Did I forget to mention?

I've also lost 1lb over christmas!!!

Me and my bright ideas!!

Does anyone recognise here?

If you guessed the reservoir in the valley below Pen -Y-Fan - then you will be right!

Wednesday was the day (yup the 27th) and the weather was meant to be foggy with some slight rain.

So off we went, got to the reservoir about 11am and I couldn't believe how busy it was. I put on my fleece from Blacks and we started the walk.

Now I have to say that the highest I have been before this was Loughrigg and I couldn't even see the top of this "mountain". It was dry and not too cold, but still no peak to see.

After about 30mins we could see ice on the grass - but we carried on. We were going along the old roman road towards Cribyn. We climbed through the gate at the top and thought we should prehaps put our waterproof jackets on (thank god for these) and then we started the steep climb. We then passed a group that was about 15 mins in front of us (I was feeling pretty pleased at this point)Now I have to say I am not sure whether it is a good or bad thing if you can't see the top, but after a fairly steep climb we were there and I could see nothing!!

Still no time for stopping, so it was a slight (!??!) descent down at which point we passed someone in trainers (barking mad)

note to Trail - I seem to have some problems mentally in descending I am convinced that I am going to fall - please help!

We passed over frozen boggy patches and water and I was feeling great. Then it was the steep climb to the summit of Pen-Y-Fan - not impressed!! Only joking I found it hard and Paul realised the importance of breakfast, but what an achievement when I got there! I saw a pile of rocks and realised that there was no way I could do a video blog up there. It was freezing, blowing a gale, ice whipping around and no viz! So after a quick cup of tea (i had also forgotten to wash the flask out properly so it tasted of washing up liquid) it was back down the way we had come because of the bad weather.

So down we started - i was slightly better this time and we met a group of people who were slightly disoriented so we brought them down with us and we took another path which took us around Cribyn and back down to the roman road.

Now because of my leg length and size I can't seem to get walking trousers so I had cotton combats on (Please note - they are no good for wet weather - my legs actually hurt at one point they were so cold)

Well we all got down safely and it took only 3 1/2 hours and how did I feel?

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!! I HAVE THE BUG OFFICIALLY NOW

I was running to have my photo taken by the reservoir.

But enough of that we took the people backto their car and ensured that they were all safe and well before we wen back to pick the monsters up.

I clocked up over 22000 steps and did I ache? NO, i think I was more shocked by that then anything else - not a single grumble - prehaps things are changing for me!

Photos I promised

Who needs fancy balancing equipment?

Practising my climbing skills!!

Me and Ioan enjoying a little ramble!

Merry Christmas

Hello all,

just a quick note to wish all a merry christmas. I have enjoyed a lovely dinner today (in my nice dress wearing my pedometer) did really well and did not have a huge plate as normal. But then I donned my baby rucksack and took the kids to the park, where I even managed to practise my climbing skills (photos to follow)
Last week I also planned to beat 7000 steps per day average and I hit 7109 - lots of yippees now please!!
This week I want to hit 7500 - I work well with little goals.
Off to do the Brecon horseshoe on wednesday with all my shiny new gear
I had
a blacks roc 35+ rucksack
a pink camelbac bottle
a silva compass, headlight and binoculars set
and a trekking pole!
So just checking the weather and we have an alternative planned (honestly just not sure what yet)
Will be off for another walk tomorrow as we did yesterday too (scattered some of dad's ashes yesterday so we had to go on a walk for that)

So keep eating and drinking well (lots of veg & water anyway)

And watching lots of fab telly while standing on 1 leg!
Sian :)

Did I manage it?

Nope, my good intentions of a bike ride or walk today were all in vain!
I woke up at 7am and was really unwell again - so that was it for today. I was relegated back to bed for a few hours and then had to get everything ready for the trip back to Wales.
It was then off to a shaky start with the steps and didn't want this to be my lowest day so managed to have clocked up 3500+ (still a few hours left yet).
So very disapponted in myself but have packed my new shiny ruckscak ready for a walk on wednesday and Yes I am definetly going on one!

Well would you believe it?

Today and it isn't over yet I have done over 10000 steps - Yippeeee!!!

I know you're all thinking "well what hill did you climb today then Sian?"
And the answer is None!
All I have done is taken a 30 minute walk to the shop and back (all inclusive) and dancing to the Ipod with the monsters.

I am very chuffed and will doing this again - I found it no effort at all today and the plan is to keep it up. Wanted to average 7000 steps per day this week and I think I shall be doing it.

Off on a bike ride or walk tomorrow - it's still on and need to check the weather for the Brecon Beacons next week.

Some more good news - my jeans are getting to big for me!

Food for Thought...

Just thought that I have a craving for lots of veggies, so decided to make a sausage stew for tea with lots of them in (and a big yorkshire pudding to put it all in) when I had a ponder and realised that I have some advice for people and some friends of mine (you know who you are)
So here it is

11 months ago I bought my own business - I own a day nursery. It has been hard, with lots of tears and swearing, lots of tantrums, but mainly I have felt good about it. I know that it will pay off and become more successful. I only have to look at what I have achieved over the months.
But back to the point I'm trying to make, don't worry about things you have no control over. Life is really too short and any opportunities that you get given TAKE. If you don't do or try something when you are presented with it - then in the future you may never get the chance again.
Don't be scared and take the plunge whether, don't wait hoping the right moment will come along - it never will. There will always be a reason why you can't do something,but there will also be a reason why you should do it!
Don't wait for opportunities go and grab them.
Ring that man you fancy, go for that job you have always wanted - send that email to the magazine.
Don't wait as life could pass you by sooner than you expect.