I haven't exactly had the opportunity either: wheelchairs and mountains do not make a good combination. But I do struggle with the restricted life of the stuck-at-home carer and the idea of escaping to the hills has become more and more attractive. I didn't know if I could make it happen though.
Then two things came together. Smiley was given a respite night on Holy Thursday, and I was asked to take part in the annual 20K charity walk in the Wicklow Mountains on Good Friday organised by @delganylady to raise funds for Irish Autism Action and My Canine Companion.
So I started to plan. Aspie boy would spend the day with his Dad, Angel decided to stay at home.
I asked a few friends to join me, but no-one volunteered. Hmm, I wonder why? I developed a sore throat, which meant no training was possible. So I arrived at the meeting point in Crone Wood on a bright Friday morning with no company, just my mobile, a large bottle of water and a packet of strepsils. Just after ten, almost 200 people set off in the sunshine...
Somehow I forgot to read the small print. I hadn't realised quite how far 20K is when you're on foot and walking over mountains. But it was an amazing experience. I met interesting people along the way, learned what a hydration bladder is - so many walkers looking like ghost busters piqued my interest. I also realised that turning 50 does not mean that life is over, even when you have two children with special needs. If I can do this, who knows what I might do next?
The walk did get more challenging after we headed above the snow line.
We walked through the misty marshes on the mountain tops. I felt like Frodo as I stumbled along over the sleepers, trying not to fall in the water and wondering what I would find if I did.
As we started to descend the views became magnificent, sometimes glimpsed through the mist, sometimes dark and brooding, sometimes bathed in sunshine, but each one was a different surprise and a reward for aching legs.
I was half thinking of stopping at the half way point, but when I arrived, I could see that was impracticable...with encouragement and chocolate from @delganylady I got going again. Many of the walkers took a lunch break at this point, but I had a nasty feeling that if I sat down, I would not be able to get up again, so I just kept on walking.
The second half of the walk was warmer and easier, but I was VERY glad to see the finish.
Delicious soup and sandwiches was provided by the pub, and the organisers had a minibus to take everyone back to the car park. It was just a brilliant way to spend a day in the mountains, knowing that everything had been organised for you, and raising money for two very good causes.
I'm sure your mum and dad would be proud. Congratulations on completing it; it sounded a fabulous challenge. Deb
ReplyDeleteThis sounds lovely... I can not wait to go camping when the weather gets better.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good day :)
Sorry I missed you Candi! I was outside to pick the Mr up with Boo and Bratty in the car. Hope you liked the Coachhouse - we bring Boo there some Saturdays for a burger. It is very special needs friendly.
ReplyDeleteGreat Report xx
Awww!! I did it too I didnt get to meet you!
ReplyDeleteFelt like I was there with you, sounded lovely. Congrats 20 k is a good walk. I walk a lot for my head health!!!
ReplyDelete@Deb - it was, and I love challenges :)
ReplyDelete@Þorgerður - enjoy the camping x
@lisadom Grace App - I'm so sorry I missed you too and Boo and Bratty, I loved the pub xx
@lifeasweknowit - Nooooo! Maybe next year...
@Popsie - it's the farthest I've walked for 35 years!
Wow, the views look magnificant! Well done on doing 20 K with a sore throat and no training, great achievement, you must be proud of yourself, let alone your mum and dad x
ReplyDelete@The Rambling Pages - Thank you. I should say that I do quite a lot of exercise generally, so I knew it wouldn't be impossible, but my muscles were quite sore the day after!
ReplyDeleteWell done you! You must've been exhausted afterwards. So worth it though for the charity, the experience, the views, the adrenaline and the coming together of good people. I hope you are proud, you certainly should be.
ReplyDeleteWell done you!
ReplyDeleteThat was some walk! The photos are amazing!
@LUCEWOMAN - I was worth it, and then I read your blog about the Hamar women in Ethiopia who trek for 12 hours every day to get water from the well. It really put things into perspective.
ReplyDelete@Clive - Thank you, especially for the complement about the photographs - I'd love for mine to be as good as yours x
Wow, 20K on no training! That's a pretty amazing achievement, and all for charity. Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAnd the photos are indeed fantastic. xX
@Beadzoid - thank you! xx
ReplyDeletewell bloody done you x
ReplyDelete@northern mum - Thanks Jane x
ReplyDeleteA great lowdown of what sounds like a fabulous day! Well done you....life begins at 50 doncha know ;-)
ReplyDeletexx jazzy
I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and thanks for the inspiration!
@Jazzygal - Things can only get better right? #50club xx
ReplyDelete@Barbara - Thank you!
Well done you! You may have actually inspired me to get out of work/house/myself and go for a long walk - maybe not 20k (Gosh!)but certainly enough to make my thighs know about it! Gorgeous pics too....
ReplyDeleteWell done. The photos are lovely too. I try to do a 10k walk as often as I can but I think 20l would be pushing it for me!
ReplyDeleteWell done you! A great achievement. Congratulations. Some fantastic photos too.
ReplyDeleteWow, that was quite a trek! Great photos and what an achievement... your views are lovely.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be nosy..... what is a respite night? Does someone come to your house to look after Smiley or does she go to someone else's house for the night?
@Baggywrinkle Mamma - my thighs certainly knew about it on the Saturday!
ReplyDelete@fsmum - 20K was pushing it for me too!
@Village Mama UK- Thank you :)
@Di - Respite for Smiley at the moment is at her school: it was a residential school and when she started there she was one of only three day pupils, now about half the children live at home. But they still have the residential bit upstairs and a number of her friends live there and activities are organised to keep them entertained, so in theory it's just like an extension of school x Maybe I should write a post sometime about respite in Ireland?
Goodness me, well done!
ReplyDeleteHope your vertigo gets better soon ( now I can't remember where iread you have vertigo, must have been facebook)
@Suburbia - Thank you and yes I've been moaning about the vertigo all over the place!
ReplyDeleteWow!!!! I am seriously impressed! Congratulations on achieving that.
ReplyDelete20k? Oh my goodness that's a long way. I did a 10k run once and that was hard enough. Well done you! Sounds like such a great experience - any experience that makes you feel like Frodo has got to be a good one xx
ReplyDelete@Merry - Thank you
ReplyDelete@SAHMlovingit - ha! It was not one of Frodo's finest moments ... x
Lovelyphotos! Well done. 20k is one heck of a long way!
ReplyDelete@LittleMamma - Thank you, I think 20K is a long way too ... especially having walked it!
ReplyDelete