After the article was published in the local paper, I got a phone call "challenging" me to appear on local radio, BBC Radio Guernsey. Although I was only on for about 20 minutes, it was enjoyable and with a bit of luck more people heard about the 40 / 40 Challenge. It was part of a bigger show called "Interesting places, interesting people" so not quite sure why I was invited on :-)
A general conversation about where the idea came from, and how it all started and how I used Facebook, and this blog to spread the word and get the challenges together. There was mention of catching up with me again later on in the year and a request was put out for any other challenges which listeners could have. I managed to catch one phone call where someone challenged me to appear as a speaker for the WI. I'm up for that !! I've already emailed the local section, so lets see what happens with that one. And another challenge was to challenge the Island to do a challenge. So maybe the mass swim on New Year's Eve to close the challenge may go ahead. Anyway that's it for now. Thanks for stopping by
Friday, 3 September 2010
Thursday, 2 September 2010
On the radio
After the article was printed in the press I got a phone call from the BBC. They want to do an interview with me. So on Friday 3rd September between 10am - 11am I will be on BBC Radio Guernsey. Tune in folks :-)
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Guernsey Press
Well hopefully you've read the Guernsey Press and that's why you're here. THANK YOU.
Looking forward to see what the Press readers challenge me to do.
Enjoy the blog and thanks for stopping by
Looking forward to see what the Press readers challenge me to do.
Enjoy the blog and thanks for stopping by
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
August. What a month!!
August is over and the summer is coming to an end, but the challenges keep coming and going. 8 Challenges have been completed this month, which is almost as many as I did in the previous 7 months! So quick run down on the stats; 17 challenges completed, 4 in progress, 7 with arranged dates and I'm still 2 challenges short. Pressure sis on, but I'm sure I'll complete the 40 /40.
So where do I start? I suppose the Havelet Traverse is the best place, as this challenge was completed on 1st August. This is the only challenge that I knew I would not be able to complete, as it is a brutal traverse from Castle Cornet climbing along the wall down to the slipway at Havelet, and takes an average of 2 hours. My climbing arms are just not up to it. Which it is the only challenge which is labeled as "Attempt..." However I did manage to raise £45 as I had bets with a couple of people at £1 per metre. My first attempt was a respectable 20 - 25 metres, but I tried it again a week later and managed about 80 metres, unfortunatley I did not have time to carry on as I had managed to double book myself onto the Herm Fun Run.
In between my attempts at Havelet I felt good enough to attempt another climbing challenge, which was to "climb an E1 before the end of summer" I decided to do "Smear Test" at Pembroke. Next time you're down there walk around past the beach cafe, upto the car park next to the loophole tower. Then look over to Fort Pembroke, you should see the near vertical wall? That's the climb! As it is so blank, unfortunately you have to climb it without ropes, but lots of mats to slide down onto! Visit the Guernsey Mountaineering Club website for more details.
Anyway back to the Herm fun run, or the "Herm Run" as I noticed it was called this year, trust me to enter the year they took fun out of the title. My goal..... not finish last. And I didn't :-)
Start at the Harbour, down to Rousse, turn left up the steps onto the cliff path, down to Shell Beach, across the common, past the Mermaid (c'mon I had to run PAST the Mermaid) down to the harbour. My time was 33 minutes. My time in the pub afterwards was probably 99 minutes.
Next up was my scarecrow, Dave, ready for the Torteval Scarecrow weekend. The original plan was to have a hitch-hiking scarecrow and put it on the grass at Grandes Rocques and see how far up to Torteval it would go. Unfortunately as I was moving it, his arm fell off, and one of his feet. As the challenge was to "Build a scarecrow" I planted him in my back garden and the person who set the challenge came round and agreed I had past it. So another one down.
Back in January I emailed Oddsocks, and explained what I was planning for this year, and asked if there was any way I could get a part in A Midsummer Night's Dream when they came to Castle Cornet. I got an immediate reply saying yes, not a problem. I kept in touch with them throughout the year, and when I went to see the play introduced myself to Andy. What a nice bloke. We sorted out where I would be sitting and when the time came for a volunteer I was picked out of the auidence. At first I was a little disappointed as I was only up for a couple of minutes and it seemed like an anti-climax to the challenge. However was I in for a surprise. Just after the interval I was called upon again for my starring role. Now I'm not sure if you know the play but there is a scene 2 of the characters kiss through a crack in the wall. Guess who played the wall, and my 2 fingers were the crack. I had a "wall costume", and was left on my own in the middle of the stage area for what seemed like ages. Then the kiss. Both of the actors were basically licking my fingers, I know it sounds gross but it was hilarious, and when Andy looked me straight in the eye and said "How's that for a challenge?" I pretty much cracked up. Thanks guys.
Whislt all of this was going on I was cycling to work for 40 days, nothing really much to say about this except there is something quite liberating about cycling to work. Weird really.
Last week another 2 challenges hit the dust in pretty dramatic style. The first was "Exhibit vegetables at the North Show", the original plan was to grow chillies, but wth the house move unfortunately they died on me. Fortunately I had a backup plan. Radishes! And what wonderfull radishes they were, it seems a shame that I got beat by a bale of hay! All joking aside well done to everyone who entered and won at the North Show. I'll have you next year, possibly.
And onto the last challenge of August, and the reason why (hopefully) a lot more people are reading this. The Man Powered Flight @ the Harbour Carnival. What can I say, I came, I jumped, I got wet. I had a great night and the prize money was a great boost to Cancer Research. I do plan, but I always so that, to update the blog more frequently but with so many challenges happenign in August I really didn't have the time. Please come back and follow me in the last 4 months of 2010 as I attempt the 40 / 40 Challenge. Who knows maybe we can have a big beach party on New Year's eve and a mass swim to close the challenge. Hey maybe we could even get the press down. I wonder if I could get 40 people to join me on New Year's eve for the last of my challenges. There's an idea, or maybe even a challenge. :-) Thanks for stopping by.
So where do I start? I suppose the Havelet Traverse is the best place, as this challenge was completed on 1st August. This is the only challenge that I knew I would not be able to complete, as it is a brutal traverse from Castle Cornet climbing along the wall down to the slipway at Havelet, and takes an average of 2 hours. My climbing arms are just not up to it. Which it is the only challenge which is labeled as "Attempt..." However I did manage to raise £45 as I had bets with a couple of people at £1 per metre. My first attempt was a respectable 20 - 25 metres, but I tried it again a week later and managed about 80 metres, unfortunatley I did not have time to carry on as I had managed to double book myself onto the Herm Fun Run.
In between my attempts at Havelet I felt good enough to attempt another climbing challenge, which was to "climb an E1 before the end of summer" I decided to do "Smear Test" at Pembroke. Next time you're down there walk around past the beach cafe, upto the car park next to the loophole tower. Then look over to Fort Pembroke, you should see the near vertical wall? That's the climb! As it is so blank, unfortunately you have to climb it without ropes, but lots of mats to slide down onto! Visit the Guernsey Mountaineering Club website for more details.
Anyway back to the Herm fun run, or the "Herm Run" as I noticed it was called this year, trust me to enter the year they took fun out of the title. My goal..... not finish last. And I didn't :-)
Start at the Harbour, down to Rousse, turn left up the steps onto the cliff path, down to Shell Beach, across the common, past the Mermaid (c'mon I had to run PAST the Mermaid) down to the harbour. My time was 33 minutes. My time in the pub afterwards was probably 99 minutes.
Next up was my scarecrow, Dave, ready for the Torteval Scarecrow weekend. The original plan was to have a hitch-hiking scarecrow and put it on the grass at Grandes Rocques and see how far up to Torteval it would go. Unfortunately as I was moving it, his arm fell off, and one of his feet. As the challenge was to "Build a scarecrow" I planted him in my back garden and the person who set the challenge came round and agreed I had past it. So another one down.
Back in January I emailed Oddsocks, and explained what I was planning for this year, and asked if there was any way I could get a part in A Midsummer Night's Dream when they came to Castle Cornet. I got an immediate reply saying yes, not a problem. I kept in touch with them throughout the year, and when I went to see the play introduced myself to Andy. What a nice bloke. We sorted out where I would be sitting and when the time came for a volunteer I was picked out of the auidence. At first I was a little disappointed as I was only up for a couple of minutes and it seemed like an anti-climax to the challenge. However was I in for a surprise. Just after the interval I was called upon again for my starring role. Now I'm not sure if you know the play but there is a scene 2 of the characters kiss through a crack in the wall. Guess who played the wall, and my 2 fingers were the crack. I had a "wall costume", and was left on my own in the middle of the stage area for what seemed like ages. Then the kiss. Both of the actors were basically licking my fingers, I know it sounds gross but it was hilarious, and when Andy looked me straight in the eye and said "How's that for a challenge?" I pretty much cracked up. Thanks guys.
Whislt all of this was going on I was cycling to work for 40 days, nothing really much to say about this except there is something quite liberating about cycling to work. Weird really.
Last week another 2 challenges hit the dust in pretty dramatic style. The first was "Exhibit vegetables at the North Show", the original plan was to grow chillies, but wth the house move unfortunately they died on me. Fortunately I had a backup plan. Radishes! And what wonderfull radishes they were, it seems a shame that I got beat by a bale of hay! All joking aside well done to everyone who entered and won at the North Show. I'll have you next year, possibly.
And onto the last challenge of August, and the reason why (hopefully) a lot more people are reading this. The Man Powered Flight @ the Harbour Carnival. What can I say, I came, I jumped, I got wet. I had a great night and the prize money was a great boost to Cancer Research. I do plan, but I always so that, to update the blog more frequently but with so many challenges happenign in August I really didn't have the time. Please come back and follow me in the last 4 months of 2010 as I attempt the 40 / 40 Challenge. Who knows maybe we can have a big beach party on New Year's eve and a mass swim to close the challenge. Hey maybe we could even get the press down. I wonder if I could get 40 people to join me on New Year's eve for the last of my challenges. There's an idea, or maybe even a challenge. :-) Thanks for stopping by.
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Catch up
Since my last post a lot has happened. I've moved house, been on holiday, caught impetigo and completed some more challenges.
Rock to Rocque - A charity bike ride around the island, a very pleasant day out. Although in itself not that challenging I decided I would spice it up by trying to cycle up the Val de Terre (one of Guernsey's longest and steepest hills). As the hill was closed to traffic, and even if it wasn't 300+ cyclists would have made it practically impossible for cars to do anything, it was an ideal opportunity without worrying about the traffic behind. It took me just over 4 minutes to cycle up and about 10 minutes to recover from it. So although the challenge was the "Rock to Rocque" for me it was getting up Val de Terre. It started ok but then when I changed gear I had a slight problem, I couldn't get it into the low gears, so instead of doing it in the lower set, I had to push in the mid-set. Not pleasant but hey it was done.
Itex Walk - 40 mile walk around the coast of Guernsey. I did this last year and swore I would never do it again, but when you're looking for challenges then this is a Guernsey classic. As I have contact on the organising committee I was able to start the walk 30 minutes before everyone else, which meant we should be able to clear the first 16 miles on the cliffs without getting caught in the crowds. I was walking with 2 friends from the climbing club, who's partners had to drop out of the walk, so the 3 of us set off at just after 0400. When we got round to Vazon the bubblegum rally was just setting off so we had some weird looking cars (and people) pass us as we walked down to Cobo. All 3 of us managed to complete the walk in just under 13 hours, which is almost 3 hours faster than I did it last year. So after walking 40 miles in under 13 hours, what do you do? You go to a wedding of course! Within 2 hours of finishing the Itex Walk I was at a wedding wondering if I should mingle or just sit near the bar.
8 days later I was in Bala in North Wales at the National White Water Centre and getting ready for my white water rafting challenge. Whilst we were getting changed and briefed it started to rain, which is not bad when your going rafting. Overall the day was pretty good and I loved the rafting, unfortunately it ended on a sad note as I had my rash vest and swim shorts nicked whilst I was getting changed afterwards.
2 days after that the sun was out the sky was blue, so lets climb Snowdon! It was the first time I had been up Snowdon on the Llanberis path, and after about 1hr and without much difficulty got to the 1/2 way cafe. I was surprised that it had only taken an hour to get 1/2 way, and thought the path was extremely easy to walk up. However past the cafe is where the climb really begins. The gradient increased significantly and when we walked through the tunnel and effectively crossed to the other side of Snowdon the wind started to pick up (we had been sheltered up until this point) and the gradient went up another notch. But in just under 2 hr 30 mins from the bottom we were stood on top of Snowdon. After sitting up top for a while, we made our way down to finish just under 5 hours after we had started. So we headed off to the pub for a beer or 2 then over to Pete's for some much needed food.
Since coming back from holiday I've started my "cycle to work for 40 days" challenge and started getting lessons from Kel @ Island Adventures for my "Roll a kayak in the sea" challenge. There is also some video evidence of my rolling attempts, which when I nail it will also be posted.
Next scheduled challenge is the "Herm Fun Run" and my stage debut in "A Midsummer Nights Dream" should be happening on the 20th August. I'll will have completed my cycle to work challenge, and to hopefully get my kayak roll done before the end of August so within the next 4 weeks another 4 challenges should be done.
Sorry for the long post but wanted to get completely up to date. I will try and keep up with the blog as I continue the 2010 40/40 Challenge.
**rant warning**
I must be honest and say I was a little surprised at what has been done to the summit of Snowdon, as I can clearly remember the last bit being a bit of a scramble, but now for some reason they have "landscaped" it and put in steps, please come on folks, steps at the summit of a mountain :-( Also the new "visitor attraction" at the top, someone dropped the ball with this, as although the views are spectacular on a clear day I couldn't help noticing that here was nowhere to shelter if the centre was closed, as it is in the Winter. Surely it isn't beyond the wit of man to spend another couple of grand to add a shelter?
**rant over**
Rock to Rocque - A charity bike ride around the island, a very pleasant day out. Although in itself not that challenging I decided I would spice it up by trying to cycle up the Val de Terre (one of Guernsey's longest and steepest hills). As the hill was closed to traffic, and even if it wasn't 300+ cyclists would have made it practically impossible for cars to do anything, it was an ideal opportunity without worrying about the traffic behind. It took me just over 4 minutes to cycle up and about 10 minutes to recover from it. So although the challenge was the "Rock to Rocque" for me it was getting up Val de Terre. It started ok but then when I changed gear I had a slight problem, I couldn't get it into the low gears, so instead of doing it in the lower set, I had to push in the mid-set. Not pleasant but hey it was done.
Itex Walk - 40 mile walk around the coast of Guernsey. I did this last year and swore I would never do it again, but when you're looking for challenges then this is a Guernsey classic. As I have contact on the organising committee I was able to start the walk 30 minutes before everyone else, which meant we should be able to clear the first 16 miles on the cliffs without getting caught in the crowds. I was walking with 2 friends from the climbing club, who's partners had to drop out of the walk, so the 3 of us set off at just after 0400. When we got round to Vazon the bubblegum rally was just setting off so we had some weird looking cars (and people) pass us as we walked down to Cobo. All 3 of us managed to complete the walk in just under 13 hours, which is almost 3 hours faster than I did it last year. So after walking 40 miles in under 13 hours, what do you do? You go to a wedding of course! Within 2 hours of finishing the Itex Walk I was at a wedding wondering if I should mingle or just sit near the bar.
8 days later I was in Bala in North Wales at the National White Water Centre and getting ready for my white water rafting challenge. Whilst we were getting changed and briefed it started to rain, which is not bad when your going rafting. Overall the day was pretty good and I loved the rafting, unfortunately it ended on a sad note as I had my rash vest and swim shorts nicked whilst I was getting changed afterwards.
2 days after that the sun was out the sky was blue, so lets climb Snowdon! It was the first time I had been up Snowdon on the Llanberis path, and after about 1hr and without much difficulty got to the 1/2 way cafe. I was surprised that it had only taken an hour to get 1/2 way, and thought the path was extremely easy to walk up. However past the cafe is where the climb really begins. The gradient increased significantly and when we walked through the tunnel and effectively crossed to the other side of Snowdon the wind started to pick up (we had been sheltered up until this point) and the gradient went up another notch. But in just under 2 hr 30 mins from the bottom we were stood on top of Snowdon. After sitting up top for a while, we made our way down to finish just under 5 hours after we had started. So we headed off to the pub for a beer or 2 then over to Pete's for some much needed food.
Since coming back from holiday I've started my "cycle to work for 40 days" challenge and started getting lessons from Kel @ Island Adventures for my "Roll a kayak in the sea" challenge. There is also some video evidence of my rolling attempts, which when I nail it will also be posted.
Next scheduled challenge is the "Herm Fun Run" and my stage debut in "A Midsummer Nights Dream" should be happening on the 20th August. I'll will have completed my cycle to work challenge, and to hopefully get my kayak roll done before the end of August so within the next 4 weeks another 4 challenges should be done.
Sorry for the long post but wanted to get completely up to date. I will try and keep up with the blog as I continue the 2010 40/40 Challenge.
**rant warning**
I must be honest and say I was a little surprised at what has been done to the summit of Snowdon, as I can clearly remember the last bit being a bit of a scramble, but now for some reason they have "landscaped" it and put in steps, please come on folks, steps at the summit of a mountain :-( Also the new "visitor attraction" at the top, someone dropped the ball with this, as although the views are spectacular on a clear day I couldn't help noticing that here was nowhere to shelter if the centre was closed, as it is in the Winter. Surely it isn't beyond the wit of man to spend another couple of grand to add a shelter?
**rant over**
Thursday, 27 May 2010
One more down
So, finally moved house, big thanks to all who helped. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. The only downside is, the weather has been so good the past 2 weeks on the rock that we've still got boxes to unpack and rooms to sort out, but hey sometimes it's just to nice to stay in and do the mundane things associated with day to day life :-) Alothough I do need to get the greenhouse sorted or my vegetables won't be ready for the "North Show".
As the title suggests I managed to sneak another challenge in, it was one of my climbing challenges "Lead a climb outside". Basically last Tuesday I set out with the intention of either completing an HVS clean or leading a climb. As these things tend to happen, the situation presented itself to do the lead so I went for it. Nothing spectacular, nothing special just a nice Mod, which to be honest I could have probably solo'd, but the monkey's off my back and I did it.
Off on my hols in a couple of weeks to Llanberis, which is a climbers playground, and hopefully I should be able to get some climbing sorted. If not I will complete at least one more challenge as I am going White Water rafting whilst I'm away. When I get back the "Cycle to work for 40 days" challenge starts.
Total for Cancer Research currently stands at £215 so still a way to go. Oh well, on with the 40 / 40 challenge.
Thanks for stopping by.
As the title suggests I managed to sneak another challenge in, it was one of my climbing challenges "Lead a climb outside". Basically last Tuesday I set out with the intention of either completing an HVS clean or leading a climb. As these things tend to happen, the situation presented itself to do the lead so I went for it. Nothing spectacular, nothing special just a nice Mod, which to be honest I could have probably solo'd, but the monkey's off my back and I did it.
Off on my hols in a couple of weeks to Llanberis, which is a climbers playground, and hopefully I should be able to get some climbing sorted. If not I will complete at least one more challenge as I am going White Water rafting whilst I'm away. When I get back the "Cycle to work for 40 days" challenge starts.
Total for Cancer Research currently stands at £215 so still a way to go. Oh well, on with the 40 / 40 challenge.
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, 10 May 2010
What's going on?
Well it's been a while since I did an update to the 40 / 40 challenge blog so I thought I'd better update you with what's happening. After the triathlon I decided to take a break from training so not really been doing much, just chillin' and enjoying my time. We're moving house this week so a lot of time packing up and getting ready for the move.
Then over the next few weeks the challenges start coming hard and fast. Another challenge has presented itself with the "Rock to Rocque" bike challenge on 30th May followed by the Itex walk on 5th June, then whitewater rafting on 13th June. The "Three Peaks" challenge has been changed to "Climb Snowdon" as I have been unable to organise it, probably becuase I'm crap at organising!! And this will happen sometime during the week 14th June.
When I come back from my holiday I will then start with the "Cycle to work for 40 days challenge" - So over the next month I should complete 4 more challenges and started on another. Challenges currently in progress are "Drink 40 different beers" & "Knit a jumper", and training for "Climb an E1"; "Lead an outdoor Climb" & the "Havelet Wall Traverse" is in progress.
Amount raised for Cancer Research now sits at £215, which is good. Next post when I've moved house. Cheers and thanks for stopping by
Then over the next few weeks the challenges start coming hard and fast. Another challenge has presented itself with the "Rock to Rocque" bike challenge on 30th May followed by the Itex walk on 5th June, then whitewater rafting on 13th June. The "Three Peaks" challenge has been changed to "Climb Snowdon" as I have been unable to organise it, probably becuase I'm crap at organising!! And this will happen sometime during the week 14th June.
When I come back from my holiday I will then start with the "Cycle to work for 40 days challenge" - So over the next month I should complete 4 more challenges and started on another. Challenges currently in progress are "Drink 40 different beers" & "Knit a jumper", and training for "Climb an E1"; "Lead an outdoor Climb" & the "Havelet Wall Traverse" is in progress.
Amount raised for Cancer Research now sits at £215, which is good. Next post when I've moved house. Cheers and thanks for stopping by
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