Cornwall Holiday Part 1

October 5, 2009
Well after a week off work very ill with an infection and banned from any training I was looking forward to the week family holiday in Cornwall.

We arrived in Cornwall at the Gwel an Mor lodge site in Portreath on Saturday. Me still on anti-biotics, Mum on anti-biotics for a chest infection and Alan with bad knee pains!
We arrived early so took a walk to the local beach where a run, swim, run was taking place very brave as the sea was very rough. I watched in amazement as children ran across the beach before swimming in the rough very cold sea around the rock back to the beach before another run to the finish.
We had an easy afternoon as none of us feeling great.

Sunday we got up and went to Gweek Seal Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is on a cliff face so lots of hills and walking involved! We then went onto Poldark Tin Mine where we took a miners tour of the Mine. We went down about 150 feet into the mine by staircase, very dark, cold, wet, spooky!! Again lots of walking... Then we went to Healey's Cider Farm, tasted some cider - prob not the best of ideas on anti-biotics but seen as they alreday made me spaced out and feeling drunk I didn't notice much difference. HELLO TO JENNY & FAMILY who we met at the Cider Farm Car Park. JENNY I hope you have been inspired enough to take up a challenge of your own! Then on to Newquay for dinner at The Fort Inn - Great Carvery.

Monday. I woke after not much sleep. Swollen neck glands, can't swallow, stiff neck, headache - HORRIBLE......
Today we had an easy day we went to Lands End - I had my photo taken at the famous white sign post with Kilimanjaro how many miles from Lands End to there and Jan 2010.... After I had it done I realised that the miles from Lands End to Kili was less than even the height of Kilimanjaro itself! I should have added the miles to the summit onto it also.
We went from there to see Minack Theatre. Lots of climbing steps there! We went onto Mousehole which is a little fishing village and then had dinner on our site.

I had shark... Mum tried some and said '' It tastes like chicken '' !!! I had to laugh....

Off to bed now hoping the glands are back to normal in the morning and i'm feeling much better.



 

Explore 2009 - Expedition & Fieldwork planning weekend - Nov 13th - 15th

October 5, 2009
After talking with Paul and Al I have decided to attend Explore 2009 run by Royal Geographical Society on Friday night a lecture by George McGavin 'To the Ends of the Earth: exploration and biological discovery" with films clips from his three BBC expeditions. 

Over saturday I will have the chance to learn more about Mountaineering and trekking expeditions. I will get the chance to talk one - one with one of the many experts who will be there on the day. i will also learn about Project plannin...

Continue reading...
 

Winton School

October 5, 2009
Thursday 1st October I recieved a letter in the post from Winton Secondary School in Hampshire. Wishing me luck in my challenge and making a huge donation to my Kilimanjaro Challenge in aid of The Countess of Brecknock Hospice.

I attended Winton from 1993 till 1998. I hated sports, loved Geography. Now I love sport and I still love geography!

Winton School Parent Teacher Assosiation have kindly donated £250.00 to my Kilimanjaro Challenge so a huge Thank You to them, from myself and The Countes...
Continue reading...
 

Al Humphreys

October 5, 2009

Al Humphreys has cycled around the world! Amazing feat of indurance and determination among other things!
The other day I recieved an email from Al with great words of encouragement for my Challenge. Al has also taken part in The Marathon des Sables which is known as “the toughest race on Earth”, running with all your food and kit for 150 miles through the Sahara desert. Raced across the Atlantic Ocean in the Cape2Rio yacht race.

Being cheeky I replied asking of he would like to donate one...


Continue reading...
 

Paul Deegan

September 16, 2009
Today I had a full day working at the gym at Salisbury, when I finshed work I decided to call in to Danebury Hill for a quick walk.
I told myself I had to at least do 5 walks from the gate to the triangulation pillar and back. I arrived at Danebury around 6.45pm and ended up walking up and down 10 times. I would have kept going but got hungry after my long day at work.

I got home to find an very exciting email from Paul Deegan. Paul has loads of experience in mountaineering, trekking and remote...
Continue reading...
 

Thank You

September 15, 2009
I have been training hard, managing to fit in Kickboxing 3 times a week, swimming and short walks.
I am working extra hours at the moment so it's hard to fit in much, but as soon as things get back to normal i'll be able to fit in a few longer walks and a few more mountains.

I also had fun at Danebury last week taking some photos of me in my trek clothes for a newsletter. I also managed to get a little walking and hill climbing in. Thank you to Alan and Mum for spending their evening taking pho...
Continue reading...
 

Mount Snowdon -1085m - Snowdonia National Park

August 26, 2009

On Friday 21st August I finished work early (2pm), collected my hiking companion (James) and started the long journey to Wales! We arrived at Mountain Farm Campsite at 10.30pm and set up camp in pitch black, while thunder, lightning and rain tried to prevent us.
My tinned Chilli Con Carni from Asda for under £1 warmed over the little camping stove was very nice! I went to sleep very tired from the longest drive I have ever done. The wind threatend to rip my tent down and the sheep Baa Baa Baa...


Continue reading...
 

Purple Belt

August 17, 2009

Have now got my purple grade belt in Kickboxing! Which is good after a few weeks but I know I can do better!
Been training hard last few weeks. Going to get up the hill a few times this week I hope as well as KB, work n swimming I hope.
I have had a few more sponsors n now have £67 on my just giving page n £60 at work on sponsor forms so am happy about that, very happy in fact.

Keep those sponsors coming the more you sponsor the harder I train.
Only 5 months away I can't believe it, when I kn...


Continue reading...
 

Training Hard

August 10, 2009
Recovered from swine Flu I have been training hard and will be able to build it more when i'm not doing extra hours.
What have you been doing I hear you cry? Well ....
On the 3rd August I had work in the morning then went to Kickboxing in Andover for a double session.
4th August I had work in the morning then went to Kickboxing for 1hr session.
5th August I worked all day and crashed when I got home at 8.30pm.
6th August I worked all day and did a 3/4hr Curves Smart Workout.
7th August I worked all...
Continue reading...
 

My first sentance

July 31, 2009
So I have been learning Swahili and seen as been unable to train past two weeks I been trying to learn more Swahili.
My spelling may not be right but:

Jina lako nani?
Jina langu ni Melissa

Which means What is your name? My name is Melissa.

I can also count to ten and know some different animals and drinks.

Should be able to get back training this coming week and going to draw up a training schedule to help me keep on track.
I think work will be hard after two weeks off so wish me luck come monday!


Continue reading...
 

Recent Posts