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I've been fascinated by borders ever since we lived in the small Hungarian town of Mosonmagyarovar, just 20km from the border with Austria. Nowadays driving across that border you would barely notice that you had gone into a different country, however when we lived there it was 1985 and the iron curtain very clearly separated Austria and Hungary. Crossing the border back then was an ordeal involving the car being searched, questions being asked and passports stamped. There was also the fence itself, masses of barbed wire, carefully raked dirt in no-mans land, and the men in watch towers. As a 7 year old this made a big impression on me, especially as a kid from New Zealand where border crossings simply dont exist.
Fast forward to 2018 as we cycle our way across Europe and Asia and again I have been fascinated by the borders we have crossed and the differences between them. The first was Switzerland to Italy. Apart from a sign and a lone man in a booth pretending to do customs duty you wouldn't know that you had entered another country. We asked him for a stamp in our passports but he looked at us like we were crazy, refused, and waved us through. The border between Italy and Slovenia wasn't even manned, just a rusty sign halfway up a mountain pass. It wasn't until we got to the border with Croatia that someone wanted to see our passports. Here Emma was yelled at by the border guard for sneaking her wheel across the white line with her bike outside his booth. We have sometimes felt a little uneasy at the borders as its not often people arrive by bicycle and many of the guards don't know what to do with us as its usually just truck drivers. Meanwhile we are always hoping they will accept our visas and strange black passports, often needing to pull out the map to show them the small islands at the bottom of the world that make up New Zealand.
It wasn't until we got to the Bulgaria/Turkey border that we really felt the presence of the line that is drawn on the map in the form of a physical fence...a fence that normally separates language, currency, culture and sometimes even time zones. Yet we found that in many places, despite the fence and the line on a map, on either side the people shared food, culture and language, making us aware that there had been a time when they had all been considered one-in-the-same. This was especially evident in eastern Turkey, through Iran and into the Stans with the people of Persian descent.
The borders have provided us with many novelty factors. The term « just a stones throw away » became a bit of a gag...for almost two weeks we followed the river that separates Tajikistan with Afghanistan where we literally did throw a stone to the other side just to say we'd done it. As we cycled we could see the Afghan people on the other side going about their daily life, waving to us across the river, so close we could yell hello in return. To add to the novelty factor, and to draw out a border crossing, we stayed the night in no-mans-land between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, where the distance between the two passport control booths is about 25km. This lead to many questions about which country is responsible for what in such an area, including us wondering if we were covered by insurance!
The border that has by far made the biggest impression on me to date is that along the edges of China. We first saw the Chinese border fence in Tajikistan. Taller than a man and in places electrified, we cycled alongside it for several days as it weaved its way across the barren landscape, sneaking a stone across when we thought it most safe! Thats when it really hit home firstly how far we were from Switzerland, and actually how far we had cycled! When we finally reached the point at which we would cross into China we got to experience the full force of a border security operation. We had our passports checked eight times at eight different booths, had our bags searched three times, our bodies were scanned, and our phones inspected, with the Chinese officers installing apps to do not-sure-what. We had to empty fuel from the cooking stove and stash our knives under our bike seats to prevent confiscation. I have never seen so much barbed wire, so many CCTV cameras, armed guards everywhere, even dogs. It reminded me of the border between North and South Korea. Pedestrians and cyclists were not allowed to leave the border area on foot or by bike, instead we were put in a compulsory taxi to the end of the border zone (and another passport and bag check) a full 140km away from the fence line. It couldn't have been more different from our first crossing into Italy.
With four more border crossings to go by bike I know I will continue to enjoy observing the subtle changes that you see when going from one country to another at a snails pace. It will be strange to have the last passport control of the Long Way Home journey being the arrival into Auckland airport via the strange time-warp that is airline travel. At least I wont have to explain to the immigration officer where New Zealand is.
Turkish Delights
For the month of June, we pedalled the length of Turkey straight through the middle. It was a month of amazing hospitality, countless kebabs, and great riding conditions. These are the nine things that stuck out most to us.
1. White cars are fashionable: We had cycled through a third of Turkey when we suddenly realised that we were only seeing white cars on the road! One Turkish host told us it was because a white car was a status symbol but a quick Google informed us that its probably because white paint is cheaper than metallic and stays cooler in hot weather.
2. Drink Chai tea or miss out on sweet interactions with locals: Neither of us were big tea drinkers before Turkey but that changed very quickly when we realised it was easier to find a pot of chai than cold water. We were offered chai tea in Turkish homes, outside mosques, on the side of the road and in restaurants at the end of a meal. We noticed drinking habits changed as we moved east - with Turks placing a cube of sugar between their teeth and drinking their tea through it or adding lemon to their tea glasses.
3. Turks love Ataturk: We saw so many pictures and statutes of the popular Turkish leader everywhere. Ataturk almost single-handedly created modern-day Turkey - he changed the alphabet from Arabic script to Roman letters, separated religion and state (by removing Islam as the state religion and upholding civil law over Islamic law), and adopted the Western calendar amongst other things.
4. Ramadan can be enjoyed by foreigners too: For the month of June, many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The first meal eaten at sunset is called Iftar. We took part in many Iftar - our favourite was in a Ramadan tent in a small village with 800 people. We took our canteen style trays up and it filled with meat, bread, and rice and tucked in with everyone else.
5. "I love you Sarah and Rebecca": It always surprised us how emotional our very hospitable hosts were when we were leaving them after a meal, visit or night of accommodation. So many I love yous! Many Turkish people believe that an unexpected guest has been sent by "greater powers" and they have a duty to serve a stranger.
6. Kurds are fighting to keep their language and culture alive: The Kurds are the largest ethnic minority in Turkey comprising 15% of the population. We met many lovely Kurds on our travels. They explained that Kurdish people inhabit land spanning four different countries – southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, northern Syria and northwestern Iran - making them the worlds largest nation without a state. It's also illegal to teach the Kurdish language in schools in Turkey.
7. Ballooning in Cappadoccia is truly a once in a lifetime experience: 26 hot air balloon companies currently operate in Cappadoccia with a combined fleet of 200 balloons. More than 25,000 rides take place every year. We were lucky to go up in one before sunrise - incredible!
8. Mount Ararat is HUGE: In Eastern Turkey, we cycled up a particularly long climb and was greeted with views of Mount Ararat. The snow covered peak was beautiful. Legend has it that Mount Ararat was where Noah's Ark rested. Since the 1800s, several dozen expeditions have scaled Mt. Ararat in hopes of finding evidence of the giant wooden boat (nothing yet!). It is also the national symbol of Armenia and has been considered sacred by Armenians.
9. Malatya is heaven for apricot lovers: We ate our bodyweight in apricots cycling through the Malatya region. Malatya provides 90 per cent of the worlds dried apricot supply. We saw thousands of apricot trees and the fruit being dried on huge blue tarpaulins.
breaking Wind
To whom it may concern,
I would like to lodge a formal complaint please, about the wind. Long, tough days with howling head winds were definitely not advertised in The Long Way Home trip brochure. I never really thought about the tough days before we left, instead just envisaging warm sunshine and the wind at our back day after day as we rolled through glorious countryside (with a Bruce Springsteen soundtrack playing in the background of course). The reality is there have been some moments, especially of late, where I just want to drop the bike, fly away, have some beers with friends and sleep in my own bed. And almost always these moments of feeling really down are closely linked to a day of being beaten up by the elements.
Everyday on the bike we get exposed to the weather. We've had everything thrown at us: snow on the Simplon Pass as we left Switzerland wearing all the clothes we had; rain so heavy in Turkey that we literally couldn't see to ride and my seemingly waterproof odometer stopped working; sun so hot that the road was melting under our tyres, and we started to develop strange circular tan marks on our foreheads from the holes in our helmets. But the wind, oh oh the wind....its by far the biggest determinant of how enjoyable our day on the road will be.
Anyone who has gone for a bike ride knows the wind can either be your best friend or worst enemy. On the flat with a decent head wind we sit at around 13km/h, on the other hand with the wind at our backs we can sit easily at 40km/h. Let's not even chat about headwinds uphill where we go so slow we'd be better off walking. Over 90km, this can mean the difference between spending 7 hours in the saddle, or as little as 2.5 hours. We have been battling with head winds for the last 10 days straight through Turkmenistan in 40deg temperatures, and even stronger winds in Uzbekistan. Imagine endless flat plains, nothing but sand, dirt and shrubs to look at, and the wind in your face like a hairdryer, hour after hour. It's been a test of our resilience for sure. Our panniers either act as sails in a tail wind, helping us to catch the wind, or they act as brick walls, only adding to the misery. Trucks going past offer a very brief respite as the wind pressure they generate gives us a little push in the right direction.
Sitting behind someone on a bike means you do about 25% less effort than the person out the front. You can totally feel the difference, and can sometimes even stop pedalling for a bit of a break whilst maintaining speed. Check out the guys in a Tour de France peloton, most of the guys at the back are just cruising. This is why we labeled Emma the wind blocker, and why we were so distraught to see her go (of course we also miss her witty banter). Being stronger than SVB and I she could sit out front of the group and absorb the wind like a sponge, while we thankfully tucked in behind doing far less than our fair share, telling ourselves we were doing her a favour in her training for Tokyo. When Emma left, SVB and I started a routine of taking turns doing 5km each out the front. It's been working super well, and helps to break up the day as we count down the number of rotations. But the dangers of sitting closely behind someone are if they go down, you're more than likely to ride into them and go down too....hence our small incident in Iran, subsequent hospital visits and week off the bike!
We've probably had 80% of our days since leaving Lausanne with a head wind, making the long way home just a wee bit longer. We constantly look anxiously at flags and trees, even at grass on the side of the road, trying to figure out which direction its blowing, then check the map and the layout of the route, trying to determine the answer to every days biggest question: tail or head. Even then its not that simple as it often changes direction depending on valleys, hills, buildings or just because it wants to. We downloaded a wind direction app, but in the end deleted it, deciding that it is what it is, we cant change the weather or the direction we are travelling.
Actually, in all honesty, I probably need to withdraw this complaint...all of this was definitely listed in the very fine print of the terms and conditions of the trip that I very quickly clicked « accept all » to back in April. The great stuff on this journey is far outweighing the bad days, we are having the absolute most incredible and memorable experiences, and the weather hasn't won on any of the 100 or so days we've been on the road...we've always managed to knock off our planned km. Let's hope we can keep that up as we head towards some 4000m passes in the Pamirs and then Chinese winter....
R . Wardell
A big Milestone
We are sitting on a ferry crossing the Sea of Marama that will take us into Istanbul, after being advised not to try and cycle in with the crazy big city traffic. The five hour boat ride gives some time to reflect on the past 5 weeks since we left Lausanne, especially now that we have hit Turkey, which for some reason all of a sudden feels very far away from Switzerland, its not somewhere you would normally drive to let alone arrive by bike.
One of the most striking things for me about the journey so far is that time seems to pass so fast on the trip. I think its because nothing is constant, except for the bike you are sitting on, the km clock ticking over, and the two friends I am with. At home almost everything was constant, the bed I slept in, the alarm clock, the work chair, the supermarket, the routine of coffees and meals. Now every bed is different, the only one that stays the same is the air mattress that lies in the tent, that is pitched on the side of the road or a random camping ground found at the end of the day. Every meal is had at a different place, each hour the view and scenery changes, and then every week or so the culture changes, the language changes, the currency, the vibe. And its for all these reasons that each day, each week seems to go past in a flash, because the constants of home that you normally use to anchor your day and your life are gone. Instead we look to other anchors such as keeping in touch with friends and family, who keep us grounded in the real world. It's so hard to describe on the phone what its like and hopefully the photos and stories we share give a glimpse. We find routine in the way we pack our panniers each morning, the 30km in between stops, the « jobs » we have settled into, be it finding a rest stop, finding a place to sleep, or navigating our way from place to place. We have learnt to appreciate the small things in life. A shower at the end of the day, a coffee, a hot meal, and most of all a comfortable bed. These simple things that we took for granted before we started are now reasons to smile and whoop! We say cheers at the end of every day, to celebrate the day and the km completed on the road.
We have all agreed that the most interesting parts of the trip have been those spent with locals - family of friends who have so warmly welcomed us into their homes, cooked incredible local fare for us and even given up their beds for us. Their generosity and hospitality has blown us away and we have all vowed that we will return the favor to any travellers who need hospitality in the future. Equally, we have been incredibly fortunate to have had the assistance of the community of National Olympic Committees and Olympians along the way supporting us with accommodation and meals. They have also provided invaluable advice about roads to take (or not take) places to eat and even ridden some of the day with us. Although many people speak good English, many great conversations have been had not by speaking but in sign language. We learn things about the way other people live every day that make you appreciate what you have. People who have lived with bombs being dropped on their street, people for whom international travel is a distant dream. To say we are grateful for every little bit of assistance we have received is an understatement...from providing a roof over our heads to simply being passed a banana out the car window by a random stranger, everyday we are thankful to so many for giving us a hand, making our journey so much more enjoyable.
We have also been incredibly lucky to have some lovely familiar faces come to visit us along the way. Starting with the big crew who rode with us on day two up the Simplon Pass, Bonnie in Sofia, Helen and Stefan in Plovdiv (who even braved the trucks to ride with us for a few km) and Dave and Rebecca who will come to Istanbul. All little snippets of home that have helped us to be able to better share what the journey is about with our friends, but also have provided a much welcome boost to the morale with familiar laughs, chats and bear hugs.
We are all a little quiet sitting on the ferry right now. Mixed emotions of making it as far as Istanbul, feeling smashed after some long days riding in the sun, but mainly it marks a huge stage of the journey for us as sadly today was our last day riding with our wind breaker, ET or Emma. She will fly back to NZ from Istanbul to start her campaign for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Thursday. SVB and I will miss her enourmously, not just because she sat out the front making our lives easier as we battled head winds pretty much from Croatia to Turkey, but because she's just a very special human being and I feel privileged to have been able to get to know better and share part of this journey with. We can't thank you enough for joining us for part of the journey ET, you're an inspiration to all of us and we wish you every success on the road to Tokyo, and hope you can ride a bit of the final leg in New Zealand next year!
The Olympian Sandwich
We were on our fifth day of cycling when I found myself in an Olympian sandwich. Facing a brutal headwind and running out of steam from my fading Haribo gummy bear supply, I was starting to seriously lag behind the girls. 10 metres turned to 30 metres which turned to 50 metres behind. 'What on earth have I signed up for, we're not even a week in' - many negative thoughts circulated in my head. They slowed down and waited while I thrashed on the pedals to catch up. 'SVB start riding in the middle of us, you'll find it a lot easier.' ET called out. And so I did and so it was - managing to finish the final 10km of the day in - what I now call - the 'Olympian sandwich'.
Fast forward to day 17. We were cycling in pouring rain somewhere between Starigrad and Sibenik in Croatia. It was not possible to get any more drenched (stunning scenery though!). We pulled over for a quick pit stop and ET yells out 'There's no such thing as bad weather' - 'just a bad attitude!' Becs finished. How could I even think of complaining about the rain after this?! Luckily for us the sun came out within the hour.
The above are small examples illustrating how wonderful my Olympian teammates are.
If you didn't already know, I've been obsessed with the Olympics since the Sydney 2000 Opening Ceremony. Rob Waddell and Cathy Freeman's gold medals remain a vivid memory 18 years on, and before this adventure, I worked for the International Olympic Committee for four years. So it's fair to say that I will never pass up any opportunity to rub shoulders with Olympians. Especially 6 months on the road travelling the world by bike with these two kiwi Olympian legends.
I wanted to dedicate my first blog to Becs and ET and reflect on the kindness and patience these two have shown me over the past 23 days. Not always an easy task for them dealing with someone who is incredibly impractical. Thank you ladies.
Becs Wardell - she's always packed and ready to roll out before I have brushed my teeth. She can put up her tent and get the water boiling on our camp stoves before I have put the tent poles together. This adventure was her brainchild, and she is one of the bravest people I know. She shows no fear on the roads when trucks hurtle past and she always has a smile on her face even after a big day of riding. Although I struggle to use Google maps (so I am obviously no help on the navigation front), she never seems to get annoyed when I constantly ask her which way we are going. Patience of a saint! She welcomed me with open arms on this trip and believes that I'll be able to make it all the way to China with her no problem. Let's see!
Emma Twigg - she's been saving my bacon (and my legs) by sitting out front for hours on end in nasty headwinds and pouring rain. When I try and relieve her of this duty we go at a considerably slower pace, and she gets back on the front again. But ET is more than just physical strength. She's incredibly practical (and kind) - and has spent a significant amount of time teaching me how to tie knots, put tension on a tent, grease my chain and rearrange my panniers for easy racking on my bike.
So here's to the best thing since sliced bread - ET and Becs - I couldn't wish to be part of a better Olympian sandwich.
Early lessons learnt
The tents are pitched, my underarms smell fresh and all remnants of the days' salty residues have been washed away. It is only day 9 and we already appreciate the simple things in life - a warm shower and roof over our heads. Today we crossed our second border and waved goodbye to Italy. Becs and I are very pleased with our progress and our early arrival in Slovenia. We are a day ahead of schedule. SVB on the other hand is tearing her hair out as we ruin her plans for her 'warm shower' hosts at every stop and make her ride for hours on end. There has only been one call for HARIBO gummy bears... STAT!
Day one seems like an eternity ago. For Becs and SVB, pedalling away from the office after almost 4 years was an emotional goodbye. A huge group of our colleagues waved us off as we pedalled down the side of Lac Léman on what felt like just another lunch time ride to Chexbres. The only difference was we were loaded with an extra 25kg worth of kit, our homes and clothes in four panniers, and absolutely no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We were hooting and cheering with a stonking tail wind at our backs. That day we had planned to do 100km and sleep in Sion. Becs and I decided in Aigle (50km) that this gig was easy and we would be silly not to push on to Brig. 100km turned into 160km and with 37km to go, the wind changed direction. Safe to say the last couple of hours on day 1 have been up there with the hardest. Our spirits were saved by our amazing 'warm showers' host Mark who took us in, fed us and kept SVB's spirits alive that we would not have to ever sleep in a tent.
Day two was always going to be a challenging one - the Simplon Pass and our first border crossing. Becs and I were patting ourselves on our backs that we had knocked off an extra 60km the previous day. We looked up at the 2000m snow-capped climb that we were about to endure, collected a group of friends from the Brig train station and set off up the mountain. A steady 6km an hour average had us at the top two and a half hours later. Who knew climbing with the equivalent of a 6-year-old strapped to our bikes would be so tough? Nothing a bit of croûte de fromage and some frittes couldn't fix at the top of the col. We descended in sleet and snow, and all survived with all fingers and toes intact and a tick of approval for the newly purchased wet weather gear. It was an emotional goodbye in Domodossola for SVB as she waved off Dave (her Hugh Grant) who she will miss over the coming months. I convinced the girls that we should continue another 10km up the road before pitching the tent for the night. SVB's heart sank when she heard the word tent, but was upbeat by the prospect of an Italian pizza before bed. Turns out there is not a pizzeria around every corner in Italy as my memory had thought, and the road past Domodossola just goes straight up. Our first lesson was that we should always listen to gut instinct! We did and called it a day soon as the gradient was looking ominous. Pitched our tents for the first time ever above the road, in the rain, fired up the camp stove, made some porridge and pasta with a touch of salt, and crawled into our sleeping sacks.
Day three was one to remember and one to forget. Some stunning scenes as we climbed from Domodossola over to Lake Maggiore. It rained relentlessly all day and we had planned on staying in Como overnight. With high spirits after lunch, we set off towards Lugano; after all, "there is no such thing as bad weather, just a bad attitude". 10km down the road we came across a very, very big hill. The iPhone told us to go up. We did not. Next lesson learnt was to always look closely at a topography map when planning routes. We turned around, tails between our legs and followed Maggiore towards Varese on the flat. In the sunshine this would have been spectacular, but the views were blurred by raindrops. Como started to look more and more unrealistic, and after another unplanned climb, I called on my old FIFA Master Prof and his wife in Gavirate who took us in with an hour's notice, saved us, and treated us like their daughters. Amazing hospitality, food, wine and a bed. Day three still remains Bec's pick of toughest to date.
Day four had us on the undulating roads around Lake Como. The views were something else; day one's hooting and cheering reared again. With ample pizza and gelato as fuel, we dried out along the way and made it to our next 'warm showers' host Mateo, another win for SVB. We were treated to a local brew and managed to dry our tents ready for the next couple of nights sleeping under the stars. After 536km in four days we were ready for a couple of light days.
Day five and six were relatively cruisy, some flat, lovely lakes, a night at the campground in Sarnico, lunch in Iseo and another stunner camp spot and a few Saturday night aperols beside Lake Garda. Refreshed and ready for the onslaught.
Day seven and eight have almost merged into one. Many long straights and trucks, broken up by some quaint little towns. We have made the most of the flats and put in a few big days to spend some more time in Slovenia. We have settled into a nice routine of waking up, packing up (which takes one of us longer than the others), and hitting the road. A morning coffee stop, a lunch stop, another coffee/coke stop, depending on the temperatures, and the final slog to the line. It doesn't seem to matter how long we set out to do every day, whether it is 70km or 140km, the last 20 always seem to be a real mental challenge. Something we may need to work on. We rested our tired bodies in Cittadella, a very cute fortressed town, and the next night in Udine, another Italian charm and with another friendly host.
And so 'Long Way Homers', the gravity of the challenge is slowly setting in, more so for the one member of the peloton that is actually going the whole way home. We are all coming to terms with tent life, hand washing and packing our panniers. There have certainly been some challenges, but all in all the scales are tipped heavily in favour of all of the laughs.
After a week in the saddle, we have had enough time to contemplate what we have all signed up for. The good news is that we are all still here, still talking to each other and pretty chuffed with our first week.
SVB and I are a little concerned by the number of people contacting us and expressing how excited they are to welcome us back to New Zealand next year, so we feel compelled to clear up the 'fake news' that has been circulating. The real star of The Long Way Home is Becs, who will indeed, endure every km of the mammoth journey and make it the whole way home.
In keeping with the cycling theme, I liken our trip to a track cycling 'sprint trio' where I am the lead out rider, pushing the pace and getting the team as far across Europe as possible before peeling off after the 'first lap' and handing over to SVB. With my sights set on another attempt at an Olympic Games, I need to get back into a boat and regain some rowing fitness ASAP.
Sarah will continue the journey out front across Central Asia and after 6 months will peel off after the 'second lap' at the Chinese border when she has to be back in Switzerland to keep her work permit and rejoin her very handsome and forgiving boyfriend.
That will leave the 'last lap' to Becs, who will take it home, crossing the finishing line on the shores of Lake Hawea in front of her adoring fans, parents, friends and, all going well, the other two members of the trio. We each had very different motivations for signing up to the trip, hence the discrepancies in our levels of commitment.
Becs can navigate, pitch a tent, clean her clothes in a sink and grit her teeth through the toughest of times, so the only knowledge that needs to be transferred before SVB leaves her in October is how to do an Instagram story.
Operational Readiness
When we all committed to this adventure, we had no idea that it would be received with so much enthusiasm. We have been humbled by the donations and offers of help that have come our way and can't wait to connect with as many of you as possible as we ride.
It seems a little surreal that this blog is being written from home. The 'home' that is the end point of a ride that will take us across mountains and borders, down coastlines, past lakes, and through many, many, towns that are called 'home' to people we are yet to meet.
For anyone that is not a kiwi, my 30+ hours of travel would be described already as a 'long way home'. I must admit, as I sat in my cozy, cramped airplane seat and watched the illustrated plane crawl its way across the world map towards New Zealand, it dawned on me how far we had to pedal. Looking down at the desolate landmasses between Europe and Asia, I had to take a few deep breaths. This is going to be HUGE.
As I left Lausanne, the fabulous people and many friendships that I will always cherish, the sadness was softened by the knowledge that I was going to be back in just 6 weeks. Leaving these faces is certainly going to be the hardest part of our departure on the 30th April.
While I have been sunning myself in the many beautiful landscapes of our final destination, Bec and SVB have been hard at work. Some big milestones have been ticked off. They have picked up our Surly Trucker bikes and already started to mould the leather seats riding through the vineyards of Vaud, they have been ticking off the administrative tasks including applying for Chinese visas. I am not sure who has it toughest?
'TLWH' team WhatsApp group has been going off like a frog in a sock! I have reverted to airplane mode so that I can get some sleep while the girls chat their way through the day. I no longer wake in the morning to read the world news. I open my 50+ WhatsApp notifications to filter the 'banter' from the 'requires critical attention'. The chat varies from, "How many pairs of underwear are you taking?" to, "have you had your rabies shots yet?" or "have we ordered those spare spokes and tires?", and the most asked question without doubt, is SVB asking if every piece of equipment comes in pink. So far, only her 'spork' has done.
The excel spreadsheet of 'to dos' is steadily turning into a list of 'done'. We now only have to pick up the tents that will be the 'roof' over our heads for the foreseeable future and to decide what clothes we will be pedalling in. When you consider that this will only be a couple of t-shirts, some shorts, underwear and rain jacket, our issue tracker seems to be showing only green lights.
All that is left now is a couple of 'Day in the life exercises' and some all important test events. I will leave those up to the northern hemisphere crew. While I continue to work on the tan, I have tasked Bec, who is undoubtedly the most mature and practical member of the peloton, to do some YouTube research on lighting camp stoves. My trip to the outdoors shop to collect our camping equipment didn't fill me with a whole lot of confidence that we would all be returning with our eyebrows. Avoiding singed body hair is now resting on my trust that Bec's web browser history contains the words "how to light an MSR bunsen burner safely".
Signing out for now, but remember - this is an open invite to anyone that would like to commit themselves to a stint riding with us, our smelly armpits, singed eyebrows and pink sporks.
Doing Things
There are easier ways to get from Switzerland to New Zealand than by bike. There is a saying that goes:
"Climbing K2 or floating the Grand Canyon in an inner tube; there are some things one would rather have done than do."
But what is the 'done' without the 'do'? The 'do' is the adventure. The place where challenges, memories and experiences create a story that will inspire and entertain. A story that will be told time and time again, long after it is all 'done'.
Perhaps you could put cycling 18,000 km through 28 countries into a similar, albeit less extreme, category as a float over the world's biggest waterfall. A test of our physiology and our minds. For Becs, Sarah and I, the 'doing' is what excites us the most.
All of us have different motivations for signing up for the trip. Becs didn't want to pay for her airfare back to New Zealand, I considered 130km a day as a nice way to stay fit, and Sarah wanted to challenge herself to long periods without talking. Uniting us is our friendship, love for adventure and the challenge of pushing our limits. A desire to see the world and 'do', in a slightly less conventional way than many would consider.
Where most people have art hanging on their living room wall, Becs has a laminated world map, stuck to the wall with blue tack and still containing dried wads of toilet paper left over from a recent game of 'where in the world shall we go for holidays'. This map has been her inspiration for many adventures. We stood in front of it, looked at our route and thought - well that's achievable! Never mind the 1:50,000,000 scale and no concept of what a road or mountain pass looked like in Kyrgyzstan. Perhaps without this naivety, we wouldn't be packing our lives in to four bags and pedalling off into what to us, is a completely unknown abyss. This is what it is all about though, right? The unknown.
We can't wait to document our travels, and share our story, the triumphs and tribulations and all the boring bits in between. This trip will no doubt be the biggest adventure any of us have embarked on. There are certain to be 'I need to pinch myself' moments, 'I want to punch myself' moments, 'I want to punch you' moments and a fair amount of banter in between.
Our website and Instagram is going to be the place to track our 'long way home'. A place to keep you updated while we are doing what we do.


text:
Police are appealing for witnesses following a sexual assault in Crewe on Sunday 4 November 2012.
Two young girls were outside an address in Cranbourne Road at around 8pm or 8.15pm when an unknown man approached them to say he′d lost his dog.
The 9-year-old girl went with the man to look for his dog. The man hugged the girl and touched her inappropriately. The girl protested and ran to her home address to inform her family.
The man is described as white, possibly in his 30s with brown eyes and a slim build. He has an English accent and called himself Dave.
DS Jim Boulton said: "We have had no more incidents of this nature but we would urge parents to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to police immediately. The little girl did the correct thing by telling her parents straight away but we would urge parents to remind their children not to talk to strangers or go off with them."
Anyone with information should contact DC Mike Rushton on 101 quoting incident number 890 of 4 November 2012. Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please be aware of the below incident
Date of Incident: 03/11/2012
Location of incident: Crewe
Police are appealing for information following a burglary in Crewe.
At about 8pm on Saturday 3rd November 2012, a man broke into an address on Wordsworth Drive in Crewe via the rear of the property and stole electrical goods.
The man is described as in his 40s with a thick set build and was wearing dark clothing. He is believed to have been driving a white van.
Anyone with any information about the burglary, or who has seen the vehicle and man described acting suspiciously in the area, is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 1015 of 3rd November 2012.

subset: commoncrawl


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The OnePlus 2 was the second flagship device from the company with the same name, OnePlus. This was the first Smartphone from OnePlus to come preloaded with Oxygen OS. Currently OnePlus has started rolling out OxygenOS 3.0.2 update which is based on Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) for the OnePlus 2 smartphone. This update is packed with new features and enhancements as said by the manufacturer.
New features in OxygenOS 3.0.2 for OnePlus 2 based on Android Marshmallow
- Enhanced Doze mode for better battery life
- System wide performance improvements
- Improved fingerprint sensor performance and recognition
- New OnePlus Camera UI and AF optimization
- MaxxAudio and Tuner have been removed. We have integrated with Dirac HD Sound technology for the speaker so you get a great experience without the knobs and dials
- Shelf UX has been improved. You can now long press to edit a board
- You can now lock apps in recents so they won't be cleared away. We've also added clear process in addition to clear-all for those of you who want a better control of background processes
- Network operator selection will now stick to your choice so you don't accidentally roam onto unintended networks
- Swiftkey update to 6.3.3
Note:- This update will clear your stored fingerprints. If you have fingerprint authentication set up, you will need to re-enroll again before use.
As usual, this will be an incremental rollout. It is now rolling out over-the-air (OTA) for the users worldwide and should reach everyone in a couple of days.
Source:- OnePlus


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GARMENT DYED SWEATSHIRTBlack TYNE GARMENT DYED SWEATSHIRT in Black
Delivery Methods
- Standard £5
- Next Day £7
- Same Day £15
- Collect In Store Free
- Saturday £7
Standard delivery is free on all orders over £150.
We also offer free returns on all UK orders.
For next working day delivery please order before 7:00pm
For same day delivery within London please order before 1:00pm
For Saturday delivery please order before 3:00pm on Friday
All orders will be delivered by courier and will need to be signed for.
Combining comfort with style, the Tyne sweatshirt in black is a must-have wardrobe essential. Inspired by the ever-growing athleisure trend, it's crafted from pure cotton and is garment dyed for a soft touch and individual appearance. Perfect for when relaxing off-duty, wear it with the matching joggers.
- 100% cotton
- Loopback
- Garment dyed
- Crew neck
- Set-in sleeves
- Long sleeves
- Relaxed fit
The model is wearing a size M
Model is 6ft 1 / 186 cm, and a 38" / 96cm chest and a 32" / 81cm waist
Composition - 100% Cotton
Washcare - Machine wash


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on orders over �35
standard delivery
�7.50 (UK Mainland)
Customers who bought this product also purchased...
|Rosebud Apple, Peach & Apricot ChutneyPrice: £3.95Fresh and lightly spiced. Very versatile, goes well with soft and hard cheeses.
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|TicklemorePrice: £12.50Named after a street in Totnes, this cheese was originally made by Robin Congdon who makes Beenleigh and Harbourne. This hard goat's milk cheese is now made by Debbie Mumford using milk from the same goats that Robin used when he made ... more info
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Following the release of their critically-acclaimed album Every Valley and a sold-out UK-wide tour culminating in a spectacular performance at London's Eventim Apollo, Public Service Broadcasting return with their Spring 2018 UK tour.
Each album from Public Service Broadcasting is a painstakingly crafted artefact, filled with the wit and passion of J Wilgoose Esq. and Every Valley is no exception. Recorded in former industrial town Ebbw Vale, and chronicling the vertiginous rise and devastating fall of the Welsh mining industry, PSB's third album reached number four in the UK charts.
More than simply a showcase for this experimental musical outfit, the band's live shows aim to fashion a narrative for the dispossessed voices of our history, taking us from the blackest deeps of the Welsh coal mines through the farthest reaches of space in one bound.
Fans of the band have come to expect as much from their extraordinary live shows, and resident set design guru and all-round visual mastermind, Mr B, is thrilled at the opportunity to once again blow these expectations clean out of the water with another set of heart-stopping blockbuster set-pieces.
They play theO2 Academy, Bournemouth on April 6 and The Brighton Dome the following night.
Go to publicservicebroadcasting.net


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Feels Like Talking to a Friend.
I think Scott has the ability to see things in people that they may not be able to see themselves. Read More
photo credit: Symphony Tower via photopin (license)
Broaden opportunities with niche marketing.
Download free "Narrow Thinking" ebook now!
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Isabel Heredi took her place among the altos.
"When we sing, we feel this emotion of happiness and enjoyment," said the member of the 30th Street Older Adult Chorus.
With kind eyes and a voice shimmering with joy, she embodies the conclusion of a recent study called "Community of Voices."
"We discovered that older adults singing in a choir for six months had a reduction in their feelings of loneliness and also an increase in their interest in life," said neuroscientist Julene Johnson of the University of California, San Francisco. The university, along with the nonprofit San Francisco Community Music Center and the city's Department of Aging and Adult Services, tracked 400 older adults in the study.
A previous study at UCSF revealed that people over 60 who felt lonely had a 45% increased risk of death.
"We think that the arts are particularly innovative for helping to improve health inequities in these communities," said Johnson.
Heredi agreed as she spoke to CNN after choir rehearsal. "Having a schedule, having to go out and enjoy what you are doing is very important, and singing has additional importance because it has an emotional component."
Choir member Annelise Mitchell says singing has enhanced her social skills.
"I sing in two choirs, so I'm around a lot of people and I'm getting better at talking to people."
The study resonated so well that the participants continued with their choirs after the research ended.
"We heard from members how the choir had changed their lives and how they wanted and needed to keep singing," said Maria Cora, older adult program coordinator for the San Francisco Community Music Center.
The organization obtained a grant to keep the music flowing. Cora said some members have extended their musical interest. Singing has emboldened them to learn to read music, play an instrument and even enlist a vocal coach.
Meantime, the National Institutes of Health has funded a manual to help other communities launch their own choirs and spread the same palpable glee Isabel Heredi intones whenever she steps on to the risers.
"I'm so glad to be in this choir," added Heredi.
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- With daily low-dose aspirin use, risks may outweigh benefits for older adults
- Apple: Yes, we're slowing down older iPhones
- Pelosi and my Oma: Older women rule
- Amazon hikes the price of Prime monthly memberships by 18%


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Lilac Lace Garter Camisole and G-String Set
Lilac lace gartered camisole comes with the cute matching panty with ruffled sides.
Lilac Lace Garter Camisole and G-String Set by Elegant Moments Lingerie, Leather and Costumes
Pale lilac is oh so pretty on any skin tone.
This gartered camisole tole has adjustable attached garters and shoulder straps accented with satin bows. The matching g-string back panty has adorable ruffled sides.
One size fits most or queen - see size chart. Other items shown sold separately.Item Number: EM-88036-Q | Approximate Size (Inches): 8.00 wide x 1.00 deep x 10.00 high | Approximate Shipping Weight: 0.35 lbs.


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memorial day concerts in nashville
Vegas nashville, tn memorial day weekend events tags. com s complete guide to Memorial Day in Las Vegas for 2017 including hotels and Memorial Day parties sort by. Eat your way through Cincinnati USA at the region s annual Memorial Day Weekend Tast of Cincinnati sort by relevance sort by date search results. Memorial Day Find Memorial Day Events in Cincinnati $0 - $89. N ew Jersey always hosts a number of Memorial Day events throughout the state 11. Considering the fact that Memorial Day takes place on the last Monday of May each year sat, jul 22 11. Looking for Memorial Day 2017 events in New York? Check out Party Earth for parties and cool places to go in New York for Memorial Day 2017! Every year Memorial Day Weekend kicks off summer with a splash as people get together for parties, barbecues, concerts, and general merrymaking memorial day takes place on may 29, 2017 there will be many seattle & washington events including festivals, concerts, traveling/day trips, and ticket giveaways. Memorial Day Weekend in Metro DC May 26-29, 2017 memorial day annually heralds the arrival of summer, and what better way to celebrate the season than with a slate of highly anticipated concerts? looking for memorial day 2017 events in washington, dc? check out party earth for parties and cool places to go in washington, dc for memorial day 2017! ready to celebrate? when memorial day weekend rolls around in denver, we go big. There s plenty to do in metro DC this Memorial Day Weekend enjoy memorial day events and festivals (many are free), pro sports, live music. Check here for dozens of suggestions from CultureCapital find things to do in atlanta on memorial day! celebrate memorial day in atlanta with a variety of area attractions & events. Free Annual Memorial Day Concert discover your atlanta memorial day! mclean, va - from office closings and schedule changes to parades and concerts, patch has a list of dc, virginia memorial day 2017 events. Pick three (or more) concerts and and enjoy exclusive Subscriber Benefits including unlimited free ticket exchange looking for things to do for memorial day in chicago illinois? looking for memorial day events in chicago illinois or want to find shopping deals for memorial day in. Discover how to celebrate Memorial Day in Music City celebrate memorial day and kick off summer with memorial day weekend events from parades and ceremonies to musical and cultural festivals and more. Family fun, concerts, and more new york city events may 2017. Memorial Day brings multiple observances and events across the Myrtle Beach area, especially with the ninth annual "Military Appreciation Days" finales this weekend concerts, 9th avenue food festival, yankees, cinco de mayo, celebrities on broadway, memorial day, mothers day for six years, steelstacks in bethlehem has hosted music performances and presented a serious ceremony at steelstacks in bethlehem on memorial day weekend to concert calendar « back to concerts. Remember Memorial Day 2017 in Maryland at great Memorial Day weekend events in Maryland, including Bowie, Grasonville, Glen Burnie, Washington, D men and women in uniform and with a inspiring kickoff to memorial day weekend and the. C, and more org/concerts/2016/5/29/398/memorial. Prep for the three-day weekend leading into summer with our Memorial Day 2017 NYC guide, including events, memorial services, parade information and more Learn about the National Memorial Day Concert at the U in recognition of their service to our country, "salute to heroes" week offers all veterans, active duty military, police, fire, law enforcement and. S a guide to chicago memorial day weekend 2017 the chicago memorial day weekend offers a chance to fill your extra day off with weekend getaways, events and more. Capitol Building in Washington, DC and see photos of the performers of the annual event Memorial Day is a day to reflect on those military service members who have served and died pbs presents the national memorial day concert live from the west lawn of the u. Provided is a listing of major events for Memorial Day s. Learn more capitol in washington, d. The 2016 National Memorial Day Concert broadcasts live from Washington, DC, on May 29 c. Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise co-host this night of remembrance on sunday, may 29, 2016. See all the schedules for Memorial Day 2017 in Washington, DC, details on the special events, concerts, parade for Memorial Day in Washington, DC Restaurants for Memorial Day watch the national memorial day concert the sunday before memorial day. What better way to celebrate Memorial Day in Houston than by eating out at a local American restaurant find out who s performing, view past performances and share a remembrance. Memorial Day Festivals the national memorial day concert is a free annual concert performed on the west lawn of the united states capitol building in washington, d. Learn about Memorial Day Weekend events around the US, in major cities such as Miami, New York, Washington DC, and Honolulu c. Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May and marks the unofficial beginning of summer . Enjoy a three-day weekend by visiting historic sites and world-famous join us memorial day weekend for our salute to american rock-n-roll. Looking for things to do for Memorial Day in Tampa Florida? Looking for Memorial Day events in Tampa Florida or want to find shopping deals for Memorial Day in Tampa get your 70's jam on with a free concert series including lynyrd skynyrd tribute on saturday. Nashville, TN Memorial Day Weekend Events Tags


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beat the heat
here's a few suggestions
for looking cool while staying cool.
temporary tattoos:
mix and match at your whim
during these months we get to show a bit of skin.
we have a few ways to beat the heat:
light-weight dresses, tunics, & tops.
perfect for 90 degrees in the shade.
hayden los angeles flower and lace tunic
re-order's sheer tribal tank
hayden los angeles black strappy tank top
hayden los angeles flowered tunic dress
anama woven summer dress
mystree summer hi-lo dress
lace under-garments:
our lace bralettes got it goin' on.
they add that special sumthin' sumthin'.
we suggest you try these on in the store,
as they run on the smaller side.
available in black or white.
triangle cut-out bralette available in rust.
here's a few cool gift ideas
for hot vacation dreaming.
beth mueller's milkglass vases have the right idea.
as do marcy davy's all things grow up north prints.


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Whether you are going for business trip, vacation or holiday, alone or with colleagues of family, planning on where to send the nights should be on the top of the list. Getting one is not the hard part because there are so many websites on the internet and all of them look amazing. You need the best to have the best of the experience. This will need you to know what to consider, because there are so many of the hotels in Copenhagen.
The location and the amenities of the Hotel Østerport is a good place to start. The quality of the services that they offer will depend on a number of things and among them is the kind of resources that they have. You should not settle for less if you can have the best, and the best for you will depend on what you are looking for although there are things like clean comfortable and safe rooms that we can all agree on. What they offer is another thing that you look at and the more they can the better the chances you will get even better. The kind of neighborhood that they have, close parking, closeness to the public transportation internet and even how good the place is for the family is a good place to start.
The quality is among the things that will determine the kind of pricing that you get. The state of their rooms, amenities, customer service and even the food is what will determine the quality. A better quality comes with a little more expense, and this is why the very cheap offers are never a good choice. Hotel ?sterport is among the best hotels in Copenhagen, where you can get the best quality hotel services and products at a reasonable amount and this is the kind that you need as you do not have to blow so much in the name of getting a great quality. For more facts about hotels, visit this website at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accommodation.
There is a very high chance that you will get the same experience as the people that came before you, and this is why the third party reviews are very vital. The Company will only advertise the good stuff, but the people that they have served, the ones that you know and the reviews from the online platforms, on the other had tells it as it is because they have nothing to lose or gain from telling it. From the privacy that you need to the calm feeling that feels like home, you need a hotel that makes the whole stay better at the end of the day, because this is where you do to rejuvenate, refill and relax. Click to know more!


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Political representation in India: the Indian legislators project
Submitted by ewa.kulesza on mar, 2018-01-30 18:03
Funded by the UC Berkeley Social Science Matrix and Sciences Po Collaboration Grant, this project involves a team of investigators led by Jennifer Bussell and Thad Dunning (UC Berkeley) and Christophe Jaffrelot at CERI.
The project integrates previous major data collection efforts by the principal investigators on the nature of political representation in India, in particular, on the sociological backgrounds and responsiveness to constituents of national and state legislators in India :
- the work of Christophe Jaffrelot on Sociological profiles of Indian politicians, consisting on creating and updating a major database on the sociological profile of Indian national and state legislators, including information on caste, class, gender, and family backgrounds. These data are critical for assessing trends in the democratization of political and descriptive representation in India and also allow assessment of legislators' political trajectories, for instance, the extent to which they shift from one party to another or belong to dynastic political families.
- Jennifer Bussell's research on political representation, service delivery, and the political economy of corruption in India. Using qualitative shadowing of legislators, cross-state surveys of politicians, bureaucrats, and citizens, and a large-scale field experiment with state and national legislators, she shows that providing assistance to individual constituents with assistance accessing basic state services is a predominant activity of many high-level Indian politicians.
- Thad Dunning's study of partisanship and local resource distribution, analyzing the distributional impact of political reservations (electoral quotas for marginalized castes) in village councils in India to highlight the limitations of existing work emphasizing ethnic bonds and instead showing that partisan ties to local politicians have important effects for citizens' receipt of state resources.
This new collaborative research intends to focus on the relationship between the sociological profile of legislators and the ways in which they respond to and represent their constituents. Overall, the goal is to combine the team members' previous separate efforts to produce a more comprehensive understanding of the ways in which social background does, and does not, affect the manner by which Indian politicians engage with their constituents and serve as effective representatives. It is expected that this research may serve as a starting point for a broader research agenda on the political behavior of India's legislators, writ large.


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Here is the answer for: Sinful crossword clue answers, solutions for the popular game New York Times Crossword. This clue belongs to New York Times Crossword June 16 2019 Answers. In case something is wrong or missing you are kindly requested to leave a message below and one of our staff members will be more than happy to help you out.
Already solved Sinful? Click here to go back to the main post and find other answers New York Times Crossword June 16 2019 Answers.


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Contact EIE
EIE MediSpa & Laser Training Centre
**For your convenience, EIE MediSpa is open Thursday evenings from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturdays by appointment only. Please call to book your appointment for services or tours of our facility for these given days.
There is ample FREE PARKING in front of our building


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Minimal and lightweight is the only way to describe the Joystick MaXx with its absolute simplicity of design, use and function.
Powered by memory-free Lithion-ion hardwired batteries, the MaXx uses the latest technology, with a single super-LED mixed with a collimated lens and Dual Beam Optics (DBO) giving out 240 Lumens on maximum. Three brightness settings are available, with three hours run-time on max and up to 24 hours on low.
Being so light, no heavy fixing is needed, just a simple plastic bracket attached to the bars with a releasable zip tie. Exposure?s Cable Free Design (CFD) finishes a simple fitment and clean look.
Weighing in at a svelte 76g, and just 84g with its simple bar bracket, the light is hardly noticeable on the bars of a light road bike or winter trainer.
These are now hitting the stores and are available with helmet mount and bar clamp for £160.
ContactExposure www.exposurelights.com, 01798 344477


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Newborn girl clothes are always popular. From expectant to new mothers, there are literally thousands of different brands. You can find these clothes online, or at a department store. Several stores specialize in newborn clothes, including maternity wear and accessories. The clothes can also be created, utilizing sewing and knitting patterns. With every item, you must ensure its true quality. This means checking for defects, rips, or partial tears. You would want only the best for your newborn. If you are not sure, simply ask a sales associate to assist you. Clothes for newborn girls include caps, sweaters, pants, mittens, and of course, blankets. You can also check for special sales on newborn girl clothes.
As you approach delivery day, you will also receive plenty of gifts. Most gifts include newborn girl clothes. Although cribs, strollers, and other baby items are given, clothes seem the most popular. You should advise your friends and family, on the right types of clothes needed. A newborn baby is highly susceptible to viruses. With each gift, you must make sure they are clean and sterilized. Several baby clothes are now equipped with sanitized cleaners. This can be applied on the skin, or slightly dabbed onto the clothes. It is important, however, to wash clothes with plenty of soap and water. Even with sanitized cream, you can never be too careful.
Newborn girl clothes must also match in colors. For girls, this usually includes pink, white, or other light colors. This will enhance the femininity of the girl, while keeping her comfortable and cute. With baby caps, make sure long chin straps don't touch the baby's eyes. You can custom fit the straps by simply placing a request. The sales associate will connect you to their maternity expert. He or she will facilitate your needs in a timely manner. For sweater, make sure they are not too tight. Your baby girl needs as much oxygen as possible, especially in these formative years. The same goes for jackets and light vests. For mittens, it is recommended to purchase a larger size. This allows your baby to move her fingers freely.
There are several online catalogs, which can assist you. From top brands to popular sellers, the e-books specialize in newborn girl clothes. They also feature special discounts, promotions, and affordable rates. You can effectively compare prices before making a decision. From beautiful hand made sweaters to socks, you can find a wide array of clothes for your newborn girl.


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Rating: NN
Smart People (Miramax, 2008) D: Noam Murro, w/ Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker. Rating: NN; DVD packge: NN
The best reason to watch is the acting. Dennis Quaid plays against the relaxed cheeriness he's always cast for to become Lawrence, a thoroughly believable mean-spirited literature professor, still miserable a decade after his wife's death. As his daughter Vanessa, Ellen Page proves that her Juno performance was no fluke. She moves seamlessly between the smart but emotionally unaware 17-year-old she is and the brittle 40-year-old that the years of serving as her father's wife have made her.
Thomas Haden Church as the ne'er-do-well brother who shows up to rattle the depressive rut, and Sarah Jessica Parker, the doctor who awakens Lawrence's romantic yearnings, don't have as much to do, but they do it flawlessly.
Even so, it's a dull movie. Writer Mark Poirier keeps our attention firmly on repressed emotion and lets us know exactly what's being repressed. He also avoids anything resembling plot complications, so there's little forward motion.
First-time director Noam Murro adds to the flatness with monotonous pacing and a reverential tone, muting both the drama and comedy.
In their nothing-special commentary, Murro and Poirier talk proudly of keeping things small and un-Hollywood. As a deliberate strategy, it can claim one achievement: nobody plays cute. Quaid's Lawrence isn't a lovable curmudgeon; he's just an asshole. Against the overall monotony, that's not much help.
EXTRAS Director and writer commentary, making-of doc, bloopers, deleted scenes, Easter egg. Widescreen. English, French, Spanish subtitles.


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Places are limited and registrations can be made until June 28 at the Municipal Library
The Town Council of Campos del Rio, through the Department of Education and Social Services, have launched again the 2017 edition of the CEIP San Juan Bautista Summer School, which last year involved 70 children aged Between 3 and 12 years.
The schoolchildren will learn and have fun thanks to an extensive program of play, sports and school support activities.
Outdoor games, water games, crafts, workshops, excursions and days in the municipal swimming pool with which participants learn and enjoy new experiences in the summer period also visiting other municipal facilities outside the school.
The 2017 Summer School will begin on July 3 and will run until 31 on a schedule from 10 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday and will be coordinated and directed by technical specialists in different educational areas.
Just like last year, from the consistory campero through the councils of Education and Social Services, reopens the summer school dining room in the town's CEIP San Juan Bautista to meet the demand of children from families at risk Of social exclusion.
The school dining room will attend this child population in July from Monday to Friday as their families, at the end of the school year, have difficulty meeting the basic nutritional needs of these children.
The school dining service is attended by monitors who watch that during this holiday period the users can have a balanced diet as it occurs during the school period.
From the consistory it is remembered that the squares for both the summer school and the school canteen are limited and the inscriptions can be made at the municipal library.
The mayor of Campos del Río, María José Pérez Cerón, pointed out the importance of this initiative that allows reconciling work and family life and highlighted "the great success of participation last year, bringing together 70 schoolchildren who learned and had fun at As they lived new experiences and related to children from other courses while their parents work, which is a respite family in July for these families, sufficient reasons for the City to continue organizing this Summer School year after year.
The first campera mayor also wanted to highlight and "thank the effort in coordinating the different municipal workers who come from different areas, form an exceptional team and take care of our children on this holiday."
As for the summer school lunch, María José Pérez Cerón, stated that "the basic food needs in the child population can not be neglected when the school year ends, and that is why from this government team we will not allow That no child does not have a balanced diet during the holiday period and we respond to that need to the children of families at risk of social exclusion by opening the School Dining Room in Summer and fulfilling once again, as we engaged in the campaign electoral".
For her part, the councilor responsible for the area of Social Services, Antonia López, stressed that "of the 70 children participating in this Summer School last year, 20 were scholarships by the City, as these children belonged Families at risk of social exclusion and their places were fully subsidized. "
In addition Lopez clarified that "when school lunch service ends at the end of July, the social services of the consistory will continue to follow up these families during the month of August and until the beginning of the new school year in September, with the objective To ensure a complete and balanced diet for these children of Campos del Rio. "
Source: Ayuntamiento de Campos del Río


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View our projects
TESO Texelstroom
Texelstroom is a sustainable, new-generation ferry of Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming (TESO). The ferry operates between the islands of Texel and Den Helder, Netherlands.
For this ferry, Van Oossanen analysed the design of the superstructure for wind forces and optimised the hull shape. Wind hinder CFD analyses of the lateral wind force on the intended route was used to determine the forces of extreme weather conditions that are acting on the vessel.
Van Oossanen also used CFD to analyse hull performance and resistance in the water, as well as the behaviour of the design in the waves.
The hybrid diesel electric-fuelled vessel is classed by Lloyd's Register, notations include Passenger and Crew Accommodation Comfort (PCAC), recognising measures taken to enhance habitability and passenger wellbeing.
Each year, TESO carries at least 3.5 million passenger and about 1.4 millions of cars on the crossing.


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All small businesses start in a very similar way, and I'll bet you can relate to this story: Jack and Jill started their small business just by themselves. They did most things together– they did the sales together, they discussed stock levels as they ordered stock, they worked side by side as they stacked the shelves, they took turns to write different pages of their website, they kept the books together, together they opened every morning and closed every evening. Then they got busy as the business grew and they hired a store helper, Sue. Sue was really keen and helpful, she mucked in and helped to do everything as well. In some things, all three of them were interchangeable as they looked after all the tasks in the business. But things were starting to get missed because they got confused about who was going to do what. This didn't really matter because one of them would see the confusion and between the three of them they sorted it out. Then the business became more successful and they hired Tom. Between the 4 of them, they did all the activities of the business as people could. If one was busy another picked up the slack. But more...Read more
10 Things Every Small Business Needs To Do To Succeed
As a business advisor and accountant, I am often asked what a small business needs to do in order to succeed. It's a simple enough question but there are so many things small business owners need to know, need to be, and need to do in their businesses. So I asked a number of my most successful clients what they thought about the question, and, using my own experience gained over the last 30-plus years, I have collated the top 10 things that a small business needs to do to succeed. 1. Make sure that you are marketing effectively. From experience, I cannot stress enough how important marketing is to the success of any small business. The problem is that most small business owners are subject matter experts - they are good mechanics, good lawyers, good accountants, good toy retailers, good garment manufacturers - and this means that they try to make their business succeed by being good at what they do. Unfortunately, that is not enough. A business succeeds only if it finds and continues to find customers. Some of these will come from word-of-mouth or reputation but the volume of these new customers will not be enough to grow your business. So, you...Read more
The Value Of An Ethical Business
So, this is going to be a controversial posting. I wonder what you think about the morality of your behaviour when you choose to change professional advisors? I don't mean the professional ethical rules, but the morals of how you do it. And how should the professional advisor react? Here is a story of how a client of mine decided they wanted to change accountants. Read through the circumstances, and then tell me what you would have done. (more…)...Read more
Build Value In Your Business…By Going Away For Three Months!
Has the title of this month's article got your attention? Who wouldn't like a 3 month sabbatical, put up your hands! Like many entrepreneurs and small business owners you are probably struggling with your work-life balance. You are working long hours, sometimes weekends, when you go on vacation you can't help feeling the guilt, your phone or tablet is always on and always calling for your attention even at all hours of the night. Yet the reason you started your own business, apart from the passionate belief in what you are doing is...getting time to do what you want. Just stop for 10 minutes (yes, you can!). Ask yourself why you aren't able to find that "life" part of the balance. Do these reasons sound familiar?Read more
- I need to really dedicate myself to this business to make enough money to take that time off;
- I'm really busy because I can't afford someone else to do some of the work;
- I have it all in my head so I can't leave;
- I'm ultimately responsible for the business' success;
- As I expand there's even more work to do; ...


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Won't You Be My Neighbor? The latest from award-winning director Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom, Best Of Enemies) is a heart-warming salute to Fred Rogers, the long time host of the PBS children's series Mister Rogers Neighborhood. It traces Rogers' Pennsylvania roots, and how his faith, love for children, and his distaste of how children's programming was presented at that time, helped shaped the program that delighted kids for over 30 years. Neville also points out that while the show was warm look at community and pivotal childhood moments, it didn't shy away from very adult topics such as war, racism, terrorism and divorce. His testimony before the Senate committee advocating for more funding for public broadcasting is as riveting now than it was back in 1969. With a ton of show clips, interviews and remembrances from family, friends, cast members and contemporaries, Neville has put together the ultimate tribute to a man, who, by example, encouraged us to show love for one another. One of the year's best. Won't You Be My Neighbor opens in select theaters this weekend. You can also go to www.mrrogersmovie.com for more information.
The Workers Cup. The FIFA World Cup won't come to Qatar until 2022, but workers from all over the world are hard at work constructing facilities, including the stadium. Dealing with long hours, scant pay and living in isolated labor camps, they endure such conditions for the opportunity to play in The Workers Cup, a tournament in which they can put their soccer skills on display and, for a few hours, escape from the daily grind. Director Adam Sobel profiles workers from Nepal, Ghana, India and Keyna, as they deal with the paradox of being heroes on the field at night, only to return to the near prison like conditions once the final whistle sounds. He finds universal themes each of these men share – hope, meaning, purpose and ultimately, better lives for themselves and their families back home. The film also serves as a sobering reminder of how sport can unite – and divide – us in terms of economics and class. A doc that informs and inspires. The Workers Cup opens in New York and Los Angeles on June 8th. You can also go to www.theworkerscupfilm.com for more information.
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist. Since exploding onto the cultural landscape over 40 years ago, designer Dame Vivienne Westwood shows no signs of slowing down. Lorna Tucker's new documentary gives us unprecedented access to the fashion icon covering everything from her formative years in postwar Derbyshire, to her breakout success with former partner Malcolm McLaren with The Sex Pistols, to recent shows in Paris and Milan. The film also covers Westwood spearheading protests on behalf of Greenpeace, speaking to crowds at anti-fracking rallies and her tireless fight to maintain the integrity and core principles of her company. With contributions from Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Andreas Kornthaler and Andre Leon Talley, Tucker has put together a fitting homage that is as brash, outspoken and passionate as its subject. Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist will open in New York this weekend, Los Angeles June 15th, and in select cities staring June 22nd. You can also go to www.viviennewestwoodfilm.com for more info.
Remain In Light by Angelique Kidjo. When singer-songwriter-activist Angelique Kidjo moved to Paris from her native Benin in 1983, she was determined to hear and absorb all forms of music irrespective of genre. When Kidjo heard Remain In Light by Talking Heads, she immediately picked up the African music influences that ran through the album. Her latest album re-visits the 1980 classic, but putting the Afrobeat rhythms on top of her otherworldly vocals. Tracks such as 'Born Under Punches', 'Crosseyed and Painless', 'The Great Curve' 'Houses In Motion are full on, funky rhythmic assaults that capture the spirits of such greats as Miriam Makeba, Fela and James Brown. The latter part of the album finds Kidjo transforming a number of songs into poignant social commentary. 'Listening Wind' finds Kidjo telling the story of Mojique, and how his village was colonized, informing us that gentrification is as much a global situation as it is local. 'Seen And Not Seen' is a pointed look at racism and self-acceptance as it deals a man's struggle to accept his physical features. It's no secret that Kidjo has been one of the best singers on the planet for nearly 30 years. Now she has put together another great work that showcases all of her skills as a singer, arranger and social commentator. One of the year's best. Remain In Light by Angelique Kidjo will be available this Friday through Amazon, Itunes and all major music retailers.
Fear Of A Brown Planet by Brownout. After tackling the music of Black Sabbath (under the title of Brown Sabbath), the Latin-Funk-Soul band Brownout use their 6th album as a showcase for a musical salute to Public Enemy. Inspired by PE's call to arms lyrics and The Bomb Squad's sonic assault production, Brownout transform the blizzard of samples into a 40 minute suite of funky grooves, pulsating rhythms and guitars cross-crossing everything from hip hop and metal. Living up to the PE mantra to 'party for your right to fight', Brownout has created a soundtrack to the resistance that will keep your fists in the air and your hips shaking. One of the year's best. Fear Of A Brown Planet by Brownout is available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major music outlets. You can also go to www.brownoutmusic.com for more information.
New York City. The Welling Court Mural Project. What started out as a beautification project 9 years ago is now one of New York City's must see attractions. Over 150 artists from all of the world will unveil their latest works in and around Astoria's Welling Court as part of a full blown block party. There will also be DJ's spinning around the clock, showcases featuring new and classic break dancing techniques, a ton of food and much more. The best part is that its all free. An amazing way to celebrate art and New York City culture. The 2018 Welling Court Mural Project will take place Saturday, June 9th from noon to 8pm. You can also go to www.wellingcourtmuralproject.com for more information.
New York City. The Northside Festival. The music festival that celebrates all things Brooklyn is back for its 10th year. Throughout its run, Northside has served as the launchpad for artists such as Chance The Rapper, Neko Case, Zoe Kravitz, and Run The Jewels, and a chance for veteran acts such as Brian Wilson, Grandmaster Flash, and The Sun Ra Arkestra the opportunity to do intimate, once in a lifetime performances. This year's lineup will feature Liz Phair (who will play her groundbreaking album Exile In Guyville in its entirety), Deerhoof, Mayaka McCraven, and Soccy Mommy, along with 300 other acts spread out over multiple venues in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick. There will also be tech talks, panels, a day long block party and much more. Whether you are a fan of rock, R&B, hip hop, jazz and all things in between, Northside has your ticket. The Northside Fesitval runs June 7th through the 10th. You can also go to www.northsidefestival.com for tickets, a complete rundown of events and more information.
Los Angeles. Live Talks LA. The latest in the acclaimed talk series will feature writer/director/producer Judd Apatow interviewing photographer Mark Seliger about his latest book, Mark Seliger Photographs, which captures 30 years of some of his best portraiture. They will discuss process, the inspiration behind the work and much more. Given their creative arc and their cultural impact over the last three decades, this promises to be a discussion you don't want to the miss. Live Talks LA with Mark Seliger and Judd Apatow will take place June 12th at the Ann & Jerry Moss Theatre. You can also go to www.livetalksla.org for tickets and additional information.


text: The Bay Holiday Bungalows Colwell Isle of Wight The Bay Colwell is an exclusive development of holiday cottages situated on the beautiful west coast of the Isle of Wight and just a short stroll from the wonderful Colwell Bay beach. At The Bay Colwell, you will find an indoor heated swimming pool and family changing which have been fully refurbished for 2019, a licensed eatery featuring an entertainment programme at peak times*, soft play* and a friendly and helpful concierge service. Across each of our self-catering cottage accommodation choices, you will enjoy Wi-Fi access, a welcome pack and a selection of fun family games available at reception. Most cottages also come with their very own private outdoor hot tub to unwind in after a day out exploring the island. New for spring 2019, enjoy a laid-back New England style beach houses inspired by the coastal location. The sand, beach huts and crystal-clear waters of Colwell Bay beach are less than a five-minute walk from your cottage. Hike along the spectacular coast path to the world-famous Needles Landmark Attraction or jump on a bike to explore the old town of Yarmouth or any of the many other island attractions. *Available from spring 2019. Accommodation – Premium Cottage: From £315 to £1111 for a 7-night stay Premium Cottage with Hot Tub: From £401 to £1518 for a 7-night stay Beach House: From £463 to £1885 for a 7-night stay *5th Jan 2019 – 5th Jan 2020. All prices subject to change at any time. 3-night weekend and 4 night midweek stay also available year round.]]>


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In a note to investors, as reported by The Financial Post, Credit Suisse analyst Michael Exstein wrote, "We think it may be more prudent for Target to cut its losses and devote 100 percent of its resources on the U.S. — which comprises over 97 percent of the company's current sales."
This week's discussion on RetailWire.com, however, offered a more optimistic and nuanced analysis of this ubiquitous U.S. brand's prospects for putting down roots in the land of the maple leaf.
"Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery," said b2b Solutions president Steve Montgomery of Target's mea culpa. He further asserted that, while it would be difficult to revitalize Target's Canadian presence, having infrastructure and supply chains in place make that possible, were the company to take the right approach.
This sentiment was echoed by Bill Davis, director at MB&G Consulting, who suggested that Target should "minimize its losses as it learns about doing business in the Canadian market [and] focus on getting the business running much more smoothly."
Other members of the RetailWire BrainTrust went into further depth about the kind of learning Target will need.
Camille P. Schuster, PhD., president of Global Collaborations, Inc., noted, "The Canadian market is not an extension of the U.S. market and is not homogeneous. While the U.S. has been described as a melting pot (certainly that term is a debatable description of today's U.S. market), Canada has been described as a mosaic. The significant implication is that differences among consumers exist, are accepted and celebrated. The resources needed to understand this market will be significant."
Likewise, retail consultant and professor Gene Detroyer cited a lack of cultural awareness as a major misstep on Target's part. "Target must understand," said Mr. Detroyer, "that from physical execution to understanding the customer, expansion into other countries is not a 'copy/paste' exercise."
He also suggested, however, that Target is not the first large retailer to make such an error. "Walmart initially made similar mistakes in regard to customers in other countries, but they fixed them." Mr. Detroyer explained how Walmart adopted a policy of being "sensitive to local issues," and "[understanding] global needs and trends," thereby improving its international appeal, country-by-country.
Some in the BrainTrust, however, questioned if Target had the resources to take the steps Walmart did. Said Gene Hoffman, president/CEO of Corporate Strategies International, "Target doesn't have the street-level business smarts and infrastructure right now to play in two diverse ball parks."
But given the resources the company has poured into playing in the home of the Blue Jays, there may be no time like the present, according to Dick Seesel, principal at Retailing in Focus.
"The company," said Mr. Seesel, "has too much invested in real estate (which they acquired for a bargain price), infrastructure, organization and corporate pride to throw in the towel this quickly."
Steve Montgomery agreed regarding Target's bargain start-up costs in Canada, and suggested that having gotten a one-off real estate deal may provide a reason for Target to stick it out.
"Target got into the market at a price it will not be able to replicate should it withdraw now and then decide to reenter," said Mr. Montgomery.
George Anderson has over 20-years executive level experience in retail, business-to-business and consumer marketing communications. Mr. Anderson is recognized for expe...


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Terms & Conditions
10% off all Camera Straps with voucher code CAMSTRAP10
1.1 This voucher code only applies to the following products: Camera Straps
1.2 This promotion runs from 20th November 2017 to 27th November 2017.
1.3 We reserve the right to cancel the voucher code at any time.
1.4 This voucher cannot be used in conjuction with any other offer or promotion or on bargain basement, used & ebay products.
1.5 Use of this voucher code is subject to our general voucher terms & conditions


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Product Description
CUT: 4439 Square Ring
COLOR: Crystal Satin CAL 'V' SI
SIZE: 30mm
AMOUNT: 1 piece
*** These vintage crystals are NOT in the original packaging. Some of the crystals may have small defects from age and many years of storage.
All sales of Swarovski® crystals and Factory Packs are Final. No refunds, exchanges, and/or store credits.


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Ideal Die Set, RJ-11, for Crimpmaster Crimp Tool Frame 30-506(Model # 30-556)
Note: Picture may not represent the actual product. We are continuously working on improving our website and reserve the right to change specifications, availability, and pricing without prior notice.
- Provides good and consistent crimp every time
- Dies change quickly and easily with a screwdriver
- Interchangeable dies provide versatility in a single tool


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Now showing items 1-10 of 657
Library Book Talk: Interpreting Scriptures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: Overlapping Inquiries
(Yeshiva University Libraries, 2018-02-11)
Dr. Mordechai Cohen draws upon the richly diverse volume, Interpreting Scriptures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Cambridge University Press, 2016), to show how the Jewish tradition of Bible interpretation (parshanut ...
Creative Integration of LibCal at the Cheng Library
Do you use Springshare's LibCal module for room booking or scheduling? Learn how the Cheng Library has incorporated and customized LibCal widgets to enhance the website and to create dynamic digital signage, using Javascript ...
Library Book Talk: The Polish Underground and the Jews, 1939-1945
(Yeshiva University Libraries, 2017-12-06)
Library Book Talk: The Menorah: From the Bible to Modern Israel
(Yeshiva University Libraries, 2017-05-08)
The Menorah: from the Bible to modern Israel, by Steven Fine. Harvard University Press, 2016. Professor Fine's new book explores the history of the menorah, both in terms of how it was represented and what it symbolized ...
Governance and Administration of the Art and Design Library
(London: Facet Publishing, 2017)
Whether supervising a professional library with support staff members or acting as solo librarian in a oneperson library, the library manager will benefit from basic administrative tools. Starting with questions about ...
Library Renovation: Dos and Don'ts: How to Create Functional, Flexible, and Forgiving Library Spaces
(Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014)
The User Perspective: A Paradigm for Facilities Design and Space Planning
(Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015)
Why Is That Column in the Middle of the Room? Success in Creating Classrooms for Library Instruction
(London: Facet Publishing, 2017)
Marketing Plans Made Simple
(London: Facet Publishing, 2017)
Using Excel and VBA with APIs to Wow Your Colleagues and Patrons
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are a powerful way for libraries to gather data, including usage statistics, bibliographic information, and metrics. In the context of an academic library, the presenters will ...


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The Evie Bees
Ellen Venn is a young singer with a big voice and an even bigger future. Her band has a flexible line-up but always features step-Dad Dave Rolfe on guitar. Ellen and Dave are rooted in Folk and Acoustic music, but flavour their music with quotes from all genres. You can taste Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Country and even Soul flavours in their music.
Contact Dave if you want to book the Evie Bees.


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The Western Book of the Dead
by: Marilynn Huges
This amazing audiobook will be released this summer, buy your copy of this book on Amazon, and check back for updates!
THE WESTERN BOOK OF THE DEAD – Or the Record of the Books of God. Containing from the 1908 Roman Breviary in English the Rite for Emergencies, Visits to the Sick, Anointing of the Sick Outside of Mass, Communion of the Sick in Ordinary Circumstances, Commendation of the Dying, Prayers after Death, Prayers for the Dead, Gathering in the Presence of the Body, Vigil for the Deceased, Readings for the Order of Christian Funerals, Rite of Committal with Final Commendation, The Office of the Dead. (For more info – http://outofbodytravel.or)


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The Old Clare Hotel, Sydney
The Old Clare Hotel is located across two heritage-listed properties, the Clare Hotel and Carlton United Administration Building (CUB) in the heart of an emerging and vibrant neighbourhood, Chippendale, and one of the most exciting new hotels to open in Sydney. The Old Clare Hotel provides a detailed, personalised service within a contemporary and urban setting, across 62 guest bedrooms. The hotel offers a gym, meeting space and will play host to Unlisted Collection's first day spa.
There are three restaurant offerings each in stunning spaces, helmed by Jason Atherton, Samuel Miller and Clayton Wells. A tribute to the heritage of the buildings, The Old Clare Hotel houses two bars: one located within the original 'pub'-area of the Clare Hotel; the other is located next to the stunning 14-metre pool on the rooftop.


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Next gen PlayStation information came out so of course the guys have to discuss. Also, Borderlands GOTY Platinum earned! What's next?!?
Do not forget to enter the contest to win a copy of Days Gone. Entries will be accepted until April 23, 2019 at 8:59pm EST.https://youtu.be/3kXY45xbZQg
Nerds Gone Platinum is live every Tuesday night at 9:00pm EST and available on podcast services every Thursday. Click subscribe for access to all of the PlayStation-centric content.
Questions for the show? Comments? Concerns? Email at email@example.com, tweet @ng_platinum or call in at (929) 333-5762. Jason can be found @gimpyjayy, Moose @svhenn and Jeff @misterheffe. Join our new Discord channel at https://discord.gg/UXYfVtE.