Matt Tinsley

Yet another cloud on the horizon.

2011-12-13T14:38:00.001Z

Yet another cloud on the horizon., a photo by mtx on Flickr.

I'll be updating my blog as soon as i've written up about the cyclone. In the meantime heres a taster of what's on the horizon.

The project visit

2011-11-23T16:30:00.000Z

After the ride and the celebratory beach party, which included dancing and playing records in quite an epic rain storm and a few bottles of the local rum, Arrack, we headed back to Negombo to visit the project that we'd raised money for.

The project is one of ICT's original ones, they've worked with them since the early 1980's. The project is a re-intergration centre that houses up to 200 children up to 16 years of age. The children may have lost parents in the civil war, the tsunami or been abandoned by parents fleeing poverty or government.

The happy but painfully shy children presented us with a show of local dancing and singing, with costumes they'd made in the dressmaking centre which forms part of the project.

The centre's buildings have been part funded by ICT and a Dutch charity, the well built builidings are set in the jungle, without another building/road in sight.

Down towards the large reservoir is a cleared sports area, with space for running and volleyball and especially for the national pastime of Cricket. We took the young locals on in the afternoon. We held our own and did well with a few comedy bowls that got the crowd laughing and cheering. The locals have some smashing batsmen that quite regularly hit 6's when our bowlers could get a decent ball to them.

After a few teary goodbyes we left our newfound friends to get on with tricky business of leading their young lives into adulthood, hopefully with a better start than they had previously been dealt.

Day Five

2011-11-19T13:55:00.001Z

Day 5 - The road to Tricomolee.

Stayed at a beautiful place, woke feeling a wee bit tired and achy. The first hour of the day on long distance cycles is always the toughest, the body wants a day off or rather it needs a day off. By day 5 though, you can feel yourself getting fitter, getting used to the early rises. Today was a good 70km, not masses by any stretch but the second two thirds of the road are very bumpy as we enter the previously wartorn district of Tricomolee. The road turned pretty quickly from smooth fast straight road into bumpy potholed-ridden gravel with expressionless faces starring at us from the shadows of the trees.

A quick stop at one of the small convenience sheds along the dusty road, confirmed that the locals were definitely shy and wary of us, but they were at least welcoming. As we realized it was shyness, the stereo went on and we danced on our bikes and smiled the biggest smiles, they were replied back with smiles and waves, and even a comedy water throw from the road construction workers.

I had to swerve from two large snakes, about 4-5 foot in length, green with flecks of brown, taking over the road. Reminding me why I'm wearing my boots.

A quick stop for lunch, sheltering from the rain in a locals house, they were kind enough to offer the three of us chairs, we declined but I made sure they had enough of croissants and cakes that we'd pilfered from breakfast.

A dusty busy road was our first sight of Tricomolee, the air started to have that salty feel to it, that feels so homely, we were getting closer to the other coast.

After approx 413 km across some of the highest most beautiful country I had ever seen, we were finally there, with a slight hiccup of a few of team getting lost upon entering the city and having trouble finding us and the final hotel. We regrouped for the last km and we crossed into the beach and they we could see the bay of Bengal.

We've made it. Now its time for beer and a beach party. Happy days, Sri Lanka.

Day Four

2011-11-19T09:00:00.000Z

Day four of of the cycle - leaving Kandi. We stayed at great colonial hotel to rest up and headed off early. Very busy town of Kandi, it was important in holding off the invading Tamils from the north and east. The big rolling hills must have helped stop the invasion. 5 or so huge trees holding hundreds of hanging fruit bats was the highlight of the morning. Hitting good road managed us to make good time, so we were lucky enough to make a spice village for lunch for an ayerveda tour, walking us through the various herbs and spices. After lunch getting back on the main road that leads to our final destination tomorrow of Tricomolee.

Day Three

2011-11-15T17:21:00.000Z

End of day three. Sri lanka is beautiful. One of the most stunning days today. Dropped from 2200m to around 500m. Mostly fast downhill through the highlands today, if it was a piste it would have been a 102km run, mostly reds with the occasional blacks. Sounds easy but tough on the old hands as very bumpy in places. My bike is causing problems all over the place. It was a police escort that took us all ICT shirt wearers into central Kandi tonight. Stopping rush hour traffic as our single file slow descent through the sunsetting town took us to our colonial resting place for the night. Toughest day but ultimately rewarding.

Day Two.

2011-11-14T18:28:00.000Z

End of second day cycle, as we found out today, the toughest, steepest cycle of any of ICT's worldwide cycle rides. We rode through tea plantations at up to 2200mtrs. Through very steep, rocky terrain. I've a few stories from today but sleep and shower take priority before yet another 6am start. No meat hooks through backs today but plenty of bloody legs, falling into bushes and severely exhausted faces/bodies/morale. A day to remember indeed. We made it to the top, as a team, with bikes. It was cold at the top, felt almost Dartmoor like to say the least. We've made the highest point of the ride and now downhill to Kandi tomorrow.

Day One

2011-11-13T12:54:00.001Z

End of the first day of cycling. Good day, bikes all fixed up, even though they are heavy! My commuter bike seems like heaven. A good undulating ride up into the mountains today, dense jungle through rubber plantations. Now at a lovely riverside hotel, we cycled over where 'The bridge over the river Quai' was filmed. Feels good to get a shower and fresh clothes. Tomorrows the big mountain climb, something like 2000m climb to Kandi over 15km, total day will be 82km. It's going to be tough...and its just started to rain. On a lighter note, I wore the honey badger helmet for the first leg today, certainly got a few double looks, quite a few hoots, some big waves from passers by and quite a long conversation with a boy on the family motorcycle, with the family on it!

Meet Up

2011-11-13T12:53:00.001Z

First day of meeting up with the riders, quite a nice 70's style mega hotel, with the first AC and warm showers we've encountered for 10 days. Everyone in high spirits, feeling fit and healthy. A short warm up ride today of 60km with two short 100m rises. Looking forward to getting back on the bike. My bike is a pretty nifty Specialised Rockhopper, ready to take on the Sri lankan trails.

leaving Hikka

2011-11-12T06:00:00.001Z

We've spent a good week now exploring the south east coast line of Sri lanka. It been rather beautiful to say the least. Rather single mindedly, my sole priority was staying healthy through surfing. All day, every day. We've been based at Hikkadua, the old hippy hangout thats now more Newquay than hippy trail.

We had a lovely treehouse apartment on the beach, made good friends with locals and other travellers, and was rather sad to leave last night. One of the main problems facing surfers in Sri Lanka these days, is overcrowded peaks. If there is just one or two reef or point breaks then sit 30 or so people on the one wave, mix that with a lack of patience from other surfers and the fun starts to dwindle.

A few new people I met in the water and I headed down to find some quieter different waves on wednesday and found an idillic little secret spot, as one of the guys we were with was half-Singalese, he knew the area, but we were faced with the usual growls and scowls from the other travelling surfers. We were met with french curses and 'damn guidebook' shouts as the bigger surfers slid in front of everyone on the waves.

As surfing becomes more popular world wide, localism and overcrowded waves will become more of a problem. In Sri Lanka especially as tourism here gets back onto its feet and is rapidly becoming its major industry, and the worldwide population smashes the 7 billion mark, we'll all be sitting on each soon enough.

So next time you find yourself alone or just with a few buddies, enjoying what you love. Enjoy the peace!

Sri Lanka seems to be up onto its feet from what we've seen so far, we havent headed too far inland yet or headed to the north or west where most of the civil unrest occurred.

Recycling and water purity seem to have been a priority in getting Sri Lanka up and running. The water is government approved through the taps and plastic recycling is deemed to be very important. In Aragum bay, plastic bottles are banned, we've yet to visit there yet though, and probably wont on this trip as its out of season for surf and is in monsoon.

Todays the day when we meet the rest of our riders, starting the cycle tomorrow. Fingers crossed that the team bonds well, stays healthy and a good adventurous time is had by all.

I'll send through daily updates of our crazy ride as it develops.....

Hikka Heaven

2011-11-05T16:11:00.000Z

So, with a week to go before the big ride, we've found ourselves in a beautiful town called Hikkadua. It's supposed to quite a party town, we sampled a little of the local hospitality last night....

The water is full of turtles, first time one of them popped up to say hello, it was quite a surprise, but now they are so abundant it would be a shame not to see them. They like to play in the surf as much as we do and regular sit out the back waiting for the big sets.

Our training for the ride consists of surfing hard all day every day. Its a tough life.

The cycle begins in 5 days and it's looking likely that we'll be in top form.

Arrived...

2011-11-02T11:24:00.000Z

...safe and sound, slept most of the flight and now about to dive into the sea.

Waiting for the plane at the gate. Dull as you imagine.

2011-11-01T21:12:00.000Z

So, the time has come, just about shaken off a end-of-work illness. The fever struck for 4 days and nights and finally just about relented in time for my departure flight. So here I am, I was quite prepared to postpone my flight at one delirious moment.....but all good now.

I was lucky enough to be nursed back to health by the lovely Ali, who stuck by me through the feverish nights. We think the typhoid injection mixed with over-working created some sort of hyper-fever-cocktail that left me slightly delirious and void of much humour.

Mind you, pacing the house through the night trying to find random places to sleep/rest seemed rather comical to say the least....in the morning.

Anyway, I've moved my office to its spiritual home back at the parlour and it's lies in wait for the photos and footage I'm about to shoot/collect/take/(or if french, make)

Jons lent me his GoPro HD waterproof camera, which will fit into and onto my surfboard and bike. Fingers crossed we should be able to get something half decent...

So the weather in Colombo looks delightful, let's hope it's not a deluge like Bangkok is at the moment..... I'll be surfing with Mike and Rach for the first 10 days or so before the ride, so hopefully pretty chilled, healthy, and fever free...

Just heard over the tannoy, the plane is delayed by 30 mins. Might sneak off for a pint...

Brockwell park - a Saturday afternoon in October

2011-10-16T15:23:00.000+01:00

Cycle Sri Lanka Training Ride - Oct 2011

2011-10-12T17:28:00.000+01:00

Around Balcombe and Haywoods Heath.

Our Route through Sri Lanka 2011

2011-10-12T15:08:00.002+01:00

View Cycle Sri Lanka 2011 in a larger map

ICT BOAT PARTY 2011

2011-10-12T14:50:00.000+01:00

Shambala 2011

2011-08-30T17:00:00.001+01:00

Surf Southern India

2011-08-19T15:26:00.000+01:00

My good friend Rich has just posted about our trip to Southern India. I appear to be in the water in pics 2 + 3. Although not actually snapped surfing, I did get a few good waves..

Rich Hendry / societeperrier.com

Life, live it

2011-08-19T12:55:00.001+01:00

Glasgow

2011-08-18T19:23:00.000+01:00

For the Premiere of the first Tinpot vfx movie 'Island' -

A picture a month for my missing months

2011-08-18T19:07:00.000+01:00

Feb 2011

So havent posted for a while

2011-08-18T18:44:00.000+01:00

Think I might restart posting pics here that will only be for those in the know!

Here's a little treat no-one ever saw, just as we were talking about god, we turned a corner up a mountain to behold this view.

View at work and view from flat

2011-01-23T13:06:00.000Z

The two places I will only really be!

Polish lardy cakes

2011-01-23T13:04:00.000Z

Polish snow

2011-01-23T13:03:00.000Z

Poland art college !

2011-01-23T12:44:00.000Z

More Poland fun

2011-01-23T12:32:00.000Z

Matt Tinsley // MTVFX
0044 7726473824

Poland antics

2011-01-23T12:28:00.000Z

Matt Tinsley // MTVFX
0044 7726473824

Prince of Persia Trailer

2009-11-04T10:00:00.002Z

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Trailer Park | MySpace Video

motorbike / mountain bike dude

2009-10-29T10:36:00.002Z

So we were cycling through seriously beautiful tropical african villages, palm trees, happy villagers, open roads, healthy crops and high plantations everywhere. We stop for a midmorning water/fruit. And Lo and behold, what comes pootaling right at us, wobbling all over the road, was the happiest, roundest guy, straight out of god knows where.

He's riding a mountain bike but with a small motorbike engine. Absolute genius. It has an air horn, it has a big lever to switch between moutain bike and motorbike. It has a chain on both sides, one for each mode. It has tiny petrol tank sat on the middle bar, he's says in broken english that it does 100km on a full tank, a full tank being 2 litres. He created quite a stir and was suddenly overtaken by the sheer amount of people that he had just wowed, he said quite abruptly 'now i must visit my parents' - he jumped on, kickstarted and pootled off rather haphazardly down the dusty track. With Mike Pope, swearing that its the most dangerous thing he's ever seen.

Now after reading about the boy who made a windmill from scrap and was has been snapped up by the press. I was all set to give this lad the world wide media attention he deserved but alas, it wasn't meant to be, it had been imported from asia.

Back to Blighty Safe and Sound - Cycle Tanzania was a Success.

2009-10-27T11:16:00.001Z

Dear all,

Thankyou so much for supporting the project in Tanzania. It was quite an epic adventure. We cycled from Dar to Faranji Trust, a project setup to aid street children back into the education system whilst also educating them on HIV and Aids which is a massive problem. As a fundraising group we raised over £160,000 for the project with donations still coming in. If you didn't get round to donating this time, not to worry its still not too late. Also if you supported last years ride then your still on the email list to keep you updated.

The cycle itself took us through glorious safari parks, military zones, across tiny bridges, through very remote areas, along the coastline, up and down rather large rolling hills and into the project.

The photos from Cycle Tanzania are here -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matttinsley/sets/72157622548740545/

Or I find it easier to view all the pictures as a slideshow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matttinsley/sets/72157622548740545/show/with/4047253608/

We also adventured into deepest Malawi -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matttinsley/sets/72157622673309694/with/4047459550/

The slideshow -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matttinsley/sets/72157622673309694/show/with/4047459550/

All the very best

Matt

Matthew Tinsley // MTVFX
+44(0) 7726473824 // matt@matttinsley.com

Guardian article Dar

2009-10-26T18:30:00.001Z

Touchdown in Malawi

2009-10-15T18:55:00.001+01:00

All is now good, after 10 hours at airport the plane finally took off and flew us to the rather industrial capital of Malawi, Lillongwe. Now driving the 300km to Lake of Stars festival in a rented 4x4. Just had lunch next to the beautiful lake, lots of happy healthy people with broad smiles. Should be at festival site by sunset. Life’s good, I trust all is good back home.

Finished the ride

2009-10-12T18:04:00.002+01:00

After 400 odd kms, 3 nights camping under stars, many many street kids high fived along the route, great people met, fair bit of dancing all thrown in the week, we are now chilling out on a white sand palm tree lined beach. Apologies for not finishing blog every day but batteries were down on the old telephone. I’ll throw in a few anecdotes from the week. One memorable moment was meeting a guy on a converted mountain bike which he had put a small motorbike engine on which has a 200km range. Took a few pictures of it which I’ll post all in good time. We visited the faraja trust, a street kid centre, getting the orphans off the street into remedial care to prepare them for school. Quite a moving experience. HIV is down in the area, which shows education centre is also working. Although malaria is rife throughout the slum. Everyone whom has sponsored me has contributed to helping this forgotten part of the world get better social and medical care. We had a fun game of football with the kids, it was a draw at fulltime, onto penalties with them taking the cup on 4-3. Another classic English defeat, good times though.

Day 3

2009-10-09T08:48:00.002+01:00

One of the toughest days on a bike, but also the most adrenaline fuelled. Visited old slave trade forts before setting off, quite biblical views of the boats, fishermen and structures not much different to how they would have been hundreds of years ago. Then 20km heading out of town along dusty roads, then the adventures start. 20km along an old railway track with the path only room for one bike. A few thin bridges pretty high up above the rivers. A few beautiful off road sections through the trees. The distances were estimates and we hit our lunch spot 3 hours late. The food truck was stuck on the road and not able to get to us so we had to sit pretty tight for 8 hours or so. Made friends with a few locals though.

Day 2

2009-10-08T09:36:00.003+01:00

Beautiful day today, 60kms along a busy road then last 20km through the bush. Really felt like we were on safari during the last leg. Road opened up to huge sandy bay. Jumped in very warm sea on arrival at lodge. The heat today though was very unbearable, that will be my greatest challenge. People are becoming friendlier as we leave the city. Happy faces to be seen and met.

Day 1

2009-10-05T11:20:00.002+01:00

My bleeming screen didn't work on the plane. So drank terrible wine and slept. Arrived in Dar, lovely hotel, I was first in the pool. Fitted bikes today, mine is correct size this year! Sound system working a treat. Just been to the British High Commission for tea and cucumber sandwiches. Very nice. Had a pleasant cycle along the coast to settle into the saddle. Looking forward to decent hack along the coast tomorrow.

Tubes

2009-10-02T16:55:00.001+01:00

My day was going so well until I to get a tube. Haven't been on one in
weeks. Too many tourists crammed into too small a place.

I'd much rather be cycling across Westminster bridge pulling faces in
all their photos as I do most days.

Still in work

2009-10-01T23:56:00.000+01:00

Looking at last years blog, I was in work late, the night before heading off.

Nothing has changed. I'm still here at midnight the night before departure.

It shall all be forgotten as soon as I step foot onto that Tanzanian soil.

36 hours to go

2009-10-01T09:53:00.001+01:00

So today’s my last day of this project, my bags are thinking of getting packed, my hairs needs a cut and its 36 hours till I head to the airport. Bring it on.

3 days to go - Letter sent to sponsors

Stroll on new years eve.

2009-01-05T12:49:00.001Z

Doesn't Paul look dapper.

Matt Tinsley // MTVFX 0044 7726473824

The gité in the pyranees.

2009-01-05T12:45:00.000Z

This the house where we stayed for nye, looks pretty quiet now without the 30 or so crazy europeans in. Got a good days skiing in too. Now holed up in some dodgy motel awaiting a new clutch for the van. MTX

Sundowners

2008-12-08T21:44:00.000Z

This was on our balcony where rest after the ride was needed.

Houseboats in alleppey

2008-12-08T21:43:00.001Z

In the sand

2008-12-08T21:40:00.000Z

Crowned and completed

2008-12-08T21:22:00.000Z

I'm back now, and what a ride it's been. With mountains climbed,
schools funded, football team with a new ball, top sunrise/set surf
sessions, drunken mayhem, and terrorist strikes to deal with, its
certainly been an adventure to remember for a longtime to come. The
fantastic people we have met, shared and laughed lots with have made
it all worthwhile.

I'll slowly get some photos out, when my net connections back up and
running. Here's one to start with.

Almost time to leave

2008-12-03T09:37:00.001Z

Almost about time to start the journey home, will be sad to leave this
little corner of paradise but time waits for no man and the show must go
on. Ive been leading a rather healthy lifestyle out here so fully
pretoxed for the upcoming festivities. Tomorrows this seaside town is
holding a small sunset candlelit memorial for those lost in last weeks
atrocities. The mood is upbeat though and by all accounts Mumbai is back
to its up and running state again. Right, the suns down and I'm off for
a G&T xxxxx

All safe and sound surfing

2008-11-27T10:53:00.001Z

Luckily for us we are enjoying the warm water surf in Kerala, south
India. Got first Indian ocean wave, got a little air too. So nowhere
near Mumbai! All my love MTX xxxxx

Rest of Days : Into the unknown.

2008-11-26T08:20:00.001Z

So i think it will be a good idea to keep up the blog for the rest of my travles, it won't be quite as day by day specific, but just the highlights, maybe a few anecdotes from along the way. Many thanks to Clare btw for emailing my texts to here, as net access is very limited.
We spent last night on a houseboat, these boats are very Fifth Element. They have a future retro feel about them, do a search for alleppey houseboats and you'll see what I mean. We are heading south in an ambassador car, super stylish way to travel, of course. We are off to hunt down some surf of which early reports are looking good. Nice one, texts are best for comms.
See you soon.
MTX in Kerala xxx

Clare Tinsley
tinsley_clare@yahoo.com
+44 (0) 798 4149 416

Day 6

2008-11-22T16:29:00.001Z

Day 6 - Woke up feeling a little babylas to say the least. Time to visit the school project. They welcomed us with music and dancing and many kids. Very colourful, warm hearted kids, which will now have a better longer lasting education. Thanks to everyone whom sponsored this fantastic voyage over the last couple of months, so thank you very very much for making it possible.

Matthew is now sat in a hammock next to beach nursing his aches and pains from the ride of his life. xxx

Day 5

2008-11-22T16:28:00.001Z

Day 5, Final Day.

Uphill for 53kms to finish line. Absolute stunning sunset theni last night but terrible nights sleep. Every rider was broken at some point, my morning was terrible but afternoon was good. Rich and I got the waterbombs out. Finished ride into kodaikanal - 6000ft at the top of mountain range.

We had the presidential suite so late night party back at ours. Very glad to have finished gruelling ride!

Front page headlines of national indian paper, who's that there in blue?

2008-11-22T09:09:00.000Z

Day 4

2008-11-20T09:47:00.001Z

Day 4. Into Tamil Nadu.

Crossed the border into Tamil, a much poorer state, more barren.

Today was a mental challenge, long flat plains with fairly heavy traffic
to contend.

102kms covered, An absolute heroes welcome at the hotel in Thani. Music,
dancing, and uniq show! National television turned up too.

We all need sleep, lots of it, big uphill day tomorrow. xxx

Day 3

2008-11-18T17:05:00.001Z

Day 3. One of the best days of my life, huge mountains to cycle over,
huge plains, steep steep mountains to climb. Sunrise to Sunset, 100kms,
every part of my body aches.

I cried for 3 things - the beauty of the landscape, severe exhaustion
and most importantly, the instinctual happy faces that greet us with
every turn. Matthew is sat in the bath with a big fuck off grin...

Kerala is one happy place that has to be shared.

Day 1 & 2

2008-11-17T14:15:00.001Z

Day 1. Hot hot hot, only 53kms today, not too bad, Richs' birthday we
celebrated in style on the river banks, slept in true camp kerala huts
in the rain forest.

Day 2. Up hill for 83kms. Hardest work in a long time. We all hit walls.
Sweltering heat. My kingdom for some shade. Lunch at middle school, met
some great kids. Ended the day 1500mtrs up mountains, the highest south
of the Himalaya's. More delicious curry for dinner. Its really, really
stunning here.

Let's hit the road.

2008-11-14T14:58:00.000Z

So, the day has come. We've raised oodles of cash for the projects.
Now it's time for me to do the job.

I've cut all my hair off and as you can see me and rich are looking
pretty buff.

Thanks to everyone who's supported me throughout the fundraising. I've
had a phenominal response, smashing the target with more promised too.

It's Clare and andys turn next so please, please support them on their
fantastic voyage.

Right, I got a plane to catch.

MTBX

Weekend off

2008-11-04T10:56:00.001Z

I took the weekend off over Halloween and had some coffin action, was
quite something. The March of the Dead is definitly an occasion
everyone should experience once in their life.

I've been in training ever since to pay it off.

This photo was taken in Mo's garden the morning after, yes it's an
original banksy.

Right, back to gym.

Skimming stones with Paul

2008-10-27T16:54:00.000Z

Portwrinkle Walking

2008-10-27T16:53:00.001Z

Bridge over Derwent resevoir

2008-10-27T15:36:00.000Z

Feeding the birds - basingstoke canal

2008-10-27T09:53:00.000Z

Richmond park

2008-10-26T17:32:00.000Z

Training rides -

2008-10-26T17:30:00.001Z

I've been busy recently getting out into the country, had a good ride around the peak district the other week. Myself and Rich cycled from guildford to Richmond too, along the basingstoke canal. Stunning day, I suggest it as a good cycle ride. Not much on roads and good paths too.

3 weeks to go!

Matt Tinsley // MTVFX
0044 7726473824

Work to Live

2008-09-07T22:57:00.001+01:00

I'm in work, its sunday, its 11pm.

Only a week or so to go, then the training starts.

New Bike. New Regime.

2008-09-05T11:58:00.001+01:00

I just bought a new bike, after borrowing Clares all summer, she finally asked for it back. Which is good because it made me get up and go bike shopping! I now have a shiny Giant CSR zero for all you bike geeks. Its has a super light weight kevlar tyres and aluminum frame with deore and 105 components. Commuting has never been so much fun. We will hopefully be putting together some long distance rides for training. Possibly to Bristol, Brighton or Paris.....
I'll let you know when we have firmed up some plans.

MTBX

Sponsor Me

2008-08-05T14:34:00.001+01:00

The Route

2008-08-05T12:00:00.001+01:00

View Larger Map

Cycle India

2008-08-04T18:31:00.001+01:00

Hello friends, family and all those in between,

After this project, its time to do something different for a while, like an adventure across India.

In November this year I shall be cycling 400km in 5 days across India from Kochi to Kodiakanal in Kerala to raise money for International Childcare Trust. The charity helps malnourished, disadvantaged children in the developing world with projects in countries from Kenya to India to Cambodia.

These are the details of where your sponsored pledge will go:

£5 will pay for tetanus vaccinations for 20 kids.
£14 will provide 2 new desks to go into one of the classrooms.
£35 would help to provide bursaries for deprived young people looking for options for the future. They can benefit from skills training in cookery, sewing, mechanics, plumbing, English and computers
£40 will enable an orphaned child to buy a school uniform and shoes so they can enrol in primary school. In turn, an education will help them restart their lives.
£72 will protect a child from abuse and exploitation and offer traumatised children counselling and confidence building support.

By sponsoring me for Cycle India you will change lives. I will actually be seeing for my own eyes where this money is going, so your money will basically be delivered by hand. Nice thought eh?

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page, pledge what you can. Please get clicking and start feeling good.

http://www.justgiving.com/matttinsley

For more info check out - http://www.cycleindia.com

All the very Best

Matt XXX

Matthew Tinsley // MTVFX
+44(0) 7726473824 // matt@matttinsley.com

LONDONIUM

2006-10-28T15:14:00.000+01:00

I'm having a great time here in London, all going well. I went bee collecting with my friend Peter a few weeks ago.
MTX

Paris

2006-09-29T18:48:00.000+01:00

I've just got back from a few days in Paris, was tres beautiful. Check my .mac photos page for new pics. Off to cornwall for a few weeks before starting work in london on the 16th of October until xmas. See you around town.

MTXxxx

I'm back in blighty!

2006-08-27T10:41:00.000+01:00

After a month or so on the road up the east coast, i've flown back to england. I'm now in sunny cornwall, if your in england, contact me on the usual address. This might be the last update for a while, so heres a pretty pic for the road. I took this last week in the great barrier reef.

enjoy life and i'll see you soon.

Matt

Whos in winter time? ME!

2006-07-18T13:10:00.000+01:00

My friend Yasmine took this photo of me unknowingly last sunday, I've got 10 days of my project left then a month holiday around australia. Its pretty hot in blighty at the moment, so enjoy it. Its cold as a squirels nut here.

MTXXXX

no time for fun at the moment.

2006-07-03T05:25:00.000+01:00

I've moved to Newtown in sydney which is really dope, i live in a small cottage with 2 lovely people, but alas i'm in work 60 hours a week so i dont see much of it! I've only got a month left before i start my return journey to england to catch the last of the british summer! Just gotta finish this damn movie first. check it here.

Camera phone pics

2006-06-17T08:48:00.000+01:00

MTX

Byron bay

2006-04-24T13:55:00.000+01:00

The following is whipped from an email I just wrote to a friend back home.

I had a damn fine easter weekend, i hope you did too.
Me and a couple of mates, piled in my car and headed
up the coast to byron bay for the bluesfest, alot of
fun - good music, good people, but my highlight was
not at the festival -

I'd paddled out quite far by myself on my mates
longboard, the surf was pretty bad on the beach so i
thought what the hell i'll paddle out and around the
point. Out there I found one guy surfing perfect
waves, it was heaven. Crystal clear waters and no
crowds! (crowds are a bit of a problem in sydney).
anyway, me and this lad were just chatting and getting
sick waves.

Then from nowhere - 10 or so Dolphins came and joined
us! We just sat in silence as they came and had a
sniff of us. It was so natural, we carried on getting
waves and so did they! the dolphins were playing in
the waves just as we were. It was pretty awesome, a
little later after they'd moved on, i paddled over to
a rock i hadnt seen before, i jumped off my board and
paddled down - It was a frickin giant turtle! I wish i
had a pair of goggles with me. The turtle decided to
have a bit of swim too. I turned around to hollar my
new mate, he paddled over. I turned and this beautiful
set came in. I got a sick wave - nose rode the
longboard down a 3 ft face. The turtle had found us a
better sandbank!

A glorious day, A truly glorious day.

MTX

blue mountains fun.

2006-03-29T05:00:00.000+01:00

Theres some more video to come but had to get this out.

NOTE _ I know some you had problems watching the video - you all should be able too now.

MTX

Home and away

2006-03-12T23:52:00.000Z

Me and mate Theo, headed up to the northern beaches this weekend, in my new car. A 1988 Toyota Seca.

Nice sunset surf at Palm beach, (Yes, Home and Aways Summer bay.) Late night out with the locals then full day of beautiful surf on sunday. Top weekend.

MTXXXX

Sydney

2006-02-16T10:48:00.000Z

Hello there,

Havent written on here for a while apologies to those that might come here. I've got house now for a while in randwick in sydney, about 10 mins from the beach. I've been spending alot of time on the beach, due to not having any work and it being summer here. They have bbq's for public use on the beach. alot of fun, shall we eat in the house or on the beach tonite dear? I was up this morning just after sunrise running and swimming at coogee beach. It was empty! fantastic.
I've got a job starting at the end of the month, so you'll probably see me write up on here, more often when I should be doing something important.
I'm feeling healthy which is damn fine, packed in the smokes for good, can swim bleemin miles now. I also pretty much shaved my head. Which is good, puts about 10 years on me though.
This is bronte where i've been spending the remainder of my holidays. Write again soon.

MTXX

Volcanoe Climbing

2006-02-06T03:58:00.000Z

This is the veiw from the top of mt.bromor, we set off before sunrise and climbed to the top, it was pretty sick sunrise, looking over to lombok and seeing the other volcanoes popping up out of the morning mist. The last time this volcanoe erupted was only 5 years ago. Jolly good fun.

Indonesia

2006-01-20T01:08:00.000Z

We spent the festive season in Bali, at a sweet secret spot, surfing perfect crystal clear reef breaks. Its was so goood to relax after a pretty intensive time travelling. We went to a huge party around the bay for new years eve which was pretty crazy, a few of us getting interviewed for indonesian tv, dancing on stage in front of a couple thousand people, night time surf comps. I dragged myself home over the cliffs for new years day sunrise.
We also explored the rest of bali in a huge van, climbing a volcanoe for sunrise, pretty awesome, the last time it erupted was in 2000. It was still steaming!

I'm now in Oz, staying on a 50ft yacht in Brisbane harbour, driving down to sydney in a couple of days. When I get my computer from those bstrds in customs i'll be able to post some recent images.

Big love
MTXXXXX