Tuesday 27th September

I have not been able to post anything here for a couple of weeks; sorry about that.  It has been a manic period since I did the Hampshire HACK.  The HACK went well, with relatively few injuries, or so I thought.  Aside from a blister and aching muscles, I had a slight back ache.  This ache however, did not fade after a couple of days like the rest, and a week or so later I ended up at St Richards hospital A&E department.  Before you all berate me for wasting their time, I did try our surgery to get an out of hours appointment but they didn’t answer the phone, and by Tuesday night I’d had enough.  Anyway, I’ve torn a muscle in my lower back.  It hurts like hell, got to take lots of drugs, but trying to muddle through without too many. 

I sold an old guitar that I’ve had since I was about 17 on Friday.  Please standby for a gratuitous plug; here it comes ….. Mike’s Music,

47 Hawthorn Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex

, PO21 2BW – very kindly took the guitar off of my hands in exchange for 90 of the finest English Pounds.  That was quite a bit more than I expected to be honest, and I think if there hadn’t been a few chips and dinks in the guitars finish, I may have got even more.  I am fully expecting to see the guitar advertised in their window for over £150 once their genius technician has worked his magic. 

He was working on a guitar when I went into the store.   The job in hand was to cut slots into a fretless fret board and add some in.  However, these were no ordinary frets, they were there to be looked at and not felt.  A pointless exercise you might say, but apparently the owner of the guitar likes the feel of the fretless board, but would like to be able to see where his fingers are. 

I put some of the proceeds, along with some exchanged Xbox games towards Gears of War 3.  I’ve played the first two and really enjoyed them.  Number 3 does not look like it will disappoint.  I played it for about an hour on Saturday, while my wife watched X Factor, and it was flipping amazing!  The controls have been tweaked ever so slightly which makes the game play even better.  The fact that you used to walk over a dropped enemy weapon and simply press a button for your character to pick up some ammo was crazy.  Now though, you have to hold the button for a second or two, meaning that for that period you are exposed to enemy fire.  Much more realistic!  I think a quick game might be in order tonight.

Ta ta!

The Day of the HACK Cometh!

Another week gone, and only two days to go until the HACK!

Firstly I need to wish my wonderful wife a very Happy Birthday!  I love you baby. Xxx

I have a few things planned for when she get’s home from work tonight.  Namely a little tea party with our daughter.  Why are you blogging this before it happens, I hear you shout?!  Because she is a teacher, and unless she leaves the classroom specifically to read my blog (doubtful), I think I am safe.  I finish work at 4pm on a Friday, so I can get home and set things up before they arrive home. 

Not a lot else to report this week really.  Work has been pretty busy, and most evenings have been spent preparing my end of module assignment.  I have a day off from work on Monday to recover from the HACK, so I will no doubt knuckle down and spend a good amount of time studying.  There will of course be allowances made for an Xbox break, or two!   

 If you would like to sponsor me for the HACK, please visit www.justgiving.com/rick-keates1

The Only Way Is Bognor, via Sharm El Sheikh

And life goes back to normal.  Or rather, the holiday is over and so work begins! 

Our third trip to Egypt did not disappoint as a family holiday.  A good time was had by all, and my daughter coped surprisingly well with the 40 degree heat.  She has the best tan ever!  We are all now what the masses describe as a ‘healthy’ colour.  My wife is much more tanned than I am, but I would say I am reasonably brown. 

We’ve done nearly all of the tourist things in Egypt; temples, pyramids, valley of the kings etc, and since our daughter is too young to appreciate them yet, we did not stray too far from our resort. 

The HACK is only 9 days away now, and training is going pretty well.  I am trying to watch what I eat closely and am feeling much better for it.  I have a 14-15 mile training walk on Sunday, which will stand me in good stead and test my stamina for the real thing.  It’ll be a full dress rehearsal, so my ruck will be packed tight with kit. 

The suggested kit list for your ruck on the day is:

Complete change of clothes,

Water,

Food – including energy sweets,

Waterproofs,

First Aid kit,

Whistle – in case you get lost, or to annoy other walkers!

Torch,

OS map,

Sun cream,

Mobile phone,

Hat – definitely need one this year, the penultimate mile or so was freezing last year!

I’m also taking trekking poles (to relieve the strain on my ankles, as they were shot by the end last year).  So all in all, I’ll be pretty weighed down!

 

Called into Cotswold Outdoor in Chichester today to stock up on Go bars and hydration powder for the training walk and the actual HACK.  I love all shops that sell hiking gear and the like, but I have to say that Cotswold is a little too expensive for me.  I saw a North Face soft shell jacket that looked and felt really comfortable.  Of course that little fantasy was squashed when I looked at the price tag; £150!!!  I am sorry, but places like Mountain Warehouse and Trespass sell the same type of jacket for anywhere between £30 and £50.  That, I can justify!  I’m sure North Face would argue that their product is of far superior quality, and perhaps it is.  But is it really superior enough to justify £150?

Still undecided on what food to take with me on the HACK.  Last year I made pasta with sweet corn, which was ok, but very cold and stodgy after being in my ruck for 5 hours.  This year I am thinking it might be rice with mixed veg and maybe some veg stock.  Perhaps even a little bit of chicken thrown in for good measure.

To be honest, there is little point taking too much, as the guys at the checkpoints are usually stocked up with chocolate bars and fruit.  Still, I can’t guarantee that will be the case, so better to be prepared. 

Not a lot else to write at the moment.

If you would like to sponsor me for the HACK, please visit www.justgiving.com/rick-keates1