Les biographies
It occurred to me that some of you who have taken the time to read this far might know me but perhaps you don’t know Marc or Dan OR maybe you know Marc but not Dan or I, OR you know Dan but not Marc or I OR you know both Marc and I but you don’t know Dan OR….ok, basically you might not know one or all of us!
If you haven’t already read about our adventure last year (LEJOG 2016) and want to know a bit more about us then that is probably a good place to start.
I thought though it might also be helpful for us each to do a mini biog so you have a better understanding of what you are getting into by following this blog.
Oh and by the way, the pure unadulterated joy of having sole editorial veto is almost to much to bear….enjoy!
Name – Dan “the destroyer” Hastie
Age – 30
Height – 5ft 10″
Weight – 95kg and yes, thank you to all you people who work out BMI, it is a little on the heavier side!
Occupation – I work as an advanced clinical practitioner. I can hand on heart say I absolutely love working as a nurse.
How did you meet the other two? – Well, I am Marc’s carer and Nick was Marc’s previous carer! Hehe, no really, Marc is one of my best mates and soon to be my best man, we work together and he is like a brother to me. Nick and I met more recently through Marc and when I found out he comes up with these amazing bonkers idea’s, such as this trip, I had to get involved and let him plan away!
What are you most looking forward to about cycling to Monte Carlo? – I see this trip as a boot camp really to get myself in shape ready for my wedding next year, but obviously with the bonus of doing it with good company and fantastic scenery as well…I am praying for nice weather!
What are you least looking forward to? – For all you people that hate outbursts of emotions, skip this bit and move on! I am least looking forward to being away from my beautiful partner. I guess on balance though she might actually be thankful for the break from me though.
Tell us something that others might not know about you – The first CD I owned was…….Martina McCutchen. I know I was cool then and I am still cool now!
What is your personal philosophy or mantra? – It happens to be my school mantra however, it resonates so closely to everything I believe: Carpe diem. In the line of work, myself and Marc are in we see a lot of physical, mental and emotional pain, so to seize the day, seize the moment, is a must people!
Things most likely to be heard saying – “Oops a daisy” or “Guys, is it supposed to look like that?” or “Do they do Soreen?”
What message do you have for everyone reading the blog? Well I hope you enjoy reading it! We really do want to help raise the profile of Winston’s Wish and raise loads of money. Anyone that wishes to sponsor us please just go to our Just Giving page and please spread the word to your friends and family to increase the profile of the trip…better still do both!
Name – Marc “squirrel nutkin” Tarrant
Age – 49.9756983 (who am I trying to kid, for all intents and purposes I am 50!)
Occupation – I am matron for the Emergency Department in my local hospital, where I have worked for the last 14 years. Like Dan I absolutely love it and we work with an amazing team of nurses and doctors.
How did you meet the other two? – Nick is officially my oldest friend, and my oldest friend! I have known him for nearly 38 years, in which time I think I have come to the conclusion that we really are pretty good mates, growing up, and older together (albeit I am still clinging onto my forties! …sorry mate but I thought I would just clarify that for the readers
Dan is my drill sergeant in the gym and co-conspirator at work and I have had the honour of knowing him for nearly 5 years. During which time we have experienced many crazy adventures together, and crazy nights out. We work together and train together and I genuinely couldn’t do these things with a nicer bloke. (Aw love you guys!)
What are you most looking forward to about cycling to Monte Carlo? – After last years awesome cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats, I have to say I am even more excited about pedalling from the Channel down to the Med (maybe not quite so excited about the hills/mountains, but Dan recites to me almost daily that it’s all in the mind.) what else am I most looking forward to…I can’t lie and say that however much I love my job, I can’t wait for the 3 1/2 weeks off, although I will miss my work chums…honest.
What are you least looking forward to? – see above…..hills and mountains!
Tell us something that others might not know about you – obviously being the shy retiring type, that I am I realise I am quite difficult to get to know…what do you mean I hear you cry! I did once sing at the Royal Festival Hall in London…does that count?
What is your personal philosophy or mantra? – To laugh every day, live every day, and be kind to those around you. And like Dan I subscribe whole heartedly to the mantra of CarpeDiem (just as well as given I have it tattooed down my body..another thing you may not know!)
Things most likely to be heard saying – “cup of tea?” or “Saaaaaaaaaandwich” or “who the hell farted?”
What message do you have for everyone reading the blog? – well please, please keep following our progress on le blog. I am sure Nick will make sure we keep it updated and don’t forget to go to our Just Giving page to sponsor us, for a small donation to our fantastic charity, and help us help them.
Name – Nick “once was handsome” White
Age – rude!
Weight – if you are not getting my age you sure as hell aren’t getting my weight!
Occupation – Deputy Head Career Transition Service at the Home Office.
What does that even mean? – It means I help people find new jobs in the Civil Service or I take them through redundancy. If you have ever seen the film “Up in the Air” I am essentially the character played by George Clooney but better looking (obviously) and there is less travelling involved!
How did you meet the other two? – When I was 12 and first moved to London my grandmother frog marched me to a house a few doors down the road telling me that I was going to “meet my new best friend”. Turns out she was right. I found out some years later that Marc’s dad had said something pretty similar (if not a bit more sternly!) to him.
I first met Dan, through Marc obviously, about 2 years ago when I was first thinking about LEJOG. Given we were planning to spend two weeks in a tent together we decided we should probably meet up before hand so we planned a short cycle and camp to Wales and back. We didn’t kill each other which I took as a good sign and so I am going to say that we are good friends now.
What are you most looking forward to about cycling to Monte Carlo? – well the whole thing really although Mont Ventoux is the thing I suppose I am most excited / nervous about. I know it is just going to be super, insanely, ridiculously tough!
What are you least looking forward to? – honestly……being away from Jo for nearly three weeks. I keep asking her to “come with” but for a reason that I still can’t quite fathom she doesn’t seem all that keen.
Tell us something that others might not know about you – well I have a habit of screaming in my sleep, a lot, particularly when sleeping under canvas and then lashing out in unexpectedly violent night terrors which often result in blood shed. Not really, I guess the only thing I can think of is that I have a scar that very few people have seen or know about….I know, intriguing right?
What is your personal philosophy or mantra? – tricky one this, I guess it would be something like the fact that achieving any physical challenge, like cycling to Monte Carlo for example, is 80% mental……the rest is in your head!
Things most likely to be heard saying – “Does my bum look big in this” or “is it time for a wee stop” or “are you going to eat that?”
What message do you have for everyone reading the blog? – well first and foremost thank you! I was genuinely taken aback when so many people starting reading the LEJOG blog and donating so much money. I am really hopeful we can do the same again but even if we don’t knowing that you are reading the blog and supporting us really helps us get through each day. Yes I know that sounds super trite but truly….its an amazing feeling so thank you.