Hi everyone,
As some of you may know I've had a rough six months. I fell off a stepladder in August and smashed up my left wrist. I had an operation to plate it & some synthetic bone granules inserted to fill the gaps where the bone was crushed away. I'm still waiting for another operation to remove the plates and I don't anticipate returning to work for another three months yet. My wrist articulation is not great and I'm doing an awful lot of physio to try to improve this, and also to stretch the tendons in my fingers.
It's not been a pleasant journey, and it's not over yet. Being self-employed has just compounded the situation.
So, I've decided to do something positive to help my physical and mental health, and also to try to raise some money for a worthy cause.
I've signed up to do "The Falklands Challenge" in June. It's a 10 mile 'yomp' on the South West coast path in Devon to raise funds for The Veterans Charity. They're only a small charity, but they provide rapid support for armed services veterans suffering hardship.
Here's a link to the event, https://www.veteranscharity.org.uk/falklands
If anyone would like to help me raise some funds for this worthwhile cause I'd be very grateful. I have a fundraising page in my name on the following link:
https://veteranscharity.enthuse.com/pf/michael-bowler
I'm not at all fit, so I will be doing some regular lengthy walks to try to get ready, I'm not as fit, or as young, as I was!
Best regards,
Michael.
I'll be donating at some point but also suggest you walk round 'The Falkland Arms' a few times which is also good training for lifting pints of decent ale ;)
Great idea, Michael.
You're raising funds for a very good cause.
I hope you'll have an enjoyable walk in Devonshire in June. You'll likely meet lots 'N' lots of interesting people on the way.
With all good wishes.
John
Many thanks John. I'll do my best.
M.
Good luck with the walk and you will be most welcome down here in Devon.
I'm sure that the sun will shine on you.
Regards
Martin
So, the preparation begins. I hesitate to call it 'training', as that's kinda terrifying.
I've done 3.95 miles in 1hr 9mins. That's countryside footpaths. A couple of steepish climbs, well we are on the edge of the Cotswolds, muddy tracks, & across fields.
If I've done my maths correctly, that's 3.43mph. An acceptable pace. However, my calves are sore & my legs are like jelly, & I'm a puddle of sweat, so, more to do.
Here's a picture looking back at our house.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/150/5604-120325141535.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=150028)
It's been a beautiful day today, so I get a big walk in this morning. 4.2 miles in 1hr 13mins. Didn't feel quite as knackered this time. I think my daily shorter walks are helping.
Here's a different view of our house.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/150/5604-200325233323.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=150340)
It's rather breezy here today, but the sun is out and the clouds are skipping across the sky with some vigor.
However, I stepped it out and did a brisk 4.86 miles in 1hr 23 minutes. That puts me at an acceptable pace to do the 10 mile 'yomp' in a tidy 3 hours, which is my target.
There's still plenty of room for donations, so if anyone wishes to help a good cause I'd be very grateful.
https://veteranscharity.enthuse.com/pf/michael-bowler
https://www.veteranscharity.org.uk/falklands
I was accompanied on part of the walk by a hare, which was entertaining.
Here's a different view of our house.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/150/5604-280325140420.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=150558)
So is it a very small house?
Or is it just far away? :laugh3:
All the best
John P
Quote from: jpendle on March 28, 2025, 03:19:10 PMSo is it a very small house?
Or is it just far away? :laugh3:
All the best
John P
I could tell you...
Mick, thank you for your generous donation.
M.
Another walk, another pic.
I'm sticking with last weeks route, but with a little tweak to get it over the 5 mile mark. Managed to do it in 1hr 28mins, which, considering how blustery it was, is pretty tidy.
Unfortunately the wind meant it was a walk devoid of birds & animals who obviously decided to hunker down.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/150/5604-040425153536.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=150788)
Hi All!
Haven't posted for a while.
I'm still doing a daily walk, and once a week I'm doing a sprightly 6 miler which takes about 1hr 45mins.
I've already posted the best pictures, everything is looking a bit 'brown' round here at the moment.
The actual walk is on 14th June, so it's rapidly approaching.
I'll give it another plug. This is the charity I'm raising money for:
https://www.veteranscharity.org.uk/falklands
And here's a link to my fundraising page:
https://veteranscharity.enthuse.com/pf/michael-bowler
Many thanks to
@martyn for his donation yesterday.
Hi,
I've just had a donation from David Busfield, thank you very much for your support.
I'm not sure who you are, I'd be grateful if you could make yourself known so I can thank you properly.
M.
Thanks
@Southerngooner for your donation, it's much appreciated.
:wave:
Hi all,
I've had another donation today. Very kindly, Trevor Lamb has donated to the Veterans Charity.
I'd be grateful if you could let me know who you are on the forum so I can thank you properly.
All the best,
M.
Quote from: emjaybee on June 11, 2025, 12:14:53 AMHi all,
I've had another donation today. Very kindly, Trevor Lamb has donated to the Veterans Charity.
I'd be grateful if you could let me know who you are on the forum so I can thank you properly.
All the best,
M.
My best guess would be TrevL :doh:
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 11, 2025, 10:35:33 AMQuote from: emjaybee on June 11, 2025, 12:14:53 AMHi all,
I've had another donation today. Very kindly, Trevor Lamb has donated to the Veterans Charity.
I'd be grateful if you could let me know who you are on the forum so I can thank you properly.
All the best,
M.
My best guess would be TrevL :doh:
It is.
:thumbsup:
Hi all,
Ive had another kind donation this morning from Chris Parker. Chris, if you could let me know who you are on the forum so I can thank you properly I'd be grateful.
Thanks,
M.
Quote from: emjaybee on June 11, 2025, 11:23:28 AMHi all,
Ive had another kind donation this morning from Chris Parker. Chris, if you could let me know who you are on the forum so I can thank you properly I'd be grateful.
Thanks,
M.
Okay, so I'm not thinking properly. Our beloved leader is Chris!
Thanks
@Tank
;D You're very welcome. Good luck with it! :thumbsup:
Hi everyone,
I successfully completed the Falklands Challenge walk on Saturday.
The weather was kind, warm & breezy. I met some interesting people in the course of the day, & they had a short little memorial ceremony and laid a wreath at the Falklands memorial at the entrance of the Royal Marine barracks at Chivenor when everyone had finished.
I completed the 10.45 miles in 3hrs 2mins. I have discovered, however, that weekly 6 mile walks in the countryside are completely different to 10 miles on tarmac! I have a couple of nice blisters to show for my efforts.
I'd like to personally thank the following people for their support:
@Train Waiting@Newportnobby@busbar@Southerngooner@martyn@TrevL@TankBetween yourselves & other friends & family I raised the fantastic sum of £420 for the Veterans Charity. The event as a whole raised somewhere around £3,500.
Watch this space as its a yearly event, so you may be hearing from me again!
Thanks again for all the words of encourage & support.
Best regards,
Michael.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/5604-150625223121.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=153157)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/5604-150625223623.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=153158)
Congratulations, Michael.
An most worthwhile sum raised for an excellent cause.
With all good wishes.
John
Excellent work, Chap. Well done :claphappy:
Well done. A great achievement. :)