Raising Money

28th August 2006
I had this fabulous idea for raising money - that I would do the weeding of the car park and the side of the building at work (Which was starting to look like it was being taken over by greenery).
For this little task, I would ask Gloucestershire County Council for a donation towards my trip -
this way, we both benefit (and it's nicer than people just giving me money - I feel like I've earned it!)

So, yesterday morning, bright and early - I got to work (not only was it sunday, but it was a bank holiday sunday too!)

Four hours and four big garden sacks later, I thought I would call it a day - I purposefully hadn't taken my office key with me, so I wouldn't be tempted to tea breaks (but this also meant I couldn't have a toilet break!)
I took the bags of green waste to the local tip - and deposited them there, and then went home.

Within half an hour of getting back home, I realised I'd made a mistake! My back hurt, my arms hurt, my legs hurt...! Ouch!
Anyway - nice warm shower and the application of a tubigrip to my right elbow and things were getting back to normal.

This morning, I woke up as stiff as a board! But they say you have to go through the pain barrier, and I'm sure there will be plenty of that in China- so I got my scruffy clothes back on (yes, you can tell the difference between my scruffs and my normal clothes!!) and I went back to work. This morning, the back car park got my attention. I worked pretty solidly for 2 hours this morning - pulling up weeds and brambles (ouch). Although the back car park is far from finished, I have made decent headway.
The council said they would pay me for 5 hours work, and I've done 6 - with probably about another 3 to do.

Anybody else who wants to make use of my services (it doesn't have to be gardening!!!) please get in touch....!

Grrrrrrrr

21st August 2006
Grrrrrrr!

Apologies for the lack of entries (does anyone apart from Steve read this!?!)
I've been suffering with a kidney infection for the last few days...so nothing in
my world has been any fun!

Needless to say that I have not ventured far from the door in the last 5 days,
and so walking has been a bit rubbish (Understatement of the year)

I am recovering now though (you can still send flowers!) so I should be walking
again soon. The plan is to take a week off work soon and go away on a walking
holiday - I haven't decided who will be lucky enough to get my company yet -
Wales or Devon?? Decisions, Decisions!

The fundraising is going well - Very generous sponsorship from Helen and John,
thank you so much.

Oli has also made a donation online and I have pledges to collect from Lloydy and
Colin, which will take me over the two hundred pound mark (wayhey!)
I'm so impressed....!

Plans are in the pipeline for more fundraising ideas, so watch this space.....

Proper Walking!

13th August 2006

Yesterday was a "quick" walk - although Tyson didn't seem to mind!
I made up for the quick, easy, flat walk in the evening thought, when we went to see
the Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court in Bristol (No, not a car made out of balloons!)

The steep climb down into the main arena was ok - a little slippery underfoot, but
we managed it. Having arrived at the main arena, we were a little disappointed to
see no balloons there......admittedly it was windy, but come on!!!

After some time standing around (we were waiting for the night glow) it was cold
and windy and the "entertainment" was leaving a lot to be desired!!
However, 9.15pm and it was starting to get dark - there was definite activity in the
main arena, although it was a struggle to see it. at about 9.30pm, there were huge
blasts from burners all around the main arena, which signalled the beginning of the
night glow....very cool - the idea is that all the balloons in the main arena (about
twenty of them) blast their burners in time to the music. It is good, and impressive -
but hardly worth paying the eight pounds to park my car for!! Anyway, after that
little spectacle, we had to find our way back to the car. That downward slope was now
a HUGE incline, and it was now pitch black (well done Bristol City Council - good planning!)
So, In the end, I did get my hill walking in yesterday (and so did Emily and Abi -whether
they wanted to or not!!?!)

Today, I've done a fairly flat circular walk which took in the delights of Abbeymead - it was
1.945miles (3.13km) which equates to 6966 steps.

I've had my third donation onto my website too - www.justgiving.com/racheldavis , so thanks
Danny - you're a superstar!

Windy Walks

11th August 2006
This mornings walk started early - rain is forecast, and I can't be bothered to get wet!
We went to our favourite place - Crickley Hill, but todays' walk took a slightly different
approach - I don't mind admitting that usually our trips to Crickley are well designed to
only take in the "downhill" elements.....
Today, I took every hill I could find - where the path forked, we took the upwards slope.

It was windy as hell on the side of that hill, and I lost my footing a couple of times.

I'm quite looking forward to China now tho - at least I won't have to stop every fifty
yards and bend down to pick up a ball to throw!!!

Todays walk was 1.5miles (2.5km) and took us an hour to do (I blame the wind!), but I
am pleased to say that Tyson needed to stop for a break before I did! Pedometer claims
it was 5567 Steps (burning 256 calories, if you're interested!)

It's only 10.30am, and I am wide awake - a quick shower and on with my day. I think my
legs might ache tomorrow!!

Can I change my mind??

August 10th 2006
I've got a couple of (much needed) days off work - so today I did my first "serious" walk.
I took Tyson with me for moral support....
We headed off to Beechenhust Lodge in the Forest of Dean - equipped with 4.5 litres of
water and the trusty pedometer.

On arriving at said destination (half an hour drive away) I bundled Ty out of the car and
headed towards the lodge and the maps....
I could've chickened out and gone for the "Beechenhurst Trail" which it was stated was 0.6miles
well - as easy as that would've been, I walk further than that when I take Ty for a "quick" walk.
So, we settled for the "Speculators trail" which said it was 2.5miles. The guidelines suggested that an "able walker" would be able to complete it in 2 hours.

Off we set - the first part of the walk was fairly tame - nice to be in the Forest again, it seems like ages since I was last there (and in fairness, probably was!) but as the walk progressed, at a fair pace, I'm pleased to say (walking on your own has it's advantages) It was quite hot - I'm guessing about 22-23 degreees, and not all of the walk benefits from the woodland shade!

One particular part of the walk was quite steep - deep breath at the bottom and I powered up it - stopping at the top to take in the magnificent views. After a short breather (I really need to do some more fitness training!!) we carried on our walk - dodging the cyclists on the way.
Before we knew it, we'd got back to the car in a record time of 1.5 hours. (Chuffed?? Me??)
The pedometer states that we had walked just over 2.5 miles, which was 7067 steps.

I am far from fit - I know that, but the time it took to walk the trail today has spurred me on. I didn't find it easy - but it is exactly the sort of walk I need - multi terrain, and well signed!
Now I'm going to have a look at where we can walk tomorrow.....

Too hot to walk

6th August 2006

Yesterday was the third anniversary of my Grampy's death, it was an emotional day,
but a trip to his grave yesterday morning to lay some flowers reminded me how important
it is to raise money for Cancer Research.

Yesterdays walk was quite easy - tame even! Although why Tyson feels the need to throw
himself into the dirtiest, clay filled part of the stream, I'll never know. To say he stank would
be an understatement!!

Todays walk took us on the tow path along the river at Fretherne. It was a nice walk - the
swans on the river were none too impressed with Tyson's arrival. We saw the Oliver Cromwell paddle steamer going along the river and it was all very nice. If someone could just turn the sun off, I'd be a happier bunny!!!
The weather in China in October should be about 20 degrees during the day. Apparently there are usually about 6 rainy days - so I think Steve should open a book on how many of my trekking days will also be rainy days!?!?

Water intake has decreased over the weekend - I'm sure Mr Motivator will have words in the morning! (not sure where the two cans of strongbow I had last night fit in with his grand scheme either - whoops!!)

The pedometer arrived - and after a false start (couldn't work out the intstructions!!) I've managed to get it working. Just a shame that I'm not walking anywhere near as far as I thought I was!!
Will need to increase my distance walking - and then I'll start taking in more hills....

Monday is officially my rest day (Mum and Dad have the day off so they take Tyson for his walk) but I'll be back again on Tuesday - hopefully with new walking shoes...

Water Water Everywhere.....

4th August 2006

Yesterday I drank 3 litres (oh yes!) of water - Mr Motivator is pleased with me....
I don't know if I feel better for it yet, but I'm getting loads of exercise just walking backwards and forwards to the loo!!!

My Pedometer arrived yesterday, so this weekend, I will measure my walk....how exciting! The pedometer has a week memory function on it, so I will be able to take a note of the exact distance I walk in China.

Anyway, it's 9.05am and I've already drunk half a litre of water - multigrain bagel and lean ham for breakfast, and a punnet of plums on my desk....

I think I'm going to start announcing my trek to the world soon - but that makes it really real, and even more scary!!!

I am really doing this.....!

2nd August 2006

Yesterday I read the itinerary for my trip (I refuse to call it a trek, as that is too scary!)
It made me excited - but nervous (no, scared!!) as hell....

Day one - I can handle!! The flight from Heathrow to Beijing....easy peasy!!!

Day four scares the life out of me - I will be walking for about 7 hours - and this is the day that we take in the fantastic sights of "Heaven's Ladder" - a steep climb, of over 200 steps (Very steep!) up a cliff face.... On a cloudy day, the steps literally disappear into the clouds - making it look like an ascent to heaven!

Last night, I went for a fairly nice walk around Crickley Hill - my first accompanied walk of my training (thanks Harry!) and although it was a fairly short walk (you would think we'd completed the Great Wall trek the way Harry moaned on about it!) it was good.

Today, I've ordered my pedometer - all singing, all dancing, none of your "free with a box of special K" stuff for me! It should arrive tomorrow, so from now on - look out for updates of how far I'm actually travelling...!!

Second bit of sponsorship arrived on my page yesterday too - thanks Ann, I really appreciate it.

Today, Steve has turned into my very own "Mr Motivator" and has landed a 1.5litre bottle on my desk, told me to fill it with water and drink it every day (I have to drink 1.5litres every day!?!?!) - so, it's 10.30am, and I'm on my first glass....water is just sooooo boring!

Blimey

31st July 2006

I've received my first sponsorship (thanks Shaky!) So that means I've really got to do this now.

Dog walking with Tyson has taken on a new image - head up, brisk walking instead of the usual trudge...!!

Steve informs me that I need a heart rate monitor and a decent pedometer...yes boss!

Pedometer would be a good idea - I'd love to know how many steps I have walked when I finish my trek next year! I feel like there will be something kind of gratifying about knowing just how far I've come...!

Promises of sponsorship are coming in - which is really nice, as most of the people I've told so far already do so much for Cancer Research UK.

I'm still on the look out for fundraising ideas - Shaky, your idea of me doing the trek naked for extra publicity I don't think is the best idea you've ever had!!

Hilary has offered to come and sing for me if I have any public events....dear me, I need to get my thinking cap on!!

Also been on the look out for nice walks that I can take Ty and that will challenge me a little bit too - watch this space for recommendations for woodland walks!