This has got to be one of my fave posts every year. Not only because it’s all about God and my lovely Wife Sarah, but it’s such a blessing and a reminder to count my blessings with this tremendous gift of marriage that God has given us.
Hi all! Each time our wedding anniversary comes round, i canโt believe how much our marriage has grown more and more fruitful. Our love keeps blossoming through every season…And i always thank God for my lovely wife Sarah!! โค๏ธ
One of the things i say all of the time is ‘Think Bigger’. This is mainly about someone’s view about God, or their view on a situation that they see as only subjective…But i thought i could never love Sarah more than i did on our wedding day, and somehow (no idea how) my love grows bigger and bigger each year! God seems to say to me ‘Think Bigger’ and opens my heart just a little bit more every wedding anniversary!
I’ll carry my Princess anywhere she wants to go!
Striving to be a Godly husbandโฆ
I strive daily to love Sarah biblically and extravagantly, but to love her biblically i always first ask โWhat is Godโs love for us like?โ
God’s Word…๐
Husbands, you must love your wives so deeply, purely, and sacrificially that we can understand it only when we compare it to the love that Jesus Christ has for His bride, the church..
โLove is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never failsโฆโ โ1 Corinthians 13:4โ8
Our Prayer…๐
Father God, Thank You for the gift and design of marriage. Nothing has brought greater joy to me than the spouse You created for me. Because You designed my marriage and are the author, perfector, and the foundation of marriage, I bring us before You today to bless this bond. In a world that has twisted what marriage is intended to reflect, in a world that tries to tear at the very fabric of our union, we ask that You continue to keep our eyes wide open to the enemyโs tactics, strategies, and distractions. May we always fight for our marriage and each other. Today, we come before and ask that You bless our marriage…Amen.
A Godly Marriage Post…
The post (below) on marriage is beautiful and is writen far better than anything i can come up with, lol…So i hope you enjoy it as much as me! ๐
Marriage is meant to be a miniature of Heaven–a fragment of the celestial blessedness, let down into this world.
Marriage is meant to be a little sanctuary, into which husband and wife may flee from earth’s storms and dangers, where in love’s shelter, their hearts fed with affection’s daily bread–they may dwell in quiet peace.
Marriage is meant to be a shelter in which, covered from the frosts of the world and shielded from its cold and tempests–two lives may grow together into richest beauty, realizing their sweetest dreams of happiness, blending in whatever things are true, whatever things are pure, and attaining the finest possibilities of godly character.
Marriage is meant to be a holy ark, floating on the wild floods of human life–like Noah’s ark on the deluge, bearing to Heaven’s gates, to the harbor of glory–the lives which God has shut within its doors.
A godly marriage is a little nook in the very heart of God, where faithful souls are held close to the Father’s heart, and carried safely, amid dangers and sorrows, to the home above!
This has got to be one of my fave posts every year. Not only because it’s all about God and my lovely Wife Sarah, but it’s such a blessing and a reminder to count my blessings with this tremendous gift of marriage that God has given us both.
One of the things i say all of the time is ‘Think Bigger’. This is mainly about someone’s view about God, or their view on a situation that they see as only subjective…But i thought i could never love Sarah more than i did on our wedding day, and somehow (no idea how) my love grows bigger and bigger each year! God seems to say to me ‘Think Bigger’ and opens my heart just a little bit more every wedding anniversary! ๐ ๐
Hi all! Each time our wedding anniversary comes round, i canโt believe how much our marriage has grown more and more fruitful. Our love keeps blossoming through every season…And i always thank God for my lovely wife Sarah!! โค๏ธ Oh and i just had to show you the wedding cake…Unfortunately i didn’t have one made again for this anniversary, lol! ๐คฃ
Our Wedding Cake…Mmmmm! ๐
Striving to be a Godly husbandโฆ
I strive daily to love Sarah biblically and extravagantly, but to love her biblically i always first ask โWhat is Godโs love for us like?โ
God’s Word…๐
Husbands, you must love your wives so deeply, purely, and sacrificially that we can understand it only when we compare it to the love that Jesus Christ has for His bride, the church..
โLove is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never failsโฆโ โ1 Corinthians 13:4โ8
Our engraved wedding rings!
Our Prayer…๐
Father God, Thank You for the gift and design of marriage. Nothing has brought greater joy to me than the spouse You created for me. Because You designed my marriage and are the author, perfector, and the foundation of marriage, I bring us before You today to bless this bond. In a world that has twisted what marriage is intended to reflect, in a world that tries to tear at the very fabric of our union, we ask that You continue to keep our eyes wide open to the enemyโs tactics, strategies, and distractions. May we always fight for our marriage and each other. Today, we come before and ask that You bless our marriage…Amen.
A Godly Marriage Post…
The post (below) on marriage is beautiful and is writen far better than anything i can come up with, lol…So i hope you enjoy it as much as me! ๐
Marriage is meant to beย a miniature of Heaven–a fragment of the celestial blessedness, let down into this world.ย
Marriage is meant to beย a little sanctuary, into which husband and wife may flee from earth’s storms and dangers, where in love’s shelter, their hearts fed with affection’s daily bread–they may dwell in quiet peace.ย
Marriage is meant to beย a shelterย in which, covered from the frosts of the world and shielded from its cold and tempests–two lives may grow together into richest beauty, realizing their sweetest dreams of happiness, blending in whatever things are true, whatever things are pure, and attaining the finest possibilities of godly character.ย
Marriage is meant to beย a holy ark, floating on the wild floods of human life–like Noah’s ark on the deluge, bearing to Heaven’s gates, to the harbor of glory–the lives which God has shut within its doors.ย
A godly marriage isย a little nook in the very heart of God, where faithful souls are held close to the Father’s heart, and carried safely, amid dangers and sorrows, to the home above!
๐ Father, I simply want to thank you for my wife. You have blessed me with a woman that knows you and loves you. She challenges me to be a better man and encourages me to love better. I pray that I can love and cherish her like the gift she is. The gift you have given me, Amen.
Carrying My Princess…
I thank God everyday for Sarah as i know i donโt deserve her, but God never seems to stop expressing His love! โค๏ธ
From Sight Village, guitars and supercars, what a journey…So Far!! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
ย This weekend we’re celebrating a brobdingnagian 19 years since the ‘Blind Sightseers’ first met at Sight Village, Birmingham, UK. We’ve been simply stunned how God has joined us together with the incredible love we thought we’d never find, taken us to places we thought we could never go…And He always gives beyond anything we can imagine…And it’s not over yet??!!! ๐ฒ ๐
Our Journey in Photos…๐
2004; Two Souls Entwine…
2005: Weymouth, UK…
2006: Heacham, Norfolk, UK…
2007 – The Big Day!
2008: Old Hunstanton, Norfolk UK…
2009: VIP Hot Air Balloon Flight…
2010:..3rd Wedding Anniversary…
2011: Friday Street, Surrey, UK…
2012: Castle Rising Castle, Norfolk, UK…
Me & Sarah Worshiping with music to the Lord
2013: 6th Wedding Anniversary…
2014: Florence, Italy…
2015: Saint Kitts, Caribbean…
2016: Caribbean Cruise…
2017: Greek Islands…
2022
2018: Tough Mudder & Barbados…
2019
2019: The Unimog, Bonaire & Barbados…
2020: Trail Snow & Ultra Step Challenge…
2021: Doughnuts & Football…
2022: Lamborghini & Ferrari Drive…
Sarah in the Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0L V10 in 2022 ๐
Steve (me) in the Ferrari F430 Spider 4.3L V8 in 2022 ๐
Hi all! Each time our wedding anniversary comes round, i canโt believe how much our marriage has grown more and more fruitful. Our love keeps blossoming through every season…And i always thank God for my lovely wife Sarah!! โค๏ธ Oh and i just had to show you the wedding cake…Unfortunately i didn’t have one made again for this anniversary, lol! ๐คฃ
Our Wedding Cake…Mmmmm! ๐
Striving to be a Godly husbandโฆ
I strive daily to love Sarah biblically and extravagantly, but to love her biblically i always first ask โWhat is Godโs love for us like?โ
God’s Word…๐
Husbands, you must love your wives so deeply, purely, and sacrificially that we can understand it only when we compare it to the love that Jesus Christ has for His bride, the church..
โLove is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never failsโฆโ โ1 Corinthians 13:4โ8
Our Prayer…๐
Father God, Thank You for the gift and design of marriage. Nothing has brought greater joy to me than the spouse You created for me. Because You designed my marriage and are the author, perfector, and the foundation of marriage, I bring us before You today to bless this bond. In a world that has twisted what marriage is intended to reflect, in a world that tries to tear at the very fabric of our union, we ask that You continue to keep our eyes wide open to the enemyโs tactics, strategies, and distractions. May we always fight for our marriage and each other. Today, we come before and ask that You bless our marriage…Amen.
A Godly Marriage Post…
The post (below) on marriage is beautiful and is writen far better than anything i can come up with, lol…So i hope you enjoy it as much as me! ๐
Marriage is meant to be a miniature of Heaven–a fragment of the celestial blessedness, let down into this world.
Marriage is meant to be a little sanctuary, into which husband and wife may flee from earth’s storms and dangers, where in love’s shelter, their hearts fed with affection’s daily bread–they may dwell in quiet peace.
Marriage is meant to be a shelter in which, covered from the frosts of the world and shielded from its cold and tempests–two lives may grow together into richest beauty, realizing their sweetest dreams of happiness, blending in whatever things are true, whatever things are pure, and attaining the finest possibilities of godly character.
Marriage is meant to be a holy ark, floating on the wild floods of human life–like Noah’s ark on the deluge, bearing to Heaven’s gates, to the harbor of glory–the lives which God has shut within its doors.
A godly marriage is a little nook in the very heart of God, where faithful souls are held close to the Father’s heart, and carried safely, amid dangers and sorrows, to the home above!
“Diabetes is relentless and simply never stopsโฆBut neither do I!” – Blind Steve ๐ช๐ผ
Hi iChristian Family!!
The blindman is off the sidelines againโฆAnd while God gives me the strength in my legsโฆiโll use them for doing crazy fundraising challenges to help others! I really didn’t want to fill this blog with annoying fundraising asks, as my last fundraiser ‘Trail Marathon‘ was only in April 2022…But you know me…And when i stumbled across this ‘One Million Step Challenge’ and found it was for Diabetes UK i just had to do something!
For the last 18 years since meeting my ‘T1D Warrior Wife Sarah’, i’ve always wanted to be a ‘Sarah’s Walking Warrior’ and raise money for Diabetes…So here is the 4th ‘Blind Steve’ fundraising challenge…๐ช๐ผ
Below is the story taken from my fundraising page…
Support Blind Steve in the Diabetes UK – One Million Step Challenge
Diabetes is relentless and simply never stopsโฆBut neither do I!
For the last 18 years iโve seen first hand how my lovely wife Sarah battles, struggles and copes with her โbrittle Type 1โ diabetes. She’s such a warrior and is truly my inspiration on perseverance, determination and drive to keep fighting.
So last week, when I heard of the โOne Million Step Challengeโ i had to sign up straight away. Iโve always wanted to fundraise for Diabetes UK and show Sarah how much it means to me too, and this is my chance!
I realise this challenge has already started (running from 1st July to 30th September 2022). Requiring participants to walk a million steps over those three months. My cunning plan is to start the challenge on Monday 1st August and try and walk the one million steps in two months instead! This works out at over 16,000 steps each day, for the 61 days, without a rest
Type 1 diabetes never gives Sarah a rest, so I donโt want to have one either during my fundraising challengeโฆThe nature reserve trail is going to get a pounding again, lol! ๐คฃ
Quick Factoid…
Did you know someone is diagnosed with diabetes every two minutes? As many as 4.8 million people are living with diabetes in the UK right now.
So if youโre feeling inspired…Please hit the donate button and support my stepping challenge. Every step and every donation counts. Join me and let’s help everybody living with diabetes. For all the mums, dads, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, grandparents, and best friends, creating a world where diabetes can do no harm.
Let’s get this party started!! ๐ As 1 Million steps is around 500 miles, i’ve already donated 5p per mile (ยฃ25.00)โฆIt’s going to be a really tough challenge and it’s the furthest i”ve ever walked…But i’ve got to do the steps now!!
Every penny given will go towards Diabetes UK care and support services, advice and guidance, and pioneering research. Together, we’re changing the world for people with diabetes.
From ‘Sight Village’ To ‘Supercars’, what a journey…So Far!! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
ย This weekend we’re celebrating a brobdingnagian 18 years since the ‘Blind Sightseers’ first met at Sight Village, Birmingham, UK. We’ve been simply stunned how God has joined us together with the incredible love we thought we’d never find, taken us to places we thought we could never go…And He always gives beyond anything we can imagine…And it’s not over yet??!!! ๐ฒ ๐
Our Journey in Photos…๐
2004; Two Souls Entwine…
2005: Weymouth, UK…
2006: Heacham, Norfolk, UK…
2007 – The Big Day!
2008: Old Hunstanton, Norfolk UK…
2009: VIP Hot Air Balloon Flight…
2010:..3rd Wedding Anniversary…
2011: Friday Street, Surrey, UK…
2012: Castle Rising Castle, Norfolk, UK…
Me & Sarah Worshiping with music to the Lord
2013: 6th Wedding Anniversary…
2014: Florence, Italy…
2015: Saint Kitts, Caribbean…
2016: Caribbean Cruise…
2017: Greek Islands…
2022
2018: Tough Mudder & Barbados…
2019
2019: The Unimog, Bonaire & Barbados…
2020: Trail Snow & Ultra Step Challenge…
2021: Doughnuts & Football…
2022: Lamborghini & Ferrari Drive…
Sarah in the Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0L V10 in 2022 ๐
Steve (me) in the Ferrari F430 Spider 4.3L V8 in 2022 ๐
Hi all! Each time our wedding anniversary comes round, i canโt believe how much our marriage has grown more and more fruitful. Our love keeps blossoming through every season…And i always thank God for my lovely wife Sarah!! โค๏ธ Oh and i just had to show you the wedding cake…Unfortunately i didn’t have one made again for this anniversary, lol! ๐คฃ
Our Wedding Cake…Mmmmm! ๐
Striving to be a Godly husbandโฆ
I strive daily to love Sarah biblically and extravagantly, but to love her biblically i always first ask โWhat is Godโs love for us like?โย
God’s Word…๐
Husbands, you must love your wives so deeply, purely, and sacrificially that we can understand it only when we compare it to the love that Jesus Christ has for His bride, the church..
โLove is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never failsโฆโ โ1 Corinthians 13:4โ8
Our Prayer…๐
Father God, Thank You for the gift and design of marriage. Nothing has brought greater joy to me than the spouse You created for me. Because You designed my marriage and are the author, perfector, and the foundation of marriage, I bring us before You today to bless this bond. In a world that has twisted what marriage is intended to reflect, in a world that tries to tear at the very fabric of our union, we ask that You continue to keep our eyes wide open to the enemyโs tactics, strategies, and distractions. May we always fight for our marriage and each other. Today, we come before and ask that You bless our marriage…Amen.
A Godly Marriage Post…
The post (below) on marriage is beautiful and is writen far better than anything i can come up with, lol…So i hope you enjoy it as much as me! ๐
Marriage is meant to beย a miniature of Heaven–a fragment of the celestial blessedness, let down into this world.ย
Marriage is meant to beย a little sanctuary, into which husband and wife may flee from earth’s storms and dangers, where in love’s shelter, their hearts fed with affection’s daily bread–they may dwell in quiet peace.ย
Marriage is meant to beย a shelterย in which, covered from the frosts of the world and shielded from its cold and tempests–two lives may grow together into richest beauty, realizing their sweetest dreams of happiness, blending in whatever things are true, whatever things are pure, and attaining the finest possibilities of godly character.ย
Marriage is meant to beย a holy ark, floating on the wild floods of human life–like Noah’s ark on the deluge, bearing to Heaven’s gates, to the harbor of glory–the lives which God has shut within its doors.ย
A godly marriage isย a little nook in the very heart of God, where faithful souls are held close to the Father’s heart, and carried safely, amid dangers and sorrows, to the home above!
Hi friends! Well here it is…The post containing me & Sarah’s stupendous memories of the day i’ve been waiting 22 years for, since i lost my sight and could no longer drive…As it’s a long post i really hope you can read, watch the videos and enjoy the whole experience with us! โ ๐
Rob (can’t thank him enough for everything) pulled into the car park at Prestwold Hall Race Track near Loughborough, and as he read out loud the sign saying “Adult Blind Supercar Driving” my stomach hit the floor! I think the realisation of what was about to happen finally hit me, i’d been fine up until this point but for some reason getting the chance to drive again after 22 years was right here, right now! ๐จ
We all walked inside of the little reception building where me and Sarah were given a lanyard each with an SD card inside. We had ordered the ‘Media Package’ with our driving experiences which we are so thankful for as they’ve given us these amazing pictures and videos to cherish. Then we were told to go and wait by the pit area near the american diner! ๐
“Wow that sounds well phat, what car is that?” i asked as Rob had led us to the waiting area. “A Nissan Skyline” Rob said “Awww even if i don’t get to drive today, i could just sit and listen to that beautiful noise”.
When i first heard there was an american diner next to the track i was very excited. I was dreaming of drinking coffee, eating a cheese burger in a booth whilst listening to 50’s rock n’ roll and hearing the noise of those mighty engines…But the diner was closed today! ๐ญ But i had no time to lament as “Chase (outstanding co-driver” walked up behind us and asked “Are you waiting for the Lamborghini?” ๐ค
The Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0L V10…
An omnifarious mixture of emotions were swirling around my mind as Chase opened the drivers door for me. I first thought that it would feel strange being behind the wheel again…But it felt completely normal and like i’d always been driving. Second i was thinking how much of a powerful beast this car is so i must try and feather the throttle…Many more things flooded my mind but i’ll spare you, lol. Chase then adjusted my seat for me as the photographer asked me to smile in his direction (not hard when you’re sat in a yellow Lamborghini). ๐
Wow…The videos really don’t capture the ear blasting volume of the 5.0L V10 engine as i started it up, just ticking over it sounded so loud, angry and like it wanted to eat everything for breakfast, including me…IT WAS AMAZING!! ๐ฒ
Chase then said “hold the right paddle towards you to engage 1st gear” and once i’d done it he released the hand brake and asked me to gently pull away. “Wow the car is moving and i’m driving it” i thought to myself as i was navigated out of the pit lane and onto the track. I kept telling Sarah that all i wanted to do is floor it, i wasn’t that fussed about steering etc only flooring it and getting blasted into the seat. But now i’m driving this monster i would be so happy going 10 mph…But then…”FULL POWER” Chase said!! ๐จ
Awww i can’t tell you how awesome the feeling was when i floored it and paddle shifted through the gears as i reached 106 mph. It’s only a small track with a couple of short straights, but having over 500 bhp the Lamborghini hits 100 mph really quickly…What a ‘vulgar display of power’! ๐ฒ
Chase seemed to love being on the track too and kept letting me floor it as the adrenaline rush never ended. I say the adrenaline rush, but as i’m on beater blockers which restricts the adrenal glands, it was a crazy feeling as the Lamborghini was trying to destroy them and give me the boost! ๐คฃ Not entirely sure how to describe that feeling?! ๐ค
Chase was helping me out with some of the steering and was flicking the down shift paddle for me as i was having too much fun and forgetting, lol. It felt really safe as the Lamborghini just had so much grip with the all wheel drive and fat tyres. I had never known grip like it and was stunned at the speed we were taking corners…It just went round like they were nothing…Amazing! ๐ฒ
Sadly it was soon time to slow down and enter the pits after 3 laps, although i don’t think i could take any more as i might explode, lol. I couldn’t believe i’d driven again after 22 years, floored it lots of times and to do it in a Lamborghini is mind blowing for me! ๐
Me, Chase And The Lamborghini Gallardo…
My legs were like jelly as i climbed out of the very low car and it took a minute getting them to hold me up…I think the Lamborghini won the beater blocker fight! Sarah told me that Rob had said to her “Wow, i don’t recognise Steve as he has a massive grin on his face, lol”. ๐คฃ Mission complete!!
Chase guided me back to Sarah and Rob and Sarah asked “How was it?” i could only say “INEFABLE“. ๐ฒ Chase then told Sarah it was her turn! ๐ฒ
Sarah And The Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0L V10…
Wow, wait a minute…I can’t believe how much the yellow Lamborghini suits Sarah!! Did she order this car to be made just for her, and in her favourite colour too?! ๐
Seriously i’m so proud of my lovely wife Sarah for doing this. She has NEVER driven before and this is a scary beast of a first car!! ๐จ But as you may know Sarah is a warrior, and in no time at all she had this ‘Raging Bull’ under control, lol! ๐คฃ ๐ช๐ผ
Standing next to Rob i said “Wow that’s loud from outside. It’s really loud inside but nothing like that”. Sarah was approaching the final bend before the first straight (where we are standing) and Rob said “woah Sarah’s way more aggressive into (and going round) that bend, much more aggressive than you did it”. ๐ฒ
“Awww that engine sounds incredible and so angry…THAT’S MY GIRL, GIVE IT THE BEANS”. ๐คฃ THEN SHE FLOORED IT!!! ๐ฒ
Sarah reached over 107 mph up the straight! ๐ฒ Yeah i know that’s over 1 mph faster than me, as Sarah keeps telling me, lol. I’m never going to hear the last of this…Sarah’s friend Caroline says she should have the speed printed on a t-shirt so it’ll remind me that she thrashed me, lol! I told you i’ll never hear the last of this..But it does make me – SO, SO PROUD OF SARAH!!
Sarah continued flooring it and Chase gave her the new nickname “Speed Demon” when he said it on the video…Yes we even have video proof of him saying it so it’s official, lol!
As Sarah was thundering around the track i was able to listen to a couple standing near to me, they first said “Ooohhh the yellow car is catching the Ferrari” I knew this was Sarah they were talking about, and i think they were with the person who was driving the Ferrari. Then they continued in a much louder shocked voice “wOW SHE HAS OVERTAKEN THE FERRARI”. ๐ฒ I smiled to myself as i didn’t have to worry Sarah wasn’t enjoying herself! ๐คฃ
Now it was time for Chase to say his best comment ever?! There are two main straights separated by a sharp right hander, so Sarah had the chance to boot it twice on the trot. I’ll let you watch the 38 second video (comment is at the end) before i continue…๐ค
“OTHERWISE WE’RE GONNA DIE” I quote this all of the time which doesn’t fail to put a huge smile on both our faces! ๐ I still can’t believe how quickly Sarah had become ‘Penelope Pitstop’ or should i say ‘The Stig’s Sister’…She was paddle shifting like a pro too…I think i’m glad the Lamborghini only had 2 seats, lol! ๐คฃ
As Sarah finished her final and 3rd lap, there was just enough time for Chase to say another one of his classic comments before he stopped the video recording.
Sarah was laughing her head off as she arrived back to me and Rob. She absolutely loved it and said her legs were like jelly too, although she thinks that ‘Chase’ may need a break for a while to get over the shock, lol! ๐คฃ Then the couple who i was listening to earlier walkd over to us. They told Sarah that she was amazing and that she’d overtaken the Ferrari, and she was so fast! They then asked if Sarah was a racing driver? Sarah laughed really hard and said she wasn’t as it was the very first time she’d ever driven a car. They were very shocked and were sure Sarah was a racing driver. We all said we’d had a great time and they said there goodbyes. ๐
Sarah still believes they were planted there just to say nice things to people, but i keep telling her no as i was listening to them whilst you were out on the track, and they were here with the person in the Ferrari and couldn’t believe you’d blasted past a Ferrari…Sarah’s still not convinced, lol! ๐คฃ
I said to Sarah and Rob “If i’d only had the 1 supercar drive today (like Sarah) it would’ve been a dream come true and i’d he the happiest ever, and also i’m super buzzing right now and my legs are still like jelly…But i have 2 more supercars to go!! ๐ฒ
The Ferrari F430 Spider 4.3L V8…
I didn get chance to stop shaking before ‘George” (new co-driver) came over and walked me over to the Ferrari. I was excited to feel (and hear) the difference between the 2 cars, and i instantly felt the difference as i sat inside and put my foot on the pedals…Yes the pedals are so close together you press the accelerator and half of the brake at the same time! Oh don’t forget to smile as the photographer is here, lol! ๐
Starting the engine and having my ears filled with the glorious sound of the V8 made my grin even wider. It wasn’t as loud and angry as the Lamborghini, but still sounded like a beautiful orchestra playing a ‘symphony of destruction’! ๐ช๐ผ
I adapted quickly to the new pedals, as i pointed my foot so just my toes were pressing the pedals and this seemed to work well. I also had the same paddles behind the steering wheel as the Lamborghini so i was shifting gears nicely…Wow i’m driving a Ferrari!! ๐
George was fantastic and after we’d done the first warm up lap, and didn’t have any crashes or dramas…He let me floor it! Aww once again the video doesn’t do the sound any justice at all, but it still sounds stupendous!! Being blown back into the seat whilst planting your foot to the floor, then paddle shifting up a gear once again…Will never ever get boring!! ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฒ
Once again i’m so thankful for the media package Sarah added to this awesome birthday driving gift, as we can watch these videos over and over…Like i already have been doing, lol! Having all of these fantastic photos of these beautiful cars is such a blessing, and i’m sure i’ll get them printed on a variety of posters, mugs, coasters and more, lol! ๐คฃ
George also asked how much i could see of the track so he could judge and adjust the help he was giving…I said “Well i can’t see anything out of the windscreen, i can’t see the dashboard or the steering wheel and everything is really blurry” I think he got the idea! ๐คฃ I can’t thank the co-drivers enough for putting there lives on the line for us blindies, i’m not only amazed that a blindman could drive like this…But i’m also amazed that these guys are so kind to guide, teach and be so calm as the cars scream around the track! ๐
This stunning red Ferrari was rear wheel drive instead of all wheel drive like the Lamborghini, but the amount of grip was just as intense around the corners…But unfortunately it was coming to that time again where i had to slow this ‘Italian stallion’ down and pull into the pits. ๐ญ After thanking George for getting us back alive he guided me back to Sarah and Rob. Shaking even more, heart trying to thump past the beater blockers and an mad grin that looked like the ‘frayed ends of sanity’ were loosening…I told Sarah how amazing it was! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
Me And The Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6L Flat 6…
There wasn’t much time at all for me to calm down as Carl (another co-driver) came and took me to the Porsche. After the Lamborghini and Ferrari i always thought the Porsche was a slight come down (just me as i was never really a Porsche fan) as they were my fave cars…But who doesn’t want to drive a Porsche 911 Turbo?! ๐คฃ As a kid i never had Porshce posters (from Athena) on my wall, i had the Lamborghini Contach, Ferrari F40 and the mighty Koenig Testarossa! ๐ฒ
After a few attempts at starting the car, i was doing everything right but nothing was happening when turning the key…It was apparent the battery was flat…Oh that’s why the engines called a ‘Flat 6’ ๐คฃ We waited quite a while before Carl said we could swap for the Audi R8 if i wanted too…? ๐ค At least i have a nice photo of me sat in a Porsche 911 Turbo!! ๐ช๐ผ
Me And The Audi R8 4.2L V8…
Walking towards the R8 i asked Carl whilst getting into the seat “What colour is this Audi?” he said it used to be red but we changed it to orange, i thought “wow Sarah is going to love this as it’s one of her fave colours”. ๐
After smiling for the photographer for the 4th time, i thought it was cool that i’ve got photos of me sat in 4 cars today instead of 3…Bonus! ๐คฃ The R8 started straight away and i instantly realised that the V8 was very quiet, it felt more like a luxury car than a supercar…Not that i’m complaining, just trying to keep you immersed in detailed descriptions lol! ๐คฃ
I got the chance to floor yet another supercar today (totally unbelievable for this blindman) although i only reached a mere 90 mph…Can’t believe i’m actually saying stuff like this, but it’s been a strange, surreal and awesome kind of day! ๐คฃ
I knew this 4.2L V8 – 420 bhp was the same engine in Ben’s (ex brother-in-law and friend) Audi RS4, but it sounded (or applied the power) nothing like the RS4. I know Ben had tuned his to 450 bhp and his is a front engined (not mid engined) like the R8, but out of the two cars i think i prefer Ben’s Audi RS4 as it just has more character! ๐
There was no sense of theatre or dramas at all when flooring this R8. The engine was quiet, the brakes were super sharp and responsive and It was so good around the corners that it seemed to take away the thrill…I know i can’t believe i’m saying this either! ๐it made everything so easy to achieve that it seemed to take the fun out of driving! It’s similar to how an electric car destroys the soul, and continues to squeeze the entire life out of driving…Leaving you wishing you had walked!! ๐ญ Sorry a little too much exaggeration from this petrolhead, i know i’d already been amazed by the Lamborghini and Ferrari…Although i’m sticking to the bit about the soul destroying electric car! ๐
Yes it’s that time again where i have to pit and finish my supercar driving experience. ๐ญ I still can’t believe it’s actually me sat in the driving seat of the Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Audi in the photos…I don’t think i’ll ever get over it! ๐ฒ
High Speed Passenger Ride: BMW M3 4.0L V8 …
“The experience also includes a thrilling hot lap ride when the race driver will show you what a performance car can do around the circuit in a BMW M3 V8 with 3 passengers”.
Sarah is actually driving away in that yellow Lamborghini!! ๐ฒ
As me (and Sarah) had been driving today it meant we had 2 laps in this car. It was time for Rob to get in on the action. Sarah said for me to go in the front seat first as we all climbed aboard…And the driver floored it! ๐จWow i have never been around corners that fast, and i have no idea how the tyres (and us) held on for dear life. The G force of the corners was relentless, and when the car stopped being a blur and finally stopped (our terrified giggles didn’t)…Sarah and i got out to swap seats for another lap.
The race driver blasted away again and after the first corner i knew why Sarah loved it more in the back! The car just threw you around as there were no bucket seats like in the front. The slippy leather seats made for a crazy, fun and terrifying experience…It was fantastic!! ๐ฒ Unfortunately we didn’t have the in car media on this ride…But if only you could smell those burning tyres, wow!! ๐ฒย
My Supercar Thrill Trailer…
After many days of struggling i managed to put together a trailer with all of the photos and videos i’d acquired from the day. It didn’t take me as long as this post has taken me though! ๐คฃ
Walking back to Rob’s van in a daze i couldn’t quite believe what had just happened…I’m still numb nearly 2 weeks on! Rob then pulled out of the car park and the rain absolutely hammered down…It was pounding the windscreen so hard we all couldn’t believe it. We’d turned up over an hour early as i wantedd to do the american diner thing, and as we’d turned up early the co-drivers had taken us out as they said they were not busy…If we’d had arrived on time, i would’ve been driving in this rain and it would’ve ruined the day!! ๐จ
Just one more thing…?
As part of my plan for this day, i wanted to go from a ‘Lamborghini’ to a ‘Lambor-Donor’ as in Derby they serve kebabs on a naan so i try and have one when i’m up. As usual Rob made it happen…We had kebabs with Rob, Shelley, Abbie, Ella & Georgia!! ๐ย
Thanks to everyone for making this dream come true! ๐
Please click the video and watch a trailer i managed to make with iMovie, and watch me and my lovely wife Sarah on the driving day!! Full (long) post coming soon on the whole amazing day! ๐
Blind 3 Supercar Thrill Trailer…
Hi friends. Sorry it’s been silent over here for a couple of weeks but…I’ve ben on the mountain top in dream land! First i managed the trail marathon which i really didn’t think was possible, then my dream came true when i got the opportunity to drive again after 22 years (thanks to Sarah’s birthday present to me)…But not only drive again…But to drive a Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari F430 Spider and a Audi R8!ย
I have finally recovered from the body of pain that was due to finishing the trail marathon, but i havn’t recovered from the pure excitement due to flooring the accelerator and paddle shifting through the gears whilst being blown back in the seats of these stupendous cars!! ๐ฒ
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!! It’s such an incredible blessing to share life with my lovely wife and best friend…And also to feel love, fun and joy grow more each year!! Thank you for blessing my life with yet another great birthday weekend celebration…And it’s not even my birthday…Well not until Friday, lol! ๐คฃย
Although it was Sarah’sย birthdayย yesterday (Monday), we spent the whole weekend celebrating and making the most of creating more memories together, including; hair salon, Turkish restaurant, walks through woods, planting 15 plants in the backย garden and much more!!ย โค๏ธ
We had a great time over the 3 days, and although it may seem that we only ate food…Sitting down at the table was the only time we remembered to take any photos, lol! ๐คฃย
The Turkish Restaurant Birthday Meal…๐ฒ
Sarah’s Fantastic Birthday Cards…๐
Sarah was blessed with lots of great cards too! ๐ฒ
Sarah’s Birthday Carrot Cup Cakes…๐
We bought 2 carrot cup cakes from Craddocks our local bakers! ๐
Sarah’s Birthday Flowers…๐ฒ
Sarah’s brother and fiancรฉe sent her these lovely flowers! ๐
Birthday Beef, Bacon & Cheese Burger…๐
Sarah created a birthday burger and it wasn’t even my birthday! ๐ฒ
Sarah’s Birthday ‘Turbo Snail’ T-Shirt…๐คฃ
This is the logo that covers the front of Sarah’s t-shirt! ๐คฃ
Sarah’s Birthday Coffee & Doughnut…๐
Cafe Mocha supplied us with a birthday doughnut and espresso’s! ๐
The Mouse Logo On Top Of Sarah’s Birthday Cheese Selection…๐
Sarah loves this logo…Even more than the cheese i think, lol! ๐คฃ
Hi friends. I’m simply stunned by all of the love and support from you guys so far, we’ve now reached a whopping 86%!! I also can’t believe there’s only 16 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! ๐ฐ
Thanks to Suzanne & Martin for completely shocking me with another donation (yes their second) this week!! Now my ‘Blindman’s Trail Marathon’ challenge has reached a colossal ยฃ860 (that’s ยฃ86 per lap) for the MS Society…I hope my mum would be proud?! I’d really love to hit my target and make it ยฃ100 per lap…Oh and it’s my birthday next ‘Fundraising Friday’ (15th) so not only will i be older so this trail marathon will be even harder for me, lol…But it’s a heads up as i may be asking for birthday donations to this fundraiser…What a birthday gift that’d be!! ๐ช๐ผ ๐ ๐งก
The Donation…๐งก
Hi friends. Youโre never going to believe this?!! It was Saturday morning and my iPhone blasted out the muppets theme tune to notify me iโd received another donation!! After iโd stopped dancing, jumping up and down and stopped grinning until it hurt, i checked who it was fromโฆWow it was a SECOND (yes second) donation from our friends Suzanne and Martin who we were going to meet up for a meal this weekend but it was cancelled. I then checked the lovely message theyโd leftโฆโA little top up Steve to a nice round figure! Congratulations on your training. As we couldnโt meet up this weekend hereโs the cost of pizza instead!! Not long now till the big event Steve. xxโโฆWell if thatโs not motivation i donโt know what is! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
Let’s stop MS together! ๐ช๐ผ
Donโt underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! Itโs so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to comeโฆโค๏ธ
in Just 16 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! ๐คฃ ๐ช๐ผ
No way weโre in Corsica! My lovely wife Sarah is going to kill me for ruining this post with another of my digressionsโฆBut my fave cars of all time raced here and i canโt contain myselfโฆ.Yes itโs Group B rally cars! ย
Awwww i can hear that ferocious engine sound (and the monster dump valve) of one of my favourite carsโฆThe Lancia Delta S4. It had an Abarth-designedย superchargedย andย turbochargedย 500bhp 1.8-litre engine, it could hit 60mph in just over two secondsโฆAnd this was 1986!ย
ButโฆAfter a fatal accident (here in Corsica) Group B rally cars were banned and a FISA investigation later proved that driversโ reactions were too slow to keep up with Group B cars, and driversโ eyes could not adjust their focus between the fast corners, which caused tunnel vision. Now thatโs fastโฆAnd insane!!ย
They said the cars had so much raw power but with little containmentโฆI have a wife like that, lol! Sorry Sarah! ๐คฃ ย
I thought the heat was blistering already but it didnโt prepare me for the inferno when we walked underneath the archway and onto the track. ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Sarah said โSteve youโve got to get a photo of me at the original olympic start line! Iโve only been out of my aircast for a few weeks and it would make a great photoโฆZena (Sarahโs friend) will comment straight away and tell me off, lol (she did). ๐ ย
โHere goesโ i said โNo pressure at all for this shotโฆItโs only a one off pictureโ But it worked and Sarah looks fantastic! Sarah had gone for months with an aircast, and now seeing her on the start line looking like a true olympian was another emotional moment for me. She really is my warrior princess wife! โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธย
Iโm not good in the sun but Sarah comes alive in the scorching hot weather. So i sloshed on my sun cream as it was already 36 degrees outside (ouch) Iโve also bought myself a โTactical Sun Hatโ to try and keep myself cooler in the sun and provide a little shade with the wide rimโฆIt worked really well but i was still dripping like a candle in a Salvador Dali painting! ๐คฃ ย
This has to be one of my favorite photos!! Iโm glad to see Sarah(The Greatest Warriorโ parting some of her knowledge and instruction to an inferior ranked warrior on how to correctly throw a spear!ย ๐ช๐ผ
Awww friendsโฆ.Let me introduce you to this Yellow, 1961 Unimog…..have you seen the tires, lol! It threw us around like crazy and i still can’t believe that he didn’t slow down for anything. There is no way a vehicle can hit rocks, huge pot holes, climb cracked hills and go around tight bends whilst travelling at break neck speed, it would have destroyed anything else and left them in a pile of spare parts, lol. I’m not sure they issued these with brake pedals! ๐
After a short boat ride back to the ship, we had enough time to get changed, leave our bags and have a well needed iced-coffee before heading out to explore as much as we can without getting lost before the ship leaves.
We walked up one street and turned right before Sarah stopped and said โWow, sheโs having her photo taken in front of that cool wall art/sign. Quick get one of meโ โOk my lovely, youโre wearing your new yellow Michael Kors t-shirt too, i hope i get everything inโ. Sarah had bought this t-shirt for our holidays and couldnโt wait to put on the lovely bright colours and flowers.
ย This is one of my fave photos as it shows Sarahโs smile is as bright as her t-shirt.ย
And speaking of lovely architecture and colonial towns, your first stop is at Speightstown. Here you’ll enjoy seeing historic buildings and beautiful tropical beaches.
The tour guide kept talking about the PRC Bakery at our first stop, and said she was going in to get something for the trip. โOOohhhh maybe we could get a small cake for your birthdayโ โYes letโs follow her and see what goodies they have?โ As we walked in to the little bakery the guide said โOh yes a lead pipeโ as she picked one up and went to pay for it. โWhatโs a lead pipe?โ i said to the guide โItโs a local cake but it can be used as a weapon too as itโs very heavyโ. Sarah then passed me a bag with a cake in and said hold this โWow this weighs about the same as a 16lb bowling ballโ โeverything is so heavy in here, nothing has fluffy cream like in England as it would melt instantly, lolโ.
Sarah told the baker that we loved coconut and did e have anything with coconut in them? We only got 1 coconut slice as we didnโt know how sweet it was or even if we liked it?!ย ๐ ย ย
ย I never (ever) stop talking about this coconut slice as itโs the nicest cake iโve ever tasted! The bell on the โBlind Sightseers Gastronomic Leaderboardโ was destroyed as this flew to the top of the cakes list! If iโd have known i wouldโve stayed in the bakery and continued to eat every single last one of them! But we only had that one and weโve never been able to go back since this monumental occasion. Oh yesโฆThis monumental occasion is my lovely wife Sarah’s birthday! ๐คฃ
View our full day (Sarahโs Birthday) in Barbados
The smell of the locals cooking on the market was amazing, but Sarah had found a sweet little craft stall. The lady created items from the coral found off the shores St Maarten. โOooooh, i could have a necklace made from St Maartenโ. I knew that to mean “iโm getting one, i just donโt know which one yet?!โย ๐คฃ ย
โง Sarahโs St Maartens Coral Necklace โง ย
Sarah really was starting to feel at home here, ย but we had to get back to the bus! We enjoyed our stop in Marigot, and we said weโd love to spend a week here to investigate more!ย โ๏ธย ๐ย
From stunning, breathtaking views, horse riding in paradise, dancing with dolphins, River paddle boat trip, various island bus tours, 4×4 volcano ride, cable cars,ย OHโฆ. and Sarah’s medicalย emergencyย in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, itโs been an unbelievable few weeks on our cruise holiday to the Caribbean, Azores & Spain (2015).ย ๐ฒ ย
Please join us (The Blind Sightseers) on this incredible journey:
A photo taken from our new years eve (Dec 2011) holiday with friends (Rob, Shelley, Tom, Abbie & Ella) ย inย Ilfracombe, Devon, England, UK. It was very windy and very wet! We had a fantastic time as the holiday home was overlooking this bay so we enjoyed lots of coastal walks and enjoyed local restaurants.
ย Camera used – iPhone 4s (as it was raining i was too scared to take out my DSLRโs)ย ๐จย
While on holiday last year in Hunstanton, Norfolk I kept hearing a fat american V8 driving around the town, and one day it was parked up so I could snap it with my camera!ย ๐ฒ ย
My friends dad always had american cars ย and vans and I’ve enjoyed them for most of my life, so I was excited when I could finally put a picture to that beautiful sound.ย ๐ย
The twinkling lights on this department store in Florence, Italy were simply amazing to just stand and look at, but it soon became dark and we didnโt want to get lost on our first day! All of the streets were decorated beautifully with illuminated stars, borbals & bells so we quickly headed back to the hotel. What an amazing, exciting and tiring first day.ย ๐
This photo of Sarah sat in the window of the Old Hunstanton Lighthouse is a lovely memory for us. We rented the lighthouse for our honeymoon (2007) and then for the next 5 weddingย anniversaries, and this is Sarah’s favourite seat!ย ๐ย
Sarah works in London where it is very fast paced, crowded, ย built up and very grey, she always looks forward to escaping the stress and relaxing by the sea.ย ๐ช๐ผย โค๏ธ
As you may already know from my previous photos of “The Old Lighthouse” this is our favourite place to hire for a holiday in Norfolk.ย ๐ ย
“The Old Lighthouse is a holiday home with a difference! Built in 1666 on the cliffs of North Beach in Hunstanton, The Old Lighthouse was fully restored and converted to holiday accommodation in 1997.”ย
This is one of the first photos iโd taken since being registered Blind. I only had a compact camera back then as I didn’t know I would be any good at all at taking pictures, I thought it was a silly idea as it is a sighted person’s thing to do!ย ๐คฃ ย
This photo was taken in Brighton, Uk, and is of the carousel horse that is right on the beach front.
After being back in my home town ofย Derbyย this weekend, i didnโt want to leave without having an โElephants Footโ from Birds. Other bakers around the country do similar styles of cakes, but never taste anything like one of these beautyโs, they simply canโt be beaten! Myย sisterย got me a box of 4 to take back home and Sarah & i canโt thank her enough!ย ๐ ย
If you visit Derby or Derbyshire then i recommend that you try one!
During our 5th wedding anniversary at the Lighthouse, Hunstanton, Norfolk. (2012) while walking into Hunstanton along the cliff top ย we spotted this cross that had been put there by surveyors and as it was only a few hundred yards from the lighthouse we thought we would try and get a nice photo whilst the sun was setting.ย ๐ค ย
If it wasn’t for digital camera’s it wouldn’t be possible for me to enjoy photography and after about 50 photos later and a wait of a few days until i could get home and download the images onto my computer i was shocked to find this waiting for me.ย ๐ฒ ย
When i found this photo which Sarah had taken in the Azores, we both started laughing and thought this was probably the best photo of me ever! ๐ ย Donโt ask me what i was up to, i can only imagine that i heard a T-Rex or a volcano erupt!!ย ๐ฒ ย
Please let me know in the comments below if you have any great captions to add to this photo??!! I look forward to hearing what you come up with!ย ๐คฃ
Hi allโฆThis is my first post from my โFrom The Archivesโ series, i hope you enjoy reading some of theย classics, lol?! ๐ย
The Finish Line…
As a blind gamer, i was excited to be recommended(by my brother) a brand new racing game called โProject Carsโ for the PS4. Iโm able to attempt to play a few racing games, If they include Grand Prix tracks, i can often remember each corner from my sighted gaming days, playing F1 97 etc.ย
When i sat down to play for 15 minutes last night, i was surprised to be taught a lesson on being over zealous, while lacking wisdom! ๐
โง Screenshot of my 1980 Capri (Group 5 โ Team Zakspeed) โงย
I chose the rather extreme Capri to drive and chose a familiar track. After leaving the pits i span off on nearly every corner as my tyres were cold and not up to race temperatures. An influx of thoughts filled my mind,โฆ.
Over Zealous…
It reminded me of when i first became a Christian and first had revelation of the Truth when reading the Bible. I couldnโt believe what i was reading, and how it described meโฆyes me! I then did what normally happens, and become over zealous like a screaming twin turbo engine and had to tell everyone, and point out the right and wrongs with everything and everyone around me!ย
I was making a lot of noise and using a lot of power and energy, ย but was lacking something vital, i failed to slowly warm up the tyres of Godly Wisdom!
As we mature, and grow in step with the Holy Spirit, we are given all we need to finish the race. And when we get the balance right, we can stay on track until the end, and if our tyres stay hot, even the storms wonโt be able to slow us down! ๐
Making Doughnuts…
โง Screenshot of my 1988 Sierra RS500 Cosworth (Group A) โงย
After selecting โDoningtonโ, my home town track in Derby, i decided to take the Sierra Cosworth for a ride. I stopped to make some doughnuts, and thought โHere we go again, all that power and energyโฆand iโm just going round in circlesโ.
๐ย I want to thank God for not leaving us in the pits! But instead Heย empowers ย instructs and steers us towards the finish line!ย ๐ย
Sarah & i (whilst on holiday in St. Kitts, Caribbean 2015) kept saying โWow, this is Amazing! How did we get here, itโs like a dreamโ. The beautiful hot sun shining down, a lovely cool breeze and those stupendous palm trees!ย โ๏ธ๐ด๐
As we were walking around the gardens ofย Nonsuch Parkย (2008) my lovely wife Sarah pointed out a dandelion clock, I quickly drew out my camera and did my best!ย ๐ย
As i was walking along the lovely quiet beach in Heacham, Norfolk (2006) with Sarah & Bruce i stopped to take this photo. As i have very little sight i still think this looks like a snake! lolย ๐คฃ ย
Hi all, here is a photo of my (late) beautiful Boxer dog “Bruce”. If you have readย my testimonyย then this name might already be familiar to you! ๐ ย
Hi all! Todayโs post is a little different, as i rarely get the opportunity to experience a proper carโฆNever mind get to talk all about the engine, tyres etc with another proper petrolhead! ๐ช๐ผ ๐คฃ Well it all started at the end ofย Eileenโs funeral last week when we needed a lift to the train station to head back home. Ben (ex brother in law and friend) said heโd give us a lift and disappeared to go and get his car?!
Ben: โFirstly, the RS4 was hand built by quattro gmbh (Audiโs in-house performance arm). The B7 RS4 is powered by a direct fuel injected (FSi) 4.2litre V8, producing 420bhp and revving to over 8,000rpm.
Mine is around 450bhp and revs to 8,500rpm due to some minor modifications.ย It has the quattro all wheel drive system with a 60:40 power split with a rear bias to aid handing.ย Front brake are floating discs with 8 piston callipers (also used on the Lamborghini Gallardo). As with all B7 RS4s, itโs a 6 speed manual (has to be manual).”ย
As Sarah was getting into the back seat she said โYouโve got to be in the front for this oneโ i said โFantasticโ as Ben kindly guided me around and opened the door as i got in. I said โAwww these Recaro bucket seats are amazing, and i can fit in themย properly now iโve lost 5 stone, lol!โย ๐คฃย
I was listening to the rumbling beast ticking over as Ben slipped into the drivers seat.ย โAwww i love a V8 it just sounds amazing and itโs only just ticking over!โ Ben then blipped the throttle a few times (to widen my smile even further) and pulled ย away.
Sadly the train station was only about 10 minutes away, but when we reached the duel carriagewayโฆBen wound the windows down and floored it!!ย ๐ฒ
Iโm not sure if it was the instant force of being blasted back into the seat, or theย symphony of the 450 angry beasts filling my ears that gave me that feeling like nothing elseโฆI simply couldnโt stop the huge grin from leaving my face!ย ๐
โWow that was immenseโ i said whilst pealing my head off the rear window, lol.ย โThat was only 6500rpm as we keepย running out of road, we have 2000rpm leftโ Ben said as he gifted me with another blip of the throttle to evoke the awesomeย symphony!
We even had a tunnel moment where you can really hear the deep growling boom of the V8 through the open windows, awwwwwโฆIโll pause for a minute for you to imagine the beautiful sound of the V8โฆ๐ฒ
Pulling up outside the train station (oh no the carย experience is coming to an end) we all got out. I was wondering why Ben had left the car running as i knew heโd already said heโd come inside to check everything was ok and our tickets worked in the gates etcโฆAbove and beyond kindness!ย ๐ ย ย
Whenโฆ๐คย
Ben walked me around the rear of the car on the nearside about level with the tyre. He then placed Sarah in aย similar position on the offside, โStay there a minute and listen to this!?!โย
It all happened at the same timeโฆMy ears were blessed and blasted with the massive sound of the V8 from the rear, then my lower half of my trousers blew backwards from the wind (tornado) blitzing me from the tailpipesโฆAnd as the revs lowered we could hear the huge pops, bangs and explosions coming from the exhaust! Wow what a finish, and now we understand what you wereย up to, lol!ย ๐คฃย
I canโtย thank Ben enough for giving me and Sarah this amazingย experience, and Sarah was happy that i got to talk all about cars without boring her to death, lol!ย
Oh just one more thingโฆThis monster has 275mm tires and 20 inch rims! ๐ช๐ผย
Ben: “The old one is a 1991 Audi 90 quattro 20v sport (One of only 92 ever built), itโs a rare car. Powered by a 2.3litre 5 cylinder twin cam engine. It has a 5branch exhaust manifold and fully electronic multipoint fuel injection (very advanced for its age).ย It was an early adopter of catalytic converters but as mine is pre 1992 Iโve removed mine (totally legally).”
“Along with some internal engine work itโs power is up from original 170bhp to around 220bhp and this revs happily to around 7,400rpm now.ย It too has Quattro all wheel drive with TORSEN centre diff and lockable rear diff.ย It has cast front suspension arms and is considerably lighter than a normal Audi 90.ย Iโve had this for about 15years.”
About 5 years ago on another trip to Derby, Ben kindly gave me and Sarah a similar blast in this classic Quattro. It sounded and felt fantastic and it was a real blast back from the past! I remember Ben opening the sunroof and windows to get the full exhaust tone playing in our earsโฆWhat a beautiful sound! ๐ ย
ย My story and a little about my โNovadoseโโฆ๐คย
As you may know my last car before i went blindโฆWas my custom 1991 Vauxhall Nova 1.4SR resprayed in dark pearlescent purple (bottom half) and white for the top half after iโd fitted a full Zender body kit. . As i worked as a panel beater in a bodyshop, my fave part was hammering out the rear wheel arches, filling them for a slightly wider archโฆSo i could squeeze in the 205mm tyres on the 17 inch rims. Iโd only ever seen 16 inch rims on a Nova in Derbyshire before, so i had to see if i could fit the 17โsโฆThatโs why i called it theย โNovadoseโ. ๐คฃ ย ย
Iโve always been interested in cars as most of my family are/were mechanicsโฆI think thatโs why i get so excited whenever i have a carย experience like the one aboveโฆAnd why iโll always share it with you guys!ย ๐
Do you have any carย experience stories to share?ย ๐คย
ย Today iโm celebrating a brobdingnagian 17 years since i met my lovely wife Sarah at โSight Village, Birmingham, UKโ ๐ ย
This is a major Sight Village show in Birmingham which is held in July each year. Exhibitors throughout the world take part and welcome many thousands of visitors, including people who are blind or partially sighted, professionals, business people and family members.
I was there (from Derby) working for a charity called LOOK and Sarah was there (from Surrey) working for RNIB. She came to my table as she had a magazine which she had just published an article about LOOK and wanted to show me. Sarah opened the magazine and said here are the pictures and the article, i said โWow, Mmmm, Awww and fantasticโฆIt all looks greatโ which made Sarah quite proud of her work. I then said while laughing โyou know i didnโt see any of what youโve just shown me, as iโm blind!โ. Then as always, a brief pause as Sarah tries to check out my eyes to see if iโm joking, then Sarah laughed and said โNo way, me too!โ. We both approach blindness in a similar way and love blossomed from that point. โค๏ธ๐ช๐ผ ๐ย
Husbands, love your wives the same as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.
๐ค My Thoughts…ย
This is one of my favourite Bible verses that i try desperately ย each day to live up to. As soon as i first read this verse it convicted me straight away and i knew i wanted to be a husband like that!
๐ Prayer
Holy Spirit, thanks for being a constant guiding presence in my life. Give me the faith to take practical and radical action to keep in step with You, so that You can love my spouse through me in a way that will sustain a fun, loving & trusting relationship. Amen.
Hi all! Each time our wedding anniversary comes round, i canโt believe how much our marriage has grown more and more fruitful. Our love keeps blossoming through every season and i thank God for Sarah.! โค๏ธ
Sunny Hunnyโฆโ๏ธ ๐ย
For our 14th wedding anniversary we decided to visit Hunstanton, Norfolk, and stay over for one night in the Golden Lion hotel. This was โThe Blind Sightseersโ first trip away from home since Jan 2020 so we were ready, lol.ย
As you may know Hunstanton is where we had our honeymoon (and then 5 consecutive anniversaries) in the Old Lighthouse, so we were interested to see if anything had changed?!ย
After leaving home at 7am we knew it was going to be a long day, especially after a 5 hour journeyโฆA taxi, train, underground train, another train and a bus we arrived at Hunstanton a little past lunchtime! ๐ช๐ผย
NO WAY THE DOUGHNUT VAN IS STILL HERE!!!ย
DINGโฆDINGโฆDINGโฆBOOM!!!ย ๐ย
The sound of the โBlind Sightseers Gastronomic Leaderboard Bellโ exploded as we quickly devoured the doughnut.ย
We managed to get 1 each of the consistently perfect doughnutsโฆAnd it was even the same lady whoโd served us 14 years ago on our honeymoon! ๐ฒ As we walked up to the van she said โYour usual?โ ๐คฃ
After eating the best doughnuts in the world we started our walk around Hunstanton. We only walked about 200 yards when we found??? ๐คย
Willy The Wash Monster L.A.R.C. XV…
This beast is a 1967 Landing and Recovery Craft and isย ex USA Army and used in Vietnam. It now gives sea tours in Hunstanton Norfolk and is classed as a ferryโฆOh and itโs alsoย powered by 2 Cummins 920 V8 engines! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
We had been on this beast years ago and knew it went up to the lighthouse and backโฆAnd since we canโt go on a cruise ship, this was the nearest thing, lol.ย ย
โง View of the lighthouse from the wash monster โง ย
ย The boat ride didnโt disappoint and shortly after we needed to check into the hotel. There was only 1 room left and it was at the rear of the hotelโฆBut the shower was hot and powerful (rips the skin off) so all was well, lol! ๐คฃ
Now iโd dropped off my heavy backpack it was time to explore to see if anything had changed?! NoโฆIt was all exactly as it was 14 years ago, the only thing (our fave shop) Surface had closed. This was our place to buy surfer clothes each yearโฆWell i say we, Sarah used to but i was always too bigโฆBut iโd lost 5 stone now so was looking forwards to finally buying a topโฆOh well, lol! ๐คฃ ย
After a long day of walking around the place about 5 times, drinking coffee, eating chips, doughnuts and scones we were sipping a glass of red wine and watching the sun set over Hunstanton.
The walking…
I have no idea how we managed it as Hunstanton is a very small townโฆBut weโd managed to walk around 10 miles over the afternoon and evening! This was a blessing after what weโd eaten on our mini holidayโฆNow itโs time to rest after a full day as we only have the morning to go!
The next day…
After a small breakfast we were excited to go for another walk. As it was also early there was hardly anybody else aroundโฆAnd as this walkway is one of my fave places to walk in the world (empty and very wide), it was a good start to the day.ย
ย As i was walking up and down on my own unaided and free, it felt fantastic to just pretend i could see where iโm going for a while, lol! ๐คฃ
The funny face???
Not sure what iโd just heard (maybe you could leave me a funny comment with your suggestions) but i just had to give you a comedy moment! ๐คฃ ย ย
ย Ooohhh a helter skelter…
ย More walking…ย
ย Wow i think Sarah is going to bless us with one of her stupendous panoramas…
ย The chips…
DINGโฆDINGโฆDINGโฆBOOM! ๐ย
Now these are the best chips anywhere on earth! Seriously iโm not using any hyperbole. It really is a good job i donโt live here as these chips are dangerous! ๐คฃย
ย After another coffee and a quick walk around some souvenir shops, it was time to say goodbye to Hunstanton and catch the coast hopper bus. Wow what a ride, time has just flown by on this short 14th wedding anniversary holiday.
Striving to be a Godly husband…
There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage. – Martin Luther
I strive daily to love Sarah biblically and extravagantly, but to love her biblically i always first ask โWhat is Godโs love for us like?โย
Godโs Wordโฆ..
Husbands, you must love your wives so deeply, purely, and sacrificially that we can understand it only when we compare it to the love that Jesus Christ has for His bride, the church..
โLove is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never failsโฆโ โ1 Corinthians 13:4โ8
I thank God for sustaining our marriage in Purity and Truth. Andย look forwards to more years on this Brobdingnagian adventure!
Can youย believe itโs been a year today, since i started my epic adventure akaย โJune time to prune?!โ I wanted to put this post on my blogs as a milestone for me and to share my good news with you all!ย ๐ย
My mind is stillย having trouble adapting to the body itโs now living in, lol.ย
-5 Sone…
Iโve gone from overheating all of the time, wearing shortsย through the winter and staying out of the sun as it felt like pins and razor blades cutting my skinโฆTo feeling cold most of the time, wearing normalย clothes in the winter and like yesterdayโฆSpent time sitting with my lovely wife Sarah enjoying the sun without the stabbing pains in my skin.
Size XXL to a Medium…ย
Iโve also gone from a size XXL t-shirt to a size medium. I have never been a medium throughout my whole adult life. Iโm loving having to get a new wardrobe andย ordering aย medium size and it fitting like a gloveโฆNot much beats this feeling!ย ๐ย
My Engine & Body Analogy…
As i used to be a panel beater in a bodyshop, the engine analogy just seemed to click for me when thinking about my nutrition etc. As i needed to be in a healthy calorie deficit to lose weight, i needed to find out what kind of engine i had and how much fuel (calories) it burns.
Hang On…
Iโve just realised iโm going to go on for ages writing about my year ofย transformation. So before i bore you all to death, i thought i could write about it post by post for a while. This way i can slowly bore you to death and you may notย notice, lol!ย ๐คฃย
ย Hi WordPress family! As itโs my birthday today (2nd in lockdown)…I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to raise a coffee and take a little time to thank you for your continued love, encouragement, inspiration and fantastic comments between all of you on this blog.ย I always talk to Sarah about all of you guys and how amazing it is to have ย this blog read and commented on from all around the world.ย ๐ฒย
After my incredible 1st lockdown birthday last year, i was stunned by how you all commented with your fave coffee and drinks, and where in the world you were from whilst you were happily mingling with other friends here through the comments section. ๐ย
So what iโm trying to say isโฆAs my birthday gift could you please comment below with your country and this timeโฆlet me know your fave foods etc? I canโt believe that iโm 5 stone (70 pounds) lighter than this time last year, and iโm interested to hear about foods from around the worldโฆI love food, lol! ๐ย
It would be a lovely birthday present for me to hear all of your fantastic responsesโฆIโll make another coffee here in Surrey, England, UK, grab my fave snacksโฆPropercorn Peanut Butter and Almond Popcorn and a Grenade Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Protein BarโฆAnd look forwards to seeing (and sharing fave foods and stories) with you guys!ย ๐โย
Upon leaving the ship it felt like coming home, as we knew exactly where we needed to go as we were here last year (read post).ย Once we found and boarded our coach ready for our excursion to the nutmeg factory, then on to the chocolate factory, we settled back and enjoyed the view. We had visited the Nutmeg factory last year as itโs Sarahโs fave place, as the incredible smell of nutmeg fills her with warm memories of her Nan Peters when she used it in her legendary rice pudding. And now we knew what to expectโฆWe could find and buy more nutmeg. ๐ ย
The nutmeg and chocolate factory tour…๐
We were blessed once more with the stunning beauty of this place as we drove around the coast and the luscious hills. โ๏ธ ย
The Nutmeg Factoryโฆ.
This time we were the first ones in the gift shop and ready to get some of the amazing nutmeg that fills all kinds of products. Sarah bought an omnifarious mixture of products including…Aloe Vera oils etc (wow nutmeg and aloe vera)โฆShe had missed getting some of this last year when we had a similar tour. We really didnโt think weโd see this place again (never mind the first time) and it was such a blessing to be hereโฆAawww that smell! ๐ ย
The Chocolate Factory…๐ซ
This was very educational and interesting. The local guide took us around the beautiful grounds and factory showing us different plants they grow, including the cocoa trees and how they harvest the beans, dry and ferment the seeds, crack the shells to emit the cocoa nibs (the actual cocoa their chocolate is made with)โฆWatch video below. ๐ซ ๐ ย
Sorry but didnโt get any photos or videos of the factory. But the local Mango & Lemon punch was amazing and refreshingโฆBut that was a shadow of the ginger & dark chocolate bar! I saved it until we were back in the UK but i now wished iโd bought about 10 of them instead of 1, i think we need to go back next year!! ย ย
Thanks for joining us on our trip to Grenada! Have you been here before? ๐ค
Weโll meet tomorrowโฆSame timeโฆSame place for another adventure!ย ๐ย
July 7, 2025 
iChristian 
Recent Comments