oooooh my feet!!

No not walking today but standing all day long in  Sainsburys in Brentwood collecting. I think I would feel less exhausted if I had walked all day. An interesting experience trying to get money out of people. A large proportion just completely ignore you, some pretend they are looking for something in their bag, some actually turn around and go in the other door! However as a group " thank you " to the people of Brentwood. Really touched by a lot of the kids turning their pockets and purses out. The whole day was made utterly worthwhile when a woman donated and they hugged  me and told me about the fact she is hoping her little boy age 4 will soon be going into Little Havens for respite care. Another man told me his little grand daughter sadly died before she could go to Little Havens - such sad stories that make what we are doing real.
My lovely mum joined me for the morning - thank you! Even at 85 you can fund raise!

Not sure how much we raised since poor Paul is still there having gone straight from work to let me do a shop and then come home.

On Tuesday appeared on Bryan Powis Drive show on Phoenix FM. Very appreciative of his help. However his rat story pushed our story to page 7 of the Gazette this week -oh well!

I think I'll pass on a walk tonight.. long soak in the bath with a little glass of wine might just do the job!

Now we have the total of today -£400.08 plus a Canadian cent, a few euros and a few polish coins.

Jane

The ups and downs of fundraising

When we decided on the project I knew there would be difficult bits namely the walking! However the logistics of the planning and the red tape is almost as exhausting as the walking. I have spent days and days sending out letters,emails, faxes etc. It is most disheartening when you get no response but when you do get positive replies it does make you feel it is worth it. Yesterday had  a very bad day. Got numerous unsuccessful replies from Garda stations requesting collections in their towns. Found out it would almost impossible to bank the money we collect without incurring high charges from the banks. The idea of opening a bank account in Ireland fro the UK seems to be unheard of. However this morning is getting better. Had two wonderful offers of auction lots this morning. One from Richard Weston who has donated a stunning pashmina and Diane Bernstein a private half day walking tour of London. I have never met these people and yet they have been so generous. Richard Weston appeared in the BBC 2 programme with Theo Paphitis "Britain's Next Big Thing" and his wonderful scarves are sold in Libertys. I also got my first permit from the Garda -thank you Sligo!!
Eight weeks away form home is taking some preparation. I have accommodation for each night -I hope! We have the route set. We just need to finish getting some of the kit, namely the most important water proofs. Sam coming home for a week tonight on study leave before his last exam on the 23rd. I'm bit worried he has not done enough walking.
Anyway off to Phoenix FM to persuade the locals to give loads of money!!
Jane

Radio Stars

Fundraising getting momentum.
Annie and I spent part of the week going around local businesses for raffle/auction prizes and to increase publicity. On Wednesday got caught in a terrible rain storm in Brentwood -?good acclimatisation for Ireland!!

On Thursday morning Annie and I went on the Ray Clark show on BBC Essex in Chelmsford. I found it rather nerve racking but Annie took it in her stride.
Got a lot of the press releases out so hopefully the ball has started to roll. I was called by a charming reporter from The Irish Sun this afternoon - never thought that would happen!!

First day of sabbatical

I had my first day of my sabbatical today. Have spent most of the time at the dreaded computer. So much "stuff" to sort out. Spent last few hours faxing forms to numerous garda stations to get permits to collect. Never thought it would be easy but ... red tape as usual.
Auction is gaining some lovely prizes. Total raised so far over £3500 which is really fantastic. So thank you to everyone who has donated in anyway.
Jane

Special recipe

I have numerous requests for the teabread I made last week. So here goes-
You need:
300g self raising flour with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
125g butter
75g light muscovado sugar
4 apples (ideally crisp tart ones) with some lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 large egg beaten
70g preserved stem ginger- finely chopped(reserve some of the syrup)
200g golden syrup
Greased and possibly lined 1.2l or 2 pint loaf tin
Method-
1.butter, sugar and golden syrup in saucepan and gently heat to melt, then cool slightly
2.sift flour, baking powder and spices. add mixture from above  with the egg and stir well
3. prepare apples- peel, core and slice thinly and put on bowl of water with lemon juice. drain and dry on kitchen paper or tea towel (clean of course since we need to maintain standards!!)
4. Add 3/4 apples with preserved ginger to mixture and stir
5. put in loaf tin and arrange remaining apple on top.
6. bake at 170 for about an hour
7. when you take it out, spoon over some of the reserved ginger syrup and then cool completely.
8. slice and eat!! will last up to a week but in the Horti house this has never yet been achieved!!

A whole new world!!

Those of you who know me will understand that me and the athletic world are not natural friends!! Since the walking training has started however a whole new world has opened up to me.....twin layer socks, gait analysis, mobility control trainers and muscle memory.
In Runner's World (not a shop I normally frequent!) I have had my gait analysed. Sadly despite 47 years practise I don't walk correctly!! I apparently overpronate and need to relax my feet when walking. If anyone has any ideas about how to do the latter please let me know. I have considered a couple of glasses of wine prior to a walk but not practical, although certainly I may resort to some of that lovely black liquid in Ireland!. Perhaps a soothing bath? -no to prevent blisters one must not wash your feet and soften them prior to a long walk or so I have read on blister forums (yes they exist - told you it was a different world).
Once you learn to walk again you have to choose a pair of trainers. In the past I was swayed by the nice colour, now I have to take into account terrain, instep, motion control, cushioning,ventilation -help!! Then you have the physical shock of the price of such a pair (or of course two because you have to rotate them) of high precision footwear...ouch!
Whilst purchasing the said trainers I was asked whether I need any body glide.....this is the lubrication you require to prevent chaffing in the parts that you never knew could chafe!! It too comes in different formulations.
You then have to make a decision about whether to opt for a compression, encapsulating or combined sports bra... no I give up now!!! As I say a  whole new world has opened up.
Jane Publish Post

Blackmore fayre

Had a really successful few days at the Blackmore fayre. We opened the garden up and sold teas, cakes and sandwiches. Annie and I spent the whole of Saturday baking. Paul sold balloons for the balloon race.The fayre raised £1174 for the hospices, which reflects the generosity of the local community -thank you!! Thanks to all our lovely helpers too!!
The total for the fundraising so far although after such a busy weekend not a large amount of energy left!!