Thursday 28th September

Maaan I'm getting so lazy. Sorry for no posts (again). Can't think of any reasonable excuse to use either :(

I have to give a special thanks to my best mate Dale (now residing in Canada) who emailed me and promptly told me to get off my fat arse and get posting. So... here we go:

Our Ex-Pat Dale

Firstly. I'd like to thank Rob "Cap't Bob" Windmill for his sponsor yesterday and kind words of encouragement (cannot be repeated due to explicit language). Cheers mate

Cap't Bob AKA Rob Windmill

Having now less than 2 months to go til the big adventure, everyone has been asking about fitness levels, the old "have you given up the fags yet" questions, am I scared, am I mentally prepared etc... I've got 1 thing to say and that is CREEPY F******* CRAWLIES. I know that's actually 3 seperate words but I think it can be justified with the following images:-



Yup. Vietnam is full of horrible nasty, nightmare encouraging, gut wrenching spiders and if there's just one thing I hate in this world, it's spiders........ for more photos of the little (and big) creepy 8 legged bastards, please visit this site: here (pictures courtesy of Richard Seaman). Need I say more!! I hate em!!! Urghghhghgh no sleep for Steve in Vietnam!!

Had "some" vaccinations yesterday, arm is still killing me!! Unfortunately as I'm going to a very rural area in Vietnam I'm also advised to have additional jabs for rabies, japanese b enculipitus (other something) and something else... ummm oh and high level malaria tablets. Anyway, I have to pay for these "additional" vaccinations myself and it sounds costly. Gutting!! :(

While I think of it, I still need to sort out my visa. Maaan I AM GETTING LAZY!!

I have been on my X-Bike though and am really starting to feel and see the benefits. You wouldn't believe an indoor bike could be so good. I'm not lying. All I need is a fan, someone to throw gravel and loose chippings at me and some birds singing* in the background and I could actually be up Twmbarlwm.

*The Nolan Sisters, Three Degrees or The Supremes need not apply

Total fundraising to date: £4155.19
Miles Rode Today: 12
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 754.5

Sunday 17th September

Sorry for no posts lately. /me slaps wrists. Been so busy sorting other stuff out, including contacting the Vietnam Embassy for a visa, arranging my vaccination jabs (ouch), trying to get my money back from thieving Indian hobbit bast*** amongst other things.

Have been out to Cwmcarn mountain trail the last 2 Saturdays. Doesn't get any easier. My fastest time so far (in pedalling terms) is 1hr 20 Minutes. I'm not bothered by finding the trail that hard as I don't even think Vietnam will be that tough?! Still. I'd like to get to a fitness level where I can do the ascent without stopping after every section feeling like my lungs/legs/arms etc... are about to pack up.

Had another sponsor today. Thanks Mike, even more so under your circumstances, much appreciated.

Total fundraising to date: £4105.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 704.5

Friday 8th September

Arghhhh I'm 30!!

Hit the ripe old age of 30 last Wednesday (6th September). Can't believe I'm 30 already, where does the time go?

Thought I woke up to a grey hair as well but after confirmation from friends, we decided it was a very blond hair instead!! :)

My new X-Bike has arrived and I've already put it to use. Have to admit it's harder than I thought. Never riden an exercise bike like it!! After 26 minutes I was knackered and dripping as much sweat as I would on a real 30 miler. Not sure if thats a good sign or a bad sign but then I was trying to keep up with the Tour de France rider on the accompanying DVD :P

Plan to try and do some indoor training in the mornings before and after work then get out on the "real" bike on the weekends. It's not that long til the 16th November and I need to get fit.

I received a letter from Across the Divide today with the flight times for my journey to Hong Kong then to Hanoi. I hate flying!!! Not because I'm scared but because I get incredibly bored!! Still, thats what the on-board bar is for :P

No mention of an extension in country so I'll be chasing that up. Wouldn't mind getting there a few days prior to the start of the race to get acclimatised etc... then to spend a few days after to sight see etc... (or sleep more like).

My digital cameras still playing up but I promised a few piccies of Ozzy and Loca so (taken on mobile phone camera, sorry about quality:

Loca 10 weeks old

Ozzy 10 weeks old

Ozzy beating up his sister Loca (as usual)

Had to worm them today... think I came off worse than them though, I'm covered in scratches and bite marks, bless!!

Total fundraising to date: £4085.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 686.5