I’d only just started working for my present Company when it was last year’s Children In Need. They had a cake sale which raised over £150 which is good except… not really knowing what was expected of me I’d called in Asda on my way to work and spent a tenner on cakes. Got me thinking that with 75 staff if everyone had donated the money they’d spent maybe a bit more could have been raised.

This year’s going to be different. We’re having our cake sale but also a tombola and a boys versus girls footie match. It’s a couple of days before my next 10k so I don’t want to pick up a knock so have volunteered to referee (Have I ever mentioned I am a qualified football referee and when I took the exam came top in Wales, consequently beating every man?)

We’re also having either wear yellow or wear fancy dress or pay a £1 fine.

A quick rummage through my wardrobe revealed the only vaguely yellow piece of clothing I own is my Hi Vis running jacket so fancy dress it is. My team leader stole my original idea of a banana then I thought about being LaLa from the Telletubbies. The head was a bit difficult and as official costumes are copyrighted or whatever it’s called they worked out a bit expensive.

Lying in the bath contemplating, as you do, Morgan’s rubber duck quacked at me and a plan was hatched. (terrible I know!)




There’s plenty of duck costumes out there for about £25 which seems mightily reasonable. Just before I pressed the “buy it now” button got to thinking, surely it would be better to donate the £25 to Children In Need?

Decisions, decisions.

Snowdon

When I decided to “do” Offas’s Dyke I was discussing it with my younger brother, Alan, and he said that he’d always wanted to climb Snowdon. Obviously “ever ready” herself said “Well why don’t we?”

We very quickly hatched a plan that we’d all do it October half term. All being our parents, our other brother and his partner, Alan’s wife and all 6 of our kids.

Bearing in mind it’s virtually on our doorstep none of us have ever got close to climbing it.

My sister in law put her sensible head on and said it would be too much for the little ones. My big brother decided he couldn’t do it. My parents were having their loft insulated, my eldest nephew was in work, Cait was ill so yesterday that left me Alan, my son Jim and Alan’s son Haz.

I’d pulled off quite a bit of information from the internet. Del an old school friend suggested we do the PYG route, Phil a work colleague suggested we do the easier Llanberis route and Alan in his infinite wisdom decided we should do the Snowdon Ranger route.

I’d had an email from Sue a couple of weeks ago asking if I’d managed much training for my Snowdon trip. I must admit I was pretty dismissive after all it’s ONLY 3¾ miles. 3,046 feet of ascent – how wrong I was, I know I should ALWAYS take Sue’s advice.

The forecast for Snowdon over the weekend had been pretty bleak with gale force winds. Yesterday looked the best day but there were warnings of hill fog.

We decided on an early start and for once in my life it wasn’t my fault that it didn’t happen. It was however my fault on the navigation to the mountain. I haven’t quite mastered this sat nav system on this new iphone. Consequently we didn’t start the ascent until noon.

All the signs and all the info suggested it would take 3 hours up and 3 hours down.

Start at the Snowdon Ranger youth hostel beside Llyn Cwellyn about a mile and a half further along the A4085 from Rhyd Ddu. Cross the stile and follow the track of the Welsh Highland Railway until you can turn right onto the metalled track going up to Llwyn Onn Farm. Beyond the farm the trail climbs steep ground but is well graded on a series of long switch backs eventually reaching more level ground as it enters Cwm Clogwyn with Yr Wyddfa towering above. The path crosses a couple of streams and skirts round the edge of Llyn Ffynnon y Gwas before beginning another zig zag climb to gain Bwlch Cwmbrwynog, the ridge connecting Yr Wyddfa with Moel Cynnghorion (see route 8).
From the ridge there are tremendous views north across the Cwm of Brwynog to Llanberis and Lyn Padarn. Behind you to the south and west are the lakes of Cwellyn and Gader, the peaks of the Nantile Valley and the forests of Beddgelert. The path ascends the ridge passing above the brooding cliffs of Clogwyn Du’r Arddu, the forcing ground of a generation of talented rock climbers in the sixties and seventies. The cliffs rise above the small Llyn Du’r Arddu. On the other side of the ridge to your right you can see the three lakes of Cwm Clogwyn. With more zig zags the Snowdon Ranger ascends to meet the Snowdon Railway coming up along the north ridge. There is another finger stone marker here. Cross the line and follow it for the final 15 minutes and 350 feet to the summit.

By the time we got to the railway track I was totally out of breath and of the opinion we should turn back now with all that mist coming down. The views were stunning so we carried on. The path was narrow and quite wet underfoot as it did follow numerous streams. It soon became apparent that I was seriously slowing the boys down. I urged them to press on but they kept waiting for me.

As this was one of the easier routes I think I was expecting a stroll in the park. I was very wrong. The ballast was quite hard underfoot but was nothing compared to what was to come. We literally had to scramble up rocks, I’m not sure what the surface of the path became, rock or slate but I know it was loose and you had to watch your footing.

When we eventually could see the café I was exhausted and it still seemed a very long way off. There were lots of people now making their decent, all urging us on and telling us it was worth it. One girl actually told me that she was crying on the way up but wouldn’t have missed the experience for the world.

At around 2:30,when the boys had waited for me yet again, Alan was of the opinion we should turn back to ensure we got back before dark. I asked the next group of people coming down how long it would take to get to the summit and as their reply was 20 to 30 minutes I made the executive decision that they should go on without me and I’d turn around when they met me on the way down.

I don’t know if it was the sight of the summit but I managed to get a spurt on and when they met me on the way down said I was so close I couldn’t possibly not make it. The last part was particularly difficult with what looked like concrete steps. I fell over a couple of times but eventually, on my hands and knees managed to reach the Pinnacle.

The feeling of euphoria is difficult to describe. The views were spectacular; the only dampener was the thought of a 3 hour climb down and the light beating us.

So off we trotted, literally. We jogged were we could. My confidence in my footholds grew with every step. I ended up on my bum on numerous occasions, dignity went out the door. We just needed to get down quickly. I hadn’t actually hurt on the way up but coming down my knees really felt it. About half way down my boots suddenly became too small as my toes tried to force themselves out through the front.

The thing is you’re halfway down a mountain and no matter how much it hurts there is no alternative you’ve got to get down the rest of the way.

Fortunately we were off the shale/rock/ballast and onto the stream paths by the time it got dark, and the dark did close in on us pretty quickly. It was no fun. We could see the road so knew we were pretty close but it was still quite a hair raising experience.

We got to the railway track and Alan offered to go and get the van to pick me up. There was no way I wasn’t going to complete. I ended up walking sideways as the pressure of my toes against my boots going forwards was extremely painful.

I had to be manhandled into the van as I couldn’t drag myself up the step.

It was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life. I will definitely do it again. I’d like to do the other 9 routes. I thought I’d given it respect by being properly equipped. I hadn’t. It was pure stupidity coming down in the dark and I should have heeded Sue’s advice climbed some hills in preparation.

At the end of the day I’ve climbed Snowdon and I’m very proud of my achievement.

Mike Evans RIP

It was early 2003 when I first met my future in-laws Pat and Mike. I was 39 and rather out of practice meeting “boyfriend’s” parents. I was extremely apprehensive was made to feel so welcome. We had such a lovely weekend that on the way home I just knew me and Mark had a future together.

Mark had told me about Mike’s Parkinson’s. I’d totally forgotten until I caught a glance at his clasped hands – to disguise the shaking. It didn’t matter to me but it did to him. Such a very proud, dignified man.

Mark also told me that when Mike had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s rather than curl up and accept his fate he’d gone out and bought a computer, had lessons, researched all he could on the internet, learned exercise could slow its progression and joined the gym. If that doesn’t show a strength and determination of character I don’t know what does? A strength and determination which left him fighting to the bitter end.

There’s so many good things I’ll remember about Mike. The way no matter what the weather Oscar would always get his walks. His bowling green lawns. His beautiful garden. His appearance was always immaculate. He was a perfectionist. He had one of the sharpest minds I have ever encountered. He had a wicked dry sense of humour which would leave me chuckling for days after thinking about his comments.

When Morgan was born – I have never seen a more proud Grandad which is captured beautifully in the photographs the way he is staring down at him with pure adoration, joy and love. Looking at all the photographs of Mike and Morgan each one Mike is holding his hand like he never wants to let it go. He was always so very proud of his family.

Mike With Morgan a Day Old



Dawn, Mark's sister, Mark, Mike, Morgan & Pat For Mike's 71st Birthday last October



Mike Morgan & Pat




Mark and his Mam & Dad last Christmas








Mike was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years last October. They operated but weren’t able to remove it all. He basically had to learn to do everything again from walking and talking to basic social skills. He deteriorated quite rapidly since Christmas and its just short of a month ago that Mark got “the call.”

We live in North Wales. His parents live in Chesterfield and his sister lives in Warwick.

Mike fell at home in the morning. He went to a hospice once a week and they found him on the floor in the bathroom. In the afternoon he fell again and Pat called for an ambulance. They called for the paramedics who were able to stabilise him but whilst they agreed he should be in hospital they didn’t want to take him to A & E as they felt he should be taken to the local hospital which had no A E . A GP came out and agreed to get him admitted on Wednesday morning meanwhile he had another fall on Tuesday night and had to be admitted. Mark left here Wednesday morning. His Dad was transferred to the local hospital by ambulance.

He was suffering from the brain tumour, from Parkinson’s and from dangerously low blood pressure (75 over 33 at one stage).

People would ask ne how he was and my reply was

“He has good days when he knows what’s happening and responds – he’s like the old Mike. He has bad days when he’s completely oblivious to the outside world. The worst days though are when he knows what’s going on and can’t make himself understood.”

Always fiercely independent he tried to get up out of the chair last Monday and whether he stumbled or fainted we don’t know but the outcome was he cracked his head against the corner of the wall and fractured his skull.

He was taken to the Royal Chesterfield hospital. His condition deteriorated rapidly on Tuesday and he was given a matter of hours. His dogged fighting determination remained until the end. Whilst he remained unconscious he lost his battle for life at tea time on Friday.

Pat, has been very fortunate to have been married to such a wonderful man for almost 50 years it would have been their Golden wedding anniversary in September. No one can take away her memories. She has lost her husband, her soul mate and her best friend. Dawn and Mark have lost a wonderful Dad. Faye, Matt and Morgan have lost an amazing Grandad. The world has lost a truly dignified “gentle” man. My life has been enriched for knowing him. He will be sadly missed.

Pat doesn’t want his funeral to be a sombre affair. It was quite cathartic for me searching yesterday for Morcambe and Wise’s “Bring Me Sunshine.” One of the saddest things though is Pat will be 70 next Sunday.

BRING ME SUNSHINE
Willie Nelson


Bring me sunshine in your smile
Bring me laughter all the while
In this world where we live
There should be more happiness
So much joy you can give
To each brand new bright tomorrow

Make me happy through the years
Never bring me any tears
Let your arms be as warm as the sun from up above
Bring me fun, bring me sunshine, bring me love

Bring me sunshine in your smile
Bring me laughter all the while
In this world where we live
There should be more happiness
So much joy you can give
To each brand new bright tomorrow

Make me happy through the years
Never bring me any tears
Let your arms be as warm as the sun from up above
Bring me fun, bring me sunshine, bring me love

Bring me sunshine in your smile
Bring me laughter all the while
Let your arms be as warm as the sun from up above
Bring me fun, bring me sunshine, bring me love

I Have Seen The Light

Since I was about 5 I’ve worn glasses. I can remember having my eyes tested in school and the indignity of pointing out the letter shapes rather than saying “A” “B” “C.”

It was discovered I had a lazy left eye and with hindsight I should have been mortified about wearing blue NHS specs with a patch over my lazy eye I really couldn’t have cared less.

I only needed the glasses for reading or close work and often they would remain in my bag until I got a headache.

When my Mum started wearing glasses permanently I asked “How do you know when you’re sight’s deteriorating?”

Pretty soon after I can recall watching the end of some TV programme or another and thinking “Those credits look a bit blurred.”

At the grand old age of 41 when I was pregnant wit Morgan I realised I needed to get things checked out. Expecting the optician to say that it was a side effect of being pregnant I was quite shocked to learn that it was “an occupational hazard” of being over 40 and “Things would go downhill from here.” I comforted myself with yet more reading glasses and soldiered on.

By the time of my next examination I could no longer avoid the obvious. I needed glasses all the time. I was suitably despatched with a pair of variofocals with a stern warning to watch out for steps and pavements.

On leaving the opticians I asked my husband was it particularly sunny on this crisp October morning. “Nope” I was told “It’s just that you can actually see now.”

So that was it. Glasses became as much of my everyday routine as brushing my teeth or getting dressed. If I sneaked downstairs without them on the odd occasion to make the coffee Morgan would soon remind me to “put your glasses on Mummy.” In reality he can not remember seeing me without them.

All was well until I got my reminder last October. I had the feeling things had deteriorated somewhat. I couldn’t read texts without my glasses and things became quite acute when I couldn’t read the private registration advert s in the paper without taking off my glasses and using the bad eye as a magnifying glass.

I realised I was on a slippery slope after starting this new job and having to do the same with invoices and reports.

I had my eyes tested last week and it was confirmed – my distance vision had improved but my reading had worsened.

I no longer needed variofocals but readers were essential. Fine except that I had no intention of not being able to read my phone or popping into Tesco and having no idea of what I was buying.

I opted for a pair of readers and a pair of variofocals. I picked up the readers yesterday and once again the sunshine has been switched on. I’ve read 2 books and completed the crossword. Good people out there. Don’t suffer. Vanity is a terrible affliction. Look after your eyes.