2010-08-20

Baltic Cruise with P&O..

Just back from my first Cruise liner based Speaking Engagement on P&O's fabulous Aurora. I was on board to give a series of presentations covering ten years of my ocean rowing adventures as we made our 'stately' way to and from St Petersburgh. Grace and I had a wonderful time and met some terrific people. I'd especially like to thank everyone who took in the presentations I hope you all enjoyed hearing about my adventures as much as I enjoyed recounting them. I must thank P&O too for helping in my continuing and highly successful Weight Regaining program the food was fantastic.... Was I really 50 pounds lighter this time last year....

2010-07-08

Hamilton Lodge School for the Deaf

Grace and I travelled down to Brighton earlier this week. It was the Sports day for Hamilton Lodge School for the Deaf who along with Hearts of Gold in Nigeria, Chris and I raised money for during last years row.

It was an excellent excuse to visit the south coast and the perfect opportunity to hand over the amount raised (£2,050). The Sports day was as vibrant and fun as every other event I've ever attended at the school with fierce competition amongst the students. Sadly Chris wasn't able to join me due to work commitments but despite that I was proud to hand over the money, half of which will be used for Hamilton Lodges 'twin' school for the deaf in Ethiopia. It was great to visit again and I look forward to continuing the link. In particular I'd like to thank Helen Pulham and the Headmaster; Graham Shepherd for their continued hospitality and friendship.

2010-07-05

Charities recieve the money raised.

Last week my friend and former colleague John Hanafin handed over the money Chris and I raised on the row to The Hearts Of Gold Hospice in Nigeria. Theresa the founder and director of the charity recieved the money from John and I know it will now be put to incredibly good use. The total final amount we raised was £2,050's for each of our two associated charities. Hearts of Gold Hospice in Nigera and Hamilton Lodge School for the deaf in Brighton who I've had a long standing connection with. I travel with Grace later today to Brighton to hand over their cheque tomorrow at the school sports day. On behalf of Chris and myself I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to the money raised I know both organisations will make the best possible use of the money, thank you guys.

2010-07-05

www.iconsheene.com

Had the pleasure to be invited to the launch of a fantastic new super bike at the weekend at the glamorous Goodwood Festival of Speed. Andrew Morris my friend and rowing partner across the Atlantic in 2005 designed and produced the iconsheene motorbike, officially launching the project at the famous festival. A total of 52 of the 'icon' bikes will be produced, the most powerful road bike ever built, and they will be endorsed by the family of Barry Sheene as a tribute to the great man. I was along to offer support as an old mate and to film the event. It was an honour to be there and to see Freddie Sheene the son of Barry pilot the bike up the famous Goodwood hill on it's first public display. Check out the bike @ www.iconsheene.com

It was a project Andrew conceived during the 2005 row and I vividly remember the sketches 'Mos' showed me as the idea took route during our voyage across the Atlantic. It was an honour to be at the unveiling of the bike and seeing that concept come to life after four years hard work by 'Mos'. Good luck mate and all the guys in the design and build team I know it will be a great success. 

2010-07-05

Laptop Suprise

A very nice suprise arrived last week. A parcel fedexed from the U.S. contained a splendid new Lenovo Laptop. Lenovo the company who kindly invited me out to Puerto Rico to speak thought my present laptop was not up to scratch and thanks to Julie Marshal in particular decided to provide a replacement. My thanks to Julie and Elaine Wood at Lenovo not only for a great experience in Puerto Rico but to them and Lenovo for such a kind gesture in addition. Thanks guys I will put the computer to great use. Have a great 4th of July....

2010-06-18

Lenovo Presentation

Had a great trip to Puerto Rico this week for a speaking presentation for computer company 'Lenovo.' Flew out of Heathrows new terminal 5 and via a stop in Miami found myself on the lovely island of Puerto Rico late that Monday night. Met up with Elaine Woods the daughter of Bruce Maherty who's been doing a fantastic job looking after 'Bo' in San Francisco at the maritime museum and we set about preparing everything for the following mornings presentation. With the help of Elaine, Julie Marshal and the team working on the Audio Visual display for the following days events we put everything in place before some much needed sleep.

The presentation was great fun and seemed to go down very well, not sure I've convinced anyone to row across an ocean (Probably the opposite) but had a great time meeting a great bunch of people talking to them about our amazing adventure and answering their questions.

The last time I was in Puerto Rico I was training for the first Atlantic row over ten years ago so it was nice to come back after all the rowing adventures have been completed, thank you 'Lenovo' for the invitation I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did.  

2010-05-18

Thank you guys....

Finally got the chance to get down to the South Coast last week. Took the opportunity to thank a few of the people who helped us get Bo into such good shape for last years attempt on the Pacific, Andy at Elite Engineering who sadly I missed at the office as he'd departed for the weekend before I arrived..... Double 'bummer' as I needed to find a loo by that time.

Paul Hoskins and the guys who work for him at his paint works company: www.paulhoskinsltd.com. They were busy painting most of the sunseeker fleet and a number of other very interesting projects. The striking silver paint job that complemented 'Bo's' original Navy Blue hull was down to Paul and the guys and remains in top condition even after 7,000 miles across the North Pacific. Cheers guys.

 Also managed to swing by at 'Hypromarine' to see Steve and Mick (Honestly) the brothers who own the company that solved our steering problem. Our steering was a major success from the rudder (mid mounted) to the Rudder Mountings right through to the 'Ram and Hydraulic Steering' package Steve and Mick kindly put together and created for us. Without the steering system we had we wouldn't have made it into San Francisco. Thanks guys.

2010-05-10

Wyberton West School Boston

Had the pleasure of returning to Boston's Wyberton West School today for a presentation. The last time I was there was in 2004 after I returned from the Pacific, 'Post Capsize.' It's a school close to where I grew up in Boston so I remember, believe it or not, being in exactly the same position as the students, all be it some thirty odd years ago.

Although a whole new gang of students and many new faces in the teaching department, the positive and progressive spirit of the school remains the same as I remember it. It was a great chance (My first to a UK school) to tell the story of the Pacific crossing and great fun aptly almost a year to the day Chris and I departed. My thanks to Mike the head master for inviting me.

The first question asked at the end of the presentation was from a young student called 'Fraiser.' 'Where did you go to the loo??' A question which won him the prize of a copy of the 189 days film trailer. Throughout all my presentations at Californian schools I was only asked that question once very reluctantly. It's invariably the first question asked at any British school. The single biggest difference I noted between British and American kids, don't ask me why....

It was great fun and I hope the kids enjoyed it as much as I did. I look forward to hearing about their adventures in years to come.

2010-05-08

A Year To The Day..

May 8th, exactly one year to the day, at least date wise, since Chris and I pushed off onto the mighty North Pacific (we set off on May 8th in Japan). It's been quite a year since then for all sorts of reasons, not least because of those first 189 days 10 hours and 55 minutes of the year. However life goes on, the documentary progress continues and 'Bo's' future is still being confirmed. It will be interesting to see what the next year brings, I suspect not quite the level of adventure that the last one brought, nor the weight loss..... 

I contacted Theresa the founder of Hearts of Gold Hospice in Nigeria this week and we've managed to arrange for John Hanafin my former colleague in Nigeria to hand over the money Chris and I raised last year. We were hoping to hand over the funds; £2,050, in person but that's not been possible (Hence the delay) but I'm confident John will make a great stand in.

We will be looking to hand the same amount to our other charity; Hamilton Lodge, down in Brighton, as soon as possible and hopefully we will be able to do that in person. Thanks to everyone who purchased miles and donated money to both of these great organizations, the money will be put to very good use. Thank you all,

 cheers,
Mick

2010-04-20

Boston United

Saturday brought a very kind invite to be the guest of honour at Boston United's last home game of the season (Hopefully if they avoid the playoffs). David Newton the chairman and his colleagues and staff made wonderful hosts for myself and my friend Sam Pesterfield during a great game which Boston won 4-1 (Against Manchester F.C.).

I was kindly presented with my own Boston Shirt to go with the one my old friend Bill Wolbach handed me as I crossed under the Golden Gate Bridge. That one was in turn handed to him some years previously by my father on the understanding (from Bill) that it was on loan until I crossed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. He was kind enough to fly over from the east coast of America to keep his promise. 

It was great to see Boston playing so well in front of a great crowd on the verge of winning the title and promotion. Good luck to them in the remaining games of the season; in the challenge cup on Wednesday and the deciding game against 'Marine' on Saturday and thanks for a great day on Saturday.  

2010-04-16

Help for Heroes...

On the voyage last year I had a 'Help for Heroes' wrist band which, much like Chris and I suprisingly survived the whole trip in one piece. I've just been in touch with the charity and sent them the only wrist band to ever row across the North Pacific Ocean in the hope that they'll be able to auction or raffle it off to bring in some additional funds to help with such a worthwhile cause.www.helpforheroes.org.uk 

Although not one of our associated charities as an ex serviceman I realise the great job that they do in helping serviceman injured whilst serving their country. I'll keep you updated on the eventual funds raised from the wristband and if in the meantime you'd like to put a bid in, contact either myself or Help for Heroes. 

2010-04-13

New site Goes live....

Welcome to the new web site. Hope you enjoy it and look forward to keeping you updated on any and all progress. Cheers,

Mick