Day 16 - Biggest climb so far! (Again!)

I cant believe we are on day 16 already. Day 14 of wheeling. So14 marathons done now. Thats doesnt seem that much, or does it? Im really not sure! Every day is blending into one. Im finding it increasingly hard to eat the amount of food i should. The trouble is, i cant eat that much in one go, and when we finish each day, and find accommodation and get checked in and settled, its quite late. So im trying to cram in 4000 + kcals in one go. Thats presuming ive already managed the 2000 kcals during the day, which is also tricky. But the team are heloing loads. Neil went off to the shop after id finished today as got me some muffins and other goodies, which helps. I would eat healthy food, but id never get on the volume id need. Plus, yesterday was such a tough day, i was very depleted today. I felt rough as old boots this morning. I felt so sick and exhausted. Dehydrated and lethargic. I knew i had to sort it out, so i ate my museli, which was tough, and then had a maximum gel. Then another when I got to the start and more and more! 😁

It was Paul's first day. I was worried about how anyone new would get on slotting into the role that Cat was doing. There was a lot to do and big shoes to fill. But Paul took to it like a duck to water. I had no need to worry at all. He was so chilled out and took everything in his stride. A quick intro and we were on our way. I know Cat had meetings with all the drivers to explain what was necessary, and what they were going to be asked to do, and you could tell that Paul really listened.

So we were off. The day began as usual. I got my kit ready. Attached my mini camera to film the whole way. Attached my Garmin, turned on my strava and music. Attached my fluid bottle with water and electrolytes, then the awkward bit. My quick wee wee. Poor Paul, was so understanding. He just took it in his stride and took himself off for a short walk 👌

So, just after 9am we set off. Some stunning scenery. It was nice to be back in the countryside, or so i thought for a moment. That was until there was a strange smell in the air. This strange smell then moved to unbelievable! I went from fresh air, to a rancid stench of faeces! I had no idea at first where it was coming from. I checked my wheels, but there was no way it could be them. It was far too strong. It definitely wasn't me either! (I know what you were thinking! 🤣).Then I looked up and saw the tractor in the field with brown sludge flying with force, out of the back of it! They were muck spreading. It was so strong it was affecting my gag reflex quite badly. I tried to fold my snood a few times over across my nose to make the smell go away, whilst simultaneously wheeling and gagging! I dont really gag at all. In normally pretty good, bit this was plain offensive! It diddnt last too long, at least not it the air. But I think the pong, penetrated the fibres of my snood and hung on in there for a while after!🤣

Just up the road was a nice flat bit for a few minutes and then into a hill. It didn't seem too bad, but it kept going up, and up and up and up... you get He message. I kept looking forward and it was one of those soul destroying moments 💔 Where I kept thinking I was getting closer to the top, so I'd keep going and that top kept on moving. This went on for about an hour. Solidly climbing up a very steep, and bumpy road. The cambers were there, but not too bad. But the bumps, wow! Cake was an underestimation. It was like frozen walnut cake with masses of extra walnuts 🤣

So I kept wheeling, and I was hurting Lot. My back especially as I was having to eat forward and to the right to cope with the camber. So it was very tough. I did eventually get to the top though, which was total elation ☺️ I threw my arms in the air and was so relieved and a pleased.

Then I took a quick break for another wee wee. This is usual when you have to stay hydrated! Pam had my pink speedo towel around my back and across my waist, and my leggins were in the rough position for the female urinal bottle to be plonked in the right area! Obviously by me. I wouldnt let Pam do that! 🤣 When we saw a couple of fishermen strolling up towards us. So i was stood with a towel wralled around my waist, which was held by lovely Pam, and my leggins were down, and they came strolling over for a chat! So there we were, having a nice chat to two scowsers in Scotland, who certainly looked like they were off fishing. They had seen me wheeling previously, and asked what I was doing. It was hilarious and a bit odd! 🤣.

Once I was free to relieve myself and get back to it, I found myself negotiating more cake road, but a good downhill. Which was so great to see. The trouble was, the road was so bumpy that I couldn't get any speed up. In fact the downhill made me almost stop. I actually had to wheel because the surface was so bad. I was worried about my chair and the trackwheel, and weather the surface would damage it. Bolts were loosening, but fortunately it kept together. It was very bumpy, which was a bit uncomfortable, but I got through it.💪

So we carried on. Through big roundabouts, more up hills. Spectacular views of large hills, sheep and wind farms, which i find are really beautiful. Paul was doing such a good job. Letting me know if there was danger and responding if i needed to pull over. Then Pam was her usual, amazing self. She was so reasurring. Whenever i stopped, se jumped out of the car and put her gillet around me to keep me warm. It was very cold 🥶. The first day it had been that cold. We've been really lucky so far. I've had my vest on and shorts for a few days as well, so it had been great. The cold wasn't too bad. It makes wheeling, a little more manageable, than being too hot.

I wheeled myself past some stunning horses, which is ways funny. They don't know what to make of me, so walk to the front of the field, near the road and their heads follow me as far as they can. It's so sweet and funny as well. Cows do the same thing! Sheep do, if they're not too close. If they are close they run away, and then do the same 🤣

Very different to Glasgow, there were lots of people beeping their horns again and shouting very nice comments of support through the windows, which really surprised me. Apparently one lady ran up to the car and threw a £10 donation into it, which was amazing. Again, u can't get used to that level of support. It baffles me. It is so lovely and really makes my day, but still I find it tricky to comprehend why anyone would support me like that. It makes me quite emotional thinking of it. It is so lovely. ❤️

So the day went on, with bigger climbs and when I got to the end I stopped the Garmin, and was super surprised to find that notice again...'congratulations you've just completed your highest climb!'. Higher than the mountains? I thought it was difficult, but woe. That's kind of cool really. 🤯

So we went back to where we have been for 2 nights. The Popinjay hotel. It is so lovely there. I actually managed to go to tea this evening as well. We all sat together and the chef made me something special. That's what they've done the whole time. They've really pulled out all the stops. Made me special food both days, and have been so accommodating. The hotel is truly lovely too. I'd definitely want to stay here again. I will be recommending it to everyone. Not just because the have helped me, but because it is genuinely lovely and comfortable. The decor is nice too and the bed is the most comfortable yet. For some reason, in other places, most beds in Scotland seem to be really soft. So much that me and Cat kept rolling into each other in the night. Which was lovely apart from the fact that we were always hot! So it meant interrupted sleep! 🤣

But at the moment I have a nice normal mattress with a super king-size bed!

So I'm going to sleep now. Tomorrow I have my longest wheel yet. Almost 50km which is over 30 miles. I am already very depleted this week, and it has been my hardest week emotionally and physically, I'm not sure how it will go. But like any other day, I just try to ignore the distance etc, and get on with it 🙂