Sorry that last blog I had to send quick as the ferry was setting off and I was starting to feel queasy.
The tum has settled a bit now.
Have caught up on a loads of your comments and than you for them. Your positive thoughts while I was on the last mountain def helped. I simply had to have my head down, lean into the driving rain and counted sets of 50 steps. It's the only way I managed it. At the start of the walk after the additional 5km I had a bit of a weep feeling very down and was hard pressed no to just stop at the campsite. The thought of all of your sponsorship money and support are the only reason I managed the last one. By the time I got to the top most of the group were lurching around like zombies. A few photos, handshakes, and tears were taken and then we all turned around and just wanted to get back down and in dry clothes.
So that's it folks. It was on hell of a 55 hours roller coaster of not knowing what time of day or night it was and just moving forwards.
Never ever again...
Sunday 8 July 2012
Finished and on the way home
What a day yesterday was.
7 hours of hideous coach journey with no sleep again. Then when we arrived at the campsite the coaches couldn't do the last 5km so we had to walk that before doing the actual walk. I could have wept.
The hill was severe with low cloud high winds and driving rain again. I can safely say it was tough and a simple trudge one foot in front of the other. I just wanted it to be over and was pleased to get back down to the tents. We finished in 54 hours and 55 minutes. So we managed the 55 hours despite the extra 5km.
The evening meal was a hog roast which was much appreciated. Most of us were then crashed out by 8pm. In 55 hours I'd got 4 hours catnaps on the coaches donut was a challenge of sleep depravation as much as the walking.
Am now on the ferry back to Holyhead. Can't wait to get home but it be getting on for midnight with the 6.5 hour drive.
Thank you so much to all for your sponsorship and support I honesty wouldnt have finished it without all your comments.
7 hours of hideous coach journey with no sleep again. Then when we arrived at the campsite the coaches couldn't do the last 5km so we had to walk that before doing the actual walk. I could have wept.
The hill was severe with low cloud high winds and driving rain again. I can safely say it was tough and a simple trudge one foot in front of the other. I just wanted it to be over and was pleased to get back down to the tents. We finished in 54 hours and 55 minutes. So we managed the 55 hours despite the extra 5km.
The evening meal was a hog roast which was much appreciated. Most of us were then crashed out by 8pm. In 55 hours I'd got 4 hours catnaps on the coaches donut was a challenge of sleep depravation as much as the walking.
Am now on the ferry back to Holyhead. Can't wait to get home but it be getting on for midnight with the 6.5 hour drive.
Thank you so much to all for your sponsorship and support I honesty wouldnt have finished it without all your comments.
Saturday 7 July 2012
Donnard done
It's just gone 12 midnight and we are off to the last peak in southern Ireland. Due to be a 7am set off.
Donnard was hideous but mainly cos of the weather. By halfway up it was gale force winds and driving rain. We were holding on to the lighter people.
So the coach is now steaming.
My feet are falling apart but I've decided to keep my inner socks on this time. I'm concerned if I pull them off that lots of foot will come off with them. So they'll have to stay on till the end.
So unbelievably just one more to do. The pace is once again going to have to be brutal to get in the 55 hours. This has been an amazing challenge and has done so in more ways than one but I'll be damn glad to see my little tent tomorrow afternoon and know its all over.
I may not get another blog done for a while as I don't know what the Internet ignal is like in S Ireland or what the roaming charges are. So bear with me.
Now time to once again try to get some sleep sat upright in a cramped coach seat. Oh just to be able to lay flat and stretch my legs out.
Love to you all
Come on Mr B nearly there.
Donnard was hideous but mainly cos of the weather. By halfway up it was gale force winds and driving rain. We were holding on to the lighter people.
So the coach is now steaming.
My feet are falling apart but I've decided to keep my inner socks on this time. I'm concerned if I pull them off that lots of foot will come off with them. So they'll have to stay on till the end.
So unbelievably just one more to do. The pace is once again going to have to be brutal to get in the 55 hours. This has been an amazing challenge and has done so in more ways than one but I'll be damn glad to see my little tent tomorrow afternoon and know its all over.
I may not get another blog done for a while as I don't know what the Internet ignal is like in S Ireland or what the roaming charges are. So bear with me.
Now time to once again try to get some sleep sat upright in a cramped coach seat. Oh just to be able to lay flat and stretch my legs out.
Love to you all
Come on Mr B nearly there.
Friday 6 July 2012
Northern Ireland is here
Well here I am driving through NI. Next peak ascent starts at 7pm and have to be down by midnight then it's a seven hour drive the the last one. To achieve the 55 hours we've got to get to the top of the last one by 11am tomorrow
Ferry trip ok. Only an hour and despite a fair bit of rocking I managed to cram some pasta down and catch a 20 min power nap. Eyes are heavy but mind is willing. This next one is the easiest of the lot so should be fine though the pace is gonna be strict.
Now have 6 toes strapped up and one nail on the way out so the attrition rate is doable for the next two.
It's now time to dig deep concentrate on one step in front of the other and help each other.
Interestingly noone I've spoken to so far would ever attempt this again. Says it al I think. Over two thirds of the group are squadies of one form or another and everyone is finding it tough.
Right back to try to catch another 20 mins coach nap before game time.
Hugs to you all especially my star on a stormy night and my Fredster.
Ferry trip ok. Only an hour and despite a fair bit of rocking I managed to cram some pasta down and catch a 20 min power nap. Eyes are heavy but mind is willing. This next one is the easiest of the lot so should be fine though the pace is gonna be strict.
Now have 6 toes strapped up and one nail on the way out so the attrition rate is doable for the next two.
It's now time to dig deep concentrate on one step in front of the other and help each other.
Interestingly noone I've spoken to so far would ever attempt this again. Says it al I think. Over two thirds of the group are squadies of one form or another and everyone is finding it tough.
Right back to try to catch another 20 mins coach nap before game time.
Hugs to you all especially my star on a stormy night and my Fredster.
At the ferry
We are at the ferry at last. There are assorted toenails coming off. One guy just walked to the loo in socks and left a bloody footprint. The whole thing has been brutal.
Two more to go. The next at 7pm is the smallest so will hopefully fly by. Then the last one is a bit of a bitch apparently but then it'll be the last one.
Just praying that the see is calm. Am
Already feeling sick as a dog from fatigue and the coach. Last thing I need is to lose any food now. Am downing electrolyte drinks by the gallon. Problem is once again am feeling too sick to eat and yet need to. Perhaps I'll wait till after the ferry just in case.
We are all hot, tired, sweaty and in need of a shower. None of those till the end of tomorrow though. I'm sick of baby wipe baths lol.
This has certainly been a challenge so far and I won't be repeating it.
Will wait till on the ferry and I'll get more ibuprofen gel on my knees and pills down too.
Once we've done this next one then it's a loooooong 7 hour drive to the south peak. We're still on target for a 55 hour goal but it's going to be tight.
Keep sending positive vibes. Prob wont get another blog done till tomorrow morning now.
So chip chip everyone. I'm still here still smiling (just). These next two are def going to be a team effort.
Two more to go. The next at 7pm is the smallest so will hopefully fly by. Then the last one is a bit of a bitch apparently but then it'll be the last one.
Just praying that the see is calm. Am
Already feeling sick as a dog from fatigue and the coach. Last thing I need is to lose any food now. Am downing electrolyte drinks by the gallon. Problem is once again am feeling too sick to eat and yet need to. Perhaps I'll wait till after the ferry just in case.
We are all hot, tired, sweaty and in need of a shower. None of those till the end of tomorrow though. I'm sick of baby wipe baths lol.
This has certainly been a challenge so far and I won't be repeating it.
Will wait till on the ferry and I'll get more ibuprofen gel on my knees and pills down too.
Once we've done this next one then it's a loooooong 7 hour drive to the south peak. We're still on target for a 55 hour goal but it's going to be tight.
Keep sending positive vibes. Prob wont get another blog done till tomorrow morning now.
So chip chip everyone. I'm still here still smiling (just). These next two are def going to be a team effort.
Tough Nevis
Well that's the three peaks done and dusted. Just two more to go.
I am never ever ever ever doing Ben Nevis again. What a relentless lump of hell it was. It just kept going and going. With the lack of sleep adding to it.
Last night was hellish. None of us got
Much sleep as he aircon on the coach is broken an so it was like a sauna. Hideous. We are all trying to get some
Now on the way to the ferry.
Just stopped at a morrisons in the middle I nowhere for a pity shop. So they've been cleaned out of plasters and ibuprofen. I had to get some Savlon. You don't want to know.
So this is a quick One I'm afraid as I need more sleep if possible before the havoc at the ferry.
Thanks to all of you for your comments on here and FB. They definitely help.
I am never ever ever ever doing Ben Nevis again. What a relentless lump of hell it was. It just kept going and going. With the lack of sleep adding to it.
Last night was hellish. None of us got
Much sleep as he aircon on the coach is broken an so it was like a sauna. Hideous. We are all trying to get some
Now on the way to the ferry.
Just stopped at a morrisons in the middle I nowhere for a pity shop. So they've been cleaned out of plasters and ibuprofen. I had to get some Savlon. You don't want to know.
So this is a quick One I'm afraid as I need more sleep if possible before the havoc at the ferry.
Thanks to all of you for your comments on here and FB. They definitely help.
Thursday 5 July 2012
Sunny at Chorley
Sun and blue skies as we drive passed Chorley on the M6. Look a bit black where we are heading. Fingers crossed an keep your sunshine dancin going.
Snowdon was an interesting experience as I've never done fell walking in the dark. My Freddie-winter-walking head torch worked really well. Good to know as most of Ben Nevis will be in the dark. It was a weird sight seeing a line of almost 100 torches snaking up a mountain.
Apologies of course for any spelling mistakes. A combination of bouncy coach and tired head is not a good mix. It'll probably get worse as the challenge goes on. Maybe of I can get somewhere quiet like on the ferry I can give Siri a go.
Sleep is eluding me as usual since the long legs are crammed in to a coach seat. Pain levels are manageable at the moment though the fatigue is setting in. Hopefully once we get to Seathwaite and gets started the adrenalin will kick in again. Determined not to take painkillers too early.
Blue sky now gone. Hey ho. Time to try the eyes closed thing again.
Chin chin everyone. Mines a Guinness if you are getting one in.
Snowdon was an interesting experience as I've never done fell walking in the dark. My Freddie-winter-walking head torch worked really well. Good to know as most of Ben Nevis will be in the dark. It was a weird sight seeing a line of almost 100 torches snaking up a mountain.
Apologies of course for any spelling mistakes. A combination of bouncy coach and tired head is not a good mix. It'll probably get worse as the challenge goes on. Maybe of I can get somewhere quiet like on the ferry I can give Siri a go.
Sleep is eluding me as usual since the long legs are crammed in to a coach seat. Pain levels are manageable at the moment though the fatigue is setting in. Hopefully once we get to Seathwaite and gets started the adrenalin will kick in again. Determined not to take painkillers too early.
Blue sky now gone. Hey ho. Time to try the eyes closed thing again.
Chin chin everyone. Mines a Guinness if you are getting one in.
Snowdon done
That's Snowdon done and dusted. We hit the top at 5:10am having taken 2 hours 10 mins to make the ascent.
We are now in the on the way to the Lakes.
Out of the 97 starters we've already lost 5 people. Some were def not prepared.
Having said that the leaders are setting a hell of a pace so much so that on the way up I got a stitch. Not many could keep that pace up and it's going to be the same for Scafell Pike next. Thankfully the rain held off for this one but it's def raining at scafell.
The coach is ripe already and their promise of two seats each hasn't come true. It's tightly packed and smelly.
Have got a niggle in left shin that I need to keep my eye on and have taped up 2 toes for the next fell that are beginning to feel tender.
Main issue now is trying to eat enough as really don't feel like it but gotta get the fuel in. So I've stuffed down a few bits for now. I'm going to try to catch some zzzz once I've sent this and then eat some more before we arrive.
If they keep this pace up it's going to be really tough. Feel fine after Snowdon but four stil to go.
I left one of my five wrist bands on the top so only four left.
I think the next one is supposed to be the breaker especially with the rain. God knows what this coach will be like once we are all back on with wet gear. Good job this blog isn't scratch and sniff.
So snooze time now and then get ready for the next beasting.
See you on the other side.
We are now in the on the way to the Lakes.
Out of the 97 starters we've already lost 5 people. Some were def not prepared.
Having said that the leaders are setting a hell of a pace so much so that on the way up I got a stitch. Not many could keep that pace up and it's going to be the same for Scafell Pike next. Thankfully the rain held off for this one but it's def raining at scafell.
The coach is ripe already and their promise of two seats each hasn't come true. It's tightly packed and smelly.
Have got a niggle in left shin that I need to keep my eye on and have taped up 2 toes for the next fell that are beginning to feel tender.
Main issue now is trying to eat enough as really don't feel like it but gotta get the fuel in. So I've stuffed down a few bits for now. I'm going to try to catch some zzzz once I've sent this and then eat some more before we arrive.
If they keep this pace up it's going to be really tough. Feel fine after Snowdon but four stil to go.
I left one of my five wrist bands on the top so only four left.
I think the next one is supposed to be the breaker especially with the rain. God knows what this coach will be like once we are all back on with wet gear. Good job this blog isn't scratch and sniff.
So snooze time now and then get ready for the next beasting.
See you on the other side.
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Meal done
That's the meal done along with the safety briefing. Full roast in the middle of a field. Nothing like slumming it.
So now to bed. It's going to be a 1:30am alarm call. Eeek
Just also been told that the coaches being used dont have loos onboard so I'm having major panics about that.
Met an ex-para who also has ME so that's been good having a chat and symptom swap.
Night night all.
So now to bed. It's going to be a 1:30am alarm call. Eeek
Just also been told that the coaches being used dont have loos onboard so I'm having major panics about that.
Met an ex-para who also has ME so that's been good having a chat and symptom swap.
Night night all.
First camp
Just a quickie to say I'm at the first campsite and settling in. Need to scout around and find the loo. Essentials first of course!!!
Speak more soon.
Speak more soon.
Nearly time
Nearly time to set off from the hotel to the long stay car park.
It's belting it down out there, hopefully it's not a sign of things to come.
So I'm repacked. Everything is in ziplock bags and sorted in to various rucksack pockets.
I've been checking the 5 Peaks Facebook page and it looks like there will be at least one of the teams of four catching the same train as me. They've said to look out for four guys in flip flops standing in the wrong platform. Hahaha
So it'll be nice to meet some fellow challengers at last. I'll be easy to spot as I'm sure I'll be the only one with a proper shepherds crook rather than a fancy pantsy walking pole. It was a 21st birthday pressie made by my dad and I've never climb a mountain without it since.
Feeling nervous now due to the waiting. I just want to get on with it now but the train isn't until 12:39 so a while to wait yet. The main thing is not to miss it as its a 2 hour wait till the next. Will park up around 11:30 then short park and ride to station so plan is to be on the platform for 12 noon and then settle in on the track with my book. That way it can't go passed without me.
Will be happier once I'm there and registered and got my stuff in my allocated tent. That way I can repack everything with walking gear out and ready. Then I can get out and about and mingle. I know it's a shocker, me, mingling.
It's belting it down out there, hopefully it's not a sign of things to come.
So I'm repacked. Everything is in ziplock bags and sorted in to various rucksack pockets.
I've been checking the 5 Peaks Facebook page and it looks like there will be at least one of the teams of four catching the same train as me. They've said to look out for four guys in flip flops standing in the wrong platform. Hahaha
So it'll be nice to meet some fellow challengers at last. I'll be easy to spot as I'm sure I'll be the only one with a proper shepherds crook rather than a fancy pantsy walking pole. It was a 21st birthday pressie made by my dad and I've never climb a mountain without it since.
Feeling nervous now due to the waiting. I just want to get on with it now but the train isn't until 12:39 so a while to wait yet. The main thing is not to miss it as its a 2 hour wait till the next. Will park up around 11:30 then short park and ride to station so plan is to be on the platform for 12 noon and then settle in on the track with my book. That way it can't go passed without me.
Will be happier once I'm there and registered and got my stuff in my allocated tent. That way I can repack everything with walking gear out and ready. Then I can get out and about and mingle. I know it's a shocker, me, mingling.
Tuesday 3 July 2012
Holyhead
I've arrived at Holyhead. It's a good job I brought my bikini as its blue skies here with palm trees and azure sea. Oh sorry I'd gone to a happy place. It's thick black skies and rain. The travellodge it has to be said is an absolute tip. Hey ho it's a bed for the night.
Let's face it it's going to be the most comfy bed I get till Sunday night so I'd best make the most of it.
The drive up was uneventful and the Clive Cussler audio book helped the miles go by.
I've recce'd the long stay carpark ready for tomorrow so I know where I'm going.
I'm going to unpack and repack everything this evening to make sure all my bits and bobs are in the right places. Then it'll be an early night to try to recover from the drive.
Tomorrow is then a drive to the car park and a train to Betws y Coed. From there it's a short minibus ride to the starting campsite and registration. It'll be nice to get there and meet my fellow nutters. I'll then be blogging whenever I get a signal.
Still praying for less rain than we've had.
http://www.bmycharity.com/5PeaksChallenge
Let's face it it's going to be the most comfy bed I get till Sunday night so I'd best make the most of it.
The drive up was uneventful and the Clive Cussler audio book helped the miles go by.
I've recce'd the long stay carpark ready for tomorrow so I know where I'm going.
I'm going to unpack and repack everything this evening to make sure all my bits and bobs are in the right places. Then it'll be an early night to try to recover from the drive.
Tomorrow is then a drive to the car park and a train to Betws y Coed. From there it's a short minibus ride to the starting campsite and registration. It'll be nice to get there and meet my fellow nutters. I'll then be blogging whenever I get a signal.
Still praying for less rain than we've had.
http://www.bmycharity.com/5PeaksChallenge
Monday 2 July 2012
Last night
This is the last night before the beginning. I'm setting off tomorrow morning for the long trek to Holyhead. Everything is packed but the toothbrush.
Looking outside and it's raining again. Hey ho. Think it's going to be a wet one. Maybe time to try mountain walking in a wetsuit or even better a drysuit.
Will keep you posted.
Looking outside and it's raining again. Hey ho. Think it's going to be a wet one. Maybe time to try mountain walking in a wetsuit or even better a drysuit.
Will keep you posted.
Sunday 1 July 2012
Wow
Wow. I've just looked on my sponsorship page and two anonymous people have put on £30 and £470 respectively. Thank you whoever you are.
Only 3 days to go
Well there's only three days to go till the challenge. I'm pretty much packed and ready to roll. So I'll be setting off on Tuesday to drive to Holyhead. Then it's a train to the start on wednesday ready for the 2am start in Thursday morning.
I need all of you doing anti-rain dances as its looking grim. It's going to be tough enough without needing a wetsuit to walk in.
Just before I go it's my lovely wife's birthday. So a meal out is in the offing tomorrow.
I need all of you doing anti-rain dances as its looking grim. It's going to be tough enough without needing a wetsuit to walk in.
Just before I go it's my lovely wife's birthday. So a meal out is in the offing tomorrow.
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