a remainder of ‘life’ sentence in incarceration, which reflect the severity of the crime. His teenage partner was strangled and stabbed to death in what was accepted to be an little provoked but unpre-meditated act, and then after smoking a cigarette, he then killed their 4 year old little boy. UGH.
The other case ( an accusation of incest child rape between Father and children) was mid-process of being heard. They were going through the transcripts of police interviews. What was interesting was that the Policewoman ( Inspector?) was reading out what she said, while what seemed to be a barrister read out the defendant’s answers. They did it very well, and bought reems of paperwork alive. I never knew they did this and it was very effective in the process. The process felt transparent, and encouraged a fair trial.
This evening I’ve been reading in the paper an article about systematic gang rape as a deliberate act of war in the Congo. The contrast between our judicial system, alive and well, compared to the total lack of justice in the Congo for a such widespread violation of fellow human beings is awful to think about. “No man is an island...” said the poet John Donne.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Obama week
What an extraordinary week! All the news flooding out of America as Barack Obama hits the track sprinting. He certainly used the days between election and taking over office to good effect.
I heard a interview (BBC Radio4) which surprised both the interviewer and me,and has kept me thinking. One black person felt that with the Inauguration, he felt like he now belonged to America, and that now it was more his country, he would make more effort to get involved in solving its problems. Yet this man was born in America, and had been ‘american’ for all his life. Before this week, he did not really believe this was ‘his country’. If this hope and energy can be harnessed, maybe America will turn around in many new ways in the upcoming years.
Certainly I take hope from a new willingness to interact with world affairs, and the recruitment of experienced people whatever their creed.
I heard a interview (BBC Radio4) which surprised both the interviewer and me,and has kept me thinking. One black person felt that with the Inauguration, he felt like he now belonged to America, and that now it was more his country, he would make more effort to get involved in solving its problems. Yet this man was born in America, and had been ‘american’ for all his life. Before this week, he did not really believe this was ‘his country’. If this hope and energy can be harnessed, maybe America will turn around in many new ways in the upcoming years.
Certainly I take hope from a new willingness to interact with world affairs, and the recruitment of experienced people whatever their creed.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Frost icicles
I took this picture on Sunday. I can’t remember having seen frost like this in the UK. It was was all so beautiful in the countryside - cold though!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Filling empty lorries & Wood to burn...
I've just been listening to a programme on Radio 4 on 'You and Yours' (www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours) which had two interesting items:
(You can listen again to these by going to
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/listenagain/wednesday.shtml)
The first was a neat website aimed at filling lorries with loads on return journeys. People can negotiate/bid for space for otherwise empty space. What a great idea. I wonder if they transport boats and boat bits.....
The second was an article on Firewood to use in wood-burning stoves. This poem was read out:
LOGS TO BURN
Logs to burn, logs to burn,
Logs to save the coal a turn
Here's a word to make you wise,
When you hear the woodman's cries.
Never heed his usual tale,
That he has good logs for sale,
But read these lines and really learn,
the proper kind of logs to burn.
OAK logs will warm you well,
If they're old and dry.
LARCH logs of pine wood smell,
But the sparks will fly.
BEECH logs for Christmas time,
YEW logs heat well.
SCOTCH logs it is a crime,
For anyone to sell.
BIRCH logs will burn too fast,
CHESTNUT scarce at all
HAWTHORN logs are good to last,
If you cut them in the fall
HOLLY logs will burn like wax
You should burn them green
ELM logs like smouldering flax
No flame to be seen
PEAR logs and APPLE logs,
they will scent your room.
CHERRY logs across the dogs,
Smell like flowers in bloom
But ASH logs, all smooth and grey,
burn them green or old;
Buy up all that come your way,
They're worth their weight in gold.
(I can't find an Author to attribute this to - sorry. It can be found in E. M. Hull’s Poem Book of the Gael:)
Note that all woods burn better when seasoned and some burn better when split rather than as whole logs. In general the better woods for burning that you are most likely to come by (including non-native species) are:
Apple and pear – burning slowly and steadily with little flame but good heat. The scent is also pleasing.
Ash – the best burning wood providing plenty of heat (will also burn green but you should not need to do this!)
Beech and hornbeam – good when well seasoned
Birch – good heat and a bright flame – burns quickly.
Blackthorn and hawthorn – very good – burn slowly but with good heat
Cherry – also burns slowly with good heat and a pleasant scent.
Cypress – burns well but fast when seasoned, and may spit
Hazel – good, but hazel has so many other uses hopefully you won’t have to burn it!
Holly – good when well seasoned
Horse Chestnut – good flame and heating power but spits a lot.
Larch – fairly good for heat but crackles and spits
Maple – good.
Oak – very old dry seasoned oak is excellent, burning slowly with a good heat
Pine – burns well with a bright flame but crackles and spits
Poplar – avoid all poplar wood – it burns very slowly with little heat – which is why poplar is used to make matchsticks.
Willow – very good – in fact there is growing interest in biomass production of coppiced willow as a fuel.
Another poem:
Logs to burn
Oaken logs if dry and old
Keep away the winter cold;
Poplar gives a bitter smoke
Fills your eyes and makes you choke;
Elm wood burns like graveyard mould,
Even the very flames are cold;
Apple wood will scent the room
Pear wood smells as flowers in bloom;
But Ash wood wet and Ash wood dry
A King to warm his slippers by.
Beech wood fires burn bright and clear
If the logs are kept for a year;
Chestnut's only good, they say,
If for years, 'tis stored away.
Birch and firwoods burn too fast
Blaze too bright, and do not last;
But Ash wood green and Ash wood brown
Are fit for a Queen with a golden crown.
Printed in the Emmerdale Farm book of Country Lore (Hamlyn, out of print)
Season's Greetings to all!
(You can listen again to these by going to
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/listenagain/wednesday.shtml)
The first was a neat website aimed at filling lorries with loads on return journeys. People can negotiate/bid for space for otherwise empty space. What a great idea. I wonder if they transport boats and boat bits.....
The second was an article on Firewood to use in wood-burning stoves. This poem was read out:
LOGS TO BURN
Logs to burn, logs to burn,
Logs to save the coal a turn
Here's a word to make you wise,
When you hear the woodman's cries.
Never heed his usual tale,
That he has good logs for sale,
But read these lines and really learn,
the proper kind of logs to burn.
OAK logs will warm you well,
If they're old and dry.
LARCH logs of pine wood smell,
But the sparks will fly.
BEECH logs for Christmas time,
YEW logs heat well.
SCOTCH logs it is a crime,
For anyone to sell.
BIRCH logs will burn too fast,
CHESTNUT scarce at all
HAWTHORN logs are good to last,
If you cut them in the fall
HOLLY logs will burn like wax
You should burn them green
ELM logs like smouldering flax
No flame to be seen
PEAR logs and APPLE logs,
they will scent your room.
CHERRY logs across the dogs,
Smell like flowers in bloom
But ASH logs, all smooth and grey,
burn them green or old;
Buy up all that come your way,
They're worth their weight in gold.
(I can't find an Author to attribute this to - sorry. It can be found in E. M. Hull’s Poem Book of the Gael:)
Note that all woods burn better when seasoned and some burn better when split rather than as whole logs. In general the better woods for burning that you are most likely to come by (including non-native species) are:
Apple and pear – burning slowly and steadily with little flame but good heat. The scent is also pleasing.
Ash – the best burning wood providing plenty of heat (will also burn green but you should not need to do this!)
Beech and hornbeam – good when well seasoned
Birch – good heat and a bright flame – burns quickly.
Blackthorn and hawthorn – very good – burn slowly but with good heat
Cherry – also burns slowly with good heat and a pleasant scent.
Cypress – burns well but fast when seasoned, and may spit
Hazel – good, but hazel has so many other uses hopefully you won’t have to burn it!
Holly – good when well seasoned
Horse Chestnut – good flame and heating power but spits a lot.
Larch – fairly good for heat but crackles and spits
Maple – good.
Oak – very old dry seasoned oak is excellent, burning slowly with a good heat
Pine – burns well with a bright flame but crackles and spits
Poplar – avoid all poplar wood – it burns very slowly with little heat – which is why poplar is used to make matchsticks.
Willow – very good – in fact there is growing interest in biomass production of coppiced willow as a fuel.
Another poem:
Logs to burn
Oaken logs if dry and old
Keep away the winter cold;
Poplar gives a bitter smoke
Fills your eyes and makes you choke;
Elm wood burns like graveyard mould,
Even the very flames are cold;
Apple wood will scent the room
Pear wood smells as flowers in bloom;
But Ash wood wet and Ash wood dry
A King to warm his slippers by.
Beech wood fires burn bright and clear
If the logs are kept for a year;
Chestnut's only good, they say,
If for years, 'tis stored away.
Birch and firwoods burn too fast
Blaze too bright, and do not last;
But Ash wood green and Ash wood brown
Are fit for a Queen with a golden crown.
Printed in the Emmerdale Farm book of Country Lore (Hamlyn, out of print)
Season's Greetings to all!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Bits and pieces
Its been a busy time.
I have just retired from doing committee work. My choice - its simply the right time for me to move on. Leaving the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) had some poignant moments - I've been a committee member for 22 years. No doubt next November will feel very strange when I would normally be getting revved up for my meetings. My fellow committee members were lovely to me, so I leave with a full and warm heart.
One of my life-coaching clients, who came to me suffering from a fear of flying phobia, has just successfully completed her first return flight for many years, so that's great cause for celebration!
I've been working on a new website, so that has taken up many of my spare computer moments. This blog will be transferred to that, so be prepared to change your bookmarks soon.
I've been meeting with some colleagues about forming an association of relationship counsellors - a kind of one stop shop for those whose relationships could do with a boost, or in the case of breakdown, those who need to sort out the end of the relationship (for themselves and maybe their children) and then move on. We've all found that people's needs can be so various at such a tough time. We are all professionals who, if we think we cannot meet our clients needs will refer them onto other specialists. Yet we only pass on people to those we trust. By forming a professional association and setting ourselves standards to meet, we think we can provide a broader service by learning and trusting those whose standards match our own, but in slightly different specialities - facilitation, counseling, life coaching, mediation, psychotherapy, child support, bereavement. Watch this space!
I have just retired from doing committee work. My choice - its simply the right time for me to move on. Leaving the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) had some poignant moments - I've been a committee member for 22 years. No doubt next November will feel very strange when I would normally be getting revved up for my meetings. My fellow committee members were lovely to me, so I leave with a full and warm heart.
One of my life-coaching clients, who came to me suffering from a fear of flying phobia, has just successfully completed her first return flight for many years, so that's great cause for celebration!
I've been working on a new website, so that has taken up many of my spare computer moments. This blog will be transferred to that, so be prepared to change your bookmarks soon.
I've been meeting with some colleagues about forming an association of relationship counsellors - a kind of one stop shop for those whose relationships could do with a boost, or in the case of breakdown, those who need to sort out the end of the relationship (for themselves and maybe their children) and then move on. We've all found that people's needs can be so various at such a tough time. We are all professionals who, if we think we cannot meet our clients needs will refer them onto other specialists. Yet we only pass on people to those we trust. By forming a professional association and setting ourselves standards to meet, we think we can provide a broader service by learning and trusting those whose standards match our own, but in slightly different specialities - facilitation, counseling, life coaching, mediation, psychotherapy, child support, bereavement. Watch this space!
Monday, November 03, 2008
Voices and accents
It is amazing what you find on the internet.
Try this site for some fascinating minutes:
www.bbc.co.uk/voices/recordings
Try this site for some fascinating minutes:
www.bbc.co.uk/voices/recordings
Saturday, November 01, 2008
ROXY interior - Vendee Globe
I'm going to be actively supporting Sam Davis on 'Roxy' in the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world race because I used to sail with Sam. We were on the Mumm 36 team 'Bradamante' together for two years. I was tactician and Sam became the bowperson.
The Race starts next Saturday November 9th, and there is LOTS of activity going on. Go to www.vendeeglobe.org
There's also going to be virtual games running for this one, so if you fancy signing up go to www.virtualregatta.com Its a lot shorter race than the Volvo ( which will last around 8 months I think) as there won't be any stops. The Vendee Globe will be around 3 months long, but you must join within 15 days of the real race start. With the Volvo you can join anytime as the race has stop-overs - although I'm not sure yet what happens if you haven't got into port by the time the real race starts out again.
In the meantime, I just came across an amazing shot of the navigation station of 'Roxy'. Go to www.360ouest.com/panoramas and then click on page 2, and look for ID.631 ROXY. This where Sam is likely to spend nearly all her time down below, including sleeping I believe.
The Race starts next Saturday November 9th, and there is LOTS of activity going on. Go to www.vendeeglobe.org
There's also going to be virtual games running for this one, so if you fancy signing up go to www.virtualregatta.com Its a lot shorter race than the Volvo ( which will last around 8 months I think) as there won't be any stops. The Vendee Globe will be around 3 months long, but you must join within 15 days of the real race start. With the Volvo you can join anytime as the race has stop-overs - although I'm not sure yet what happens if you haven't got into port by the time the real race starts out again.
In the meantime, I just came across an amazing shot of the navigation station of 'Roxy'. Go to www.360ouest.com/panoramas and then click on page 2, and look for ID.631 ROXY. This where Sam is likely to spend nearly all her time down below, including sleeping I believe.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Volvo Ocean Race Virtual Game
I haven't had so much fun on a computer for long time!
The Volvo Ocean Race started over 2 weeks ago from southern Spain with eight boats. The Virtual Race started at the same time, and now has 43,408 boats. We're all in a battle (real and virtual) to get across the southern Atlantic. Its fascinating!
With windshifts every 12 hours in in the Virtual Race, there is a considerable amount of logging on at 11am and 11pm (UK time) to check short term tactics against long term strategy. I'm partnering my real life sailing partner, and we're finding it really helpful to improve communications between us when making decisions. This will definitely benefit our double-handed racing results offshore.
There is no doubt that, for some, this activity has taken over their lives. Go to
www.volvooceanracegame.org/news.php?id=54
to read a very amusing little story and response.
The Volvo Ocean Race started over 2 weeks ago from southern Spain with eight boats. The Virtual Race started at the same time, and now has 43,408 boats. We're all in a battle (real and virtual) to get across the southern Atlantic. Its fascinating!
With windshifts every 12 hours in in the Virtual Race, there is a considerable amount of logging on at 11am and 11pm (UK time) to check short term tactics against long term strategy. I'm partnering my real life sailing partner, and we're finding it really helpful to improve communications between us when making decisions. This will definitely benefit our double-handed racing results offshore.
There is no doubt that, for some, this activity has taken over their lives. Go to
www.volvooceanracegame.org/news.php?id=54
to read a very amusing little story and response.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wessex NLP Practice Group
My local NLP practice group has been re-launched as Wessex NLP. The website is at www.wessexnlp.btik.com/ Anybody who has done an NLP course with any provider is welcome. We meet in central Winchester ever 4th Wednesday most months. Its a fun group - be welcome!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Carbon Footprints
For a number of reasons - often convenience - I'm train much more nowadays.
I'm just off to Weymouth by train and am feeling very virtuous after having compared the journey by car or train on this website: www.transportdirect.info
I'm using only 9.7 kg of CO2 emissions rather than 20.5 kgs.
Have a look for yourself.
I'm just off to Weymouth by train and am feeling very virtuous after having compared the journey by car or train on this website: www.transportdirect.info
I'm using only 9.7 kg of CO2 emissions rather than 20.5 kgs.
Have a look for yourself.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Olympics and Paralympics
What a difference a few weeks makes! By the end of the Olympics all the sailing world in GB were flying high with a record number of medals – 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze as well as the accolade of top nation for the third Olympics running. Delightful for me as I had coached sailors in not just the four gold medal boats but also the Spaniard Fernando Echaverri who won the Tornado Gold (as well as Sofia Bekatorou – Bronze - as already mentioned).
This last week has been the Paralympics, and as a selector of the Team I have taken a very keen interest. Unfortunately they’ve had a rough time, and have finished 5th Skud, 6th Sonar and 7th 2.4mR. My commiserations to all the sailors and coaches. We have a wrap-up meeting at the Sail for Gold regatta this week so the priority has to be learning the lessons for next time.
Sail for Gold www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk/ kicks off this week and no doubt will get many visitors now looking towards 2021. I think a number of our now (justly) famous medallists will be there. They’ve produced a Mac widget to get a direct link to news in Weymouth which is fun for me as a Mac user!
This last week has been the Paralympics, and as a selector of the Team I have taken a very keen interest. Unfortunately they’ve had a rough time, and have finished 5th Skud, 6th Sonar and 7th 2.4mR. My commiserations to all the sailors and coaches. We have a wrap-up meeting at the Sail for Gold regatta this week so the priority has to be learning the lessons for next time.
Sail for Gold www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk/ kicks off this week and no doubt will get many visitors now looking towards 2021. I think a number of our now (justly) famous medallists will be there. They’ve produced a Mac widget to get a direct link to news in Weymouth which is fun for me as a Mac user!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Super Sunday!
I’ve had a lovely day! Ben Ainslie has won Gold in the Finn Class and Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson have won Gold in the Yngling Class for Team GBR. Absolutely fantastic.
In addition, the Greek Yngling Team have won the bronze medal.
And I’ve coached them all.
My delighted congratulations to them all.
In addition, the Greek Yngling Team have won the bronze medal.
And I’ve coached them all.
My delighted congratulations to them all.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Cowes Week
I had a lots of fun sailing on 'Full Pelt' today until our mast fell down. We'd just got into the lead too. Very sad. The photo shows us being towed home.
We had to avoid a buoy that was on our track - and luffing up caused us to broach. After hanging off the back like a monkey, the boat came upright again after letting go of the spinnaker halyard but then the spinnaker went in the water and the drag broke the mast.
I was particularly sad as I was was doing mainsheet today, and had worked hard up the long beats against the tide only to have it all come to nought. However it was fun sailing with the team - Duncan, Piglet, Chris, Jo and Deegs.
Friday, July 11, 2008
The foggiest so far
QingDao is certainly a foggy place at this time of year. Here is the Greek Yngling being towed just 15 metres behind the motorboat. This huge city - 8 million people and the 8th largest in China - is warm and humid right now, and we have been getting a lot of fog. We've been getting lot of weed too but the many workers from the Chinese Army and local populace have been doing a really good job to clear it. It looked for a few days as if they had nearly cleared it all away but we came across some really big patches today so it must still be growing.
Things are in the final countdown here to the Olympics. Security is getting tighter and the final tidy up is under way. Everyone is friendly and helpful.
Friday, June 27, 2008
China Olympics and beyond
With Beijing soon to start, I know all the teams are in the final stages of preparation. One of my friends from the circuit, Sofia Bekatorou - the Greek gold medallist from 2004 in the 470 Class - has asked me to give her a last minute boost to her programme. So I'm off to Qingdao soon, and will get to experience for myself the fog and the tides that everyone has been talking about.
While so much sporting interest is zeroing into this Aug/Sept, I've had occasion to help find advice for a couple of youngsters in long distance running and Triathalon - best coaching, study-sport balance etc. With 2012 coming, it is really encouraging to talk to some excellent people in UK Athletics with an approachable yet practical commonsense attitude. This is especially important as I note that parents are encouraging of their very talented youngsters to consider a sports career, whereas normally I think academia and business would take precedence. Its great to have such a good infrastructure in Sport in this country - very uplifting!
While so much sporting interest is zeroing into this Aug/Sept, I've had occasion to help find advice for a couple of youngsters in long distance running and Triathalon - best coaching, study-sport balance etc. With 2012 coming, it is really encouraging to talk to some excellent people in UK Athletics with an approachable yet practical commonsense attitude. This is especially important as I note that parents are encouraging of their very talented youngsters to consider a sports career, whereas normally I think academia and business would take precedence. Its great to have such a good infrastructure in Sport in this country - very uplifting!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
MOCRA and double-handed racing
I’ve been racing a Dragonfly a few times recently www.multihullsolutions.co.uk and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. In particular, the racing in the Royal Southampton YC www.rsyc.org.uk double-handed series.
I love the speed we travel, the tactics and strategy of sailing coastal races and the constant action of sailing short-handed. The social life is good too. A few weekends ago we went for dinner in the Weymouth curry house. Six people from three boats made a lot of experiences to talk about, with highs and lows to be shared. So very different from having one big crew around one table and in a similar state of mind from that day’s racing.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Prince2
Whey hey! Just found our that I have passed my Prince 2 Project Management exams. I’m very pleased, not least that it has been some time since I have taken exams. Good course too - it really helped to straighten out my ideas on structure and processes. Thinking back over past projects, it is now much clearer why what went right and wrong.
Now my plan of putting my two strengths of project management and coaching together as one offering is coming together.
It was interesting how resourceful my NLP training was when those old exam nerves kicked in. NLP really is good stuff!
Now my plan of putting my two strengths of project management and coaching together as one offering is coming together.
It was interesting how resourceful my NLP training was when those old exam nerves kicked in. NLP really is good stuff!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A head for heights
I went climbing recently and was delighted to find that I have finally overcome my totally irrational fear of heights.
I am so pleased,especially since I used to take such pleasure in climbing in trees as a kid, yet that got eroded in adulthood to the stage where I came out of one experience as a gibbering wreck. I’ve been working up to this for some time using NLP techniques and high ropes courses. This time was on the cliffs at Swannage.
We were under the very expert tuition of Chris Barratt. I fully recommend him to others who want a very safe, reassuring yet fun experience. Visit his very nice website at www.chrisbarratt.co.uk
I am so pleased,especially since I used to take such pleasure in climbing in trees as a kid, yet that got eroded in adulthood to the stage where I came out of one experience as a gibbering wreck. I’ve been working up to this for some time using NLP techniques and high ropes courses. This time was on the cliffs at Swannage.
We were under the very expert tuition of Chris Barratt. I fully recommend him to others who want a very safe, reassuring yet fun experience. Visit his very nice website at www.chrisbarratt.co.uk
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