Make & Do Fun

Practiced face painting, baloon modelling, making friendship bracelets, scoobiedoos so that when we go out to Kenya for YAP we can do these things with the kids for fun.

Southend

A beautiful day in Southend ... just a coach ride away ... threw the bike in the back ... had a wander along the beach ... chatted & laughed ... had fish & chips .... went for a cycle along the promenade (more kms for YAP & a little time to get away from it all)

Even got some shopping in for going away ... some school equipment & T-Shirts to design on ... and not to forget ... the Owls!

Even though it was a beautiful day at the beach, Owls always remind me of winter ... and a piece of poetry ... at the time I heard it first I didn't know it was from Shakespeare's Love's Labour Lost.

Winter

When icicles hang by the wall,
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,
And milk comes frozen home in pail,
When blood is nipp’d and ways be foul,
Then nightly sings the staring owl,
Tu-whit;
Tu-who, a merry note,
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

When all aloud the wind doth blow,
And coughing drowns the parson’s saw,
And birds sit brooding in the snow,
And Marion’s nose looks red and raw,
When roasted crabs his in the bowl,
Then nightly sings the staring owl,
Tu-whit;
Tu-who, a merry note,
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

Urban Escape Volunteers

This year instead of our usual summer club with a large group of young people we instead concentrated our efforts on our small but dedicated group of young volunteers.

These guys for more than two years, week in and week out come and volunteer at the junior sessions as part of their service section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and/or just because they are loving and giving people.

This year we decided that we would concentrate on developing these young people so that they and other young people would benefit in the long run.

We decided that they would pretty much plan and run the summer club and that the summer club would be about developing their youthwork skills.

So together we decided on the programme, planned it, wrote it up and gave it out, prepared the centre by clearing and tidying it, did kit checks & lists, planned sessions, did the risk assessments, booked outside organisations & people and bought the equipment and materials needed.

The idea is that not only will these young people have gained new skills and improved on old but that these skills can be used when they volunteer in the future whether that is in August at a children's home in Nairobi, Kenya or in September training our next intrepid young volunteers in Tower Hamlets, London.

Summer Programme 2007
16th July to August 24th

July Mon 16:

• Summer Club & YAP Prep inc. programme writing, checking risk assessments
  
• Young People's consultation meeting with Met Police (post to follow)
  

Tue 17:

• Summer Club & YAP Prep inc booking people & places
• First Paradise Read Book Club
  

Wed 18:

• First Aid Training (full day)
• YAP Meeting
  

Thur 19:

• Scrap Project - for paint & art materials
• Summer Club Prep inc. equipment checks, kit lists, clearing & tidying
  

Fri 20:

• Getting rest of necessities for camping & Yap kit list
• Supervision & Panel meeting.
  

Mon 23:

• Paradise Garden

Tue 24:

• Epping Expediton

Wed 25 & 26:

• Epping Expedition

Thur 26:

• Theatre - Fame
  

Fri 27:

• Video Project & Monitoruing visit from funders

Mon 30:

• Cooking with Diane, Paradise Garden 2 & more Video Interviews

Tue 31:

• Make & Do Fun - leaning & teacing how to face paint, make friendship bracelets, baloon model, & make scoobies & T hshirt printing

August Wed 1:

• Climbing & Abseiling

Thur 2:

• Kayaking

Fri 3:

• Cooking with Diane & finishing up any of the above and sharing a meal with friends

Tue 7-Fri 24th:

• YAP to spend 2 weeks volunteering at a childrens home in Nairobi using all the above skills...and staying hopefully at the top of the ladder of participation as they have done more and more in the past two years and throughout the summer programme.
  

Guitars On the Southbank

Cycling along the Southbank from the Strand I was just thinking that I hadn't yet seen anything worth my while taking my camera out for and then I came across these larger than life guitars...so I got my camera out.

So another successful venture - picked up the gear I needed from a camping shop near Covent Garden, got some exercise cycling, did another 20km for YAP, got a bit of fresh air and sunshine and checked out some art...thats multi-tasking!

First Aid

Another session of First Aid...this time, though to be able to peer-educate in Kenya.

Amongst other things the young people will be able to teach the recovery position, CPR and bandaging for bleeds and other injuries.

The young people will be taking a portable resuscitation unit (Annie or Andy) to Nairobi and will be able to teach the older young people of the Children's home we are volunteering at, so that those young people in turn will be able to teach the younger ones.

School Summer Sale

Headed with our wheelie cases full of stuff to sell at a local school fete...

Sarah & Sadia escaped the power of the money dance...Thomas, Emma & Craig were not so fortunate.

Sadia obviously was keeping her energy for the dozens of mehindi designs (henna tattoos) she applied though out the day to make a large part of the £66.50 more made for YAP!

South of the River

Had a great session at Southwark Corps youth group with Sarah and her team. It included meeting new young people, catching up with ones I'd met on previous visits, a team quiz, Wii, the park and my highlight of the night - playing pass the ball with Hope & Johan.

Hope suggested we call the name of who we were passing to as she illustrates in this great drawing showing even the movement of the ball between the three of us. Oh for such simple pleasures!

(I was also quite pleased with myself for cycling there and back - another 16km for YAP)

The Ark

You never know what you are going to come across on a bike ride to Greenwich...like the HMS Ark Royal...a military aircraft carrier just parked up by the pier as if it was a little pleasure boat...

For more info check out this article (personally I prefer my picture to the one in the article - I think the almost cardboard cutout effect of the photo speaks of the futility of war and the darkness is death...and that war is pretty black and white, its either right or wrong and that this ark carried flying agents of death while the original one carried doves of peace...its amazing what a picture can say!)

Camden Green & Bike Fest

Another festival, more freebies, trying out newt things, music, food and sunshine and another 90km between us for YAP cycling from Poplar to Regent's Park.

Dean, Caitlin & Fran joined us and kept Craig & Josh occupied with the go carts...its surprising they had the energy to cycle home.

City Airport

Another bike ride, this time to the City Airport, with Georgi & Craig...another 15km for YAP

More iconic architecture (the Dome & Canarywharf)...


And more arty bits...

... we weren't really sure about it...but seeing as they were in the grounds of UEL we thought they might have have some deeper meaning that non-graduates wouldn't understand...of course they may also be just meant to look pretty.

Decathlon

Bought my bike from Decathlon and had to buy some sandals too to ride my bike home as I hadn't really given a thought to the fact that I wouldn't be able to take it on the train...however it meant I did know the way there and so when it came to picking up accessories like bicycle pumps (the ones with the side adapters for a very reasonable price, so reasonable we bought Thomas one for waiting with the bikes because I forgot the key for my lock) and a new innertube which we didn't actually get because they hadn't the right size.

Lea Valley Cycle

Today we added another 15km each to our total of kilometres on our way to our goal of 2085km (the distance from London to Africa) we are trying to swim/run/cycle/walk to fundraise.

We cycled north along the canals and had the idea to do a similar weekend cycle but this time further, camp out and cycle back the next day.

Craig discovered that it is easier to cycle when there is air in your front tyre (not impossible tho) and we will be carrying a pump for such eventualies.

Our route went up Teviot to Limehouse Cut, through Three Mills, past Hackney Marshes (see photo - goals in backround), along Hackney Cut, across Leabridge Road (where Lee Valley Ice Rink is) and to Harrington Hill where we thought we'd better turn back before we completely ran out of steam (see route on map above)

10 Reasons to Buy a New Bike

1. You can only use your kid's for so many years before you gotta get one of your own (even if you have used it more than she has)
2. Because you have a new helmet & lock for riding the old bike...the helmet which you were more and more likely to use because of the rust on the old bike on non-essential items such as the wheels, chain and brakes and the lock which was never needed as the bike was in such a state no one would steal it.
3. The Environment - need I say more? Okay...less of a carbon footprint etc and more smug feelings that can only be got from things like recycling and cycling.
4. To get fitter...only needs initial outlay for free fitness after that...yeah I know walking and running are free too...but shoes aren't and getting fitter means living longer - that is unless you get in a road traffic accident.
5. So that you realise that actually the old bike might be brought back to life if you saw how a bike was supposed to work so meaning a less solitary pursuit ie. someone else could cycle with you (on the old bike, with padding, a reliable helmet & spare bike bits and body parts).
6. To get back from the outlet from which you bought the bike as DLR & the Underground do not allow bicycles on so its probably the best transport to return the 11.1 kms home.
7. Its better than spending the £69 on drink & drugs ...and certainly lasts longer (10 years at least going by old bike and would have lasted longer if it hadn't been left out in the rain)
8. Because its a long time since you got a bike for your birthday and just cos it isn't your birthday it doesn't mean you can't have one and perhaps when you are less of a novice rider in the future you might appreciate a better bike and may even get one for your birthday and pass your old/new one on to a deserving home while you do the Tour de France.
9. Because the new bike has nice things like a bell, lights and quick release front wheel and saddle and round wheels and brakes that work.
10. Because you want to feel the wind in your hair (through your helmet) and remember those bygone days of cycling the three miles to school down the terrifyingly steep icy manure covered hills past the farms with the chasing hound dogs - perhaps that is something I should try to forget and instead do some kilometres for the sponsored walk/run/swim/cycle of the distance from London to Africa...of course if I just put the £69 into the kitty...oh well perhaps one reason not to buy a new bike - if the money could be better spent...and another would be if you don't know how to cycle (although that can be easily remedied with stabilisers) ...or if you are cyclophobic but a bit of hypnotism or role playing will turn the bicycle into your friend but if you do start talking to it you may get odd looks and questions regarding your mental health but don't worry - you can talk as much as you like to your bicycle, you can have a bicycle friend (expect though that you will be the more talkative in your friendship and don't be put off). So the last reason to buy a new bicycle, in essence, is so that you can have a bicycle friend - oh the joy, the frolics to be had!

There are probably more reasons which any bike will tell you about, please share them if they do...

Southbank Today

Things to see & do on the Southbank today for free:

• Walk from Tower Hill to Waterloo for exercise & YAP (3.5km)


• Watch skate boarders, BMXers & skaters


• Go to Borough Market & fill up on free tasters


• Spot the Banksy Moments


• Call into the Tate Modern


• Check out the street art work


• Drop into the OXO Tower Gallery (current exhibition: *'Forgotten, but not Gone')


• Listen to free live foyer music at the National Theatre


• Watch the numerous living statues (kids reactions are better to watch however)


• Check out the parkour athletes

*Forgotten, but not Gone 21 March - 15 April 2007Admission free Open 11am-6pm: 1807 Britain abolished the slave trade. Two hundred years later at least 12 million people worldwide remain in slavery. Through extraordinary photographs and intimate stories photojournalist Pete Pattisson exposes the exploitation and enslavement of men, women and children in India, Haiti, Ghana, Burma, Ireland and the UK. This exhibition is a compelling reminder that slavery may be forgotten, but it is not yet gone.

Lake District

Roz & Dean's Mission: To escape London, go to the Lake District, camp, do some walking, practice navigation, take in some peaks, do some KMs for sponsored YAP & add walking days to our Mountain Leadership Log Books

Day 1:Walk from campsite in Great Langdale Valley to Landale Pike

(and back, which was at times a debateable option for me)

Langdale Pike

(view from lake along the way)

View of lake (left) & the valley (right) where we had started our journey up Langdale Pike

Top of Landale Pike marked by a cairn

(thats the pile of stones which people have added to over time which is a common marker of routes or peaks in the mountains)

Day 2: Hardknott Pass to Scafell Pike (the tallest mountain in England)

A mixture of fields, waterfalls, marsh, rock and some desolate landscape along the way on a colder, cloudier day...proper mountain weather!

Up the side of the waterfall we went and into the clouds...

We thought twice about going any further, considering it had taken us 4.5 hours already & it could take that to get to the top & down again...& many people coming down had got lost...& I was ill & walking at snail-pace (or at least the pace of a snail on the ascent of the tallest mountain in England) But we soldiered on...& got to the top!

Trig Point at the top of Scafell Pike

(only the tallest mountain in England!)

A little enclosure at the top of Scafell Pike...a haven from the cold, wind and rain at the top of the tallest mountain in England...we didn't stay long, we nipped down again before we forgot how we got up...we followed cairns and odd shaped rocks like one which looked like a shark fin...helped a few people find their way...and advised a few that if they continued there might be a chance that we would see them featuring in the News that night.

Things I learned from this mission...

1. I am not fit (although I knew this before I went but had it confirmed & had warned Dean about this before we left & even suggested he went with someone else)

2. I want to be fitter (although I knew this before I went but had it confirmed & realised that 20 mins to an hour each day on level ground is easier to the 8 hours up hill & down all in one day - so I should just get on with it)

3. Mountains are great...again I knew this but needed reminding...did I mention we got to the top of the tallest mountain in England?

4. I needed to get away & getting away is good

5. Spending time with friends is good & I sometimes miss that but I blame Dean cos if he hadn't left I wouldn't have his job and there might have been some hope of me having a normal life.

6. It might be a good idea to book a campsite way in advance of a holiday weekend like Easter unless you don't mind walking half a mile to the loo.

7. I am pretty stubborn, that's all I can call it because I did not really want to walk 8 hours, being ill and unfit up and down the tallest mountain in England but still I did it.

8. Fruit flavoured Rennies are good for upset stomachs

9. Toasted goat's cheese is lovely with cranberry sauce

10. Dean's Great Grandfather is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest red cabbage...or maybe he said red cabbage is great pickled or that it is good for the complexion

11. YAP KMs are much easier to do off great pointy things sticking out of the ground (mountains being the technical term) and although we did about 35 KM each...they would have been much easier on flat ground.

12. The Meaning of Life

Star Spotting on Primrose Hill

Today we were sent on an mission by Tom's workmates to Primrose Hill to star spot. I initially thought this was to be a night-time venture and the stars were to be in the sky but was mistaken.

So off we went with camera in hand ready to be paparazzi. We were no sooner there when Tom pointed out Madonna. I looked where he pointed and clicked the camera but she didn't look anything like Madonna. Then he turned and said, there's Jude Law and he clicked again. Where, I asked. No, he said. Not really he said, he just wanted pictures to show his workmates and would pretend that the people in them were famous. Great, I said, I hadn't realised he was joking...(even though it was April 1st) but the joke was on him because as his 'Jude Law' passed us Tom realised that he was in fact famous...we had found a star after all...David Walliams from Little Britain! Here's a picture I took of him from Primrose Hill! (Also did 10KM for YAP!)

YAP Fundraising

Between the Film Fundraising Night when Josh L, Thomas, Craig & Josh provided the Paradise Zone with a cinematic experience complete with hotdogs, popcorn, nachos and drinks and the Spring Sale with Craig, aided by Josh & Tony running the Tombola, & the Recycled Sale Stall, Grass Head & Adopt a Plant Stall, and the Easter Nest stall, as well as Alan getting Sponsorship ...we made over £200 cash with promises of more to come in sponsorships....

St Patrick's Day

Pat & Bride, Jane's Grandparents came from Ireland for their 40th Anniversary today...

We went to Portabello Road Market ...

....checked out the stalls....

...saw Bargain Hunt being filmed...

...checked out some more stalls...

...listened to some music, had some coffee & strolled some more & checked out some more stalls...

then we headed to Docklands & had lunch....

...and strolled some more, this time round Canary Wharf...& headed home...not to Ireland...Poplar for now.

(the next day went to the Irish Festival...with parade, stalls, Music & other festivities in Trafalgar Square & Covent Garden)

Some cards we made @ club....

St Patricks Day & All Things Irish

(3.5 KM for YAP)