​Next week our colleague Geoff Boldero will be setting off on his Madagascan adventure as he undertakes an arduous 5-day cycle through the southern part of Madagascar to raise funds for the Air Ambulance. 

In 2008 Geoff took part in the Forest of Dean Half Marathon, a distance he had undertaken quite a few times before. However, on this occasion disaster struck and Geoff never made it to the finish line. “Medics have told me subsequently that I had an unusual breakdown of muscle tissue causing a massive chemical imbalance, which stopped my heart.” Fortunately for Geoff a fellow runner, who happened to be a consultant anaesthetist, was on hand to help keep Geoff alive and initiate his rescue! Geoff’s heart stopped beating for itself for 16 minutes and the fact he remained conscious is due to a host of other runners who took turn at CPR, thus keeping him alive. The St John’s Ambulance defibrillator was eventually deployed, and he was rushed to emergency care by the unique ability of the Air Ambulance. 

“I am of course ever grateful to all those different agents and I have given financial support appropriately, but I believe that at this 10th anniversary of the event I would like to make a special effort to raise funds for one of those for the Air Ambulance. Without their help I would not have made the recovery that I have. The organisation runs entirely upon charitable donations and I think this is a great opportunity to help the service continue and in so doing say thank you once again.”

If you would like to sponsor him, this is the link to his just giving page. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/geoff-boldero

If our mention of Woodchester Valley Vineyard has got your taste buds tingling, then you may fancy joining this Tour and Lunch organised by Mark at the Bell in Selsley  on Saturday 29th September -11.00am “Visit the vineyards of our fantastic local wine supplier Woodchester Valley Vineyard followed by a three-course lunch. Even if you have been before it is worth visiting again as this it a busy time at the vineyard as they are harvesting and making. It is also a chance to try some of their new wines including an award-winning Sauvignon Blanc. Award winning wine and food. Surely this is a perfect way to spend a Saturday!” £42 per person (£15 deposit required on booking) [email protected]

No sooner are the children back to school and our thoughts and plans turn to Christmas! Well that’s what it feels like a times as we try to plan 3, 6 and 12 months ahead, but in doing so, we must not overlook what is going on right now! In our all too busy lives we are often guilty of rushing and not taking time, our summer holidays give us an opportunity to slow down, appreciate the good things in life and reset the balance. But with a few days back at work the pace accelerates and old habits creep back. In her rush to buy dinner, decorate, pick the boys up from school, swim 100 lengths and all the other tasks that my amazing wife completes on her day off, she happened upon a recipe from a well-known supermarket. It looked simple, quick and delicious until it came to cook the meal! A scenario that is common in many households, the ingredients are bought, the kids are in bed, but when you finally get around to cooking the dinner you read the small print; prepare at least 24 hours in advance! Our ‘squeeze it all in’ lives mean that mistakes like this are all too common. We read what we want to read and not see the whole picture, hear what we want to hear and never fully understand. Say what we want to say without really thinking! Fortunately, in our case, a quick search on Google introduced to us to the simple and delicious recipe below, which encourage you all to try.