Made it! Jo (via email)
received @ 04.29 am (UK time) Sunday May 25/2008
I am 100% better today and feel so wonderful now that I do not have a headache like an arrow through the head. Had a really lovely day wondering around Cusco. Serious walking kicks in tomorrow. I think we have to face a further 1000 metres of altitude yet. It is incredible how it hits you and how it affects different people. I know that is what people told me before I left but experiencing it is something very different! Already two of our party have needed the doctor and quite a few of us were really struggling.
There is a fiesta tonight so we will go and watch. A few are off to sample guinea pig – am glad I am vegetarian. I have met some lovely people and heard some amazing stories and I find it incredibly moving how as a group we have all been drawn here. The local people are lovely. Often we are offered things to buy but in not too pushy a way. There is such a positive feeling here and it seems to be woven into the brightness of the clothes. The faces of people are so open, its like you can read their lives.
I had been enjoying taking pictures BUT… Unfortunately the “fool-proof” camera is not so Jo-proof and has given up working this afternoon. Others have said I can share their pictures though which is lucky.
I will endeavour to keep more detailed notes, but now, I am just really enjoying living it.
Jo
This will be a short e-mail, although I have been writing my journal in more detail I am really suffering with the altitude at the moment. Arrived in Cusco today and crikey it really hit me! Nearly got stuck in London when my aunty locked her car keys in the boot at Stanstead (!) but got to Heathrow OK. The flight from Amsterdam was 12 and a half hours – a bit different than the 6 and a half I had thought! (I had not added on the 6 hours time difference for Peru).
Lima was very grey. It is at sea level so there was no problem with the altitude. We spent last night there. Am really hoping that I will adjust over the next 3 days before we climb too high. Just going upstairs is such effort! The group is really nice and we are all helping one another already which is lovely.
I will attempt to write more soon.
Sending lots of love to everyone who reads this!
Jo
After reading an article about a family in Looe who wanted to set up Ellies Haven. Inspired by their daughter Ellie the family recognised a need for a holiday home for terminally ill children. Sophie Ellie’s big sister is a student at Looe Community School where I teach.
I decided to attempt the Inca Trail, trekking at altitude to fundraise for Ellies Haven so any donations what ever the size will be fantastic.
Please click on the link below to donate.
Over the past few months I have convinced myself that many things constitute training. Dancing until 3am being one of my favourite…..
Bank holiday weekend however must surely be classed as a training triumph – with no exaggeration.
I went with my good friend Cathy to Wales. We have been before, it’s somewhere that we have both always enjoyed going. We have gone with other friends ans with their children, but this time it was just us and the dog. See proper serious training…..
Cathy has run lots of half marathons and is much fitter than me. She is also much more of a camping expert and put the tent up in about 2-3 seconds.We borrowed a foot pump from the guy at the campsite and spent the next 20 years inflating the air beds. The campsite was by a lake, surrounded by steep, dramatic mountains. After pitching the tent we set off. Randomly. If I have learnt one thing from the weekend then it would be to take a map. Although in actual fact if I combined my sense of direction with my map reading skills I’m not sure I would be any better off. For the first walk we quite quickly found signs showing a little white figure walking so we followed them up a very steep ascent, eventually reaching a very jagged outcrop of rock was scaled. Views were just amazing. It was a gorgeousdayand by the time we had reached the top it was late afternoon. We were incredibly lucky with the weather but the ground was absolutely sodden. At one point we were completely surrounded by bog that became deeper and deeper. The only way through seemed to be to scale the metal fence going over the deepest part of the bog. I set off. Precarious isn’t even close to the experience. Every time the wind got up it seemed to sway the fence so keenly that you had to cling on with all your strengthand try to focus on balancing as best as possible. Half way across with no wood to grab on to. I really thought I was heading head first into the bog. At that point, spread out like a squashed fly Cathy announced it was a perfect photo opportunity. Simultaneously the bog lurched towards me and it took every fibre of my being to stay above land. I amde it over the bog, emerging minus my sunglasses, and absololutlydoubled over withlaughter, repaying Cathy with a photo opportunity of her elegant crossing.
By the time we returned to the campsite it was almost dark. I could feel the ache of the climb in my legs and felt really pleased we had been through such a good workout. tucker soon sussed out who was friendly on the campsite and imediately located the best place to get his ears tickled. After a lovely meal we all slept like bricks. The next day we were ready for Snowdon.
Snowdon however was not quite ready for us. After a really rewardng climb up the South Ridge – being able to see the summit and the land below all the way we reached the top… And a fog descended. We made our way down the opposite side of the mountain but somehow we missed our intended path and eventually found oureslves …lost! Fourtunately other people were lost too. A couple of men – who had a map and a man with his daughter – who had sat nav.
Despite their pathfinding aides we were none the wiser. In fact between them they navigated us to a sheer drop. Then went to beat a hast retreat. Cathy however was far more fearless and within seconds had begun the precarious scramble down a sheer slate scree drop. I followed with an over eager Tucker. Not to be left out the other four also took on the descent. Eventually we made it down the 1/2 a mile or so. Legs like jelly we then found a way through a wall engulfed in barbed wire – Tucker is good at some things but he has virtually no sense of danger and potential pain….
After more sodden miles we found a road and set about the 8 (or so) miles back to the car park. Crikey what a long road. Fortunately the two men had reached their car before we reached ours. Showing exceptional kindness they came back to find us – thank goodness!
It took some time to reach the car park in the car. I reckon it would have had us crawling on our knees if we hadn’t had a lift!
So over 8 hours of walking gave me some indication of how the trek might be, pity i won’t have Tucker pulling me up the mountain!
So the last weekend before the trek and the training programme suggests having a rest! Great! I will go to Padstow with my mum and eat cheesy chips and ice cream in case they don’t have either in Peru!
Just 4 days to go. Have made a start on packing. My friend Debs is coming round tomorrow to help me finish and to bring her scales. The luggage weight is specific so I will probably have to be a bit more strict in my choices.
Jo Christensen 8)
Well that’s it! Easter Holidays over. Gone in a flash. Obviously a holiday from school for 2 weeks and 2 days is an ideal time to get into a rigorous training programme….
I would like to say that I have averaged 10 miles a day. I would like to say this, but unfortunately it would involve some exaggeration. Not much though.
I got off to a rather stilted star. Walks on the local moor twice a day for the first two days, also a bit of an adventure in Golitha Falls, trying to follow the river over the boulders as long as possible (resulting in one grazed knee and very wet shoes). Then, a bit of a lapse with a couple of nights out. Although I didn’t drink too much and danced a fair bit, surely dancing is a very good way to train….
Then down to Penwith where I began to walk further, including an attempt to reach and ‘rock’ Logan’s rock near Porthcurno. I was told later it no longer rocks so feel reassured that I probably reached the right one. It was all rather precarious, juggling Tucker and trying to stay upright in the wind.
The light at West Penwith is really incredible. Late afternoon is my absolute favourite time when everything melts into a pinky gold and the moor echo’s russet. Three days later I returned home now in a much better frame of mind to take on larger distances tuckers twice daily walks last much longer, though I have to say that I have let the running side of things go and am still none the wiser about upper body exercise. On the Friday I went with my friend Ian to Dartmoor. Ian is a very reliable walking friend, unlike me, can read maps and has an excellent sense of direction. We walked from Princetown to Ivybridge – about 14/15 miles. Fortunately Ian took his GPS. Despite attempts to follow a course on the map we found ourselves in a nowhere type place – only animal bones seemed to be our markers – and I was really glad he had thought to bring so much equipment. I didn’t seem to be too bad with the distance. After 8 miles I sort of settle in to my stride and seem to be able to keep going. (I have to say I resorted back to my old boots as the new ones had made my heel bleed).
One thing I really can’t deal with is the cold. I definitely need to wear more thicker layers. After a couple of hours I felt cold to the bone. My hands were blocks of ice and I had to keep quite a fast pace to get warm. We couldn’t stop for breaks, although at one point the hail stones physically stepped us. All around the cloud looked like mini-tornados were spiralling down. When the hail hit it was huge. Tucker and Jess (Ian’s dog) were really struggling. Soon I had to squat down so I could protect the back of my knees, and tucker! All I could think about was hot chocolate, I had a sort of mantra ‘soon this will end and you will have hot chocolate’. At least I’ve find out what works as motivation! I think I had better pack some when I go to Peru!
Later on in the pub (with some hot chocolate) we chatted to people who had arrived to do the Ten Tors training weekend. I heard that the next day 18 people had to be air lifted off Dartmoor due to the cold weather conditions. I can really see how that could happen. It seemed the moors switched randomly from season to season.
More days in Penwith. Longer distances still for three days it was at least 10 miles a day……….
Back in South East Cornwall I walked from Portwrinkle to Whitsand Bay with my friend Lisa. It is a beautiful day. We are lucky to see a new born calf take its first steps, its mother nonchalantly eating grass. It’s like the middle of summer (in fact the hottest day of the year so far) and when I get home I see how sunburnt I have become. Even tuckers nose has turned pink!
A good friend came to stay so more walking with lovely company. Golitha Falls again this time being tucker led – rather scary as he often scrambles up very tricky places! Also Cardinham Woods taking the highest trail.
The last couple of days have been local sessions. Twice today have – probably only probably only 6/7 miles- fortunately dodged the snow! Seems a world away from last week’s sun but what I have heard quite similar ranges in temperature to Peru. Back to school tomorrow I hope the miles don’t decrease too much. Looks like I might have to start that running caper again…
Well, things have been – and still are until the break up for Easter on Wednesday - hectic at school. GCSE Drama exams are this coming week and the Friday before last was a performance of Arden City. The play was performed by year 10 students as part of a National Theatre project. In June they will perform the play at the Drum theatre in Plymouth.
Doing a play always reminds me of the power of a group. there is usually a period of time in this process when things don’t seem to be going as well as they might be. Its as though everyone is pulling in different directions. Then, hopefully, luckily the mood changes and it seems as thought the collective force of the group that shifts and pulls together enabling the possibility of completion to emerge.
I remember how the group dynamics will be on the trek. It seems to be a fairly unusual situation, to spend ten days with a group of people that you have never met. Fourunately I like meeting new people! I will be intrigued to see if this new group will go through a process.
New boots had an outing at Golitha Falls today (Sunday). Me and Tucker spent a good few hours clambering over the boulders and grappling up the river bank. The water was high, and really fast after the crazy weather.
Have planned to walk from Princetown to Ivybridge during the holidays as well as doing as many coastal walks as possible.
Last weekend I walked in Dartington before visiting a frined in Bovey Tracy. My friend’s husband offered to take Tucker for a wlk along with their new dog and their two children. Everything was going well apparently. The party made their way to the park (about 20 minutes away) and were enjoying a game with an old football. suddenly, so the story goes Tucker stopped mid game. He looked at the family, each one in turn and then, without warning, turned and ran full pelt out of the park. They had tried to keep up, but Tucker’s lurcher streak won. By the time they reached the buy high street a group of people pointed across the road “He ran straight past us” they said; “Nothing we could do…..” right across the busy main road. By the time they reached my car Tucker had been waiting there for 10 minutes he had remembered the exact route to the park (which he had not visited previously) and was patiently.
Part amazed, part horrified I heard the tale. perhaps he thought he had been dog-knapped? Who’s to say either way it’s left me a little concerned he may suddenly appear in the Andes, tail wagging and a sheepish look in his eye………
Jo
Have a look at another funraiser for Ellies Haven. After the astounding success of his Christmas Eve head shave, he is now planning his next charity fundraising event. This time, he is raising as much as he can for Ellie’s Haven by walking 263 miles around the coastal path of Cornwall in 17 days. This site will track the progress of the walk from planning to the walk itself.
For more information have a look at jimmy web site jimmy walks cornwall
Last weeks efforts to break in new boots were not matched this weekend. The boots have stood quietly in the corner. I justify this by reasoning that training needs to place in a variety of ways. This weekends was ‘cultural!’On Friday night a Canadian theatre company ‘Ghostriver’ came to Looe Community School to perform their play ‘Mesa’. To be honest spending more time at school hadn’t been an appealing thought but I am so glad I did. ‘Mesa’ told the story of a mans journey to escort his wife’s grandfather to his trailer home in Arizona. The writing was beautiful, very honest and without falling into a sentimental durge this simple story of a relationship was shared energetically. The write came to watch the performance and later explained that two thirds of the script was based on real life experience of escorting his wife’s grandfather. Accompanying the two actors was a guitarist who gave a musical interpretation of the story as it unfolded. It did leave me with a kind of don’t – regret – the - things – you -haven’t – done type of feeling that I think I would feel if I don’t try hard enough to make sure I get to Peru, to complete the Inca Trail for Ellie’s Haven as well as for me.
Another point of synchronicity is that I am planning a new business, and was hoping to call it ‘Mesa’. (just searched the register of companies in the UK and the name is already used, the web address is also registered). So I will have to re-think. Mesa, not only is a place in Arizona (something I didn’t know) but also a word used by Quechua speaking people in Peru. It means ‘healing ceremony’. It seemed like a fitting description of work using reiki and drama-therapy.
On Saturday cajoled by my friend Helen who teaches music at school I went to a singing event held by East Cornwall Bach Choir. This was held at Liskeard Methodist Church and during the day about 200 of us practised Mozarts ‘Requiem’ before performing it at 7.00pm. Talk about intense. After a couple of hours my head felt as though I had been trying to work out quadratic equations. Five of us from school went. We have a staff choir each Monday lunchtime and we had been learning ‘Lacrymosa’ as part of that. Learning the rest of the piece was very daunting.
It might not sound like training but from all accounts I had had about altitude sickness this must be similar. We had rehearsed sections of the piece in an order that wasn’t the way we actually performed it. so when it came to the performance itself it felt like one long plunge into a dense pool. I am really not sure if I stopped for breath. The physical sensations were tremendous by the end. Fueled by adrenaline and a lack of oxygen I swayed and wobbled. Flushed and gob-smacked I wasn’t sure it was over. It felt like such a whistle stop event! I still can’t quite believe it was all done in a day.
Today I am exhausted. Just a couple of gentle strolls on the moor with Tucker (my dog) those boots will have to wait……
(picture above) The notebook given to me by my teaching colleague Sarah.
I have wanted to visit Peru for years. It is a trip I have day-dreamed about, never really sure if it would actually happen.
I don’t know what it is that draws me to Peru. Another notion I suppose. What it is that leads us to any place? I can’t help but feel it is highly important significant place and acknowledge that I am on the edge of a spiritual quest, egging me on to see Machu Picchu for myself.
For sometime it was difficult to find a way to go. Money circumstances and a million and one vague reasons that come and go on the breeze. Practically I felt the constraints of a teaching job. Charity treks in holidays seemed non-existent.
Then last summer holidays (2007) I found a trek that was taking place exactly over half term the following May (2008). It couldn’t believe it! My aunty and uncle surprised me by paying the deposit for the trip. (Believe it or not, the deposit had become the biggest block at that point) I booked my place I was all set. Then disaster struck the trek dates changed. The whole trip had been brought forward by a week. Suddenly it felt like it couldn’t happen.
Term Started. Just before I went back to school I went to see Nikki my neighbour. On her kitchen table was the Cornish Times (newspaper). I read an article about a family in Looe who wanted to set up Ellies Haven. Inspired by their daughter Ellie the family recognised a need for a holiday home for terminally ill children. Sophie Ellie’s big sister is a student at Looe Community School where I teach. When I returned to school I knew I had to be brave and just ask if it could be possible. I wrote a letter to the School governors and fear the worst.
To my amazement, I was allowed the time off to do the trek. I had been so sure that they would say no even thinking to go to Peru would only be possible if I stopped teaching.
Ellie’s family and the staff and students at the school have been supportive and positive. Various event have already taken place; bag packing, concerts, performances. A non-uniform day on the 25th of January 2008, Ellies 3rd birthday. Our school and a number of others took part. We made a film supported by Jenny at BBC Spotlight. More events are planned and the school is committed to raise as much money as possible.
So the story so far! Not as short as I a planned but I wanted to set the scene.
I will try to honestly share my dodgy training attempts and fleeting thoughts as I plod towards the trip itself. Today my ‘serious run’ had the welcome side-track of a golden retriever getting over friendly with Tucker (my dog). It would have been at least three miles but for that …… Jo
(picture above) The first pages of notions and dreams as I prepare for the Inca Trail, Peru.
This is Jo Christensen preparing for her funraising Inca Trail trek in support of Ellies Haven, Cornwall, UK
