Thursday 16 April 2009

Just to update you...

The news so far....

After a fab weekend in Snowdonia, we had great fun conquering Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr. Patch wore her new boots for the first time and coped very well - she was too busy trying to go faster than me up the mountain to even notice the boots. The problem we had though is her toe joints on the top of her foot were getting sore. Patch was wearing the Ruff Wear Grip trex boots with liners - the boots are fab, but I've just ordered some knitted woolen baby mittens to try as liners instead of the cotton Ruff Wear ones. Hopefully they will give a little more padding and will cope with wet conditions better.

I used ENGO Blister Prevention Patches this time in my new boots, and I have to say they were bloody brilliant! No irritation AT ALL on my heels - which is amazing considering how much these boots were shredding my feet before! It was a really good test for the patches, and they really came up trumps.

I'm currently planning campsites to stay at once a week or so. I'll be wild camping as much as possible, but if I can send a resupply parcel of food, maps etc ahead to some campsites to collect on my way through that would be good. Lorraine Finnie who has a campsite in Contin has been particularly helpful, and is giving me an alternative address to send my stash to as she's not there during the day. My hubby, John, is visiting 3 weekends, so that's some re-supplying sorted!!

I still can't figure out the easiest way to post my route on here other than putting it all on a google map (which I'm not having much luck with!). I planned the route on good old paper maps, so I'm not sure how to get them onto the web.

Fundrasing is still lower than hoped, but considering I don't have a vast network of friends, and my family don't particularly want me to do this walk, then it's hardly suprising really! The amazing think is, most of the donations have come from either old friends from school who I haven't seen for about 20 years (who have seen my walk on my Facebook page) or customers from my jewellery supply business who I have never met - but I class them as my new "cyber friends", or complete strangers who have come across this blog or my Justgiving page by chance - and some people who have come across me on Twitter.

So, although donations are low I'm over the moon that there are so many lovely people out there who will donate and support a total stranger! That's something special.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello Miss Sophie (I know you're not a Miss, but it's a Norwegian joke - ask if you meet any...they will know!). What about Patch's paws - will you be taking any precautions? Wee booties? Good luck. Cheerio Miss Sophie (the joke again) - Andrew, Lyngen, Norway.

Sophie Easterbrook said...

Hi Andrew! I'll figure that joke out at some point!

Patch has Ruff Wear boots, but on first wear they rubbed the top of her toes. there's a lovely lady on ebay (angelica1963) who is knitting some pure wool liners for her - hopefully that will do the trick.

Here's hoping!
Sophie

Sophie Easterbrook said...

Hey Andrew - I forgot to say MANY THANKS for your donation through Justgiving - very much appreciated!

Sophie

John Dunbavin said...

Hi Sophie
Just realised you'll be setting off soon! Are you excited or so rushed off your feet with organisational stuff that it doesn't seem real yet? It was for me during the few weeks before setting off. Skye and I just realised that we have not made a donation to your great adventure and worthwhile charity. Come payday I drop back to your page. Are you blogging along the way?
Do you think Patch's paws will need the booties? I have never bothered with them with Skye but they may have been useful in some parts of Scotland?
Hope the organsiing is going well. If you are in need of anything as you near the Lakes then all you need to do is give us a ring and we can help somehow.
Best wishes
John & Skye

Sophie Easterbrook said...

Hi John, good to hear from you!

Yep, getting really excited now - itching to get going! I still have some re-supply parcels to sort out, but we're getting there.

Patch is going to need those boot's I think - she's prone to sore feet. We tried the boots going over the Glyders in Snowdonia, but they made her toe joints sore...a lovely lady on ebay has knitted me some woolen liners though that seem to be doing the job nicely! I plan to use the boots as little as poss, but I think they will be needed.

Thanks for the offer of help - very much appreciated. If you and Skye fancy joining me for a leg you would be more than welcome!

I need to overcome Patch's noise phobia (RAF jets don't go down well), then I fancy doing the Munroes as you did - you've inspired me!

Keep in touch
Sophie