I did it - and it was AMAZING !!

It was much harder than I expected, and much more treacherous! The wall you see in pictures is the bit that the tourists walk on. We mostly walked on broken bits of the wall, on paths with no sides, on overgrown paths that run alongside the wall and up through the forest.

Most of the time it was relentless. Walking, walking, up up up. I just kept on telling myself 'one step at a time'.

The second day was hot. It was over 47 degrees c and we walked to over 970 metres. It was a long, long day.

I don't seem to be able to find the words to describe the journey. I can't really do it justice. At times it was quite emotional, at times it was just fabulous.

It was quite a big group, over 40 people. Most of the people were absolutely lovely. We had a group of Scottish ladies who were such fun and loved to sing and they were great to have around.

I hooked up with Stacey and Sophie most of the time and I think I will have 2 friends for life with them. They got me though some difficult moments, especially when I allowed myself to think about why I was doing the trek.

There was another person on the trek who was raising money for Huntington's Disease. I didn't know he was going to be there, it was a complete surprise! His name is Rick. Rick and I walked and talked one day for hours. He's never talked to anyone else with HD in their family before, only to professionals. His Mum has HD and he is at risk. He is an absolutely lovely, lovely guy and I'm so pleased he was with us. Meeting him was one of the highlights of the trip.

My body held out well and my training held me in good stead. Although one evening my legs and hips were killing me. It really worried me but Laura (a physiotherapist who was on the trek raising money) did her magic on my legs and hips after dinner. What she did was amazing, I had no problems after that at all, thank god!

Some people had trouble with vertigo on the wall. The height and narrowness of some of the paths made them freeze with fear. I was fine, but I can understand why they felt that way. There were times when I was a bit unsure myself. You just had to keep looking at your feet all the time.

Three times someone fell completely off the path. But there are so many trees that you wouldn't actually be able to fall too far, but you certainly could do yourself some serious damage.

The whole journey, from the start of the fundraising to the end of the trek, has been such an amazing experience for me and I have been overwhelmed by everyone's support.

Please look at my photos
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=113101&id=564591799&l=0e58d9f8db

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware"

Thank you Richard

This is it !!!!!!

The night before I go!

Drinking champagne with one of my bestest mates Sonya. Probably not the wisest thing to do, but hey, what the heck!

Just about packed and ready to go.

Lots of good luck cards, texts and emails, which I am truly grateful for.

Been feeling the stress today. I hate packing.

But so excited.

Will update my blog when I get back.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me, in whatever way.

It's been an amazing journey already and it's not over yet!

5 days to go and £10,300 raised.

I did my last training walk yesterday - a 4 hour as I'm now winding down.

I met a lady who's doing the walk in China with us - Anji. She came and walked with me and Sandra (my friend who is doing a trek in Cuba for the HDA).

Anji told me that we will sometimes be sleeping in tents! I just hope she is winding me up and I've emailed the organisers to find out.

I'm REALLY excited now and can't wait for the challenge.

I still have bits and pieces to sort out but have a few days before I go to do that.

Jane and Steve are taking me to the airport and Gill and David are picking me up.

Bring it on !!!!!!

Under 2 weeks to go.......

It was a weekend of walking, what a suprise !









On Saturday my brother Steve and his partner Jane walked with me for about 3 and a half hours. We explored the Chislehurst countryside and Scadbury Park and had lunch in Pizza Express. I am eating for England at the moment - must be all the walking I'm doing. I had a gorgeous big toffee fudge Sundy and enjoyed every mouthful without feeling bad about it....mmmmmmmmmmmm lovely!
On Sunday I walked for SEVEN HOURS! I walked for 4 hours to and around High Elms. The carpets of bluebells are just wonderful at the moment. I saw little chicks on the pond in High Elms, so cute!

I came home for lunch, a shower and got changed. I even put my shorts on as the weather was so glorious.

After an hours break, I walked to Petts Wood and met my friend Kul. He walked with me for a while in Petts Wood and then I walked some more on my own and walked home.

Needless to say, after 7 hours walking I was pretty tired. I had a bath and went to my Friend Gills. Gill had cooked a wonderful roast dinner and her hubby, who is a podiatrist, gave me a much-needed foot massage.

I came home and slept like a log. Yesterday (Monday) I had an hours leg and back massage and I must admit I just wanted to curl up in bed afterwards, but I had to work.

A bit achy, but all in all doing well. I went to the gym this morning (Tuesday) and am starting to wind down a bit now.

Ashlee has just come back and has told me it was quite wet some days and that the food is not good. She also said, forget about the distance - it's the ups and downs that really get you! Good job I've been doing the stepper at the gym but I'm wondering now if I should have done more lunges etc.

Oh yes, and I caught my little toe the other day and it's making my foot hurt. Can't find my arnica cream anywhere! Hope it heals quickly.

3 weeks to go !

Yesterday I did seven hours of walking! I went out at 6.45am and did a couple of hours before meeting up with Stuart, Gazza and Tracey for a 3 hour hike to the pub in Knockholt.

We were all really hungry and had much needed roast dinners and puddings!

All the bluebells were out in the woods, it was absolutely lovely!Jane and Natalie met me at the pub and we walked for another two hours in the afternoon.

Needless to say I was tired last night, so I had a nice soak in the bath and curled up on the sofa with a video.

I've started taking my suppliments to boost my immune system, liver and my intestinal flora. I'm off the booze too!

Under 4 weeks to go ..........

....... and sorting out the last bits and bobs.

I ordered my currency today - Chinese Yuan.
and I went back on e-bay and ordered a battery charger for my i-pod and a nice pink leather case for it.

I went to Argos and got myself a cheap sports watch to take with me. I'm slowly but surely getting it all together now.