May 12, 2010 at 7:24 pm
· Filed under Offa's Dyke 4 MS
I have been a bad blogger….. I had big plans for loads of blog posts relating to the Offa’s Dyke challenge I finished in April – however I haven’t done any of them (sorry about that!).
I would like to argue there has been mitigating circumstances (see The unexpected physical consequence of Offa’s Dyke) – the last few weeks have been pretty traumatic! My condition has improved slightly, and I am on the path towards getting a diagnosis, so my mind has drifted back to these blog posts.… Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
April 28, 2010 at 10:21 pm
· Filed under Activities, Offa's Dyke 4 MS
When you set off on a challenge to walk 177 miles, over 13 days, carrying a 15kg backpack, with a dog, there are a number of things you expect: blisters, sore feet, aching shoulders, bruised hips, and exhaustion, to name but a few.
What I didn’t expect was to end up in hospital……
Permalink
April 20, 2010 at 6:29 pm
· Filed under Offa's Dyke 4 MS
On Saturday, Alex and I finished our epic challenge of walking the Offa’s Dyke National Trail – 177 miles. In total we have raised over £3340 for MS Society, with donations still coming in (it isn’t too late to donate at www.justgiving.com/offasdyke4ms by the way).
I want to share a couple of touching stories with you…. Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
April 5, 2010 at 11:05 am
· Filed under Offa's Dyke 4 MS
After over a year of planning and training, we are about to start our challenge to walk the 177 mile Offa’s Dyke trail – we are currently at Chester Services, about an hour or so from the start in Prestatyn.
There are several ways you can follow our progress, keep updated with how we are getting on, and interact with us as we walk.
Live Updating Map
You can… Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
April 2, 2010 at 12:10 am
· Filed under Dogs, Offa's Dyke 4 MS
Throughout the build up of this challenge I haven’t really talked much about my dog. Angel is a German Shepherd re-homed from Wood Green Animal Shelter in March 2007. Her exact age is unknown, but she is approximately 5 or 6 years old.
When I first met her at Wood Green I fell instantly in love with her. Although she was pacing up and down in her cage (like a trapped tiger) and barely had any time for me, there was just something about her I liked.… Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
April 1, 2010 at 8:39 pm
· Filed under Offa's Dyke 4 MS
So why am I supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Society?
About a year ago, after several years of having symptoms, a family member was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Like most people I was ignorant of what MS is, so when I heard the news I did some research.… Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
March 31, 2010 at 12:11 am
· Filed under Offa's Dyke 4 MS
I have never walked more than two days in a row, and the biggest non-physical problem I can see is staying motivated.
Like it or not we will ache, we will have blisters, we will be tired, we will sometimes be miserable – but if we stay motivated then we can still keep going!
There are four key ways I think we can stay motivated (and you can help with at least three of them).
Permalink
March 30, 2010 at 7:38 pm
· Filed under Offa's Dyke 4 MS, Walks
Parts of Offa’s Dyke are going to be amazing – breath taking scenery, stimulating conversion with Alex (@winkysmileyface), chats with locals and fellow hikers, or just watching nature go about its business around us.
However, I am under no illusion that other parts are going to be truly horrid – strong winds, driving rain, exhaustion, aching limbs and monotonous views. At this point a hike becomes a “trudge” – every ache and pain is magnified tenfold in your mind – you just want it to end.
So how can you focus your mind whilst “trudging”?… Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
March 28, 2010 at 11:18 pm
· Filed under Brecon Beacons, Camping, Reviews
It is not often that things live up to their marketing spiel, but actually the Priory Mill Farm campsite comes pretty damn close.
Situated just outside the town of Brecon, Powys, just North of the Brecon Beacons, Priory Mill Farm is on the banks of the river Honddu. We stayed mid-week in March 2010 (we were unsurprisingly the only ones there!) for two nights at a cost of £7 per person per night plus £1 per night for the dog.… Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
March 26, 2010 at 10:10 pm
· Filed under Offa's Dyke 4 MS
With just over a week to go, final preparations are well under way. My lounge now looks more like a branch of an outdoor store, with camping equipment and hiking gear strewn across the floor. Fund raising and publicity has gone up a gear, and I would like to thank everyone who has donated so far…… Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
