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Jules Eaton’s Website |
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Latest News |
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23 May 08 Well folks—I’ve done it!
Left pic shows me wetting my feet in the North Sea on Thursday morning, and on the right I’m celebrating my safe return with Donna and Tom at home. Special thanks to Donna for all her support and for being webmistress on top of an already very busy working day.
Many, many thanks to all my friends and colleagues who have given so generously—knowing that I was raising over £10 per mile certainly kept me going through the pain barrier on the tough days.
22 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) Mission accomplished ! 0940 @ St Cyrus - the North Sea. Now, where's the pub ?
21 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) Wed is last hill day & I started down Glen Esk at 0615. Lovely dale walking similar to North Yorkshire. Made Edzell by 1115 so had monster brunch then slogged along roads to pitch camp by 1400- traffic for 1st time in fortnight! Fingers crossed to finish at sea tomorrow. Glen Esk
20 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) Tuesday started with last steep climb, from Cloua up 2 2500 feet past Loch Brandy. Bleak again over the tops but magnificent views. Good walking but no tracks, so compass in hand. Shank of Inchgrundle
Hard work through peat & heather to Shank of Inchgrundle - great name but painfully steep descent to Loch Lee. One hour walking in rain then dry 4 rest of day. Superb hospitality at Tarfside ended tough day well. Monday: Feet better for 36 hrs R&R but knees v stiff today - left Braemar at 0600 in deep frost. Climbed steadily on Jock's Road past loch Callater, then very steep up to Lochnagar plateau - toughest climb yet, especially with 4 days food & fuel. Wild on tops with a little snow but great views. View back along route- Glen Doll Started 7km before loch
Good walking solo across tops - excellent compass work revision. Steep descent to Glen Doll then long valley walk to Glen Clova & bunkhouse. Tomorrow is steep again but should be good if visibility holds.
19 May 08 After waiting in line for the phone box for 20 minutes, Jules managed a quick call home. He had a tough climb today (sometimes on his hands and knees!) but has clocked up another 29km. His knee is aching a little but apparently not at the op site (not sure if that is good or bad). He has a text waiting to send when he can get a signal. ‘Til then……
17 May 08 Jules phoned this afternoon, as he had arrived in Braemar slightly earlier than expected. He was having a well earned rest (in the pub!) with a number of other people he has met along the way. Although his knees are a little sore from walking across the boulders whilst going through the pass, he says he has had a wonderful couple of days.
16 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) Have just climbed this... And am starting this...
Gr8 weather am so am making a dash while it lasts.
Have safely made my way through Cairngorms; the toughest part of the Challenge so far. Set off @ 0700 & climbed hard reaching top of Lairig Ghru pass @ 1030- the view back & the top of the pass, fearsome hard work 2 get through the miles of boulder fields. Got lower down Glen Dee b4 weather worsened & decided 2 push twds Braemar - 32 km today! Short walk Sat then rest day Sun, 4 which I'm more than ready.
15 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) Left Kingussie @ 0630 & had lovely weather on 25k leg through forests to camp @ 1000ft. Now @ start of Lairig Ghru pass, which I'll climb tomorrow - should make Braemar by Sat pm for rest day Sunday . Legs holding up better than feet which r now covered in tape! Pic - the pass.
14 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) Great weather going over Corriearric Pass although v hot when sun burnt through . Camped @ Garva Bridge - stupendous! After cold night set off @ 0600 to avoid heat. 35 km today to Kingussie so feet are in tatters, but knees r hanging in so far! Garva. Nice eh?
13 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) Top of Corriearric Pass. 800m. Fantastic!
12 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) Days 1 to 3 have passed safely. Tough but beautiful country - on a huge scale. Going very hard in places, sometimes down to 1 mph. All sorts of weather but rain every night so packing wet tent each am. Knees, feet & morale holding up. Am still enjoying it so far! Pic- 2nd camp.
Day 4 hot & sunny, & longest so far @ 20 miles. Quite a few Challengers dropped out 2day due 2 injury inc my US pal Mark, feet v sore but ok. Plan 4 early start 2 avoid worst of heat (but still have all my winter kit 4 mountains)! Fort Augustus v attractive - see pic of locks.
11 May 08 Jules managed to find a phone box today as there isn’t a mobile signal where he is at the moment. He sounded chirpy, although he has a few blisters on his feet and the weather is rather drizzly. There are plenty of fellow trekkers around to share some banter as they make progress.
8 May 08 (via text then written by Donna) A long but relaxed journey north, by slow train, through fantastic scenery, in blazing sunshine. Arrived in Mallaig for quick shower at B and B, then great fresh haddock supper at harbour. Early bed with stinking cold. Lots of hardened Challengers about. Have some butterflies but am looking forward to trek.
7 May 08 Jules is flying up to Scotland early tomorrow morning, so it is over to me (the home PA) to keep you up to date with his progress (let’s hope it is progress!)
6 May 08 Thanks to Jon Wallace at the RAF Benevolent Fund Press Office, the Swindon Advertiser kindly carried an article today publicizing my Challenge. Whilst not entirely my own words, there is no such thing as bad publicity when raising funds for charity. You can see the article here:
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Getting ready for the off; training on the Ridgeway |
