Castle Combe Racing

The 2011 season of racing has started at Castle Combe Circuit just outside Chippenham in Wiltshire. The new season has welcomed some new buildings at the former RAF base. A new drivers area, shop and rooftop viewing platform has been added. A few spruce ups here and there in time for the first televised race at Combe for over 50 years. Motors TV an internet TV streaming site have been covering some of the races and what races they've been! There is no shortage of entertainment in the Formula Ford class. The pressure is already on reigning FF champion Marcus Allen as he failed to finish in the first race. One driver that's hoping to beat him in the championship is Steven Jensen from Bristol. I caught up with Steven on the final pre season testing day.


Castle Combe by bribriwilliam

It seems practice has paid of for this West Country Boy. After an appalling start just after Easter, Jensen has managed to bring his title race under control by winning 2 races on May 2nd. Marcus Allen finished very closely behind but the battle has only just begun. There is a lot more to come and I'm sure the boys will be fighting it out for the rest of the season....

I've also been keeping up to date with this years Formula One Grand Prix and noting down my thoughts on a F1 internet site. Check out my articles on Vital F1.

Devizes to Westminster

The Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race is a kayaking marathon which begins in the sleepy Wiltshire town of Devizes and finishes in the one of the busiest capitals in the world. 125 miles of water, boats, locks and fisherman. They are just some of the many challenges each paddler faces during this epic sporting journey.

There are several different categories which you can compete in. You can decide to tackle the 125 miles over four days or you can try to complete it all in one sitting. Whatever the race, it's certainly not for the faint hearted. There is also an under 18's category where you paddle the race in four days and camp after each stretch of the journey is complete. So after the hard work of racing at 7 mph along the waterways for 6 hours, you then have to spend the night in a tent. Not the most comfortable way to finish a day, but it is all worth it in the end. I joined the Devizes Canoe Club's Junior members on their final training session before the big race. Junior Kayak coach Ed Dobson took me out on to the water to give me a taster of how the club have been preparing.

Devizes to Westminster Training Part 1 by bribriwilliam

This was Ed's fourth year of taking part in the DW race, but for many of the children in the club it was going to be their first attempt. The glorious weather that was predicted for the race signaled trouble. Much of the training has been done through out the winter where temperatures have dropped below -5 degrees. Facing sunshine and warm temperatures of 25 degrees plus was something no one had planned for. What amazed me when I was out on the water is just how small racing kayak's are. They are very slender and the smallest amount of motion can set it off balance. This is what I found out in my second part of training with Ed.

Devizes to Westminster Training Part 2 by bribriwilliam

From my taster session with the juniors I understand just how hard the race was going to be not only on their bodies but on their minds too. Having to get up and know you have about 30 miles of distance to cover must be a struggle. I watched the members of the junior team begin their race in Devizes all smiles and laughter. 125 miles later that turn into satisfaction, relief and exhaustion. Ed and his partner came 3rd in their class and completed it all in under 18 hours. A great achievement.

Running with Dogs-It's not as easy as it sounds

In a few weeks time I'll be walking the Sarsen Trail for BBC Wiltshire and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. It's a 26 mile walk, run or bike ride from Avebury to Stonehenge. But another option is to complete the Cani X course...what's that I hear you cry? Well it's running with a dog or a few dogs. The dog is attached to you by a waist harness and a special lead which is a bit like a bungy cord. It has it's own special course along the Sarsen across Salisbury Plain-but to find out just how Cani X works, I signed up to a race in Bagshot.

Running with Dogs by bribriwilliam

It was unlike anything I have ever done before. I borrowed a dog for the day from a lovely chap called Ian from Swindon who has competed at the European Cani X Championships-so I had a dog that was well rehearsed in running whilst dragging a human along behind them!

My dog was a 9 year old black Labrador called Maisy who was fantastic. As we were waiting for our start time I had to hold Maisy back as everytime she heard "3,2,1..." she bolted like she had just seen a rabbit. Maisy was desperate to get running and get around the course, and when we did it was the weirdest feeling. As our countdown came I felt nervous that I was going to be pulled over by Maisy but luckily I managed to hold my balance and survive as she flew from the start line pulling me behind her.

It was a hot day and the 6km cross country course was demanding for me and the dog. I did feel sorry for Maisy as there were some points where I really felt she was actually pulling me along. It was like I had no control over my legs, they just did what Maisy wanted as she was up front. I'm not a natural runner so having Maisy with me made me determined to finish the race and do her proud. I couldn't stop because she was with me every step of the way. As the weather was so sunny I did pause and let Maisy have a much needed gulp of water about half way round the track. It seemed to give her a new source of energy which I welcomed as my finish was really strong because of her.

I felt so proud of Maisy and myself when we finished. This is really why dog's are a mans best friend.

Across The Pond: New York

New York, what a wonderful city. It's my second time to New York and I like it more and more. There is always something to discover and new things to see. This time around I made the most of Central Park. Going on the swings, seeing all the art work and just relaxing in the green haven in the middle of the big city. I had my hair cut in Harlem which was grand. I really like Harlem because it's such a contrast to elsewhere in Manhattan. I feel a bit more relaxed in Harlem and not part of the tourist rat race which can be overwhelming when you are scurrying up and down broadway. There are the usual sights of New York, the Empire State, Madison Square Garden, Ground Zero, Wall Street, $1 pizza, bagels and coffee...lovely stuff!


After a 8 mile hike around Manhattan Island my friend and I stopped for pizza and beer in a small eatery which turned into a big night. First of all the pizza we ate was mad! There was pizza with crisps (potato chips as they call them) on, then a salad pizza and just all these weird toppings which was interesting! $2 beer made it a pleasant place to stop and rest our feet, little did we know we'd be playing pool and watching a local punk band a few hours later! We randomly got talk to a guy who introduced himself as 'Jimmy Fingers' which we just took as some Americanism which we didn't understand. But Jimmy was on his way to a gig and invited us along so off we went. My friend and I were probably the most animated people in the place but nonetheless it was good to get out and have some fun.

After the band we found an American Pool bar and showed those yanks just how bad two slightly tipsy English girls were at playing pool! One thing that really strikes me about Americans is how friendly they are. They seem always happy to help a stranger and welcoming to most people which is really refreshing compared to our British stiff upper lip. I hope one day I can return the kindness to travelers I meet in this country.

Across The Pond: West Chester

God Bless America! I've recently come back from a trip to the states and I'd forgotten what America is like. It's a place of extremes, dreams and coffee machines. For my part I mainly stayed in a little place called West Chester just outside Philadelphia which is a ordinary home grown town. Big cars, big roads and lots of people that will randomly stop and speak to you about nothing in particular-but hey that's America!

One of my favourite places in the town was a micro brewery called Iron Hill. All the beer they serve is brewed right there on site and you get to taste whatever one you want before you order. Usually when I think of American beer, I think bud, or cools or some other weak, watery tasting drink but this trip to America opened my eyes to the underground beer scene which was fantastic. Most artisan beers started at about 4% and just went up which means you only need a steady few to be on your way! Iron Hill have a house brew called 'Vienna Red' which was lovely. It has a malty flavour which isn't too strong and it's not too fizzy which makes it smooth and refreshing to drink. I can easily polish off a pint of that.

But it wasn't just the beer scene that is exciting around West Chester. I visited a place called 'Va La Vineyards' which was sumptuous. For $10 you could go and have a three wine tasting session which was accompanied by local cheeses and lovely bread and oil. The Va La barn is rustic but classy and the wine is first class. I really enjoyed a light white wine called 'La Prima Donna'. It was crisp, clear and light but retained a lovely fruity spring flavour. With the sun setting over open countryside, a jazz pianist playing for tips and a glass of white, it couldn't get much better. Being at the Va La barn seemed to show how pockets of America are so different. I couldn't help feeling that some areas are yearning to be more european but doing in it in a very american way...it will be interesting to see what has changed when I next visit the land of dreams.

Northern Force

In my latest adventure to the Northern lands I went to a little bit of water heaven just outside Newcastle. The High Force waterfall is in the Pennines and the landscape surrounding it is spectacular. The dark frown of the sky was brightened by the gushing sight of High Force. The spray and mist created from the shear mass of water flowing over the rocky crag was captivating. The luring water glistens and mumbles, inviting you to stay at the waterside just that little bit longer. It's an impressive natural beauty and at 70 metres, High Force is England's highest waterfall.

Whenever I go near a waterfall I can not help but think of my relative Captain Matthew Webb who died trying to swim across the Niagara Falls. Webb was also the first man to swim across the English Channel. He made lots of money out of his love of swimming and the dare devil inside him. I blame him for my reckless side and always wanting to jump in any river or ocean I see!

Water truly is captivating and "Nothing great is easy".

Do you remember the first time?

It seems silly that I have travelled half way around the world but have never visited Scotland. So this year my news year’s resolution was to rectify this, and I did…

I flew to Edinburgh on a dark, drizzly January night, but the spark of the Scottish capital brightened my day. From the moment I arrived in the city, the imposing architecture and the might of the surrounding landscape overwhelmed me. Sublime.

The skyline is dominated by church towers, mountains and of course Edinburgh Castle. I ventured towards the Castle along the Royal Mile. As I walked I passed numerous charity shops, students, tourists and those native to the city, I got a real sense of the unique tapestry that makes up the city. From the soot covered buildings to the faint sound of bagpipes everywhere you go; there’s a part of Edinburgh for everyone.

After a 30-minute tour of the castle I had learnt lots about Scottish history, Margaret’s Chapel, The Stone of Destiny and the labyrinth of cells underneath the castle itself. The castle’s use throughout history and the strong military background which carries on today.

Of course there is more to Edinburgh than the castle but it’s a pretty good place to start if you want to explore the city. Of course, a 5 minute walk from the bottom of the Royal Mile is Holyrood Park, the home of Arthur’s Seat. I think this park was my favourite part of Edinburgh. I love the fact that you can walk a few minutes from the centre of the city to the looming hills of Holyrood. As I walked about the gale force winds nearly knocked me off my feet once or twice, but the view was worth the struggle. A sharp intake of clear Scottish air as I reached the top, I was ready to embrace the working class beauty that lay before me. Edinburgh, I miss you already.