My Great Walk of China

21st January 2007 Signed up for Peru May 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:48:00 +0000

Yes your eyes do not deceive you I have signed up to hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The cause will be the same and I hope to raise some more money for Macmillan Cancer Support. I decided to do this because I did not want to lose my focus, this trip and the preparation for it has changed my life and I wanted something else to aim for when this challenge was over.

I was really worried that if I had no reason to walk I wouldn't go and walk, the thought worried me so I have chosen an even tougher challenge this time. Although I will have more time to improve my fitness it is still a demanding challenge as altitude enters the equation.

I'm not getting carried away honest, China is my main priority and is approaching rapidly 2 months to go!!

Bought my head torch and first aid kit this week nearly got all my kit now, just a few odds and ends to get and my visa.

14th January 2007 Proceeding to Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:41:00 +0000

I have started doing more gym work during the week now to build on my stamina. The cross trainer and step machine are the two main pieces of equipment I use, 15 minutes on each this week.

Still doing my yoga/pilates on Tuesday which is getting a little easier I'm still about as supple as a plank though.

Today and tomorrow I'm walking the fields locally which is great fun. Through the golf course and under the M25 in a big loop, hoping to do about 6/7 miles which is not bad through the mud.

6th January 2007 To Grimsby and Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:19:00 +0000

Went to Grimsby for the weekend to do some serious walking with fellow walkers. It was good to meet up with some people who were going on the trip. We had a few laughs about what was in store in China and walked 14 miles on the Saturday over the Humber Bridge and along the fore shore to North Ferriby, where my cousin and his wife live. Where this story started some months earlier.

You should have seen Janet's face when I banged on the window (I hadn't told them I was popping in!!) it was a picture. "You're taking this walking business to seriously" was the greeting and then "have you seen Pete he's out walking". My cousin had just had a partial knee replacement a few days earlier so I though she was taking the pxxs. Anyway tops up he was and his surprise was just as great when I told him to hurry up and stop messing around, hobbling about on two sticks. Honestly though what a star he is. Anyway had a nice cup of tea and walked back.

I thought I would definitely get a reaction to walking so far, but nothing, no stiffness or aching limbs and most importantly no blisters. Boots were brilliant!!

Went out again on Sunday and walked six miles and then drove home. My confidence was considerably increased by walking so far, the furthest I have ever walked in one go in my entire life.

By the way the injections were no trouble at all, much to my relief just two jabs of coctails.

1st January 2007 Hotels do have Gym's!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:10:00 +0000

Went away for New Year with very good friends Andy and Leslie to Oxford, lovely hotel with a black tie dinner and dance for the New Year celebrations. It was excellent and with a few bottles of champagne a nice evening.

Where I really surprised myself is that I went to the Hotel gym on both days and did a full hours routine and then hit the steam room, sauna and swimming pool. Great facilities and my training did not suffer which was brilliant.

I've stayed in many hotels and never but never used the gym, I was quite proud of myself. Leslie and Andy were amazed!!

I get my injections tomorrow, can't say I'm looking forward to that much, Hepititus A, Typhoid Fever, Diptheria, Tetanus and polio. That sounds like fun!!!

25th December 2006 A Very Sad Christmas Day

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:49:00 +0000

I can't say I've been looking forward to Christmas, things are just not the same and I can't raise any enthusiasm at all. Had a nice weekend with the outlaws in Northampton and my brother and his wife have invited Hayley, Mem (Hayley's Boyfriend) and I for Christmas Day.

I walked the 6.2 miles to my brothers to build up an appetite it was a nice walk and a nice but very sad day.

20th December 2006 6 miles Saturday and Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:27:00 +0000

Its strange how quickly you can cover the distance when you do something regularly, I would have never dreamed of walking 6 miles full stop, let alone two days running. Its really enjoyable out in the fields with your "OS" (that's hiker talk for Ordnance Survey Map), walking over private land (I said I had one not that I can read it) and peoples gardens.

The strangest things go through your mind though when your alone with your thoughts like, "I hope nobody shoots me by mistake" and "That's not a banjo I can hear playing is it?"

Mind you the old housework's taking a back seat but I still passed the "Mum" test not quite white gloves, more firm but fair.

The weight has started to shift which can't be bad 14 pounds lighter than I used to be. A certain friend of mine is going to have to double her donation to £200.00, which is very good for the cause.

9th December 2006 What no Toilets!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:54:00 +0000

20 fellow walkers turned up for the meeting and twenty chins hit the deck at the thought of holding hands with a neighbour whilst having a c**p. Yes its a sad but true fact, no toilets on the wall and if your caught short, you have a large audience to what is usually a very private moment. Then as we cannot leave anything behind ANYTHING, it has to be collected and carried to the village for a ceremonial burning at dawn. Nappy bags are required apparently, best to get perfumed ones said the shorter sadist with a gleeful glint in her eye. No one asked why.

Worse was to come (hard to believe I hear you say) the only toilet is in the village (1 toilet to 1 village), apparently a hole in the ground with an 18" wall around it for "privacy". The up side is there's usually four in a line so you hold hands and prevent each other from falling in!!! The other hand is holding a handkerchief drenched in aftershave over your nose to stop you throwing up at the stench.

Another shock, these people are definitely sadists, no washing water only drinking water, no proper wash for five days, we have to use "wet wipes" One girl, a survivior of 9 challenges informed us all that its better to take your oldest under wear and burn it at dawn rather than carry it about, good advice if you ask me.

Laugh we could have cried, never seen so many shades of green in one place, all with some incredible mental pictures.

The steps also look horrendous, one clever dick asked (not me) why if the Chinese are so small do the make such incredibly large steps? You'll find out came the reply!

Never felt much like dinner that evening.

8th December 2006 £4,000.00 in Four Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:44:00 +0000

The support from everyone is marvellous I can hardly believe it, people are so generous it really makes all the physical effort on my part worthwhile. We have a meeting tomorrow with Macmillan and some fellow walkers that should be interesting.

The training is really going well I have increased the evening walk to 3.1 miles, its funny really I would have laugh myself silly if someone had told me that I would be walking that distance every night, only a few short weeks ago. I'm still doing my yoga/pilates on a Tuesday, I'd love to be a fly on the wall. Just me in a class of women, them "glowing" sweetly me surrounded in a pool of sweat, still it feels good afterwards.

29th November 2006 £3,000.00 in Three Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:27:00 +0000

Absolutely fantastic support from many of my colleagues and friends, quite remarkable, I feel very humble that so many people I don't know have supported me, I suppose they can identify with the cause, Macmillan are a fantastic organisation.

Cat almost had me over again today, He's never been the same since he saw the lions bring down the elephant on Planet Earth! He hides under the washing on the dryer and ambushes you as you walk past. He's quite fearless and ends up being dragged down the hall all four legs wrapped around mine, I tell you, you've got to keep your wits about you, little sod.

25th November 2006 Increase the Distance

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:53:00 +0000

2 miles kid stuff, tonight I have increased the walk to three miles, and five on the weekend. I can't believe I'm doing this every night, but I'm feeling good and I have no reaction to the walking which is brilliant.

Spoke to one of my fellow walkers today he's a fitness instructor, can't be bad.

I also spoke to my local Macmillan rep a really nice lady, she recommended that I get down the gym and get on the step machine. She did this walk last October and said that she built up to one hour on the step machine 1 HOUR, have you ever tried to do that for 10 minutes, its excruciating. This has not been an encouraging day!!

Towel and throw in spring to mind, just joking of course I'll finish on my hands and knees if I have to. This walk has really changed my life and refocused my attention on something positive and worthwhile, I feel good.

22nd November 2006 £2000.00 in Two Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:37:00 +0000

What incredible support I have received since the web site launch, two very nice ladies helped me (they know who they are) to circulate an appeal letter and put the wed site on the company intranet. What a response, I can hardly believe it!

My training is continuing and I am walking every night, so far so good! Started to walk four plus miles of a weekend both days, housework is taking a bit of a back seat. I've started wearing my boots and they are quite uncomfortable at present I hope they improve. I have got my jacket, fleece and inner layers now and they really do make a difference. The way I book it If I can get any advantage from a piece of kit I'm getting it. I need all the help I can get. I've started to lose a few Pounds nothing spectacular but all in the right direction. One of my sponsors has promised to double her donation if I weigh less than 16 stone before or after the challenge. Iam going to enjoy taking her money I can tell you, cheeky b***h.

11th November 2006 Create a Web Site

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:17:00 +0000

Jason will sort this out, later

I hate computers 2 hours to do this, a child of 6 could have done it 5 minutes, but my web page disappeared so I did another one. Then the old one came back and now I had two, talk about confusing worse still I had spelt Hiking, Hicking. "The Great Hicking Challenge" can you believe it and I can't access the page to edit it. Anyway the just giving crew sorted it out, what a palava.

My Nephew sorted out the picture for me and a great job he did, the best photograph I have of my dear wife, it does make me feel terribly sad.

The address by the way is http://www.justgiving.com/KeithEnglandspage should you fancy a visit.

Big day on Monday with the website launch.

2nd November 2006 52 and the Training Starts

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:09:00 +0000

Its my 52nd birthday and I feel its time to start my training. I have measured a route in the car of 2 miles and so it begins!

I can't wear my boots at present to walk in as their too uncomfortable so I'm wearing them in doing the ironing. This is not as easy as it sounds, the're so bloody big I keep tripping up the ironing board legs and twice nearly killed the cat. He keeps giving me very nasty looks, biding his time no doubt for revenge.

I still haven't got all the gear, inner layers and the like, so I'm just making do for now but getting in the routine of walking. This is a whole new experience for me!!

22th October 2006 Reality Sinks In!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 23:59:00 +0000

What have I gone and done? Here I am fat and fifty Two (almost), signed up for a five day trek along the Great Wall of China, approx 130 Kilometers, 7 hours at a stretch, five consecutive days. I must be stark raving mad!!

The furthest I walk these days is to the car, if its not too far. Thank god its not until next March at least I have half a chance of getting myself into better shape. I'll need every minute, I bet everyone else is 18 years old not 18 stone (yes when did that happen!). Mind you as you get older I ask that question every time I look in the mirror and my Dad's looking back.

You can't say I got involved because of the uniform although the anorak is rather nice and the boots remarkably light, considering the size of the box.

Anyway to late now the deed is done!

15th October 2006 Got the Call!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:00:00 +0000

Mobile phone rang and a voice said "Macmillan challenge support team" and that was all before I collapsed in tears and could only squeeze out "thank you". She must have though I was a right berk!

Anyway I've been accepted for the challenge so China here I come!

23rd September 2006 Why Get Involved ?

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 16:03:00 +0000

I lost my dear wife Sandie aged 53 on the 10th April this year to pancreatic cancer after eighteen months of horrendous suffering, which she bore with great dignity and good humour. Her strength of character in such dreadful circumstances was truly amazing and I feel very humble when I think of her. She did not display the slightest self pity and talked to anyone about her situation always putting them at ease.

Sandie said before she died that I must not make her out to be "Saint" as people always "Canonize the dead", but believe me she was a remarkable woman. I only wish we could have had another twenty years together.

It's incredibly tough to witness the progress of a disease which is so aggressive and spiteful, destroy your best friend, wife, lover and mother of your children. You stand by helpless fully aware that time is fast running out, praying for the miracle you know will not come. All she asked me to do was be strong for her, which was a lot harder done than said.

I was with my darling to the very end when she drew her last breath in this life and the dispare just enveloped me. A very bright and wonderful light was extinguished, my life and the kids lives will never be the same again.

I can only liken loosing her to a great dark hole opening before me which I will never fill but must find a way around. This challenge is the beginning of my journey around that hole and that's why I want to be involved.

I hope no one reading this ever has to call upon Macmillan Cancer Support but should you have to, you will receive unconditional care and support which, during some of the darkest days of your life is absolutely Priceless, that's another reason why I want to be involved!

We miss you so much, Rest in Peace My Darling

P.S.

A testament to the person Sandie was, I requested a donation to the Radiology Department of Oldchurch Hospital rather than flowers at her funeral, we donated in her name £2100.00. There were still lots of flowers!

19th September 2006 To Hull and Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Keith England) — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 20:55:00 +0000

Its a funny place Hull, terrible reputation but its actually quite beautiful in places. My cousin and his wife live in a lovely house right by the river. Fantastic spot, but I wouldn't give much for their chances if a Tsunami strikes Humberside. Anyway not much chance of that thankfully cos they're terrific people and its somewhere nice to visit.

I mention Hull because that's where this idea I had in mind comes to fruition. You see I had been considering signing up for a Hiking Challenge in China for Macmillan Cancer Support. Why I had even contemplated this will become clear, anyway, I had been banging on about it being very negative and talking myself out of it. When looking at my cousins wife for some support got the following retort. "Oh just get on with it you'll be fine you soft southerners are all the same whinging on etc., etc. Well instant focus you might say!

Upshot is I went home and sent off my registration fee and form and went on Holiday.

P.S. By some fluke of nature our family is spread throughout the UK so whilst our bit was born in London and therefore talks "propa", the other lot talk funny and have gravy on their chips, something I've never come to terms with.

( I must confess to some poetic licence in retelling this story and any reference to anyone living is purely intentional)