Embers Today

Curtain closes on bike season

Our summer of mountain bike events is now over.

It's been a busy year with some great events and some half decent weather (comapred to the previous year!)

Now our attention turns to the ski show at London's Olympia between October 22nd and 26th.

If you ski or board then this is a great show, if you're in the area come and see us on stand 154.

Then after that it's time for the Christmas rush.

** We have a few courtesy tickets for the show so if you want to attend then drop us a line and we'll send some out. Simple!

Quick run up Ben Nevis?

This weekend is the THE BIG BEN NEVIS TRIATHLON.

The very tough get going and the tough go home.

1900m swim, 90 km mountain bike and 21km mountain run (up and down Ben Nevis)

Or you can do a half event if you have something else to do in the afternoon!

We've done some cool event T shirts (in merino of course).

If you are going, good luck.

 if you're not but you fancy it. have a look on www.nofussevents.co.uk for more info.

CJ

New Website

We're currently in the final stages of development of our new website.

It's looking good. Just ironing out the final creases  in those hard to reach places.

The old site has served us well but it's time for something fresh.

As they say, a change is as good as a rest!

CJ

Games Over

Well thats it,

Beijing 2008 is all over and TV programming returns to the normal drudgery.

4 years until our go.

We'd better start building things fast as It seems we don't have much more than a bunch of rolled up plans so far, the clock's ticking........

CJ

Bikes and Rain

Back from Sleeples in the saddle.

It was pretty wet and very muddy.

There has been a definate correlation this year between bike events and bad weather.

Well done to everyone who fought through the mud and finished

Marianna

* This was taken at the 2007 event : quite a difference!

Hunt for a Cowbell

Next week I'm off to Switzerland to visit friends, enjoy the scenery and hunt for a cowbell or Kuhglocken as the swiss would say.

I've always wanted one!

CJ

Coed Y Brenin

Just back from a couple of days of fantastic riding in North Wales. (which was pleasantly warm with no rain)

Anyone looking for a great bike friendly place to stay, located on the doorstep of Coed y Brenin, might like to visit this site:

http://www.caegwynfarm.co.uk/activities.htm

CJ

Cliffhanger - Sheffield - 12th and 13th July

This weekend we'll be at Cliffhanger in Sheffield . (Millhouses Park to Be Precise)

There will be all kinds of outdoor based activities going on and a chance to come and see, try and buy Embers Merino.

for more info visit http://www.cliff-hanger.co.uk/

See you there, please don't bring any rain!

Mirrors

Tough Enough?

On Sunday we took a trip down to Surrey for the Army Cycling Unions' very first enduro event called 'are you tough enough?'

The course was brilliant and I am sure that this event will cement itself in the calendar for years to come.

Pete represented Embers but had an awful start - a mechanical problem caused him to run the majority of the first 8 mile lap. He arrived back to the start/finish area long after we anticipated and he looked in pain! He picked up the pace after that but continued to have bike issues for the entire race.

Tough enough? hopefully next year!

CJ

Mountain Mayhem

This weekend (Friday to Sunday) we'll be down at Mountain Mayhem.

In collaboration with Mayhem World and Shift (bikemagic's new magazine) we'll be offering a special discount to anyone who signs up for a mayhemworld club card.

It's free to receive the card so hunt down the mayhemworld / Shift stand and collect your card, then go and use it!

See you there

Mirrors

if nobody picks up the phone

Friday June 6th

13:01 hours

Pete and I are now leaving the office for the trip down to the Bristol bikefest.

Everyone else is also gone/away/out/ doing something important elsewhere.

SO

If you call and nobody answers the phone that is why.

Please leave us a message or drop us an email and we'll get back to you first thing on Monday.

Or we'll see you at the bikefest.

CJ

Fresh from the Fort

Just back from a long weekend up in Scotland.

We had some great ridiing under blue skies at Laggan Wolftrax and Kirroughtree then we moved on to Fort William for 10 under the Ben.

A great event in an amazing setting.

Advice to anyone heading north, take a mosquito net!

CJ

What a difference a month makes

I rode into work this morning, I've been managing about 3 days a week on average and I'm aiming for 5.

The bluebells were out in force in the woods.

I wore my floe zip baselayer - zip down, sleeves up.

Merino works so well in the heat as well as the colder weather.

We have a short sleeved version on the way in 2 weeks which I'm looking forward to.

Pretty much a month ago we were at the Early Dawes race in the snow.

One month and 25 Celsius later - here we are!

CJ

Sunny photoshoot

This weekend we did the photoshoot for our new women's items (which are about 2 weeks away).

We had such great weather and we are so lucky to have such varied landscapes on our doorstep.

We did the shots at locations all within 5 minutes of base.

It was so much fun, thanks to all our beautiful models.

Next up, it's the men!

Marianna

New Arrival : Breeze Short Sleeved

The first of our new spring/summer arrivals is now on the shelves.

It's the women's Breeze Short Sleeved

Pure 185 gsm superfine merino with a great new print (hearts to Butterflies)

Perfect for spring.

CJ

Merino Ahoy

On Monday our new Merino Baselayers, Midlayers and other assorted merino goodness will set sail.

Here's a picture of the vessel being loaded up on the quay in NZ.

They should arrive at the end of May.

Keep checking the site for updates or alternatively sign up to our newsletter and we'll let you know when the new things arrive. easy.

CJ

Rarified

This weekend I'm off to the big smoke to watch the Cambridge and Oxford Boat race.

Last year my brother was competing.

This year he's been asked to perform the slightly less physical task of being the finish line judge.

We're going along to sit in a big boat and 'help'!

Apparently we are not allowed to wave any flags and must sit still and behave.

Should be good anyway.

Look out for us on TV at the end!

CJ

New Merino in production

We've got some great new merino styles in production.

They should be with us in time for the start of summer. (today that seems a long way off!)

Nice lightweight merino for athletic sports and warm weather.

You can sign up to our newsletter from the homepage and we'll let you know as soon as they hit our shelves.

Batten down the hatches - it's windy outside - summer is still a distant thought!

Perfect weather for our merino outerwear though

CJ

Cannock Chase

Riding at Cannock tomorrow 

The forecast predicts good weather Saturday, bad on Sunday.

Our party includes a road cyclist who's never ridden a mountain bike.

Should be fun!

CJ

Coed y Brenin

If you want to demo loads of top quality bikes then Coed Y Brenin is the place to be this sunday (24th Feb).

We'll be there riding and lending a hand on the Bionicon stand.

www.bionicon.com

We'll have a stack of our new brochures available so come along and pick up a bike and a brochure all under one canvas roof!

CJ

Sunshine

What a difference the sun makes.

It is a beautiful clear day here in Derbyshire.

Sunset today is 5.11 pm.

Not quite enough sunlight for an after work ride yet.

(can't get too far in 11 minutes!)

CJ

Sun snow and new skis

I Just got back from a great week of skiing in France's Southern Alps.

The skiing infrastructure is so much bigger in Europe than back in NZ!

My week was made all the better by my new Schuetz Sports ski's.

I was lucky enough to recieve a pair just in time before we left.

They are the most amazing skis - Swiss quality at its finest!

http://www.schuetz-sports.com/

Marianna

Interesting Transport facts

1. The average speed of car journey in London is 15mph

2. Each year in the UK 2 million cars are sold, 2 million are stolen and 2 million are scrapped - not the same ones of course, but isn't that weird.

3. Cost of laying 1 mile of new motorway £28 million.

4. In 2006 more than 22 million tyres were replaced in the UK.

5. Number of children in the USA named 'Lexus' = 353

CJ

SALE NOW ON

Our sale starts today,

We've got up to 50% off selected items in our range and as an extra bonus we will deliver them for free.

We are happy to exchange / refund sale items as normal, however we cannot offer our free returns service on sale items as our margins are so small.

If you need any advice then give us a call.

CJ

Sale Time

Our Winter Sale will be starting early next week.

Now is the time to stock up on lovely merino if you're going to the snow or still brave enough to head outside on two wheels or two feet.

Keep your eyes peeled - we're hoping to have the website fully updated by Tuesday.

Marianna

Back to it

Back in the office today following a great Christmas.

Next stop new year!

CJ

Order today and it's okay

Order today - the 19th or tomorrow - 20th and you can still use our standard free delivery and receive your order before Christmas.

CJ

Opening Day of the Season

This just in from our man Bryan in France.

Serre Chevalier opened this weekend.

Slopes were empty and snow was plentiful.

I'm going out to see Bryan in January. Taking the train all the way from Belper to Briancon thanks to the new Kings Cross rail link. Can't wait.

The Magic of Cinema

This is the Ritz Cinema in Belper, our home town, circa 1952.

It re-opened last year and has been a great success.

I became a member before it opened to try and help support the project.

To celebrate being open 1 year they held a screening of Cold Mountain and drew golden tickets to pick the audience.

We struck lucky and had a great night  - everything was on the house.

It's great to feel like a valued customer.

I'm a big believer in good old service with a smile, it can really make a world of difference.

Heres to good service and the next 12 months of local cinema.

Chris

Winner

Jessica shanks - you are a winner!

You entered our prize draw at the ski show in London and you have won.

Please check your email for more details.

Well done

Marianna

New Brochure

We have just received our new brochure and we're really pleased with it.

If you'd like a copy please follow the catalogue / newsletter link on the homepage.

Fill out your details and within a couple of days you'll have a brochure on your doormat.

Alternatively you can download a PDF.

Cheers

CJ

Website is finished

Finally the new website is up and running.

Enjoy

Derbyshire Dwellers

This weekend we will be at Kedleston Hall, which is a beautiful national trust property near Derby.

We'll be there with our new range for the Christmas Market on Saturday afternoon. There will be lots of other quality products on offer too. If you like shopping with a touch of class then this is the place for you!

CJ

Getting there

The new website is taking longer than hoped to complete.

That said,  all the new products are now online. The remaining changes are purely cosmetic.

if you find anything that doesnt work please drop us a line!

Cheers

Chris

Photoshoot

Just had a great weekend doing our photoshoot for the new website and catalogue which will be available soon in paper and pdf formats.

The weather was great and so was the company.

oh, we got some pretty nice shots too!

Photos to follow......(after the ski show)

Chris

New Website

We've got a great new website almost ready to go live.

It's being put up online intermitantly for testing, so if you see something new when you log on then thats why. It all works and you can browse and order as before but it needs some tidying up.

The chances are you'll get the old site although you may strike lucky and get a sneak preview!

Cheers

Chris

One plank or two

If you're a skier or a boarder then come and see us at the London Ski Show (London Olympia / Earls Court)

We'll be there from the 24th to 28th of October and will be releasing a range of new products to keep you warm on the slopes.

To find our stand just look out for the men with sheep and follow them!

See you there

Amazing

As anyone who went will tell you, the riding at the Worlds was incredible.

The weather kind of played havoc with the mens downhill but thats the nature of the beast.

June 7th and 8th 2008 wil see Fort William again play host to the world cup.

check out mtbcut.com for footage from the week.

CJ

fort William

We're off up to Fort William this week for the mountain bike worlds.

We hope to see you there.

Our voyage north leaves us a bit understaffed back at the office - So if you call and cant get through, please be patient.

Either drop us an email or leave a message and we'll get back to you.

CJ

Bionicon

Steph from Bionicon sent us this photo of her wearing her Akaroa and trying not to get blown off the cliffs.

Bionicon make great bikes:-  www.bionicon.com

Event Photos

Some shots from SITS.

clothesline

i'm not talking wrestling.

I went for a ride this morning before work, it was wet, slippery and there were trees down. all around blind corners and all sitting about neck height.

thank the lord for hydraulic brakes

sleepless

Back from sleepless in the saddle

Another great event and also a local one which makes a pleasant change

Photos to follow

CJ

legs getting bigger

With the onset of the 'summer' I've been riding to work as much as possible.

sometimes on the road bike but mostly off road.

My fitness has increased really quickly. last week I climbed a long 20% hill which would have previously cracked me.

satisfaction.

Absolutely ridiculous

Only in America..............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cGyeYtvb4M

Calling all Kiwis

This weekend we'll be rolling down to the big smoke for Toast Festival at Fulham Palace.

Looks like it should be fun.

If you're in the area, come and see us in the style area of the show.

and please pray for sun!

CJ

No More rain in Sheffield

Please no more..

We're off to the Cliffhanger event in Sheffield this weekend.

Hope to see you there

under clear skies

Siesta

Just got back from a hectic few days in Spain.

Now I think it's time for a siesta.

Buenos noches

Fickle waters

All that water and no kayaking in sight.

First too high, much too high. The wave disappeared, totally washed out.

Then at 6pm on Tuesday it was perfect. I saw it as I was driving past on my way to the dentitst.

Plans were made for a late paddle - getting on at 9pm.

By then - too late. the water had dropped 2 feet in 3 hours and the wave was past its best.

Very frustrating!

MASSIVE

I'll be honest - This morning I was going to skive off and go boating.

Last night I went to my local playwave to check the level. 

I've never seen the river this high in my life - let alone at the end of June.

So it was decided, this morning we'd be there early, ready for a session that may or may not run into work hours!

Well this morning I can't even get there.

The river has flooded all the roads.

Hoping it drops by tonight for a session. Photos to follow..................

CJ

Mountain Mayhem

Mountain Mayhem certainly lived up to it's name.

As saturday came to an end, the rains began. Most soldiered on, some fell by the wayside, others seemed so tired they didnt notice!

A real test of mental as well as physical strength.

Despite the weather, it was an amazing (and massive) event.

Congratulations and thanks to Pat and his team for organising it, and to everyone who took part. Including Graeme Le Saux (anyone else see him on their way around?)

CJ

mountain mayhem

We're heading down to mountain mayhem this weekend.

Come along and enjoy the weekend.

www.mountainmayhem.org

The race is all full up but there will be some great fun to be had and the event should be pretty special to watch.

Plus we'll have plenty of stock on hand for when it gets a bit chilly in the evening!

Mirrors

south west crash

Thanks to everyone who organised, attended and came to see us at the Bristol Bikefest.

A really good event.

I Managed to mix a bit of work with a bit of play.

Took out a Kona 29er for a lap as we didnt have room in the van for my bike.

Not the kind of bike I'm used to riding, particularly the flat pedals.

results below!

New Trees

Last weekend we finally found a spot where we could plant the trees we've grown since last autumn.

We planted a mix of oak, sweet chestnut and horse chestnut.

Luckily the site is on the route of our favourite local ride so we can check on their progress regularly.

So far so good!

Badger Attack

On Saturday night I walked up to the top of the fields near our house.

Theres a badger sett there we sometimes go and watch.

Inspired by springwatch on TV we set off for a look.

I'm rubbish at standing still so i took a chair and my binoculars.

The binoculars were rendered redundant as at about 10pm - out came seven badgers , playing and squeeking.

I was sat still on my chair about 6 metres from their sett. (no need for binoculars!)

They got nearer, and nearer, and nearer until they were playing a couple of feet form my feet!

I couldnt believe it, I'll try and go up again and get some video. absolutely amazing!

Chris

Owd Man

Went on a good local Derbyshire Ride on saturday with my brother.

We sped down a steep descent into the village of Bonsall along a track partially paved with smooth cement blocks.

It was wet and as slippery as ice. and I just avoided taking out someones living room window with my handlebars on the last bend.

In the village we found this chap - T'owd man of Bonsall, he seems well prepared for his day with his lunchbox and pick!

Bra's to Body Armour

Went to an interesting event last night with other businesses from across the East midlands.

It's really interesting to see what other people are doing and how they're doing it.

There are some really creative things happening in our region.

From a small company who makes bra's for Victoria Beckham to people making body armour.

All very interesting!

Store Wars

thanks to Matt for this recomendation.

A really funny starwars parody telling the story of the organic vegetables struggle against the imperial forces of mass produced generic supermarket food.

www.storewars.org

Embers Legs

We're currently working on some Embers legwear for the winter.

Things are coming together nicely.

Last night we were at our friends house asking her to try on lots of different things.

Thanks for your patience vicky!

Chris

Facebook

I'm Not usually a fan of these things, I had no love for myspace.

However it seems that all of my friends are on facebook!

It's strangely addictive seeing what all those people from the past now do, where they are and what they look like!

www.facebook.com

Wet horse

Chatsworth horse trials was an interesting weekend.

It rained so hard all weekend but luckily our gazebo held out and we managed to stay reasonably dry.

The horses and riders did not, Mirrors saw Zara Phillips braving the pouring rain.

She's my favourite royal.

why does it always wait until the weekend to thrash it down?!

JC

Espagnol

Hola,

Today we recieved our first ever order from sunny spain.

We  decided to run our business online from day one for the very reason that people can shop online from anywhere at anytime.

That really excites me.

We're a business of young(ish!) people with forward thinking ideas so for us, selling online seems like the obvious choice. I guess we're the first generation for whom shopping and selling online seems the norm.

So, here's to Spain

Hopefully it's the first of many.........

Chris

The word 'seminar'

I just got back from a morning seminar at the university of Derby.

I went expecting most of the stuff to be irrelevant to our company (some of it was) however I came away with some useful contacts and some new ideas. I also saw  half a dozen old friends (out of a total of 38) who I didn't know were going and  I havent seen for ages.

Plus the croisants were really tasty.

Maybe I shouldn't be so down on 'seminars'!!

JC

Models ride too

Last night we took advantage of the evening sun.

Along the way we took some photos to use in our summer material.

It's good to be able to mix business and fun.

I hear rain is coming next week so enjoy the good weather while you can.

Chris

Bikes and Sun

We had a great weekend at the Enduro 6 this weekend.

A record turn out, excellent course and a good amount of sunshine made for an superb event.

Marianna

Enduro Six

This evening we're heading off to Catton Park with a van full of wares.

If you're going too, come and say hi

JC

Bad rain year

Each winter I hope for two things.

Snow in the mountains and rain in the derwent valley.

Enough rain to bring up the big surf waves.

Since 2001 I can count on one hand the number of really good floods we've had in Derbyshire. The kind of days when you can hear the river long before you see it.

Maybe it's better flood prevention, but I can't help but notice it's hardly rained at all this month.

April is usually a good bet for some kind of high water but this year the river has reached summer low levels already.

I found this old picture of Matlock, not sure of the date but the kayaking would have been big on that day!

Chris

Summers filling up

Well spring is slowly giving way to Summer.

We've got a busy schedule planned over the next few months.

Keep an eye on our 'events' section of the website which will soon be showing where we'll be and what we're doing for summer 07.

JC

HAVE YOU EMAILED AND GOT NO REPLY???

If you've emailed us, or placed an order in the last seven days and heard nothing or received nothing then please drop us an email again.

We've been having some problems with our email server which has been selectively returning some emails to the sender.

All should be sorted now.(fingers crossed)

Technology eh, great whilst it works!

Apologies and thanks for your patience.

Marianna

Temptation of the bike

Today I get my bike back from the shop.

They've repaired my leaking rear shock.

I'm excited to have it back, I know I shouldn't ride it as my arms still too weak but now I've got options!

It's good to have choices

by the way if anyone is looking for a proper quality bike shop in Derbyshire, try Stanley Fearns in Matlock.

What they lack in fancy showroom they more than make up for in service and knowledge. My kind of place.

Chris

This ones pretty late

A few months ago we sponsored a climbing competition for the re-opening of our local climbing / bouldering wall (The Face) at Wirksworth.

Last week we received the photos of the opening!

I guess when you're climbing all day, theres no time for emailing.

Good luck Mark and Malcolm, catch you soon.

Build em up, knock em down

Last weekend I decided to fit my new disc brakes.

My old ones had totally had it so I thought I'd get some new ones and fit them so my bikes ready to go once my shoulder feels a bit tighter!

the first brake went well, and quickly,

Great, I was almost done and dusted.

Then I realised I didnt have the correct bracket and so I couldn't fit the rear brake.

Dissapointment ruled.

Once I've started something I like to get it done then sit back and tick it off the list.

Next weekend I'll finish.

Arts and Books!

Last month I read an amazing book,

Depths by Henning Mankell.

It's a dark tale of life after the first world war on the seas and amongst the rocky archepelagos of sweden.

Each chapter is no more than 3 pages long, I raced through it and then felt disspointed that I'd finished it!

Last night I saw an amazing film at our local cinema.

The Chorus - I've wanted to see it for ages and last night I finally got the chance.

Its the most charming film I've seen for a long time, maybe ever.

It's about an unsung hero, I love unsung hero's.

Plus we got to watch it at our new local cinema which is great.

If you live in Derbyshire it's well worth a visit. A really great little cinema.

http://www.ritz-belper.co.uk/

p.s If you want to see the chorus, tonights your last chance.

JC

MBR Magazine

We're in this months MBR magazine.

It's their 10th birthday edition so they're reviewing all the good stuff from the last decade.

Makes some good reading.

New things

We're just running off our early prototypes for Autumn 07.

It's an exciting time, there's still a few more rounds of sampling to go yet, but it's really good to see designs move from paper to merino.

Mirrors

Boat race Hero

Congratulations Pete, (one arm in the air)

It was the most nervous I've ever been whilst watching sport on TV.

Really really exciting.

Wouldn't they let you wear your Embers gear for the race?!!!

Well done to you form all of us.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone.

The weather is looking good.

Tomorrow I'm taking the day off.

In the morning I'm making some home made easter eggs.

Then out in the sun for the afternoon.

Enjoy

Chris

Weekend in the big smoke

Spent the weekend in the big smoke.

It's warmer down there!

had a leisurely couple of days looking around and taking in some new ideas and inspiration for our next product range.

On sunday we were invited for lunch at the Cambridge University boat race training camp .

Only one of the crew was there as the others were all doing washing. The team chef cooked us up a nice big roast!

There was plenty of it and delicious too.

thanks pete, good luck with the race.

we'll be watching

Chris

Out of step

The sun has come out and it's a beautiful day.

Spring is here and we're looking forward to a summer full of outdoor fun.

We're currently working on our winter 07 range.

how strange!

Mirrors

when stunts go bad

Biking - it's all fun and games until your body hits the floor. hard!!

Chris

It's safe to go out

A few years back we planted some daffodils outside our friend Pete's appartment.

He doesn't like the English winter and swears it's not safe to go out until the daffodils are up.

Yesterday  I saw him out on his road bike.

Spring is here

Competition Result

If your name is Jaclyn Bent then todays your lucky day.

You won our prize draw at the NEC last weekend.

The answer we were looking for was 100 million.(fibres in an average merino fleece)

We had 4 correct answers and drew your name from the winners hat.

Well done and thanks to all who entered.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Marianna

Back from the show

We're all back from  a great weekend at the Ordnance survey outdoors show.

Still unpacking and recovering. (my legs are killing me!)

It was great to meet so many new faces.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to  squeeze onto our stand to see our range.

We were really packed in at times.

I think we'll need a bit more space next time.

Keep your eyes peeled for us at various events throughout the summer.

Cheers

Chris, Marianna, Maryanna and Tom

Boat race fame!

German TV have been filming my lifestyle and training regime as part of the build up for the boat race.

Thought i'd send you a pic of me being filmed at college.

Notice I've got my Embers Reeds top on!

Pete

Phones - if we don't answer

Hi

This week we're preparing for the NEC outdoors show.

Lots of sawing, hammering, packing and general manual labour!!

We've got our phone handsets in our toolbelts, but if for some reason you don't get an answer It's becasue we can't hear you over the noise of saws and sanders.

Please feel free to leave us a message or alternatively send us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks

Chris

Not quite right

A friend of mine is a landscape architect and has just moved to Dubai, she sent me this link.

http://www.skidxb.com/English/Default.aspx

I've never been to Dubai but I get the impression I wouldn't like it.

365 days of snow a year in a country with an average temperature of 30C.

It''s big, but is it clever?

Chris

Back from NZ

Back from a month of Family, work, weddings and wonderful weather in NZ.

Here's a cheeky Ram from the work part of the trip.

Good to see our merino is growing away nicely.

Lots to catch up on now........

Mirrors

Old Derbyshire Tradition

Many Counties have their own special traditions.

Cheese rolling and Tar barrel racing are two of the more spectacular I can think of.

Here in Derbyshire there is the ancient Shrovetide football contest. A game which is believed to have been played anually for the past 1000 years !!

It has little to do with Football and instead is more of a riot with a ball. Shops are boarded up and cars wisely moved away as the crowds take to the streets.

The game goes on for 2 days and the only rules are as follows:

• Keep the ball out of churchyards, the cemetary and the Memorial Gardens
• Do not trespass on other people's property (widely ignored)
• You must not intentionally cause harm to others (hmmmmmm!!)
• The ball must not be hidden in bags or rucksacks
• The ball must not be transported in, or on, motorised vehicles

These are of course the modern rules, the earliest rules, from ancient times state only that players must not murder their opponents!

It's amazing that with modern health and safety this game hasn't been banned. I'm glad it hasn't!

Please sir, you take the ball!

Great website

The internet is an amazing thing.

If you're interested in the environment then this is one of the best sites I have found.

http://www.earthwire.org/uk/

warning: can severely distract you from what you should be doing!

Photoshoot - Good results

Here are some of the shots from last weekends Photoshoot for The Derbyshire Magazine.

We are really pleased with how well they came out especially considering it was dark, wet and cold.

Thanks to The Derbyshire Magazine and models Tim and Emma and William.

pink bike thief

Yesterday my brothers bike was stolen.

It's an old Giant coldrock (in pink) with absoultely no value at all.

He's got a really nice trek road bike but wont use it to commute in Cambridge because so many bikes go missing. hence using the pink bike.

with 1000's to choose from parked up around cambridge, they chose the mighty coldrock! maybe they know something we don't.

He plans to replace it by assembling something from components taken from bikes abandoned in his garden.

Now thart's recycling!

Head of the Trent

This Sunday we're heading to the banks of the Trent in Nottingham where there'll be lots of rowing and rowing folk around.

They're expecting 400 boats. (i'm wondering if there will be any crashes!)

If you're around, come by and say hi.

The weather should be cool and crisp.

We'll have plenty of stuff for you to take a look at.

Chris

Frozen New York

Our Kiwi Friend Sharon is just back from NY.

She reports temperatures as 'really cold'!

and conditions as 'perfect for merino'!! 

I feel a job at BBC weather is just around the corner for you Sharon.

At least she got back before it started snowing at 5 inches an hour, she's not so tall and we might have lost her!

Chris

Slushbiking

Yesterday I went out for the day  with our friend Vicky, who's a general outdoor heroine, north pole adventurer type character.

The sun was out but there was still some shady spots in the plantation where snow and slush were hiding.

Good fun and slippery like an eel!

Photoshoot

We started early, it was cold,

snow on the ground

raining.

The models, photographer and magazine editor were all great.

We battled the elements, took photos and had a really good day.

Models are tougher than you would think!

Thanks a lot to all of you

Chris

Are models tough?

We've got a photoshoot tomorrow for a local magazine.

They are providing us with two professional models for the shoot.

It's currently snowing hard and settling on the old frozen snow.

I've never met models before - I hope they're tough.

Luckily for them we sell merino and not swimwear!

Should be fun

Chris

Are you snowed in?

Is anyone snowed in?

If you are, send us a picture and we'll post it up.

I opened the curtains this morning only to find a mere dusting, but it's still snowing so all hope is not lost.

JC

Snow - Anyone else excited?

We've had no real snow this year.

There's been some good levels up in the peaks from time to time but nothing at 'resort level'!!

This morning I spoke to Marianna in NZ , it's hot there and she's been swimming in the river at the farm.

As soon as I told her we were due snow she wanted to come back!

Chris

Snapped Trees, not bones

First ride for a month since mashing up my knee on Jan 1st (what a start to 2007!)

Plenty of trees had fallen in the woods down the road.

It was getting dark and I was riding alone but couldnt resist a blast down the jumps.

Darkness and riding alone always make me nervous incase the worst happens.....

It didnt though and I had a great ride!

New Arrivals

Two early arrivals on our neighbours farm.

Bulbs are up, lambs are arriving.....

could snow on thursday though so the lambs will get to go back in the shed!

Frost ahoy

Frost and ice predicted for tonight.

An early night and an early morning ride beckons.

Theres nothing like riding on a crisp frozen forest floor.

Have a good weekend, whatever you're doing.

Chris

What happened to Winter?

Today is a beautiful day.

Sunny, clear and rather warm.

But it's hard to enjoy without thinking somethings pretty wrong........

what happened to Winter?

the beautiful game

Last night I went to the big match - Matlock vs Buxton in the Derbyshire Cup!

I've watched Matlock twice before, both times have been fun.

Last night it was cold,  I was wearing 4 layers of merino and stayed toasty warm for the full 120 minutes!

The match was a replay - the result of the original fixture had been discounted because Buxton had played an unregistered keeper!

The surface was a mixture of building sand and clods of earth.

The highest waged player £47.50 a week

Sky TV stayed away

The crowd was partisan

The attendance 477 (plus a few who jumped over the fence)

Matlock won 3-2 after extra time.

Local life is a lot of fun!

Sea and Ice (cream)

Today I went swiming in the Sea.

Not very warm over here but I was feeling brave.

Off up to the farm at the weekend to see family and meet some new prize winning Merino Rams.

Photos to come...

Hope all is good back in the UK

Mirrors (in NZ)

1st Winter Climb

From Spain to Rain (and Snow)

Back from Spain and Training in the cold again.

Snow in Cambridge today not much fun on the water.

But just enough snow to chuck around after training.

Pete  

Reeds LS Merino -Flame   models own

Tribe from Natives

The guys at Natives run one of the best snowsport websites.

They've branched out and are now publishing Tribe Magazine.

It's available from:  snowdomes. Xscape. dry slopes. Ellis Brigham stores and many popular spots over in the alps.

They know snow...... they loved our baselayers.......

Mirrors

Hola Banyoles

For the potential Cambridge University Boat Race crews the new year begins with a training camp in Banyoles Spain - venue of the 1992 Olympic Games rowing events.

Training is always hard but I'd rather it be hard and sunny than hard and freezing cold like it is back home.  It's good to be here.

Winter in North East Spain brings cold morning temperatures. Thick layers of mist cling to the water's surface until the sun rises over the mountains bringing us warmth. In the middle of a 24km row you don't have time to take off several layers of kit. The merino baselayers are proving great at adapting to the temperatures outside and my body temp.

I've been giving them a right work out - on the water in the morning and in the gym in the afternoon.

More updates to follow....

Pete

Man Down!

Well woman down to be precise.

Today we've lost Mirrors for one month. She just got on the train to head down to London for her Flight back home to NZ.

She'll be busy with her brothers wedding but also doing some sales and visiting the sheep stations to check how things are going.

Have a good one and come back safe and rested

There'll be plenty to catch up on when you get back

Chris

Can you taste 10ml?

Just going through all the forms rules and regulations for the NEC outdoors show.

There are far too many. More than any normal person can comprehend let alone enforce

My particular favourite :

no person shall dispense alcoholic spirits to visitors without prior permission.

Upon permission the maximum quantity of any sample shall be 10ml.

Theres no mention of how many samples each person may be served.......

Flying Watering Can

This morning at the petrol station a watering can flew towards me at high speed. If it wasn't for my lightning reflexes I would have been taken down.

Mirrors

Wind and rain but not enough

Lots of wind and rain today - but not enough.

As a Kayaker I check the water level at the weir every time I cross the bridge at the end of our road.

Even In summer It"s a force of habit.

The weir is my gauge I know exactly what level it must be at for this wave 1 mile downstream to start working.

The picture shows low water : in flood it"s a really classy wave.

But this year I"m still wating.

Lots of showers but no REAL RAIN.............................yet

Amazing Lake District

This snippet just in from our climbing lads in the lakes.  It"s easy to forget sometimes that we have such amazing spots here in the UK.

Walking away after a cold but beautiful day up at Black Crag Pike o Blisco in the Lakes. Great conditions great routes a few scares and finshed off with a pint in the Old Dungeon Ghyll.

Adam and Chris

SIGN UP, SAVE MONEY

When you sign up to our Embers newsletter  (from the top right of the homepage) we'll send you a Discount Code which will be valid until the end of Feb 07.

Consider it a big hello from All at Embers.

when you join our mailing list:-

We will : make sure you're first to know about news, events, products and sales

We won"t : sell your details, give them away  or bother you every day. We send about 1 email per month

You can : email us to unsubscribe at any time

just make sure our email address info@embersmerino.com isn"t blocked by your spam filter.

Welcome to Embers

Chris

Bikemagic Review, good news all round

Yesterday the guys at Bikemagic reviewed our Short sleeved forest baselayer and our Long sleeved Reeds merino.

They liked them  which is great news and makes us feel good.

Take a look:

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/5329/v/1/sp/

Mirrors