Tag: get outside

Richmond Park London

Exploring Richmond Park with the family.

It’s unbelievable really that it’s only 10 miles Central London and covers 2500 acres.

This week I have been stepping up how much I walk and exercise to get into a steady routine built into my everyday life. I want to be as fit and as focused as I possibly can for my trek up Kilimanjaro for Child Bereavement UK.

Truth be told I have been frightened of days like this ‘family days’ and being happy. It was after a family morning out that my husband got ‘the call’ the one thing you never want to have ‘there’s been a car accident and Asten’s been airlifted to hospital’. Even at that moment I never thought it was going to be as bad as it turned out. Since then whilst we have days out I am always worried about being too happy of letting myself be completely relaxed. But I am getting there knowing that I cannot change what happened and I can live my life with those still around me making the days we have as happy as I can. This is the unseen mental health journey of grief. To make a donation to my trek for Child Bereavement UK please donate here.

Parking was free and plentiful today at Roehampton Gate. We picked this gate as bikes could be hired here. Perfect place to explore safely with the family.

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The Journey So Far

My world in one picture.

A year ago today I married my soul mate.

A blink and we have been together 16 years.

I look at the children who now tower above me and feel so lucky to have every one of them.

Now let’s get on and create another chapter of our life.

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Samphire Hoe

It was a little misty out today.

Samphire Hoe is at the foot of the cliffs between Dover and Folkestone. It is ideal for a short walk for many abilities as there is a wheelchair and pushchair friendly path.

There is a small tea Kiosk serving a variety of snacks and drinks.

The car park is pay and display but is not expensive.

Today the views were limited but still beautiful, on a clear day you can see France.

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The Challenge Ahead

So it’s beginning to sink in that I have taken on this mammoth challenge to climb Kilimanjaro. The biggest adventures I have ever taken on has been with my family. And for Kilimanjaro whilst I will have a fabulous team I am going to be without my family. And I can tell you now I am going to miss them terribly.

However I am very excited.

Today we took a trip to Go Outdoors and what wonderful staff they had so willing to help and willing to share their knowledge and to let me try things. It will be the first trip of many to outdoor shops, looking to ensure I have the most suitable kit at my fingertips whilst undertaking the challenge.

This picture was when we went on a Go Below adventure in Wales.

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Fields of yellow

The fields of yellow are beautiful but not my friend.

I suffer with hay fever and this is what the first trigger tends to be. I use a over the counter nasal spray, make sure I use sunglasses to protect my eyes and use Vaseline around my nostrils and antihistamine tablets when it’s really bad.

So whilst I love the spring it brings unwanted health implications, for which I have learnt to manage.

This has made me think about making sure that on my trek up Kilimanjaro I have what I need to keep me healthy. There is a lot to consider altitude sickness, blisters, acute mountain sickness, travel vaccinations….so making sure I am prepared and understand what I may need and need to do before is vital.

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Kilimanjaro

I never thought I would be that person, never thought I would loose someone so precious to me, Asten a wonderful daughter, amazing sister and loyal friend. After a serious car accident Asten was air lifted to hospital but devastatingly she lost the battle for her life later the same day.

This has completely shattered our lives, we have had to learn to live again and to deal with the huge unseen mental health issues.

Since Asten passed on 21st May 2017 I have had some of the most heartbreaking conversations with my 2 boys, ‘mum I am so scared when am I going to die?’ and ‘what’s the point if we are just going to die anyway’. And I have felt like a failure not being able to give them the answers they desire. And its thanks to the support of my family, friends and bereavement Councillor that I am getting through this unimaginable loss.

Showing the children that life can go on and it’s what you make of it, is one of the reasons why I am taking on the Kilimanjaro challenge for Child Bereavement UK. Secondly that others can have access to the support after such a loss and finally for me to show myself how strong I still am and I will continue to be.

So if you can please support every single penny will go towards helping a parent or sibling who has been bereaved of a son/daughter/brother/sister/mum/dad.

Support my Kilimanjaro Trek

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Exploring Herne Bay

When I was younger I lived in Herne Bay and today exploring Kent took me and my family back there.

Much of the landscape is similar but there are some big changes, the pier had a fire and so feels totally transformed from what it was when I was younger. The sports pavilion that was at the end of the pier no longer exists.

The seafront gardens are still beautifully manicured with vibrant flowers with plenty of benches to sit and eat your ice cream.

A bronze statue of Amy Johnson who was the first women to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930 stands facing the sea. She sadly lost her life off the coast of Herne Bay in January 1941.

A lovely few hours spent on the penny machines, walking along the pier, discussing the sea defences, eating ice cream and strolling along the coast line.

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