Level 3 Cycle Coaching and other stuff....

Sometimes I cannot believe how lucky I am. I have a wonderful family, great friends and a dream job.

For quite some time I've wanted to become a level 3 coach. this would enable me to do prescriptive training on a 1-1 basis. It's a pretty tough course, very expensive and time consuming.

About 3 months ago I received an email from British Cycling offering the level 3 course over a 5 day period (it's normally run over 3 weekends over a 6 month period). The hubster was off work the same week it was being held, the only problem was it was being held in London. We talked about it and decided it was too good an opportunity to miss so I booked it.
The course was to run from the 8th to the 12th April. From where I live its about a 5hr drive so we decided that I would go down ob the 6th and stay with an auntie and then on the Sunday make the 1 1/2 hr journey to my accommodation.

The most beautiful Auntie in the world.

And my beautiful cousin burning bagels...

On the Sunday we visited Henley On Thames which is where the GB Olympic Rowers train. It is the most gorgeous little village and people who live there are very wealthy.

A very famous singer is buried there.

On the Sunday night I moved to Croyden which is where the first section of the course was held. I had decided to take my bike and cycle into the venue, it seemed easier than going via car. I got there no problem but managed to get myself lost on the way home. After a hard day in the classroom, little food, lots of men with ego's and an extra 25 miles on my route I cried on the phone to my husband.
But I gave myself a good talking to and the week improved from there.
I met 2 pro cyclists. Julian Dean who is now Directeur Sportif with Orica Greenedge but is renowned for the DQ of Mark Renshaw in the 2010 Tour de France. Lovely lovely guy. I also met Matteo Cararra who has recently retired from  Vacansoliel.

And little me with them :)

More to follow xx

Pouffee Cover.... Ta Dah !!!!!

You may remember a few posts ago I had an idea to cover my old and battered pouffee with a crocheted cover. I did a quick search via Ravelry and noticed they were all circular. Then I had an oooOOOOOOO moment and came up with a plan.

So here is my old and battered Pouffee, with just a fraction of my wool stash in it.

It is a tired tired old thing. So here it is now.... TA DAH !!!!!!

Doesn't it look fab?! Really really simple to do.. heres how.

Basic square, then extended each end. Sew each side together, then once sewn together crocheted in the round, decreasing on each round, first every 15 stitches, then every 10 stitches, every 5 stitches and then on the last round every 4 stitches. This means that the cover fits snuggly round the top.

Love it love it love it !! :D

Football Tournament.

Blooming heck it was cold today. The boy was participating in a football tournament in Fleetwood. The weather wasn't great. A balmy 4 degrees !!!

We put the tent up and settled in for 4 hours of football. BBBBbbrrrrrrrrrr.............

The boys played well and us mum's had a great chat and gossip.

So after 4 football matches the boys received their medals. Don't they look chuffed :)