Mission Nepal

Here are some more pictures - they are of the end of the trek and the temples in Kathmandu.

WARNING- There are a couple of pictures of the burning ghats

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

A few pictures - I got back yesterday at 4.00pm, bed by 5.00pm and slept till 9.00am today.

I will post later

I have added pictures-they are all of the first 6 days trekking.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

A lady of the hilltribes of Thailand - i hope that I am at least this fit.

When I started out I thought that I had so much time ahead to get it organised (fool that I am) i'm looking forward to this so much now. I've trained (I hope enough), the journey so far has been a roller coaster ride.

Today I bumped into a friend of mine whose brother died in November of last year from HCV. I had known him for 30 years and we discussed this trek in the week before he died. He had travelled in India many years ago and loved the place and people. Our discussion about Nepal sparked so many happy memories for him and his words to me were 'Get them telt hen' 'go for it'. 

It was good to be reminded of the reasons why I am doing this.

I passed my sponsorship target today, thank you so much to everyone who has supported me - I won't let you down.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

I know I haven't updated this for a while (to say the least), life, as they say can be very tricky at times. I will try and give a brief synopsis of the last 3 months.

The training weekend at Keswick was fabulous. We all made the climb and were very kn*****ed at the end of the day. It was really good to meet the people that I will be trekking with, they are all lovely - check out the hepc trust website for some pictures.

I had a great weekend trip to Mull and Iona in early July. Then things went a bit squiffy - my very good friend Harry Stewart died suddenly from a heart attack. Enough to say that I was deeply shocked as this was totally unexpected.

I got back into training in September and this week climbed Schiehallion (Wednesday) and Ben Lomond (Thursday). Yes I am knacked but very chuffed with my wee self. Here is a link to info about Schiehallion, reading this I don't know how I did it but there you are.http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/rannoch/schiehallion/index.html

I will try and keep this blog updated  until it is time to go.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

The Jazz Cruise was fabulous. Everyone enjoyed the trip.These are just a few of the photographs. A few people have yet to pay online and I will give a final tally shortly, but around £1000.00 was raised.

Good effort by everyone.  Thank you so much.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

Its been an eventful month to say the least. The walking is going fine and I am getting fitter, leaner (by 3k) and more determined. I have taken a picture of my mega blister but I don't want to upset you all or put you off your tea!!

The newspaper articles are over and done with, I feel like I have lifted a huge weight from myself, that I can move on from here. The worst effect, for me, of HCV has been the stigma, now I feel that I have regained some of my self respect.  This trek has been the vehicle for my 'coming out' and I am so grateful to the Hepatitis C Trust for making it possible.

The Jazz Cruise happens on Saturday, still some tickets left, go on, you know you would enjoy it. I have had a response from Cathy Peattie, my MSP, unfortunately she cant make the cruise as it's Grangemouth Gala Day on Saturday. I got an acknowledgement from my MP, Michael Connarty's website but nothing further yet. Harry Constable, my local councillor hasn't even sent an acknowledgement.

I will add some pictures after the cruise.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

I haven't posted for a while, but I have been just a bit busy. My local newspaper www.bonesstoday.co.uk did an article about my trek and put it on the front page. It was strange to see my name on the boards outside the shops. People have been very supportive of my efforts and all in all i'm feeling positive. A photographer is coming today to take a picture for an article in next weeks West Lothian Herald and Post.

The Hepatitis C Trust received national coverage earlier in the week, Sam was on GMTV (swoon, swoon) and wearing her lovely Trek T Shirt. The trust had delivered a follow up report on UK v Europe www.hepctrust.org.uk oh dear oh dear, how long can we go on wasting time. The results of a survey into how well the Action Plan has been implemented in England was also revealed www.hepctrust.org.uk with damning evidence that its not working too well, to say the very least.

 Here is a quote from Charles Gore which appreared in The Guardian:

'The trust's chief executive, Charles Gore, said: "We have an opportunity to reverse this spiralling epidemic and avoid not just the unnecessary deaths of thousands but also a financial crisis for the NHS. If we do not seize this opportunity, we will look back and know that by our inaction we let it happen."

Here is a link to the consultation paper for The Proposed Action Plan in Scotland

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/06/14134528/45302 

I have sent e mail to my MSP, MP and local councillor telling them about my trek, the need for an awareness campaign, an invitiation to purchase a ticket for my cruise or donate and a copy of the UK v Europe report. I will keep you updated on any replies I receive.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

Easter greetings. This picture was taken in Betangus, Philippines on Easter Weekend 2001. The small boy was carrying twigs of some sort in his rucksack and periodically lashed the man carrying the cross.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

These are some of my very favourite pictures from India.

It feels like a very long time since I updated this blog. I've had what i will call a bit of down time. Sometimes it feels like I have too much going on and I go into stall mode. Best thing is to stop, take stock and recoup. Well here I am bounced back.

I went to the mentoring conference in Glasgow 24/03. I met up with Hazel there, it was good to get acquainted.

All in all a very interesting day. The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland opened. His statistics were : 50,000 with the virus, 20,000 diagnosed with a further 1,000 new infections a year. That leaves at least 30,000 to find!! The Action Plan for Scotland is almost ready to issue.

I had to bite the bullet and get a new PC, my poor wee notebook kept passing out and freezing at every opportunity.

Training : Walking with my neighbour, taking the long way round to go shopping. Frequent visits to the Recreation Centre.

Family Tree Research : Going very well, just discovered that my husbands gr gr grandfather was killed during the Indian Mutiny in 1858. His medal is on show at Stirling Castle.

Maid of The Forth : Tickets issued at the end of May. 

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this