Day 80 - 20th March

Tuesday -

Busy at work with challenges afoot to keep 'Le Grande Fromage' happy.

Took photo of my office just for reference, of course no one sees me in my office (outside world).
Needs a lick of paint though but very roomy and all mine. Ivory Tower!

Eve - Cinema with DW to see 'The Devil Inside' - Intriguing but not actually a true story, contrary to what the film makers tell you. Good but a rather abrupt ending. DW unwell, head cold, bless but still managed to make it to the cinema with bunged up nose and sore throat. Gett better soon DW.

I also thought it is about time I added a photo of DW... this photo is taken by DW whilst out shopping for a gilet. Looking rather sexy in my view but I am of course biased.

Snug up in bed by 10pm, ready for another day at the office tomorrow. 5 sleeps until ski trip.

Sleep tight peeps x

Day 79 - 19th March

Monday, Monday....

OK so last week before Ski trip...will throw myself into work this week and revise processes and revamp the service delivery in the office. This will ensure I have some challenges and projects ahead to keep me motivated and perform well.

Wore ski boots this evening again, trying to wear them in as advised by Ski Boot man (Ellis Brigham). Feel really tight for 30mins then loosen off there after, have only manged 2.5hrs on them. Seem to be softening up though.

I have worked out my plan for the patio and surrounding area, I have the vision and plans in place to start shaping this idea into reality at Easter. This Saturday looks like a good gardening day, so will measure out the area for patio extension and plant beds, where washing line is moving to and sort out how many bamboo screens I need. Of course this is not free, gardening is actually quite expensive.

(Idea for patio area, unfortunately not my garden!!!)

Andy Benz - arrive in the am to resolve issue with rotten fence posts, yeah people can park on the gravel again.

6 sleeps until ski trip and it has been snowing again today, planned snow on Thursday eve/Friday too :-).

Nighty, Nighty x

Day 78 - 18th March

Sunday - Happy Mothers Day!!

Book & Flowers appreciated by mum, card gratefully accepted even though mum said 'you shouldn't have as yesterday was my treat'. Really? and I can't treat my mum to more than 1 outing.. I think mum thinks I still do a paper round and have earn £12 per week (Bless).

Went for a run, very enjoyable in the sunshine and nice to go round old haunts in Chelmsford.

Rabble came round for lunch, they seemed to enjoy the Ipad, luckily they swapped every now and again. Although had to fight them to get it off the little cherubs. Note to self-  need to look at perhaps purchasing an ipad for them for Xmas.

Little cherubs below... Lucy (eldest) & Zoe.

Great day, really nice to see all the family and catch up with brother and Anya

G x

Day 77 - 17th March

Saturday - St Patricks Day!!! Top of the morning to ya..

Off to London with Mum to take a nice guided walk of Old Kensington with (London Walks) Check out the link, if you are ever in London and want to find out facts and places you never knew existed this is best company ever www.londonwalks.co.uk. Pity we could not go onto 'Derry Tom's amazing 4 acre roof garden, however I shall ensure I visit there next time & book a nice table at their observatory restaurant called 'Babylon' . Best food ever, go for the set lunch menu 2 courses = £22.

Through the old streets of London, in rather a posh area, £3mn for a mews, £60mn for a nice house in millionaires road, opposite Kensington Palace. I'll have 2 please :-0

Stopped off for lunch in M&S, they had a lovely little deli where you could sit down and have your lunch, whether you purchased from the Deli or bought a sandwich from the food hall. How fab. Only in Kensington my friends.

Mum eating her crisp with the deli behind...Mum not impressed by photo due to crisp issue!

After such a lovely day (All for Mothers Day..also great to spend time with mum, we are like sisters but I am the younger looking one :-)) Ended up back on the buses to return to Liverpool Street and what bus should arrive to take us back but a good old fashioned route master... all hail to the real London Buses, also with real conductor who was especially entertaining.

Home James and don't spare the horses...Dad picked us up from Shenfield as railway works going on @ Chelmsford. A nice dinner and the watched 'Black Swan'. Now has anyone seen this and if so did you know some of the scenes before watching..I didn't hence felt slightly uncomfortable with a couple of the scened in front of Mum & Dad (Quite graphic!

Move on xxx

Day 76 - 16th March

Friday -

We have made it. To be honest though this is my first full week since WC 13th Feb, due to illness and holidays!! 5 days seems so much longer than a 4 day week. Another 5 day week next week!
Shouldn't complain as many people don't have jobs at the moment and this must be really difficult financially and emotionally.

Eve - Travelled down to Chelmsford. Took the Easter Eggs with me as this is the only chance I will get to hand these over to the family before Easter.

Thought of the day - why do some people not look in their mirrors and see you driving up, quite some speed on the outside lane, but do not move over? Observe the road and other motorists people. If you are afraid to go over 60 - 70, my suggestion is stick to the inside lane.

Thanks and good night x

Day 75 - 15th March

Thursday -
1 step nearer ski holiday and 1 step nearer the weekend. This weekend it is Mothers day, so down to see the parents in Chelmsford for laughs and frivolity.

Eve - Over to DW's as not seeing hom this weekend due to above. Chilled out and watched the new 3 part series on ITV1 @ 9pm. Quite amusing.

G x

Day 74 - 14th March

Wednesday -

1 day nearer the weekend. I know I shouldn't think like that however I am in need of a holiday. 1 week off since June 2011 is not conducive to keeping motivated at work. Although I have many things to do, I can  not seem to get motivated to get engrossed into the detail. I think the ski holiday will blow a few cobwebs away & kick the spark off again. I am hoping!!!

Eve - Phone call with Lady Bolam. Who will arrive back home from a trip to Londium (having had a great time) and find my blog up to date ;-)
Chelsea come back from 3-1 down to beat Napoli in the Champions league, what a game.

G x

Day 73 - 13th March

Tuesday -

Another non eventful day at the office. New mug is great, a bucket of a mug that keeps me going for the majority of the day.

Eve - Motivated to run this evening, started my 'Brain Training' plan for 10k. Needless to say I am unfit, how fit I must have been when running the marathons. Note to self, DO NOT fail to pick up your running again. It is free and takes you through the countryside!!

DW came over, planned to go to the Gold range but no time after run/dinner, so just chilled in front of the box.

Day 72 - 12th March

Monday -

A shock to the system today, I have to work a 5 day week!! Now what is one of them again. Due to holidays & illness I have worked out that my last 5 day week was in fact...WC 13/02. Blimey.
2 full weeks then off for 1 week (well deserved as have not had a week off since June 2011), with no summer holiday last year I need a good break. Back for Easter so 2 x 4 day weeks then 1 full week and another 4 day week due to wedding on 27th April (Friday). OMG it is then May 2012...My life flashes before me....slow down already I am getting dizzy.

Have so many plans afoot, mostly incorporating DW (Yes I will add some photo's of him on here or you will think I am making him up). Weekend with Mum & Dad this weekend coming as Mothers Day. 24th/25th - Skiing & 31st/01st April, Easter weekend - extending patio and hiking in the English countryside. I could go on but that will do for now as you will soon find out what other plans I have as we go through the blog.

Doctors - He confirmed that Microgynon is not working for me, so prescribed me another, Marvelon. Had to take the pill today, so tracked down a late opening pharmacy - drove to Tesco @ Kettering. Took one before bed. Faced timed DW and had a good old natter. Discussing holiday plans for the summer, with Zach and on our own. Potentially camping with Zach as 2 bedroom tent & then Cyprus for an adult holiday in September. Ahhhh the sun turning my skin to a golden brown colour, I have missed my tan. Makes you feel and look so much healthier than a pale off yellow. Although I do not condone sunbeds or baking yourself in lard to gain the tan..sensible sun bathing please everyone. :-)

No photo's today but not much to photograph. Need to post some videos soon but the blog seems to struggle posting these moving pictures, however will try.

Monday down, just 4 days to go...keep on smiling :-) xx

Day 71 - 11th March

Sunday -

An attempt at a lie in but no luck here...DW was very kind and told me to stay in bed, he would make breakfast. Who is this new age man? I should be cooking him breakfast, seeing as we are residing in my house, but no he wants to play Chef and who am I to argue. Liking this pampering..because I'm worth it!!! (from L'Oreal advert).

Skiing at the Snozone, MK. DW's first proper slope pass now he is a qualified skiier. He is very confident and apart from the odd mishap does exceptionally well. He will come on leaps and bounds in the ski school on holiday (11 days to go). Popped into Ellis Brigham to purchase my first pair of ski boots, check these booties out...

Need to wear them in the run up to my ski trip, to mould the boots to my feet and allow the plastic to flex. Wore them round the house this evening, sounds like a load of Elephants trapsing through the place. Managed an hour then had to get them off (The boots I mean....cheeky!)
A couple of pints of the black stuff whilst watching the Rugby, get in, the Frogs get beaten by the young England bucks.

Eve - I cooked a roast dinner, although DW made amazing gravy from the Chicken stock (nice).
Cheeky Apple crumble and Carte Dore vanilla ice cream (The ligher option I may add). Watched Homeland or should I say tried to watch episode 2 of Homeland but both falling asleep by 9.40am, so off to Bedfordshire we go.

Night Night x

Day 70 - 10th March

Saturday -

A lie in or so called lie in, 7.40am!! Bike ride planned for this morning so gorgeous cycle gear on and looking good. Was supposed to take photo via Iphone but had other things to contend with like finding some energy from somewhere. David went of like a Whippet & I really struggled to keep up for the first 5miles. Drank some energy drink and said that I would let him know if I had to stop at any point. Luckily energy levels picked up and all is well with the world. Ended up cycling 24 miles, pity 'The Swans @ Lamport' was closed could have stopped for a cup of tea and rest. Why do the village pubs not open until the afternoon these days?

PM - DW went to mine and slobbed whilst I popped to have haircut. Well I say popped, some 3 hrs later and I have just finished. Ended up chatting for ages with hairdresser as there were no other customers in there. Usually I read my paper whilst I wait for the colour to work.

Eve - fish n chips for tea, oven cooked not from chip shop as far to fatty and greasy. Wine, nice!! Another film, 'The Exorcism Of Emily Rose' - interesting as true story (was going to add link to you tube from here but rather disturbing footage and video sounds) Look it up for yourself if you are interested!!

Rather disturbed nights sleep, anything to do with film?? Perhaps.

Remember the witching hours is 3.00am, which is 12 hrs after the death of Christ @ 3pm!! I am not religious in any way,shape or form. Just another interesting and weird fact I learnt from the film.

And we rather swiftly move onto Sunday...please

x

Day 69 - 9th March

Friday -

Yeah it's Friday and I have fun packed weekend planned yet again!!

Work - although work to do today, quite boring stuff so will take things nice and easy today. In fact I am the most senior bod at Nutts Lane today, so I report into myself no questions asked ;-)

Eve - Over to DW's for dinner (nice chilli) with a bottle of the Vino Tinto and DVD (The Man with 2 Brains - a classic). V funny. Really chilled out evening, great wind down to a week at work (all 4 days!!)

TTFN x

Day 68 - 8th March

Thursday -

Work - filled with joyous meetings and disgruntled customers. I do wonder how much time people have on their hands when I hear/see some customer complaints. Honestly have they not got anything else better to do than moan about something that they should have taken responsibility for...like reading their plans before signing!!!

Eve - Lost more washing and cleaning this evening, house seems to be churning out mud or could it be the cat bringing this wonderful material in from the garden. Does anyone know how to train a cat to wipe it's paws before entering the house?

Thank crunchy it's Friday tomorrow, yippee!!

G x

Day 67 - 7th March

Wednesday -

These contraceptive pills have a lot to answer for, surely by now I should have had a blood transfusion. Booked to see Doctor next week, this can't be right.

Work was ok - showing the new boy around the place, a little training.

Eve - Should be running or doing some form of exercise this evening but still dog tired. I think this may have something to with my comment above. Focused my efforts on trading and learning to make my millions by the time I am 40!!! Which actually doesn't give me a lot of scope as 19 months away and I will be the BIG 40!!!! AAAAHHHHHHHH :-(

G x

Day 66 - 6th March

Tuesday -

Back at work, still mega tired but everyone is talking about the big adventure. I am quite surprised by the fact that the people who did not manage 1 summit or in fact attempt to climb the mountains have posted photo's on facebook and said what a great time they had. These people received £ from generous people, so they could achieve their charity target for 'Save The Children' and yet they did not even try...this is a poor show and I would be embarrassed to accept money off people. They even lapped up the plaudits and well done banners in the office, shameful!!

Note to self, will only do another adventure through work if the people on it are triers and have a good level of fitness to succeed. Rather disappointing.

Eve - Over to DW's for dinner & slob, haven't seen him since Thursday however due to log burner and my tiredness I fell asleep on the floor at 9pm!!! Poor show Miss Raycraft! oh well ;-)

Tired Fraggle x

Day 65 - 5th March

Monday - Holiday (A day of rest)

My limbs do not ache, however am drained of energy, so potter today.
Plenty of washing to do, followed by some cleaning & food shop.

Maybe some TV later this PM and a snooze to catch up on some ZZZZZ.

Quiet day..not much to report

TTFN x

Day 63 - 4th March

Sunday -

Stayed in a nice farmhouse last night. Arrived at 7.30pm, quickly showered then drove to the little pub at the end of the track (quite literally the end of  track at the bottom of a mountain in the middle of nowhere).

Up at 5.00am to get cracking early as 2 mountains to climb today (although debating whether I will do Snowdon as have done this before) Depends how tired I am.
Just me and the boys today, I am doing this for the female race today...adventure girl I am.

Crikey the steepness of this climb is so different to Ben Nevis, although not as high the incline is so much harder, especially via the ravine and across the mossy banks, which are spongy and don't give you a push to make the next step. OK so now we are at the key part of the climb, a grade 1 scramble (this is the last scramble before you are onto ropes and literally climbing - paints a picture). Don't look down!!

Made it, bloody cold but all good, even had time for a loo stop at the top!!! ;-0

Still look a tit but being warm is key to survival at these heights, good job!
Quick descent, at least 1 hr but that is quick. It's amazing how difficult the descent is, harder on your legs than climbing, knackers your knees and makes your thighs burn..

Back in car for 11.30am and now off to Snowdon, 3.5hrs drive. Again I will catch some sleep as I think I maybe driving back from Snowdon as Ian (mad as a hatter) is running Snowdon, yes you read correctly RUNNING Snowdon. Even though we have heard the weather is pretty dismal up there today.

Snowdon - No photo's as rather pooped and didn't fancy the intrepid climb with the weather. Ian is off like a hare and gone before I can blink. Chris, Ant & Matt take the walk route up the Pyg track..good luck lads. Head torches at the ready as they will descend in the dark, scary stuff.

5.20pm and Ian arrives back in a taxi from Llanbewis looking rather cold and shaken. He had to climb on all fours to reach the top, helped a couple of stranded hikers who had strayed off the beaten track and called the emergency services for another couple who were panicking on the mountain.  Due to flimsy running gear rather than insulated mountain jacket etc Ian was bloody cold, and was delighted to be back at bottom. A couple of cookies and warm heater later he has defrosted and much calmer.

Note to everyone - RESPECT THE MOUNTAIN

Finally arrived back at the ranch at 9.45pm, shattered...mmmmm lovely bed I have missed you


Tired Adventure Girl x

Day 62 - 3rd March

Saturday -

4.50am rise and shine you bstards....wakey wakey (in very loud voice) Ha, ha got my own back. Most of them are very displeased by this wake up call and don't even know where there are or what they are supposed to be doing today. BEN NEVIS you twonks this is the whole reason we are here to climb the highest mountain in Britain.
OK so it takes everyone to sort themselves out and get to the starting point 1 1/2hrs, day light is just starting to appear. Off we go....

1/2 later - and oh dear people are falling likes flies already and we have only gone 1/10th of the way...2 women have to turn back, 1 is clearly just not fit enough and the other well I don't think the 1.5litre of Vodka helped the night before did it? and don't blame it on altitude sickness we have gone up 800metres!!!

Ian and I are striding away and completely up for getting up and down in about 6hrs. Very different weather conditions at the summit. Ice, snow and 70 mile an hour winds...scary stuff people. you can fully appreciate how people die on these mountains. such lovely weather on the way up and Antarctic on the top. Luckily fully insulated and prepared for hike/mountain climb. look a complete twat but snug and warm.

On the way down Mountain rescue prominent in the distance, only to head towards us. Oh dear...and yes it was to take one of our group off the mountain and air lift him to a hospital due to popped knee and hypothermia.... you see this type of rescue on TV but do not appreciate the skill of the pilot and the bravery of the paramedic who came down to help (woman I hasten to add...girl power). She winched him off the mountain... best of British Tedsy.

Off mountain at 1.30pm & head straight off in the car to Cumbria, next stop Scarfell Pike (Highest mountain in England). Highest mountain in Scotland - tick. Sleep in car - yes, not whilst driving though :-)

G x

Day 61 - 2nd March

Friday -

Am - round Ian's for a Bacon sandwich and cup of tea before long drive (7hrs) to (Scotland) Fort William. Luckily both Ian and I decided that we would drive too & not share the car journey in Phil's Ford Focus (not enough room for luggage and 2 people). Took Ian's company car so we could share the drive.

PM - took over driving just south of Glasgow, beautiful countryside and rally driving conditions on the wee Loch roads. Arrived at 'Accomodation' and I use this word loosely as it was just a shed with bunk beds. How the mighty have fallen.

See below photo of said 'Bunkhouse' - shared this pod of 6 bunks with 5 blokes ...groovy

Bite to eat in the bar, watching a film on my Ipad by 8.30pm (as did my friend Ian) we just couldn't comprehend the drinking of alcoholic beverages when we are all up at 5am tomorrow morning to climb Ben Nevis..what are people thinking.

4hrs later - well clearly other people are not thinking as some of them are sitting in the communal kitchen pissed out of their tiny minds and making a racket. Thanks very much people. I will remember this when you are all snoring your heads off in a drunken stupor in 3hrs time, dead to the world. Watch and learn inconsiderate bstards.....

Tired adventure girl x

Day 60 - 1st March

Thursday -

Crickey where has the first 2 months gone, my life is flashing before me. March = Spring and fingers crossed for nice weather to start my gardening again. I need to do some serious pruning (garden not lady garden before anyone asks... Rude!!!)

PM - Food rations purchased for journey and day packs. No turning back now :-)

Eve - ok so packing has commenced for adventure weekend. DW managed to get tickets for 'STOMP' @ Derngate, Northampton, excellent show. Amazing to see how these people make music from bins, sinks, rubber tyres and pots & pans. Italian for a bite to eat before.

Adventure girl x

Day 59 - 29th Feb (Leap Year)

Wednesday -
Meetings, meetings, meetings. When is a girl expected to get any work done around here?

Although it is 29th today there are no marriage proposals in my house. I admire women who ask their men to marry them but it is certainly not my bag.

Still not back in the running mode, taking it easy this week, mountains to climb at the weekend.

Adventure girl x