All Good

Three weeks after the Microdicectomy and all seems ok, a few twinges and aches but all to be expected.

I am desperate to start training for next year, however, I am not to lift above 10k for three months which is hard to do, the only real exercise I am allowed to do is swim which I dont mind., so off to the pool it is.

I have started preparing for the Arctic next year and I have recently purchased various items including, new exhaust to lighten weight of bike, guard for headlight, some modifications for engine and a new Rukka suit :)

Getting Fixed

Finally it looks like my long term back problem is to get fixed this weekend.

After another MRI scan its was finally concluded that I have a slipped disc, so surgery this weekend.

3 months of not doing much lifting, but on a positive note I should be in good condition for when the adventure to the Artic cirle starts next summer :)

Not Happy

Not alot planned for the rest of the year apart from the channel crossing. Im far from impressed with the safety crew as they do not seem to be making muh effort to get me across the channel, even though they have had their money for over 12 months now. It is becoming a joke now and I can only apologies but they keep telling me when the weather is right they will get me across..... mmmmmmm

P.S. Im doing the Taffy Dakar next weekend, hopefully get the adrenalin flowing :))

All recovered and ready for next challenge

After numerous sessions with the osteopath I am pleased to say my back is a lot better, a lot of the issues were down to sitting in the kayak position for five days, (Its a common symptom I am told).

I therefore am itching to finally complete the channel crossing and as soon as I get the nod from the safety crew that the seas are good I will be attempting the challenge.

Thank you for all support and kind donations :)))

Days 1 & 2 video

https://youtu.be/4IsVZa7ll6k

Leeds to Liverpool Canal .......... DONE

Well, that was harder than I ever thought.... 127 miles in 5 days.

I do not think there is a part of me that does not ache, Charity figure is up to £4200 ish

I had quite a lot of luck when finding places to stop of an evening and not to many incidents, a hard challenge but very rewarding.

Thanks for all the donation, a video will be on you tube in the coming week,,


Weh Hey !!!!!

I will be putting more photos and a little more about the challenge in the week as right now I just want to jump in a nice warm bath..

Glass Back

Hopefully the back will hold out now, thank you so much Paddy for fitting me in for a back cracking session and my first experience of acupuncture.

I am now on the baking soda and water treatment, (stop the lactic acid build ups) tastes awful but if it does the job I will drink it all day.

Roll on tomorrow.

1 day to go

1 day to go and I am getting nervous, woke this morning and my back is not good booked into a Osteopath for 9.30 and I am praying he can do something, but whatever happens I am going to attempt this challenge.. fingers crossed I can do it.

All looking good

Not long to go now and the back is feeling a lot better after a rest from gym and kayaking. My only concern now is I have not trained enough but we will just have to wait and see :).

I received an email from the canal river trust recently asking me to get in touch with them and my heart sank as I thought there was some legality I had over looked and they were going to inform my that I could not attempt the challenge,

However, it was the opposite, they wanted to know if they could help in anyway. That is such good news as there were a few grey area I was a bit unsure of. They have arranged for me to be allowed to go through the 1.3 mile long tunnel in the kayak. (saves a not so nice walk over the hills with the kayak) and hopefully a key for showers and fresh water along the way amongst raising awareness.. Thank you so much.

Getting excited

Two weeks to go

With only two weeks to go I am getting nervous, I am not training much due to a back injury returning after a game of golf, (typical) I have not played for ten months and my back has not played up. At least now know that golf is not good for my back, time for a new hobby :)

I am sure all will be good in two weeks.


http://m.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/13316652.Widnes_dad_tackles_more_challenges/#PhotoSwipe1433970177537

Facts, Leeds - Liverpool Canal

Total distance is 128 miles, 3 3/4 flg and 90 locks. There are at least 57 moveable bridges of which 4 are usually left open. 8 small aqueducts or under bridges. 2 tunnels and 1 major aqueduct.

Leeds to Liverpool

Due to the channel crossing looking like its not going to be happening until July now. I have now booked a date to kayak the Leeds - Liverpool Canal. I intend  to complete this challenge over five days starting on 25th June until 30th June. Weh Hey, the weather cannot stop this one :))))))

Challenging

I am learning that the most difficult part of this challenge to cross the English channel is actually getting to attempt the bloody challenge.

This weather just is not behaving and unfortunately after getting prepared its off again and the safety company are not available until July now.

So, on a positive I can now get some miles in and I am considering doing the Leeds to Liverpool challenge possibly before the channel crossing now..

Windy

Next week is not looking very good weather wise, the forecast is for high winds so unfortunately it looks like it is not going to happen. I have had a couple of sessions out in the kayak but no way near enough, hopefuly this delay will allow me to get a few sea miles in..

2 weeks to go

Fantastic weekend on the Taffy Dakar, glad to say no injuries :)

Very concious of the fact I now need to get some miles in the kayak, very busy as work so going to try and get out on the canal (not ideal as I could do with some wave practise) tonight and again on Thursday night.

I would love to get a 20 miler in before the challenge.. head down and lets get paddling...

Not long now

About three weeks to go, I have not done a lot of training and I am off to hopefully complete my first Taffy Dakar this weekend so that should be quite a workout.

Going to knuckle down next week and get some miles in.

Back in the water

Feeling sore but good, 13 miles done today from Llanrwst to Conwy.

Only eight weeks to go, got to get the miles in now :)

New date for cross channel kayak

I have booked the week commencing the 18th May 2015 to attempt to kayak across the English channel to France.

Hopefully the weather will be kinder than last year and I can get this challenge done.

Training to start in February.