Halfway Mark

Today I reached the halfway mark...well, sort of. I did three circuits of Draycote Water, 15 miles in all, half of what I will be expected to do each day in July.

The walk went really well, I kept up a great pace throughout and am still consistently on 4 miles per hour. The weather was overcast and I started off with a fleece and a woolly hat (to protect my bonce). After one lap I was well warm , so the hat had long since come off and then so too did the fleece, so I walked the next 10 miles in just a t-shirt, well not just, but you know what I mean.

The first lap was a bit stressful though as I had arrived and started off on the walk before the visitor centre opened. As I hadn't got any change I hadn't been able to buy a car park ticket. I usually get one from the visitor centre, so I walked the first five miles hoping I hadn't been given a ticket. Problem solved though as the centre was open when I completed the lap and a ticket was bought.

It's a good place for doing multi-laps as each lap is long enough thaqt it doesn't become boring; plus there are only two long straights, which also helps to reduce any boredom.

I didn't use the iPod on lap 1 but did on the other two. I had a trip down memory lane as I listened to Bob Seger, the Eagles, Elton John and a little bit of Fleetwood Mac. Pure magic. I've come to the conclusion that, much as I love classical music, I can't walk to it, so it has to be my non-Classic collection on these walks.

I've been monitoring the Nijmegen website and registrations appear to have slowed, there are about 24,000 people registered so far so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

22 Feb

Well, I abandoned plans to go to Draycote today as, earlier in the week I went to Rutland Water, and yesterday I spent driving round Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, incidentally coming across huge areas of flooded land that came as a big surprise, I can tell you. This morning I decided instead to do away with the drive to Draycote and just walk from home to the outskirts of the airport. It's approx 14 miles but I shall check tomorrow when I go to work. I kept up a good strong pace and came back in 3 1/2 hours. I must admit that I had to work at the last couple of miles, that's the first time I've really felt anything on any of these walks. Maybe now I've hit the point where I've got to start working as well as walking.

Today I also found myself walking to the music. I started off listening to a Peter Gabriel playlist and all went well till I got to the "I Don't Remember" track, the beat of which really threw me. I then went onto a Queen playlist, finishing off with ELO. I've now got to setle down and write my essay on my terrorism studies course. This evening it's off to Symphony Hall to listen to the CBSO Youth Orchestra which has the dubious honour of having my daughter play violin for them. It's an evening of Ravel, slightly different to ELO!

Training Exercise - Snowdon

Well, sometime after 11 June, and before 22 June, I shall be going to Wales to go up Snowdon. The reason? My son finishes his GCSEs then and has to do his work experience. We've been talking about going up to the top since a day trip when we went halfway. Now seems a good time to go the whole hog, a bit of male bonding. I haven't been up Snowdon for many years, though I've probably been to the top about 4/5 times. It will be good to go again. Young son has been charged with planning the trip as good practice for his DoE adventures! It's great to have an excuse.

Rutland Water

Today was spent walking around the Hambleton peninsula, that juts out into Rutland Water in England's smallest county, Rutland. It was only a 5.5 mile walk but, as some of it was spent with half a ton of mud caked around each foot, it certainly felt further than that. There are some stunning views to be had here and I shall try to upload some photos of the day. The old Hambleton Hall, dating from 1611 is wonderful. The walk was rounded off with tea and cake in the Finches Inn in Hambleton, very nice.

Got home from the walk to find a packet from BLESMA containing loads of info about their work and a t-shirt that will have to be worn in the last session of my venture as I cross the finishing line. That will leave no-one in any doubt as to why I am there.

How to get over having no Valentine Cards

Today I did 12 miles, from home onto Catherine-de-Barnes Lane and back.. This went well again with a good, steady 4 miles per hour. Feet seem to be coping well and I did a lot of thinking, which is unusual for me, as you well know. Thought a bit about our redoutable Home Secretary and the Great Parliamentary Expenses Scam. No wonder they become MPs, it's becoming a bigger and better number with every passing day. I need to find a room to rent in backstreet Glasgow, I could make a fortune.

I also thought about what to do if I don't get into the Nijmegen Marches. I can register after 9 March but if too many people register, there is a ballot. I was thinking of completing the Chichester March, then walking up Snowdon, Scafell and Ben Nevis, but not on the same day! Probably do it over a few days, like Nijmegen.

Progress continues to be made

This week I have approached some organisations regarding sponsorship, laying the first foundations that I hope will lead to success. I'll keep you posted as and when replies start to come in. I've decided that, given the economic situation, I shall keep any requests very low key; I believe that this way I may score more low level successes leading to a steady flow of funds.

Sunday's walk will be of 12 miles duration. I shall be heading out along Hampton Lane, Solihull onto Catherine-de-Barnes Lane, turning back about 1/2 mile after the Boat, might even have a half - solely to test the theory of dehydration of course.

Next week being half-term, I am also hopeful of going to the Peak District to do a lovely walk near Ladybower water followed by a filling meal at the Ladybower Inn. The reservoirs round here were used by the RAF to practise for the Dambusters Raid so are full of history too. If I do both the miles will really start to build.

Good News

I have made contact with BLESMA and they are more than happy to have me support them, so they are going to send me lots of info and sponsor forms to use. I can also use their logo. I'm pleased about that. In addition, the chap I spoke to has completed Nijmegen twice and he has given me a very valuable tip. Drink loads of water. This sound piece of advice comes on the back of drinking beer on his last day of his second walk and ending up in hospital. Much as I like the Dutch I have no desire to sample their medical services. I now will be appoaching a company to sponsor me by the provision of some water bottles!

I've also contacted a group of ex-squaddies 'oop north' who hold monthly quiz & curry nights and raise money to give to charity. They helped last year with the plane pull so I'm hoping they will be happy to support me this year. Fingers crossed.

I bought some new headphones for the iPod this week so they will be road tested this weekend. I'll let you know how I get on.

Busy Day

Well, out for another training walk this morning, a 10 mile round trip to Hampton Lane in Solihull. 2 1/2 hours in fairly good conditions except for ice on some of the pavements that was quite treacherous. I was prepared for very cold weather, as predicted by the weather forecasters, but as usual, it was warmer than I expected.

Any way a good session was had and double figures will be the norm now, so the miles should start building up quite nicely, especially as this week sees the start of the official training programme.

I had the iPod with me today so just for the record, the playlist was Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, his Toccata and Fugue, the soundtrack to Band of Brothers and most of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. I can see that I'm going to have to give some thought to building some balanced playlists for these walks.

Gordon Stretch has given me permission to put the below link in which shows you what we got up to last March in our charity event. Hope you enjoy it;

http://bhx2008-baeg.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-12-19T02%3A00%3A00Z&max-results=32

Weather update

Well, surprise, surprise! I was able to drive to work again today as the forecasters had again over-hyped the situation and got it wrong. You really wouldn't pay them in washers would you? The schools were closed again and what a dreadful decision, though you can understand it given the forecasts and the dreaded 'elf 'n safety regime that prevails in this country. When you walk across a rutted, muddy field, do you really need an assessment to tell you to mind slips, trips and falls? No, of course not.

Dutch Charity

Well, a good friend (yes, I do have at least one) has read this blog and did what I should have done; e-mailed the military attache at the Dutch Embassy. So, I now have a Dutch military charity to support:

Bond van Wapenbroeders
PO box 93
3940 AB Doorn
The Netherlands

The translation is 'Brothers in Arms'. I shall now get in touch with them and offer my support. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks, Andrew

Weather Watch

Part of me has been hoping that the weather forecasters would finally get their act together and successfully forecast...the weather. Tonight they are saying we will get substantial snow and, whilst my son hopes that means no school, I hope it means no car to work. I'm rather looking forward to an extra training session by having to walk to work. If I don't go in I lose a day's holiday so I have every intention of making it and getting a few extra miles in to boot.

Never mind, I'm sure they'll be wrong. Again.

Registration Conundrum

Well, what a disappointment. Here I am, all fired up to register for the event; go online; not allowed to register. Only those who have taken part before are allowed to register now. I have to wait until 9 March and hope that the quota has not been exceeded. Fingers are now well and truly crossed.

First Steps

I decided to start the training programme early so last Sunday, 25 January, I went for a 5.5 mile walk around Draycote Reservoir in Warwickshire. Draycote is owned by Severn Trent Water and the lake is used by sailors, windsurfers, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts, as well as walkers, cyclists and joggers. It's perfect for training and I believe that I will be going back there regularly in the coming months. It's a five mile circuit and has a snack bar there! Parking is easy and it's only an hour away by car for me.

Today, I went to Solihull School (my old school) and back. 7.5 miles in all in bitterly cold weather but I was nice and warm by the time I got back. Plenty of people out jogging, as well as cyclists flashing past. Only problem was, I forgot my Ipod, won't do that again. I can see though that I will be getting through a fair few pairs of socks in this quest, as well as boots. Food for thought.

I have also approached the Dutch Ministry of Defence. My thinking here is that I will be walking in Holland, raising money for the military and I know the Dutch forces are in Afghanistan with the British, so I've decided to give 25% of my money to a Dutch military charity. Here's hoping I get a reply. Does anyone out there know of such a charity?

Welcome

Welcome to this, the very first entry in my new blog. This has been created to chart my progress as I prepare to take part in the Nijmegen Marches 2009. I've wanted to enter for ages and 2009 has become the year when I finally get up off my backside and do something about it. The Marches began as a military event but now include civil as well as military participants. In all, between 30,000 and 40,000 people take part. This year's event takes place between 21 and 24 July and will entail me walking 31 miles (50km) each day in the Nijmegen area.

The website for the event, http://www.4daagse.nl/, contains all the information about the event and enables progress to be followed during the 4 days. It also has a training programme for participants and this has started me out on a 650 mile road to Holland.

I've decided to do the event to raise money for charity and have chosen BLESMA as my charity. BLESMA (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association) exists to help those men and women who have lost limbs whilst serving in the armed forces. Unfortunately, given current circumstances, they are very busy at present. Last year I was part of a team that raised £21,000 for military charities and BLESMA was one that we helped. We held a plane pull at Birmingham International Airport and then carried a stretcher from the airport to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Selly Oak Hospital, a distance of 14 miles. For further information see http://www.forceshospitalcharity.org/. With the money we built a garden at the hospital for the patients, families and staff, as well as a huge plasma TV for a rest room. We also sent two ex-service personnel skiing with BLESMA, four ex-service personnel on an adventure holiday with St Dunstan's, helped Combat Stress's welfare network, supported SSAFA with their project to build and equip flats near Selly Oak Hospital for families to use, donated to Troop Aid and helped send forces children to the theatre through Forces Childrens' Trust. We were well supported by staff from the RCDM, HMS Forward, RAF Brize Norton, trainee military nurses from UCE, 202 Field Hospital (TA), Flybe, Pertemps and Birmingham International Airport.

So, this year I want to send as many limbless ex-service personnel skiing as possible. Please visit their website to see the good work they do, http://www.blesma.org/.