40 days & 40 nights

It's 40 days or so until departure. I had my first 2 of many jabs this afternoon (my left arm is not enjoying it), and I'm starting to get things in order before I leave. I may attempt to give this blog a little life, with some travel recaps, and make it feel more than just utterings from a shoddy cyclist in 2009, as I do already have a number of posts sat in draft form.

So, I'll give it a face-lift, and try to add some content.

Luxor, Qena, Egypt (Day 1, but a year on)

My first impression? How green the Nile Valley really was, in drastic contrast to the sandy desert of the horizon. Maybe I should have known this, but I obviously didn't do any research.

Also, note to self: Never assume. It leads to assumptions.

I seriously thought having a camera that took standard universally accepted AA batteries would be a far better choice than one requiring a rechargeable battery. However, upon visiting both Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the first day, I found both sets of my batteries were dead, and didnt get chance to buy replacements till the following afternoon. And yet I had access to electricity and plenty of time to charge. Hmmm, think I'll take both next time.

I will say, that the first glimpse of Karnak is burnt into my brain. What a fantastic sight, really setting a very high mark for the visits that followed.

Karnak Temple

Luxor Temple

Hold on Lyke Wake....

"...Lyke Wake hold on, It's gonna be alright. Your gonna win the fight"

Eh, Lyke Wake Walk is on hold for the time being, but hopefully will reinstate itself pretty soon.

You talk the talk....but can ya walk the walk?

Never did finish off my LEJOG blog (or LEBLOG as I should have called it). That's not good, but its a regular occurance for me. Start something. Finish it (in some capacity) then leave it.

This new challenge is a little simpler. Last year took a bit of preparation, and alot dedicated time to achieve, so this year I've opted for ease (in a way).

This weekend (or next, depending on the weather) I'm going to do the Lyke Wake Walk challange. A 40 mile trek over the North Yorkshire Moors. I should be starting about 9-10pm on saturday night, and will keep heading east for the next 18 hours or so. Torch/moon light being my guide for the first few hours. Theres snakes on the moors, one of the few things in life that terrify me. Terrific!

I'll update when I know a bit more, but at the moment it's just me. Maybe I can coerce some others into joining me.

I've set up a donation page, if anyone wants to help out. Even if it raises just a little bit, its better than nothing. Here's the link

Test, test, test

"This is mike munber one, this is mike number one, isn't this a lot of fun?" I had tried to update this blog from an iPhone but it was a whole lot harder than I thought. I couldn't post photos, and it took me ages how to figure out paragraphs.

Anyway, I'm home now and back at work. I completed the ride on Saturday (I think?!?) and am now enjoying the rest.

I had a bunch of emails from JustGiving when I returned, mostly apologising for any problems with their website over the last few weeks. I had heard from a bunch of people that they couldnt access the pages and/or make donations, but I think thats all cleared up now.

So anyone who was wanting to give me some money, feel free to do so now! The links on the side to Cancer Research, ForDementia and WaterAid should all be working fine.

I'm just starting to write up the events of the past month, but I'm already getting dragged away from the PC after 2 days worth of enteries.

To be continued...

Glastonbury 2009 (Sunday)

Glastonbury 2009 (Saturday)