Boxing Day Rugby Match

22-12 The Noah's Ark Select veteran Team were defeated by the younger and far more enthusiastic Laugharne 2nd XV. Four tries to two was an admirable contest and all in aid of the charity. Tries by flanker, Peter Waters and wing, Dave Bradbury kept the oldies in touch.

Phil 'the Moose' Jenkins, the awesome scrummager that he is, entertained the crowd in the famous Fountain Inn, Laugharne, ably supported by Andy 'the Slug' Edwards, his Uncle Lyndon and Gar from Narberth. The music pulsated from early afternoon, unknowing and with the cider flowing, the afternoon became a karaoke fest as Robert 'the ladybird' Thomas, captain of the 2nds gave a rousing rendition of 'Hi Ho Silver' followed by coach Stephenson leading the troops through 'Daydream Believer' The afternoon highlight was Laugharne's interpretaion of the classic, 'Stand By Me' with Henry 'the Sloth' Jones on mandolin, the Moose on his flying V 'Sponge Bob Square Pants' ukelele, the Slug on Harmonica and Rhys 'the Goose' on 6 string. The night was finished off with Uncle Lyndon's, 'Freebird' and 'Need Your Love So Bad'

£300 raised through use of a hat and selling of Pork, Stuffing and Apple Sauce rolls.

Many thanks to Laugharne RFC and all its supporters.

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Polar Bear Swim - Pendine

It's over - nobody was hurt. Everybody was chilled but all came through. When all the money comes in there is a total of over £1300 going towards the charity. 30 swimmers braved the icy waters of Carmarthen Bay, some in fancy dress, some still in their nightwear, some in their best suits, some in their birthday suits!

The community event was a huge success, the barbecue roared with Xmas spirit with a roaring fire on the beach, good food and coffee at Cafe Gilbert and good company all around.

Many thanks from all the C2C team.
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Xmas/New Year Activities

Sunday, Dec 21 - Polar Bear Swim, Pendine registration from 1100 - 1200 swim followed by BBQ

Friday, Dec 26 - Noahs Ark Veteran Select XV v Laugharne RFC 2nds - Kick Off: 1130 followed by live musical entertainment in Fountain Inn.

Wednesday, Dec 31 - 'Two Fat Cyclists' New Years Eve singalong at The Three Mariners, Laugharne - 8 till late.

Sunday, Jan 11 - Morfa Bay Challenge teams of 4 attempting various activities - some easy, some gruelling. For more details e mail: teddypenllew@googlemail.com

Sunday, Mar 1 - Dafodil Challenge - Pendine Cyclo Sportif details on the website - www.pendineonline.org

Everyone is welcome - come and join in and raise some money for the Noah's Ark Appeal by supporting the events that the Coast2coast Cycle Team are organising

Merry Xmas and thnaks for all your support in the past

C2C Team

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13th Dec 2008 - The Day `The One` destroyed the Bwlch Butt.

Today myself (Phil), The Vetran `Teddy` (Andy) and Richard `The One - Pantani` Belcher took on the mighty Bwlch (its like a French Alp like they do `ave in France but about 3 times shorter) from the Port Talbot end.

Starting the day in the Beautiful, and always sunny Porthcawl, a reduced team of 3 set out towards the West and the enclave of Taibach after Teddy had called for `a gentle half hour opener` following a late, vol au vent fuelled 18th Birthday gig at Llanmiloe Social Club (the Ronnie Scott's of the West) where `do you know any Abba song's butt` was the question on everyone's lips.

AWOL team members for this ride included The Leader (Gareth 8` 4" - EPO Evans) due to a nasty case of shopping, and Mr Henry Magners-Meltwater Jones, also suffering with a severe bout of `clothes shopping sorry chaps` - Lets just hope the shops are closed when we're in the US of A..there could be issues...

Soon after arriving in Bosnia Herz`Taibach`egovina the gradient picked up and we soon found ourselves heading up through Penycae and on towards the mighty Bwlch.

Arriving at Blaengwynfi and after a quiet opening hour, Pantani (Richard) decided to show the field his class and put the hammer down and left the chunky element in his wake. Heart monitors screaming we eventually met up with him near the top at one of the favourite local car burning spots on the mountain.

In between mouthfulls of endurance flap-jack and coughing fits I had couple of photo's taken with `The One` who looked like he just stepped off a bus at the top, not a bead of sweat in sight.
Flap-jacks done we then started the descent towards Nantymoel and Ogmore Vale before dicing with the Christmas traffic at McArthur Glen near Bridgend. Safely navigated we headed back towards South Wales answer to Miami (Porthcawl) via 3 Step Hill with nearly 50 miles done and ready for another session tomorrow.

During the final couple of miles I realised that I have never seen `The One` change down on to his easier cog on the front ring and asked if he ever used it as I tend to live on mine....He gave me a blank lost look followed by a prolonged uuurrrrrhhh??? and then finally answered " uhh I did once back in 1996 I think" and then powered off ahead.....

Happy Cycling
Phil

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MAYHEM ON THE A477

'Let's go out with Tenby Aces on Saturday', a remark that we would rue!

7.30 sharp was the call. All wrapped up and double gloved we meet the gang at the Leisure Centre and off we go.

A long climb out of Tenby warmed everyone up. The back roads seemed a little shiny - so all agreed to stick to the main road to Pembroke Dock, turn and head back to Kilgetty for a return to base.

Lessons learnt - a sharp learning curve. An hour out on the road, dropping temperatures, in and out of shade and black ice! Back wheels don't grip and suddenly you are thankful for helmet as you butt the road and bounce down the tarmac in front of a VW van. Weebles wobble and they do fall down. You realise then that cars are whizzing passed with no idea of the black ice. I get well away from the road and scream at the oncoming cyclists. The Tenby Aces have become the Tenby Ramblers!

If we had taken the back roads then at least we wouldn't have taken the chance of being run over by speeding traffic and causing mayhem on the A477. Tumbling back towards Tenby, cut elbows, headaches and dings all over the bikes the weary Aces wound their way back after 25 miles of dodgy cycling.

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MEWN A MAS - ROY NOBLE SHOW - RADIO WALES

In and Out. It was all over in 5 minutes or that's how it felt!

Gareth and Andy were very grateful for the invite to visit Roy at BBC Llandaff, Cardiff.

The interview was relaxed. Gareth nervous! - 'conserving his energy' Andy 'ye ye ye' and overpowering! 'It's called coast 2 coast usa cos that's what we're doing'

MAIN INTERVIEW

'Let's get this right', sitting outside waiting for the call up, 'my grandmother was your father's first cousin.' 'Got to get our story straight'.

EXTRAS

Roy suggested that we do a 'Roy Rota' where he will phone us up every day that we are on the trip and interview us about the previous day's escapades!

Thanks to the Beeb.

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