Office Chair

Over the Christmas break the old chair I'd been using to work on my computer at home finally gave up the ghost, and I was forced to start looking to get another one from somewhere. Lately I've been doing a fair bit of shopping online and I though I'd see if Google could give me any good suggestions so I popped in a few search terms and found a few office furniture suppliers that seemed to have some really good offer on.
After much deliberation the company I finally decided to use was an office furniture supplier based in Letchworth, which is just down the road from me, called Inter County office furniture. I'm the sort of guy who quite meticulous when buying something and I will check several different suppliers out before parting with my hard-earned cash, and this was no different. I did a lot of research on office chairs, checking out what the various certificates meant, and out of all the office furniture sellers I found Inter County Office Furniture seemed to have the best items for the money I was looking to spend.
So after picking out a leather office chair I went ahead and bought it. Now I've read a few horror stories on the internet about furniture suppliers in general and I was a little anxious, but I have to say this company completely allayed my fears. A guy called Simon rang me up the next day and told me my chair would be with me the next day - wow! Less than 48 hours later. True to their word, my chair arrived the next day. At first I was a little worried about how easy it would be to put together, but it actually turned out to be really easy. 10 minutes later my chair was assembled!
It's amazing how good this chair feels to sit in, the leather really does look and feel the part, luxurious. Always when you see things for sale on the internet you are a little sceptical they may look better in the photo than the actually are, but not at all in this case. The chair is absolutely superb. The leather is really quite smooth, it's not as good as the stuff you'd find on a really expensive chair, but it's still not bad. For 60 pounds I'm certainly not going to nit pick.
Have a look at this picture I took, and tell me this office chair doesn't look the business? I really can't believe how cheap this was, even with VAT it was little over 60 quid and they had some which were even less. What I'd like to do next is maybe try and get myself a desk to go with it, I've been meaning to buy one for ages but just haven't got around to it. They had some of these on offer too and I may have a look and see if I can pick up a bargain.
What I really liked about this company was not the price I paid, which was good but you get good prices at lots of different companies. What I really liked was the customer service I received, how many companies would take the time to call you and let you know the item you ordered is on the way? I'm not sure anyone who sells furniture for the home would take the time to do this! It was a breathe of fresh air and if anyone is reading this article and thinking about forking out on office furniture I would strongly recommend Inter County Office Furniture. In a day and age when it often seems like businesses don't care anymore this company was extremely refreshing. When the guy said who he was I nearly choked on the cupa-soup I'd been indulging in!
On another note I realised I've now got to find a way of disposing of the old chair I was using. It's so clapped out there's no way anyone will buy it, especially with the price you can pick up an operator chair for these days. I'm not 100% sure I'll get it in the boot of my car, if I can I'll take it down to the dump in Letchworth. If not I'll have to see if I can get a friend with a bigger boot to help me out.
This is the link to the site I found this chair on, definately worth a try if you are looking for something to sit in - office chairs.

Moved to myspace!!!

Because of the added features, I've now moved my blog to: www.myspace.com/stuntfrog

Monster day out!

Many thanks to Debbie for arranging my belated birthday outing in London. We went to Madame tussards, Fire and Stone (pizza), and the new Lord of the Rings musical at the Theatre Royal. It was a fantastic show with amazing costumes, music and stage design. Click on the link to see for yourself: http://www.thelordoftheringsmusical.com/production_popup_1.php.
If you'd like to see our photo's from Madame tussards join www.facebook.com and link to me as a friend.

Donation page now Live!

I've just set up an on-line donation page that pays Cancer Research UK directly. I thought it would make things allot easier for everyone who wishes to sponsor me on the epic 270 mile cycle marathon. Training is going well I'm getting much fitter now, my average speed is up, my weight is down to 14.12 stone (from 16.3) and I've clocked over 400 miles so far. I'm aiming to do 100miles a week now as time is short until the big ride, just a month left. We want to do a group day ride before we go as a dry run with fully ladened bikes (tents, sleeping bags, cloths etc.) I'm sure it's going to be allot tougher going once we are weighed down with kit.

http://www.justgiving.com/stuntdove

Thank you for giving, we may all benifit from what CRUK are doing one day.

Big News!

It's offical, Debbie and I are getting married on the 22nd of August 2008!!! We've booked a venue St Pauls in Letchworth. On monday we went round to the Vicor's house to fill in some forms and have a chat. Just need to sort out 'calling of the bands' (don't ask) because I don't live in the parish of St Pauls. We've also booked the reception at Fanhams Hall in Ware. Sorry in advance if you don't get invited to the reception. It's not because we didn't want to envite everyone but we only have limited places. Good news is all (that know us) are invited to the wedding at St Pauls so please come along and give your support. We'll post the times when it's been given.

Charlie's Aunt

Had a great time on Saturday. Debbie and I went with her dad and his friend to see “Charlie’s Aunt” with Stephen Tomkinson at the Milton Keynes Theatre. I feel confident in recommending this production of an old classic, very funny and Tomkinson plays a hilarious 'Monty Python' style man/women. It was a really nice day out and lovely weather too but best of all we had pizza!!!

stuntdove.com

Ok it's up! some refining will be done asap but the gist of it is there. What am I talking about? Well myself and Adam who is also going on our A5 cycle ride have been working on an adventure website designed to provide a light hearted record of our exploits past, present and future and to help and encourage others who wish to follow in our footsteps. I hope you'll all be checking to see what we're up to next. I've put a link on the right hand of my blog but you can also click here: www.stuntdove.com

St Elmo's Fire

My mate Dan (bass player) is in a band called St Elmo's Fire. Me and Debbie went to see them a while back and they rocked. Here is a live video of them in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iej8Mdrju94&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyspace%2Ecom%2Fstelmos It makes me want me to start playing agian!

Cycle update

The cycling has been going well. At the weekend I went to Kimpton and back 20miles, and today was my first consecutive commute to work (Royston 18miles each way) and although my legs felt it on the hills, it went ok. I've managed to clock up 189miles so far despite a virus that put me out for two weeks. I've also gone from 16.3stone to 15.8 already. I plan to do a longer ride over Easter, probably to St Albans and back which is a 36mile round trip. Sponsorship is going ok too. I've handed out some extra forms to friends and family and my form at work has got up to £113. Please keep the money coming in!

Ride2Work!

Buy tax free bikes and cycle to work with the Ride2Work programme! Did you know that a Government scheme exists that can save you around 50% off the price of a new bike? It's called the Green Transport Plan, and it aims to make cycling more attractive and more accessible by taking advantage of some unique tax incentives. Many Cycle shops have developed the Ride2Work programme to help you take advantage of the benefits of the Green Transport Plan. This allows you to buy bikes via your employer at a massive discount!
http://www.evanscycles.com/ride2work.jsp;jsessionid=51BE56E7AA374672C5F3A689271862C8.tomcat2

I love it when a plan comes together!

Greg and I finally managed to get his fence finished on Saturday. He has kindly agreed to help me finish off my kitchen so hopefully it'll go better than the last time he helped as I drilled straight through a water pipe and haven't done much in the kitchen since repairing it.

Armadillo's!!!

Adam, Phil, Neil and I had an 'A5' planning meeting last night (down the pub of coarse) to look over some of the finer details of our trip. Any way one of the things that came out was to set up a designated web site devoted to our adventures. So hopefully with the help of the very talented Adam, and not to far in the future I'll be posting a link to that very site. After a late night down the pub I got home motivated and charged with energy so decided to get up early and ride to work (first time since the dreaded virus). I've never found it easy getting out of bed at the best of times, least of all at 6.45 after a late night out, but that I did and I was soon on my way to Royston. Disaster nearly struck as I climbed out of Wallington, I heard a faint click, click, click as the wheel rotated so I stopped to examine the tyre (of which I've only just replaced after the last mishap). Sure enough a tiny piece of sharp flint was patroding out from the back tyre. Gutted, and expecting a Pissssstt sound, I pulled it out but the Specialized Armadillo tyres had done their job and the kevlar belt had prevented any tube damage. Harrah for Armadillo's!!!

New posts

I've been helping Greg put up a new fence. We made a slow start last week but hopefully it'll get finished tomorrow. Read how we got on in Greg's blog... http://gemars.blogspot.com
Just seen the verse of the day “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,” That should be our motto Greg!
(James 1:12)

98 miles sponsored 182 miles to go

Well done, 98 miles gets us to about Coventry, please keep the donations coming in. Starting to feel better now after that nasty virus. I went to choi last night for the first time in over a week and although I was very short of breath I got through the class. I will be trying to build my fitness up again now so I'm going again tonight. I'll have a bit of a rest at the weekend (apart from finishing Greg's bottom fence and hopefully back to my training program next week.

How many places have you visited?

I've visited 6: Canada, UK, France, Spain, Czech Republic & Austria. Lets see who's got the most then I'll make a map with every country we've been to between us.







Make your own map if you want by clicking here:
http://www.world66.com/myworld66/visitedCountries

Under the weather

Not feeling to good today. I went to Choi last night and I was burning up and sweating like a pig. I think I may of picked something up, like a virus or cold? Really gutted because I've spent allot of time getting fit and I won't be able to do any Choi or Cycling now until I'm better. Hopefully it will go away soon and I won't lose to much fitness.

Blomming Tractor

Ok I've given in to temptation and brought a new road bike. I had a look at my friends old bike which he said I could borrow but knew I'd never keep up with them on their ultra light weight new racers no mater how fit I get. The bike I really liked (scott speedster s60) cost over £500 which is well out of my price range but I managed to find the exact same bike which was last years model and had streight handle bars for £200 less so I was well chuffed. I already had some money that I was saving for a better mountain bike so with that, my overtime and birthday money I thought well it saves me £4 petrol a day too, so why not?

I cycled to work on it today but it went 'Pete Tong' just after Kelshall about 13 miles in to the ride. A tractor had been up the road and left the road covered in mud and stones, to many to avoid and sure enough I earned myself my first puncture on my new bike. Realising I still had 5 miles to go and less than an hour to get to work I new walking wouldn't be fast enough so I managed a faux march (run,walk,run) to Royston town centre where two serious racers with (carbon fibre bikes) and broken spokes soon joined me outside the bike shop waiting for it to open. I left my bike with the shop to be fixed and was only 10minuites or so late but very tiered. I am probably going to train it home tonight because 2 punchers in one day is likely to kill my moral. Next time I will walk my bike through stoney mud but hopefully there will be rain to wash the mud away soon.

Made it...

I made it to work today on my bike. I left a change of cloths at work yesterday so I wouldn't have to carry anything with me. The trip went ok though getting out of bed that bit earlier is a struggle and it was a bit nippy to start with though I soon got a bit to hot. I have to say that although the first bit is rather unpleasant and a bit of a shock to the system it's really enjoyable being out in the country and watching the sun break through the clouds and brighten up the day. I road past a pheasant that was only about 8 feet away and it didn't even flinch (probably thought 'nutter'). Everyone at work seems to think I'm insane which I have to say I quite like. I'm going to try and do some sponsorship forms at lunchtime today while people are taking such an interest at work.

Debs came up with a good suggestion so I rang Cancer Research UK and ordered their fundraising pack. We'll get proper sponsorship forms and possibly tee shirts too. Makes it more official and also saves me the work.

Spurred on by the prospect of not having to wait for a late train and saving £5.20 on a ticket I mustered the will to ride home. Leaving work at 5.30 prompt I shot off through Royston town and out towards the golf coarse. A sharp left takes you up a never-ending hill towards Therfield, which took me real determination to keep the momentum going. The rest of the ride was ok though the light was fading fast and by the time I got into Baldock it was pitch black. I choose to go though Willian but it was very hard riding with bike lights as the only source of light making dogging potholes and twigs almost impossible. Next time I shall drop down onto the 505 at the bypass roundabout and stay on it home. I drove today as riding both ways a total of 36 miles over hilly terrain took allot out of me and I'm going to Choi tonight. Hopefully I'll be recovered enough to ride to work tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes it's that time again, time to reflect on whats gone and whats to come! Unfortunately my dad's having an exploratory op to look at his kidney today so I'm not in much of a party mood. I'm seeing him later then Deb's and I are going for a meal which I'm looking forward too very much.

38 miles sponsored 242 miles to go!

The Royston bike ride was almost suspended due to Greg needing help moving his new concrete fence posts and gravel boards, which eat up the entire morning. Under pressure to complete the ride, and get home for an evening out with Debbie at her friends’ birthday meal I left my house at 2.30 on the nose. Passing heavy Saturday traffic I found riding the back way to Willian a good choice and didn't feel the burn until the first testing hill coming out of Willian. Then took a right across the A1 (roundabout) and down into Baldock. The next bit I knew would be more challenging so after negotiating the bridge and bridle way over the Baldock bypass I stopped for water and to check the map. It had taken half an hour to get to this point and I did consider turning back 'but no' I got back on and peddling hard made up another taxing hill and down into Wallington. I started to get into a good rhythm after this point and soon found myself passing Sandon, Kelshall (where I was soaked going through water across the road) and Therfield. Passed Therfield is an exhilarating drop down to Royston where I managed to reach 35mph before having to break for a junction. Royston train station soon appeared and I'd covered 18.04 miles taking me 1.35 hours. I was pretty shattered and needed to get home fast so I court the train back. Over all I was pretty pleased with how it went for a first run and considering I was on my very cheap Halfords mountain bike I should be able to make a reasonable dent in that time when I'm on a road bike and a bit fitter. I think this ride is commutable on a week day, at least in the morning as the evenings still get dark pretty early so I'm hoping to give it a go again later this week.

Now sponsored for 38 miles that's enough to get me Dunstable please keep the money rolling in.