Page 32 - link magazine

32 The Link Magazine • November 2003
Vienna to Varna (or is it Nirvana?)
Former Greendown student Allister Liew decided to break away from his job as a web designer in London and take off
on a one man sponsored bike ride down the Danube. Here he describes his trip in September.
Having lived out of two panniers and camping wild in a one man tent, covering 1,067leg-pounding miles cycling through central and eastern
Europe on a mediocre mountain bike, five countries, five different currencies, four border crossings, five languages, five capital cities and
five punctures later, I arrived at Varna on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
The object of this journey, be- Firstly, a chance to take been pledged over be. All in all a truly edifying expe-
ginning in Vienna, was twofold. time out from the office £1,000 and any further rience.
way of life to experience contributions would Donations to the Alzheimer's So-
an outdoor existence in be gratefully received. ciety can be made online at http: /
adifferentenvironment I have now re- www.justgiving .com/cyclingalli
and also to generate turned, body and soul where there are more photographs
awareness of near-by ) intact and some seri- of the trip.
cultures. Secondly, to ous leg muscles, feel-
raise money for thr ing fitter than ever.
Alzheimer's Societ\ . Averaging around 60 Cycling for deaf children
My Nan (who is cur- 1 miles per day, I cov- A mum from
rently being looked af- ered some amazing Grange Park
ter by my parents in terrain, through for- will spend a
Swindon) is suffering ests, along approxi- week cycling
from a form of demen- mately300milesofthe across Cuba
tia. I have seen how dif- (blue) Danube river, in aid of the
ficult a condition this can be. Sup- up mountains, down dales and had National
porting this cause is something many challenging episodes like Deaf Chil-
close to my heart. So far I have warding off stray dogs who looked dren's Soci-
like wolves, passing anxiously ety in No-
through armed border crossings, vember.
A smile and a kind sinking into river banks, covertly Gail Welch,
locating secluded places to camp, who went deaf overnight as a child,
word does such a lot spending days in solitude. will ride with ten others and aims
June Bassett from White Castle, This adventure has left me with to raise at least £2,600.
Toothilliscelebratingbeingchosen a greater appreciation of both na Donations to Gail's effort can be
as the local Slimming World woman ture and humankind. I met some made via The Link, address on page
of the year by other members at interesting characters and was 4, or at NatWest Bank, NDCS Ltd.
Toothill Communi ty Centre. pleasantly surprised at how Cycle Cuba No. 2 Account, No.
friendly and helpful people can 78688639, sort code 60-0208.

L--WeightWatchers
51
1" ^ w+.,
WESTLEA SCHOOL
UV Gel Nail Extensions va ^`^ Party Thursday 5.30pm
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ST JOHN'S CHURCH, HAYDON WICK
Tel: 07968 206154
Earn 10% commission Saturday 10am
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.tae & get a FREE gift HAYDON CENTRE
June, centre, receives her award from if you quote `Knickers' when Monday 9.30am,
Sharon Painter and Charlie Bansal, you call to discover why a Wednesday 6pm & 7.15pm
reveal the real you at
Toothill Community Centre chairman Rabbit is a girl's best friend. Discover the new 'Time To Eat' programme
Slimming World
June only joined in November 07745 098403 (Leanne) Call 08457 123 000
Monday: 6pm & 7.30 last year because extra weight was for other meetings in
St John's Church, causing health problems like high 07736688953 (Claire) the area or visit Meeting Finder at
Haydon Wick. Nicole, blood pressure. Having lost 501b, All areas covered www.weightwatchers.co.uk
338786 R her blood pressure is back to nor-
Tuesday: 9.30am & 6pm mal and the arthritis in her feet is
Toothill Community Centre greatly reduced.
ss
5p„
`°° „
Sharon, 527332 "I was really pleased to be nomi- F”" y Achieve Success
Tuesday: 6.30pm & 8pm nated by the other people in the Fitness Consultancy
Abbey Meads School club; we all get along so well," said s a ^"
Paula, 701442 June. "I make a point of chatting PILATES .ASSE
with newcomers to the class and
Wednesday: 9.30am
try to get them involved." Holy Trinity Church, Shaw Village Centre
Crossways Suite, Moonrakers, Monday: 6pm - 7pm; Wednesday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Cricklade Road. Samantha, Class coordinator Sharon
Painter said it was a bit of a strug- Taw Hill Worship Centre Tuesday: 8pm - 9pm
723416
gle to establish the group and June Primebodies Fitness Centre Tuesday: 10am - I lam
Thursday: 6pm & 7.30pm had provided tremendous sup-
St John's Church, port. "She's always there with a
Haydon Wick. Peter, 764684 Yoga class starting Tuesday 4th November at
smile and encourages others, even
£10 membership. £3.75 a week if they gain a bit of weight. June Greendown School. Book now! Places limited.
Phone for was nominated by all the mem-
special offers ^^ oAim si bers and we would also like to
thank her husband Frank who
www.slimming-world.com
makes a lovely cup of tea."