Day 1 of the actual challenge 💪
Today was the first day of the epic challenge. It began a little rushed. Cat and I missed the alarm going off. We were sharing a room with Pam, who did her very best to wake us up, but had no luck! I was very tired from lack of sleep the previous night, and Cat sleeps like a log! So it was a good job Pam was there
to set the alarm ⏰️
We got to the Sign post nice and early. In the pooring rain with very high winds. Steve, Helen and Barry and Steve's wife (who is so lovely, but my rubbish brain won't let me remember her name!), were there. Waiting for me to set off. Which was lovely. Then it was a mad rush at the last minute to sort everything out for a live Sky Sports News broadcast. We were supposed to be on line with them at 08.30. Poor Neil had an emergency work call, but he was the only person who had the link for the interview. So Cat was ferociously banging on the van door! Poor Neil! But all was good in the end. The interview went well, I think 🤔 And then it was a quick loo stop (a trend here in my posts!) And off to the Signpost! Already there were a group of tourists, who were, ironically from Exeter. Who would have thought it? We could have given them a lift! Although, I doubt they were wanting to spend 45 days travelling home after a lunatic in a wheelchair 🤣
So start time! It came so quickly, that I diddnt have time to get nervous. Although I must have been. My mouth was exceptionally dry for a while, which always happens to me at the start of anything! Adrenaline I think. Although that hormone definitely dissent help with what I faced within 2 seconds of wheeling. It was straight into a steep hill, which diddnt end for a while, with a massive headwind and rain, which makes the pilushrims slippery. So I have to grip them with everything I have. Which is why my forearms feel like the muscles have bee attacked by a trimmer, now! 🤣
But just a while up the road , I saw a bunch of cows. Well, they were exceptionally interested in what I was doing. 2 of them stood up from laying down, and followed me, even turning round to have another look. I would soon find out that sheep and more down would share the same interest! 🤣 I even saw a sheep-cow! A sheep with the markings of a black and white cow!
So I was wheeling like mad. Along the lonely roads. But it was far from lonely. So many cars tooted their horns, and filmed out of their windows. It happened all the way. It was so incredible, and really quite emotional. I did not expect that at all. Then going through Thurso 2 people were waiting by the side of the road to hand cash into the support car. Wow! Again, omg. Really incredible ❤️
Going through the end of Thurso began the big hills. I did over 1000 feet of climbing on this day. I wheeled a total of 42km, which is a marathon. I've never wheeled hills like that before with headwinds which must have exceeded 70mph. It was tough! The hills diddnt stop for the last hour and a half. By the time I came to the end, I felt sick to my stomach, and felt a bit faint. My own silly fault. I diddnt drink enough!
I diddnt want to have to stop to wee too often. I'm not a boy, so don't have the luxury of simple relief. I can't squat either! So it's standing up with a girly urinal bottle and a towel in between 2 car doors, with poor Pam having a view of my arse! (Told you I'd be honest!) So not wanting her to suffer that too often, I diddnt hydrate as much as I should. But then again, Pam is so chilled out and has such a lovely look on things, that I know, and she told me, that she diddnt mind at all!
We also went through an awesome place called 'Dunnit' which, of course elicited a cheer from me, saying, 'I've dunnit!' And throwing my arms in the air! 🤣
So I made it! Day one complete! I'm now in my hotel. Which is quite nice. Although Cat and I have twin beds! We've never slept apart, when being together! Not ever. Even if we have a disagreement, we still sleep in the same bed, so this is rather odd not doing! But tomorrow is a new place!
I'm told, tomorrow is harder as well! 🤯 So I'd better get some sleep! ❤️
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Lexi Chambers