Car Boot for crazy people

Well when I planned a carboot for November in September I did think the weather may let me down, I thought it may rain. Snow and freezing conditions I didn't expect. So at the start of today with snow still on the ground and car temps registering -14 we ran a car boot. First off my camper van would not start, she prefers the warmth. So everything was rushed into my tiny lupo. About 9 cars arrived, set up ace stalls and then waited! The sun gradually filled the boat yard and our sensation in our feet gradually left us. We made a few sales but found our stalls were icing over. When my left over coffee froze I realised it was time to call it a day and head to the pub. Still it was a fun morning and a great test of our kili clothing!!!

Lathkill dale walk

Today 9 of the gang met at 10:30 in Monyash for a 10 mile walk to Over Haddon and along lathkill dale. There were a couple of very steep bits but overall less than the Eyam walk. However much colder this time and it had started to get dark by the time we got back to Monyash. However the walk was great and it's fab to get to know others on the trip. It's all starting to happen at speed now.

Kili Pub Quiz

Well after much planning the quiz night was a great success as was the raffle. The place was packed out and was a great way of getting what we are doing known as well as having fun. Money is still coming in but looks like it made about £800! I was so manic all night I totally forgot to take any pics. Now just the carboot next weekend.

Last Sunday was the footie match and we started trying to get some group pics, easier said than done!!!

More walking with ma

This week Blacks did us an event night, due to a small visit to Rotherham ED with young Daniel I missed the presentation but was able to purchase a few items as well as a few more when they did a second night at Millets. It was great to have so many assistants available to offer advice and to have the stores all to ourselves. I think I have most things now!

Despite every forecast prior to a walk saying heavy rain once more we were really luck and rain only hit 5 mins after arriving home. The day started fresh and sunny and we went past some beautiful houses and lovely countryside. On the final part we totally lost the path and ended up doing a couple of extra miles on the road but this was all good!

This is also the 3rd weekend with no alcohol! I can feel it doing me good but after some walks a nice glass of wine wouldn't go amiss!!

I'm also doing more at the gym and had a go at Zumba this weekend. Some say you don't need to be co-ordinated to do it, they've never seen me!

I did a trial run of Diamox to see what side effects I have with it. I didn't find it bad at all, the main one was that fizzy drinks tasted vile! 4 months to go! However only 2 weeks until thequiz night, agh!!

Goyt Valley with Pa

Today I left control of the route to Dad. The weather forecast all week said today would be heavy rain and cold. In Buxton this generally means its even worse than you think it will be but no! Today was a beautiful fresh sunny autumn day. Surely this meant that as soon as we set off the cloud would cover the sun and the heavens open? but no, the sun remained throughout and even though the wind was bitter at shining tor once we sat down for lunch we were out of it.

This was a 10 mile walk starting in the valley and heading up to the tor along moorland and then walking past the Cat and Fiddle pub before following the path in a full circle back to Fernilee Resevior. As always recruiting the family makes these walks even more enjoyable. However my hip is now complaining after all this weeks exercise!!! It will just have to cope.

Eyam

Today we did a 12 mile walk in Derbyshire. We started at Eyam with the rain pouring down but as we headed towards Foolow the rain stopped and the sun came out, we then headed up to Bretton edge where we timed it nicely to arrive at the Barrell Inn for a spot of lunch. During this the rain came again but once more after a short walk it stopped. We then headed (after returning to a missed turn) down Brough Clough. This was pretty but MUDDY! Heading down into the valley Caroline went whoosh on to her bum in the mud seconds after stating how slippy it was. We were very helpful and laughed uncontrollably!!

We then found a few steep hills and our way onto Eyam Moor. At this point we were quite tired but the fields went on and on! Eventually we hit the very steep downhill paths. As we came back into Eyam we passed an Alpaca farm. I nearly stole the baby one. Everyone agreed it was a good walk and we took our weary muddly selves home.

The Lakes in Autumn

The final wedding of the year, Nom and Davids, was up in the lakes so what better idea than go up a couple of days early and get a bit of walking in. I decided against Scafell Pike as on my own and not got my head round loss of light times so saving that for when with others (check me out being all sensible!) So I did a 12 mile walk from Bowness to Ambleside (by road this is 5.8 miles bu my walk kept taking me on detours). In Windermere I climbed to Orrest Point to see the 360 degree of Windermere and the Pennines (on a good day!), stunning views.
My boots were really comfortable with my new socks so think I've cracked them. Used my new water system too which apart from a plasticky new taste was fab.
On arrival in Ambleside I had a spot to eat and then caught the boat back to Bowness. Lovely!
The following day I did a walk down memory lane around the beautiful Tarn Hows before meeting up with others to start the decadence of the Wedding!
Now that the beautiful wedding is over its full on with training mode and goodbye to partys! 5 months yesterday is our departure date. Another thing to keep me going is that Birmingham just opened their Teenage Cancer Unit this week so now its Nottinghams turn.
Lucy left for Kili last Tuesday, can't wait to hear all about it when she gets back this week!! (or perhaps ignorance is bliss!)

Fundraising

Well that was a busy week, more social than training but gym sessions def better! With a heavy post hen do hangover we had a group meeting on Sunday and decided deposit amount and how we are going to fundraise. The group fundraising page is set up (it drove me mad doing it!) and several of the group now have their webpages setup.
We now have several charity events organised. I'm doing a pub quiz night on Nov 18th at the Rose and Crown and a Car boot on the 28th, hopefully at the treatment centre. I'm targeting local businesses for raffle prizes and so far have got a meal for 4 a Le Bistrot Pierre plus wine, a crate of wine, hairdressing voucher and some more wine. We targeting everyone and then we need to step up the media campaign. I want a group pic before I start that.
It's Noms wedding next week and then its hello amazon woman!!! (I wish). If the weather stays ok I'll go walking in the lakes if not its the gym! Why it matters about the weather I don't know, its not like we're gonna have normal weather up kili!!!

Birthday walk

The weathers changing now, so raincoats on walks are a must. It's getting darker earlier which means more careful planning. I like my creature comforts too much to be stuck on a moor in the dark. This means the birthday walk I did with Erin on Sunday didn't end up at edale as planned but back on froggat edge. After the next 2 weeks of hen, dos and weddings the real training begins! Had to change sponsor page for teenage trust to virgin giving as the charity prefer it and we can network all our pages. I've set up a quiz night too which just needs a little tweaking (like the date which clashes with Peter Kay!!). It's all happening. Another meeting on Sunday!

Heathers Hen Do

Still full of snot and coughs this weekend has been Heathers hen do! After a very drunken Friday night it was time to recruit the hens for a bit of walking. Lovely day and the walk started off fairly light and very pretty. The instructions then mentioned a gradual climb, they lied. By the top I was covered in alcohol sweat, nice!! Anyway we all made it and it was great fun to be with a group of girlies! The walk went from Tideswell to litton mill and cressbrook and then through loads of fields and woods!

Poorly

Training not going so well this week, full of cold and social life stupidly busy. Always knew Sept was going to be tricky what with all the hen do's birthdays and vanfest but stupid stupid sore throat really ruining the little time I have. Tomorrow is the big info meeting. It's looking like we may take one of the routes up less travelled, therefore more fitness required, aghhh can I do it? Yes I can, just need my body to bounce back!!

More Walking

Well another week of hols so I need to carry on the walking. I admit first half of the week I did good. Gym and this walk, second half gave way to catching up with friends but I think thats a good mix for life!!

I did a level 3 walk from Hartington that was about 8 miles (after going wrong I'd say it was longer!). Quite a pretty walk with a real mixture of weather. I think walking in Dales as a solo walker is a bit boring though! bought some nice cheese as well bonus!!

Helvellyn

It was time to do a proper mountain and the weather was clear and sunny with light rain forecast so I had no excuses. I chose the route from Patterdale which takes you across grizedale and then a steady climb up and across several fields to the start of striding edge. On the final ascent up there are steps in the hill side, these seemed never ending! Just at the start of these the rain fell and swiftly soaked everything and me! Oddly at the top of the steps I finally had phone reception so a little rest before attempting striding edge and a catch up with texts!

A few yards along striding edge and the red tarn comes into view, in photos it looks tiny but it's really a massive tarn at the top of a mountain! Onwards along the edge.

I didn't expect striding edge to be so rocky, as you go along the path disappears and you have to climb over great big sharp rocks which were still nice and slippery from the previous rainfall despite the sun now coming out. It was along here I remembered my fear of heights. Towards the end I could see no path and neither could the people near me. One man led the way and 16 of us found ourselves (having clambered down rocks I didn't think I could get back up) at the top of a 20 foot drop with no easy steps down! Thankfully this man and his son did lots of climbing so with a rope round our waists for security he and his son guided us all down. Nothing like a bit fo bonding on a mountain edge.

Once down my legs were still a bit wobbly and I looked up to the final "scramble" as the guide describes it. About 100 ft of sheer rock climbing with lots of loose scree which was wet help! I didn't want to go up or down.

I started following a couple who looked like they knew what they were doing before I realised they were regular rock climbers and taking the quicker but harder route help!

I joined another route and shortly after joined the family that I had come down the edge with.

Not much further and with absolutely no looking down I made it to the top of Helvellyn. I took a shot over the valley which showed Ullswater and then strolled to the area where there were others to get a pic of me! In these 2 minutes cloud came down and visibility was nothing aghhh!

Photo taken I quickly started my climb down the other side. Helvellyn is a circular walk and the way down despite easier is still a bit of a climb so much of this I did on my bum!

Walking down the hills killed, my legs really weren't happy and when I finally arrived back in Patterdale I was very relieved! An early night for me (asleep by 9.30!) and a couple for days of achy legs followed but at least I did it! It's a start!!

The Lakes

This years hols saw me taking Harriet my camper van on a little tour of Scotland, England and Wales. After a stay in Edinburgh and some fantastic shows at the festival I arrived at Side Farm, Patterdale in the Lake District. Camping on the side of the lake with fantastic views and hills to walk up!

First day here main job, buy some walking boots. After a very scary and long way round to Keswick (damn you sat nav!) I found the people in Cotswolds outdoors to be amazingly helpful and although I know there are cheaper places getting boots that fit is worth paying for that service!

So I now own some fetching clunky size 8 (!!) walking boots complete with insoles to correct my flat feet.

Time for some practice. By the time I got back to the campsite (normal roads taken, third of the time!) the sun was still shining so as the forecast said this was the best day I decided to do the walk that included the trip on the steam boat.

A quick walk to Glenridding (no calf pain, amazing insoles) and I was on the boat. Looked across at the hill opposite and thought "oh look theres a van like mine" took couple of seconds to realise was my van dur, geography really isn't my thing!

The first walk back was a good test of the boots, but the difference was amazing.

I followed this the next day with a walk to the falls and back again. Quite knackering this walking malarky but I'm getting used to it, now for Helvellyn!

Fundraising page up and running!

Well this adds to the seriousness of it all, fundraising page up and running. Until I know on Sept 2nd that I have a seat on that plane I'm not posting it but come Sept 2nd everything will be shouted from the roof tops!

www.justgiving.com/Rohan-Revell

Recruiting the family!

Today mum and Erin joined me on a walk around Youlgreave and Lathkill Dale. This was a really nice river walk and fab to have the family along. We stopped for a sanwich next to the river which we shared with the ducks (fierce little buggers they are!). Only steep bit was the final bit. Learning that steep bits are better at the beginning but guess that doesn't work for Kili!

Decided to do a birthday walk in Edale as I'm away for my birthday. Hoping Erin can also join me in Snowden. Erin took a photo of me when I was still trying to work out if she'd got the camera on properly, I wasn't as grumpy as it looks, honest!!

Now need to set up a sponsorship site for bowel cancer uk!! Wonder how I do a dual one???

The Gym welcomes me back, help!

Despite making it swimming walking and to one class I had yet to make it back into the new swish gym. I'd looked at it down the corridor when I went to boxercise and it seemed to have lots of new high tech things in it. However after doing no exercise since last Tuesday and starting to panic I finally made it back there. Boy does that place need to become my best friend. On a scale of 1-100 with 100 being ready for Kili I've progressed to about 4!!!
But what counteracts depression? yep shopping! I've got my first proper things for Kili. A Grey and pink rucksack (just cos I'm going up a mountain do I have to stop with the pink?), a fleece and t-shirt and some rather exciting hiking socks!! (they're pink and magic and will help me walk further!)
After searching my memory on how to use the machines and then banging some of the weights I thought it best to sign up for a personalised programme. Even better I booked it for Sunday thereby forcing my lazy "it's Sunday, let's chill" ass into the gym again!
Tomorrow it's time to recruit the family for a walk in Youlgreave. Only 1 week till my hols, which means just over a week till I go walking in the Lakes and Snowden! Practice is needed!

Motivation thats what you need!!

OMG one weekend off camping and partying and eating rubbish and I start the week knackered and the boxercise is cancelled and suddenly its Thurs and where is my trainig schedule. Tomorrow the gym is calling!!!

Week 3, return to the gym!

This week me and Lorraine went to kick boxercise. Following this I took 6 hours for my face to return to a vagually normal colour and about 4 days for my body to stop aching!! NO PAIN NO GAIN!

I really want to experience something that is amazing and rewarding and that I can feel I have worked hard to conquer the challenge of but the other side of doing this is because of 2 wonderful people. Well actually more than 2 but these 2 are my main inspirations. In my final year of Uni a friend called Sam was diagnosed with spinal cancer. Sam was a beautiful person, both on the outside and the inside. Sadly Sam lost the fight with cancer. Sam was 21.

The start of the Kilimanjaro walk goes back a couple of years. Two members of the orthopaedic department very sadly lost their beautiful 16 year old daughters very closely to each other. From this stemmed the T annd O Orthopaedics Ball in 2009 followed by the takeover of the playhouse in 2010 for Orthopaedics Got Talent. All in aid of raising funds for a young persons cancer unit whilst having a laugh along the way. This leads onto 2011 and the T and O does Kilimanjaro challenge. The funds I raise for the young persons unit will for me be in Sams memory.

The other person who inspires me to tackle Kilimanjaro is an amazing friend and young mum, Claire Knowles.

I've known Claire for about 10 years since moving to Nottingham. We shared VW shows and crazy camping weekends. After Uni Claire moved away and had a fab little boy called Isaac with her Fiancee Jon, also a VW person. About 2 and half years ago this young family moved back to Nottingham. Very soon after Claire was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Her initial surgery was at Queens Medical Centre. The date for her op was 4 weeks following being told she'd need surgery. However very typical of Claire rather than concentrate on this Claire instead decided it was about time that fiancee of hers became her husband! So first week, wedding planned, 2nd week hen do (and yes we queue jumped by telling the bouncers the hen had cancer, well what other perks are there of this evil disease???). The weekend before Claires admission dawned a sunny July day. All those with VW's ribboned up and joined Claire and Jon and Isaac as they became man and wife. The convoy of VW's then drove to Sawley for the reception with people waving at us along the way. The reception was fantastic.

Claire had her surgery but didn't tell the ward staff that she was no longer Miss Wheeler but now Mrs Knowles!

Claires treatment carried on over the summer and once it was over we threw a suprise party for her in the same location as her wedding reception. Claire enjoyed this so much she fell over and broke her wrist. She now spent a couple of weeks under the care of the same person who has arranged the kili climb, Tony Westbrook!

A couple of months following this Claire had another surprise for us. Claire was pregnant!! The spitting image of Isaac arrived on January 1st this year. Little Eddie is like his brother, a cheery, cheeky chappie!

A routine scan in February sadly showed a tumour between her kidney and bladder too large to operate on. This meant as well as juggling a young family that Claire was now organising baby feeds with Chemo and radiotherapy.

Claire has remained positive and funny throughout. I don't know how. I accompanied her on one day of appointments and was shocked how much waiting and waiting there is for a cancer sufferer.

This takes me up to the present. I always wanted something I could do to raise money for bowel cancer and now Claire has another fight that needs everyones help. Her consultant has recommended a drug that he believes Claire will respond well to but one which is too expensive for the PCT's to pay for and so even though Claire is a young, healthy mum they won't pay for.

This week Care for Claire was established. 3 days on facebook has resulted in over 300 members but we need to get Claires story out there so my main inspiration for getting my fat, unfit arse up Kili is a wicked friend who has been fighting a way bigger thing than walking up a small mountain!

There are now three ways of showing your support for this lovely lady. The facebook site,

www.tinyurl.com/careforclaire

or on twitter as #careforclaire,

or on her website http://www.careforclaire.com/

So that's why you will find me at the top of Kilimanjaro however much it hurts!! x

Kinder Scout

The following day we walked up to kinder scout. This walk went higher and for longer but the climb for the majority was more gradual. This time my legs eased up after abou 45 mins! We chose the route that followed the river. For someone as accident prone as me this meant about 4 falls and one nearly in the river! The last bit of this climb was REALLY steep. I had to do this on hands and knees with images of me falling down the mountain (in my head at this stage it was a mountain!) and being rescued by mountain rescue!! The view from the top was stunning though and worth the climb.

We then continued with the stunning views by walking along the pennine way. Eventually the pub was calling so we followed the path downwards. Well we followed the path for 20 yards before Damian convinced us to follow a path that was "on the map!". This really wasn't a path but weary limbs made it to the pub and again that was a well received pint!!!

Week 2!

Well time is already flying. Once my Trauma Conference was finished it was time to get on with some more walking! I joined the newlyweds, Lorraine and Damian for a mainly sunny weekend in Edale, Derbyshire. On theFriday we walked up a very steep hill from Edale to Castleton for a couple of pints and then staggered in the evening sun back over to the campsite.

I found this very hard going on my calves and hips! At the top of the hill I posed on this monument. I tried to climb it but failed! Damian then proceeded to casually walk up it! However Damian also made friends with a sheep at the top of this hill. I think this sheep may have previously been a dog!!

Lets start at the very beginning!

When I first heard the rumours of T and O does Kilimanjaro for charity I thought "well thats one I won't be joining in with!"

When I got the email with more details I suddenly started to see what an amazing opportunity this would be, to climb to the roof of Africa. This would raise money for Cancer charities and would be an amazing bonding experience for the unit but for me personally would be an extreme challenge.

My body has not seen a gym in years. I have shied away from difficult walks and exercise in the knowledge that I have gone so far away from fitness that the climb to start it again is massive.

I have lost the motivation to get fit.

Suddenly I can see myself doing this, see myself pushing myself and see myself getting fitter.

Several of my friends do great trips each year, they've seen the wonders of the world, they've shaken gorillas hands but I haven't been outside of Europe. I mainly holiday in grassy fields with my vw camper van and friends. This for me will be the experience of a lifetime.

I am determined, I am fired up, I am nervous and as I write this I am totally seized up!!

I have started my exercise regime this weekend and boy don't I know it.

Gym joined help! So Friday saw me swimming lengths and the only fair competition were swimming for free as they were OAP's! However I set myself a target and then beat it.

Saturday saw my first real hill walking, Lins and Matt (Kili climbed '08 for them!) joined me in the Derbyshire Dales. We set off from Baslow and up to Curbar Edge. The hill was killing my calfs. My right ankle kept giving way, if this was so difficult how am I ever going to be fit?? However my motivators were fab and the views from the top were spectacular. The wild chappie seen in the picture I didn't expect to see but made me realise that even when you get out on your own doorstep you see wonderful examples of nature that you don't expect. If he's in Derbyshire what on earth will I see in Africa!?

So I put in a good 4 hours of walking and woke this morning stiff as! Oh good today was race for life! I chose to do this years race for life at kedleston hall as all the rest clashed with vw shows or social life (get me!). I'm not even going to mention the queue in and out beyond the fact I spent 4 hours at a standstill today! I finally got out of the car as the 2nd race set off 1hr 15 after it was meant to. I tried to swiftly get to the start line but oh no my legs and ankles were sore and seized eek! Nothing for it but to speed walk this year! Good job I did. The race zig zagged up a steep hill which was excellent for my kili training!

I've spent most of this weekend red faced and sweating and now sore and stiff but the buzz within me is amazing.

Cancer is the only thing in life that truly is not prejudiced. Therefore its an enemy of us all that we should all fight. I've lost good friends and I've watched good friends fight this enemy but until we all unite it continues to take loved ones. (Ithought this half way along the race today as I read signs that showed love and pain and talked of little ones sprinkling fairy dust even though they were gone!). It's a cheesy thing to say but if I can raise some money for cancer, experience a once in a life time experience and who knows get fitter and thinner then count me in!! The journey begins!!