Thursday 25 April 2013

The Next Step

We are now less than 5 months away from setting off.  It's starting to feel more real now, probably because there is nothing to distract us.  After 3 years of effort, boredom, annoyance and hard work we have both finished our Degrees!

The title of this post refers to us taking the next step in life by leaving full-time education, but also in preparing for the expedition.  I start full-time work on Monday 29th April and Ross starts soon after.  I'm working as a Watersports Instructor on Derwentwater and Ross is a climbing/multi-activity instructor in Scotland for the summer.  Hopefully we'll earn enough to make the trip quite comfortable!

Over the last 2 months I've not been out training much due to having lots of essays and a dissertation to write.  I think I've typed 20-30,000 words in the last 8 weeks.  That might not be much compared to someone on an English or History course but it will do me fine thanks!  Ross has been out fairly regularly in Liverpool on his shiny new bike, and seems to be enjoying the challenge.  Our JustGiving page hasn't had much traffic in the last while, probably because we have been so busy.  If you can spare a few pounds we would appreciate any donations towards Alzheimer Scotland, as it's such a good cause.

Ross about to start an evening training ride (Photo thanks to Chris Dean)

I still haven't got a proper bike yet, but I managed to borrow one (thanks Remy!) for 2 days of training with Ross here in the Lakes.  We did a 30 mile loop of Windermere and followed that with a hill-climb session, covering 13 miles and going up to the Kirkstone Pass at 468 metres.  The descent was memorable as we flew down a road called 'The Struggle' with a gradient of 1 in 4, which is extremely steep!  The pass is the highest in the Lake District open to motor traffic also.

Thankfully, since I handed in my Dissertation I've managed to get away from the computer a while and had some fun.  I ended up doing something called Ghyll Scrambling, which involves finding a large stream/small river and walking, climbing and swimming up it.  We found some pools to jump into, which is actually safer than you might think!

I didn't hit the tree and the water was deep, but icy!

So!  School's out and summer is here.  I can't wait to start work, go climbing in sun, and cycle on bright, clear mornings.  IT WILL BE SUNNY ALL SUMMER.  You heard it here first...  Just no more snow please!

Climbing isn't fun when you can't feel your fingers or toes!

I'm going to have a look at a bike this weekend so hopefully I'll have one by next week.  Then training can really start!  We're still looking for information about good routes and places to stay throughout France, Spain and Morocco so if anyone has any information please contact us.

Cheerio!
John