After losing my Mum with breast cancer it was an awful shock to discover that I also had it. After extensive radio and chemotherapy treatment and surgery my doctors advised me that exercise would aid my recovery.
I was of age 45 years at that time and so I took up running and now 24 years later I have never looked back. I have run the Great North run now six times and also the New York Marathon -all of these runs were mostly in aid of finding a cure for cancer and I think you will understand why.
If anyone reading this has breast cancer, then I hope that I can give hope to them with my story.My message would be to think positively - tell yourself you are going to improve.
Running helped me feel stronger and more confident. It took my mind off my problems and concentrated my energies. At the time with everything in front of me-a year of follow-up treatment and cancer fighting drugs, I took everything on as a series of challenges. I had to prove to myself that I could do it. The swelling in my arm caused by the surgery could have been drained out in hospital but I could not bear the thought of that - exercise was the alternative and it worked.
Running the Great North is not an easy run -it`s a long way but if I am able to help someone continue with their life as I have done by reaching the target amount then it will be worth it. Please sponsor me and help my charity to beat breast cancer.
The Algarve is blessed with over 300 days of annual sunshine and daily temperatures that do not usually drop below 60F(16C) in the winter or go above 90F(32C) in the summer. The cooling breezes from the Atlantic oceon make it less stifling than its neighbouring Mediterranean resorts.
It is popular not only for its climate, but for its short flight time from all European airports. Additionally the Algarve offers superb beaches, golf, waterskiing, waterslide parks, windsurfing, sailing, tennis,horse riding,deep sea fishing,safaris and many other activities.
For the peak season months of June through to October it is advisable to reserve accommodation early to avoid disappointment.
The Springtime and Autumn months are also attractive to many. From Almond blossom time in January to the end of March, visitors will find the climate warmer than at home and ideal for walking and exploring the beautiful Algarve coastline.It is also a time when some rain can be expected, but the countryside is at its best with wonderful displays of wild flowers in bloom and lush tropical plants.
At such off-peak times of the year airline prices and accommodation costs are lower, tourists are fewer, service in the restaurants is quicker, and the long beautiful beaches and cliff top walks are almost empty.
Club Albufeira is open all year round to enable holiday-makers to escape the cold winter,save on heating costs and enjoy the leisurely rural pace and warm climate of the Algarve.
Discount prices for long term stays in the deluxe Club Albufeira apartments during these off-peak months can be obtained by contacting Albufeira-Rentals.com
The Algarve provides such a great range of scenery that cycling is one of the best ways of getting around and seeing all of the sights.
Our choice of Algarve cycle tours are suitable for both occasional cyclists who enjoy shorter distances and reasonably flat cycle tours away from traffic, as well as more demanding tours for more experienced cyclists who relish the challenge of a few hills. Depending upon your preferences, you could cover anything from 20-35km on a cycle tour (2-4 hours of cycling), leaving plenty of time to stop off along the way, take photos, enjoy some wonderful sightseeing or just have a leisurely lunch.
Quad Ventura´s unique Algarve, Portugal quad bike treks take you off the beaten track. Quad riding on 4×4 quads allows you to cross Algarve terrains that would be very demanding by foot and impossible by car. No previous experience is required to hire a quad bike as all of our Algarve quads are fully automatic and extremely easy to handle. Quad Ventura provide you with guidance and safety tuition. Quad bikers seeking breathtaking scenery will be stirred by the picturesque Algarve landscape: rolling hills and magnificent panoramic views; those seeking adventure and an adrenaline rush will not be disappointed!
Hire an Algarve quad bike with Quad Ventura and discover the true Algarve! Get away from the mass tourism on a guided quad bike tour along our scenic Algarve, Portugal quad trails. A fabulous family activity for girls and boys (of 8 years and above) and adults of all ages, our Algarve off road quads are ideal for both the novice and experienced quad bike rider.
Feel the thrills of Big Game fishing on our battle chairs during the rocking action while fighting.
Algarve - Portugal is considerd one of the best Big Game Fishing places in the world due to the influence of the warm currents of the Sea. Temperature breaks created where bodies of warm and cool water are pushed up against each other act as a less tangible form of structure which attracts bait and big fish.
Specific for several types of Sharks (Blue Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Mako) you can find others species as Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Swordfish , Tuna ,Bonitos, and others.
A wonderful day outing at the Zoo Marine-Albufeira.Open all year round and operating an interactive program to enable children under supervision to swim with the Dolphins.
A fascinating entertaining and educational oceanographic facility taking its theme from the links the Algarve has with the sea. Take your family to the Zoomarine and enjoy a wonderful day watching dolphins, seals, sharks, turtles, exotic birds, seabirds, crocodiles and tropical fish.
Approximately 500m away from Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa, in Quinta dos Brejos, the Algarve Golf Academy has a driving range, putting green and the most complete practice area for short game. The Academy also has a computerized equipment to evaluate the swing and the putt, and also a Club House with restaurant, bar, terrace, golf shop and changing rooms.
A Club Albufeira owners rental holiday apartment, - Now taking bookings for 2009 - fully furnished and equipped for self-catering,spacious, comfortable, an air conditioned the apartment is located in a central, overlooking and south-facing sunny position just minutes walk from three large superb swimming pools, two excellent on-site restaurants offering snacks and a full `A la Carte`menu with weekly BBQ.and an on-site mini-market. The balconies have a private aspect overlooking beautiful gardens. Two twin bedrooms having their own private bathrooms, each fully tiled and equipped with bath-tubs, shower, and bidet. Full bed linen and towels provided with mid and end of week towel change. Kitchen is fully equipped for self catering. Free shuttle bus runs at scheduled times weekdays to the town just 2km away with nearby beautiful shelved beaches. Nearby challenging golf courses and superb beaches. Friendly multilingual reception desk offers excursions, Internet, public telephones ,visa cash machine and library.
An Extract I suggest the president take a look at a modest country across the Atlantic that’s turning into the world leader in rethinking education for the 21st century. That country is Portugal. Its economy in early 2005 was sagging, and it was running out of the usual economic fixes. It also scored some of the lowest educational achievement results in western Europe. So Prime-Minister Jose Socrates took a courageous step. He decided to invest heavily in a “technological shock” to jolt his country into the 21st century. This meant, among other things, that he’d make sure everyone in the workforce could handle a computer and use the Internet effectively. This could transform Portuguese society by giving people immediate access to world. It would open up huge opportunities that could make Portugal a richer ......
HAVE you, like me, spent the last few months dreaming of your holidays? As summer approached and the fears grew that you cannot rely on the Irish weather for anything approaching a sunny spell, I started -- at first idly and then with serious intent -- scanning the internet for possible bargains. The mood in our house went something like this. First nonchalance: "Will we have a summer holiday this year with the recession and everything?" This moved quickly on to wistfulness: "It would be really nice to get away." Then on to justification: "I genuinely need a summer holiday." Finally, we arrived at desperation: "Book, book anything -- we've got to get away, who cares about the money." It was thus buoyed up by thoughts of sunshine and dining al fresco that I first visited holidaylettings.co.uk , searching for a holiday home in Spain to rent for my family. It's a website where villa and apartment owners advertise their properties directly to the public, cutting out the middlemen and keeping the costs down. On it we found the perfect house,...
Holidaymakers visiting the Algarve region of Portugal this summer will be able to enjoy all manner of cultural events, shows and exhibitions at the Allgarve 09 season. Allgarve 09, which is being held for the third time this year, brings music, sport, food fairs and more to southern Portugal. Highlights this year will include Allgarve Jazz, which will see the likes of Madeleine Peyroux, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Marsalis Brasilianos performing throughout July. Joss Stone will play at Monumento Duarte Pacheco on .....
A deluxe south facing apartment on Club Albufeira (sleeps 6) still has availability from 05 - 20 July at a reduced weekly rate of £650 / week (saving £150). Transfers from Faro airport / discount car rental can be arranged.
A 78-year-old British tourist from Ponteland, UK, had a narrow escape on one of the Algarve’s most popular beaches after he too was dragged out to sea by strong undercurrents. According to Alder Gofton he was saved by the efforts of a young Portuguese boy, who used his surf board to keep him afloat while waiting to be rescued by a lifeguard. The incident took place on Praia da Rocha beach, one of the Algarve’s longest which is hugely popular with holidaymakers and locals, and coincidentally happened on the same day that Portugal’s official ‘Beach Season’ started. The ‘Beach Season’ is the start of compulsory lifeguard vigilance on all of the country’s beaches, hired by local municipalities. Before June 1st they are optionally .....
