Having taken up Nordic Walking nearly a year ago because of pain in my leg from an old skiing injury and after completing a number of long distant walks in 2009 (Oxfam Charity Walk – 26 miles, and  Pathfinder March – 46 miles, to name just two), I became hooked on walking with poles – NORDIC WALKING.

My introduction to Nordic Walking started when I attended a number of walking classes organised by Neal and Mel Thomas of FitHaven (www.fithaven.co.uk).   After skiing using Nordic Walking poles was easy for me but it does have its challenges, so it is always advisable to have instruction with a qualified instructor who can advise and correct your technique.

Having benefited from Nordic Walking, seeing other walkers losing weight, getting fitter, and just having fun. I decided in December 2009 that I would like to become an Instructor, and signed up to attend an INWA (International Nordic Walking Federation) Instructors Course conducted by British Nordic Walking.

My course was held at Nottingham University Sports Centre with Catherine Hughes (National Coach for England). The course consisted of two days intensive training and teaching, culminating on the second day with a written test and a practical assessment of the students teaching each other the techniques and benefits of Nordic Walking. The course leads to a qualification as an INWA Nordic Walking Instructor where students learn to teach Nordic Walking safely and effectively for health and fitness.

The course covered the understanding and history plus benefits of Nordic Walking.   Students had to demonstrate good personal techniques, planning and delivery of a safe session, teaching the 10 steps of Nordic Walking, developing observation skills, use of corrective drills and finally teach dynamic warm up and cool down exercises.

Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience.   With a technique that is similar to the upper body action of classic cross country skiing, Nordic Walking becomes a genuinely whole body exercise that can be enjoyed at many levels, from walking for health to athletic Nordic running. Globally, more that 10 million people enjoy this outdoor activity all year around and it is growing weekly.

I am passionate about Nordic Walking and wish to see more people enjoying the benefits of this activity.  As a qualified INWA Nordic Walking Instructor I will be organising Introduction/Basic classes in the St Ives, Huntingdon and Fenstanton area, so keep looking as I shall be posting start dates and timings soon….

Mervyn S Foster

INWA Nordic Walking Instructor

NordicWalkingCambs

mervyn@nordicwalkingcambs.com or  Tel:   01480 878111

 This holiday, which was in June when the temperatures were rising for Summer, came about as a last minute booking.  I was speaking to my friend late one evening, saying I was ready for a holiday, then found myself on a flight at 11:00 the following morning arriving at Larnaca in the late afternoon.  I was also informed by my friend that it was ‘hot and sticky’ and to a degree (33) this was true though I have been ‘hotter and stickier’ back in London on the odd occasion.  Having arrived we then drove around Larnaca in order to get home and found that the traffic could put Oxford Street to shame.

One of the Beaches at Akrotiri looking across the Bay.

Being only a week holiday it did not leave a great deal of time to go ‘sightseeing’ or even spending a weekend elsewhere but I enjoyed the time and, most certainly, the company.  My friend and her family live ‘behind the gates’ in RAF Akrotiri and I wandered fairly freely around the base with the obvious restrictions of the Military Areas and there was the NAAFI and a few small shops, one of which, Helena’s Clothes, is where I have bought quite a few casual shirts.  We also went to Pafos where, amongst other things, we had an evening meal at ‘The Pelican’ along the quayside near the Crusader’s Fort and I will quite happily say that ‘The Pelican’ does lay a very nice table.

 It is evident that the temperatures get hotter towards August and then gradually after 6 weeks of intense heat, begin to cool down towards the November rains and with this in mind one should dress according to the climate and the temperature.  I think the fact that I am on holiday and casually dressed may have something to do with my not ‘feeling the heat’ for the temperatures are certainly in the 30’s although there is a breeze (and ceiling fan) which does take the edge off.

Lemessos, a walk alongside the Bay towards the Centre of Town.

I think that if you dress sensibly then there should be no problems, I saw a ‘Tourist’ walking down a street in Pafos, licking an ice-cream, who was topless and wearing Nylon shorts which were clinging to the inside – not a pretty sight – nor I imagine all that comfortable.

I have a collection of shirts which are Rayon, Poly Cotton and Cotton, the best fabric for trousers is Cotton and any shirt of the materials mentioned should be all right provided they are larger than you would normally wear, for instance, I am a ‘Medium’ size whilst most of my shirts are ‘XXL’ which means they do not ‘cling’ even when buttoned and worn outside the trousers.  Cyprus is not an Island for the ‘Fashion Conscious’ it is an Island to enjoy and where you can enjoy yourself for the ‘Locals’ are friendly, polite and courteous – certainly in my experience, having – as they do – ‘first-hand’ experience of the British, we were the last Nation to occupy Cyprus (aside from the bits still Turkish occupied since 1974) though they are not as bitter about us.  It is also to be sincerely hoped that the two communities can get back together and resolve any ‘problems’ they feel they have.

 If you have never visited the land of Aphrodite you are truly missing out on an experience and it is an experience well worth enjoying, for the Cypriots are, as I have said, a friendly people, the food is excellent, the weather is gorgeous and the welcome is always warm.

If you are travelling with adults then it should not particularly worry you what time of year you visit as the Island enjoys around 300 days of sunshine, and I have not seen clearer – or bluer skies anywhere.  On the other hand, if you have children then perhaps it is best to come when the ‘Theme Parks’ and ‘Fairground Rides’ are open offering cool water and shade – you will still be welcome.

A Hotel poolside in Kyrenia                    Windsurfing in Akrotiri Bay

Once you’ve learned to use Quantum-Touch, it will be yours for a lifetime. It’s wonderful to know that you have something of enormous value you can do for other people. You can use it for self-healing, or at a distance on loved ones who may be far away. Health care professionals find that Quantum-Touch enhances or even transforms their practice, yet this is an ideal and simple skill for the total novice.

Quantum-Touch links breathing and body awareness techniques to help people raise the vibration in their own body and hands. These are natural exercises that everyone can easily do; the ability to assist in healing is an innate gift that we already posses.

Like a tuning fork that was struck causing another tuning fork to vibrate, the person receiving the session matches the vibration of the person giving the session. The body’s own intelligence decides how the healing will take place. As long as the practitioner continues using the breathing and body awareness exercises, he or she does not need to worry about becoming drained.

Before lunch break on the first day of a Quantum-Touch workshop, students learn that they can give magnificent sessions to one another. Ordinary people develop a real sense of confidence that they can truly help others, while experienced practitioners find that their skills significantly deepen. The bottom line is that our natural and innate potential to help others is simply extraordinary. This may be the easiest and most valuable skill you ever learn. Quantum-Touch will powerfully enhance the effectiveness of all other hands-on therapies that you may use.

First time students of Quantum-Touch, when working on each other, will typically be relieved of 50% to 100% of each other’s pain by the end of class. Not only do bones automatically align with a light touch, but also inflammation gets reduced and healing becomes accelerated. About a third of the class experiences some sort of emotional release, and occasionally the release is dramatic and profound.

The workshops provide a strong bolt of inspiration; students often get excited enough to change their lives or to bring something new into the world. Students experience how amazingly powerful Quantum-Touch is, how universally and profoundly it helps the people in the room, how wonderful the results are when you give sessions, and how surprisingly much the QT sessions help you. Quantum-Touch instructors provide answers to all of your questions and individual hands-on attention. All the above creates a marvelous, contagious joy and enthusiasm at the workshops.

• A series of breathing and body awareness exercises to help you focus and amplify life-force energy.This is the core technique that is used in Quantum-Touch. It is so easy and natural to learn, we’ve had little children and great grandparents pick it up easily. I’m sure that you will too.

• How to bring down pain and inflammation in record time.All by itself, this is an invaluable skill. It seems that there are always people in pain and it is a blessing to have something you can do to really help.

• You can absolutely observe bones automatically adjusting themselves with a light touch. Actually, the body moves them into correct alignment. You don’t have to figure it out any more than you need to understand how you digest your breakfast. This may well be the easiest as well as the most effective way to reduce or eliminate back pain.

• How to help reduce or eliminate back pain and get faster and better results than you have ever thought possible. We have dozens of chiropractors that are now using Quantum-Touch because it is so effective.

• How to use an extraordinary distant healing method to get truly outstanding results.When those you love are not near and you want to help, don’t feel helpless because there is something significant you can do. Distant healing with Quantum-Touch is tremendously effective.

• How to amplify the power of your sessions by work with Chakras, Toning and Vortexing the life-force energy.This truly ups the power of your sessions tremendously.

• How to use the Amplified Resonance Technique to turbo charge your own sessions so they have a power similar to a group sessions.This is the most powerful technique presented in the book, video or basic workshop. This allo ws individuals to run energy as if they were a whole group of people.

• How to work with pets and other animals.It’s a great joy to use this work with animals as they usually respond amazingly well.

Here we reveal some of the amazing research into brainwaves, chemical hormones and how music helps create the brainwaves we need for a calm mind and a happier, healthier more productive life.

Dr Hans Berger

In 1924 Dr Hans Berger used an early EEG (electroencephalograph) to monitor electrical activity in the brain. As often happens in scientific research he was looking for something else entirely when the evidence for brain waves emerged.

Dr Berger’s data revealed that our brain responds to stimuli by emitting electronic impulses in waves of varying intensity. Like any electrical emission, the intensity of brain waves is measured in hertz. The stimuli can come from any area of our lives, emotional, physical and environmental. At that time, Berger was able to detect only two levels of wave activity, which he called alpha and beta.

Under calm conditions, when we are relaxed, the brain produces alpha waves (8 – 12 Hz). We produce beta waves (12 – 25 Hz) when in a state of heightened watchfulness and reactivity. Berger also noted that aggressive behaviour may erupt when we are in beta.

Why you might think beta is best … although alpha is better

Because beta sharpens our responses and keeps us alert, we may think beta is the most vital state in our survival toolkit. Beta-driven responses are immediate to what we (usually wrongly) interpret as life and death situations. Decisions made in beta can be reactive and defensive, rather than collaborative and constructive.

Of course beta is important, but it also keeps us edgy and stressed out! Without realising it, we can easily spend most of our time in beta and suffer many negative psychological and physical side effects as a result. So the long-term effects of operating in beta can be destructive.

In alpha we feel calmer.

In alpha we naturally have a better command of life, our health, our moods. We are able to think more clearly, consider responses and perhaps make more creative decisions, with better long-term results.

delta and theta waves – further research

Two English scientists, Adrian Matthews and W. Grey Walter, extended Berger’s work. Their research proved the existence of brain activity even slower than alpha: delta waves (0.5 – 4 Hz) and theta waves (4 – 8 Hz).

In theta we are still conscious, yet in the deepest state of relaxation. We’re in theta as we fall asleep and ideally, as we gradually awaken.

We are in delta when we are fast asleep and waves are produced at their lowest frequency.

While much about brain functionality is still mysterious, since those early findings scientists have nevertheless made some exciting discoveries.

They have found that when we’re in the different states, alpha through theta, the brain also produces a number of chemical hormones. These chemicals have pronounced effects on mood, productivity and general health.

If we care for our health and longevity, we need to find ways to enhance the production of the beneficial chemicals and take steps to limit the effects of the negative ones.

John Levine’s Alphamusic helps us enhance the production of alpha brain waves and the associated chemicals.

Systems in distress

Throughout the day we shift between different levels of brain wave activity. Obviously, if the shifts are smooth, life feels less stressful and our health and overall productivity improve. Unfortunately, this is often not our experience.

Imagine this …
You are asleep. Deep in delta, body and mind recuperate from the day. Relaxed and unguarded, your unconscious lets you dream, play with ideas, assimilate information and explore options freely and creatively.

Suddenly, the alarm clock rings. Your heart rate lurches upwards, together with a spike in adrenalin and blood pressure. In seconds you’re awake and hurtling into the day – instantly in beta state.

In an effort to adjust, you gulp down a cup of coffee and perhaps something sugary to eat, adding “sugar hit” to “caffeine hit”. Now you are pumped up. Your entire system is stressed, indeed distressed. You are in beta.

In this state you confront the high-voltage impact of urban daily life. Then, as many as 18 hours later, you collapse back into bed and you haven’t had a moments real rest.

Over time, this “shocking” transition from deeply relaxed delta to instant beta undermines our health.

• Our sleep becomes less restorative.
• We succumb more easily to autoimmune deficits, such as allergies and repeated viral attacks. Blood pressure problems may evolve from living in a persistent beta state.
• Our mind never really rests, so we are always tired, always worn down and less likely to make the most constructive decisions about our lives.

alpha state – our peaceful haven at any time

Alpha is our peaceful haven. It is a state we can visit while fully conscious that will always give us relief from stress.

In alpha we are at our most productive because we are fully awake, yet completely relaxed.

We need alpha when we seek our creative spirit, emotional flexibility and our capacity to remain calm and open in the face of tough decisions?

Furthermore, we cannot hope to enter theta, where we are most mentally free and creative, if we haven’t first passed through alpha. So why can’t we access alpha all the time? Where does alpha go when we are angry and over-reactive?

Finding alpha, finding “flow”

Since Dr Berger, there has been much research to find and “harness” alpha state. Some people appear to be born with a gift for increased alpha wave production – they do it more often and more easily. But most of us are not.

Scientists have established that creative people operate in alpha and theta states far more frequently than ordinary folk.

When they are at their most creative, academics, scientists and artists have identified their mental state as being in “flow”1. They describe how time seems to stand still, yet ideas flow easily and constructively. This is undoubtedly alpha state.

Even gifted sports people seem able to enter and operate from alpha state with greater ease and play a better game as a result.

How John Levine’s Alphamusic brings alpha into your life

Dr John Levine

John Levine has been creating original music and playing piano since he was six. He graduated as a composer from Sydney University, Australia and spent several successful years in commercial music, working with bands like INXS and Midnight Oil and writing jingles for Saatchi and Saatchi and the Coca-Cola Company…

No other composer has set out with the same intent that drives John Levine. Trained originally as an electronic engineer and then as a classical composer, John has also studied psychology and the physiology of hearing. He read about the discovery by Dr Hans Berger, of how the brain emits electrical waves, which rise and fall in intensity depending on our mood. These waves, whether in the brain or being emitted into the air, are measured in Megahertz (MHz) and scientists. After considerable experimentation, John established the pattern of sound that predictably invites the brain to settle into alpha state. This is a calmer state than the excitable peaks and troughs, known as beta, which contribute to feelings of anxiety.
While beta has its purpose, it also interferes with our ability to stop, take stock and work out a better long-term solution to a stressful situation.
At university Levine became deeply interested in meditation. He studied at the Sydney Transcendental Meditation Center and then pursued a wider, more varied understanding of meditational practices. Alpha Relaxation with Jacob Bloom, Systematic Desensitization Relaxation Techniques at the University of NSW, Mind Language with Robert Murphy.
The more he learned, the more certain Levine became that he could write music deliberately aimed at stimulating the brain to produce the waves we need to function at different levels. For instance, when we want to intensify concentration, retain information and study more productively, we could listen to music that “makes” the brain operate at low alpha-high theta level, optimum for the job.

Based on this, and incorporating his musical knowledge and creativity, John developed Alphamusic as an effective tool anyone can use to cope with stress and anxiety. Encouraged by his discoveries and egged on by friends, Levine wrote, played and recorded a 60-minute composition he called “Silence of Peace”. It’s a strange title until you consider the amount and volume of “chatter” that crowds our brains every waking moment and how we might feel if there was less inner clamour.
Levine suggests that four minutes into listening to “Silence of Peace”, our brain waves may “notch down” to alpha state. This is the same mental calm and freedom we enjoy when we first wake from relaxed sleep. Quite a claim. But tantalising for anyone who battles to balance the sensory and emotional overload of our urban lives!
Levine named the rebirth of his musical career Alphamusic, to signify the importance he places on alpha waves. The brain produces alpha waves when our mind is completely relaxed, for instance, as we awaken from deep sleep, or when we meditate. In this state we are most likely to have our most creative insights and experiences.

In the course of 2004, he collaborated with Australian psychologist and journalist, Dr Amanda Gordon, to create a series of five, guided relaxation CDs called “The Armchair Psychologist Series”. It is hoped this work will help to lower stress in both parents and adolescents.

With great joy, Levine now fosters his passion for working with people. In specialised workshops, he draws together meditation and music to assist teachers and students at all levels, from kindergarten to university. His delivery is tender, candid and highly personal, with content tailored to meet the needs of the group he is leading.

He shows nursery school teachers how to use Alphamusic to calm their kids. With glee, he tells of a phone-call where a teacher reports that one of her 3 year-olds independently chose a John Levine CD and placed it in the player because, said the little one, the class needed to “calm down”!

At St Matthews’ Primary School in Cambridge, his music is played during all Math’s classes, as well as during exams. According to their headmaster, the school plans to adopt this as a general practice.

John B Levine says “My wish is to help the greatest number of people through the healing powers of music.”

Research into the impact of sound on brain activity has yielded a mountain of evidence about the effects of music on mood and behaviour. These findings do not surprise composers and musicians: the calming and self-healing effects of music are known to every culture on earth.

Music offers the simplest path to alpha state, without demanding that you sleep – or even leave your desk! From Gregorian Chant to timeless lullabies, the effect is the same: as we listen, we feel better, more relaxed.

John Levine has composed this music along “planes” of sound, often exploring and re-exploring the same key. The music forms a smooth backdrop of sound that engages you, yet only enough to “block” the impact of “auditory toxins” and just enough to keep your thoughts moving ahead gently and progressively.

Blocking out interference can help us find a clear space in which to rest, think or play. This is John Levine’s Alphamusic.

A backdrop of Alphamusic calms your over-busy mind while you’re occupied with other tasks, when you study, work, play, eat and of course, sleep.

John B Levine has spent his working life studying the combined effects of music and meditation. He uses this knowledge to compose Alphamusic.

The beauty of John Levine’s Alphamusic lies in its accessibility, effectiveness and purity. Listen to our free music samples now and invite the alpha state into your life.

More details can be found at:www.mervynfoster.com

Quantum physics shows that everything in our physical world is actually formed from energy which is constantly flowing. This energy could be likened to electricity or radio signals. We may see our bodies as being solid and made up of blood and tissue and bone but every part of our bodies is actually energy vibrating and flowing in streams and there is more energy permeating and surrounding what we see as our bodies. This is usually known as the aura, auric field, or simply the Field and it has no ending.

Energy in different forms vibrates at a different frequency. The energy that makes up a rock vibrates slowly, which is the reason the rock looks and feels solid. The energy that makes up a delicate flower vibrates much faster. Energies that vibrate on the same frequency are in resonance with each other and easily absorb each other’s energy.

The Power to Heal

More than this, every cell in our body has its own innate intelligence. Wellbeing is the natural state in which each cell is always striving to maintain itself or reach when it has been shut off from that natural state. A higher vibration is always dominant to a lower vibration but what is thrumming on a low vibration needs to have some way of connecting to that higher vibration in order to benefit.

Quantum-Touch^® is simply utilising life-force energy to raise the vibration of a sick person or animal to the  vibrational rate of wellbeing and the innate healing ability of each cell does the rest of the work.

Anyone (including children) can learn to do Quantum-Touch^®. The book,  “Quantum-Touch^® The Power to Heal“, by Richard Gordon, describes how to access life-force energy and direct it to a person, animal, plant, food, water, etc., either with physical contact or at a distance. It can be used for self healing as well as for helping others to heal.  Also available world-wide are Live Basic workshops taught by Certified Quantum-Touch instructors, as well and video and DVD materials for home study.  Visit the website at  www.quantumtouch.com for workshop locations near you.

THE THEORY

In nature, when two systems vibrate at different frequencies, there is a tendency for the two vibrations to align when in close proximity to each other. This is most often referred to as the process of resonance and entrainment. When you play a note on the piano, the guitar string across the room may begin to vibrate to that sound. Biological entrainment occurs when fire flies all blink in unison, frogs croak and crickets crick together.

Now, either the lower frequency will come up to match the higher frequency, the higher one may come down to match the lower one, or the two may come together somewhere in the middle. We can even experience this process when we are in a room with someone who is happier, or less happy than ourselves. There is a tendency for one person to bring the other up or down.

Resonance and entrainment also take place in the healing process. When a practitioner learns to raise his or her vibration, he or she can create a high level of energy. If that field is placed around an area of pain, stress, inflammation or disease, that part of the body will entrain to the energy of the practitioner causing something amazing to occur. This something special is called accelerated healing.

WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU?

The energy will often stop pain and cause inflammation to be dramatically reduced; it can balance organs, glands and tissues of the body. Bones often move back into alignment as well. Since it is always the body healing itself, the body will use this energy in whatever way it decides. Life-force energy even has a remarkable effect on psychological states.

THE TREATMENT

Quantum-Touch is a dynamic and highly-effective energy healing technique. The practitioner will focus and amplify life-force energy, which is often referred as ‘Ki’, ‘Chi’ or ‘Prana’ in other cultures and healing techniques. This is accomplished by combining various breathing and body awareness exercises. When the practitioner holds a high vibrational field of life-force energy around the affected area of the client’s body, the client will naturally match the vibration of the practitioner (through a process of resonance and entrainment), allowing the client’s own biological intelligence to do whatever healing it deems necessary.

WHO CAN BENEFIT?

More and more people are being drawn to healing work every day for a number of reasons. It could be that they want help for themselves or perhaps they want to help others in need or possibly they desire a greater understanding of the process. And although there are some very complex healing systems out there, this is not one of them. We have found this work to be simple, straightforward and effective.

The body has an extraordinary intelligence and ability to heal itself and will do so when given the right energetic, emotional and nutritional environment. We don’t have to be able to diagnose health problems. We don’t have to know anatomy and physiology. Thankfully, that wisdom lies in the innate intelligence of the person receiving the help. Some common reasons why people seek Quantum-Touch are – Neck, Back, Shoulder, Leg and/or Arm Pain – Pinched/Trapped nerves – Spinal Misalignments – Muscle Sprains/Pain – Joint Pain – Hip Pain – Scoliosis. As well as relief from Emotional Pain or just seeking Wellness, many have used Quantum-Touch to head off colds and flu, quickly healed cuts and burns and have experienced fast relief from issues from headaches and foot problems.  In addition, using Quantum-Touch to help sick animals has been very effective.

SUMMARY

I offer individual Healing Sessions locally and can discuss Distance Healing at your convenience. As the certified Advanced Instructor for Europe, I run the Advanced Workshops (Supercharge and Core Transformation 1 & 2) throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

If you want to develop your healing abilities, there are several ways to do it:

1. Read Richard Gordon’s book, Quantum Touch^®, the Power to Heal, which has all the information that you need to find out about this healing modality.
2. Also there is a Video Tape or DVD, taught by Richard Gordon which you can purchase by yourself and do it at home, which has the advantage of repetition.
3. Attend a 2-day workshop which covers the same material, with the advantage of practice time and feedback opportunities, and is one of the requirements to become a practitioner.

More details on how to train in Quantum Touch Healing can be found at: http://www.quantumtouch.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=80

Mervyn S Foster is a Certified Quantum Touch^® Advanced Instructor and Practitioner, more details can be found on his site at www.soothing-hands.co.uk or you can contacted him on 01480 878111 or mervyn@quantumtouch.com to ask about Workshops or Healing. Mervyn also has a Blog Page at www.mervynfoster.com

The main Quantum Touch site www.quantumtouch.com has more information.

About five years ago I started selling my photos onlne  – most of my current photos are online at www.javeaphotos.com - the site is a mixture of amateur and professional photographers – best of all is that it is free – one of the things we insisted on when we founded it last year. Already it has over 1,100 photos and 17 photographers.

If you are interested in displaying your photos online – for free – and maybe selling them, digitally – you keeping 85% of every saye – then why not join us online?

To whet your appetite – here are a few I did earlier!

Gareth Ashman lives in Peterborough and has a condition called Keratoconus that affects both of his eyes. Gareth, 35, is a keen motorcyclist and was alarmed to discover one day that he was seeing double white lines in the road, where there was only one. Keratoconus was relatively unheard of in the 1980s and when Gareth’s optometrist examined him he wrongly diagnosed his condition as congenital cataracts, reassured him that it wasn’t progressive and that it was unlikely to get worse.

Ghosting effect – Keratoconus is an illness that affects young adult males more than females and there is a gradual deterioration in vision as the shape of the cornea changes: “I was a student at the time and this of course made reading very difficult. My optician had no idea what I’d got and his advice was ‘get a brighter reading light and put it nearer when you read’. Driving and bike riding were getting harder too,” recalls Gareth.

By 1992, Gareth could tolerate this no longer and asked to be referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, knowing that this was the best eye hospital in the world. Indeed, he had been in the hospital for less than 20 minutes when one of the hospital workers ventured that he might have the condition known as Keratoconus. Initially, Moorfields advised Gareth that he needed two corneal transplants. However, a chance consultation with an optometrist there who was working on groundbreaking scleral contact lenses as a non-invasive (ie. non surgical) soluti on for Keratoconus sufferers proved a breakthrough.

 “… with these lenses, I suddenly found my vision was greatly improved, I could read again, I could ride my motorbike on the roads, so all in all these scleral lenses gave me my life back. It puts a whole new perspective on your life!”

Keen athlete – Gareth revealed that he was a keen athlete and did a lot of sailing, skiing and off-road motorcycle racing, so the optometrist found him a pair of scleral lenses to try as an experiment. He found them very easy to insert, wear, clean and within ten minutes Gareth could tell that these were for him. “I found scleral lenses an absolute revelation. The Moorfields optometrist recommended them because of the steepness of the cone in my eyes, because of what I do for a living, and what my interests were. I walked outside and I found I could at last see properly.

“By this time, my vision had deteriorated to a point where I could no longer see well enough to ride, write or work. But suddenly, I found it was improved to the point where I could read and I could ride my motorbike on the roads, so all in all these scleral lenses gave me my life back. It puts a whole new perspective into your life!”

Enduro off-road bikes – In the meantime, Gareth had been wearing hard, corneal contact lenses, which he found uncomfortable and occasionally even dangerous to wear: “Not only were they painful, easy to lose or break, but they had a tendency to fall out in the worst possible circumstances. I have raced track bikes at most of the race circuits in the UK and I remember a track day at Silverstone circuit in the mid-90s when one blew out when I was riding down the back straight at over 130mph on a Honda Fireblade! I remember blinking and the corneal lens just blew out of my eye. It was so painful and of course you then have to close your eye – and with it your other eye too. Not ideal when you’re doing 130mph!” recalls Gareth.

“I also race Enduro off-road bikes through forests and one of the races I particularly remember is a two-day British Championship event called the Natterjack at Weavers Down in Hampshire. I did that in the days when I wore hard corneal lenses and the sand and the dust made wearing them absolute agony. My eyes were red raw by the end of that race. Then a couple of years later I did the same race again, when I was wearing scleral lenses, and I had absolutely no problems at all.

“With scleral lenses I can now ride my bike at over 100mph, in the rain, without a visor, on a track and it doesn’t hurt my eyes. One trick I’ve learned (when I’m doing endurance bike racing at night) is to put some fluorescein in the contact lenses, which gives me much better night vision. An amusing side-effect is when I walk into a night club or disco it makes my eyes glow like Michael Jackson in Thriller !”

‘Guinea pig’ – “Scleral lenses can give bikers an advantage over even people with normal eyesight. My supplier has also prescribed all-enveloping scleral-type lenses to water skiers and skydivers who have relatively normal eyesight or don’t need correction at all but appreciate the physical protection it gives their eyes in these extreme conditions. I also find they give me protection from the effects of chlorine in the water.

Nowadays, I’m a regular ‘guinea pig’ and talk to people at Moorfields and at clinics about Keratoconus to give them as much information as possible about their options.

On seeing a scleral contact lens for the first time some will say ‘you expect me to put that in my eye?’ but I’m a staunch advocate and try to show people how to handle them and put them in,” concludes Gareth.

For further information about Gareth’s condition contact The Keratoconus Group on tel. 0208 993 4759 or visit www.keratoconus-group.org.uk

Submitted by Adrian Foster
AVF COMMUNICATIONS
Tel. 01992 300344
Fax. 01992 303234
www.avfcommunications.com

Nineteenth century dish and teabowl

Many of us, over the last few years of “make money from old junk” TV programmes, have wondered whether or not we were the proud possessors of hidden wealth. Could this be a weekend money earner, a business opportunity or just a chance to clear some space for the new TV? Some of us might go so far as taking a “collectibles” book out from the library, to see if Mum’s old teapot is worth hanging on to… a few might even drag a box of hopeful items along to a local auction house, for a free valuation day – or even ask a Dealer from the Yellow Pages, or an Antique Centre, to come along to have a look… but most of us don’t bother to do much… until that fateful day when we realise that we are running out of space to keep the junk we have accumulated, without ever consciously noticing how much we have… …and that is where something has to be done…

and that is how we start down this particularly slippery slope. Car-boot, auction, dealer, antique stall, E-bayer where next?… And where to start?

An English Porcelain Cup and Saucer c. 1815

You need to be sure, first of a few critical things…
WHY are you getting rid of it?

To make a profit on what you bought it for?

To recoup something of what you paid for it (rather than throw it away)?

To get rid of it, regardless of what it may or may not be worth – because you are in a hurry or you just can’t stand the sight of the clutter, any more?

As in any business venture, making a profit requires luck, research, product and market knowledge – either yours or some-one else’s. Auctioneers are often a good place to start, if you want to use some-one else’s expertise. Auctioneers earn their income from the percentage commission they make selling. They normally get a percentage of the selling price from both the vendor and the buyer – so they have a built in vested interest in getting the highest price they can for you (or from you) – but bear in mind that you only get a high price at an auction when at least two people want to buy the same lot and they bid against each other … if there is only one bidder it will go on the “maiden” bid if you are lucky – at the reserve level (if you set one) and “that is that”, it is gone.

A Samson “Armorial” Mug

Is what you are selling valuable? Is it collectible, unusual or old? Do you know that it has no particular intrinsic value because you have seen the same items in charity shops and car boots at a fraction of what it cost you to buy, or do you suspect that it is potential gold dust… If you put a rare antique in a house clearance/ bric-a-brac auction you are unlikely to sell it for anywhere near what you would get at an antique specialist’s auction, but it is quick – which is why many professional dealers buy their stock from auction rooms and house clearance sales.

On the other hand if you put it in an antique centre to sell on commission – you may lose money for months on shelf rent before it sells at the “asking” price and it could end up costing you money – or it might go in a few days leaving you a hefty “profit”.

If you are considering buying to sell – Examine the “under table lots” at general auctions. A box for a tenner may have thirty or forty items that can sell for a pound or more if sold one at a time at a boot sale …or it may hide a gem for an antiques stall …or it may be another ‘booter’s’ clearance box of junk they couldn’t give away and be worth even less than you paid… But, be warned and don’t get carried away with auction fever – many professional car-booters buy at these auctions too, so there can be some surprising competition on even the under table boxes of bric-a-brac…

How much do you want to get rid of?

A few bits and pieces – a couple of shopping bags worth – is a totally different prospect to clearing out Granny’s house so she can move somewhere smaller. Large clear outs or large items (like heavy furniture) need a totally different approach to that of cashing in on one box from the back of the wardrobe – as does the speed with which you want to get rid of it… least bother (and least profit) to you is likely to be invite a house clearance auctioneer or dealer round – they will clear the house for you – cream off the best and “skip” the rest – literally, down at the local dump.

A Lowestoft Teapot. ( a contemporary copy of a Worcester Dr Wall pattern)

An honest dealer/ auctioneer will give you a fair price, for the effort they have to go (to sift and shift through the stuff you can’t be bothered to sort out) – yes, they will profit from you, ruthlessly, but – if you can’t be bothered or don’t have the time – why not ? It is their livelihood and they have put the time and effort into learning their trade the hard way. I lost well over £1500 worth of rare Art Deco Bedroom furniture at a clearance auction sale once – no reserve and it sold for £5 – but, whilst I still grouse about it, it was my fault for not checking first, for not asking the auctioneer if it was worth putting on a reserve, for being in a rush to move house and for not wanting to pay the storage costs, whilst we took the time to sort kit out! Remember – if in doubt, ask – and, if asking, ask more than one “expert” from more than one place!

If you would like to learn more about Ebay Trading goto www.ebay.com (USA) or www.ebay.co.uk (UK) and search the community under – How do I Sell?

I am staying with friends on the Akrotiri Peninsular and the Lady of the house posed the question, why do the British want to go abroad to warmer climate in summer? Which is roughly when there is a decent spell of weather at home. It would make more sense if people took their “holidays in the sun” at a different time of the year ~ though one does appreciate employers do have a say as to when they want their staff to work. The only difficulty, if such it can be called, is that you are looking at approximately a four-hour flight (on top of a two hour wait – at either end if your taxi is late!) at the end of which you are two hours ahead of British Time – as Cyprus follows British Summer Time rules, I flew into Pafos which is about an hour run from Akrotiri.

Travelling around the island with a chauffeuse or a hire car seems to be relatively easy ~ certainly outside of the towns ~ and causes no great hardships, so there are plenty of opportunities for sight-seeing, and as for photography whatever your equipment ~ there shouldn’t be too much in the way of  problems there either irrespective of what one likes to photograph. As the Cypriots drive, like the British, on the left, it is a simple transfer of skills to Cypriot Roads. Newcomers to driving on the island, however, can be lulled into the false sense of security that it is as safe to drive as in the UK – which in the past it may well have been… but in an era of fast cars, slow goats and a general local contempt for road “rules”, some caution is advised. However, the ‘tourist’ sites, out of season, are virtually deserted so you don’t have the problem of ‘bumping into’ the world and his wife, or asking them to move while you absorb the quiet history that surrounds you ~ they are all at home whilst you are enjoying yourself.  Why else might one think about a holiday during the off peak season? OK, in the quiet seasons some of the hot summer attractions are unavailable. The children may grumble that the Aqua-land is closed or the beach is too quiet… but on the other hand, the flights are cheaper, the hotel deals are generous and the welcome is sincere, regardless of season. The Cypriots that I have come across are a lovely people, friendly and speak English very well ~ as they have tolerated the British on the island for some years. The muleteers the British Army recruited to help them in the Egyptian Campaign two centuries ago came mostly from these shores, so the Cypriots have learned a polite patience with us as a nation over long association.

On arriving I was taken for a meal in Pafos, to taste my first piece of real Cyprus in a lovely local fish restaurant, only to find the waiter who was serving us had spent some of his youth in London ~ my home of origin ~ and according to my hostess he had a better grasp of English Colloquialisms than she did… so there you go!

 Sidney Skinner can be contacted here