Ode to Alan

Today I found out via Facebook that I've lost a very old friend to cystic fibrosis. I say old, sadly that is not literally the case, he was younger than me. I have known him most of my life as I went to primary and secondary school with Alan and we hung out in my village and were good friends, we lost contact really when I left the village as people often do but then communicated again through the means of Facebook when technology had reached that point. He had moved to Leeds.
He had always been ill as long as I have known him but he always conquered and rose above it, he was such a fighter. I wish I'd stayed in touch with him more.
I feel sad (understatement) and haven't really stopped crying all morning since I read his Wife's sad post on his page, I found it very difficult to do the show this morning and thought it fitting to add a dedication in it for him. The tears seem to have stopped now but  then I haven't spoken about it for a while or heard a sad song for a bit.
I just feel like I have been so selfish, why was I raising money for huge causes that have plenty of sponsors when I could've been doing something to help my childhood friend?? He needed a double lung transplant and was denied treatment in the UK so money was being raised to help him do this abroad. The money was raised but sadly he was too ill to go ahead with it and then he lost his battle. He breathes easy now having earned his wings somewhere freer than here. I feel I have wasted my time and life and ignored those close to me and because of this a life was lost.
Today I feel like an awful person, what a tragic way to learn such a valuable lesson. Anyone reading this head my warnings. Help your friends, love those around you and never think that too little is not enough.
Alan will be missed every day and I am one of many who is truly sorry to see such a bright star burn out so fast.
Rest in peace Alan, you will never be forgotten.xx

Great Douk 26.02.2012

Matt, Paul, Me and Ian

We met Ian and Matt at Bernies (Matt a fellow Rubber Duckie and Ian a caver friend from work) - Paul and I arrived a little later than planned as it seemed that every road we needed to go on had a diversion in place.After a little bit of Brekkie and a nice sugary tea we headed off to the Cave.

This particular cave was sold to me as one 'a rambler could do' and that we would pretty much be 'walking in and out' of it. As we were walking up to the cave it was joked about that we were over dressed in our PVC oversuits and helmets. No SRT gear this time and I felt a lot lighter with my new helmet which had a double A battery pack on the back instead of the heavy pack that is attached to the waist. I felt a definite improvement when I was stuck in a tight spot.

The entrance to the Cave itself was gushing with water quite slippy underfoot but not overly difficult to tackle. Inside saw a bit of a scramble then lots of walking through calf deep beautifully clear water.A few squeezes then we got to a bit of a diversion and a challenge (the first indication that this cave has been missold as 'one a rambler could do'.) As we headed up a dead end we could see that there was a potential crawl linking where we were to where we needed to be (we could also just go back the way we came and turn right to get there too but that is besides the point). Looking down the slight gab in the rock, Paul called to Ian to go to the other side of it to see if we could see his light. We could. The three of us chests to the ground, shining our lights down the crack watched as Ian crawled up this 'passage' on his chest to meet us. He made it through with no trouble. I decided to check it out too so went to the other side. I got half way up and then the fact that I hadn't completely finished dressing myself took its toll. As I reached forward to crawl flat down on the floor the water that was running through ran up my unvelcroed cuffs and right up my sleeves, very unpleasant and very VERY cold. I backed up to sort myself out and Paul had a go making it with no problems. As I was now facing the way we needed to head and feeling a bit drippy from my unvelcroed (now done up) cuffs I waited for the rest to join me and we carried on back down the cave.
After a bit more sloshing through calf deep water the cave ceiling started to lower and we were now crawling through it - another indication that perhaps this was not a cave we could just 'walk and in and out of'.

We reached an inlet in the stream we thought may have been the way forward but decided not to take it as it seemed at little squeezier than we fancied. I'm sure we could've managed it but we decided to continue the way we were pointed, which turned out to be correct. Paul took the lead  scrambled off to check we could get any further. After a while we followed, reaching another potential left hand tunnel I paused a little to get a second opinion whether to attempt it or not, seeing Paul had still continued straight we followed.
After a bit more of a crawl a tiny hole opened up above my head, enough room to stand up in, I then had the difficult task - for a short person, of pushing myself up to another squeeze using only my feet and whatever I can reach with my little legs. I love these parts :)

The next bit lead out to the top exit of the cave but not before passing through what can only be described as a cross between a Harry Potter scene and something from The Lord of The Rings - Spiders! Lots of mahoosive spiders! *shudder*.

The exit brought us out of a slight split in a rock on the surface.Something you would probably miss even if you were hopping over the rocks themselves. A quick drink and a breath of fresh air we head back down. Ian chose to take the scenic route and headed back over the fields as Paul, Matt and I squeezed back down the slit in the rocks.

Great Douk entrance

During the trip back I found it easier rather than commando crawling through the water to tackle it sideways on and roll down. Sounds silly I know but don't mock it until you've tried it - seriously. This time Matt chose to try the squeeze and managed it successfully with no hassle. I wish I had re-tried at this point - next time!
Back though the tunnels, squeezes and scrambles and back to the entrance. Just as awkward on the way out as the way in, with Paul's instruction to me to (I quote) 'take it all in the groin'. Down the cascading water quite safely and over the fields back to the car. The fog was getting dense over the hills and didn't look to be letting up so we got dried and dressed and headed for a de-brief at Bernies.

A great trip, really enjoyed it. Was a nice a short one that got the muscles moving and a nice confidence boost as we were able to execute is as a fairly novice team.
I still am definitely of the firm belief that this is not a ramblers cave - that is unless they don't mind getting a 'tad' wet :-D.

CarnEVIL of Horrors – Family Scare Attraction is Big Hit at Showzam 2012

Independent Reviewer Luci Teal visited AtmosFEAR! Entertainment Group’s CarnEVIL of Horrors family scare attraction in Blackpool for Scareworld Magazine.  Words by Luci Teal.

Taking a look around the hall I couldn’t help but be drawn to the severed heads that were hanging from a near by stair case. As I approached eerie music became more apparent, it was twisted Circus music with creepy undertones that tweaked your curiosity. I followed the music up the desolate staircase, quite cautious of what I may find around the next corner.
I was right to be cautious as waiting in the room at the top of the stairs was a clown….but not a ‘ha ha’ type of clown but a character that gave me a window of what was to come. He looked like a lost soul and was there to herd the willing victims – sorry, I mean visitors through what was once a Circus of Dreams.

I lined up with 5 other people, all of us arguing which one wanted to not to go first. I love how chivalry or order of age rank dies at the point you line up to enter a Horror Maze. It’s every man for themselves and no one wants to lead.
The group before us burst out the door next to us with a mixture of laughter and screams.
We entered and as soon as the door slams behind us the story unfurled. The master of the show was upon us to start the tale of woe. His make-up disturbing, hard to describe, almost like a car crash. You know you shouldn’t, but you can’t help but stare.
I met many a strange and curious character on my journey through, I always love the scripts when I take a trip through an AtmosFEAR! Entertainment Group maze and the effects never cease to amaze me. They pay the tiniest attention to detail and it really does make a difference to the observant visitor and chill those that don’t see it coming.
Inside the maze itself was a brilliant use of space and they did a fantastic job of putting so many encounters in such a small room. The ratio of actors to dummies was perfect, I found I was tip toeing by every character I passed ‘just in case’ and was fooled a few times, I would have definitely quickened my pace if the smallest of the clowns would have moved though.

A snake lady provided a creepy illusion to set us on our way. We are offered advice and some of our fortunes are told by a tarot reader, her costume told a tale of a once bright future that was taken away but I have a sneaky suspicion that on further inspection she would have offered us a bit more of a surprise.

Clowns help to lead us further to our fate and we meet another faded member of the Carnival who’s reputation may have been lost but power has not. We are introduced to her ‘son’ and invited to join in their act, a very creepy concept – we swiftly exit. I loved the dotty room, they had a hard job to over come the high ceiling but did well to center your focus using the random clown in the middle.
I think it was great how they used us the audience to interact with, it is so easy to make a script and get your actors to talk at people but AEG always breaks down that fourth wall which I think places an extra discomfort to the mix.

Nearing the end of the journey I was the ‘lucky’ one selected to participate in the Great Mystereos illusion, even though I knew it was just an illusion I have to say it didn’t stop me being apprehensive to take my place or stop me letting out a little whimper at the pinnacle moment.
The last scene did make me scarper a little, I have seen this character before – although not in full form, and I was still careful to creep by. It still caught me by surprise. It was hideous and the fact that it now moved did not make matters any better.

Sights, sounds and story was enough to entertain, amuse and of course scare. A great trip to the CarnEVIL of Horrors which I have to say I was happy to escape from.

For more information on AtmosFEAR! Entertainment Group visit www.atmosfearuk.com

For : Scarewold Magazine

Blackpool Dungeon

Being given the back story of the Pendle Witches I was quite excited about going to the Blackpool Dungeons, that and also the fact that I can tick this one off my list along with Edinburgh and York.
Outside was a person in costume outside freely talking to an employee of another shop, this made me a little sad as I always love to see the characters surprise their unsuspecting victims.
We paid and were let into a dark room and told not to go on the stage. At this point there were about 6 of us in the room. We waited a long time until there was any action, the first form was from the people outside pushing more punters into the room.

The Jester finally arrived in a fantastic burst of energy and gained screams from the people at the front. He started his piece which was intermittently interrupted by the people on the outside trying to get more punters to squeeze into the room. He did a good job keeping the momentum going considering the mood was continually being broken.
A good effect was used to change the scenery for the group and we were lead to another room where the story beings. I took a cautious look around whilst the programmed character at the front spun us a tale but as I was right at the back of a large group I missed the only surprise that was waiting for us in that room.

The more dungeons I visit the more I think ‘seen one, seen them all’, the scenes are the same and the story progresses in the same way. I did however, like the added quirk in the surgery room but that was about the only thing that took me by surprise.
The ending of the smugglers scene showed a wonderful use of sound and light (or lack there of). I was just a little confused about the lead up to it and was quite unsure why the actress was asking us to repeat random words.

There was a point where we were queued to enter a room and characters kept passing us every now and again faining a quick noise to make us jump. Noticing the light coming from the door they going in and out of and a glimpse of what I think was vending machine I suspect we were in the path of their break room which kind of landed me in reality a little.

Picture from Tower Times

Towards the end of the route we finally got to a place which started to tell the tale of the Pendle Witches, a short scene and a good use of video - but to be fair I can’t think of any other option there. The scene (background) itself was a little empty, it could’ve used a little more sound or movement to keep people on their toes a bit. Again the end scene was ruined by the entrance and exit (several times) of the same member of staff who was pushing people more people in to the first scene.
I enjoyed the drop ride and liked the scene that played out at the top, a good lead up for you to meet your doom!

Overall a nice experience and glad to have ‘ticked’ Blackpool off my list but was expecting so much more from something with such a built up reputation.

Tatham Wife 29/01/2012

I am sporting Paul's purple chest strap (it's not actually pink)

Well, where to start? I guess the best place would be at the beginning............ a nice early start on a brisk Sunday morning. Paul and I head over to Derbyshire to meet up with Mark, Pete and Reynard to start a little adventure. We warm up in the way the greatest Cavers possibly can, we are joined by a group of Cave rescue folk so I know this must be the choice of champions. We are, of course at Bernies. A lovely welcome with some great things to peak at to pass the time whilst waiting for the Breakfast. Apparently Bernies Big Breakfast is no mean feat - playing it safe I chose to go for a good old fashioned fry up. Looking back now I really wish I'd put real sugar in my tea, and lots of it.
After clearing our plates and supping up we head back to the cars and off in to the hills. After parking up I am loaded with equipment kindly lent to me by Pete, Mark and the Rubber Ducks. I have been given a head torch with a belt battery pack, this is the first time I have used one of these having originally stuck to the lighter options but with these I have found I lose out on the actual time to light ratio.

Now carrying an extra half of my body weight and dressed in yellow PVC I follow the rest up the hill. Hill hahahaha!

That's the 'hill' up to the Cave (but not us) **

Now this hill was a little like the Murderhorn in that episode of the Simpson's, every time you thought you were at the top you turned your head to see it go on even further.
The ground is covered with snow and I can hardly move with my gaskets on my knees and my all in one PVC on. I was embarrassingly dragging behind with everyone striding ahead, I thought I was relatively fit with the Roller Derby and Running that I do - WRONG!
We finally make it to the cave, the entrance is a slight waterfall and is beautiful with the recent snow fall, icicles decorate the outside and I could see water droplets running underneath the sheets of ice that covered the rocks.
Mark and Reynard go ahead to rig the first bit, we (I) have a quick breather and follow suit. A nice cave, a bit of everything - depending how far you want to go.

The first pitch was straight down no messing, not too far and the the rope continued on to the next descent. This one was a little more tricky and I am not ashamed to stay I struggled a little.The first bit was easy enough but as the rope pretty much dropped straight down with the water so a divination was hooked up to the left with the rope going through a sling. The idea being that you abseiled down and unhooked the sling from the bottom of you and re hooked it above you. At this point all sense of co-ordination left me - this not being helped by Paul yelling "swing over and hook it in". I knew what I was MEANT to do but the body just wasn't communicating with the brain. After a few failed attempts of pulling myself over whilst clinging desperately onto the sling Pete offered that I should just continue down with the sling off the line and Paul could pick it up behind me. Grateful for the suggestion I continued down the rope with Paul quite easily picking up the job I couldn't do (Show off!).

We continued on, some decent clambers and scrambles, this rounded off with a wonderful crawl. It was one of the annoying ones where you have to keep you head pointed down so you don't actually know that the place has opened up and you are now scrambling along a wide cavern. I, being a little smaller than the blokes with me could manage to straighten every once in a while for a bit of welcomed relief on my knees.
The last descent was another deviation but this one was easier than the last, not sure if I had realised my mistake by this point or if it was just that my body was working in harmony with my brain. Either way I made it down with no trouble.

At the bottom of the rope the cave continues to a rift then on to wonders including a duck and sump. Feeling a little at my limit I was incredibly relieved when Pete said he was heading back. Paul needed no persuasion at all to continue and clipped himself to the next rope to abseil down and join Mark and Raynard. Pete hooked back on to the rope and prussiked up and when I got the all clear for the roped I followed suit. I distinctly remember prussiking being a lot easier than I was making it. I guess the weight of the water and my equipment didn't help matters at this point. We continued on, back through the crawl then climbing back up the rocks. I can't thank Mark enough for the loan of the neoprene gloves and socks, they made the trip so much nicer. Even when soaked wet through they were still warm - made a mental note to add some to my shopping list.

Back to the next ascent and the deviation, a lot easier to tackle it on the way up that it had been on the way down. Just prussik up as far as it will go then unclip the sash and clip it underneath you. At this point though I am very shattered and thinking of that loooong drudge ahead, I resorted to using both feet in my foot loop to push myself up the rope - I am not sure if this helped or not.
Managed easily to swing over to the side and unhook myself from the rope then continued the journey. Nearly to the opening now and I have completely lost Pete. There is an opening where you could possibly take two routes, I chose what looked to be the easiest way round (which may I add is not always the case) and ran as fast as I could to try and catch up with Pete, no sign of him - how quickly does that guy move?? - seriously?? I definitely need more practise at caving me thinks. He is that far ahead I am beginning to think I chose the wrong passage but then I catch glimpses of wet scuff marks on tighter bits of the cave walls so realise I am on the right track and he can't be too far away - either that or I am following something completely different.

Tatham Wife Hole

Finally day light and another mad scramble, this is one of those annoying difficult shelves for short people like me. I wasn't tall enough to climb up using my feet so I had to try and push myself up with my arms and use my knees to scramble to the top. Made it!
Fresh air and snow falling slightly, it was getting dark and quite chilly. Pete offered me a Yorkie biscuit which I gladly took and wolfed down.
The trip back down the hill (*cough* mountain) wasn't as bad as the tip up as I could hear the car calling me as soon as I took to my feet.
Back at the car it was a mad rush to get in to warm dry clothes. Thank god for big purple hoodies, so glad I packed it. Pete offered me a little mug of coffee and it was the best I have EVER tasted (I don't like coffee but this didn't even touch the sides, just what the Doctor ordered *not to self - bring flask of hot drink next time*).
Overall a great trip, very enjoyable. A little annoyed with myself that I seem so much unfitter than last time I went caving. Still there is no other way to get fit to go down a cave apart from going down a cave - so bring on the next one!
On a personal note, I think for me this one was harder than the Swildons Round Trip (maybe due to lack of fitness, not sure) - so definitely one for jack Osbourne to steer clear of.

**Picture from geograph.org.uk

All the fun of the Fair.

I have waited ages to see another show by David Essex, I have been a huge fan for many years - it all started when I went to see Robinson Crusoe in Bournemouth as a kid, that's when I fell for the star that is David Essex. Being only around 9 or 10 at the time it did make for a difficult school years with other kids taunting me that I didn't like the latest East 17 Album or fantasize about dating a member of Take That - I spent most of my time at school wondering if I was born too late as I have come to discover now that when he was at his peak you were picked on at school for not being obsessed with him. Ah well, I digress.

I saw All The Fun Of The Fair  was in London for a while and when it announced it was touring I was a very happy girl. 

I bought the CD quite a few months ago, the familiar songs a joy to hear, and of course it was studied intensely - not that this actually helped. 

The show was fantastic, the array of characters was brilliant and the script was very well done, all fitting nicely together with the songs from the man we all know and love.

I was disappointed to see there wasn't a huge crowd for an audience, in the stalls it turned out to be quite an intimate show, I can't say I spotted how many people were in the other tiers but there were some I do know that. A great mixture of people and age ranges which is great to see, I looked at those around the same the age as me and wondered when it was they got on board the David Wagon, I don't know if Eastenders was a draw for some people to join the club.

Taking our seats we sat up looking at the sign for Levi and Sons Dare Devil Wall of Death on a gauze in front of the stage. I grabbed Paul's arm and shook it, squealing quietly with excitement - partly joking (mostly not).

The show starts, Rosa - just as I remembered her on the CD, sets the scene and we get an insight of the journey ahead. My favourite song - Winters Tale, well I say my favourite there are so many to chose from and it is such a close call but I remember this song fondly as one I found in a music book at Secondary School and took every excuse to perform it.

The scene rolls by, the lights fade and we strained our eyes to check for that silhouette that I know everyone in the audience is waiting for. Is that?... hold on.. I think I can see... Yey, there he is!! Mr Essex graces the scene and welcomes us to Levis Fun Fair. The opening chorus was great, it was so nice finally being able to put visuals to the soundtrack I had been listening to. I now realise what 'calculator' he was referring to.

The character of Johnny was instantly lovable, I could see he had many a touring fan in the audience. I would say a tough part to play without going over the top but it was done excellently. You warmed to him straight away and just wanted to look after him.

I wasn't too sure about the girl who played Alice, she seemed to have trouble getting a hold of which part of the voice to tackle the song with - to be fair this may have been the mics cutting out though so I'm not sure.

I absolutely adore 'The Rose' and have done since I first heard it a few years ago and I thought the set used during the scene was wonderful. So simple but so effective.

I noticed that they changed the words to portray a different colour of eyes for jack - I wonder if this was done to reflect the colour of the new actors eyes or (and I’d like to think) to reflect the fact that Jack is meant to ‘have his Daddys eyes’ and we all know Davids are blue....?

Some very gritty subjects were introduced and a very uncomfortable scene featuring Johnny, not uncomfortable in a bad way - in fact this description highlights how brilliantly executed the scene was as it made you cautious and helpless unable to do anything but watch.
Druid for me could have quite easily have been Paul Nicolas - am I right ladies? That guys talking voice was amazingly dark. His character very chilling. I love the 'Rock on' scene, I wonder how much was written as the same time of the rest of the script and how much was mocked up between the actors when they were cast together.

Coming to the end of the first half I am getting a little cautious as to whether I want to watch the rest, I have added up what I know happens on the soundtrack with the what Story Line is leading to and I get the feeling it is going to be terribly sad. We filter out of the auditorium for the interval, streamers have been cascaded on to the audience during the last song which were getting snatched up by several fans - 'handy for the cleaners' I thought.

I was incredibly happy to see the prices of the merchandise. The programs were under a fiver and you got a lot of info for your money. The shirts were nice and I got myself a mug which is proudly sat on my desk at work and holds a nice cuppa tea. I would have loved to have seen Candy Floss for sale and the vendors taking on the Carnival theme.

The second half beings with a good old favourite - again not very hard to say in this show as in my eyes it is full of hits. The colours, choreography and set were ace in this scene, a wonderful opener to get us back in the mood.

The show unfurls the story ever so slowly and we learn a little more each time, we laugh, we cry and of course sing. It is wonderfully written but was missing a few back ground details in my eyes. When Rosa was having her flash back I would've loved to have heard some sort of background dialogue to heighten the moment a bit more - some pre-recorded past communication with some sound effects (I don't want to give too much away). And the curtain call definitely needed some background music as the performers received their well earned applause.

I said earlier I was apprehensive to watch the second half as I knew what was coming - well. I was wrong! Completely and utterly wrong! In most cases. It wasn't as sad as I had initially thought (which was a relief if I am honest) but still a shock. It was very well done - left you with a brief moment of doubting what had happened. The choreography around it was brilliant.

My favorite part in the whole show would have to be the way they performed ‘Dangerous’. I know I say this a lot but it was truly amazing, so beautiful and fluent and an absolute wonder to watch - well done all responsible for that scene!

There was a moment that made me chuckle - when Levi stated that they would start again at this point Paul and I turned to each other and whispered ‘You know where?’ and giggled quietly to each other, much to the bemusement of those around us (ref : War of the World).

I thoroughly enjoyed the show and am dying to see it again and the Icing on the cake was staking out the stage door and meeting the man of the hour. I was very surprised and please when Paul suggested we wait. I remember the last time I saw David Essex, I believe it was at Reading on his ‘Wonderful’ Tour, the crowd was huge outside and I had to be youngest one there, the crowd was slightly smaller tonight but I would still venture I was the youngest there. Everyone was so friendly and chatted, I think Paul even pulled at one point (he he)! 
I was surprised at how different David Essex was now. When I saw him in Reading he was very stand-offish with the crowd, he had a massive body guard with him, he took no gifts, posed for no pictures and merely signed his way very quickly through a path of the crowd. I know it must be hard to manage a crowd and I know that he also isn’t a rude person from the times I have worked with and met him on a one to one basis (although I do think I may have annoyed him a little last time we met when I asked him to sign his book - which I then admitted to not having read). But seeing this person in the crowd tonight was very refreshing, he was chatting, and posing he was accompanied by what I assume was an minder but not one as scary as the last I’d seen him with. I got my program signed by him, Johnny, Druid and Mary. All were extremely pleasant people. I enquired with him about the ending, he confirmed I wasn’t completely mad and that there was a different ending. Johnny revealed that there were two and had been talks of two others..... that’s all I’m saying.

I would have loved to have seen the show in all it’s glory in London as the descriptions and interviews I have found about it since seems to prove there was a lot more in it than the touring show. It was however a wonderful show and I had a brilliant night, I have to say he has certainly proven that he can still ‘Rock On’... I do hope this isn’t the last we see of such shows.

Dreams

What is it with dreams?
Why is it they make the heart long for things that will never happen and the head wish for circumstances that will never come true?


I desperately try to use the dreams I have as something to give myself a bit of a boot up the backside but sometimes it is very difficult not to let them bog me down and make me realise the world I have left myself in isn't that of which I promised myself as a child.
As a child the world was such a big place with so many opportunities but as life goes on and I land myself with more responsibilities I find the world becomes smaller and smaller and the paths I find I can take are less and less.

Sometimes I wish for something to happen that would land me with the option to scrap everything and start again. College, Uni, and instead of sitting in front of a call centre computer thinking 'what if' actually taking some chances in the right direction - If I fail, I fail but at least I can say I have tried instead of simply dreaming.

Run fat girl, run!

OK, so with the sudden realisation that I have a few important runs before me this year - including my first 'running' marathon and doing them to support a very worthy cause I decided to take to the streets yesterday for my first outside run of the year.
Not really knowing what my knees were like I decided to play it safe and stick close to home with a few safe laps. The one thing I hate about running (one thing - ha!) is that I always think I have gone further than I actually have. This isn't helped by the fact that my phone is bleating out my actual mileage and average pace every so often - still in a way I guess it is actually better to know as then you stay out longer. The first la didn't even bring me close to 2 miles so I extended this with a wider route and followed that with another small lap. All in all 5.6 miles in a non acceptable time of 1 hour 15 minutes. I hobbled home covered in mud but happy non-the-less. I kinda like the chosen route as it provides me with a variety of different excursions to take and also lots of varied terrains. Plus it's quite scenic - I pass horses, rams and lots of beautiful houses.

My knees did fairly well. I managed at least 5k until it started to get to the point I couldn't push through and needed a break and a change of pace. Not bad but still not good enough it I need to do 26.2 miles in April.

Today I stayed as active as I could (sitting at a desk) no lifts or short routes and I even managed a walk to get a paper too which was probably about 2k. And I have to say, the recovery seems really good, a little sore but nothing major to report. I am quite pleased. Still worried about the mileage ahead though.

To be honest though I have kind have gotten to the point where I will try anything to stop my knees from hurting, I would to be able to complete a run/walk without being in pain.

After countless Doctors prodding them and advising me not to walk (seriously!). I paid for my own Physio - through the nose may I add. He twisted my knee cap for five minutes at a time, causing me LOTS of pain and left me with a tens machine 'working it's magic' for twenty minutes - three sessions, £90odd later still no improvement. After giving up and a lot of suffering I finally got a nice Doctor who referred me to an NHS Physio. They couldn't find anything wrong with the knees but noticed the low arches on my feet and sent me to a Podiatrist who after three appointments has now come to the conclusion that I have one leg shorter than the other *sigh*

This brings me to my next option. Two years ago I went to a Physic and Medium weekend with my Mum and saw a Physic surgeon called Ray Brown Having my reservations (as you would) I chose not to see him but one of my Mums friends did, she is a level headed lady and not swept away easily but has seen results from Ray Browns work. She had a lump on her ankle from when she fell over a step as a child - now, no more. OK, I have to admit, I am now curious.
The story of Ray Brown in a nutshell is that since an early age he trained to be a healing medium and now is visited by Paul of Tarsus who performs healing through him. I am not a doubter and I'm not a die hard believer, I like to take things in and decide for myself. I wonder to myself if he is actually a Physio therapist with a story some people like to relate to or if he is genuinely the real deal, something I guess I will never know but also something you have to respect him as he did seem to 'heal' my Mums friend. He does seem to genuinely help people - who am I to judge?
Anyway - I digress. Having missed him that time I was hoping to catch him the next time I accompanied my Mum to the weekend next time. Sadly no, I won't. He is in Delhi, India this time.
My Mum sensing my disappointment (as I said - I'm willing to try anything at this point) has hunted down someone in Southampton doing the same work and has booked me in to see them in February when I visit. I shall keep you posted on the lead up and the outcome.

If you are interested in sponsoring me simply click the following link : http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/lteal