tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582076360425619792024-03-19T01:49:00.665-07:00Ben's Adventures Sun burnt, dusty and confused.
Travels, writings, random observations and adventures in life by Ben Whateley-HarrisAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-69556936635194785122016-05-18T05:59:00.001-07:002016-05-18T06:02:39.702-07:00Nuclear Rush 2016 Review<h5 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Open Sans', open-sans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-top: 11px;">
</h5>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was asked to write this for a <a href="https://www.mychallengehq.com/events/2232/nuclear-rush-weekend-2016-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b>website </b></span></a>so thought I would also post it here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36Z8cAKvyno/VzxnGiyylvI/AAAAAAAADAc/x9a45cT0cmYJXLJAOtHk40fkvxf4rihFgCLcB/s1600/13219539_10154209757864394_1995715952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36Z8cAKvyno/VzxnGiyylvI/AAAAAAAADAc/x9a45cT0cmYJXLJAOtHk40fkvxf4rihFgCLcB/s640/13219539_10154209757864394_1995715952_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #777777; font-family: 'Open Sans', open-sans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 30.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 11px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: normal; margin: 8.25pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nuclear Rush 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 22.8pt; margin-bottom: 8.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Having run races
from 5 ks to marathons all the way through to Ultra marathons. Nothing is more
fun and enjoyable than rolling around in the mud while also covering a
distance.<br />
<br />
The Nuclear races have grown in size since their inception. I remember when
they were consisting of just natural obstacles with a few hay bails thrown in
for good measure.<br />
<br />
Now they have surpassed themselves with not only copious amounts of mud (I am
sure this was the muddiest race I have ever run), lashings of water obstacles;
but also more specialist purpose built things to climb on, through and over.<br />
<br />
I think having different distances and multiple heats is a great idea and the
children's mini race is a really lovely touch to an event that is also a social
occasion with bands and bars.<br />
<br />
Some people take this race seriously, but in my humble opinion the most fun is
to be had running in a group of different abilities, laughing, joking and
helping each other all the way round.<br />
<br />
The only issue I have with this race is the escalating price tag as it becomes
bigger and better. Long gone are the days of this being the cheapest muddy race
around.<br />
<br />
To summarize; if I didn't live close to this event I would travel to
participate in it.<br />
<br />
Great, muddy and silly fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 22.8pt; margin-bottom: 8.25pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Participated : </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">May 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com137tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-21594698816382530742016-05-11T07:04:00.001-07:002016-05-12T14:30:19.247-07:00The Toughest Race on Earth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIt6WLe890s/VyqC7NSPFxI/AAAAAAAAC6I/FzCldK4x3z81kXNuxXm_idyRu8ONOu3gQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIt6WLe890s/VyqC7NSPFxI/AAAAAAAAC6I/FzCldK4x3z81kXNuxXm_idyRu8ONOu3gQCKgB/s640/IMG_7968.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i>The Highway to Hell by AC/DC blasted out of the speakers, the temperature was rising and my heart pounded. </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i>More than a thousand other competitors cheered and many would not see the end of the day let alone the finish line. How did I get here? </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i>How did I come to be standing on the start line of the 31st Marathon des Sables?</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_dtWHyQTi0/Vxj23N5v5uI/AAAAAAAAC28/5dcxcJtTmZcVCEcjbLqZkgVJQ-GHfOHNgCLcB/s1600/13020635_10154148071889394_862454457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_dtWHyQTi0/Vxj23N5v5uI/AAAAAAAAC28/5dcxcJtTmZcVCEcjbLqZkgVJQ-GHfOHNgCLcB/s320/13020635_10154148071889394_862454457_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Nothing I will ever to or attempt will ever come close to this event.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Qak8e4vYA" target="_blank">discovery channel</a> calls the <a href="http://www.marathondessables.com/en/" target="_blank">MDS</a> the toughest footrace on Earth. So it was with some trepidation that I signed up for the 31st MDS last year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Having been persuaded by a friend it became apparent that I needed to get sahara ready. I trained and trained and trained and lost two stone of muscle, quit playing rugby and ran hundreds of miles in training including two marathons and many half marathons.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I needed to be in tip top shape for a 257 kilometer slog through the sahara desert in scorching heat, sand storms and tackling terrain from massive dunes to mountain ranges and boulder fields.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So it began.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3glCNKuiFk/Vxj26MR9yKI/AAAAAAAAC3A/AILj92js-nI1OZ_FgzjddqEJjCXNTt9cACLcB/s1600/P4160331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3glCNKuiFk/Vxj26MR9yKI/AAAAAAAAC3A/AILj92js-nI1OZ_FgzjddqEJjCXNTt9cACLcB/s200/P4160331.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
The time flew past and soon I found myself with all the gear and a massive fear in my heart. I bought the backpack, the specialist freeze dried food and all the gear. I even went through two pairs of trainers in training, literally wearing one pair out.<br />
<br />
The reason I was doing this race was simple. It had been one of my bucket list things. It would be tough, beyond tough and I cannot explain to anyone who has not done this how tough it was. Physically, mentally and emotionally. Not only do you have to be on the start line in 100% peak condition but you have to be mentally tough and prepared for this. Otherwise like so many other competitors you simply wont make it.<br />
<br />
The other reason I found myself in the Sahara heat at the start line was because of a childhood friend. Jon-Paul Brett (JP) had played myself off against another childhood friend Alistair Kerr. He told Alistair that I had signed up and told me that Alistair had signed up.<br />
<br />
Both of us hadn't yet signed up and we duly did thinking the other one had. He also persuaded two university friends to sign up. Cordi Van Niekirk from South Africa and Shaymuss McTeague from the States who has the best piratical name ever. We would also be joined by Adam U'Glow Jones who had completed last years marathon des Sables with his younger brother and was returning for a second time. Richard Riddell would also be joining us but his Chelsea tinder and wine lifestyle got in the way and he pulled out two months before departure.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QBQA0aC3iZU/Vxj2-3YXtMI/AAAAAAAAC3I/sJ_kD8-x66kLjZNeRJui0F1_nYlQJ-sYQCLcB/s1600/12994327_10154148719124394_617547692525260851_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QBQA0aC3iZU/Vxj2-3YXtMI/AAAAAAAAC3I/sJ_kD8-x66kLjZNeRJui0F1_nYlQJ-sYQCLcB/s320/12994327_10154148719124394_617547692525260851_n.jpg" width="287" /></a>Finally I was on the plane.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Never so much had calories and weight meant so much. Everyone you talked to regarding the weight of your backpack had the questions of 'how much does your bag weight' and 'what food are you taking and how many calories a day'.<br />
<br />
The rules and stipulations say the bag must be a minimum of 6.5kg when you report for registration in the desert and you must have a bare minimum of 2000 calories for each day in food rations. I was packing over the bare minimum of calories because I know just how much I eat and had taken the bare essentials in the bag. The one luxury item would be an Olympus tough camera and spare batteries to record our adventures.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
<div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRejaXuP1mM/Vxj2-zyIdPI/AAAAAAAAC3M/htojUTciUXMhRVwbjze17MP03YNPJklCACLcB/s1600/12998733_1053987221314330_4087916201080009393_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRejaXuP1mM/Vxj2-zyIdPI/AAAAAAAAC3M/htojUTciUXMhRVwbjze17MP03YNPJklCACLcB/s320/12998733_1053987221314330_4087916201080009393_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Aall the runners pose in a big 31 for the 31st MDS start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The plane touched down in Ouarzarate airport in Southern Morocco and the heat hit us.<br />
<br />
The flight was a charter from Gatwick and was solely full of MDS runners. As soon as we lifted off someone broke out into a tenor Operatic song and the pane was full of people in shirts and ties with camels on them. The camel club were a great bunch and I feel honoured to have been made a member at the end of the race.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We boarded the bus aftetr collecting our bags and headed off to the bivouac in the desert. 7 hours later we arrived.<br />
<br />
After several piss stops where people swarmed out of the buses and urinated everywhere it was nice to stretch our legs and see what would be home for the next two days.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The bivouac is a large circle of black side less Bedouin tents where we would stay. Each stage of the race these tents would be taken down and reassembled at the next end point of the day as you pass trough the desert and the checkpoints. Accompanying this was a huge array of vehicles and a massive staff tent with medical facilities, media suites and the works. The shear logistics of this event justifies the almost four thousand pounds entry fee! The staff even had a bloody bar, while you were exhausted with blistered feet and hungry lying on a sandy mat under a tent that let half the Sahara in; you could hear the staff partying away!<br />
<br />
I was quite amazed when we explored before the race started. There was hundreds of Land Rover defenders and a good smattering of Toyota land cruisers too. Three helicopters were also present. Two for filming and rescues and one military one as the Moroccan army were camped near by for safety issues as the race was under the patronage of the King.<br />
<br />
The rest of the day was spent buggering about and chatting to other competitors. The Brits were really social, we all chatted and got on but the French that make up about 30% of the race hardly spoke a word to us. Our neightbours in others tents would become friends by the end of the week but the French tents in another inner circle of tents would not even say good morning. They were literally 5 yards away but in a different world.<br />
<br />
Any random nationality from Peruvian to Zimbabwean was chucked in with the British for good measure. Therefore we had a good international vibe and everyone got on.<br />
<br />
That nigth we had a long speech by the events director and founder Patrick Bauer. My god can he go on. He waffles and waffles and then the translator says about five words in English over the megaphone to his 300 in French. This happened every morning as he stood on top of a land rover like a rock star.<br />
<br />
He founded the race 31 years ago after he went on some photographic jolly in the desert himself, but has never done the MDS. He seemed to appear at checkpoints high fiving and fist bumping or making massive speeches in French an dancing about.<br />
<br />
Two days were spent in the bivouac, by this time we had got our bags ready for the long trip and handed in our other bags. We would next see them at the end in the hotel. We queued up to collect our race numbers, spor tracker with SOS button and race paraphernalia. They also weighed our bags to see how much we had; issued us with our race route books and checked to see we had the essentials from the list. Items such as : venom pump in case of a snake bite, salt tablets, emergency whistle and survival blanket.<br />
<br />
The road book was studied cover to cover and would have the routes each day in them. the routes each day where this long:<br />
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Stage 1. 34 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms (10.5 hour time limit)</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Stage 2. 41.3 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms (11 hour time cap)</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Stage 3. 37.5 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms (10.5 hour time cap)</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Stage 4. 84.3 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms (35 hour time cap)</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Stage 5. 42.2 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms (12 hour time cap)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Stage 6. 17.7 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>(Charity stage, not sure if there was a time cap)</b></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 28pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Each stage would have varying terrains and time limits to do them in. There would also be checkpoints where you would be issued with water. The checkpoints were basically four land rovers with numbers on them. You went to the one that corresponded with your race number. For example as runner number 1203 I would always go to the end land rover to have my water card stamped and received either one or two bottles. If you were given two bottles it was normally a long or hard stage up ahead. But sometimes you were given just the one and the stage ahead towards the next checkpoint was massive and you ended up with barely any moisture left in your bottle by the time you arrived. This caught many people out.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Also at the checkpoints were a couple of Bedouin style tents like we had at the campsite for a bit of shade and one that was used by Doc Trotters the incredible team of French medics and foot specialists. They would slice open your blisters and shove what they said was iodine into the wounds as you gritted your teeth in pain. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Many times I got to a checkpoint to see blooded feet or people convulsing and attached to drips, sadly there races were over.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The checkpoints also had closing times, so if you didn't get to one in time you were out. They were quite harsh in reality. If you didn't make it you were a goner and sent back to the nearest town the next day.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Bags handed in we were all on our own. Completely self sufficient apart from water provided at checkpoints and at the end of the day. All our food and world good that we may need from sleeping bag to sun cream were in our bags. The shit was getting real.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The anticipation for the start was heavy in the air, you could feel the tension but there was also an air of fun. We as a group explored the campsite and talked to everyone. We met a vast array of people and characters. Each with a story of how they came to be here.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
We had already had our charity gear photos. Cordi does a lot of work for a charity called the Cows. Real name <b><span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.choc.org.za/" target="_blank">Childhood Cancer foundation South Africa</a></span></b>. We all decided to fund raise for them and thus had photos before we handed in our bags in cow print gear.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G67tAcjZJhc/Vyp7BgMkuFI/AAAAAAAAC5I/ozY3AoEgPfwcIsi8mSw-TtaSX5ttYt7gQCLcB/s1600/13014814_10154148067149394_1419797491_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G67tAcjZJhc/Vyp7BgMkuFI/AAAAAAAAC5I/ozY3AoEgPfwcIsi8mSw-TtaSX5ttYt7gQCLcB/s400/13014814_10154148067149394_1419797491_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Tent 154 posing in our charity gear with the one and only Ted Jackson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
We were joined by a guy called <a href="http://www.iknowtedjackson.com/about-ted-jackson/" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Ted Jackson</span></a> for one photo and not only was he the purveyor of a fine beard but he was an incredible challenge undertaker and fundraiser. Ted was doing his second MDS. The first he had the running umber 666 so dressed as the devil and completed it and this time he had with him a massive bloody great camel costume. Yes you have guessed it he was a leading member in the camel club and was also the culprit of the opera singing on the plane.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
That night it was hard to sleep. I lay awake in my special desert jacket/sleeping bag combo thinking about the 257 kms that lay ahead. I didn't want to fail. I had worked too hard for this. I didn't care if I came last, I just didn't want to fail. I drifted into an uneasy sleep listening to Cordi snore like a bulldozer.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<a href="http://www.marathondessables.com/en/2016-1-stage-1.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">Day 1</span></b></a></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IgMPAXi81sM/Vyp9FXOBU5I/AAAAAAAAC5U/eYhMeXx834QQhwEbOjLrpzoEDdybEzMYgCLcB/s1600/ETAPE_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IgMPAXi81sM/Vyp9FXOBU5I/AAAAAAAAC5U/eYhMeXx834QQhwEbOjLrpzoEDdybEzMYgCLcB/s320/ETAPE_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The first stage would be short. Only 34 kms and designed to get you used to the desert, or so we thought.<br />
<br />
There was a ten and a half hour time cap.<br />
<br />
I was woken by shouting. Opening my eyes I saw Arabic men scrambling about taking the tents down. Soon all the tents were down and all the runners were standing about in their running gear. We queued for water like we would do every morning and applied sun cream. At this point we were all relatively clean and still getting used to defacating into a plastic bag.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAIU6KkK4rE/Vyp9Loi6otI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/Zne6JMAaubExB-3h2GE0uoeqYSjtJmenACKgB/s1600/P4100033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAIU6KkK4rE/Vyp9Loi6otI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/Zne6JMAaubExB-3h2GE0uoeqYSjtJmenACKgB/s640/P4100033.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Above is a photo of us all ready for the off. All of tent 154 posing behind our bags, looking clean and raring to go.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
We made our way over to the start line, all 1200 plus of us (I never did learn the actual number of runners). There was an array of colours and noise. Brightly coloured running kits and flags fluttered in the desert breeze and then they along with our backpacks they made us all pose for a huge 31 as the helicopter took aerial photos from above.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Suddenly AC/DC started to play. Patrick Bauer stood on top of the defender and shouted in French.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
We were off. It happened just like that. A little waiting around and suddenly I along with my tent mates and over a thousand other people were hurtling the first 3km towards the dunes that had been staring us in the face for the past 2 days.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c2YVkYczafM/VypzQ3hQoYI/AAAAAAAAC48/a7Sz9okFc-khoFvYEpRmnSnYV3bDYkjRwCKgB/s1600/P4100037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c2YVkYczafM/VypzQ3hQoYI/AAAAAAAAC48/a7Sz9okFc-khoFvYEpRmnSnYV3bDYkjRwCKgB/s400/P4100037.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Day 1 ready to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
I passed under the giant inflatable start line arch and didn't stop. My legs moved quickly over the hard desert floor as we approached the dunes. My backpack was at its heaviest at this point and I could feel all of its 9 kilos pounding on my shoulders with every step.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ne_leXK6r5c/VzH_1cx7pvI/AAAAAAAAC9M/OWLF-hVQrFsliCVUcnYZPSyPId1CThplACLcB/s1600/13083218_10154155832454394_3566440221164902455_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ne_leXK6r5c/VzH_1cx7pvI/AAAAAAAAC9M/OWLF-hVQrFsliCVUcnYZPSyPId1CThplACLcB/s640/13083218_10154155832454394_3566440221164902455_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Ready, steady, go! Day 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The dunes grew bigger and bigger until they were on top of us. Each step was like walking the wrong way up an escalator. You seemed to be moving backwards as well as forwards as the helicopter flew low over you filming with the cameraman hanging out of the opened door, people cheered and waved every time. Soon the novelty of the helicopter disappeared and it became annoying. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
It was especially annoying when you were having a little squat toilet in the dunes and it suddenly appeared and buzzed you, sending sand into your arse crack!</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
I started well but soon the heat hit me. All that training I had done seemed to go out of the window and I felt ridiculously unfit. Thankfully that didn't last long and my body adjusted to the heat and I slogged through the sand.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
As I looked on I saw people darting up dunes and hardly leaving a footprint, while I seemed to plow into it and use twice as much energy.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
These dunes would go on for 12 kms and take a fair few runners out of the race.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxo9OSs20aUiggo3JfgNdJMEEAZdhlpEBdIVMxOBtZUF87W03e5zcubcCfFEuQdlFWsZfRtICzxRgocUOHEIA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
After what seemed like hours where at some points you had to shuffle in single file we came out of the dunes. That is where I saw my first guy hooked up to a drip.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Check point one came and it was quite a joyous affair. I saw people I knew there and we all chatted and got on and then set off again.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
More dunes and in total we did 15 kms of continuous dunes that day awaited us. But the Sahara had a nasty surprise in store.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The blistering heat and scorching sun was suddenly lost as the winds picked up and sand blasted you. Luckily I was out of the dunes at this point and those still in them were in for a torrid time.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The winds blasted my face and I pulled my buff up over my eyes. Walking along you had to lean into the wind.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPFzIAdKBHA/VzH_tL1YdZI/AAAAAAAAC9I/mec4GLd23I4g6_bu5y3LVrVtEy1VtlhgwCLcB/s1600/11220813_10154155832444394_2912389093566387931_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPFzIAdKBHA/VzH_tL1YdZI/AAAAAAAAC9I/mec4GLd23I4g6_bu5y3LVrVtEy1VtlhgwCLcB/s320/11220813_10154155832444394_2912389093566387931_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The bivouac from above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
I finished day one running across the finish line with Shaymuss and Adam who had somehow hurt his hip and was struggling. We waved at the web camera and smiled to everyone already in the campsite.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Day one was over. I had done it in 8 hours 9 minutes and 12 seconds.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
That evening we all sat in the tent chatting and cheering people as they came back into camp. But as it fell dark it became apparent that many people were not back. Where was Ted in his camel suit or Will from tent 155?</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
You could see the dunes from the campsite and the race staff had driven a dune buggy up to the top shining a spot light to guide people back to camp who were lost in the dunes. Finally out of the dark came Ted in his camel costume. What a legend, the only man in fancy dress.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
It has since been said that day 1 was utterly brutal, one of the toughest opening days ever for terrain and especially the weather. The organisers actually upped the time limit because of the number of people lost in the dunes. Even so 18 or so people pulled our or were medically withdrawn.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
That night I slept well.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwJPuopZC5U/VyqA78yjAII/AAAAAAAAC5o/8M2CX1OPQr481O3Cs_AsT2tjpsNL3WMawCLcB/s1600/P4100064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwJPuopZC5U/VyqA78yjAII/AAAAAAAAC5o/8M2CX1OPQr481O3Cs_AsT2tjpsNL3WMawCLcB/s400/P4100064.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Dunes as far as the eye can see</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.marathondessables.com/en/2016-2-stage-2.html" target="_blank">Day 2</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday 11</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> April</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">41.3 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">11 hour time cap</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">8.30am start</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Water Check points: 3</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">My time: 9 hours 13 minutes 41 seconds</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Total drop outs/medical withdrawals: 57</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
It was now the norm to be woken by shouty men and it soon became the norm to put stinking clothes back on and apply more sun cream to filthy skin.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LvgmGyb_m4/VyqB6vnyBDI/AAAAAAAAC5w/PionKxbtfZ8cfsHRNZBtGgSChLhM1iNEQCLcB/s1600/2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LvgmGyb_m4/VyqB6vnyBDI/AAAAAAAAC5w/PionKxbtfZ8cfsHRNZBtGgSChLhM1iNEQCLcB/s640/2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyhQi6ABeoW9qpuc2IYm29646kqYlpyfu4QWiTkfca9E6AhgtReC2q68jZPmSEcz2n0U6AtErum1Z9wfaxO2Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div>
The second stage of the marathon des sables would be longer than the first. This was the first time I started to actively scan the horizon looking for the checkpoints. This day it seemed that they were so far apart between water stops. You really had to save water. Taking a little sip, holding it in your mouth and savouring the refreshing taste. Gulping didn't help as soon you would be without and high and dry.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zCzlvG9SZJs/VyqCY3hnFGI/AAAAAAAAC50/uhktQnvMGGke42uJLR1Jf46bwTaL2UiYACLcB/s1600/P4110082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zCzlvG9SZJs/VyqCY3hnFGI/AAAAAAAAC50/uhktQnvMGGke42uJLR1Jf46bwTaL2UiYACLcB/s400/P4110082.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Cordi, me, JP, Alistair and Shaymus at the start line day 2<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This stage was the first day where we crossed gigantic open plains. Probably former lake beds where the clay cracked under foot from the scorching suns heat and reflected back up at you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Most of my body was covered. Only my hands pat of my face and knees were getting a nice tan.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At checkpoints today people were literally pole axed on the floor. I saw for the first time people convulsing and on drips and people zigzagging because of the heat.</div>
<div>
Ii ended up spending a long time with Will and Tom who I met on the bus on the first day. We had the same pace and stayed together for a fair few hours.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stage 2 would stick in my mind for just being so bloody long. It wasn't the longest distance we would cover; but you could see miles into the distance. You would see a mountain range and when you got to it and climbed it there was still not a single sign of the checkpoint. It became almost a mind game to keep your composure as you could easily get to the top of a cliff thinking it would be on the other side and then have a swearing fit and waste energy when it want.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It would also be my first desert nose bleed. Every day after day 2 I would have to deal with a nose that would suddenly explode! I wasn't alone and many other runners had the same problem. It however was annoying as I had to use valuable toilet paper to bung up my bleeding hooter! All become of the desert dust!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSK_UNHKJC0/VyyxQwM6gyI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/yoqwtm0d5vores48fPiZ8_RVMjsQIpb5ACLcB/s1600/P4110334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSK_UNHKJC0/VyyxQwM6gyI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/yoqwtm0d5vores48fPiZ8_RVMjsQIpb5ACLcB/s320/P4110334.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Nosebleeds became a regular occurrence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Finally I ran into camp and the mood of the previous night where it was quite joyful was very different. </div>
<div>
That evening as all my tent mates told stories of the long stretches and seeing people in trouble. Many people didn't return to camp. Francois the French Canadian in our tent had to press someone's SOS button when he found him delirious in the desert. He said he waited with him for ten minutes before a land cruiser turned up with a doctor and took him away, his race over.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As the sun set the race officials were harsher this time round. The cut off time stayed and many were taken out of the race. Sadly Ted who had dumped his camel suit was one of them. He left other members of the camel club and his 23 year old son Oscar who I would later spend a lot of time with in the desert behind.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It hit you hard when someone would go. Sometimes you may never see them again. We were all becoming a big band of brothers and sisters.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yRnioMzGx9I/VyqCepxu4OI/AAAAAAAAC54/xDGIviqE6M4yVQJucvVv63FfJBVw91AxQCLcB/s1600/P4110087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yRnioMzGx9I/VyqCepxu4OI/AAAAAAAAC54/xDGIviqE6M4yVQJucvVv63FfJBVw91AxQCLcB/s400/P4110087.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The helicopter buzzes people after the start line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">Day 3</span></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday 12</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> April</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">37.5 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> (26kms of continuous sand dunes)</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">10 hours 30 minutes time cap</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">8.30 am start</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Water Check points: 3</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">My time: 9 hours 13 minutes 23 seconds</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Total drop outs/medical withdrawals: 27</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2XSg1r5emU/VyyyMoajLcI/AAAAAAAAC6g/Uiv9SUQnmu0KwyRKmJRVTne3jM4bm0stwCLcB/s1600/P4120127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2XSg1r5emU/VyyyMoajLcI/AAAAAAAAC6g/Uiv9SUQnmu0KwyRKmJRVTne3jM4bm0stwCLcB/s640/P4120127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Start line day 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The sun rose and the heat grew. Filthy clothing back on and we were ready for yet another day in the oven that was the Sahara.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
This stage was not one of the longest but it would have more dunes than you could ever imagine. A dune section that would stretch for 26 continuous kilometers that would be zapping. Huge dune to traverse and run down and even bigger ones where you had to really pump your legs to get to the top.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZWliBapGR4/Vyyy476p-hI/AAAAAAAAC6k/kLceghG3sQEcWIt07mPDyQk1Q-DOYQFIgCLcB/s1600/13062472_10154155832534394_4823205785821697338_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZWliBapGR4/Vyyy476p-hI/AAAAAAAAC6k/kLceghG3sQEcWIt07mPDyQk1Q-DOYQFIgCLcB/s640/13062472_10154155832534394_4823205785821697338_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Photo taken from the helicopter of the ant like runners slowly making their way across the dunes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Sadly today I had my first feet injuries. Until now I have been relatively OK and my feet had stood up to whatever the desert had thrown at them. Today however they gave in, they went down on one knee like a punch drunk boxer.</div>
<div>
I came over this giant dune and as I ran down both heels popped and instantly blistered.</div>
<div>
By the time we finished crossing the line after traversing an incredibly impressive abandoned and crumbling fort my feet were massively blistered. The right little toe was like a golf ball and I had to have my first visit to Doc Trotters as they drained it and shoved what they aid was iodine but felt like acid into it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The trotter doc told me my feet were far too calloused and that I should have shaved off all the hard skin before.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Back at the tent JP said he didn't even notice the abandoned fort as he was too busy looking down to avoid rocks.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu0H0ZTRi9U/VzIAIm4DSuI/AAAAAAAAC9U/KZH6AOsHJjwwIXTxH75HWuG_X6pU93rsACLcB/s1600/P4120131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu0H0ZTRi9U/VzIAIm4DSuI/AAAAAAAAC9U/KZH6AOsHJjwwIXTxH75HWuG_X6pU93rsACLcB/s640/P4120131.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">26 km of continuous dunes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is amazing how little things can boost your spirits. Emails that were sent to you and your running number were printed off and handed out. Each one from comical to quotations made me smile and one even made me cry. That could have also been because of the pain in my feet.</div>
<div>
I had so many fantastic emails and loved everyone of them and thank you to all who sent them, you really are wonderful human beings.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Small things would make you smile also. The French man chasing his poo bag across the floor in the wind to cheers from the Brits. Reading out each others comical emails and of course waiting til everyone was in their sleeping bags before letting off a giant fart.</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That evening after waiting around for hours at the foot doctors to be sliced up I finally got back to the tent where everyone was asleep. I quickly ate some food and got into my sleeping</span> bag. It wasn't the greatest preparation for tomorrows long stage. 35 hours time cap and a long long way to go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a--lqi1HUCs/Vyy33jEnhAI/AAAAAAAAC64/WYecDE6NGcIcqA82p7XjJYZWDBmgPXNfgCLcB/s1600/P4120144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a--lqi1HUCs/Vyy33jEnhAI/AAAAAAAAC64/WYecDE6NGcIcqA82p7XjJYZWDBmgPXNfgCLcB/s640/P4120144.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The abandoned fort. The finish line was hidden about a mile behind it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bHh_KsRymI/Vyy36N-6ZUI/AAAAAAAAC68/AWMZlt_aqD8sn0SQ7JI1SCHrLO2D-gCQQCLcB/s1600/P4120137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bHh_KsRymI/Vyy36N-6ZUI/AAAAAAAAC68/AWMZlt_aqD8sn0SQ7JI1SCHrLO2D-gCQQCLcB/s400/P4120137.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">With Ben Colabella on top of a mountain, someone I walked with for ages and did not see again until the hotel at the end</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b>Day 4/5 -The Long One</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The Long Day - over night stage</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday 13</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">/Thursday 14</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> April</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">84.3kms</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">35 hour time cap</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Start time 8.15am</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Water Checkpoints: 7</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">My time: 28 hours 10 minutes 31 seconds</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Total drop outs/medical withdrawals: 29</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I woke feeling un-rested and am air of trepidation in my heart. Deep inside I knew this was the make or break day. My feet were literally in pieces, blisters on top of blisters and toenails starting to come off. </span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">They were stained pink from blood and the French iodine. I cannot begin to tell and describe the pain. Every step was like hot knives slicing through my skin. Occasionally you would feel moistness in your socks and know that another blister had emerged and popped! It became a mental battle to block out the pain, as you trudged you would go off into a world of your own and day dream the miles away. Well I tried to do that. </span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Instead I probably said 'fuck' with every painful step or screamed even worse profanities when my foot struck a rock!</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">This stage would be one of the hardest things I would ever do. This stage would either make or break me.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I was so resolute and stubborn that I knew I would finish this. But I also knew it would ruin me. Physically I felt fine. The groin chaffing was quite unpleasant and I was going through a lot of gurney goo and talcum powder around my bits that were taped up on the thighs.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Apart from that my shoulders were fine, by back didn't ache and my legs felt fresh.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WOfjLvwDXDg/Vyy5lsOmdEI/AAAAAAAAC7I/4BzDuTYr084WbVC1-eNT1vVAe-hdxwCiQCLcB/s1600/P4130150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WOfjLvwDXDg/Vyy5lsOmdEI/AAAAAAAAC7I/4BzDuTYr084WbVC1-eNT1vVAe-hdxwCiQCLcB/s640/P4130150.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Feeling tired and with sore feet but over 84.3kms to go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We gathered at the start line as the music blasted and today you could visibly see that there were less people here. Many had quit or fallen by the wayside and been taken out of the race. There was the usual French waffle from Patrick Bauer and the Highway to Hell blasted out as we shuffled through the start line many of us looking like the walking dead.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The first checkpoint was over this giant mountain with sand all blown up one side. You could either queue and go up in single file up the mountain edge where a rope had been attached or man it up and plow up the sand dune. This of course is what I did ad I managed to get ahead of many people by doing so but also expended a lot of energy doing so.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Once at the top the view was spectacular and you could still see people filing into the checkpoint below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zesQB3ga670/VzCX6waauOI/AAAAAAAAC7w/Z5ZZC3AhEbEy6vvmNHbQ7LAeS7V_U8iQACLcB/s1600/P4130160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zesQB3ga670/VzCX6waauOI/AAAAAAAAC7w/Z5ZZC3AhEbEy6vvmNHbQ7LAeS7V_U8iQACLcB/s400/P4130160.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The dune after checkpoint 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As I made my way down the other side of the mountain through a dried up water channel that was a heat trap I was over taken by Gemma Green who I had met last year at a crossfit competition. She came flying down and told me she had been caught up in the snail trail of people using the rope and saw me climbing the dune.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I also lost Adam in that dune as we had done the first ten kilometers together.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o81zjPoqPHM/VzCYfi781TI/AAAAAAAAC8A/VeqOhYRlDL0LVck1xyejhw0SxwqDRFyHwCLcB/s1600/P4130165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o81zjPoqPHM/VzCYfi781TI/AAAAAAAAC8A/VeqOhYRlDL0LVck1xyejhw0SxwqDRFyHwCLcB/s640/P4130165.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Gemma Green hurtling past be en route to a nasty spider bite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Later Gemma would be bitten by a spider and when she was near collapse with blistered legs from the wound she was given an anti venom by the doctors that gave her a severe allergic reaction. Her air way closed and they were close to pulling her out of the race. But in true heroic fashion she pulled through and finished the long day like the legend and super human athlete that she is. I salute you Gemma.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
On the long day the elite runners all top 50 or so would start 3 hours after you.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I was not even past the 20 kilometer point and I heard clapping and cheering. I looked behind me to see the Moroccan leaders racing along in orange. They flew past hardly making an impact on the dusty floor while my feet plodded and hit heavily. They were at least half my body weight and literally had nothing of them as they flew along being filmed from a dune buggy.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSzkznXQsEM/Vyy5syjjQZI/AAAAAAAAC7U/i_CMUARxnGUlzr9rhgMgW-BlrLaf19PNQCLcB/s1600/P4130172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSzkznXQsEM/Vyy5syjjQZI/AAAAAAAAC7U/i_CMUARxnGUlzr9rhgMgW-BlrLaf19PNQCLcB/s640/P4130172.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The dune buggy cameraman captures images of teh race leader and eventual winner Rachid El Morabity (in orange)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSzkznXQsEM/Vyy5syjjQZI/AAAAAAAAC7U/i_CMUARxnGUlzr9rhgMgW-BlrLaf19PNQCLcB/s1600/P4130172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
More and more ran past at pace. Some shouted encouragement to you which was brilliant while others were in the zone.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
The Spanish woman who came 3rd overall came past me in pink and then suddenly dropped her pants squatted, left a deposit and buggered off again!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I wish I could run like that effortlessly, but alas I am not built like them. Although I had defecated like them in the desert.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Finally all of the elite had come past and I got to checkpoint 2. There it was a re-group and take off your backpack to have a protein shake and for me a little coffee.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I met a few people I knew there. Freya and Vicky who I kept bumping into and also a few others. It became more social that way and I set off with them to the next checkpoint. I would until 55 kms keep bumping into them and Ash and Isla whose shorts were slowly falling apart.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
At checkpoint 4 I bumped into Oscar Jackson and Paul Harris from tent 156. Oscar was camel man Ted's son and Paul was, well he was just Welsh.He was also wearing his camel club tie proudly.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
We hatched a plan and we stuck together throughout the night.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Walking in the desert can be lonely. Before I had got to checkpoint 4 I spent a long, long time on my own and was even trying to talk to the Japanese who were having none of it. I got to a large mountain that you had to traverse and there was a slice of shade. Bodies were literally all over the place in this shade. Shade, soothing and something we had not seen a lot of.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4qnhtUm5COY/VzCX9f4LZjI/AAAAAAAAC70/iEZGOUyWARoinBoTzKvsbSvJgztJ6w2TwCLcB/s1600/P4130181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4qnhtUm5COY/VzCX9f4LZjI/AAAAAAAAC70/iEZGOUyWARoinBoTzKvsbSvJgztJ6w2TwCLcB/s640/P4130181.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Paul Harris, Oscar Jackson and myself at checkpoint 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
That's where I saw Peta from the tent next door sadly on a drip shaking violently. She was doing so well and going so strong but her body core temperature rocketed and she became the first person to be evacuated by helicopter. I saw her in the hotel at the end and she said she will be back and I have every faith that she will smash it.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Finally at checkpoint 4 we became a little team of three and walked through the night. The temperatures dropped and it became pleasant but also treacherous under foot. I could roll down my UV arm sleeves and take off my sun hat.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
In the road book it said that checkpoint 5 was after a 'Deceptive sandy rise'. This sand rise went on forever.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
It was bloody huge but when we arrived at checkpoint 5 there low and behold we were greeted by deckchairs and bodies sleeping every where. To top that off there was even a glorious sight. A tea shack giving you one small cup of sweet Moroccan tea each.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
We decided to try and get 3 hours sleep there. Oscar collapsed into a heap, Paul got into his sleeping bag and I tried to sort my feet out before urinating into a bottle and spilling it everywhere.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRkdgBgJC0w/Vyy5wQi1dhI/AAAAAAAAC7c/b-m6butTNNMCZrmEehHWTGTwfauDULAOwCLcB/s1600/P4140195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRkdgBgJC0w/Vyy5wQi1dhI/AAAAAAAAC7c/b-m6butTNNMCZrmEehHWTGTwfauDULAOwCLcB/s320/P4140195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Checkpoint 5. 55 kms and one small cup of tea as a reward</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
The time flew and it was time to go.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beG5yWKHknw/Vyy5n8orh7I/AAAAAAAAC7M/ZxRAxsH6fcUgOz518f95oPGL-vk0E9QxQCLcB/s1600/P4130190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beG5yWKHknw/Vyy5n8orh7I/AAAAAAAAC7M/ZxRAxsH6fcUgOz518f95oPGL-vk0E9QxQCLcB/s320/P4130190.JPG" width="240" /></a>The sun started to come up at about 4 am as we were making our way to the 65 km checkpoint 6. We arrived and people were in the tents fast asleep. Both Paul and my feet were in bits. I saw that the Doc Trotters tent was empty so went in and had an hour of foot surgery from two foot doctors. One drilled into my big toenail to release the pressure and the blood spat our and almost hit her in the face. The other sliced the blisters on my feels and insteps and bandaged them. They were literally in bits with toenails hanging off and huge puffy bits on them. My ankles were swollen and looked like fat old lady feet. Usually my feet are rather vascular but you couldn't not see a vein for the puffiness.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Paul could not stop walking because when he did his feet hurt badly. So he plowed on and Oscar and I eventually followed and made our way to checkpoint 7.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
All the checkpoints were normally hidden, they played on your mind and you went from a massive high when finding one to a incredible sickening and angry low looking for one. Not however with checkpoint seven.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
It emerged from round a cliff race and as you approached your heart sank. You could for the first time see the finish line. You could see the tent city in the distance shimmering in the heat haze but never getting closer.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
It was like an ethereal illusion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_DdevOqr5QEDQRdv58fjnTjhBWMeBfR91v1GDnWQrbd7lrvyk9HJAdBwWBgeIQFyQOhvfmlkG4OmxpaKwEA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I was at this point bleeding from my nose profusely, the desert dust had ruined my nostrils. At this point I met Claire from Durham and we chatted as we plodded along together. She had a nose bleed too and we shared some hairbo to cheer ourselves up as we spoke of ruined feet.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I must have spent at least 2 hours with her and later on while at home I discovered that she was in fact the mother of one of my friends friends, small world!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
At checkpoint seven I sat on the ground and took my shoes off. I had toe socks and had to cut the toes off to get my bandaged feet into them. The doc trotters gave me a saline solution bullet and showed me how to clear the blood in my nose my shooting it up my nostril.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Then Francois from my tent came roaring into the checkpoint, he grabbed his water and said 'can't stop'!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
He had quit near checkpoint 5, sat down and said no more. His body refusing to go further but someone had encouraged him to keep going.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
The last 9.2 kilometers to the finish line was terrible. It lasted forever and tested you, my feet hurt and it was so hot. At least at checkpoint seven I had a bin shower using someones left over water. Pouring it all over yourself was a delight and within a minute or so you were dry again.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As the finish line finally came into view I was joined my Oscar and Shaymuss. We trundled over the line with mixed emotions. Pain and euphoria because we had completed the long stage. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We had done it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SDJVLs1ONtE/VzCYB2cxjJI/AAAAAAAAC74/xDs3F7PbANUlYehlgv-L5NBTy8IMCWGEACLcB/s1600/P4140214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SDJVLs1ONtE/VzCYB2cxjJI/AAAAAAAAC74/xDs3F7PbANUlYehlgv-L5NBTy8IMCWGEACLcB/s640/P4140214.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Shaymuss and myself after the long finish from checkpoint seven which was by the hillside in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They gave us our allocation of water and I hobbled over to tent 154. Collapsing into a heap on the floor.<br />
That evening it was a strange feeling in the campsite. We knew we were almost there.<br />
<br />
The last person came into view and was announced by a French lady with a megaphone. People clapped him like we had clapped everyone else who came in.<br />
<br />
Back in the tent I showed my feet off to my tent mates and inspected the damage.<br />
<br />
We were treated to a cold can of coke. It was incredible, the first cold thing I had held or tasted in a while. Many of us kept the can lingering on our foreheads for ages before the first refreshing sip.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow would be a hard day for these swollen blistered mess of toes and skin!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzgN7GQ2Sx0ELRdYUKGtt0k1fZpNtCPGD_L3u0YC3hYR-Jisl-QwVzhE7hlUS7MRMo0nilqDkjSljQZTasiLQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ec3loBVtPps/Vyy5wJBqiMI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/KHxEmwbkS_EO_lrfMO7pfU7Y31COL-oVQCLcB/s1600/P4140200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ec3loBVtPps/Vyy5wJBqiMI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/KHxEmwbkS_EO_lrfMO7pfU7Y31COL-oVQCLcB/s320/P4140200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">At checkpoint six having foot 'surgery'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63FWB4X2DYw/Vyy5qNvCXrI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/_FpFcGZG-NQo7ZR2xz706Us2Vhu5_wZ6QCLcB/s1600/P4140219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63FWB4X2DYw/Vyy5qNvCXrI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/_FpFcGZG-NQo7ZR2xz706Us2Vhu5_wZ6QCLcB/s320/P4140219.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My feet after the long day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: yellow;"><b>Day/Stage 6</b></span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Marathon Day</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday 15</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> April</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">42.2 </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">kms</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">12 hour time cap</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">3 water check points</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">My time: 10 hours 33 minutes 7 seconds</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Total drop outs: 4</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjzRfsKynGo/VzHtW9CeW-I/AAAAAAAAC8c/cfWIyz3wkOgNU6-2UKiL4EteMn7O5tGPQCLcB/s1600/P4150241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjzRfsKynGo/VzHtW9CeW-I/AAAAAAAAC8c/cfWIyz3wkOgNU6-2UKiL4EteMn7O5tGPQCLcB/s640/P4150241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Tent 154 in the morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
This morning it felt different. We all knew we had it in us to complete this race. It was almost over. One marathon (and a silly charity stage) and it would all be over.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The usual music blared and we were off.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
My feet seemed OK at first and I managed to keep a good pace until checkpoint 2. Then they started to fall apart again and I winced with every step or growled in pain with every stub of the toe. I was longing for dunes this time, the energy sapping sliding of the ground would also be a welcome relief on the feet as it cushioned each step.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Today would be a fun day. A large group of us stuck together and chatted. I met new people and saw faces I had not seen for a few days.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
It was called the Marathon day because it was the perfect 26.2 mile Marathon course which would include all the desert terrains we had encountered. Sand, dunes, rocks, includes and boulders etc. So it was a race within a race.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The elite runners set off an hour or so after us but this time they had included the top 200 rather then the top 50 so many faces you knew came by.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
I met Tyrone from Bristol who told me he kept himself amused in the dunes <span style="text-align: center;">by paying human Pac man with the Japanese.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5r8nHEtmPc/VzHtaJnEb_I/AAAAAAAAC8g/5TsyrgXXB9sFoVM6J77sEbHND3QkRR5vwCLcB/s1600/P4150267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5r8nHEtmPc/VzHtaJnEb_I/AAAAAAAAC8g/5TsyrgXXB9sFoVM6J77sEbHND3QkRR5vwCLcB/s640/P4150267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Almost at the finish line. A photo taken by run ultra's Steve who got his land cruiser stuck in a dune</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
I chatted to Sally an officer and physio in the army who recently won a medal at the Invictus games and also another Physio and current trainee paramedic Rebecca. Rebecca had been told all in the run up to this race that she won't finish it. She was now showing those doubters wrong. Those doubters I am 100% sure would not have the guts that she has to do this race. I salute you.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Oscar and Paul were with me two and also Angel from Peru. The first and so far only Peruvian to ever complete the Marathon des Sables.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Over the last couple of days I had been using two sticks I stole from the Bedouin tents as walking poles. I called one Gandalf and one Ghandi. But at check point 3 I managed to pick up some for real left there by someone who had dropped out of the race.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
I saw Gemma again whose leg looked worse for ear and many people who I had seen flying on day one now limping along like me.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
At one point a land cruiser pulled up to see how we were doing and I asked him to play some music. Sadly he cruised along next to us playing French love ballads! Why did I ask?</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Checkpoint 3 was greeted by whooping, the atmosphere was brilliant now. Our camaraderie and silliness and random conversations all getting us through and making us try and forget the pain in our feet.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
At checkpoint 3 we saw Steve from run ultra the organisers of the UK contingent of the race. He then proceeded to get his land cruiser stuck in a dune and when he got it out he was greeted by riotous cheers.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJneiKdmUI8/VzHtg9u0wdI/AAAAAAAAC8s/UZngCsqqT5YTBnTO4zJiRX_aLzYs-Go3gCLcB/s1600/P4150270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJneiKdmUI8/VzHtg9u0wdI/AAAAAAAAC8s/UZngCsqqT5YTBnTO4zJiRX_aLzYs-Go3gCLcB/s640/P4150270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Angel's Peruvian flag flutters in the breeze as we approach the finish line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The finish line came into view and we ran in. Paul took out his Welsh flag, we all put away poles and made ourselves look better for the finish photo and crossed the line waving and smiling to the webcam.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbgVuA__r4k/VzHtS80qNKI/AAAAAAAAC8U/fx7aGc6Vc7U6veCcsvYeyqCN8M8TVnUTQCLcB/s1600/P4150274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbgVuA__r4k/VzHtS80qNKI/AAAAAAAAC8U/fx7aGc6Vc7U6veCcsvYeyqCN8M8TVnUTQCLcB/s320/P4150274.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">At the Finish line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The organisers and race officials and the bivouac staff were cheering and waving as we came in.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
After the obligatory sweet cup of Moroccan tea which i threw up because of sugar overload it was a great atmosphere at the campsite.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
I got back to the tent after a few photos at the finish line. We had done it. The feeling was of utter jubilation. Tomorrow was just a 17,7 km charity stage and then medals o'clock.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Land cruisers drove around the campsite bleeding their horns with people cheering on the roofs it was a great party atmosphere.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Soon an announcement as made that the last runners were coming in. Everyone got up onto sore feet and hobbled over to the finish line.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lp-ZiD4hO6Q/VzHtUoeWyBI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/eocZE4ZngeQPvA92KOAJNCjxk4bJohPVwCLcB/s1600/13023514_10154148068529394_240334647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lp-ZiD4hO6Q/VzHtUoeWyBI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/eocZE4ZngeQPvA92KOAJNCjxk4bJohPVwCLcB/s640/13023514_10154148068529394_240334647_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Marathon day felt like a massive end to the race, the following day would be an anti climax</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PT-tPNUWRwM/VzHtdAXm6zI/AAAAAAAAC8k/DConLggecakec7N7GEtrG6O3rvyA-j0NQCLcB/s1600/P4150286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PT-tPNUWRwM/VzHtdAXm6zI/AAAAAAAAC8k/DConLggecakec7N7GEtrG6O3rvyA-j0NQCLcB/s640/P4150286.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">All of tent 154 after the Marathon stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everyone crowded round the inflatable finish line as the last three runners came in limping. All three were Englsh. Marc Jarrard from the next door tent was one of them. His feet were so injured he injected them with anaesthetic every morning so he could walk. Nimisha Keshwala in her bright leggings was another and she was a true trooper. She had slightly broken her ankle in the race and was continuing on foot and a guy called Rob who was quite delirious by the time they all crossed the line hand in hand to rapturous applause made up the trio.<br />
<br />
Behind them was all the land rovers from the three checkpiints following slowly beeping their horns and flashing their lights, joining them was the land cruisers from the course and vehind them there they were. The camels.<br />
<br />
Two camels would follow all the racers, these were the last runners and if they over took you you would be out.<br />
<br />
These three and two camels were traeted like heros when they crossed the line.<br />
<br />
That evenign the race was officially over. First, second and third had been decided and the awards of random glass plate things were given out. But no medals, that would be timorrow.<br />
<br />
There was a can of coke given out to all runners even thougha beer was promised by Mr. Bauer in one of his long winded waffling speeches where he was slightly sexist. If everyone had had more energy I am sure there would have been a riot.<br />
<br />
That evening they showed some footage of the race on a giant inflatable screen that took ages to set up and the Bedouins in the camps clapped their hands and sang songs in Arabic.<br />
<br />
People chatted and hugged and when we finally went to bed no one cared about tomorrow or the silly charoty stage.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69-wKRRlGws/VzH_akkToZI/AAAAAAAAC9A/HbJXDg8laYwhM5OeHD9evYTg_XJAmb4fACKgB/s1600/13087349_10154155838284394_1405009841564047284_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69-wKRRlGws/VzH_akkToZI/AAAAAAAAC9A/HbJXDg8laYwhM5OeHD9evYTg_XJAmb4fACKgB/s640/13087349_10154155838284394_1405009841564047284_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The last three runners are congratulated by Patrick Bauer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zA7urgx0Y0/VzHteUuKONI/AAAAAAAAC8o/raDW3_MTCCU1aN-LM11Dv96QiDaey1fFwCLcB/s1600/P4150284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zA7urgx0Y0/VzHteUuKONI/AAAAAAAAC8o/raDW3_MTCCU1aN-LM11Dv96QiDaey1fFwCLcB/s640/P4150284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Day 7 </span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Stage 6</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The UNICEF solidarity charity stage</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday 16</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> April</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">17.7km</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Start time 9am</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">No water checkpoints</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Obligatory </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Unicef</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> T shirts to be </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">worn.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">My</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> time 4 hours 27 minutes 51 seconds</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">We were joined by </span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">randoms</span><span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> and local ‘celebrities’ for 9.2 km of this and then they were bussed off.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eC-CEbEJ-jY/VzH_esxy6sI/AAAAAAAAC9E/IkJiFbsRdGM5Sa8Q8IaXfzMpjjd5FoYqgCKgB/s1600/13087800_10154155832639394_4382240858640874061_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eC-CEbEJ-jY/VzH_esxy6sI/AAAAAAAAC9E/IkJiFbsRdGM5Sa8Q8IaXfzMpjjd5FoYqgCKgB/s640/13087800_10154155832639394_4382240858640874061_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The start of the charity stage. The only time the Bivouac was not dismantled. We are all in unicef t shirts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today was an odd day, the race had ended. Ii finished in 867th place over all and was just happy to finish it. Although even though our places were sorted we still had one last day.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We </span>queued<span style="font-family: inherit;"> up for our morning water allocation and were given a blue </span>UNICEF<span style="font-family: inherit;"> t shirt to wear for the day. A thick cotton one that even </span>though it <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>didn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> smell like our normal </span>running<span style="font-family: inherit;"> gear it made you sweat an awful lot.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The night before we had been </span>pummeled<span style="font-family: inherit;"> by sand storms through the night and they continued at the start line.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1DK_tR-K9Qo/VzMs_MRsIXI/AAAAAAAAC-A/U96Ol310glk1c1WGOC7HhF2paLGR3UxhQCLcB/s1600/P4160315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1DK_tR-K9Qo/VzMs_MRsIXI/AAAAAAAAC-A/U96Ol310glk1c1WGOC7HhF2paLGR3UxhQCLcB/s640/P4160315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">People in yellow </span>UNICEF<span style="font-family: inherit;"> t-shirts would join us for 9.2 kms of the race today. Then they would all get on a bus leaving us at a </span>checkpoint<span style="font-family: inherit;"> with no water stops to trudge </span>over<span style="font-family: inherit;"> dunes and hills to the finish line.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a random day as we had had the </span>euphoria<span style="font-family: inherit;"> from the previous night of </span>actually<span style="font-family: inherit;"> finishing. But this extra stage added to the overall distance of 257 kms but not to the rankings unless you got a penalty for </span>something<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was as if </span>someone<span style="font-family: inherit;"> had insulted the race last year saying that it cant be the toughest race on Earth so they decided to make it longer and make us endure more.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Many<span style="font-family: inherit;"> people moaned about it but we all got on with it and started </span>listening<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to the </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_jCu_u28Ig" target="_blank">Highway to hell</a> </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for the last time.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1HM2pDuaMU/VzMswq43TSI/AAAAAAAAC9o/CjthO_L49fkjvROUOWGM0i2G2h6CukcIgCLcB/s1600/13020229_10154148068554394_1949524258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1HM2pDuaMU/VzMswq43TSI/AAAAAAAAC9o/CjthO_L49fkjvROUOWGM0i2G2h6CukcIgCLcB/s640/13020229_10154148068554394_1949524258_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Medal time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This last section </span>wasn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> remarkable. It was more social and a lot of us chatted and also </span>introduced<span style="font-family: inherit;"> other people we had all met on the route to others.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The only down side was that the actual finish line was a bit of an anti climax.</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The winds battered us but we didn't care. Soon we would finish. My lot all started together and actually stayed together for a while. Of course until we lost JP, Adam and Cordi. Shaymuss, Alistair and myself all crossed the finish line together.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
We trotted over the line and Patrick Bauer presented us with our medals and planted a French smacker on each cheek.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
It was over, finally all that pain and sweat and blood was worth it. We had crossed the finish line and were presented with our medals.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
What now? Unlike last night there was not a lot going on, no fanfare, a few people cheering and clapping and some awful French music being played.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
We had our official photos taken and then made our way to the buses.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The air con hit me like an orgasm, cool air and a packed lunch and a comfy seat that reclined to sit on. The bus was utter heaven and many of us stuffed our faces and fell asleep.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
At one point a French man stood up and started to violently slap his legs. The bastard, this guy in the darkness of the night each night near out tent would slap his legs and wake everyone up. He would continue to slap massage himself for ages and now we knew who the culprit was,. He was politely heckled and asked to sit down before someone hit him.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9zY0Cm61aM/VzMsytipzLI/AAAAAAAAC9s/CZJkFlYoWhwf-zA6_Xe45cwcZkWvf6NRwCLcB/s1600/P4160333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9zY0Cm61aM/VzMsytipzLI/AAAAAAAAC9s/CZJkFlYoWhwf-zA6_Xe45cwcZkWvf6NRwCLcB/s640/P4160333.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Hours later we arrived in Ouarzarate. A haven and the chance to stand on carpet, remove shoes and most importantly, wash.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
It took ages to get yourself clean from the grime and dirt of the desert and also the chance to look at our unshaven and sun kissed faces for the first time.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSbnDnoD-fKGk2zItlRlb3KvXGS_so_52qozN8DARWNmNUib9Vr02pNwPlvrTFUWCSOAGtXjTCHugufU7kwg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
After that it was a case of stuff ourselves with food and drink cool beers until bed time. That evening I couldn't sleep because of the comfort of the bed and also when I did drift off I kept dreaming that I needed to get to checkpoints!</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The next day our mangled feet now in flipflops made our way down to the French hotel to collect our finishers official t shirts and then it was after a quick dive onto the souq beers by the pool time.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
By this point everyone was laughing and joking and it took a while to recognise everyone because they were now all clean and not in their running kit. I spent ages downing beers (my first for months) and chatting to people I had met en route. The Brits had a awards ceremony where once again Patrick turned up and waffled in French and also a charity auction.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Bill Mitchell who was 71 won Brit of the race for breaking Sir Ranulph Fiennes age record and most importantly we all had a great laugh an drank and ate a lot. It was good to catch up with some people who were eliminated and people you had shared painful steps with.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
It was almost all over. I had made some epic friends and met some spectacular people. Heroes every last one of them.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
We called the MDS type two fun. You hated parts of it for the pain it caused but when you looked back on it you had rose tinted glasses on and loved it really.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
The plane finally left Moroccan soil and Gatwick would be hugs galore from the competitors.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Reality would be hard because we had each shared so much, from shitting into bags to reassuring each other and reading out loud your emails to make people cry.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
We had done it and all the time saying we hated JP for the pain it caused.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
In truth I loved all of it. After all what is the MDS without a tail of feet falling apart.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
Would I ever do it again. Well never say never.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
For now I am one proud medal owner and still as I type this have a massive smile on my face.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
All of you I met and forgot to mention you are brilliant, all of you who trudged thise dunes know just how it feels to finish.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
If you have not done this event its hard to understand just how it means to me or what we went through.</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
I dare you to sign up, go on. Take on the toughest Race on Earth. After all; we did and we finished!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.marathondessables.com/resultats/resultats.php?langue=en&categorie=1&etape=72&classement_general=1&nb_result=40&epreuve_id=2016&tri=classement_pasclasse,%20classement_abandon,%20classement_rang&page=22#" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">Official Results and times (not including the charity stage)</span></b></a></div>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpD-sRaJZKU/VzMs25rucxI/AAAAAAAAC90/M4iO0NyxmQsm3015pajNqUmyaEaVfQC8QCLcB/s1600/IMG_0944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpD-sRaJZKU/VzMs25rucxI/AAAAAAAAC90/M4iO0NyxmQsm3015pajNqUmyaEaVfQC8QCLcB/s640/IMG_0944.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Shaymuss, myself and Alistair show off our medals at the finish line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GXE0UDdvrbo/VzMs28v8RRI/AAAAAAAAC9w/_76pK99ZPJUUToXmF82BBzv94OyD8va6ACLcB/s1600/IMG_1558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GXE0UDdvrbo/VzMs28v8RRI/AAAAAAAAC9w/_76pK99ZPJUUToXmF82BBzv94OyD8va6ACLcB/s640/IMG_1558.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The architect of all our pain. Patrick Bauer, race director and French microphone waffler!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--SfIoUK9S2Y/VzMs4pvOmJI/AAAAAAAAC94/3owR9925hF0gMw_5b4wK05LDQm-IOo_QQCLcB/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--SfIoUK9S2Y/VzMs4pvOmJI/AAAAAAAAC94/3owR9925hF0gMw_5b4wK05LDQm-IOo_QQCLcB/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My final times and positions (excluding the charity stage)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQy-McjD7O8/VzMti7Mx2-I/AAAAAAAAC-M/kvC2vYuqjXQq-sepxntSbsUj5-ZC7eWugCLcB/s1600/13219898_10154199701584394_1422851707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQy-McjD7O8/VzMti7Mx2-I/AAAAAAAAC-M/kvC2vYuqjXQq-sepxntSbsUj5-ZC7eWugCLcB/s640/13219898_10154199701584394_1422851707_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Charity stage final ranking and time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qInyVLn8qok/VzMs6pxCdFI/AAAAAAAAC98/YyDy4qC-wVIW1Pqk8ggv-yL1NPdEKwHigCLcB/s1600/13010873_10154155838369394_8233866406501894825_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qInyVLn8qok/VzMs6pxCdFI/AAAAAAAAC98/YyDy4qC-wVIW1Pqk8ggv-yL1NPdEKwHigCLcB/s640/13010873_10154155838369394_8233866406501894825_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">GPS tracking of me while in the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVZ2IhF8kB0/VzMtBAdG6AI/AAAAAAAAC-E/1adDW_1n9EEI7tTw4TMbVmQPVP8WefcTACLcB/s1600/P4160340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVZ2IhF8kB0/VzMtBAdG6AI/AAAAAAAAC-E/1adDW_1n9EEI7tTw4TMbVmQPVP8WefcTACLcB/s640/P4160340.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Finally it was beer o'clock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "narkisim"; font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0pt 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://www.yourthurrock.com/Orsett-firefighter-revers-toughest-race-Earth/story-29251655-detail/story.html" target="_blank">Thurrock Gazette newspaper article</a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk/Brentwood-fighter/story-29264835-detail/story.html" target="_blank"><b>Brentwood Gazette article</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "narkisim"; letter-spacing: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/Essex_firefighter_Ben_takes_on_the_toughest_race_on_Earth/" target="_blank"><b>Essex fire and Rescue Service Website article</b></a></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-61688868354157317792015-06-16T15:09:00.003-07:002015-06-16T15:09:39.031-07:00The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azFQkObleeA/VYCbNRA8KhI/AAAAAAAAC1s/nBhSGpgSjuw/s1600/mermaid%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azFQkObleeA/VYCbNRA8KhI/AAAAAAAAC1s/nBhSGpgSjuw/s320/mermaid%2B2015.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dPHifTdyYfI/VYCcBqQJG2I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/NFRQ1qebSf4/s1600/mermaid%2Bupside%2Bdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dPHifTdyYfI/VYCcBqQJG2I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/NFRQ1qebSf4/s320/mermaid%2Bupside%2Bdown.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
You cannot go to Copenhagen the Danish capital without
seeing the famous little mermaid Statue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>I remember my late grandfather telling me about the wonders
of hitch hiking through Europe in 1951. He said the Swedish women were beautiful
but the place he most raved and waxed lyrical about was Denmark; especially
Copenhagen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
My grandfather would tell me tales of the wonders of Tivoli
Gardens, the amusement park. Coming from war torn and rationed London the
lights of the park would have seemed like a million miles away. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
He would be used to places like Southend on sea but this
spectacle of lights, fireworks, water parks, gardens and amusements would have
been a whole new experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I found an old photo that he took of the little Mermaid
statue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
A small black and white snap taken from an angle on a sunny day
66 years ago. Now I found myself standing at that very spot where he took that
photo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
A smile creeps across my face as I think of him as a young
man and wonder how similar we would be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
It’s May 2015 and early evening. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
It’s still light and the tide has gone out. I was always
told that you will be underwhelmed by the statue and that it was smaller than what
you expected. But what I didn’t realise was that if I stand on the band and
jump I can literally clamber up ad stand next to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Rc3Og_-csM/VYCbOyO6BtI/AAAAAAAAC10/c0x-YSsMc60/s1600/ben%2Band%2Bmermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Rc3Og_-csM/VYCbOyO6BtI/AAAAAAAAC10/c0x-YSsMc60/s320/ben%2Band%2Bmermaid.jpg" width="320" /></a>This of course is probably illegal as she has been
vandalised in the past and in 2003 almost exactly 90 years after when was placed
there she was blown off her rock with explosives!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Her head has been sawn off and she has also in the past been
draped in a Burkha. So the poor lass has gone through the wars.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Anyway I couldn’t resist and clambered up on to her. The
first thing I noticed was how well rubbed her breasts were, obviously it was
either overzealous sexually frustrated tourists having a grope or good luck to
rub them like it is with the Churchill bronze statue rubbing his foot as you
enter parliament.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Either way I was up there now and gave her a little kiss for
good luck. Not a passionate one of course just a peck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I stood on the shore again looking out at the waters of
Copenhagen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
A city that is beautiful and great fun to cycle round. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The Mermaid fitted perfectly. The fairy-tale creature
created by Hans Christian Andersen and the statue commissioned by the son of
the founder of Carlsberg. It’s an amusing story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The head is modelled on ballerina Ellen Price's, but she
refused to go nude for the body so that task fell to the sculptor’s wife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
So since 1913 her breasts have been in the sea. Recently
Danish authorities have considered moving her further out into the bay to
discourage people like myself from climbing on to it. But nothing has happened
yet. I do however know a certain Australian man who swam out to her and posed
naked in the same position as her. The photo does make silly viewing if unflattering
for him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I stared at her for a further minute until some tourists
came along and ruined the view and the quietness. Therefore I moved off to see
the kitsch and lights of Tivoli gardens and see what my granddad loved about
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
To me it was just a theme park with beautiful ornate
entrances that dated from Victorian times. But to him this must have been like
visiting Santa's Grotto. I smiled as I entered and saw the Peacock stage. Being
here I know would have made him smile. Maybe travel was in his blood too. I
certainly hope so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
As I left Copenhagen I heard a story about the mermaid that
I wish I had seen. An act of Vandalism connected to international women’s day
in 2006 left her clutching a whopping Dildo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I will leave you with that mental image.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-16163860452551926162015-06-16T14:30:00.002-07:002015-06-16T14:30:34.454-07:00Am I back in old Soviet Berlin?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4RxPRmc2zY/VOyaLJpivSI/AAAAAAAACyo/l3VMp4zWo_Y/s1600/P2151836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4RxPRmc2zY/VOyaLJpivSI/AAAAAAAACyo/l3VMp4zWo_Y/s1600/P2151836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4RxPRmc2zY/VOyaLJpivSI/AAAAAAAACyo/l3VMp4zWo_Y/s1600/P2151836.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1wz4LtuM0s/VOyaK7sNWYI/AAAAAAAACyk/1nUDUeo2Fks/s1600/P2151835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1wz4LtuM0s/VOyaK7sNWYI/AAAAAAAACyk/1nUDUeo2Fks/s1600/P2151835.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Treptower Park; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>large,
looming, ominous and unmistakably Soviet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I feel as I step into the park that I have gone back in
time. To a time when the stasi were an ever present part of East German life
and a world where we lived in constant fear of a nuclear war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Communist countries did love a sculpture, statue or tower.
Some even had all three plus many more emblems that would adorn cities, streets
and buildings. You would not be able to get away from the sight of political propaganda
anywhere back in the days of the iron curtain and the Berlin wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Standing in Treptower Park in an area that was once East
Berlin it seems remarkably quiet considering that there is a main road not so
far away. It’s not quiet actually, it’s still. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Almost too still. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This adds to the eeriness of the place and the awkward feeling
that the giant statue and centre piece of the park gives you as it stares deep
into you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The statue and park which is the East German war memorial is
a reminder of the battle against fascism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The soldier holds a child he has saved and clutches a sword;
under his feet are the remains of a shattered swastika. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Powerful and emblematic stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I stand here looking I wonder how the people of East
Berlin must have felt as their country plummeted towards economic ruin and
isolationism from all but the soviets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How did they feel seeing gigantic statues erected while they
struggled with everyday life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shift m gaze over to the iron fence and see many parts
have been removed, vandalised and stolen. Presumably melted down and recycled
in harsher times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Treptower Park also seems a little out of place as it is the
Soviet Cenotaph commemorating the 80,000 Soviet soldiers who lost their lives
in the Battle for Berlin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It doesn’t seem like a German liberation statue or monument
at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it was opened in1949 the world was a very different
place. East German citizens were getting used to a life divided from friends, relatives
and soon their own country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I leave after exploring inside the monument and around
I feel like I needed to know a little more but there was a lack of information.
It seems that Berliners do not visit this place and it is almost forgotten and
hidden amongst the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Almost abandoned like the Spreepark derelict amusement park
in the woods not far away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wander back along the river Spree and see it for myself.
Large fences erected and signs saying keep out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5DdjkUWSKU/VOyaUPA2STI/AAAAAAAACzE/2PFF-XvhZN0/s1600/IMG_6092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5DdjkUWSKU/VOyaUPA2STI/AAAAAAAACzE/2PFF-XvhZN0/s1600/IMG_6092.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rotting bumper cars and a falling down dilapidated circus
big top. Large fibre glass dinosaurs standing covered in moss looking forlorn
and having seen better days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then I see something that still to this day is one of the
spookiest and creepiest things I have ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The large abandoned Ferris wheel is turning and creaking.
Not just moving in the wind, fully rotating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through the quiet of the woods you can hear it creak and
crunch and hum of a motor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walk back to central Berlin in need of a good German beer.
But all my head can think of is why was it turning and did someone break in to
turn it on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Too many unanswered questions for one day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6LYiR8pKUs/VOyaNTCJ65I/AAAAAAAACy0/j2iJbtYUEo0/s1600/P2151838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6LYiR8pKUs/VOyaNTCJ65I/AAAAAAAACy0/j2iJbtYUEo0/s1600/P2151838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--K-Qlf1c57o/VOyaQ3MekWI/AAAAAAAACy8/RxdUzajMY5c/s1600/P2151833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--K-Qlf1c57o/VOyaQ3MekWI/AAAAAAAACy8/RxdUzajMY5c/s1600/P2151833.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-18485829593384432572015-04-23T03:35:00.000-07:002015-04-23T03:35:58.215-07:00Run Ben run!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2n9NMLZ1YGg/VTjHgLEx38I/AAAAAAAAC0g/yvUYnzTclH4/s1600/marathon%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2n9NMLZ1YGg/VTjHgLEx38I/AAAAAAAAC0g/yvUYnzTclH4/s1600/marathon%2B2.png" height="127" width="200" /></a><b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">3 days to go til I pound the mean streets of London town.</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-bOhYoWn6o/VTjHi-O6xCI/AAAAAAAAC0s/CVUEXpZiGJ0/s1600/11173326_10153244112674394_6563616026868652583_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-bOhYoWn6o/VTjHi-O6xCI/AAAAAAAAC0s/CVUEXpZiGJ0/s1600/11173326_10153244112674394_6563616026868652583_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yOWR6FyC1o/VTjHi6MBQUI/AAAAAAAAC00/LwLEfDyh_f8/s1600/11150559_10153258371214394_1462975132798454706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yOWR6FyC1o/VTjHi6MBQUI/AAAAAAAAC00/LwLEfDyh_f8/s1600/11150559_10153258371214394_1462975132798454706_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/runnningben" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Sponsorship page</span></b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">12</span></b> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">years ago I crossed the finishing line of the London Marathon at the Mall and swore never again.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I staggered over the line as a young man with legs on fire but am immense feeling of pride welling up inside me.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back then I was a lot lighter as well as younger and even then I was not built for long distance running. I am even more less now. Years of weights, crossfit and rugby have made me more built like a sprinter than a marathon runner. Never the less after a couple of beers I entered the ballot for this years London Marathon.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My face dropped when the red acceptance envelope arrived through my door many months later.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly it had dawned on me, I was running the streets of London again. Once more tackling the worlds most famous Marathon.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back when I did it, the marathon was sponsored by Flora and it was in its 23rd year. Now it is the Virgin Money London Marathon and this year it is the 35th anniversary.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was nothing for it. I would have to train.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VToIE1poikA/VTjHi8wPvSI/AAAAAAAAC0o/6yx_SjR3EXs/s1600/22519_10153187391959394_4839980662794104642_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VToIE1poikA/VTjHi8wPvSI/AAAAAAAAC0o/6yx_SjR3EXs/s1600/22519_10153187391959394_4839980662794104642_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only train but also choose a charity. I could have run for a cancer charity but choose instead to run for one that has affected me and my family in recent years. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore I decided to run for the Alzheimer's society because of my lovely old Nana.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My 87 year old Nana is a wonderful woman full of life and as fit as a fiddle. She was the perfect granny growing up and a loving and caring woman who makes epic cakes.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It hurts me to see her descend slowly and exasperatingly deeper into the clutches of this horrible illness. This once outgoing woman reduced to forgetting the simplest of things and having to be cared for.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.3;">The worst part is the look of </span><span style="line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">realization</span><span style="line-height: 1.3;"> on her face that this is happening.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It breaks my heart to see her suffer in this way.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore I ask you please to donate to this worthy cause and not only help my Nana but the thousands of other Nanas and families who are in similar or worse situations.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever you can spare will go towards helping those out who need it the most.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know thousands o people run marathons and do it for the prestige and boasting appeal. BUt I am doing this because I hate to see my gran suffer. I know there are many others who feelt is way and if I can raise some cash to help in any way shape or form I would feel that I am helping out in a small way.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.3;">I set a target of raising £500 and so far I have </span><span style="line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">smashed</span><span style="line-height: 1.3;"> that. I am </span><span style="line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">almost</span><span style="line-height: 1.3;"> at a grand. That would be amazing if I could get to </span><span style="line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">that</span><span style="line-height: 1.3;"> total.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.3;">So many people have wished me well and donated and it brings a huge smile to my face to see how much money has gone to </span><span style="line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">charity</span><span style="line-height: 1.3;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know everyone will be asking for money, but please if you can think of my Nana and all the other Nana's, Gramps, Uncles, Mums, Dads, brothers and sisters who this horrible illness is effecting.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am running for all of you and you will all spur me on.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/runnningben" target="_blank"><b><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">www.justgiving.com/runnningben</span></b></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-j-bOhYoWn6o%2FVTjHi-O6xCI%2FAAAAAAAAC0s%2FCVUEXpZiGJ0%2Fs1600%2F11173326_10153244112674394_6563616026868652583_n.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-bOhYoWn6o/VTjHi-O6xCI/AAAAAAAAC0s/CVUEXpZiGJ0/s1600/11173326_10153244112674394_6563616026868652583_n.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-58036363349916644052015-03-06T09:27:00.001-08:002015-03-06T09:27:38.853-08:00The 2015 London marathon<p><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RZ-K4g1eWbo/VPnjaSyETTI/AAAAAAAACzw/BLw67mZs7-M/s640/blogger-image-487102513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RZ-K4g1eWbo/VPnjaSyETTI/AAAAAAAACzw/BLw67mZs7-M/s640/blogger-image-487102513.jpg"></a></div>This year<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I will be running the London marathon this year in an as yet unspecified fancy dress costume.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AIrZCCgptZk/VPnjhyjnxpI/AAAAAAAAC0A/s86MMDInCWU/s640/blogger-image-1490488312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AIrZCCgptZk/VPnjhyjnxpI/AAAAAAAAC0A/s86MMDInCWU/s640/blogger-image-1490488312.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/runnningben/">https://www.justgiving.com/runnningben/</a></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This will be my first foray into marathon running since I did this event in 2003. Back then I was younger, lighter, less injured and wasnt suffering from the trials and tribulations of life. That's why I thought let's make it harder for myself and run in a silly costume!</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was lucky enough to get a ballot place for this years event. Therefore I decided that I wanted to raise some money for a charity close to my heart.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Several charities jump to mind but the one I have chosen is the Alzheimer's society.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My 87 year old Nana is a wonderful woman full of life and as fit as a fiddle. She was the perfect granny growing up and a loving and caring woman who makes epic cakes.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It hurts me to see her descend slowly and exasperatingly deeper into the clutches of this horrible illness. This once outgoing woman reduced to forgetting the simplest of things and having to be cared for.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The worst part is the look of realisation on her face that this is happening.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It breaks my heart to see her suffer in this way.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Therefore I ask you please to donate to this worthy cause and not only help my Nana but the thousands of other Nanas and families who are in similar or worse situations.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/runnningben/">https://www.justgiving.com/runnningben/</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1l_neDqxYlU/VPnjd5caOXI/AAAAAAAACz4/1b0uYhAFE6k/s640/blogger-image--46758831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1l_neDqxYlU/VPnjd5caOXI/AAAAAAAACz4/1b0uYhAFE6k/s640/blogger-image--46758831.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whatever you can spare will go towards helping those out who need it the most.</span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-58615728140153883292015-02-27T06:44:00.001-08:002015-02-27T06:44:43.004-08:00A division of Concrete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cbghjhnlF5c/VOyHcJTPJ4I/AAAAAAAACu4/TxR_-lm9sLk/s1600/IMG_6043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cbghjhnlF5c/VOyHcJTPJ4I/AAAAAAAACu4/TxR_-lm9sLk/s1600/IMG_6043.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saKvQq5thSk/VOyHjB8eF_I/AAAAAAAACvI/kWQ43rahE6M/s1600/P2141716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saKvQq5thSk/VOyHjB8eF_I/AAAAAAAACvI/kWQ43rahE6M/s1600/P2141716.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conrad_Schumann" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: yellow;">Conrad Schuuman</span></b></a> defects to the West in 1961. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
An iconic picture that has become famous the world over.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sadly he commit suicide in 1998.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This mural is on the wall near the site of his </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
escape in Bernaustrasse.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span></b>erlin, a vibrant, happening city where it is currently the place to be seen.<br />
<br />
However all this was once just a dream to many as they were divided against their will from friends, family and their own country.<br />
<br />
<br />
The famous and infamous Berlin Wall may now be a tourist attraction embellished with famous street art or be in far flung reaches of the world propping up museum exhibits.<br />
<br />
But in its day it was a tool of partition and separation. Not just political separation but a physical barrier that stopped people from crossing into the west and escaping a society that had the highest per capital secret police per head of population.<br />
<br />
On the 13th August 1961 Berliners woke to find a barbed wire fence had been erected over night to stop them crossing over to the Western controlled part of Berlin.<br />
<br />
After the fall of Nazi Germany, the country had been divided into sectors controlled by the victorious powers. East Germany the biggest sector was controlled by the Soviet Union while France, Great Britain and the United States controlled the three other sectors. Of course Berlin being the capital and the key to power was also divided between the four nations.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--C9GGaCBirc/VOyHjGbWrXI/AAAAAAAACvM/SV7LNBwz0f0/s1600/P2141717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--C9GGaCBirc/VOyHjGbWrXI/AAAAAAAACvM/SV7LNBwz0f0/s1600/P2141717.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poles show where the wall was in <br />Bernaustrasse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Western sectors along with the rest of Germany under British, French or America administration became the country that would become West Germany. Modern day Germany after reunification is basically a continuation of West Germany.<br />
<br />
What started as barbed wire soon became a concrete wall. Then with each successful escape to the west the walls security would be increased.<br />
<br />
Not only did <b><span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.visitberlin.de/en" target="_blank">Berlin</a> </span></b>have the wall but the entire of East Germany was walled in. Effectively making its population prisoners within.<br />
<br />
This was because the German Democratic Republic wanted to stop the out flowing of young people and skilled professionals and academics and the like to the west.<br />
<br />
Every time a successful escape was made the walls defenses were upgraded. This soon came to include the 'Death strip' where escapees would be shot, snarling dogs on chains, land mines, watch towers, barbed wire and of course patrolling soldiers would also be present.<br />
<br />
For many the west was only 500 feet away but in terms of escape it was a million miles away and too far for any hope of a successful escape.<br />
<br />
Many tales of ingenious escapes have been told.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqGfvHStWxI/VOyH6q56PGI/AAAAAAAACvw/ataW67EoegM/s1600/P2141728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqGfvHStWxI/VOyH6q56PGI/AAAAAAAACvw/ataW67EoegM/s1600/P2141728.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A watch tower and section of the <br />inner wall of the death strip at Bernaustrasse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Converting a surfboard to contain a person, replacing the area where a fuel tank would be with a person. Home made hot air balloons, wind surfing to Denmark and even making a zip line between buildings from East to West were all either successful or narrow failures.<br />
<br />
Making an escape was a risky business. If you were caught you would either be shot or imprisoned and your entire family would suffer whether you escaped or not.<br />
<br />
Being born in the 1980s I am just too young to remember the day the wall came down in 1989. I do however learning about it in school and always wanting to see it.<br />
<br />
Wanting to see for myself how concrete could split families in two. Take brides from grooms and be at the forefront of the Cold War.<br />
<br />
When my chance came to go to Berlin I umped at it. an hour and a half from London later and I was in the city. A city formerly rubble and ruins after the war but now one giant historical playground.<br />
<br />
As you walk around Berlin you will come across markers on the ground that show where the wall once stood.You realize that in some places the wall went down the middle of the street and cut neighbors off.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQeoc6rrZSg/VOyHmTl7CqI/AAAAAAAACvY/kchRJekW8Ic/s1600/P2141772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQeoc6rrZSg/VOyHmTl7CqI/AAAAAAAACvY/kchRJekW8Ic/s1600/P2141772.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Side Gallery art work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Checkpoint Charlie is just a poor and dodgy tourist trap where actors dress in period costume and pose for photographs but if you move away from that area you get to see two sections of the wall that are preserved.<br />
<br />
The first and most famous has to be the <b><span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.eastsidegallery.com/historyesg.htm" target="_blank">East Side gallery</a> </span></b>by the River Spree. This long section of wall is now home to some of the most famous street art pieces in Berlin and also the world. The famous Kiss between Honecker and Brezhnev is one fine example and in 2009 these original pieces were restored by the artists.<br />
<br />
You can visit here free of charge and wander taking photos or basking in the politically motivated art. Every so often you can pop into a dark for a refreshing German beer or warm up with a coffee or coffee by the river.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pe8R_qe-yFQ/VOyHebJZ2iI/AAAAAAAACvA/nj3M7CBzbPk/s1600/P2141757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pe8R_qe-yFQ/VOyHebJZ2iI/AAAAAAAACvA/nj3M7CBzbPk/s1600/P2141757.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Side Gallery art work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The wall may have come down in 1989 ending the cold war and also creating a reunification and fall of the Soviet Union but the art work is still as poignant as it was when the paint wasn't even dry.<br />
<br />
Bernaustrasse is another famous section that still has a preserved watch tower and cleared area of the death strip.<br />
<br />
A church was once located in the death strip was was destroyed and now there stands a small chapel in its place with the twisted iron cross that once stood on the spire outside on display.<br />
<br />
This area is open and as you walk along you can read what happened here and all about failed escapes.<br />
<br />
Sections of vehicle traps have been dug up and are on display and you can now wander the graveyard of the demolished church that was once an area out of bounds.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_P-pKNjAyc/VOyHtoowtCI/AAAAAAAACvg/orxqyV-IKH0/s1600/IMG_5873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_P-pKNjAyc/VOyHtoowtCI/AAAAAAAACvg/orxqyV-IKH0/s1600/IMG_5873.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Section of the wall near the<br />Topography of Terror museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Its strange to think that this was in my life time. For 28 years this wall divided a people.<br />
<br />
<div>
It was in my life time that the wall came down. The famous and infamous potential flashpoint that could have ignited world war 3.<br />
<br />
When you come face to face with it and run your hand over the concrete you cannot imagine the hurt that this has caused.<br />
<br />
Germany and Berlin in particular should be commended for showing their history to the world however unproud of it they may be they make sure you learn from these historical mistakes and that you understand that it must never happen again.<br />
<br />
Somehow the mocking art work seems fitting on something that is crumbling and cost billions to maintain and almost bankrupted East Germany. It mocks the fact that the human spirit cannot be contained and everyone want to be free.</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIc_05w_1k0/VOyH4EQ-Z4I/AAAAAAAACvo/0Nai4zeGas4/s1600/IMG_5985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIc_05w_1k0/VOyH4EQ-Z4I/AAAAAAAACvo/0Nai4zeGas4/s1600/IMG_5985.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wall at Bernaustrasse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-pe8R_qe-yFQ%2FVOyHebJZ2iI%2FAAAAAAAACvA%2Fnj3M7CBzbPk%2Fs1600%2FP2141757.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pe8R_qe-yFQ/VOyHebJZ2iI/AAAAAAAACvA/nj3M7CBzbPk/s1600/P2141757.JPG" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-33618110027344001602015-02-24T07:32:00.002-08:002015-02-24T07:32:36.449-08:00Cairo to Constantinople<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sNy5Y6ShtDE/VOyOnvpSyUI/AAAAAAAACxM/PNssynshFA0/s1600/IMG_6180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sNy5Y6ShtDE/VOyOnvpSyUI/AAAAAAAACxM/PNssynshFA0/s1600/IMG_6180.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">R</span></b>ecently I had the privilege of seeing an exhibition of photographs at the Queens Gallery in Buckingham Palace.<br />
<br />
The exhibition titled '<b><span style="color: yellow;">'<a href="http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/exhibitions/cairo-to-constantinople-early-photographs-of-the-middle-east" target="_blank">Cairo to Constantinople</a></span></b>' is a series of artifacts and photographs taken on the Royal visit to the Holy Lands and what is modern day Turkey, Syria, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Egypt.<br />
<br />
What makes these photographs interesting is that it was the first royal tour to have an official photographer rather then an accompanying artist.<br />
<br />
The tour in question was the 4 month long journey of the then Prince of Wales. Son of Queen Victoria and later to become <b><span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII" target="_blank">King Edward VII</a>.</span></b><br />
<br />
This royal tour was accompanied by the photographer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bedford_(photographer)" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><b>Francis Bedford (1815-94)</b></span></a>.<br />
<br />
The tour in 1862 brought images home that many had only ever imagined or seen in paintings.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr4IBbT-Ipw/VOyODKlx4tI/AAAAAAAACwA/DpSE58Fbz7M/s1600/IMG_6179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr4IBbT-Ipw/VOyODKlx4tI/AAAAAAAACwA/DpSE58Fbz7M/s1600/IMG_6179.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
Victoria and her son were great admirers of photography and encouraged its use.<br />
<br />
I could wax lyrical about the photographs Bedford took of exiled Rulers, foreign lands and beautiful desert landscapes. Instead I am going to compare two photographs I took of places that Bedford and the Prince visited.<br />
<br />
Just by mere chance I was almost standing in the same place as Bedford must have been when he took one of the photos.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ebKd495OkU/VOyOj0huXPI/AAAAAAAACwM/OY4YW0v7TNM/s1600/1924141_33985379393_3153_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ebKd495OkU/VOyOj0huXPI/AAAAAAAACwM/OY4YW0v7TNM/s1600/1924141_33985379393_3153_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umayyad Mosque, Damascus 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The first photo dates back to 2008. During this time my brother and I were travelling through the Middle East. We visited beautiful Syria in a more peaceful time, Jordan and finished in Egypt after crossing the Sinai peninsula.<br />
<br />
While in the Syrian capital of Damascus we visited the Umayyad Mosque. The most holy of Islamic sights in all of Syria. The mosque was beautifully decorated with pearl inlay and it shone brightly in the midday hot sun.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGtocCuDhkY/VOyOoxMpmdI/AAAAAAAACxo/nWKJk4bXa_w/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGtocCuDhkY/VOyOoxMpmdI/AAAAAAAACxo/nWKJk4bXa_w/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umayyad Mosque, Damascus 1862<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I stood on the tiled smooth floor and it slightly burnt the soles of my feet after catching the suns warmth.<br />
<br />
In 1893 a fire had ravaged the Mosque and the mosaics were restored to the state that what you see now soon afterwards.<br />
<br />
This is how I found the mosque as I stood wearing a long skirt to cover up my bare knees which were in shorts.<br />
<br />
Francis Bedford must have been sweltering in his hot Victorian suit and collar as he took the slow process photo. His photographs would have taken at least ten seconds to fully expose so if there were subjects in the pictures they ere usually posing for the camera.<br />
<br />
My photo and his photo taken in 1862 before the mosaics were restored and replaced shows a more austere Mosque. But it is undeniably the same place and still beautiful.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKoZ5W4NwBM/VOyOjybaHGI/AAAAAAAACwQ/o8_04_dCqgc/s1600/1924141_33985394393_3891_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKoZ5W4NwBM/VOyOjybaHGI/AAAAAAAACwQ/o8_04_dCqgc/s1600/1924141_33985394393_3891_n.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Umayyad Mosque in 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I know people have visited places over the years and compared them to older photographs but I look at the world then and the world now and how they have changed. The equipment used to take the photographs and the attitudes of the people taking them.<br />
<br />
Also the availability and easy accessibility to travel and see these places. Back in 1862 I would have never have stood a chance unless I would have somehow wrangled passage as one of the future King's entourage.<br />
<br />
<br />
The second photo that I wanted to write about was one in the old capital of the former Ottoman Empire. What is now known as Istanbul was once called Constantinople.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KsAPFIaGuU/VOyOmqc3ykI/AAAAAAAACw4/leoK6bNGGgo/s1600/IMG_6178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KsAPFIaGuU/VOyOmqc3ykI/AAAAAAAACw4/leoK6bNGGgo/s1600/IMG_6178.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedford's Photo of the Galata Tower 1863</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Galata Tower stand aloft looking out of the city and the Bosporus. The city that straddles Europe and Asia.<br />
<br />
I visited in 2010 and climbed the tower to see the views back towards the famous Ayia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. I stood in the breeze looking both towards Europe and Asia.<br />
<br />
The worn mud and dirt streets are now cobbled pavements and old school trams trundle by ringing their bells as they enter the more glamorous shopping area.<br />
<br />
High rise building and offices and shops selling Turkish knickknacks line the streets with ice cream vendors and advertising billboards.<br />
<br />
The Tower may be sitting in a new garden of technology and modernization but it somehow still manages to look refined and not out of place.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-In4OTkDU79g/VOyP9Siz-pI/AAAAAAAACyI/7qOt68yXSVQ/s1600/27710_389457199393_1549630_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-In4OTkDU79g/VOyP9Siz-pI/AAAAAAAACyI/7qOt68yXSVQ/s1600/27710_389457199393_1549630_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galata Tower, Istanbul 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Instead the tower now dons a new roof which was added in 1875 after storms ripped off the old conical one. When you compare the two photos I am not sure what I prefer.<br />
<br />
The Cairo to Constantinople exhibition is sadly over now. It finished on Sunday 22nd February 2015. But if it travels to another part of the UK or goes on show again in London I wholeheartedly advise you to go.<br />
<br />
The Middle East is a beautiful complex land. But through the eyes of a ancient camera it manages to look even more magical.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ciq-xCyU6gU/VOyP9Din0lI/AAAAAAAACyE/W7Txf_H32hQ/s1600/27710_389460224393_4748927_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ciq-xCyU6gU/VOyP9Din0lI/AAAAAAAACyE/W7Txf_H32hQ/s1600/27710_389460224393_4748927_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Galata Tower across the Bosphorus </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-80612635727013499912014-11-22T07:56:00.001-08:002014-11-22T07:56:39.919-08:00Cows cows everywhere<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">India a country of contrast. Rich and poor, splendor and slums. A glorious mix of ethnicities and peoples and languages.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basically it is a melting pot.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqrQT5qfq4s/VHBfz8vDtdI/AAAAAAAACsU/zr1CojdzxrM/s1600/PA080536.JPG" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Holy cow, Jaipur, Rajestan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqrQT5qfq4s/VHBfz8vDtdI/AAAAAAAACsU/zr1CojdzxrM/s1600/PA080536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A country that recently I had the delight to explore a small slice of that delicious cake that is India.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apart from seeing the wonders of Jaipur and the majesty of Agra and the Taj Mahal along with the Holy sereneness of Varanasi the lasting image I will take home with me from my time there is..........cows!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cows done alleyways, cows in the river, cows sitting nonplussed in the middle of a busy road and cows drinking from a restaurants washing bowl while a man cleans the dishes in the same water.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cows are sacred to Hindus and wander freely roaming the streets, back alleys and generally plonking themselves down where they feel like it.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p067mOpj8jE/VHBfO6OUR5I/AAAAAAAACrs/VFnr5Kjm3O8/s1600/PA110965.JPG" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">A cow just chilling in Agra's back streets</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p067mOpj8jE/VHBfO6OUR5I/AAAAAAAACrs/VFnr5Kjm3O8/s1600/PA110965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes more often than not blocking alleyways completely where you have to literally clamber over them to get past.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some times a bull will sit looking at you as you try and squeeze by. In a moment you think he could swish his head and cause you some damage with those horns. Instead they simply sit and stare, have a little chew, contemplate defecating again and eventually wander off to block another even smaller alley.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I traveled to India in October 2014 with one of my oldest friends Alsitair Kerr. We had previously traveled to Kenya and Tanzania together and five long years later were embarking on another adventure. When he has a drink or five he does get a little touchy hence his nickname 'Captain touch'!</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the time we left India we were so used to cows that we would try and out cow spot each other.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sitting on a balcony of a Delhi bar in Parahganj area we would look at the markets below. A crowded mass of humanity, rickshaws, cycle cabs and cars all beeping away. Stalls of colourful fruits lined the streets while tourist aimed stalls sold carvings and bright t shirts with Gandhi's image on them.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCVliBdAzzA/VHBfRYTBGII/AAAAAAAACr0/pMiVu-IOgs0/s1600/PA121005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCVliBdAzzA/VHBfRYTBGII/AAAAAAAACr0/pMiVu-IOgs0/s1600/PA121005.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Excuse me. Cow blocks the way in Varanasi.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sitting there we would play spot the cow. Because at first you may only see one or two standing quietly as the hustle and bustle went round them. But the deeper you looked you could always find six or seven or even more. They would be hidden, blending in or in the shadows.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The late Mahatma Ghandi said <span style="line-height: 20.363636016845703px;">: "I worship it and I shall defend its worship against the whole world," and that, "The central fact of Hinduism is cow protection."</span><span style="line-height: 20.363636016845703px;">He regarded her better than the <u>earthly </u></span><span style="line-height: 20.363636016845703px;">mother and called her "the mother to millions of Indian mankind."</span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.363636016845703px;"></span><br /><span style="line-height: 20.363636016845703px;"></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;">In Hinduism, the cow is a symbol of wealth, strength, abundance, selfless giving and a full Earthly </span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;">life.</span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 17.318559646606445px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 17.318559646606445px;"></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;">The cow is so revered by Hindus that it played a part in the Indian rebellion of 1857. We know it as the Indian Mutiny. It all started when the </span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;">Sepoy's</span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;"> (Indian soldiers) were given new </span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;">powder</span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;"> bags for their muskets. These bags were ripped open using their teeth. Therefore they believed along with their fellow Islamic </span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;">Sepoy's</span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;"> that the </span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;">British</span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;"> were forcing them to </span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;">brake</span><span style="line-height: 17.318559646606445px;"> their holy edicts of their religion as the papers were greased using cow and pig fat.</span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cows are so revered that some are holier than others. Many are decorated and painted, especially using orange and blue.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alistair and I while in the outskirts of Jaipur walked up a hill to visit the Sun temple. </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This temple is also known as the monkey temple because of the abundance of apes everywhere. Swinging from lampposts and trees and generally causing mayhem. </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They line the hill as you walk up. Many looking at you, others squeaking and an occasional few plucking fleas off others.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once you have dodged the locals offering guide services it is a nice yet warm walk along a worn road.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This little walk that led winding up the hill that over looked the pink city of Jaipur would be the only place ever that I would see a wild monkey riding on the back of a pig. Not because anyone had put hi there, just because he wanted to!</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sadly couldn't get my camera out of my pocket quick enough to get a photo!</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaKjxPWzz3k/VHCtfwDd67I/AAAAAAAACs8/SAR8AhKe8Ks/s1600/PA080550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaKjxPWzz3k/VHCtfwDd67I/AAAAAAAACs8/SAR8AhKe8Ks/s1600/PA080550.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The sun temple overlooking Jaipur</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gR4OFnFCk5I/VHBf1jSblWI/AAAAAAAACsc/ziiqZDk9sn4/s1600/PA080542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gR4OFnFCk5I/VHBf1jSblWI/AAAAAAAACsc/ziiqZDk9sn4/s1600/PA080542.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Five legged cow en route to the Sun temple, Jaipur, Rajestan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before we reached the temple where a small girl put a dollop of henna in the centre of my forehead we saw a decorated cow.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This cow was white and seemed to shine in the sun and had red ribbons wound round his horns with gold braid. He was tethered and just stood gazing over the city.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Further up the hill however I saw another first. This time in the form of a five legged cow</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Low and behold a genuine cow with five legs was coming down the hill on a lead led by her owner. The fifth leg was protruding from further up the cows front left shoulder and was completely lifeless and limp. So much so that the hoof was pointed and unworn in anyway.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Obviously this cow was a little bit more sacred than others and was used as a means of income.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It didn't matter where you went in India cows were everywhere.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alistair and myself wandered the streets of Jaipur one night in a vain search for a bar; (we eventually found one). On the way back Alistair literally bumped into one as it hunkered down for the night.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until now our cow experiences had been not too close, that was until we arrived in Varanasi.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfTg-zPt4Jc/VHBf_T-BK3I/AAAAAAAACsk/uqlQ--4DPFk/s1600/PA080566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfTg-zPt4Jc/VHBf_T-BK3I/AAAAAAAACsk/uqlQ--4DPFk/s1600/PA080566.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alistair and a cow friend in Jaipur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ancient Holy city of Varanasi is located on the banks of the Ganges river. The new town by the station is a mass of buildings and cars beeping horns. But the old town where we stayed is a maze of alleyways and arches and stairs leading to markets, temple and Ghats by the river.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is where you at times had to breathe in to squeeze pasta cow blocking an alley. Mopeds were carried around the cows and Brahims would also squeeze by to try and undisturb them.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It didn't matter where you went you would step in cow poo and at some point would come face to face with a cow wandering in your direction.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the banks of the Ganges cows would bathe in the waters and sift through the funeral pyres ash piles for food.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They were literally all over the city.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Only once did I see one agitated. All the other time they were a symbol of tranquility.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can imagine being in India for years and returning to the UK to be perplexed by the lack of cows. </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The only mystery is how none ever seem to be hit by traffic when they decide that the main road is the best place to rest.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Indians simply avoid them with careless ease.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will miss the hypnotic noise of their hooves on cobbled pavements going through a tunnel towards the Ganges.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1z1_VoVw5A/VHBfWdGQcjI/AAAAAAAACr8/PXtC2o0YZdE/s1600/PA121139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1z1_VoVw5A/VHBfWdGQcjI/AAAAAAAACr8/PXtC2o0YZdE/s1600/PA121139.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Watch out for the horns as you try to pass</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmsVuRV8rQ4/VHBfakeH2MI/AAAAAAAACsE/x7I4ZFGf8Uo/s1600/PA141350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmsVuRV8rQ4/VHBfakeH2MI/AAAAAAAACsE/x7I4ZFGf8Uo/s1600/PA141350.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfTg-zPt4Jc/VHBf_T-BK3I/AAAAAAAACsk/uqlQ--4DPFk/s1600/PA080566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmsVuRV8rQ4/VHBfakeH2MI/AAAAAAAACsE/x7I4ZFGf8Uo/s1600/PA141350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHpCgBCTE3g/VHBgFnNtI2I/AAAAAAAACss/w8Ji2PWJUVQ/s1600/PA110963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHpCgBCTE3g/VHBgFnNtI2I/AAAAAAAACss/w8Ji2PWJUVQ/s1600/PA110963.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwoZ13uj_zk/VHBffIE9rrI/AAAAAAAACsM/NJ8fUYjBrFQ/s1600/PA141251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwoZ13uj_zk/VHBffIE9rrI/AAAAAAAACsM/NJ8fUYjBrFQ/s1600/PA141251.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwoZ13uj_zk/VHBffIE9rrI/AAAAAAAACsM/NJ8fUYjBrFQ/s1600/PA141251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHpCgBCTE3g/VHBgFnNtI2I/AAAAAAAACss/w8Ji2PWJUVQ/s1600/PA110963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-HfTg-zPt4Jc%2FVHBf_T-BK3I%2FAAAAAAAACsk%2FuqlQ--4DPFk%2Fs1600%2FPA080566.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfTg-zPt4Jc/VHBf_T-BK3I/AAAAAAAACsk/uqlQ--4DPFk/s1600/PA080566.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-dwoZ13uj_zk%2FVHBffIE9rrI%2FAAAAAAAACsM%2FNJ8fUYjBrFQ%2Fs1600%2FPA141251.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwoZ13uj_zk/VHBffIE9rrI/AAAAAAAACsM/NJ8fUYjBrFQ/s1600/PA141251.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-pmsVuRV8rQ4%2FVHBfakeH2MI%2FAAAAAAAACsE%2Fx7I4ZFGf8Uo%2Fs1600%2FPA141350.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmsVuRV8rQ4/VHBfakeH2MI/AAAAAAAACsE/x7I4ZFGf8Uo/s1600/PA141350.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-KHpCgBCTE3g%2FVHBgFnNtI2I%2FAAAAAAAACss%2Fw8Ji2PWJUVQ%2Fs1600%2FPA110963.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHpCgBCTE3g/VHBgFnNtI2I/AAAAAAAACss/w8Ji2PWJUVQ/s1600/PA110963.JPG" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-66673144494143768102014-11-01T08:48:00.001-07:002014-11-01T08:48:06.836-07:00Transfixed by the flames<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oBRXvCMpsOE/VFT1W1xj5EI/AAAAAAAACq0/uUopkZtNIXk/s1600/10641040_10152785605499394_6844256131298704123_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oBRXvCMpsOE/VFT1W1xj5EI/AAAAAAAACq0/uUopkZtNIXk/s1600/10641040_10152785605499394_6844256131298704123_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span> sat in the fading light transfixed by what was happening
in front of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My eyes must have shone with the reflective powers of the
burning fires.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><br />
The heat from the blaze kept the flies away but not the
stray dogs, goats and lumbering bony cows that wander past or deposit
themselves on the ground haphazardly next to you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I was watching was a melting pot of emotions and
reasoning. The fact of the matter was though that I could not turn my eyes from
the fires or even contemplate leaving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat on a concrete step next to a quizzical looking goat
and stared into the flames.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These flames in particular were on the banks of the sacred
Ganges River in the city of Varanasi.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is the Holiest city on the Ganges
and also possibly one of the most polluted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UXBsqK0_Wo/VFT_neOmYvI/AAAAAAAACrU/HoOnrAxHwas/s1600/PA141307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UXBsqK0_Wo/VFT_neOmYvI/AAAAAAAACrU/HoOnrAxHwas/s1600/PA141307.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman ready for the depth of the Ganges. Harishchandra Ghat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once you are away from the city centre and the madness that
are Indian roads you are struck by a relative serenity by the banks of the sacred
river.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ganges flow along and every inch of the way stone steps
lead down into its waters so that Hindu’s can perform a Puju where they rinse
themselves and carry out early morning ablutions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I on the other hand dipped a hand and feet into the waters
as in many places it is riddled with excrement, rubbish and floating goats
corpses. This however does not perturb many from drinking the waters as they
are said to have healing powers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stone ghats look in places majestic, rustic and almost quintessentially
like a piece of Victorian England with an added Eastern feel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q064OPF7FvY/VFT1bWD3ewI/AAAAAAAACrE/rx6udFJhq6g/s1600/14982_10152782487594394_1225723643120018412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q064OPF7FvY/VFT1bWD3ewI/AAAAAAAACrE/rx6udFJhq6g/s1600/14982_10152782487594394_1225723643120018412_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manikarnika Ghat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However two Ghats stand out from the others. For one striking
reason.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are funeral Ghats. Harishchandra and Manikarnika Ghats
are the two places in the city where bodies are cremated on the banks of the river
24 hours a day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are easy to spot with the constant stream of smoke
rising and the gaggle of people milling around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You at first cannot stand and watch without people claiming
to own the place or work there and demanding money. After a while of stern ‘bugger
offs’ you are left in peace and can sit with the locals and watch the funerals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It may sound morbid and even disgusting to some but I was
lost in the flames of death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Manikarnika Ghat is the larger of the two with several
funeral pyres burning all at once. This is exclusively for Hindu’s and is
incredibly crowded with people, cows, dogs and boats galore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Harishchandra Ghat is a little smaller and there you can sit
without too much hassle and watch the proceedings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I learnt was interesting and eye opening on Indian
culture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Harishchandra Ghat is not only for Hindu’s but anyone who
wants to be cremated here. Of course you have had to die in the city to be
cremated here. Normally it is 7 hours after death that you are cremated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyone can be cremated here publically unless you are one of
the following:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">A leprosy sufferer (you have suffered enough and
are therefore pure)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->A pregnant lady<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->A child<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->A Brahmin holy man<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Died by a snake bite<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These people are considered pure and are therefore not
burnt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are wrapped in cloth, tied to a stone and taken out
into the Ganges in front of the Ghat and dumped into the river. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpSbmEHJsec/VFT1ZHUz7wI/AAAAAAAACq8/9mb8QTnkqEk/s1600/10616159_10152785596099394_8523533611658996251_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpSbmEHJsec/VFT1ZHUz7wI/AAAAAAAACq8/9mb8QTnkqEk/s1600/10616159_10152785596099394_8523533611658996251_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funeral pyres at night. Harichchandra Ghat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I watched as a woman wrapped in orange and gold was rowed
out about 100 yards where she was tipped head first with a plop into the river.
I also saw a small baby wrapped in white (white for males) then covered in red
henna.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was rowed out a little way where two children unceremoniously
dropped him over the side. No prayers, no ritual, just another part of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat looking at the flames as five bodies burnt at the
Harishchandra Ghat. My mind was blank as I soaked up the atmosphere like a
sponge. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I watched as bodies were carried out and placed on the pyres.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before they are put on the pyre they are placed in the
Ganges and given one last drink.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then it’s on the pyre where logs are piled up high on top.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
India has a caste system where you are born into your class.
This can dictate what jobs and place in society you have.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Therefore the higher up the ladder you are the further from
the river bank you are. If you are a Maharaja for example you can be cremated
on a giant plinth that remained at this time empty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One pyre was so close to the river that the little ripples
lapped at the logs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The one I sat directly looking at was further up and
therefore this person was from a higher caste.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man wrapped in white cloth was covered in logs and a
fire was set underneath.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The twigs and kindling crackles and soon the fire had set
hold.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was mesmerised watching it. In a morbid fascination sort
of way but also in a cultural understanding way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat for ages watching as at first the cloth burnt away
revealing a hollow face where the skin had melted. A skeletal arm fell from the
fire and was soon prodded back by a stick and soon you heard a pop and guts
fell from the side into the fire and instantly changed colour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the while the feet remained intact and unaffected.
Protruding out of the pyre. As the body started to collapse into itself the
feet became blistered and blackened and then disappeared into the flames.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the while goats wandered and nibbled at rubbish and the
embers of pyres that had burnt out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People sifted through the ashes looking for gold teeth or
jewellery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJsH95Dzaw8/VFT_wBHR2nI/AAAAAAAACrc/Dwpah-iGcK0/s1600/PA141290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJsH95Dzaw8/VFT_wBHR2nI/AAAAAAAACrc/Dwpah-iGcK0/s1600/PA141290.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby ready for his Ganges burial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The entire experience was emotionless. Only once did I see
one can start to cry and we was swiftly taken away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a part of life. One that may make people’s eye open
wider and other hurry away from the scene.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But for me I felt I had seen a part of Indian culture and
life that many people who pass through would never see.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat until the embers were black and the smoke from the
other pyres hurt my eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I left feeling peaceful and having a new perspective on
mortality.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-89932679674849139732014-10-28T16:27:00.002-07:002014-10-28T16:27:32.621-07:00Pistol squatting all over the world<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CI6xH5L-88/VAWIGgxqpWI/AAAAAAAACk0/MB7zTgZhljc/s1600/P5060996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CI6xH5L-88/VAWIGgxqpWI/AAAAAAAACk0/MB7zTgZhljc/s1600/P5060996.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistol on Koh Nang Yuan, Thailand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Crossfit. I am obsessed. For me it is not a fad, it has become a calling and one that I love to pieces and wish I had discovered many years ago.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the most easily recognisable crossfit exercises is the pistol squat. A one legged squat with the other leg shooting out like a pistol's barrel. Hense the name!</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Recognisable in almost any attire and even in silhouette. It is also an easy exercise to do while travelling as you need no equipment whatsoever.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am not sure why but it seems to be a great one to take a photo of when you are overseas or in a random location.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is what I have been doing over the past few months and finally have enough to write a little piece about it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Fg33Y-lPI/VEUvUzqvnDI/AAAAAAAACpY/QDkRIlWEQZ0/s1600/P7071072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Fg33Y-lPI/VEUvUzqvnDI/AAAAAAAACpY/QDkRIlWEQZ0/s1600/P7071072.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festival of San Fermin pistol. Just after the bull run, Spain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not too sure where I was when I did my first overseas
pistol. But that one suddenly opened the flood gates and many photos followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After running with <a href="http://www.bensadventures.co.uk/2014/07/san-fermin-2014.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><strong>the Bulls in the Festival of San Fermin</strong></span></a> I
managed to get a cheeky pistol in the arena just before a young steer was
released. I was utterly buzzing by this point and am quite amazed I remembered
at all to get this photo. It’s amazing how much adrenaline courses through your
veins when you do something incredibly dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.bensadventures.co.uk/2014/06/welcome-to-kiev.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><strong>Ukraine<o:p></o:p></strong></span></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Riot battered and edgy Kiev was the next pistol location.
What made this one harder was it was in jeans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkCplgBep2s/VAWIG7VNfxI/AAAAAAAACk8/Guskx92z_14/s1600/P6070025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkCplgBep2s/VAWIG7VNfxI/AAAAAAAACk8/Guskx92z_14/s1600/P6070025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistol at Maidan Square, Kiev, Ukraine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Banners were draped over Maidan Square and the campsite or
freedom fighters were noisily singing and chanting and smoking and generally
looking menacing just in front of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However I managed to pull a pistol squat off at the
<a href="http://www.bensadventures.co.uk/2014/09/chernobyl-and-pripyat.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><strong>Chernobyl nuclear power plant</strong></span></a> the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the background you can see the reactor number 4 hidden
underneath its aging and crumbling sarcophagus and the new one being painfully slowly
built.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Away from danger and places of dark tourism the pistols
squats have come out at places of utter beauty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Koh Tao in Thailand up the top of a hill overlooking the
waves hit the rocky shore and also in front of one of the most beautiful mind
blowing things I have ever seen. The <a href="http://www.bensadventures.co.uk/2014/10/a-monument-to-love.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><strong>Taj Mahal</strong></span></a> in Agra, India.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sE1Bhtym8WQ/VAWIG0D8IWI/AAAAAAAACk4/mxXPti30xkQ/s1600/P6080239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sE1Bhtym8WQ/VAWIG0D8IWI/AAAAAAAACk4/mxXPti30xkQ/s1600/P6080239.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistol at Chernobyl powerplant, Ukraine. Reactor number 4 can be seen int he background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
In India I may have become a little pistol carried away and
got photos at Fatepur Sikri. The abandoned city, many are not sure why it was
abandoned but Akbar the Magnificent who built it was rumoured to have 500 concubines!<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
A pistol was seen at the Holiest city on the River Ganges,
Varanasi. Although It had to be done quickly before another person tried to
sell me a boat trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Pistols even popped up in Delhi and at tombs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHn3bt_8_Ro/VEUpd1zkEHI/AAAAAAAACoA/5Y0172NlBgs/s1600/10371958_10152778243239394_1026626067329093163_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHn3bt_8_Ro/VEUpd1zkEHI/AAAAAAAACoA/5Y0172NlBgs/s1600/10371958_10152778243239394_1026626067329093163_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taj Mahal Pistol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The lesser known Humayun’s tomb in Delhi was one such place.
A beautiful tomb which inspired the Taj Mahal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYuyAtusDuc/VEUpd9KQCNI/AAAAAAAACoE/xmhQ1PPAYds/s1600/10676403_10152766758144394_7000465550350989398_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYuyAtusDuc/VEUpd9KQCNI/AAAAAAAACoE/xmhQ1PPAYds/s1600/10676403_10152766758144394_7000465550350989398_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistol outside H<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.72px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">umayuns tomb, Delhi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
After posing for that photo I turned round to look at the
tomb. There standing maybe 200 meters from me was a guy with a long beard. We
wore robes and a head scarf but was in a t shirt. He looked local but also
traveller and I couldn’t tell where we was from. What made me look at him was
he was busting out a couple of pistols and waving at me. Then he simply stopped
and disappeared, so I will never know who the tomb pistol photo bomber ever
was. <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I look back at my travels and wish I had known this move so
I could have done it at places such as Petra, the Serengeti, Victoria Falls,
Stonehenge, Uluru, Table Mountain, Angkor Wat, and On the River Nile or in
front of the Sphinx and the Pyramids.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Although maybe if I had would the novelty have worn off?Maybe
it has and may I have pistol squatted the novelty photo to death. I recently
went to Milan and didn’t do one there. So maybe I am all pistol squatted out?<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Only time will tell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
In the meantime it back to crossfit……….<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mtb7xraRd0M/VEUpeyvyBnI/AAAAAAAACoQ/p6omyeW6Q4k/s1600/997073_10152791149539394_2870076235633545708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mtb7xraRd0M/VEUpeyvyBnI/AAAAAAAACoQ/p6omyeW6Q4k/s1600/997073_10152791149539394_2870076235633545708_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistol on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi, India</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CalKcBbtSjk/VEUpeW3NnlI/AAAAAAAACog/Qo7zCzkrDjY/s1600/1800412_10152798793394394_8623727776719165171_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CalKcBbtSjk/VEUpeW3NnlI/AAAAAAAACog/Qo7zCzkrDjY/s1600/1800412_10152798793394394_8623727776719165171_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistol at Fatepur Sikri abandoned city, Uttar Pradesh, India</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6dECF47pjg/VAWIHtD0MNI/AAAAAAAAClA/SJMFHQmWaks/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6dECF47pjg/VAWIHtD0MNI/AAAAAAAAClA/SJMFHQmWaks/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheeky work pistol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-15885884899051907632014-10-20T12:21:00.000-07:002014-10-20T15:16:26.696-07:00A monument to love<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lTwN3Plgjlg/VEVbFA_z9SI/AAAAAAAACpo/IuGVB4X5isc/s1600/PA110822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lTwN3Plgjlg/VEVbFA_z9SI/AAAAAAAACpo/IuGVB4X5isc/s1600/PA110822.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a>Can you imagine loving someone so much that grief inspired you to build something so monumental, timeless, beautiful and lasting.<br />
<br />
Imagine if your grief inspired a wonder of the world.<br />
<br />
Well the Taj Mahal is evidence that true love has existed in this world.<br />
<br />
<br />
In 1631 third wife of Mughal Emperor Shan Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal passed away giving birth to her 14th child.<br />
<br />
Her husband was so grief stricken that he was inspired to build a monument to true love.<br />
<br />
This 240 foot tall monument took 20,000 people to build over a period of 21 years. It was a monument and mausoleum of love to his wife.<br />
<br />
A dedication of love that would see him deposed from power.<br />
<br />
<br />
Shan Jahan was obsessed with this monument and historians argue how much it would have costs all those years ago in today's money. Obviously it was a monumental amount which was one of the factors leading to the Shan being deposed by his son Aurangzeb.<br />
<br />
Aurangzeb put the Shan basically under house arrest across the Yamuna river in the Agra Fort. There everyday he could view his monument to love and loss.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jed9RIOltC4/VEVbZfFjIXI/AAAAAAAACp4/rtWxf6WHMvg/s1600/PA110870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jed9RIOltC4/VEVbZfFjIXI/AAAAAAAACp4/rtWxf6WHMvg/s1600/PA110870.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Looking at the Taj now from Agra Fort the view is ruined by roads, pollution and rubbish strewn on the floor. But back then it would have been a majestic sight without the honking of car horns.<br />
<br />
Even now the car horns seem to dull a little when you look across at it. It really does look otherworldly from afar and as if it has somehow descended from the stars.<br />
<br />
When the Shah finally died his son moved his body to the Taj and buried him beside his wife where love can be reunited after looking on her from afar for many years.<br />
<br />
<br />
Today millions visit this world heritage site every year.<br />
<br />
Hundreds queue for a bench where Diana Princess of Wales once sat while others try and pose with their finger looking like it is on the top of the dome.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FSYse5YWIIo/VEVbdkfD89I/AAAAAAAACqA/cqhoEv1T8Wk/s1600/PA110901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FSYse5YWIIo/VEVbdkfD89I/AAAAAAAACqA/cqhoEv1T8Wk/s1600/PA110901.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>We arrived at 5.30am, the darkness still covered the city of Agra. Dogs barked and the occasional cock crowed and cows sat sleepily on the road.<br />
<br />
We managed to get there just in time and get to the front of the queue. At six am the sun rose and we were in.<br />
<br />
It was relatively uncrowded and we walked to the main gates and walls that surround the Taj Mahal.<br />
<br />
These obscure your view until you go through the large gateway.<br />
<br />
There in front of you shining in the early morning light; as the mist is starting to burn off stands one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I have ever seen.<br />
<br />
A monument to love and a shrine to beauty.<br />
<br />
A sight that will live in my mind for many years to come.<br />
<br />
The sounds of the bustling city beyond the walls fall away and birdsong fills your ears as you gaze open mouthed at what can only be described as a feast for the eyes.<br />
<br />
My first thought was that it is much bigger than I ever thought. Much, much bigger. As I gazed for what seemed an eternity people started to file passe me so I knew it was time to get closer.<br />
<br />
You can explore everywhere and I duly did. Every so often I would stand and stare taking it all in. It was as if I was basking in its beauty and refilling my batteries by absorbing the idyllic scene before me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rO6BskCFH_U/VEVbj2bmM7I/AAAAAAAACqQ/JCbXIFfXnWc/s1600/PA110840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rO6BskCFH_U/VEVbj2bmM7I/AAAAAAAACqQ/JCbXIFfXnWc/s1600/PA110840.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
Its hard to imagine this amazing structure covered in protective scaffolding. This they did during the war and it is equally as hard to imagine the building process. It must have been on a monumental scale.<br />
<br />
A truly epic scale.<br />
<br />
Even when you think of the logistics about how they made it; it doesn't distract from how utter transfixed you are. You don't even notice you are breathing as you stare. Simply staring at the beauty in front of you.<br />
<br />
<br />
I could have spent longer there as the sun rose and the heat intensified. But the tranquility is broken as you look behind you realising you have been there for two hours and the South gate entrance has opened. Hundreds upon hundreds of people pour through the gate.<br />
<br />
There is only one thing for it. To retreat from the crowds and remember this monument to love as a peaceful and wondrous place.<br />
<br />
That evening sipping a kingfisher beer on the roof of a bar looking out over the city and the Taj it was a fitting end to my stay in Agra.<br />
<br />
The sun slowly retreated and the shadows swallowed up her white dome for the night.<br />
<br />
I raised my bottle to her beauty and took a long cold sip of Indian Kingfisher beer.<br />
<br />
Would I ever see this sight again I wondered and that is a thought that is still rattling around my brain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVr88MaPrZc/VEVgBpgMeVI/AAAAAAAACqc/xWuAEB0hG7U/s1600/PA110971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVr88MaPrZc/VEVgBpgMeVI/AAAAAAAACqc/xWuAEB0hG7U/s1600/PA110971.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dEEYOk7I_4/VEVgGiLX1cI/AAAAAAAACqk/6WD5v88eQH4/s1600/PA110987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dEEYOk7I_4/VEVgGiLX1cI/AAAAAAAACqk/6WD5v88eQH4/s1600/PA110987.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1HIRPjTEh0/VEVbVuhuoHI/AAAAAAAACpw/ksL5okEFlhk/s1600/PA110816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1HIRPjTEh0/VEVbVuhuoHI/AAAAAAAACpw/ksL5okEFlhk/s1600/PA110816.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--byPqmURxnY/VEVbiOPl7oI/AAAAAAAACqI/w04gDaYyFPk/s1600/PA110835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--byPqmURxnY/VEVbiOPl7oI/AAAAAAAACqI/w04gDaYyFPk/s1600/PA110835.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-56724193470414571882014-10-05T15:36:00.000-07:002014-10-05T15:36:00.308-07:00I bloody love Bangkok<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCRWEDxU9Qw/U3JBDNDJf6I/AAAAAAAACbY/5YZqVea3vtw/s1600/P5091237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCRWEDxU9Qw/U3JBDNDJf6I/AAAAAAAACbY/5YZqVea3vtw/s1600/P5091237.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bangkok. The city that never sleeps; or even seems to rest
at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A place where you can be excited, scared, amazed, surprised
and party all night and not realise the sun has come up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sun raises its head over the skyscrapers and you feel
its warmth caress your skin that is sticky and wet from the sweat that has
accumulated during the night.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In your hand is a drink you have been sipping or a bucket
full of Thai whiskey you have been stirring the ice with a straw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first time I visited was in 2007, then again in 2009.
Not much had changed and it was still a hotbed of silliness, filth and fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then five long years passed and I recently returned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bw6s5RyeWCI/U3JA9LNuQyI/AAAAAAAACa8/lRzQGor8S7A/s1600/P5091129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bw6s5RyeWCI/U3JA9LNuQyI/AAAAAAAACa8/lRzQGor8S7A/s1600/P5091129.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh Bangkok, how I have missed you and your hot sweaty
embrace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as I arrived in the fabled backpacker Ghetto of Khoa
San Road I knew I would have fun again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Street raves, all night party’s huge stereos on the street
right next to chilled out massages on the road. Places selling very strong
buckets of Thai whiskey and Red Bull that pumps your heart up to level 11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A warm smile crept across my sweaty face as I arrived after
some island hopping with the little lady.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I arrived and immediately knew that I would party and drink and be silly
and shop, as everything here was dirt cheap and really good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The t shirts seemed to fit like a glove and the vests were the same. Colour prints and fake sunglasses and even shoes were of great quality. I remember back in 2007 buying some fake levi jeans. They lasted for years until I out grew them in my old age!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fake Haviana's flip flops are hard wearing and I still own a few pairs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When arriving I literally travel with an almost empty bag and fill it wiht Bangkok goodies.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1MYmKA4OTs/U3JA_bO22PI/AAAAAAAACbI/wBIihYK01i8/s1600/P5091179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1MYmKA4OTs/U3JA_bO22PI/AAAAAAAACbI/wBIihYK01i8/s1600/P5091179.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Getting away from the mentalness of Khoa san road there is so much more to see. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Explore ina tuk tuk and take in the sights. Or visit the famous temples of Wat Arun and Wat Pho.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During previous visit I think I must have visited them all
but really wanted to return to Wat Pho to see the beautiful golden giant
reclining Buddha. His golden body shines in the light that creeps through the
windows as he ascends in to Nirvana.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_kgxKkWNfuU/U3JBF3On42I/AAAAAAAACbk/ZuOgOZJBjys/s1600/P5091206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_kgxKkWNfuU/U3JBF3On42I/AAAAAAAACbk/ZuOgOZJBjys/s1600/P5091206.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I stood staring at his mother of pearl feet and there is always soenthing appealing to me about a Buddha. His eyes seem to relax you and calms the soul. Msaybe that is why I have so many dotted around my house.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bnagkok has so much to offer. If it is your first time take in the sights. If you have been there many times do your favourite things like sip a drinka nd watch the world go by.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">BUt as this was probably the 7th or so time back in the Thai capital I wanted to experience soething new.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This I found in the form of a roof top pool and bar over lookign the city.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I could dip my feet in the cool waters and hear all the noises of life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The beeps or taxis, the wooden clickign nises of carved frog sellers and the shouts of tuk tuk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also from this vantage point you can laugh more freely at sex tourists who prowl the street looking for trade!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know its harsh to laugh at them but I just cant help it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I watched the sun set over the towering skyline of Bangkok I wondered if it is this city that I am in love with or the fact that this city for me is the gateway and entry point to Asia and another travellign experience?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-7325752153008795242014-10-04T14:50:00.001-07:002014-10-04T14:50:48.640-07:00Mud, mud glorius mud!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odLE4le_6nA/VCVeBhCSZwI/AAAAAAAACno/OSu-nT1QGmY/s1600/IMG_2747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odLE4le_6nA/VCVeBhCSZwI/AAAAAAAACno/OSu-nT1QGmY/s1600/IMG_2747.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a>The return of the muddy run season is upon us. Dirty, Dozen, Survival of the fittest, Rat Race, Spartan race, Nuclear races you name it there is a race for it.<br />
<br />
I think I did my first one of these way back in 2007 or 2008. It was in Nottingham and the trend of these races was just beginning to start.<br />
<br />
Splashing through rivers, crawling chest deep in mud and under barbed wire is great fun and you can really push yourself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The first ones I did ranged from 10 km to 12 miles and I always ended up running on my own after losing who ever I was running with or setting off by myself in the first place.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed pushing myself and trying to get around in as fastest a possible time as I could.<br />
<br />
Then one year came the Spartan beast at Brands hatch and I ran with four other people. We kept up with each other and really pushed ourselves. My competitive nature took hold and I wanted to finish higher and higher up the field.<br />
<br />
I even did one such race with my hand heavily strapped and in a plastic bags I had broken fingers at the time. Ironically that race is still my highest finish!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rlEp_OC738Y/VCVd2IcZL7I/AAAAAAAACnQ/mofO0jd0Dfw/s1600/DDRAug16DC00763-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rlEp_OC738Y/VCVd2IcZL7I/AAAAAAAACnQ/mofO0jd0Dfw/s1600/DDRAug16DC00763-M.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Then one day a guy from my crossfit box suggested that we all enter a team into our local muddy race. Little did he know that that suggestion would start a trend.<br />
<br />
For the first time in one of these races we ran together, every step of the way. I didn't run off like I have in the past and we each helped one another over and under obstacles and encouraged each other on. We did this with the intention of finishing as a team and not going for a time to beat.<br />
<br />
The camaraderie and silliness was at breaking point and each one ran with smile.<br />
<br />
I thought I wouldn't like running as a team and would want to tear off into the distance and better my time.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NpWLSQNQbk/VCVd3N5hnwI/AAAAAAAACnY/qA64xGEW60I/s1600/DDRAug16RB00254-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NpWLSQNQbk/VCVd3N5hnwI/AAAAAAAACnY/qA64xGEW60I/s1600/DDRAug16RB00254-M.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>I was proved wrong as we ran together giggling and being silly all the way.<br />
<br />
Any excess energy that I still had I spent launching into obstacles and muddy pits full of water. Splashing about and being silly.<br />
<br />
Basically was making a nuisance of my self. I am sure to the utter horror of most of the girls in our team.<br />
<br />
To be honest if you run as a team chatting and laughing the entire experience is far more rewarding and much better. Yes time and podium places are important but enjoyment and fun and finishing with a smile on your face tops that.<br />
<br />
Running as a team which is a mixture of all sorts of people is the best way forward and how I aim to continue running all of these.<br />
<br />
Next up was the electro Dash and a music filled laser bean infested disco run! No mud this time but we had an even bigger obstacle to over come. Running drunk!<br />
<br />
Long may these runs continue.......<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMPc4kNknfQ/VCVd-8Q7_nI/AAAAAAAACng/BWmJmG2f690/s1600/10703673_10152730125559394_927727960901501102_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMPc4kNknfQ/VCVd-8Q7_nI/AAAAAAAACng/BWmJmG2f690/s1600/10703673_10152730125559394_927727960901501102_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7t80A2_pOM/VCVeBy_86PI/AAAAAAAACns/IfGScP76-g4/s1600/IMG_2748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7t80A2_pOM/VCVeBy_86PI/AAAAAAAACns/IfGScP76-g4/s1600/IMG_2748.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-17583514968864091262014-09-25T14:46:00.002-07:002014-09-25T14:50:51.959-07:00Returning to Koh Tao<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><strong>R</strong></span>ecently Koh Tao has been in the news for all the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11117396/Last-picture-of-British-backpackers-murdered-on-Thai-island.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">wrong reasons</span></strong></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The brutal murder of the two young British backpackers shocked
the world and sent repercussions through the Thai Tourist industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjxNo-8Zb88/U3I_8ENEEiI/AAAAAAAACZk/RplVeQGRXtY/s1600/P5050896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjxNo-8Zb88/U3I_8ENEEiI/AAAAAAAACZk/RplVeQGRXtY/s1600/P5050896.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lotus bar on Sairee beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This idyllic island known affectionately as Turtle Island
should be famous for relaxing, beach parties and scuba diving. Not what has
happened recently?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a terrible state of affairs and one where many
suspects and theories and accusations have been thrown about. What we must
remember is that two young people lost their lives on an adventure. This makes
it more sad and poignant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Koh Tao lies not far from her two larger sisters; the party
island of Koh Phangan famous for her full moon parties and Koh Samui with its
palm tree lined airport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first time I visited Thailand I went to her two bigger
sister islands, sadly way back in 2007 I missed out on the little gem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then in 2009 I went back with friends and we hit that island
hard. We had a brilliant time and stayed in a fantastic little bungalow on the
beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sea breeze rattled the windows and the rickety fan overhead
jigged about at all angles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We sat on the beach looking at the sun set sipping cool
chang beers and occasionally patting a stray dog that would wander up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9esI6ExF778/U3I_2pg71TI/AAAAAAAACZc/zoMGhwmUwUU/s1600/P5060972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9esI6ExF778/U3I_2pg71TI/AAAAAAAACZc/zoMGhwmUwUU/s1600/P5060972.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The locals were fun and friendly and the other backpackers
fantastic to be around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Long tail boast bobbed on the sea and the rectangular famous
palm trees twinkles with the lights from the lotus bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a place I swore to go back to. <a href="http://www.kohtao.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">Koh Tao tourist site</span></strong></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fast forward to 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was a little older, a little greyer but certainly not wiser
and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself standing on Sairee
beach. Looking down at the giant bungalows, swimming pools, scuba centres and hotels
and resorts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where was the Koh Tao that I had left behind? Where were the
little bungalows that we once stayed? If it hadn’t been for the palm trees of
such striking rectangular fame I wouldn’t have realised where I was. I stood
with the cool se lapping at my feet looking at giant buildings that had somehow
stolen the soul of this little Royal Thai Island.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Koh Tao was becoming like a lot of Thailand is sadly
becoming. Fra too built up and commercial.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The spirit of backpacking still lived on however as the
Lotus bar survives and still thrives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
People swim drunkenly out to the pontoon to have sex, drink,
and vomit or go wild. Watching them while sipping what was possibly my 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>
Thai whiskey bucket I though how mild it was having just come from Koh Phangan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Koh Phangan. A place I had experienced at the ages of <a href="http://benslavatoryagain.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">25</span></strong></a>, 27
and now 31. Each time it seems to have gotten wilder and more debauched.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Here on Sairee beach at 3am there was a younger more subtle
crowd trying hard to have fun and be silly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I looked on as the fire rope came out and then the flame
throwers, spitting fire into the air.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
By this time I thought to myself someone on Koh Phangan
would have set themselves on fire. Not here though. Koh Tao is a little more
laid back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4D_e-Yiw04/U3I_zvV0XrI/AAAAAAAACZM/nmfERQfhsxY/s1600/P5061001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4D_e-Yiw04/U3I_zvV0XrI/AAAAAAAACZM/nmfERQfhsxY/s1600/P5061001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koh Nang Yuan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Koh Nang Yaun Island hasn’t changed at all. After getting a
boat there and climbing to the top of the large rocks the view was exactly the same
as it had been 5 years ago. At least this resort hadn’t changed much and still
offered a relatively unspoilt view.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
As I looked over to Koh Tao I saw that really the
developments hadn’t touched the island. They were hugging the shore line and
the few streets that ran behind them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
This island hadn’t changed as much as a little peninsula off
the tip of Koh Phangan. In <a href="http://benslavatoryagain.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">2007</span></strong></a> I went to Koh Ma island and there was a little
bar that you could get an ice cold beer after walking along the causeway at low
tide to get there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I did that very walk not only a few days before and the
island was a ruin. The bar was collapsed, the roof caved in. Debris strewn all
over the grasses and the once nice benches were smashed and wrecked. What had
happened here? Even the little bungalows had fallen in to disrepair and ruin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
With the commercialism and developments on Koh Tao there was
one such new arrival that I could not resist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
While there I partook in one of my favourite past times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Crossfit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3n1_fVuBpfE/U3I_tuCmzxI/AAAAAAAACZE/wPPO3pxrT4Q/s1600/P5050913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3n1_fVuBpfE/U3I_tuCmzxI/AAAAAAAACZE/wPPO3pxrT4Q/s1600/P5050913.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The KTC gang and little sweaty me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Forging elite fitness in paradise is Koh Tao Crossfit’s tag
line and I joined them for the hottest WOD I had ever done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
When I left oh Tao for the second time on board the
Lomprayah; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gazed as she grew smaller
and smaller.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
When would I next see her I though? When will I return to
this land of smiles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I didn’t think nest time I would hear about her would be a
tragic story on the news.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-67941056404927880052014-09-02T02:57:00.003-07:002014-09-02T13:00:43.184-07:00Chernobyl and Pripyat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGEI6lgDPVM/U5dyzMJbLjI/AAAAAAAACcg/D0fmCLCE6jc/s1600/P6080584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGEI6lgDPVM/U5dyzMJbLjI/AAAAAAAACcg/D0fmCLCE6jc/s1600/P6080584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGEI6lgDPVM/U5dyzMJbLjI/AAAAAAAACcg/D0fmCLCE6jc/s1600/P6080584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGEI6lgDPVM/U5dyzMJbLjI/AAAAAAAACcg/D0fmCLCE6jc/s1600/P6080584.JPG" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the 30 km exclusion zone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black;"></span></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b>W</b></span>hy would anyone in their right mind want to spend 4 hours
on a plane and then bus north up from Kiev towards the Belarus border.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why would anyone risk being eaten in the heat by
thousands of swarming mosquitos?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why would anyone in the sweltering heat wear trousers and
long sleeves?<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why would I do all of this and risk exposing myself to
a dose of radiation?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Basically because I like to do things a little differently.
For me a beach holiday is utterly boring and the epitome of dull.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Therefore when my mate Nick and I decided a trip to Ukraine
and a visit to its most infamous sight was on the cards I could not refuse his
invitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome to Chernobyl!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wearing long sleeves and long trousers to prevent any radioactive
dust settling on your skin we travelling north on an organised Kiev
Chernobyl tour. Apparently this was the same company that Top Gear used.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only way (legally) of getting into Chernobyl is by one
of these such tours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The illegally way which I only heard rumour about was a 40
km trek through the woods and a camp out. If you got caught you were fined and
probably deported. Or as Nick put it 'put in a Russian gulag and beaten'.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reading the leaflet on Chernobyl safety I had done all it
asked. Closed toed shoes, long sleeves and trousers and no touching anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the entire trip I was conscious not to touch anything.
Then when I got back I realised that I had causally lent against a bridge when
we fed the giant cat fish!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here we were at the first checkpoint to enter the 30 km
restriction zone. Passports ready to show the border/security guards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On 26th April 1986 reactor number 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear
power plant exploded while a test was being carried out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That test was to see that if by doing some very complicated nuclear
scientific process they could gain more energy. This of course went spectacularly wrong. <br />
<br />
Human
error and a poor Soviet safety record resulted in the automatic safety measure being
turned off and explosions in the plant leaving the radioactive core open to the
elements.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the aftermath a cloud of highly radioactive dust spread across Europe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Soviets at first denied anything had happened and it wasn’t
until Sweden noticed radioactive measures going through the roof that the alarm
was raised and the Russians went public.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The battle for Chernobyl had begun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The battle for Chernobyl resulted in a 500,000 man assault
on the plant to render it 'safe'. In the end thousands lost their lives
including the firefighters who were the first on hand. Running in to a fire
with little protection. Some were irradiated so badly that they died hours
later, some even had brown eyes turn blue with the radiation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The effects of the disaster didn’t just stop there.
Thousands were born with birth defects and thousands more still suffer today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The area around Chernobyl remains uninhabitable from 800 to
20,000 years due to the radiation. Although that hasn’t stop re-settlers
returning to this cordoned off land.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end a giant sarcophagus was built over the plant to
contain the threat. This has a 25-30 year lifespan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LIwJPEMYHw/U5dy2iR8soI/AAAAAAAACco/Bjq8t8-GuNo/s1600/P6080255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LIwJPEMYHw/U5dy2iR8soI/AAAAAAAACco/Bjq8t8-GuNo/s1600/P6080255.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geiger counter outside (270 meters away) reactor number four</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.tourkiev.com/chernobyltour/" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><strong>Tour Kiev Chernobyl tour</strong></span></a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UsM-6Th3stI/U5dy4jJnFLI/AAAAAAAACcw/EApGY9Ot5OQ/s1600/P6080257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UsM-6Th3stI/U5dy4jJnFLI/AAAAAAAACcw/EApGY9Ot5OQ/s1600/P6080257.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather nervous smile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The battle for Chernobyl .<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18o_X696dYw" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><strong>For the full documentary with all the information which I highly recommend watching click this link.</strong></span></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Nick and I visited in June 2014 that was over 28 years
later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next to the plant is a giant construction site that consists
of the new containment project that is scarily running behind schedule.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine one of the most deadly things on earth that could
have wiped out Europe if the secondary explosion had not been avoided and you
are running behind schedule.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a job that all countries should unite together for
and help out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The giant unfinished dome glinting in the sun will one day
cover the entire plant. To see it is to believe it. It is monumentally
enormous!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having passed the first checkpoint we headed down the
deserted road towards Chernobyl. On the side of the roads where thick threes.
Diseased trees with occasional clearings where you could see the remains of a
derelict farm house. For this was a huge farming community.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The memorial to the 28 Firefighters who lost their lives at
Chernobyl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is outside the 300 strong manned fire station in the
exclusion zone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In total 186 towns and settlings were evacuated after the
blast and many bull dozed to the ground. Some have the odd building rotting
away but many are full ghost towns that have succumbed to the elements and
time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we drove further into the 30km zone an elderly lady stood
by the side of the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
'A re-settler' Boris our driver and guide said. (his name
was Nicolai, but all Ukrainians were known a Boris to us) He explained he would
have picked her up but there was no room, there was but he hurtled past as she
thumbed for a lift.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine being forced to leave everything you could not carry
and leave for home forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
No wonder the older generation have said a big collective no
and have come back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kyny00OWWJg/U5xWiluEuVI/AAAAAAAACf8/605UeDX9gSI/s1600/P6080145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kyny00OWWJg/U5xWiluEuVI/AAAAAAAACf8/605UeDX9gSI/s1600/P6080145.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Chernobyl the sign says</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldFc7VBxg4s/U5xWxqCl8HI/AAAAAAAACgk/JtOCerblMfU/s1600/P6080172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldFc7VBxg4s/U5xWxqCl8HI/AAAAAAAACgk/JtOCerblMfU/s1600/P6080172.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The memorial to the 28 Firefighetrs who lost their lives at Chernobyl. <br />
This is outside the 300 strong manned fire station in the exclusion zone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Imagine being forced to leave everything you could not carry and leave for home forever.<br />
No wonder the older generation have said a big collective no and have come back.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfjXdSfmGKs/U5xWlg8HQVI/AAAAAAAACgE/12x4rfjZFV0/s1600/P6080260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfjXdSfmGKs/U5xWlg8HQVI/AAAAAAAACgE/12x4rfjZFV0/s1600/P6080260.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reactor number 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here we were now, the ten kilometer exclusion zone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On our bus was the only other Brit who we encountered on our
trip to Ukraine and he seemed nervous. But not as nervous as this Swiss guy who
we christened John. He was bricking it. He was so scared at everything. He
grasped Boris’ geiger counter and was terrified when I beeped faster and
faster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Pripyat<br />
One of the nine Atomic cities built to house the workers of Chernobyl!<br />
<br />
It was built in 1970 and abandoned in 1986. 16 years of live, families and laughter all gone. This leaves a ghost city open to the elements that has been used in computer games and many music videos.<br />
<br />
I wandered around looking at the buildings, crumbling concrete structures still with communist propaganda on the walls.<br />
The famous Ferris wheel and bumper cars stood still with the wind rustling through them. It was eerily quiet as all you could hear was the wind and the leaves rustling on the trees.<br />
<br />
Once upon a time families would have been having fun days out here and now it is dark tourism that brings people to stare in the face of what could have destroyed Europe.<br />
<br />
We explored abandoned schools with work still on the walls and books with Lenin's face strewn over the floor.<br />
<br />
Bunsen burners still stood on the desks an gas masks littered the floor in case of a Cold War American attacks.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpq-Ncqs2m4/U5dy6YVR3WI/AAAAAAAACc4/q_-rDqgkFXc/s1600/P6080266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpq-Ncqs2m4/U5dy6YVR3WI/AAAAAAAACc4/q_-rDqgkFXc/s1600/P6080266.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pripyat,built 1970 evacuated 1986</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The abandoned sports hall and swimming pool had the outside world creeping in.<br />
<br />
Trees had taken root and branches came through where glass windows once were. The diving board looked lonely and seemed really out of place.<br />
<br />
One thing I did notice was that looting had been strife. Even taps were gone and any marble wall furnishings or even decent furniture and metals had been plundered a long time ago. Where money can be made people will take risks I suppose.<br />
<br />
<br />
After seeing utter isolation in a city that the woods has reclaimed we boarded Boris' bus and headed to the reactor number four.<br />
<br />
The aging sarcophagus looked haggard and worn and the new one looked half built and in need of a hurry up.<br />
The geiger counter went berserk and I noticed as I stood at a monument to the battle of Chernobyl that many workers were still here.<br />
<br />
I looked at reactor number 4 and though how close we all came to oblivion. All of this was in my life time and I was 4 years old at the time.<br />
<br />
<br />
Naturally we couldn't spend too long there and after a few photos and staring intently at the reactor it was time to explore some more.<br />
<br />
When we returned to Kiev and the random normality of having a tented city in the main square it was time for reflection.<br />
<br />
Sipping a beer from a road side bar I looked back on the derelict buildings and the lives people were torn away from.<br />
<br />
Chernobyl is much more of a disaster than you would expect. Not only was it the environmental impact but the impact on lives and health. An impact that continues to this day and will continue if they do not hurry up and cover over that leaking ageing sarcophagus.<br />
<br />
I would recommend you go to see it. It will leave a mark on you forever.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdGEQzvuXzY/U5dzDbdt-bI/AAAAAAAACdQ/chBtFWccaIM/s1600/P6080382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdGEQzvuXzY/U5dzDbdt-bI/AAAAAAAACdQ/chBtFWccaIM/s1600/P6080382.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned books litter the floor in the school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujm-9Itx6Dk/U5dzAcwQZoI/AAAAAAAACdI/4-H9YnZgQyw/s1600/P6080298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujm-9Itx6Dk/U5dzAcwQZoI/AAAAAAAACdI/4-H9YnZgQyw/s1600/P6080298.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous image of the abandoned ferris wheel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EeoFxVAJYUM/U5dy-eE_SgI/AAAAAAAACdA/GPei4tKrAaA/s1600/P6080340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EeoFxVAJYUM/U5dy-eE_SgI/AAAAAAAACdA/GPei4tKrAaA/s1600/P6080340.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threes grow through the smashed windows of the pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgMF2BwVP4k/U5xWTQYUIwI/AAAAAAAACfE/NZFah9XEI2M/s1600/P6080277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgMF2BwVP4k/U5xWTQYUIwI/AAAAAAAACfE/NZFah9XEI2M/s1600/P6080277.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once this doll made a child smile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Seaef7s_RoE/U5xWVD2lAtI/AAAAAAAACfM/rK4TMg5BLy8/s1600/P6080286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Seaef7s_RoE/U5xWVD2lAtI/AAAAAAAACfM/rK4TMg5BLy8/s1600/P6080286.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Communist propaganda ready for the May 1986 celebrations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWlobecAjZ4/U5xWWmSnXbI/AAAAAAAACfU/GMx87Ul_OIQ/s1600/P6080355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWlobecAjZ4/U5xWWmSnXbI/AAAAAAAACfU/GMx87Ul_OIQ/s1600/P6080355.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gas masks litter the floor of this class room.<br />
They were in anticiparion of an American cold war attack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ag6CCYpc7U/U5xWad5O1wI/AAAAAAAACfc/UXg2kfO16JU/s1600/P6080391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ag6CCYpc7U/U5xWad5O1wI/AAAAAAAACfc/UXg2kfO16JU/s1600/P6080391.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going through the radiation detector. These mashines were ancient</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0nYW-Nc3ac/U5xWavgy9GI/AAAAAAAACfg/LHyIeCcPmwY/s1600/P6080307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0nYW-Nc3ac/U5xWavgy9GI/AAAAAAAACfg/LHyIeCcPmwY/s1600/P6080307.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunper cars left to rot. All had been scavenged for their motors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUvBadIZYQo/U5xWcsvuYKI/AAAAAAAACfs/oVOn8L4aToQ/s1600/P6080329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUvBadIZYQo/U5xWcsvuYKI/AAAAAAAACfs/oVOn8L4aToQ/s1600/P6080329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick takes a photo in an abandoned sports hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOU-mtA6yWE/U5xWfesbyZI/AAAAAAAACf0/j43jZglnSC0/s1600/P6080318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOU-mtA6yWE/U5xWfesbyZI/AAAAAAAACf0/j43jZglnSC0/s1600/P6080318.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once you could stay at the Pripyat hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NT-G1skVW4w/U5xWmg-pVsI/AAAAAAAACgM/SemPUU4lOsk/s1600/P6080245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NT-G1skVW4w/U5xWmg-pVsI/AAAAAAAACgM/SemPUU4lOsk/s1600/P6080245.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unfinished new confinement project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcKJJ4ZPf5E/U5xWo6bE5HI/AAAAAAAACgU/8w0YnKyDzTw/s1600/P6080213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcKJJ4ZPf5E/U5xWo6bE5HI/AAAAAAAACgU/8w0YnKyDzTw/s1600/P6080213.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned cooling tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jnWBhYhixA/U5xWsgDRZkI/AAAAAAAACgc/kc36kvavUVo/s1600/P6080217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jnWBhYhixA/U5xWsgDRZkI/AAAAAAAACgc/kc36kvavUVo/s1600/P6080217.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo shows the size of the new confinement project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou-FVCOlJCQ/U5xW3wJKlzI/AAAAAAAACgs/0BnN9aQsNvE/s1600/P6080247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou-FVCOlJCQ/U5xW3wJKlzI/AAAAAAAACgs/0BnN9aQsNvE/s1600/P6080247.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial next to reactor number four</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-3922094830247732242014-09-02T02:10:00.005-07:002014-09-29T05:58:26.165-07:00My first bull fight<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgUGufjFqAI/VAWIwjV6dpI/AAAAAAAAClc/MGimy-e13NY/s1600/P7071100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgUGufjFqAI/VAWIwjV6dpI/AAAAAAAAClc/MGimy-e13NY/s1600/P7071100.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" height="266" id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-1" width="320"></object></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">Bull fighting</span></i></b>, is it
a sport or is it a tragedy acted out through stages from entrance to exit and
ultimately death?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hemingway said “Bullfighting is the only art in which the
artist is in danger of death and in which the degree of brilliance in the
performance is left to the fighter's honour".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After four years of visiting Pamplona and seeing the festival
of San Fermin first hand which culminates each day at 8am with the infamous running
of the bulls; I decided it was time to see a bull fight for myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted to see how I would feel seeing an animal die in
front of cheering thousands. I wanted to know how I would react. Would I see it
as a sport, an art or even a pantomime?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We entered the famous Bull ring in the centre of Pamplona on
the 7th of July. That morning we had already run with the bulls and been in
that very ring dodging steers with taped horns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ll9FAHfqars/VAWI5-36s4I/AAAAAAAACl0/K4jPLbb-4io/s1600/P7071153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ll9FAHfqars/VAWI5-36s4I/AAAAAAAACl0/K4jPLbb-4io/s1600/P7071153.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our seats were the very last ones, row z with our backs to
the wall. However the view was stunning and you could see everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it started. Not one but six bull fights which all culminated
with everyone invading the bull ring in the end and many clutching the blood
stained sand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The music blares and everyone cheers, flags and neckerchiefs
are waved and the sun shines down on each person who looks fantastic all in
white.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The procession enters, armoured horses, people on foot and the
colours on display are dazzling. This is all sounded by the blast of a trumpet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The three stages are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 1 - Tercio de Varas ("third of lances")<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bull enters the ring and is tested by the matador and
banderilleros.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next, two picadores enter the arena armed with a long lance
or varas and mounted on large heavily padded and blindfolded horses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bull sees these horses and makes a massive charge at
them. The poor horse suddenly jolts as the bull blows in to the padding, the
picadore simply moves his legs out of the way and slams a lance into the bulls
back to weaken it. The picadore stabs at a mound of muscle behind the bulls
neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the time the matador, the star of the show is observing
the bull and seeing what the bulls caging preferences are and he starts to make
a game plan as it were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2V1hzZoj-h4/VAWI3UnIauI/AAAAAAAACls/4uw_Obi5Le4/s1600/P7071188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2V1hzZoj-h4/VAWI3UnIauI/AAAAAAAACls/4uw_Obi5Le4/s1600/P7071188.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bull should in effect be weakened by the exertion of
charging and lifting the horse and the lance. This will make the bull have a
lower charging position as its neck is weakened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I watched as the bull charges full throttle into the
unsuspecting horse which judders violently before a lance is plunged into the
bull.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crowd cheers and cerveza sellers come up to us to offer
cheap local beers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The atmosphere is one of jubilation and not a single protest
can be seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my previous years in Pamplona I have seen many animal
cruelty protests but not this year. Not a single one was I able to spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 2 - Tercio de banderillas (“third of flags”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwJJ9Mmd6Xs/VAWIvSbZLJI/AAAAAAAAClU/d522jQ7zbN8/s1600/P7071083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwJJ9Mmd6Xs/VAWIvSbZLJI/AAAAAAAAClU/d522jQ7zbN8/s1600/P7071083.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This stage the three banderilleros each attempt to plant two
banderillas, Which is a sharp stick, into the bull's shoulders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This will weaken the bull but it also angers it and makes the
charges more furious. You can see the bull trying to decide which banderillos
to charge. Soon the blood starts to pour down the bulls shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stage 3 - Tercio de Muerte ("third of death")<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The matador enters looking resplendent in his shining attire. We saw some in white, some blue, some pink and many variation of clashing
colours. He enters strutting jaw thrusting out into the sky and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a look of arrogance on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rj99Cns3mvw/VAWIyfLqZcI/AAAAAAAAClk/xVdypfbmOb0/s1600/P7071192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rj99Cns3mvw/VAWIyfLqZcI/AAAAAAAAClk/xVdypfbmOb0/s1600/P7071192.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His cocksure manliness and arrogance can be seen by all but
at the same time he struts and doesn’t walk. Bull fighting is incredibly manly
and masculine and ridiculously brave, but it is also incredibly camp. The costumes
and the strutting and the hand gestures are so dramatic and thespian that it
adds an air of showmanship and pantomime to the whole experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The red cape which the matador carries is called a Muleta and
it is carried over a wooden stick or a dowel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I didn’t realise is that from the moment the matador is
first charged by the bloodied, angry and weakened bull he has only 15 minutes to
kill it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If he does not successfully kill it or cleanly kill it the
crowd whistle their discontent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This happened on more than one occasion as the bull finally
collapsed but was still sitting up right. Soon a knife was smashed repeatedly
into the dying bulls skull until its massive bulky frame lay motionless
bleeding out onto the sand ready to be pulled away by the team of horses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a series of passes where the matador agile and nimbly darts away from the horns in an effortless motion he gets ready to kill the
tiring bull.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The horns whistle by his body as he in one swift motion seems
to swerve through time and effortlessly receives a huge cheer and applause from
the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bull is lumbering and tiring from blood loss, the crowd sense
a kill and the matador draws his sword.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His sword is called a estocada and to end the esctocada the
sword is thrust between the shoulders of the bull and severing the spine and
ultimately the aim is through the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While we sat here open mouthed thinking what we were seeing
was art yet brutal art the faena which is the entire 15 minutes to kill process
ended roughly and the crowd whistled and booed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One matador did it with one blow. The sword was thrust as he
leapt into the air as the bull charged and it came down slicing through the
bulls shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bull staggered and in one breath hit the sand with a thud.
Other attempts were not as successful as the bull seemed to carry on and the
matador had to have another go to the annoyance of the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To the Spanish this is more than a sport; it is a part of
their lives, culture, heritage and soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One matador was the epitome of a showman. The bull was
tired, panting heavily and bleeding profusely. He looked beaten, his horns aimed
down. The matador walked up to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the bull
and in a display of arrogance, bravery, showmanship and art slapped his chest
with his fist, raised his palm to the bull and turned his back on it and
strutted off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bull tired just stared at him and didn’t move. The
matador; a good matador knew the bull wouldn’t charge, he was too tired and that
he was defeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The unsuccessful kill with the sword leads to a thing called
a descabell. This is where the sword is used to sever the spine rather than
piece the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If the bull is still going then the dagger to the head which
we brutally saw is called puntillero.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last of the bulls lay motionless on the sand, blood seeping
from his wounds. The team of horses attached ropes and unceremoniously drags
him out. His life over, bred to run and fight, bred not for entertainment but for
a battle between man and animal and a battle where so many times pictures of
matadors coming second best have been seen but wasn’t seen today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today the bull ring at Pamplona exploded in cheers, applause
and singing. People climbed down over the seats and threw the seat covers into
the air as they invaded the ring. They ran and cheered and were joined by brass
bands from the seats. The scene was of pure celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Spanish don’t hate bulls and don't fight them for torture. A
bull’s death should be with honour and quick. That’s why the whistles sound if
a death is slow and clumsy. They regard the animals with admiration and the
local papers are full of pictures of the bulls with their vital statistics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They regard the bulls with honour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While we were there the bull was paraded around the ring twice
or three times and I later learnt that this meant that bull was a good fight and
the dignitaries were impressed with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crowds were surging forward and we joined them in the
ring. The scene wasn’t chaos but fun, people were chatting and laughing and you
suddenly forget that you just saw six bulls die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is strange to watch it and I have to be honest and say
that even though I am an animal lover I enjoyed the whole experience. The pomp
and splendour and the utter camp heroic machismo of the event was stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You forget that you have seen death and drank several beers throughout
because they are so cheap, you forget you need the toilet; you just are in the
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are in the ring dancing with people you have never met
before chatting to your new Australian friends who you only met on the bus over
and are at the same camp site.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bull fight was an experience, one I will never forget
and with the way the world is going may soon be a thing of the past. Therefore
I am glad I have seen, no not seen one; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>experienced
one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because the experience is not like anything else at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-10230085395995743682014-07-10T05:14:00.002-07:002014-09-02T03:20:26.263-07:00San Fermin 2014<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UPmNlcAmn18/U76CQCFWLrI/AAAAAAAACiE/PsYkG49r8gk/s1600/10441193_10152545735414394_444455815936104208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UPmNlcAmn18/U76CQCFWLrI/AAAAAAAACiE/PsYkG49r8gk/s1600/10441193_10152545735414394_444455815936104208_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">SAN FERMIN 2014</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">7th and 8th July. Another early start for an adrenaline fueled canter down the street being chased and running with the bulls.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u5zp_9W86Gs/U76CRqBF_sI/AAAAAAAACiQ/_bquiPEV7jc/s1600/10516993_10154267701645136_285173611_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u5zp_9W86Gs/U76CRqBF_sI/AAAAAAAACiQ/_bquiPEV7jc/s1600/10516993_10154267701645136_285173611_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">It only feels like yesterday when it was 2013 and we did this before. My 4th festival of San Fermin didn't disappoint.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">Another trip to Pamplona the wonderful Spanish city and another two runs where you literally dice with death.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">After six days of sangria abuse my voice is shot to pieces, my feet ruined and my mind broken.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwuUXemAP1uICTOij94o0DWMnmOSj9ChjwRYzlOwR2KAePiQvarp9q4QSrGVxJRHte8KdY0s0QR4Saiaa4mAw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">Pamplona and San Fermin have chewed me up and spat me back out into the world.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">Was it worth it?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">Hell yeah!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">San Fermin; if you utter those two words a shiver travels
down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those two words for me summon up a melting pot of emotions.
Fun, excitement, thrills, scares, adrenaline fuelled madness and pure exhilaration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For this year was my fourth year running with the Bulls in
the beautiful Spanish city of Pamplona.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every years since 2011 I have run and said that I may not
come back the following year. Then when July arrives I can’t help myself and I
am off to Spain to run with those giant snorting and bulking beats. Horns
inches from my face and certain injury.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year was slightly different. I travelled with one
person rather than a group of us. This year I took my 19 year old cousin Ollie
who to be blunt is not very well travelled and worldy. This trip would either
break him or make a man of him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived after a long horrible and sweaty bus journey and
I was greeted with the familiar sight. The city of Pamplona looked pristine in
the sun, the buildings clean and the streets vendors selling red and white
garments for you to wear. I old Ollie to take a photo and then compare his
pistine city to when the opening ceremony hit town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">The opening ceremony o the 6</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> July literally explodes
into life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imagine someone has swung a bat at a large piñata suspended
over the city and suddenly as the bat strikes sangria explodes and soaks all
and sundry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The city becomes red and pink for a week after this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here we were as usual we had picked up a large group of
Australians from the campsite and it wasn’t even nine in the morning and we
were in the town square covered from head to toe in sangria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were all in white which was now pink with red sashes
round our waits and a red neckerchief around our wrists ready to wave it a the strike
of midday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the Aussies Luke turned to me and smiled and said ‘I cannot
believe the carnage and it’s not even lunch time yet’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People were bundling, plastic bottles were flying and soon
filling up balconies making it impossible for the occupiers o open their doors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shirts were ripped off and sangria flew through te air
getting into your eyes and making them sting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People danced, sang and music blared. Flags fluttered in the
breeze and all this was in anticipation of the start of the San Fermin
festival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Legend has it that San Fermin was dragged through<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a town in France by a rope attached to his
neck b bulls. This is why when the clock strikes 12 and the cannon sounds the
neckerchiefs can be worn to symbolise his blood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every face around you smiles and shouts and has a wild look
in their eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is almost as if anything goes and people are jumping into
the crowd and literally going berserk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A smile so wide you could park a car in it is permanently
embossed on my face and this is why I come back. For this one day where almost anything
can happen and you wander around a city drinking, singing, getting randomly
interviewed on TV and talking to everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cannon sounds and the cheer from the crowd is immense,
the jostling and dancing erupts and for the next hour and a bi you are in a sea
of red and white and pink sangria soaked sweaty bodies moving as one unit. You
are lost the a moment that lasts forever and you are almost overwhelmed by what
in my opinion is the greatest festival on this wonderful Earth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdoKErqbwec/U76Cnj_HHZI/AAAAAAAACi8/i7ZzkwCe_YM/s1600/P7060900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: yellow;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdoKErqbwec/U76Cnj_HHZI/AAAAAAAACi8/i7ZzkwCe_YM/s1600/P7060900.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDu0XoConeE/U76CqjFoH2I/AAAAAAAACjE/OY9UMx1k9fE/s1600/P7060859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: yellow;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDu0XoConeE/U76CqjFoH2I/AAAAAAAACjE/OY9UMx1k9fE/s1600/P7060859.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aj78qe_MEr0/U76Ctw-JpdI/AAAAAAAACjM/8zuJnY4Tno4/s1600/P7071058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aj78qe_MEr0/U76Ctw-JpdI/AAAAAAAACjM/8zuJnY4Tno4/s1600/P7071058.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjdcigcQTNA/U76Cw6Bx_4I/AAAAAAAACjU/SBrJiNc4X-M/s1600/P7071064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjdcigcQTNA/U76Cw6Bx_4I/AAAAAAAACjU/SBrJiNc4X-M/s1600/P7071064.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFXN7nUjOag/U76C0FI0TaI/AAAAAAAACjc/ThpJ0j_U_fE/s1600/P7081252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFXN7nUjOag/U76C0FI0TaI/AAAAAAAACjc/ThpJ0j_U_fE/s1600/P7081252.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-29362782786093285312014-06-14T07:55:00.003-07:002014-06-14T13:40:57.580-07:00Welcome to Kiev<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pB7WfnL9YoM/U5xVbZ9cmFI/AAAAAAAACdk/6jFJxTj8Adg/s1600/P6070017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pB7WfnL9YoM/U5xVbZ9cmFI/AAAAAAAACdk/6jFJxTj8Adg/s1600/P6070017.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">W</span>here did you go on your holidays this year people ask me?
Spain, South of France, and Florida they may ask.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob0bqvg-LeM/U5xViF8u2EI/AAAAAAAACd8/ZZ2c9q98s-4/s1600/P6080400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob0bqvg-LeM/U5xViF8u2EI/AAAAAAAACd8/ZZ2c9q98s-4/s1600/P6080400.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cyrillic reads 'Heroes never die'!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For one I hate the word holiday and like to think of myself
as having little adventures here and there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when I answer by saying 'Oh I have just got back from Ukraine',
it raises an eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then when I mention that I visited Chernobyl their faces are
marked with horror!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why? That is the question I am asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My answer is more complicated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many reasons why I suppose.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Curiosity, danger, intrigue but most of all because I only
know one person who has ever been.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
One person and I only know two people who have been to Kiev
and that was for the Euro Championships in 2012.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Therefore when my mate Nick asked me in December if I wanted
to travel with him to Ukraine sometime this year and see Chernobyl I jumped at
the chance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3YU-8u-9fg/U5xV0uDRocI/AAAAAAAACes/R5VCtfYhPT4/s1600/P6070097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3YU-8u-9fg/U5xV0uDRocI/AAAAAAAACes/R5VCtfYhPT4/s1600/P6070097.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January and 2014 came and with that we booked some BA
flights and found a cheap hostel. We contacted a Chernobyl trip company as you
can only go through a registered trip (although I did later hear rumours about
a trip where you had to walk 40 kms to illegally get inside and then camp out).
We are all booked and ready to go.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We started looking at things to do and see in Kiev and were looking
forward to a trip that was months and months away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then suddenly Ukraine imploded. Maiden (Independence square)
erupted. Protests, riots and running battles erupted onto the streets.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fires, tear gas and brutal shootings took place.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The world watched on as Ukraine resembled a war zone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Protestors wanted the Ukraine to join with the EU but the
now former president Victor Yanukovych wanted to align more towards Moscow.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Battles erupted and soon they spread from Kiev. Crimea ended
up becoming part of Russia after a flawed and maybe not too free election.
Still to this day battles in the Eastern cities of Donetsk, Kharviv and Odessa.
Many people have sadly lost their lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is a little piece about Kiev and how we found it in June
after months of unrest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived in June. Still the country is in a state of
almost civil war.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMyIwPGEbOY/U5xV2kOGvxI/AAAAAAAACe0/Y4k0Io4tSrU/s1600/P6070068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMyIwPGEbOY/U5xV2kOGvxI/AAAAAAAACe0/Y4k0Io4tSrU/s1600/P6070068.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shrine containing home made mortars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The day we arrived was completely coincidentally also the
day that the new President the chocolate billionaire Petro Prosenko was being inaugurated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we taxied in from Borispol airport towards the terminal I
looked through the portholes of the plane.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My eyes scanned the ageing Russianesque rusting planes
parked up and then I noticed a few planes with markings that I had not seen
before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw a plane marked 'Government of Canada', in both English
and French. There was an Estonian government planes and a few others from
former soviet countries. Then I saw a rare sight. Flanked by men in black suits
and dark glasses was Air Force One. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4SLLnQBpdo/U5xV5VxTKiI/AAAAAAAACe8/VadXmon2ScE/s1600/P6070048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4SLLnQBpdo/U5xV5VxTKiI/AAAAAAAACe8/VadXmon2ScE/s1600/P6070048.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barricades at Maidan Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The presidential jet of the United States of America. Vice President
Joe Biden had attended the inauguration that was going on as we landed.
Therefore as we cleared customs where the silly border guard stamped over an
Arabic stamp I had we didn’t get to see any of the celebrations. We later found
out that there wasn’t any so we didn’t miss a thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so Nick and I exited the lada taxi where the windows didn’t
open leaving you a sweaty mess and stepped out to drop our bags off at the
hostel and explore Kiev.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now we should have found Kiev easy to navigate but instead
we were hopelessly lost and stumbled upon an Irish bar to peruse the map.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We asked the barmaid where we were and she had no idea on
the map. We had two maps in fact and she couldn’t point out. We knew the area
we were in but her finger hovered from one corner to the next and ten she gave
up.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each person we asked over the next four days also had no
clue as to where they or we were.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second reason why we got lost was that when we got the
map from the hostel we asked where the hostel was on the map. The girl at
reception marked an ex on the map. Sadly the hostel was off the map and
therefore as we were walking down the streets we were not actually on the streets
we thought we were on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally the map was in English while the street signs were in Cyrillic!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcaweGMQvGc/U5xVnmo3n9I/AAAAAAAACeM/KAM01u6pXks/s1600/P6070060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcaweGMQvGc/U5xVnmo3n9I/AAAAAAAACeM/KAM01u6pXks/s1600/P6070060.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maidan square has become a tent city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually we rolled off the subway and ascended the stairs
into a war torn and flag embellished tent city that was Maiden square.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What was once the jewel in Kiev's crown was now what
resembled a refugee camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
Old military green and camo tents lined the streets. Tires
where bundled up high and with bricks, wire and any old rubbish made up huge barricades
where fighting and massive fires had taken place.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Burnt out cars and abandoned water cannon and riot vehicles
lay graffitied and in one case when I open the door lived in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qfbuYaftfPg/U5xVqB_ATNI/AAAAAAAACeU/8jCWabB4ghI/s1600/P6080133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qfbuYaftfPg/U5xVqB_ATNI/AAAAAAAACeU/8jCWabB4ghI/s1600/P6080133.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned military vehicles are dotted around</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
People who desperately needed a wash sat around on benches
smoking in rag tag military clothing, some had guns, others knives and many had
wooden clubs. None where military but where die hard revolutionaries who had
been here since the staring and were dammed if they were budging.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shrines littered the place. Candles, pictures, portraits,
banners and even hearts made of bricks lined up on the floor were dotted all
over the square.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Faces on paper taped to canvas looked blankly back at me
when I stared at them. A small almost empty collection box was usually
underneath.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I put a few Hyuvnias in some before I ran out of change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
Some of the military clad people (most looked mean and hard
but where in sandals which defeated their image) seemed to have nothing to do
apart from smoke, drink and ten sit staring. Some would suddenly shout out something
inspirational or revolutionary and pump their fist in the air. Some others
would join in and then they sat sullen again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A large stage had been set up and a woman played the violin.
It sounded haunting through the speakers and the sound travelled all over the
square.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nick and I explored all of the square and the tent city.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We saw the discarded riot shields, the dented helmets, the
improvised mortars and even a canteen hat had been set up among the tents by
some entrepreneur.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we explored the sun dropped and the tent city became livelier.
Long gone where the people like us walking around looking at it. The tent inhabitants
all clad in khaki and green emerged and got hammered on the street. Many of the
bars were not open, some had been torched or had barricades blocking the entrances.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPRzIIovjsw/U5xVfTEi0uI/AAAAAAAACd0/hYg8lqjXU0s/s1600/P6090429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPRzIIovjsw/U5xVfTEi0uI/AAAAAAAACd0/hYg8lqjXU0s/s1600/P6090429.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This barricade has been made from ripping up the block paving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So many enterprising people had bought kegs and set up bars
on the street selling very cheap and sometimes odd tasting beer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One such bar had a man shouting outside and another a man
beat boxing. Military wannabes wandered up and down and many gave us strange
stares. In general the atmosphere was peaceful.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we walked back we heard all the sounds of life from the
tent city; laughter, arguments, babies crying, conversation and also a few rather
shrill screams.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next time we turned up at Maiden Square the atmosphere
was almost one of a carnival.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A band was playing on the stage, there was an accordion player
and the Russian orthodox priest with beards and mustaches that can only be described
as epic were out in force.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sun shone and you could almost forget that all the brick
paving had been ripped up to make barricades or thrown at the police.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the sunshine you can see the statues where flags have
been draped and memorials better. The sunlight seemed to make them stand out
and have more meaning, a deeper more ethereal meaning as they fluttered
silently in the breeze. Some up high others at waist height.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zypeIDcAwC4/U5xVdN6b6wI/AAAAAAAACds/z_km2It8flc/s1600/P6070027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zypeIDcAwC4/U5xVdN6b6wI/AAAAAAAACds/z_km2It8flc/s1600/P6070027.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in front of what was once a fountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Somehow the sunshine allows you to walk through the camps
more freely. It felt relaxed and at ease. As if summer had massaged the
shoulders of the tense soldiers and had given a brief rest bite to those who
had been here enduring hardship for months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a hard thought to imagine this place in the bitter cold
and snow where these dirty and half saved freedom fighters who refuse to go
home had to endure. My heart goes out to them when I think of the sub-zero
temperatures where they must have burned anything for warmth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ukrainian sun beats down onto your shoulders and you
look at the tents and think how hard it must have been and how many of them
succumbed to the cold. Maybe right outside the Macdonalds that stand on the
square.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fn7ri53bSc8/U5xVsS96mcI/AAAAAAAACec/4GxDxCbQqM0/s1600/P6070078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fn7ri53bSc8/U5xVsS96mcI/AAAAAAAACec/4GxDxCbQqM0/s1600/P6070078.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
I left Maiden Square for the last time as I descended into
the metro Ii looked over my shoulder one last time. I saw a city that is
changing. One of old and new. Where die hard revolutionaries rub shoulders with
bankers and suit wearing high flyers. A place of intrigue and mystery and a
place where there was a definite under current of edginess.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As if at any moment especially at night something could
happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In all this I saw that Kiev was a truly remarkable and
beautiful city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlNJO7O9ABw/U5xVkrTEzvI/AAAAAAAACeE/cnzIdIUnCSs/s1600/P6070030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlNJO7O9ABw/U5xVkrTEzvI/AAAAAAAACeE/cnzIdIUnCSs/s1600/P6070030.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candles and shrines are everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ0OeRbr3os/U5xVuU820gI/AAAAAAAACek/eE-INljnv4E/s1600/P6070084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ0OeRbr3os/U5xVuU820gI/AAAAAAAACek/eE-INljnv4E/s1600/P6070084.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-39532906011455742882014-05-20T15:38:00.002-07:002014-07-02T01:29:03.635-07:00Feeling free on a moped on Koh Phangan<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8AL47WqlN0/U3JAtE5CoFI/AAAAAAAACak/NpRGOnowTkI/s1600/P5030785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8AL47WqlN0/U3JAtE5CoFI/AAAAAAAACak/NpRGOnowTkI/s1600/P5030785.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Koh Phan Gan</strong></span>.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Famous for the full moon party and the film
the beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A place where people come to rave and some never leave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been lucky in my life and have been to Koh Phan Gan
on <a href="http://benslavatoryagain.blogspot.co.uk/2007/02/full-moon-party-and-beyond-since-i.html"><strong><em><span style="color: yellow;">three separate occasions</span></em></strong></a>. I have sampled the hedonistic pleasure of the full
Moon party on Haard Rin beach. Raved in fluorescent paint in the jungle
clearings at the half moon party, been to a foam party on the beach and even
seen the black moon party too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0JnIospyeI/U3JAnCZqaZI/AAAAAAAACaM/hXx8lgu9be0/s1600/P5040863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0JnIospyeI/U3JAnCZqaZI/AAAAAAAACaM/hXx8lgu9be0/s1600/P5040863.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This time however it was a little more subdued as it was
merely beach parties. When I say merely beach parties I do still mean that it
went off and I danced like no one was looking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The throngs of people were not there this time as it was the
hottest season, yet still the beach was packed and the bucket sellers with
their cheeky signs tempting you to buy from them lined the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThmHihq7nbg/U3JAlB2ghqI/AAAAAAAACaE/hTkvh9-evaM/s1600/P5020714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThmHihq7nbg/U3JAlB2ghqI/AAAAAAAACaE/hTkvh9-evaM/s1600/P5020714.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My trusty moped in Haard Rin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One woman held a sign up saying 'I fuck retard midgets',
while another had a sign saying 'I am not a cunt' to entice you to buy the Thai
whiskey buckets that send you a bit mental.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the end it worked and I cannot remember how many buckets
we drank, all I can say is that we had an epic time and so much fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This time however even with the people dancing, spinning
fire and drinking there were no boats loads coming from other islands and the
beached lined with people passing out and emptying their bladders in the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember the morning after the full moon and the beach was
a state. Its nice to see it as a pristine beauty spot where you can be silly in
the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take away the hedonism and Koh Phan Gan is a stunningly
beautiful tropical island full of gems to explore, see and do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f6fTJ3Fs3R8/U3JAuwKOz8I/AAAAAAAACas/AOYMZT-V_Zc/s1600/P5030773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f6fTJ3Fs3R8/U3JAuwKOz8I/AAAAAAAACas/AOYMZT-V_Zc/s1600/P5030773.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This of course is best done by caning it around on a hired
moped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whizzing along in a vest or topless with the wind cooling
the heat from the sun is a great way to explore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stopping at gas stations that are shacks selling what looks
like illegally syphoned fuel adds to the experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some dirt tracks up near Chaloklum and the ones that apparantly lead to Bottle beach were impassable ona moped. We got only so far before I had to werstle the bike, gravity and terrible footholds to get the bike back up hill. It was a near disatrous detour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the end we should have caught a taxi boat!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvAMuPtTLPw/U3JArflZSMI/AAAAAAAACac/4P1AZJJ1TrM/s1600/P5030810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvAMuPtTLPw/U3JArflZSMI/AAAAAAAACac/4P1AZJJ1TrM/s1600/P5030810.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view point at Phaeng waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love the feeling of freedom as I pulled the throttle back
and the wind picked up buffering my ears. The paved roads were a joy to ride
and as you entered the heart of the island the sounds coming from the
surrounding trees made you think you were in the deepest darkest jungle.
Suddenly out of the blue a temple would appear or an elephant standing proudly
chewing slowly by the side of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can imagine many people staying in Haard Rin; but you must
get out and explore and see everywhere. Even the busy capital and main port of
Thong Sala has a quaint small market side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The north of the island is by far the prettiest and the
least touristic. It does however have its fair share of resorts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOlvp5ut598/U3JAqEM4OgI/AAAAAAAACaU/gq0CWNYlV3s/s1600/P5030825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOlvp5ut598/U3JAqEM4OgI/AAAAAAAACaU/gq0CWNYlV3s/s1600/P5030825.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking to Koh Ma island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember in 2007 I along with three others walked the
cause way to little Koh Ma island where there was a little bar and a nice Blue
and white sign welcoming you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got there seven years later and the island was a mess. The
bar's roof had collapsed and it had the impression of being hit by a tsunami
and abandoned. The sign was nowhere to be seem and it was over grown and
littered with rubbish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A far cry from not even a decade ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Koh Phan Gan is a place where you can get a tattoo, drink a bucket,
catch a long tail boat and party with hundreds and then in ten minutes be on an
isolated beach. The place is a gem and I am so happy to say is exactly the same
as when I first came. Maybe a little more developed but it still looks the same
unlike smaller Koh Tao which has resorts popping up all along the beach front. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So much so that I only recognised the place by natural
icons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am truly in love wiht the place. It is more laid back than
Samui and has more to offer than Tao. It can be mental and quiet and offer
everything you want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The time we spent there was the best time in our trip to
Thailand. The feeling of freedom, the fun, the excitement and the fact that we
could venture off into the hills and even after getting lost you will always
find yourself back at a main road and are no longer than an hour from home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speeding along on your own you see so much more. You can
stop to admire giant trees looming over head or laugh at the random location of
a mock Tudor English themed pub in the jungle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mauy Thai rings up on cliff faces and beautiful beaches that
are pristine where little old ladies dig for shellfish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a melting pot of western modernism, hedonistic
debauchery, natural beauty and quaint rural island life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Koh Phan Gan you have stolen my heart and I am glad I have
seen you during different phases of the Moon's cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will one day come back and I so very much look forward to
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-65283785654998916852014-04-15T14:39:00.001-07:002014-04-15T14:39:14.393-07:00Wanting to run again<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nywwbzTOfg/U02i0q2reTI/AAAAAAAACXU/PyFXD8wZL9o/s1600/P4130085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nywwbzTOfg/U02i0q2reTI/AAAAAAAACXU/PyFXD8wZL9o/s1600/P4130085.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">O</span></b>n Sunday I joined thousands of cheering people standing in the London sun shouting encouragement as some of the 36,000 people ran by.<br />
<br />
Of course it was marathon Sunday and the sun shone down brightening everyone's spirits.<br />
<br />
Some people looked utterly dejected as they ran past us just before mile 18 while others looked fresh as a daisy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9OnA4O5H9A/U02ll85wF6I/AAAAAAAACXw/Rbhtc13NzCQ/s1600/P4130083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9OnA4O5H9A/U02ll85wF6I/AAAAAAAACXw/Rbhtc13NzCQ/s1600/P4130083.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
It was as if for one day only London has re-discovered her Olympic spirit and everyone chatted, sang and laughed together using sport as the background.<br />
<br />
The day started off well. While I was getting told off by a policeman for standing on top of a bin I saw Mo Farah storm past.<br />
<br />
Then the group I was with walked a little further up from Greenwich and soon we saw our friends running past. Or rather they spotted us before we could spot them.<br />
<br />
We shouted to people who looked like they were struggling and screamed the names of those with it adorning their vests.<br />
<br />
People waved and smiles were seen all around as the sun shone down.<br />
<br />
It made me think back to a long, long time ago when I was just a small pup of a man. In 2003 while at university we decided to run the marathon for our RAG charity and somehow after not too much training I found myself on the start line.<br />
<br />
Suddenly as I was running in a daze of colour, sounds, music and fun I was shocked to see that I was at the 15 mile marker.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jt0NAu1Gxc/U02jEOkVi7I/AAAAAAAACXc/3v2oYiT-7QA/s1600/IMG_20140413_124133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jt0NAu1Gxc/U02jEOkVi7I/AAAAAAAACXc/3v2oYiT-7QA/s1600/IMG_20140413_124133.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shouting support on the Isle of Dogs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My legs held out until about mile 22 when it felt like I was running on borrowed second hand legs that didn't quite work properly.<br />
<br />
I was happy that apart from only stopping to use the conveniences I kept plodding along at a steady pace.<br />
<br />
Once I crossed that finishing line my legs stopped working altogether and the next two days stairs were my Everest challenge.<br />
<br />
That medal I received and my sub 5 hour run are two of my proudest memories.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlbrOzry444/U02jKCX3wBI/AAAAAAAACXk/5iW3u7rKV2o/s1600/P4130097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlbrOzry444/U02jKCX3wBI/AAAAAAAACXk/5iW3u7rKV2o/s1600/P4130097.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire Harding looking fresh approaching mile 18</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As I lent on the railings watching people in rhino costumes, bagpus suits and all sorts of fun fancy dress run past I thought back to my time doing it and a smile crept across my face.<br />
<br />
I sipped a little of my beer as the sun beat down on my back and a plan started to grow and develope in my mind.<br />
<br />
Next year I will run it again.<br />
<br />
But this time in fancy dress.<br />
<br />
We left our perch and headed off again following the iPhone tracker to catch our friends.<br />
<br />
Once again I was leaning on a railing scanning the crowd a little later along and suddenly there they were in front of me. Looking fresh and excited as they came to within 8 miles of finishing.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfXtIePrjus/U02lnTLpztI/AAAAAAAACX4/q67OSN3bsmo/s1600/P4130104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfXtIePrjus/U02lnTLpztI/AAAAAAAACX4/q67OSN3bsmo/s1600/P4130104.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>You can see the faces of the people you know light up when they see a familiar face.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0fJzkF2lukE/U02lprik4nI/AAAAAAAACX8/Zty43WQrT2M/s1600/P4130103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0fJzkF2lukE/U02lprik4nI/AAAAAAAACX8/Zty43WQrT2M/s1600/P4130103.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Also when you shout at a complete stranger some<br />
encouragement you see them acknowledge you and some even regain a stpring in their step as they wave at you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Many stop walking and carry on running after a few words of encouragement and many start to give the crowd high fives.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4atovSXXX6A/U02lx3mtURI/AAAAAAAACYI/TfPYS_0BfzI/s1600/P4130080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4atovSXXX6A/U02lx3mtURI/AAAAAAAACYI/TfPYS_0BfzI/s1600/P4130080.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Standing there watching you see such an eclectic bunch of people. Some look as fit as a butchers dog while others you cannot imagine why they ever undertook this event. However you must give those especially all the credit as they are going for it and some are going through incredible pain all in the made of charity.<br />
<br />
I was inspired again and now feel I need to take on this marathon again for charity. Lat time I ran from John Grooms, this time who knows. There are many close to my heart.<br />
<br />
Congratulations to all who undertook this event and I hope your feet and legs are not as sore as mine where all those years ago!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26PRKPNRMiM/U02mkqSkeMI/AAAAAAAACYQ/Yk3dfhBDe-s/s1600/marathon+2003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26PRKPNRMiM/U02mkqSkeMI/AAAAAAAACYQ/Yk3dfhBDe-s/s1600/marathon+2003.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ii want to add to this 11 year old medal now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-80671413404666088322014-04-15T14:03:00.002-07:002014-04-15T14:07:03.814-07:00End of season review<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>End of Season review 2013-14<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>By Club Captain Ben Whateley-Harris<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 106%;">T</span></b>he curtain has almost
come down on a season full of expectation, injury and near misses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There have been highs, lows and incredible in-betweens.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New faces have brightened our pitch while sadly old faces
have drifted away with the evening winds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Highlights this year
are without doubt being the only team to beat Upminster who ran away with the
league and also beating Wansted with the last kick of the game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Away from the senior team the veterans made a race comeback
and in March it was the first time for seven years that Ongar had managed to
get two teams out on the same day. A proud moment for our club and all credit
must go to all the veterans and minis Dads involved who played a great spirited
game and deserved more than the draw they got against Old Brentwoods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The minis have been phenomenal and there are not enough
superlatives to describe them. Therefore I will leave that section out
otherwise I would be typing all day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the season started we were on a high from last year. We
finished runners up to Basildon in both the league and the cup. Losing the
merit cup final was a bitter pill to swallow but we leapt at this new league
like a lion on a kill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A new division with a few new faces and missing some old
ones would be a learning curb and we decided that the best achievable outcome
was to consolidate ourselves in this league.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We didn’t want a scrappy relegation battle on our hands.
What we achieved blew those expectations out of hand and we ended up finishing
4th and unfortunately because of the multitude of injuries we had were unable
to play the semi-finals in the play offs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ongar is a little club and we suffer when we lose players
due to injury, retirement or random adventures in life. Sadly we lost many to
injury this season and as the games mounted up so did the injury list.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon we were ringing round and trying to get any able bodied
person to bolster our team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Injuries especially in the front row almost decimated us at
the beginning of the year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Special mentions must go to Dave Blake who changed from a
rampaging centre to a marauding hooker and saved us many blushes in the front
row.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadly at the beginning of the season we lost last year’s
player of the year Alan Elvin to a neck injury. Second row Tom Bristow’s knee
injury prevented him from making a single appearance and we lost Josh Hull to a
knee injury only ten seconds into an early season match.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michael Blake dislocated his knee and had an eventful time
in Southend general to add to our injury woes. Then Jon Browning then ended up
on crutches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work commitments limited Martin Parker, Neil Springate, Matt
Adcock and many others while the retirement of long term Hooker Andy Surrage
limited out squad depth even more so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We even lost the bearded wonder Dave Lewis to the wilds of
Bristol and injury.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Young player of the year 2013 Jack Burton left for pastures
new and can now be seen on youtube cage fighting!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matt Dodd had commitments to the army and sadly we waved
goodbye to Pete Hovell as he was bundled onto a convict ship and sailed to
Australia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seemed that we
were losing bodies to injuries faster than we could ever hope to recruit. But
recruit we did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New faces and youngsters who blooded their teeth last season
shone for us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arthur Austin at ten gave some solid performances even if he
is made of glass and more injury prone than others. Alex Spray returned to the
fold and even brought his father in from the cold while Henry who is still just
a baby is maturing with each game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New faces such as Darren Fry and Ollie Peacock
enthusiastically turned up and trained week after week and played as much as
they could. They added power and pace. Darren caused many crunching tackles on
his opposite number through the season and Ollie got better and better each
game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dan Field and Josh Turrel jumped ship from Brentwood and
came over. Dan playing at number 8 and adding aggression and skill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ronnie Plumb in his second year introduced Terry Doyle who
grew into every game he played and Northern Dave Briggs, Tom Hull and Sam Bush
added a certain boyzone factor to the team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course there were the age old faces of yesteryear still
playing their trade on the pitch. But many will return to see a new Ongar team
full of youth, vigour and one that will mature together into a potent force.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the season started after a friendly at Bancroft and a
tens tournament; ORFC got off to a winning start with a home victory against
Millwall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This inspired a good run of results. Winning at home against
Wansted, Loughton and a dramatic last kick of the game victory against
Billericay. That game must go down as one of the fastest paced and thrilling
ever seen at love lane. Sadly away from home Ongar lost narrowly in a high
scoring action packed adventure at Basildon and beat themselves to lose to
Canvey away although that result was later rewarded to Ongar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few friendly
mishaps and the league got back underway; or it should have.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From November to January we didn’t have a single game. The
weather played havoc on the pitches and many as they were local authority owned
were forbidden to hold matches until the waters had subsided. Games were called
off last minute and during this time we lost a few people to injuries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Christmas break didn’t help either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally after a long
break we drew away to Loughton. We were rusty and you could see that injuries
were taking their toll by this point. However it was a game that we should have
won and may have kept results ticking over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This would be the
part of the season where all our good promise failed us and if it wasn’t for
the walk over victories we got we wouldn’t not have finished so high in the
table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As it turned out Thurrock cubs and Canvey pulled out of the
league and Basildon awarded us a game. Therefore we managed to rack up a few
points. This consolidated our league standing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However we struggled on the pitch after that. We had a few
league away games to fulfil and after out long layoff and our mounting injury
list we were put to the sword against a few clubs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However we always went down fighting. We lost away to
Wansted on their boggy pitch and were
beaten by the many, many faces of upper Clapton.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three consecutive away losses to Billericay, Upminster and
Millwall followed and the season but at an end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It ended on a sour note as we had not won in 2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However no team managed to nil us and we always kept our
heads up and played with pride. We played for that castle on our chests.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Minns and Andy Hull coached and helped us throughout
the year and at times looked flabbergasted and exasperated at some of the
results on the pitch. However they unfailing were there training, drilling and
shouting at us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year was all the better for having them here doing
their good cop and sweary cop routine. Although we have not seen Andy Hull
since he appeared in the veteran’s game and we all heckled him for having ‘lady
legs’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all owe you both a massive debt of gratitude for your
help and efforts this season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone involved
with the first team has a lot of thanks to give this season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pen Blake for being our fixtures secretary and dealing with
the backlog of matches caused by the weather.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dawn, Lindsey, Pen and the girls for providing food at every
home game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The committee for helping us out all the time and Jeff Blake
for running the vets team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of the mini coaches who do a wonderful job and everyone
behind the scenes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course the players. Some of which trained a lot, many not
a lot. But all of you have put your bodies on the line. Just look at our injury
list and that proves that no one shirked a tackle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly the biggest
thanks must go to everyone who come rain or shine stood on the side-lines
shouting and bellowing at us no matter what the score was. We always love
having you there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally a big thank you from me as club captain. To all
those who have helped out in all aspects of the club I thank you with all
sincerity and appreciation. We are more than a club, we are a little rugby
family and all of us can be proud of that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We now look a lot smarter in our new club ties and next
year’s hopefully we will see more people wearing them with pride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I look forward to seeing you all next year in the new ORFC
kits which are coming and more importantly I hope to see your faces on tour and
the dinner dance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bring on Exeter 2014 and the tour match v Withycombe RFC.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Results 2013-14<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Total (only games we physically played and not one that were
awarded by default)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Bancroft 17-5
ORFC (tens) Canvey 28 – 26 ORFC (*LATER
OVERTURNED)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Woodford 5-0 ORFC
(tens) Westcliff 27-5 ORFC<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Millwall 7-14 ORFC
(tens) ORFC 27-25 Wansted<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>ORFC 19-34
Bancroft Romford 38-14 ORFC<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>ORFC24-5 Millwall ORFC
20-19 Billericay<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Basildon 31-29
ORFC Loughton 17-17 ORFC<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>ORFC 36-25
Upminster Wansted 37-14 ORFC<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>ORFC 9-5
Loughton Upper Clapton 41-17 ORFC<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Upminster 54-12 ORFC<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Millwall 59-5 ORFC<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Players Who have donned the Ongar shirt this year (in no
particular order)<o:p></o:p></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0cm .5pt 0cm .5pt; width: 601px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Andrew Ross (Rossy)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Ralton Fenner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Dave Blake<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Dave Briggs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Ben Whateley-Harris<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Jon Browning<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Tom Hull<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Josh Hull<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Kevin Spray<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Alex Spray<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Ronnie Plumb<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Terry Doyle<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
John Berry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Michael Blake<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Neil Springate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Martin Parker<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Ian Springate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Martin Buckley<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Josh Turrell<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Sam Bush<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Royston Manning <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Carl Regelous<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lee Hardy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Aaron Hardy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Steve Conway<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Matthew Adcock<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Jack Pickett<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Jack Smith<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Jonny Crisp<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Dan ‘Jeddy’ Riley<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Sam Minns<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Simon Franklin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Jason Field<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Dan Field<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Henry Burns<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Arthur Austin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Ollie Peacock<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Darren Fry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Michael Wright<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Dan Osborne<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Gary Cootes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In total <b><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 106%;">41</span></b> players have played for
the first team this season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-84615121080069016682014-01-22T12:40:00.000-08:002014-01-22T12:40:00.558-08:00Coaching the minis<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3Ag8DIrJfM/Ut09HAbIiII/AAAAAAAACTU/ZSipVwFnuEA/s1600/20131214_101044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3Ag8DIrJfM/Ut09HAbIiII/AAAAAAAACTU/ZSipVwFnuEA/s1600/20131214_101044.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORFC Under 10s at Saracens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last year saw me start to coach the under 10s rugby team at
my club. Along with 3 other people we all take it in turns to coach an</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">d run
sessions which works out well as I work shifts and cannot attend all of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aM1w9TUJdo8/Ut09Jk_XNWI/AAAAAAAACTk/QfS_4K_FN-s/s1600/20131214_154703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aM1w9TUJdo8/Ut09Jk_XNWI/AAAAAAAACTk/QfS_4K_FN-s/s1600/20131214_154703.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I type this my boys are playing in Romford and I am a
work typing naughtily in a back office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wish I had done this earlier o be honest. Coaching the minis that is, not hiding away and typing in a cramped airless office.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coaching the
kids is such a fun, joyful and a privilege. They can be the funniest silly little
buggers alive but also charmingly endearing ad profoundly honest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course afte the festive break they were as mad as a box
of frogs and full of e numbers as they went berserk on the pitch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But when it comes to games last week something clicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They stopped bunching and started to use the overlap and play
the ball out wide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vc-qONTlnC4/Ut09Hy0V1DI/AAAAAAAACTY/18VrmVkshjY/s1600/20131214_133115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vc-qONTlnC4/Ut09Hy0V1DI/AAAAAAAACTY/18VrmVkshjY/s1600/20131214_133115.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then suddenly they passed inside; cut between two defenders
and scored <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> a </span>superb try. I was a proud man
and stood in the mud smiling as they demolished Billericay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We took them to Saracens v Zebre at the Allianz Park in the
Heineken cup and at half time paraded them on the pitch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before the game they played some really well-drilled teams
and held their own.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wz3Ay65YeU/Ut09LCL7I9I/AAAAAAAACTs/TbQMgwotcVE/s1600/20131214_173146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wz3Ay65YeU/Ut09LCL7I9I/AAAAAAAACTs/TbQMgwotcVE/s1600/20131214_173146.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the kids meet England's Chris Ashton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were standing around between games and I was chatting to them and suddenly an Englad player would walk past. Therefore as they were too shy I managed to get tem all to pose for photos with the likes of Ashton, Borthwick and Jamie George.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The as soon as they came off the pitch they were in the long jump pit playing with the sand and being told off my security staff!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of them said to me, "Ben, will you still be playing when I play in the men's team"?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This put a smile on my face and has made me feel resolutely that I will even if I am old and crippled; I will play at least a friendly when these young lads are bigger than me and hopefully wearing thr Ongar colours still.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that is an insentive to not give up on my playing days!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-76664105481392359622014-01-21T12:29:00.000-08:002014-01-21T12:29:00.030-08:00London with a scarf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2HL_Ge1wIYc/Ut0-LdlBvjI/AAAAAAAACT4/LEOy6ENi9qg/s1600/IMG_20131220_101221+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2HL_Ge1wIYc/Ut0-LdlBvjI/AAAAAAAACT4/LEOy6ENi9qg/s1600/IMG_20131220_101221+(1).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">W</span></strong>inter arrives and you wrap up warm. You pull the collar of
your coat together to keep out the chilly wind and you maybe wear an extra layer
and thicker socks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last thing you do before you leave the house however is grab
a scarf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What wonderful things scarves are. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All colours, patterns and textures. A scarf for eve occasion
and always they can compliment whatever ensemble you have thrown on that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVM-p45Qf-Y/Ut0-OIZR-gI/AAAAAAAACUE/yh-7GWreoK0/s1600/20131209_191432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVM-p45Qf-Y/Ut0-OIZR-gI/AAAAAAAACUE/yh-7GWreoK0/s1600/20131209_191432.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A scarf is essential for the wonderful thing of exploring
London in the festive and winter period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">London, a wonderful city both day and night and all year
round. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although like a lady changes her fashions with the season.
London does the same. In summer she blooms like a floral dress and in winter
she sparkles like the make-up donned for a Christmas part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3aW9S-GwxQ/Ut0-UYQ3ALI/AAAAAAAACUM/SOOmRTCr4j4/s1600/IMG_20131209_233241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3aW9S-GwxQ/Ut0-UYQ3ALI/AAAAAAAACUM/SOOmRTCr4j4/s1600/IMG_20131209_233241.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Therefore the festive period up to just after New Year’s Eve
is always good for a wander to see the lights and attraction and temporary big
wheels and markets that pop up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">London suddenly has the unmistakable smell of roasting chestnuts
and mulled wine wafting to your nostrils. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Especially if you walk down the
Southbank or wander into Hyde Park to get lost in the kitsch glaring lights of
the German winter wonderland equipped with ski chalets and randomly a festive
ghost train!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trafalgar Square has the giant Norwegian tree all lit up in
blue lights which if viewed with Whitehall as a back drop looks stunning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Then you can wander to see Covent Garden were a giant
topiary reindeer was on display. Of course you went via Leicester Square and
saw the mini funfair which is not as garish as winter wonderland but still at sigh
when lit up looks better than it does in the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kn4fVr59Lc/Ut0-LCRBKvI/AAAAAAAACT0/_aTiQtsiT2Y/s1600/IMG_20131218_181116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kn4fVr59Lc/Ut0-LCRBKvI/AAAAAAAACT0/_aTiQtsiT2Y/s1600/IMG_20131218_181116.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>The main shopping streets of Regent, Oxford and Bond are all
out on show and looking their best. People scurried around in the thick
shopping crowds looking for last minute presents or after Christmas where they
fought to get a bargain in the sales.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The Southbank however was a sight to behold. More traditional
with a carousel and sweet shops. But what made me smile were the many types of
mulled drinks on offer. From wine to cider to one with shots. Of course each
was sampled and tasted rather nice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then New Year comes along and everything is taken down, transported
away and put in storage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">London reverts to a grey skied vibrant city without her make
up on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In no way does this mean she is more boring. Of course not!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">London still has so much to do and see but this in my
opinion, mid -January is the best time to see her as the crowds are less hectic
with sale shoppers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">London really is a great city to explore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just think; it is only another 11 months till the lights go
back up again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358207636042561979.post-25493660897962804442014-01-20T07:13:00.000-08:002014-01-20T07:13:00.066-08:00Too much cheer<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas is that time of year where you eat, drink and be
merry. Or in my case drink far too much and ruin your meticulous fitness
regime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPPCqhpCKWg/Ut06-O7wHDI/AAAAAAAACSI/Zle3w7RUloo/s1600/20131221_153845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPPCqhpCKWg/Ut06-O7wHDI/AAAAAAAACSI/Zle3w7RUloo/s1600/20131221_153845.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fake -mas day at mine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Continuous days of drinking send you into a spiral and if it
wasn't for the rugby bike ride out in the fresh air I would have gone a little
stir crazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now Christmas and New Years have come and gone and January
is in full swing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zMAhlboeKK4/Ut06_VHfFtI/AAAAAAAACSQ/36f7Rb7PVIE/s1600/20131221_211454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zMAhlboeKK4/Ut06_VHfFtI/AAAAAAAACSQ/36f7Rb7PVIE/s1600/20131221_211454.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It feels like a long time ago when in fact it was only a
couple of weeks that we were toasting festive cheer to one and all and
consuming our bodyweight in pot and leftover turkey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year seemed to be even heavier than usual. It just so
happened that everything that was planned were on consecutive days and nothing
clashed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other words I was given a golden opportunity to enjoy
myself and dink till I was singing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the 21st I held a fake-mas day at my house. 11 of my
oldest friends crammed into my place where we put a garden patio table together
with my dining table and made them bigger by laying planks of wood in the middle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mehjaCIGjNQ/Ut07BSMyggI/AAAAAAAACSY/RfwrEdHP83k/s1600/PC211238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mehjaCIGjNQ/Ut07BSMyggI/AAAAAAAACSY/RfwrEdHP83k/s1600/PC211238.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fake-mas day at mine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The drinks flowed and the all played the game of hide my
stuff or rearrange my ornaments and fiddle with my Budddhas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was the first time we had done all of that and everyone brought
some item of food and drink with them. I did the meats while others provided the
veg, deserts and starters. All in all it was successful but incredibly tiring.
I seemed to be in and out of the kitchen all day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it came to finally go to bed I dropped onto the pillow
and hit my head with a clunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hidden in my pillow case were beer bottles. In fact beer,
wine and spirit bottle were hidden all over the house ad it took me days to
find them all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following day of Sunday 22nd December was the Ongar
Rugby Club Christmas carols.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Basically we take over the Stag pub and sing from song
sheets accompanied by a keyboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We sang festive numbers and rugby song. I even did a solo
and while this was happening we drank the pub semi dry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of my mates then passed out so we decided to play human
buakcroo with him. Somehow he didn’t wake up as a table, pot plants, guitar case
and all sorts of jump was stacked up on him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To make it even funnier he is a police officer and a certain
daughter of one of our players drew phallic emblems all over him with pen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following day was a wine fest at my bootcamps xmas party
held at a local manor house in the semi-permanent marquees erected outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately it was one of the windiest days of the year and
the marquee shook from side to side and rattled. The lighting rigs jiggled
about and the singer on a rotating piano was drowned out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Therefore we were all moved into the house after eating
where we carried on devouring te all included wine that seemed to be
bottomless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I awoke the next day and it was Christmas Eve. Therefore
that meant only one thing. The traditional Ongar pub time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s the only time of the year certain people (myself
included) all come back to Ongar and meet in the pub. It is like a reunion as
we drink and be silly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas day was the usual and boxing day I detoxed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9a74hhnlUXw/Ut07FyqCpmI/AAAAAAAACSo/Qv4RfOgFUlc/s1600/1479323_10152094653764394_2041864320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9a74hhnlUXw/Ut07FyqCpmI/AAAAAAAACSo/Qv4RfOgFUlc/s1600/1479323_10152094653764394_2041864320_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rugby xmas bike ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fun and games all stared again though on the 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.
Because this was the day of another festive rugby tradition. <a href="http://www.bensadventures.co.uk/2013/04/rugby-bike-rides.html"><span style="color: yellow;"><strong>Namely the bikeride.</strong></span></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rugby bike rides happen in summer and around xmas time.
This years one saw us find a wheelchair in a barn ad go down a hill on it and cycle
from High Ongar all the way to West Hanningfield via a number of pubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally we arrived back in Fryerning and had a good old sing
song at the Viper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You arrive back in High Ongar close to 1am full of booze a
little wobbly o our bike and covered in mud from the cross country stretches.
It is all worth it and is a true festive highlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next days were spent relaxing as soon it would be New
Years Eve and this year we were taking Brentwood by storm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-391YNAiobB0/Ut07EVBP3gI/AAAAAAAACSg/LhR0y-tW_OY/s1600/1501735_10152094652994394_436232228_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-391YNAiobB0/Ut07EVBP3gI/AAAAAAAACSg/LhR0y-tW_OY/s1600/1501735_10152094652994394_436232228_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave Lewis find a wheelchair on the bike ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A new year has arrived ad I must not drink as much. Thankfully
the gym, crossfit and rugby will sort me out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWb2h1vcs6g/Ut07N1LY4MI/AAAAAAAACSw/NbYo1P-Nbjk/s1600/nana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWb2h1vcs6g/Ut07N1LY4MI/AAAAAAAACSw/NbYo1P-Nbjk/s1600/nana.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Messing about with Nana at xmas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2014 what have you in store for me?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqFFiF0I8mE/Ut07P5c3drI/AAAAAAAACS4/KFm62zPW1cI/s1600/PC241294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqFFiF0I8mE/Ut07P5c3drI/AAAAAAAACS4/KFm62zPW1cI/s1600/PC241294.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xmas eve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9UBjK_yF9A8/Ut07Qtc9hDI/AAAAAAAACS8/BuuOBTk8QdU/s1600/nye+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9UBjK_yF9A8/Ut07Qtc9hDI/AAAAAAAACS8/BuuOBTk8QdU/s1600/nye+2013.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Years Eve in Brentwood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAopxQkRwQs/Ut07nRPAqoI/AAAAAAAACTM/NgMp1wdV7mg/s1600/PC231256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAopxQkRwQs/Ut07nRPAqoI/AAAAAAAACTM/NgMp1wdV7mg/s1600/PC231256.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rugby carol singing gets a little messy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738693390375542979noreply@blogger.com0