My lovely daughter was singing and dancing at 7.00a.m. this morning and all because the day had come for her outward bound week away. The energy levels in the house were great and just imagine that multiplied by about 40 when we got to school - such excitement. At 3.30 I got a message from the school to say that they had all arrived safely and I could picture tham all struggling upstairs with their cases and finding their beds etc. Tomorrow the fun really begins but I am sure there will be something in store tonight too.

Today I have been working on putting a list of walking festivals on the website and there are so many that the job has taken hours and is still not finished. Very tiring and a little frustrating but great to see that there are so many to choose from and in such lovely places too.

It's time to close down and due to our new found freedom, Alan and I are planning a trip to the cinema.

What progress!

One of the things I wanted from this weekend was productivity and boy have I got it. I am feeling very calm and prepared now as I move into the last week before I go to Peru.

I had the trial run with the kitbag today and got everything in, it was really that easy and that is with my big jacket which I have not decided whether I am taking or not. There is extra room too. I emailed my packing list to the girls, some of whom are feeling rather lost about knowing what to take and Teresa (always on the ball) has added that hers is similar. Smile on face.

Really there are only last minute things to do now and some shopping for suntan cream and wetwipes.

Ellie is all ready and the accommodation is booked for Alan and me. I am really looking forward to having some one to one time with my lovely husband and some exercise is great walking areas. We are going to be on part of Offa's Dyke Path on Wednesday - I can feel the wish to walk it all rising!

I have also found out loads more about what we can do in California and to Ellie's pleasure there are a number of waterparks. Alan will be delighted with that too. I can spend time on the lazy river or go off walking.

Finally sorted through some of my mega paper piles and threw things out - great feeling and everything is so organised for more productivity tomorrow. Another good week coming up.

Lists and more lists

Due to my dedicated list making time on Friday, I started off yesterday with a pretty good idea of what I wanted to achieve.

Ellie is off to Glasbury in Wales tomorrow on her first outward bound trip so it was here that I started. In my subconscious thoughts I clearly was worried about not having the clothes list to handy so when I awoke at 6.00a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep, I started searching.

Searching for something usually has positive side effects and this was no exception. In going through piles of paper I was able to organise the filing, retrieve a few bills that needed paying and find the paper in question. The rest was relatively easy - the only challenge the old trainers which I shall go and have a final look for in a moment or two.

I also managed to research the ferry times for the Isle of Wight and perhaps I can leave Susan to finalise this when I am away. There will no doubt be responses from the rest of the girls today.

OK off on the shoe search......

Catch up time.

Oh dear, 10 days since I have blogged and the biggest lapse since I started back into this in January. It’s not that I haven't thought about it, it's just been so difficult to find the time.

So what I have I been up to?

Well last week I was training in the depths of the Essex countryside. The venue was superb and the drive up there so stunning that I wanted to stop the car, pull on my walking boots and set off along the numerous footpaths. My fellow trainer may not have been too happy should I have chosen that path so I stuck to the original plan instead and looked at the countryside from the training room and my bedroom too, although I didn't spend much time there.

On the 20th, I had a bit of a day off after my early morning client walk but I had a list of things to get for my daughters outward bound trip as well as other 'to do's' that the day disappeared and I was glad to get home and put my feet up.

Last Saturday, I walked with the East End girls on the 5th section of the Capital Ring Walk and again it was really interesting. This is a walk that will definitely be walked again. I was full of excitement when I met up wit the girls as my kitbag for Peru had arrived that morning and suddenly it all seemed even closer. That feeling has stayed with me all week and today I took a conscious break to write lists of all I still need to do. I am going to have a trial run on packing the kitbag this weekend and see how I get on.

As for this week, well it has rushed by - walking, meetings, networking and the first day of my NLP course. On top of this, I went to see the performance of Midsummer Night's Dream that my daughter has been involved in and it was stunning. In working with the video team, I think Ellie may have found a future career area so I wonder what will develop.

All the children are exhausted after all the hard work they have put in so after a wrap party this morning, they were allowed the afternoon off and as I write are still burning up the energy - where do they get it from. I think however, they will collapse when they hit the pillow.

Meanwhile, my wonderful husband is on his way back from Southampton where he has been training all day. After a 4.00a.m. start, I guess he will want his bed too.

It's a relaxing weekend then for all of us.

Random Huggers

Do you want to be one? Do you want to meet one?

Well until today I was no wiser than you, but then again what an assumption to make, you may be one of these generous people. If you are, I salute you and if you aren't read on.....

A couple of weeks ago I met a loved lady called Margedand she sent an email saying "I did this last year. It is *amazing* and absolutely worth it. Feel free to pass on to anyone you think might like to join in the loveliness." so I had a look at the website and am now so much better informed. Have a look at http://www.randomhuggers.com/

Random Huggers day is Sunday May 6th and you can join in on an organised random hug - sounds a little strange to organise something random but you will understand when you read it, or you can organise your own.

With all the negative things happening in the world, we could all do with a little more affection.

If you do go to the website, click on 'power of a hug' on the bottom left of the home page, it's such a wonderful story.

The Inca Trail is not forgotten, I am still out there walking and working on my lists, today I had a great pedicure in preparation....

The challenge of organising.

Organising anything is never easy and definitely not straight forward and the more people involved the harder it gets. I am sure many of you have experienced this in everything from family get togethers, to meetings, away days and for me walking trips.

The hardest thing, especially where pleasure is concerned is having to disappoint someone at some point as the dates suit everyone else better.

On going for the final confirmation for the Isle of Wight Walk, people's circumstances have changed since last discussed - that's why you go back for final go ahead but once again we are in flux. We'll get there but it would be so lovely to be able to wave that magic wand and take everyone.

In the process of rediness...

I am pleased to see that my fellow Inca Trail walkers are in the same state of readiness as I am . I think it has got to do with the fact that we are all busy people so our trip, although close in many ways, is still quite far away and much has to be done before we get there.

I was out walking again this morning which made me feel great and then spent the afternoon planning the East End girls Isle of Wight Walk - yes, life continues after the Inca Trail and just think how well prepared some of us will be.

I have just spoken to Sandy who with her partnerruns Wight-Walks and they sound great. Just a few forms to fill in now and that too is in the bag.

Time to get back to the book and find out more about the best places in Cusco for real hot chocolate!!!

Yes, more walking this morning but today my thoughts have been turning to all the things I need to take with me. Not necessarilly the clothese but the bits and pieces and also the things I have to do before I go.

Among the bits and pieces are things like spare batteries for the camera and the voice recorder, an adaptor to charge my ipod and what music I may need to add to it. I need to buy some Berroca to wake me up after all the early starts and there are my legs to get waxed, my eyelashes dyed and the pedometer to add to the pile.

Lists, yes, I can see a growing pile of lists.

Only one month to go.

Yes, that's right one month today and I fly off to Peru, in fact at this time one month on I shall be in Lima and the following morning we shall fly up to Cusco. I still cannot believe that it is happening and there is so much to fit in inbetween that I feel it will not really hit me until I am at the airport - or perhaps when I stay at Elaine's house the night before.

I did a fair amount of walking today. I woke early and was in real need of a brisk walk so went out for 50 minutes or so. Being Easter Monday, it was really quiet but it was such a beautiful morning and I really enjoyed not having to share it with too many others. I included the hills and once again was pleased at how easy I found them - I do remember the times when even these would have taken it out of me.

Later on in the day we completed two more county tops for our Pointless Odyssey Trip and those hills seemed really easy - see http://www.pointlessodyssey.blogspot.com

I think my problem on the Inca Trail will be slowing down. I am used to walking at a fast pace but the way to tackle the altitude is slowly, slowly. I will have to ask the girls to remind me of this.

The walk that started it all.

It was on an Easter Sunday just like this that first got me into walking. I must have been in my early teens and as a family, we had gone to the Giants Causeway for the day -
http://www.giantscausewayofficialguide.com/ . The weather was stunning and having wandered down to the Cuaseway itself and clambered all over it we decided to follow the path we could see following alongside the sea.

The walk followed the low level all the way to Shepherd’s steps returning along the cliff path. At the time it seemed a very long walk so I was somewhat surprised to find that it is only 2 miles. Perhaps the narrowness of the path and its rough nature are what slowed us down.

What I do remember vividly though was the spectacular scenery, the colours and the weather. It was great to get the different perspectives on the walk and the Causeway and the memories have never left me. It was so energising and I recall us all being in buoyant mood when we finished. I really must do it again and take Ellie when we are next in Northern Ireland.

If you fancy trying the walk out for yourself click on the following link
http://www.giantscausewayofficialguide.com/local01.htm

Although an all weather walker, I truly love it when it is clear and bright for then the surroundings do look their best and from any vantage point, you can see far and near. The Causeway experience sewed some seeds in me that are now coming to fruition but also the love of the scenery, the wonderful natural surroundings and the freedom that inspires me to walk more and more.

Another county top

After failing to do any Pointless Odyssey for a couple of months we are off on the trail again on Monday.

Our destination is Leith Hill, the county top for Surrey and also enables us to call in and have dinner with Alan's mum.

On Thursday we shall bag a couple more when we head to Suffolk and Norfolk - research coming up. I can feel the adrenaline rising.

Another thing off the list...

Immunisations achieved and no yellow fever needed.

I was out for the day and ended up with friends at the Science Museum. Realised how close this was to Trailfinders Travel Clinic so I popped down and hey presto, success.

No side effects and now I am off to cook dinner for Cathy.

True integration

I had a good day Inca Trail training today and much of it was totally unplanned.

The first bit was my early morning walk with a client and then I rushed home to pick up my daughter, get changed and head off into Central London to spend the day with friends.

Walking from Bank tube station to Monument tube station included a number of flights of stairs due to stationary escalators and then we spent hours walking around the Tower of London. Up onto the walls, up and down stairs in the White Tower, round and round climbing narrow stairs in other towers and so it went on.

The backs of my legs know they have been exercised - how I love it when training is this easy and also so effective.

`Help time is running out....

For my immunisations it is.

As you know I forgot to go on Wednesday and so today at 2.00a.m. on the dot, as requested, I called the doctors. I can attend the travel clinic on April 23rd - well that's not going to do me much good as it's only about ten days before I go.

Seems like the only option is to go to Trailfinders Travel clinic which is, I think, in Knightsbridge. Some web research needed but when?

Out walking first thing, then home to pick Ellie up, have shower and out again. Tomorrow evening I guess.

It will all work out.

So much for starting this last months training well........

.....well it did start OK, in that I was off and walking first thing this morning as my dear daughter slept next door. It was such a beautiful morning and what better way to start the week that a brisk 40 minute walk in the early morning sunshine.

From there I headed to the doctors to sort out the immunisation issue but unfortunately Carmel, the nurse was on leave so I have to call at 2.oo tomorrow. Fingers crossed it can all be sorted as I am now running out of time.

Next stop the supermarket to shop for the next couple of lunches when we play host to friends. Pretty good to have done all of that by 10.00a.m. and be able to fit in a shower even before Ellie came home.

The rest of the day was spent in the garden chatting up with a friend and then neighbours but this evening while watching Miss Congeniality 2 I ate a few too many chocolates. Now I feel over full and am regretting my actions. All I can do is be determined not to repeat this again and be glad that at least I managed to fit in the walk.

Oh no!

Would you believe that I forgot to go for my immunisations on Wednesday? This is so not like me and tomorrow I am going to have to grovel to the receptionist at the doctor's. I mean, I am the person who always lets them know if I cannot make it so I feel really bad.

Wednesday was a busy day but I had mentioned it to Alan in the morning and said that I would be back in time to take Ellie swimming. Then Thursday was full of things to do as well so I completely forgot until Friday and then it was too late to do anything.

Think of me tomorrow morning and hope that they will take pity and be able to fit me in asap.

The last month before the Inca Trail

Sunday is my day off walking but it is amazing how far you can walk round a shopping centre!

These places are usually given a wide berth by me at weekends as I cannot stand the crowds but Ellie needed new school shoes and somehow this was the best time to go. We did get there as it all opened, the shoe buying was quick and simple so how come it was a number of hours later before we left?

Still I had some exercise, Ellie got some much needed bits and pieces and that all inspired a clear out when we got home and her wardrobe too, is looking streamlined and smart.

..and as my Peru trip is never far behind, I got a new bottle complete with insulated carrier which will go on my rucksack belt!

The Rock Trust Kilt Walk

This walk was billed as 'a sponsored walk with a difference' due to the fact that you were being encouraged to walk in your kilt or at least something tartan.

This Edinburgh walk, 5 km long, started and finished in the West Princes Street Gardens and would have been both a historic and picturesque walk taking in the Gardens, the back of the Castle and onto the Castle Esplanade itself.

I congratulate the organisers who clearly planned a real day of it with all who completed receiving a commemorative 21st Century Kilts kiltpin and a Scottish-themed goodie bag plus the opportunity to attend a post-walk concert at the Ross Theatre featuring foot-stomping, crowd-pleasing Scottish band Scocha.

Was this a one off or the start of something new? If anyone knows, please pass on the information as I wish I had known of it earlier.

The Rock Trust works to provide opportunities for young vulnerable homeless and socially excluded people in Edinburgh and the Lothians to develop the personal, social and practical skills, as well as a sense of self worth, necessary for independent adult living. We do this by providing supported accommodation in a mixture of shared and single flats, including specific provision for young mothers and babies, move on support to those moving to their own home, volunteer befriending services for young homeless people and through the Underground: a drop-in healthy living centre based at our offices in Albany Street in Edinburgh to help improve the health of young people who are primarily homeless or in temporary and unsettled accommodation.

Well done them and if you want more information or to find out how to get involved visit http://www.rocktrust.org/