https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/rss RSS Feed for Matthew Fedaks Website. Matthew Fedak is a PHP web developer who also likes taking photos. Matthew Fedak's Blog (https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk) https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/cologne-marathon-2026-pacers
On Sunday, the reality of my spontaneous decision came to light. After three hours of slow-tempo running, I suddenly realised that I had never actually run for more than four hours in my life. Running slower seemed easy at first, but spending more time on my feet is also somewhat of a challenge. I pulled through and crossed the line with around 90 seconds to spare. This was my fifth marathon since I began 2 years ago and although it was my slowest to date, it allowed me to meet some awesome people. I even had a nice cold Kölsch beer around the 35km mark. Lecker schmecker!]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:23:52 +0100 Cologne Marathon 2026 Pacers 3bacb581b3d7029d1bc0ba119ad725c3 [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) Cologne Marathon 2026 Pacers
On Sunday, the reality of my spontaneous decision came to light. After three hours of slow-tempo running, I suddenly realised that I had never actually run for more than four hours in my life. Running slower seemed easy at first, but spending more time on my feet is also somewhat of a challenge. I pulled through and crossed the line with around 90 seconds to spare. This was my fifth marathon since I began 2 years ago and although it was my slowest to date, it allowed me to meet some awesome people. I even had a nice cold Kölsch beer around the 35km mark. Lecker schmecker!]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/cologne-marathon-2026-pacers https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/tung-wan-beach-cheung-chau-hong-kong
Together we checked out the Cheung Po Tsai cave and did some kayaking at Kwun Yam Beach around the corner. I thought the cave was a bit dangerous but she insisted it was safe and had visited a lot as a child. This photo was taken from our balcony at the Warwick hotel over looking the beach. My report from last time can be found here.]]> Sat, 26 Sep 2026 03:56:29 +0100 Tung wan beach, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong e04205614d71d5c512a251a7360d6d82 [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) Tung wan beach, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
Together we checked out the Cheung Po Tsai cave and did some kayaking at Kwun Yam Beach around the corner. I thought the cave was a bit dangerous but she insisted it was safe and had visited a lot as a child. This photo was taken from our balcony at the Warwick hotel over looking the beach. My report from last time can be found here.]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/tung-wan-beach-cheung-chau-hong-kong https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/the-damned-gorilla-hall-osaka
The atmosphere was amazing and the venue was full of all kinds of punks and rock enthusiasts. I expected the audience to remain calm and orderly (as is the way of life here in Japan)...BUT after a few songs the music broke through and I was soon fighting to keep myself upright in the moshpit. The next day I even had to go and replace my shoes as they were ruined :)]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2026 01:25:26 +0100 The Damned, Gorilla Hall, Osaka e51d100021e3bd84a44c911d9a6fd0a7 [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) The Damned, Gorilla Hall, Osaka
The atmosphere was amazing and the venue was full of all kinds of punks and rock enthusiasts. I expected the audience to remain calm and orderly (as is the way of life here in Japan)...BUT after a few songs the music broke through and I was soon fighting to keep myself upright in the moshpit. The next day I even had to go and replace my shoes as they were ruined :)]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/the-damned-gorilla-hall-osaka https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/tsutenkaku-osaka-japan
The original tower was built in 1912 but after a fire in 1943, a decision was taken to re-purpose the steel in the war effort and a full repair was off the cards. After the war, the citizens of Osaka lobbied to reconstruct the beloved tower, which resulted in the structure we see today appearing in 1956.

I paid around €11 to enter and visit the top where you can take some great city scape photos. There is also an option to take a slide down from the 2nd floor.]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:28:53 +0100 Tsūtenkaku, Osaka, Japan b74d6f47498fdba30463697ff30731ab [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) Tsūtenkaku, Osaka, Japan
The original tower was built in 1912 but after a fire in 1943, a decision was taken to re-purpose the steel in the war effort and a full repair was off the cards. After the war, the citizens of Osaka lobbied to reconstruct the beloved tower, which resulted in the structure we see today appearing in 1956.

I paid around €11 to enter and visit the top where you can take some great city scape photos. There is also an option to take a slide down from the 2nd floor.]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/tsutenkaku-osaka-japan https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/shibuya-crossing-tokyo-japan
During peak times, thousands of pedestrians can cross all at once, yet despite the chaotic appearance, it has a very orderly energy. I doubt such a system would work in Europe.]]> Sat, 19 Sep 2026 07:02:08 +0100 Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, Japan d3cf2e66b321c41aa2f73105b6a6db91 [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, Japan
During peak times, thousands of pedestrians can cross all at once, yet despite the chaotic appearance, it has a very orderly energy. I doubt such a system would work in Europe.]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/shibuya-crossing-tokyo-japan https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/boats-at-carlingford-harbour-county-louth-ireland
I had a walk up to the castle ruins but it's not possible to go inside unless you organise a tour. I was there with my folks meeting my eldest cousin Linda who migrated to Ireland 40 years ago.

Carlingford looked like a really cool town full of lively pubs and it seems a popular desination for hen parties. The atmosphere was probably hightened due to the County Louth mens football team semi-final game against County Mayo taking place the same day. I saw lots of red and white flags, balloons and people wearing t-shirts with the words "An Lú Abú" on the chest. I think it means "Good Luck".]]> Sun, 12 Jul 2026 16:06:06 +0100 Boats at Carlingford harbour, County Louth, Ireland f4b7ac126ade128203600df359deb6ce [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) Boats at Carlingford harbour, County Louth, Ireland
I had a walk up to the castle ruins but it's not possible to go inside unless you organise a tour. I was there with my folks meeting my eldest cousin Linda who migrated to Ireland 40 years ago.

Carlingford looked like a really cool town full of lively pubs and it seems a popular desination for hen parties. The atmosphere was probably hightened due to the County Louth mens football team semi-final game against County Mayo taking place the same day. I saw lots of red and white flags, balloons and people wearing t-shirts with the words "An Lú Abú" on the chest. I think it means "Good Luck".]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/boats-at-carlingford-harbour-county-louth-ireland https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/the-gobbins-islandmagee-northern-ireland
According to our amazing guide (thanks Ian), this short path along the coastline was originally created in 1902 by a visionary railway engineer called Berkeley Deane Wise. It was designed to boost tourism and quickly became an internationally acclaimed attraction. It consists of several suspended bridges which hang around 10 metres above the Irish sea. It's also a great place to see wildlife and we even saw a Puffin.

The tour took about 90 minutes in total. In places the rocky path is very narrow and there is one part where you go down into a small tunnel with a low ceiling. Due to the obvious health and safety risks, hiking boots and a helmet must be worn when on the cliff path.]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:39:41 +0100 The Gobbins, Islandmagee, Northern Ireland f4dd43ce9b31bd2b40f66ba37ed87d99 [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) The Gobbins, Islandmagee, Northern Ireland
According to our amazing guide (thanks Ian), this short path along the coastline was originally created in 1902 by a visionary railway engineer called Berkeley Deane Wise. It was designed to boost tourism and quickly became an internationally acclaimed attraction. It consists of several suspended bridges which hang around 10 metres above the Irish sea. It's also a great place to see wildlife and we even saw a Puffin.

The tour took about 90 minutes in total. In places the rocky path is very narrow and there is one part where you go down into a small tunnel with a low ceiling. Due to the obvious health and safety risks, hiking boots and a helmet must be worn when on the cliff path.]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/the-gobbins-islandmagee-northern-ireland https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/weinstadel-and-water-tower-nurenberg
I took this photo of the famous Weinstadel building (which used to be a wine store but is now student accommodation) from the bridge opposite (Maxbrücke).]]> Thu, 07 May 2026 12:46:00 +0100 Weinstadel and water tower, Nürnberg 74b535bcdc36562e7269e0e63a947ef6 [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) Weinstadel and water tower, Nürnberg
I took this photo of the famous Weinstadel building (which used to be a wine store but is now student accommodation) from the bridge opposite (Maxbrücke).]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/weinstadel-and-water-tower-nurenberg https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/view-from-burj-khalifa-dubai
This photo was taken from the 145th floor by my father and is still twenty floors from the top. To go to the very top you need a premium ticket and we only had the normal ones (thanks dad). It was a relatively clear day and the city below looked like a lego village from above. In addition to being inside the world's tallest building it must have also been my fastest ever elevator journey. It only took about 35 seconds to go from the lobby to level 144 and my ears even popped during the descent.]]> Sun, 23 Nov 2025 04:31:55 +0000 View from Burj Khalifa, Dubai d1832503009db5ff71557f86d8e43670 [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) View from Burj Khalifa, Dubai
This photo was taken from the 145th floor by my father and is still twenty floors from the top. To go to the very top you need a premium ticket and we only had the normal ones (thanks dad). It was a relatively clear day and the city below looked like a lego village from above. In addition to being inside the world's tallest building it must have also been my fastest ever elevator journey. It only took about 35 seconds to go from the lobby to level 144 and my ears even popped during the descent.]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/view-from-burj-khalifa-dubai https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/al-qudra-50km-cycle-track-dubai
Renting Bikes:

The rental service from the Trek Bikes shop at the start was excellent. I reserved two Trek Emonda race bikes (Alu frame, carbon fork, disc brakes) with SPD pedals, helmets and shoes for 6 hours and in total it cost ~ 70 GBP. I did this a week before the trip. The rental service opens at 0530am.

Getting there:

We took a taxi to the track from downtown and we had no problems finding one at 5am. It also only took about 10 minutes to find a taxi to go back to the city although I have heard it can take longer if no drivers are nearby to pick up the fair. The taxi ride took around an hour each way and cost about 40 GBP.

Drinks/Supplies:

There is a supermarket at the start (ZAD's Food Store/ Cafe) which sells coffee, water and all kinds of energy gels and related sports nutrition. I read online that there was nothing but that was untrue.]]> Fri, 21 Nov 2025 02:51:35 +0000 Al Qudra 50km cycle track, Dubai eb789173076943d974eb1c2066e07784 [email protected] (Matthew Fedak) Al Qudra 50km cycle track, Dubai
Renting Bikes:

The rental service from the Trek Bikes shop at the start was excellent. I reserved two Trek Emonda race bikes (Alu frame, carbon fork, disc brakes) with SPD pedals, helmets and shoes for 6 hours and in total it cost ~ 70 GBP. I did this a week before the trip. The rental service opens at 0530am.

Getting there:

We took a taxi to the track from downtown and we had no problems finding one at 5am. It also only took about 10 minutes to find a taxi to go back to the city although I have heard it can take longer if no drivers are nearby to pick up the fair. The taxi ride took around an hour each way and cost about 40 GBP.

Drinks/Supplies:

There is a supermarket at the start (ZAD's Food Store/ Cafe) which sells coffee, water and all kinds of energy gels and related sports nutrition. I read online that there was nothing but that was untrue.]]> https://www.matthewfedak.co.uk/blog/photo/al-qudra-50km-cycle-track-dubai