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I clearly remember the first time I sat on the rowing ergo. It was Monday 1st September 2014

The departure is that it’s a collection of short stories aimed at children, but which has a philosophical slant, aiming to help all of us make sense of the modern world and make the right choices for the lifestyle we want. As a taster, I’ve included a short excerpt from one of Melissa’s discussions with Mr Cat about how children learn to imitate their parents’ behaviours. Your parents,” the cat went on, “heard the ‘SHOULD’ repeated so many times they ended up believing them. So, now they think they have to go to work, to earn lots of money, to buy certain things such as that noisy box that shows pictures that make no sense

, Lake Leman – also known as Lake Geneva – has hosted the world’s longest non-stop rowing competition on an enclosed lake. From the left: Donato D’Abbicco, Franco Piccolo, Antonio Formica (aka ‘the Bull’), Massimo Biondi, Michele Straziota (aka Jimmy) It was a little after 2am. After a few reciprocal accusations and threats to retaliate on land, luckily harmony returned to the boat as it slid across the water, breaking the night’s silence. The restricted 4 from Bari rowing club, finished the race in 15 hours 59 minutes and 22 seconds, with destroyed bodies but fortified spirits.

This is why the majority of rowers, from those like José Miguel Casiraghi in the Italian national squad, to the most average enthusiast (like me! ), often use the bike as training. Then the coach follows the boats, cycling on the path or the bank, and it all comes full circle Balancing on two wheels in whatever city, develops your attention span when it comes to external influences, such as pedestrians, animals, cars, motorbikes and other potential disasters. Because my bike is the only thing that makes me feel free and makes me realise that my body is not the only thing that gets me to the top of a mountain climb.