Nordic Walking

This has been one of my favourite activities to date, it was so fun to learn this new skill and the physical benefits were many (great sport for after Xmas):

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22738&Itemid=38

Talking of walking, I have just returned home after walking in the Sierra de Espuna for 5 hours! Great scenery, great company, great leader - great day! More will follow once I have wallowed in a hot bath :)

Inverted Crucifix & Superman

What do the funny words in this title mean? ...... They are the pole dance moves that I did for the 1st time last night. So, so cool. I have some funky bruises on my feet and inner thighs but they are worth it!!!!! Got to start taking more photo's.
On the down side, I got home last night and while standing having a drink with friends, my knee popped out (old injury). So no dog walking tomorrow for S.A.T.S who I volunteer with :(



On the upside this means I can concentrate on my article deadline (about Nordic walking), do some course work and shoot some photo's for next Tuesdays digital camera club.
We have poo weather again, but that hasn't stopped Richard going shooting, glad he's forming his own hobby, gutted I can't play on my pole while he's out!
Anyway, here's to a fab weekend with some fab friends that are over from the UK - enjoy folks!

Yacht Maintenance & Anti-Fouling

Every year or two we have to take our yacht, Serenity, out of the water for maintenance and do to something called 'anti-fouling'. When you anti-foul a boat you basically paint the belly (hull) with a substance that discourages growth e.g. barnacles and other marine life. If you didn't do this your boat would not go through the water so well as this growth, creates resistance.
Having the yacht out of the water also makes other jobs easier and we normally use the time to give Serenity a lot of tlc.
One of my friends asked how you get a boat out of the water, so I thought I would show you some pictures.

Serenity backs in to a holding area and a huge crane comes along, two harnesses go underneath her.



Then they lift her out of the water and pressure wash off all the crud.





She's then put on stilts so that we can work on her hull (belly). We paint and polish the sides and clean up the propellers.

I had a really great time whilst being a guest speaker on Fab FM last Saturday. The DJ, Bob, really made me feel at ease and I enjoyed speaking about something I am so passionate about - adventures!! They have asked me to go back in 2 weeks as we ran out of time. This experience has really made me think about media and increasing the net in which my and my activity providers cover. Great things lay ahead.....

Heretat de Cesilia - An Award Winning Winery

I visited this fantastic winery last month with some of my family and fell in love with their produce. Check out this article to read more about the award winning wines produced at Heretat de Cesilia.

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22558&Itemid=38

I'm thirsty just thinking about it. Maybe you should enjoy this article with a glass of full-bodied red ;) Yum.

Charity Walk Training at Casa la Pedrera

Morning all
Here on the Costa Blanca, we have been subject to a long, cold, dark, damp and very cold winter - roll on lighter nights and warmer days!

There have been few beacons of joy as activities often have to be rescheduled due to the incessant rain. However, I have been able to join the advanced walking group at Casa la Pedrera twice this year, in a training effort for the charity walk taking place there at the end of February. To check out my training efforts and to get some more information, please copy and paste this address in to your browser:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22401&Itemid=31

I'll be back next week with some details of the day itself :)

Shooting in Alicante Mountains

Hola all!
This is a good one, about clay pigeon shooting just inland from Alicante:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22220&Itemid=31

I'm back in my writing flow after the craziness over the festive season. Spring is looking good with a variety of visits coming up including: mountain and country walking, kayak safari's, bodega visits, nordic walking and of course my favourite - more pole dancing - yippeeee!

Have a good weekend folks!

Anna :)

American Pole Dance Championships 2009

Anyone who knows me will know how much I love my pole dancing and pole fitness classes. Here is a little taster of why it fascinates me so much:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_NJiwIVu6k&feature=related

I Love Nordic Walking!

Hello folks
I had to write as I am in love with Nordic walking. I will be writing an article about this fantastic activity and will post the link on when it gets published in a couple of weeks but I had to share some really good news....... I have managed to shed a total of 10.5 inches from my previous body measurements - in 2 weeks! The most notable difference is round my waist, belly and hips. I haven't been as careful with food and have even been having a sneaky drink during the week!
So if you want better stamina, an activity that is kind to your body and has quick toning affects, look no further!
Anna :)

Pole Fitness Tuition Caught on Tape

I just found this while scanning the web. This film was made in May 2009 while we were at the Round Town News Lifestyle Expo. This is Maria from the Pole Professionals in action!!

http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/pole-dance-fitness-interview-viva-tv-part-33/347583738

Hope you enjoy this little taster!

Anna :)

Happiness

The tiniest things in life can give us the deepest fulfillment. A compliment about your work, a hug from a friend, a walk on the beach. But today I am happy because......

The sun has come out to play and after weeks of cold weather and rain, it is now 18C!
This means I can air my house and clear the backlog of washing!!

Today is a good day :)

Sea Experiences on the Costa Blanca

Happy new year to one and all! I hope you have all had fun over the festive season and if you are reading this from the UK, I hope you are safe and warm.

This article was meant to be published at the end of last year as part of a 3-part summary of 2009, but hey, here it is now. Copy and paste this address and it will take you direct to the article on the Round Town News website:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21868&Itemid=31

It's a cold, grey, wet and miserable day here in Algorfa but the shiny silver pole that my fiance bought me for Christmas is lighting up our living room - so I have no reason to go out!

Take care everyone, especially all you guys in the UK!

Air Experiences Across the Costa Blanca

Here is the next edition to my activity summary of 2009 - air experiences on the Costa Blanca.

As usual it's an article for the Round Town News so if you follow this link you'll be able to read all about it.

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21781&Itemid=31

I've just enrolled on a journalism course so am looking foward to my personal professional development in 2010, it's going to be an exciting journey filled with fun and adventure and I will be taking you with me at every step of the way.

I hope everyone that reads this has a happy, healthy and prosperous year in 2010.

Warmest wishes, Anna :)

Finishing the week with a bang!

Yesterday we spent a lovely afternoon shooting at our friends school near to the Maigmo nature reserve in Alicante. It was FREEZING, but we soldiered on. My partner did very well, never having fired a shotgun before, I was very proud of him and I think he may have found a new hobby. I was less fortunate in my abilities and whereas in the past I have managed to fire of some accurate flukes; I missed all the damn clays this time. I think I need to work on which eye to focus with; or change the hand I hold the gun with. Either way I'm going to need major practice if I'm going to keep up with the boys!
The write up for this experience will be my first feature in the Round Town News in 2010 and will be posted here for you all to have a good chuckle over.

Earth Experiences Across the Costa Blanca

The end of 2009 is upon us and for my next 3 columns in the Round Town News I will be looking at the highlights of the Costa Blanca and my adventures this year. This week starts by looking at earth bound experiences:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21646&Itemid=31

Check me out next week when we look at air, concluding with sea in the last edition of 2009.