Salisbury 54321 challenge

On 11th August I completed the longest training session to date - a 30k walk organised by Salisbury fire station! Was a lovely day and actually ended up getting a little sunburnt.

The walk started at Salisbury fire station and went first to Old Sarum which is the original site of Salisbury:

 

We also went to some private estates which aren't normally open to the public. The prettiest was Longford Castle near Alderbury

We had lunch en route to Harnham and the racecourse down some quiet lanes back through the centre of Salisbury and obviously had to go past the cathedral!

The feet and legs were aching towards the end of our trek which took over 7 hours but pleased to say I made it and china feels that one step closer!

Stour Valley Way

Need to really crack on with the training so set out today on a longish walk along the Stour Valley Way which I am lucky enough to be able to get to straight from the house using the public footpaths.  Weather was beautifully hot so decided not to take Bailey which was a good decision as came across a couple of non dog-friendly stiles.

The Way is supposed to be along the Stour river but the section near me doesn't go as close to the river itself as I was hoping.  Thought I would also use this an opportunity to try out Rob's SLR camera to see if I can get to grips with it in time for September and take it with me.

This is the short section next the river:

but most of the walk was along small B road and fields like this:

After a couple of hours, I stopped off for some quick refreshment (and toilet break!) at a local hostelry before heading back.

My favourite picture, ironically, was taken in the field behind the house where I came across a calf by himself which became very curious in me and came over as I started taking photos of him.  I think if I had stayed, he would have come right up next to me but I could hear mummy cow bellowing behind me as she came into the field so exited left sharpish!

All in all, quite pleased with the effort as I managed just over 16 kms in about 4 hours.  Am shattered now but it does drive home the need for the training.  I also need to find some hill walks as it was much flatter than the Great Wall will be!



Gym

Have started going to the gym during the week as there isn't enough time to do a proper long walk.  Must admit that my induction was so funny.  The gym instructor wanted to push me particularly developing the muscles I'll need for all of the steps on the wall.  Unfortunately, he overdid it over the squats and I could barely walk back to the car as my legs felt so wobbly!

The move!

It's been radio silence for ages.  It didn't help that we now live in the middle of no where and it took ages to get connected to broadband.  I have been keeping up with the training now and have been on some lovely walks.

 

These are some photos from the Deverills which are only 5-10 minutes drive from the house.

Abseil - we did it!

I am so chuffed that everyone managed to make it on Sunday and we all completed the abseil!  The cliff was part of an old quarry and was about 70-80 feet high (25 metres).  After being kitted up in harnesses and helmets, we walked up a little track up the side of the quarry to get to the top which was hard going in itself!

Given that I had organised the abseil and persuaded everyone to join in, I was nominated to go first!  The only problem being that I was easily the most scared but at least it eased the pressure for everyone coming after me!  Below are a few photos at the top - I'm not sure how well I hid the fear...

However, I knew that everyone had been so supportive so I didn't really have a choice - I had to do it.  So, I screwed up my courage and went for it!

I struggled with the technique of abseiling and seemed to either stop or hurtle to my death (or so it felt!).  I was so scared that I didn't look down the entire way so the landing came as bit of a surprise...

I have some video which I need to edit which shows me letting out a very undignified squeal at the end!  Everyone else then followed with much more grace to show how it was done!  Really proud and appreciative of all of the support that people have shown.

Fancy winning £20 on the Grand National?

I am running a sweepstake for the Grand National which takes place this Saturday 6th April.  It costs £2 to enter per horse.  I will pick a horse out of the hat for you and let you know which is yours before the big race.  The person holding the winning horse will win £20 and the balance will go towards the fundraising for the Genesis Research Trust.  To enter, all you need to do is donate £2 by clicking the justgiving link on this page or sending a text to 'CHNA79 £2' to 70070.  Put 'Grand National' in the comments on the justgiving page or send an e-mail to me at rebeccalouisesmall@gmail.com so that I know what it is for.  Some of the favourites are left such as Colbert Station and Imperial Commander so you are in with a chance!

West Lavington and Salisbury Plain Walk

Thought I would get the Easter weekend off to a good start with a walk - got to start the fitness training at some point.  Started at a little layby just off the main road in West Lavington, along the Wessex Ridgeway onto the Imber Perimeter Path then back into West Lavington.  Total of 6 miles which took just under 2 and a half hours.  The details of the walk are here.

Huffed and puffed my way round but made it without being too tired so seems to be a good base line.  The hardest bit was this hill on the Wesex Ridgeway where it joins the Imber Perimeter Path.

Beautiful views but it was freezing on the perimeter path.  Mind you, it was pretty cold down in the valley as well!  Bailey had to break the ice on this puddle to have a drink (and generally get nice and muddy).

Back in time to carry on with the packing - what fun...

Who can spare £2?

I know that it is difficult to find spare cash at the moment and sometimes it seems like everyone is asking for their share.  That is why I have decided to ask people for a low donation in the hope that many more will feel like they are able to spare £2 for a great cause.  My goal is therefore to ask 1,000 people to donate £2 each.  I have sent out e-mails today to many of my contacts and have already had some lovely responses.  I am also asking people to share this page and my justgiving page so that as many people as possible have the chance to participate.

First Few Donations

All very exciting - the first few donations on our team justgiving page for the abseil!  Always so touching to see how supportive people can be especially when from unexpected corners.  Thanks Mum and Dad for being the first - lol!

Here is the link to the team page Mendips Abseil

Thanks also to Donna and Paul for reposting the team page onto facebook.  Hopefully it will all gain momentum.

E-bay Queen

I have spent ages yesterday and today putting 30 cross stitch kits and charts onto ebay - thank you Mum for the donations!  Really chuffed that about half of the ones that were put on yesterday have already had bids on.  E-bay makes it easy if you are selling for charity as you just click on the correct charity and they will also waive the same percentage of fees that you are donating so I get to sell them for free as all of the proceeds are going to the charity.  It evens puts details about the Genesis Research Trust on the listing which looks really good. The real pain is taking them all to the post office in a weeks time but it will all be worth it!

More willing participants!

The abseil is getting closer!  Another willing volunteer this morning bringing our total up to 9!

Feeling Positive

I have been worried about being able to raise the funds in time but am feeling a bit more positive today.  The abseil has gone into the paper and someone contacted me wanting to join in!  I have created a team just giving page for everyone so fingers crossed!  The link is here: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/MendipsAbseil

Help - Abseil booked!

The biggest challenge with the trip is to raise the sponsorship money.  As a big push I am going to do an abseil on 7th April - it is all booked.  Based near Wells, it is down a 25 metre cliff - help!  This is a big deal for me given that a couple of years ago I had to get rescued from the go ape climbing centre in Milton Keynes!



Obviously I will be asking for sponsorship but I am also hoping to raise money by asking people to join in with me.  The company doing the abseil caps the cost for charities so if more people join in then the balance can go to the charity.  A few brave souls have 'volunteered' but I have offered it up to people at work plus issued two press releases!

Aching legs

Been out for my second jog and my legs are aching!  Not getting any faster or longer but I am learning how to jog on the spot whilst Bailey pees on every lamp post...

Started to sort through all the accumulated junk that has piled up in the spare room to see what we can take a car boot sale or put onto ebay.  Overwhelming how much fundraising needs to happen in such a short space of time!

What a difference sunshine makes!

The sun was shining, the birds singing and hardly anyone about (the plumber decided 8.30am on a Saturday morning was a good time to replace the dishwasher so I left Rob to it and took Bailey for his walk).

Decided to walk to the Kennet and Avon Canal past the old athletics track at Bowerhill.  Fields were boggy but at least I didn't get stuck like last weekend!  Still need wellies near any choke points:

There was a very unhappy cow in the barn of the farmyard that the footpath took me through but the canal was lovely and quiet - and only a few puddles.  Beautiful with the winter sun still low in the sky.

I didn't mind throwing all the balls into the canal for Bailey but did quite a little fed up of having to drag a soaking wet dog out of the canal when he struggled to get out when a little tired!

We were out for 2 and a half hours so not bad as the second weekend of training.  Only problem is that canals are very flat whereas China looks very hilly!  Got to start walking up hills and get fitter.  I think it was about 5 or 6 miles so not particularly quick either!  Mind you, stopping to throw balls must have considerably added to the time.  Was certainly a good way to keep the dog quiet for the rest of day!

 

Jogging - me?

Part of the physical challenge is to get fit generally and to lose weight.  My goal is to lose 4 stone by the trek and I am well on my way.  I joined Slimming World a couple of weeks ago and have lost 6 pounds so far.

Jogging is one of the best ways to get fit quickly so I have decided to give it a go!  My first session below:

Yes, I know I am wrapped up like a yeti but it was January!  Really need to try harder - was only out for 20 minutes and could only manage jogging for 2 minutes at a time but it is a start!  Need to work out how to jog on the spot so Bailey (aka 'Sir Pees a lot') can cock his leg every 30 seconds without me dragging him on mid-pee!

A dubious start to training...

You would think that with a bouncy 3 year old Labrador that I would already be reasonably fit - um, no!  The recent mud has discouraged me from venturing further afield recently so my exercise has consisted of pottering round the rugby field whilst throwing balls for Bailey to chase!

Last weekend I thought I should put more effort in given that I shall have to trek for up to 8 hours a day in the not too distant future.  I therefore intending follow the River Avon across the fields which is a walk I was doing regularly in the summer and only took an hour or so - a reasonable beginning?

Unfortunately, the mud was worse than I thought across the top field.  Discretion being the better part of valour I decided to go round the edge of the field rather than following the public footpath across the middle.

However, there was a large calf-deep puddle at one end of the field which I needed to go around.  10 paces into the field and that was it - irretrievably stuck!  I had sank in the mud to over my ankles.  I could just about lift one welly from the mud but that meant puttingall  my weight onto the other foot which sank further and further into the mud.  After about 10 minutes of laughing hysterically whilst pulling on my wellies, I realised there was nothing else for it.  I carefully lifted each foot out of its welly, removed the sock and rolled up my trousers then stepped into the mud.  I only just about managed to heave each welly out of the mud then squelched my way barefoot across the rest of the field!

Let's hope future walks let me come home cleaner than the dog!

I've booked it!

After a few days of consideration, I have booked myself onto the 'Great Wall of Discovery' trek with Charity Challenge and paid the first part of the deposit. 

Just dawning on me how much work I will have to put it to both raise the sponsorship and get fit in just over 7 months!  Luckily, I have great friends and family who I am sure will help me.