Fun in the Snow

After the most boring month since the introduction of the Purple Book the snow was a seriously welcome addition to December. I still had pages of randomness to get through but it just didn't seem like the right time of year to do anything on the list. I was tempted to stick the trip to Lovely London and the fantastic London Eye but it was a repeat visit and so in violation of the good book! The snow closed school a day early, utterly fantastic but for the fact certain cards and presents had not been sent. I have never expereinced snow like this, never as thick as this or long lasting, usually 2 days at best and it has all but gone.

What to do with the best snow since I could walk and with no sledge? Both our reserve sledge and the best sledge ever made were destroyed in the Great fire of Back Garden thanks to a couple of little shites so that was out off the table. Because of that it was an old favourite, SNOWMEN :) After the old one insisted on a traditional shape with buttons, carrot and the like I just had to add a modern twist, all in the spirit of the good book ;) It was hastily added after completion, everyone has made a snowman in their life but few have created a snow lady ;) Larry the Snowman and Lizzie the Snowlady were born, cue Aled Jones...


Something that was added to the book back in July was the amusing yet deeply disturbing idea of a nude calendar starring yours truly. I now had my snowy scene so naturally out I went, complete with full length coat and slippers so as not to scare the neighbours. Luckily it wasn't as cold as I was dreading so I was only as pale as usual. Below is the shocking reality of what is usually covered up from the world. The second shot had a strategically placed present but unless you are an admirer of the disturbingly bizarre I'd stick to the marginally safer attempt below.
Tomorrow sees the second best day of the year, to everyone and anyone reading this I hope it's the best yet for you. A week after sees the start of a new year, a new start for everyone and the start of the first full year of the purple book. I look forward to events already marked in the Purple book that I missed last year such as Cheese Rolling on Biggins Hill on May 31st, but more importantly those occasions that catch you by surprise which you enjoy the most as they are the most random of them all. Merry Christmas y'all :)

Rossifer x

The Leap of Faith

Our second trip down to Norfolk, our original team of 6 Prospect Falcons was now down to 3. Gareth's mate had taken a reality check, Neil had been shafted by the doc and Gemma M couldn't make it so it was left to me, Gareth and Gemma F to bring it home. We made damn sure we weren't going to be disappointed again by checking the weather before we left.















My one twang of fear came a few tunrs before we drove in the airfield then it just seem to vanish. After the disappointment of last time we still weren't 100% sure we'd be able to jump so I think we all had the feeling that we just wanted to get it over and done with. It's weird how quickly everything moves once you get the OK. Due to the size of the plane and the number of people jumping they had to split the 3 of us into 2 groups. Me and Gemma went on the first load with the two guys we were jumping with, our camera chappies and some other guys jumping solo. Rather bizarrely I was given Dave, the shortest guy on the team and Gemma had the chappie who was telling us what postition to get into durtin the jump. I was more than happy with my chappie though, Danger Dave, a man of legend who over 30 years had made over 8000 jumps.
We all packed into this really small plane, 12 of us each sitting between each others legs. I was half expecting oops upside your head to start playing from the cockpit. The journey up took around 15 minutes, we could see the altometer on everyones arms going higher by the second as mine and Gemma's ears started to pop. We both looked at each oter nervously whilst posing for piccies for our two camera chappies. Our two strap on buddies were busy checking everythin and talking us through the instructions, lucky as with everything going on i'd kinda forgotten halfway through. Being as tall as I am Danger Dave told me to tuck my legs back as far as poss during the jump. I told him a white lie during the kitting up, if he asks again i'm still 6'4" not 6'6"!

Around 13,000ft the door opened and everyone started to get active. The solo guys stood up crouched, rocked back and forth then through themselves out without a second thought. Then Gemma's camera guy climbed out the plane ready and Gemma's wingman moved them into position. She did a pretty good job at being girly with plenty of squealing before, during and after she went out the door. I was half expecting to do the same but strangely came nothing close to feeling scared. The whole thing didn't feel real. Were it not for the pictures you see now I'd still be doubting it myself! I had all of my hanging out the plane. My legs were crossed and tucked under the place, arms folded tight holding onto the grips and then Dave yanked my head back and left towards Geoff, my camera guy who was now outside the plane. Then suddenly, we were out...

2 somersaults forward. or 1 or 3 I couldn't tell. I was stuck rigid in position then felt the first tap on my shoulder from Dave. Arms out, legs still in position for the best part of the whole jump, the freefall. Falling at around 130 miles an hour and I can't describe what i'm feeling. It's not fear as I don't feel frightened, it feels more like i'm in a bubble. I'm floating and the whole world is moving around me. I get a slight reality check when Geoff is hovering in front of me. I know the script, thumbs up and a nice cheesy grin for the camera. I wanted to shout in exhileration but I felt so peaceful (plus could hardly talk because of my cold) That I could only grin like I was relaxing on a beach more like plummiting 3 miles to earth. At that moment Dave pulled the cord and then reality when and truly burst my bubble. The blur I was looking at moments before was the ground coming towards us. The chute had opened and the reality of what I was doing started to sink in. I could see Gemma below who was calling back and I started shouting randomly as the rush started to sink in. Danger Dave gave us control of the chute for a couple of minutes, I gotta say I wasn't too fond of the bit where you pull oner of the cords down and start doing spiral type manouvers, that made me feel a bit squiff. He told me to pull me legs up as everyone seemed to be doing a bum sliding landing. Happily we seemd to be the only tandem jumpers who landed on our feet, as you can see with the piccy of me looking like a mannequinn with our man Gizmo pulling us in.

A huge thumbs up to Gareth and Gem for sharing and bearing witness, Geoff for taking the pictures and the legendary Danger Dave for landing me stylishly and safely :) Although the day I got to fly a helichopper is still top of the all time list, this has shot straight up to number 2 and is going to be pretty hard to beat. The whole thing was epic, I'd tell anyone who was even a fraction curious of giving it a go to do it. Go there with any inhibitions and the guys and girls there will quickly diminish them. The whole crew are so chilled out because it's what they do, just don't go watching any Hollyoaks or extreme sports gone wrong programmes before you do it though...

Rossifer x

The Long Walk Home

A half term week away from work is always very tempting when enjoying the art of random. The skydive is booked and ready for this Thursday (weather permitting!) so all that was left was to find something to do at the start of the week...

As an extension of the random events in the Purple Book I went one step further and created 'The Trials'. These would be challenges in the sense that they would challenge me in ways I would not normally be comfortable with. When writing events in the good book I would smile in the fact I knew I would enjoy doing the vast majority of them, the trials, however, would be a test, something I wouldn't enjoy but would look back on with a smile As I would have accomplished something epic. This week would see me take on number 6 on the list of Trials: - Do a marathon in a day - 26 miles on foot.

The challenge was set, first task was to finda location 26 miles from home so I could catch a train or a lift to said place then walk home. Thanks to a chance encounter where possible locations were discovered, I had a shortlist: - Oxford, Aylesbury, Hungerford, Windsor, Virginia Water and Alton. I went with Alton as it seemed the most random. on the planned day it also gave the promise of a famers market and a steam train service by the name of 'The Watercress Express'. This was turning into more than just the 26 mile walk I had originally thought up, as with most things if you seek a path of random you will experience so much more than you originally planned.

After a minor cockup with the trains I eventually got to Alton. Being a random challenge I of course left planning to the last minute. I had no idea how to get to Alton so went the scenic route from Reading to Guildford, then over to Woking then eventually to Alton. I'd planned to get to Alton early, have a look around the market, a quick look at the Watercress Express then the walk home before it got dark. What really happened is that I got to Alton, saw a really small man on the platform dressed as a Wizard and then just had to ride the Steam train. For all you train lovers out there, The Watercress Express is run on a line between Alton and Alresford with two stations in between. It is lovingly run by volunteers and has the comfiest train seats you'll ever sit in. It was also Wizards and Witches week which explained the hobbit in the Harry Potter gear.

I got off at Alresford, 10 miles from Alton and time was starting to move. I started the main part of the walk at 2:50 which is bad news if you doing it in the Autumn. I had no idea where i'd have to walk to reach 26 miles or where I'd get the train home. The 18 mile sign to Basingstoke was a good marker as I knew I could make up the rest of the mileage else were. I did 6 1/2 miles (1/4 of the planned distance) in about an hour, it was still light so naturally I thought it would be very easy...

From the bits I could see when it was light, the area around Alresford is a really nice place. There were some lovingly random momnets like the hidden gateway leading to a seat made out of a log looking over a lake and an old abandoned bus shelter. Loving the Love Shack :)

3 miles or so after the Love shack is when I had to grit my teeth and just go for it. It was getting dark quite quickly and I was starting to ache all over. The last thing you want to see at a time like this is a sign telling you you not as far along as you'd thought and hoped you were. 4 miles from Basingstoke it was pitch black, I was still on a long country road and I was out of it. At that moment, I had a text from the very person who had found me my starting location. It's moments like that that give you energy and keep you going and situations like that which test you and teach you things about yourself.

The rest of the journey after that was all about little victories. The sign for Basingstoke was a huge little victory for me as it kept me going until I reached the station. The station wasa good 2 miles walk from the sign at least so I'd consoled myself I'd walked at least 21 miles for the day. The highlight had to be seeing the magical red logo for the station. The two statues of the guys holding some sort of pole outside the station was a nice touch ;)

I felt slightly short changed by my distances so decided to walk home from Reading station. With everthing added up I'm hoping I did at least 24 miles overall. Not the 26 miles i'd originally hoped for but the fact I had a stking cold and had left everything way too late was consolation enough. Anyone reading this may question why i'd ever dream of doing something so pointless. I'd raised no money, broken no records and lost the feeling in just about every southerly joint becasue of it. The point of it is that there is no point. Everything I do in the Purple Book stems from a fascination of discovering new things. In that one day I had seen a very small man in a wizards outfit, travelled on a steam train, discovered the currency used in Swaziland thanks to getting a dodgy pound coin from the station machine (they be using the Lilangeni down in Swaziland) and more importantly discovered something about myself. With no training I had walked 24+ miles in a single day. The next time i'll be doing that will be in a decorative 34D bra in aid of Breast Cancer awareness May of next year. All in the act of random with the addedd bonus of raising some dosh for charideee. It's the jump tomorrow, wish me and the others luck :)

Rossifer

x

National Poetry Day - An ode to the good book

The Book of Random

Of randonmness and chance
Of rain in which i’ll dance
Of gaps which i’ll leap
Of 48 hours no sleep
A half and full blown Marathon
A custom made triathlon
On wheels and by hoof
With photos as proof
Of the challenges made
And results then displayed
If you’re eager to look
Merely consult the book
Not of Pink (which I loathe)
But of purple or mauve.

The Compost Mile

A completely baffling act of randomness, and all the better for it. Coming back from the garden centre the other day I

set myself a challenge - Would I be a) able and b) daft enough to lug a 50 litre bag of compost from A to B over the distance of a mile. If so I would give it a name, stick it in the Purple Book and set the guideline for all those who would attempt it in the future: -

'THE COMPOST MILE'

Rule 1. You must cover the distance of a mile on your feet.

Rule 2. You must be carrying a 50 litre bag of compost for every inch of this mile.

Rule 3. The mile must be on even ground (no hills).

Rule 4. You are allowed NO practise runs or training when attempting to set an official compost mile time.

Rule 5. You cannot be a specialist athlete if you are attempting to set an official compost mile time. (i.e. No showoffs allowed).

Time to beat is 12 minutes, 50.15 seconds to beat - Good luck :)

Rossifer's Big Apple

7 hours there and 5 1/2 back. A week in the most awe inspiring city I have ever visited. It is so close to perfection it is scary. The streets are spotless, everyone is accepted, it is home to some of the world's most striking man-made structures, it feels safe even alone at night and is full of truly fantastic randomness.
There is just something so special about New York. Everyone knows the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the beautiful Empire State building but for me the best part of this great city are the little details and kwirkiness you come across every day. You may have heard of Fifth Avenue, but how about 37th street, I guarentee there are several great shots just on this on street. For those of you who don't know, New York is made up of 5 different boroughs, Manhattan (the long and narrow touristy hub), Queens (where you'll fly into at the JFK or La Guarda airport), Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island. Manhattan is set out (for the most part) in an easy to follow grid system of street's and avenues; the streets run horizontal and the avenue's vertical (up and down). There are several places to go to 'be seen', these include anywhere on 5th Avenue, Soho and Greenwich. You'll find people in trilbys walking like they're trying to hold something between their arse cheeks wearing whatever the latest fashion magazines tell them to.

The 3 main reasons I visited New York were to travel outside europe for the first time, see if any city in the world was greater than London and to visit the basketball mecca - Rucker Park. Firstly for all you non-baller fans Rucker park is just a basketball court but has a history as the training ground for some of game's true greats including 'Skip to my Lou', arguably the best street baller of them all.
On the tourist front, New York has plenty to offer. The first day though you should simply walk around the middle of Manhattan just to soak in the scale of the place. I never thought the whole sky scraper thing would affect me like it did, I just spent the whole morning going "Wow!". I have a picture on my wall of the Flatiron building, New york's first sky scraper which was once the worlds tallest building. It is now dwarfed by just about everything. New York holds at least 4 records for height - Flatiron, Chrylser, Empire State then the twin towers. The towers must have been vast, the site of their destruction is quite haunting I can tell you.

The statue of Liberty is essential just so you can cross it off. For me it's a bit like Lands end over here though, I wasn't really overwhelmed, it's just one of those things you have to see while you're there. Don't get me wrong, the ferry over and the statue itself are great but not the highlights of the trip for me. If you want highlights then go to the two of the 3 best views in New York, Empire state and the Rock.
I did both of these in the same day and both of them were epic. The Empire is a beautiful building from the scale of it to the mural in the entrance. After the security checks you take a life to the 80th floor, walk up 6 more floors and then you are greeted by the best views possible. The Rock is the coolest building in New York. It has so much funky design work I love it. The lift which takes you up and back down is a feature in itself. You can see straight up the lift shaft while a video plays on the glass above you. When you get to the top you have a 360 degree unblocked panoramic view of the city. The top of the rock offers the best views of the city but for me the Empire State just edged it in overall experience, probably because I did it before the rock but it had a greater sense of occasion.

Central Park is a fantastic place. For a city the size of New York to have such a huge green space is very impressive. I wasn't expecting all the features in the park though, as well as a few eating and leisure places it has a zoo and museum of art as well as Strawberry Fields, a chilled out place as a memorial to John Lennon, just opposite to the Dakota hotel where he was shot. There are a couple of lakes where you can take a boat out, musicians play all over the park, you get the feeling this is the place to come and unwind. Everywhere is fast paced except whilst in the park, it's an unwritten law that life slows down here.
I've heard mixed reviews on New York's food, I think it depends very much on how much you're willing to pay. My budget wasn't the best and most of what I had was ok-ish at best apart from the fab breakfasts at the Guy & Gallard cafe down the road from my hotel. There's no such thing as bed and breakfast in New York, if you want breakfast you have to go out and get it. The best place to get lunch or an emergency tea is from one of the many street vendors. New York is actually a great place for getting fresh food from one of the many markets but you wont be able to prepare anything in the box like hotel rooms.

New York is the best city break you can ever hope to go on. I went for the week and saw pretty much everything I wanted to see thanks to plenty of walking. Highlights have to be The Empire State, walking the Brooklyn bridge and that first day coming to grips with the sheer scale of the place. I'd put it second to London though for a few reasons; New York has no true concept on how to make a cup of tea. Starbucks are everywhere but the humble cuppa remains a bit of a mystery to the big apple. They also don't sell Rodda's clotted cream so a cream tea was out of the question. For me London will always have a certain magic for me. I walked through Waterloo the other day and just felt it, without a skyscraper or giant green statue in sight. Whatever you do though I implore you to visit this great city. You will never forget it.

Rossifer x

All photos can be found here: - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=143012&id=643774408&l=7a2af26eae

Top tips to surviving New York:-
1. When in Rome...

...do as romans do. I'm a big believer in this. When abroad, observe the locals and do as they do. Try new things unless the locals strongly disuade you against it.

2. Look for bargains

Get late, cheaper tickets to a broadway show, get free papers, take the Staten Island ferry to get pictures of Liberty, go to different souvenir shops to see which sell the stuff you want cheapest etc.

3. Dress accordingly

New York is hot in the summer (trust me!) and cold in the winter. August is not the best time to go if you hate muggy weather. Take comfortable shoes as the best way to see everything is to walk.

4. Food

Have breakfast in a cafe, lunch from a street vendor and tea in a resteraunt

5. Orientation

Unless you're in an uber tourist palce like Liberty Island, try and memorise the manhattan layout before going out. Street's go East to West and Avenues go North to South. Don't worry about jaywalking, everyone does it, just be careful as you cross the road as New Yorkers are not patient drivers!

All photos can be found here: - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=143012&id=643774408&l=7a2af26eae

Ystradfelte

Home to 8 beautiful waterfalls in the south of Wales, Ystradfelte is a beautiful place. Go there if only to walk behind the fantastic Sgwd Yr Eira: -

Or the equally beautiful Sgwd Clun Gwyn