I thought I was alone in my thoughts and outlook ... Until now.

A book that finally puts a large part of my being into words .... I hold back the tears .... 

I learnt a lot about the fixed mindset people that I have had to 'deal with'and have encountered in my time.... . 

The book: Mindset by Dr Carol S  Dweck

I thought I was alone in my thoughts and outlook ..... Until now.... 

Radio

Today was very different but great too. Today i stayed in Aviemore as I had to fix my bike (bikes are best with working brakes) and have an interview/conversation with the local radio  station.

I have to say I was a little nervous but equally very excited as this is all new. Lewis was great, very welcoming and reassuring... And as promised we just had a chat and played a few songs in between! Easyish... 

Of course there are things i should have said (what i can remember that is) but i cant be too hard on myself as it is/was my first time in front of the mic. Yes, i have spoken on radio but so far its been standing on the side of the road and speaking between cars and lorries roaring past. 

The rest of the day was spent drinking coffee and just relaxing ... But its time to hit the trail again 😀 and who knows

Maybe, just maybe it will be wind and rain free (she says trying to convince herself) - this is Scotland of course.  

When Facebook comes alive and meeting Lancashire ACF.

With the morning wake up view of this: 

I just knew that it was going to be a great day. I had only 35ish miles to Otterburn camp so I reckoned that i would be there in 3 hours. But these loooooong mile long uphills with sharp down hills contined so I stopped for lunch for an hour, then coffee and pudding at Otterburn mill and although I was temped to seek out another coffee.... The afternoon was disappearing so I headed to the camp.

Ok, so in my mind and ACF was small, consisting of only a few kids and that probably was that. How wrong could I be!

900 strong with 400 attending the summer camp.... And thats only theLancashire  district! But I have to say, I am not surprised. With only a brief insight and snap shot, I wanted to join as a cadet...today! Sky diving, 100km runs/forced marches, trips abroad... The list goes on. 

However after meeting the staff, what was very evident and clear is that they were extremely dedicated and child focused. These guys were not there just for the military aspect (and adventure training) the social welfare and supporting the cadets to develop themselves was key. A very smooth operation, welloiled and  thought  out with a very distinctivephilosophy  and approachthat didnt include the historical military shout. Blinkin fantastic. I have say that all of the parents and staff should feel extremely proud of their children/ cadet(s) as from what I saw, the maturity of questions and discussions had with individuals were amazing.

But I was there for a reason. My first presentation about the journey to achieving my dream (x3). It was personal and the first time that i have spoken publicaly and  privately about elements of my journey. Ok, so it was a snap shot but it felt great and the cadets (and staff) had plenty of questions. 

The upshot is that I am even keener to explore and develop that area.. So please make contact if you are interested.

But for now its back to the rolling hill roads and passing the Scottish border. 

With my first night in my new hooped bivvi. So contented. 😀

Back on the bike trail

Ohhhh it feels so great to be back on trail again, ok, so it maybe gloomy with patches of light rain .... But thats AOkay. 

Just being back on the bike on the open road, looking and feeling the massive hills  is just priceless. 

After a train ride to Darlington this pm, a quick interview with Star radio (Darlington) the open road through the rolling hills was great. Its been about a month and a half since my last adventure.... A month and a half too long in my books. 

Today, i had to stop due to failing light! Yes, it looked as though night was creeping in by 6.30pm! However, I have to say, at the campsite, i was greated by two stunning trail angels! Absolute genuine kindness and loveliness. It was a complete suprise/ totally unexpected and well i was just completely taken aback. Stephen and jacquiline - both so welcoming and generous and I cant wait to back there.

Good to go....

I have to say.... I never want to go through the last weekend again. With the £plummeting against the $, a suprise outcome of the Brexit and markets going haywire; suddenly the reality hit, that my dream of going solo to the pole was in serious jeopardy. 

News of no plan, no direction, no pound, no stability but lashings of lies and deceit but all in the name of regaining control meant that even though it cost me dearly, I wasn't prepared to 'see what happens' over the coming weeks/months. Of course it must be remembered that there has been a lot invested already from equipment, training and focus.

So, by 6pm on Friday 1st July, I received the news that the full funds had arrived in the USA.... It's happening ... No turning back now ..... In November 2016 I will be standing alone on the start line at the Hercules Inlet ready to start the 1400 mile (2253km) ski to the South Pole and back. I can't wait.

The journey will be in two parts. The first is the race route from Hercules to the South Pole where only 4 solo women have gone before. This will be unsupported and unassisted. 

At the South Pole, I will pick up a food resupply and return back to the Hercules Inlet - another 700 miles. This distance has not been completed by any solo female. 

The environment will be very harsh with November being notorious for bad weather as it emerges from the dark winter months. High wind, low temps will add to this journey that by distance and going solo - it's already high stakes. 

There is still a lot to be done. So, best I keep going ..... 

Talk at the the Royal Geographical Society

First time at the Royal Geographical Society and boy was it a good'n.

The evening was filled with heroic people sharing their story but also the hard nose reality of the potential cost to life on these    expeditions.

Death/die/ dead/ died..... Key words that were repeated throughout the evening but was the common thread through the last talk.... I guess it was their way of bringing the room back down to the ground and giving the young hopefuls a sense of responsibility and reality.

Yes, i have visited this area several times and will continue to do so. Minimising risks and variables has been a feature ... and my way of doing this is by reestablishing and stripping things back to the core purpose. 

However in many ways, I am lucky, I have no dependants or job so it makes the rest of the thinking easier.... 

What a very interesting evening 😀

A lovely evening at the Theatre Royal

What a treat! Original composers conducting philamonic orchestra in honour of the Queens 90th. A stunning performance throughout.

Something that everyone should attend .... Looking forward to more celebrations next week in Chelsea...