The Pond Panorama…

Hi Friends…

There was something different about this morning’s walk. The trail hadn’t changed. The trees hadn’t moved, the paths were exactly where they have always been, and the hills certainly hadn’t disappeared overnight. But for the first time in a while, it felt like I was properly back on the trail.

The difference?

The sunshine had gone. After what seems like weeks of blazing sunshine, this morning was heavily overcast. And for me, that makes an enormous difference. The blazing sunshine is my nemesis. When the sun is hammering down, there is another layer of information my brain has to deal with. Heat, glare, changing light, shadows and the general sensory assault of a bright day all add to the cognitive load of navigating the trail.

This morning, that extra noise had disappeared. The trail felt calmer. And so did my brain.

Getting Back Up to Speed

Something else happened today that I’ve been thinking about ever since I got home. I found my speed. I’ve mentioned before that when I deliberately slow down on this trail, I can actually find navigation more difficult. You might think that walking more slowly would automatically make things easier, but for me it can have the opposite effect…This trail is incredibly familiar to my body. I’ve walked it so many times that my subconscious has effectively built a map of it. My body knows the rhythm of the path, the changes in gradient, the corners, the surfaces and the sequence of what’s coming next.

It’s almost like being an F1 driver who knows a circuit so well that they aren’t consciously thinking about every corner. They don’t drive around thinking, “Right, there’s the corner. Now turn. Now straighten up. Now accelerate.”They simply know.

They feel the circuit. That’s what walking this trail can feel like for me. When I’m moving at my natural pace, everything starts to flow. My stride, balance, orientation and memory of the trail all seem to work together automatically. When I slow down too much, I interrupt that rhythm. And suddenly my conscious brain starts getting involved…And I can go completely blank!

“Where am I now?”“Is this the next turn?”“Am I still on the right section?”The slower I become, the more I seem to have to think about something that my body already knows. So this morning, when I got up to speed, something clicked. I wasn’t fighting the trail. I was flowing around it.

Sarah’s Sunshine Bench Panorama…

And the Knee?

This might actually be the best part. My knee held up brilliantly. After everything I’ve been through with it, there’s something quite satisfying about being able to get out onto the trail, increase the pace, tackle the elevation and finish the walk feeling good. So although it felt like I was absolutely flying compared with some of my recent walks, my body wasn’t screaming at me that I was overdoing it.

Without the blazing sunshine, there was simply less cognitive load. I wasn’t dealing with the same level of glare and heat. I wasn’t constantly processing the effects of the sun. I could concentrate less on managing the conditions and more on simply walking. And when you combine that with a trail my body already knows, something interesting happens. The conscious mind can step back. The subconscious takes over. The body remembers. The trail flows beneath my feet and, corner by corner, hill by hill, I know where I’m going. Maybe that’s why today’s walk felt so different. It wasn’t just that the weather was cooler. It wasn’t just that my knee was behaving. It wasn’t even just that I was walking faster. Everything was working together.

For a little while this morning, I didn’t feel like someone recovering from a knee injury who was carefully negotiating a familiar trail. I felt like the old me again.

Now focus…

Now it’s time to get back in tune: back to a healthy calorie deficit, consistent walking, and working towards a healthier version of myself. With around 9 months until my birthday trip to Florida (God willing), I’ve got a great goal to keep me focused, one step at a time. 😀

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

Progress isn’t always about pushing harder. Sometimes it’s about removing the things that get in the way, trusting what you’ve practised, and allowing your body to remember what your mind has already learned. Today, the sunshine disappeared, the cognitive load became lighter, my rhythm returned, and the trail seemed to flow beneath my feet. The knee held up, the miles went by, and for a little while, I felt like the old me again. That’s the thing about a journey towards a healthier life: some days you build strength, some days you build endurance, and some days you simply rediscover what you’re capable of. Keep showing up. Keep moving. Keep learning. Keep trusting God with the bigger picture. You don’t have to conquer the whole journey today… you just have to take the next step.

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Friends…

Well, this is a slightly different Story Behind The Song… I’ve already written about Sarah’s Tamil Chicken once before, but that was back when it was still just dinner. Apparently, I wasn’t satisfied with simply eating it. I had to turn it into a song. And if you’ve been following my recent musical adventures, you’ll know that this is becoming something of a problem. Give me a good story, a guitar, a few lyrics and a little help from Suno, and apparently absolutely anything can become a song. Including chicken. Especially Sarah’s chicken.

IT ALL STARTED IN THE KITCHEN…

Back in September 2025, I wrote a FitBlitz post called “Sarah’s Spiced Symphony: Tamil Black Pepper Chicken.” And honestly, I think the title gave the game away, because when Sarah gets into the kitchen, she doesn’t really cookdinner. She puts on a show. That particular evening, the headline act was chicken breasts, marinated in a fiery black pepper paste with coconut and seared until they were beautifully golden. Then came the pilau rice, cooked with that deep, wonderfully spiced Tamil-style stock. Then the supporting cast arrived: caramelised onions, fried mushrooms and lettuce. And finally, the cooling turmeric yoghurt seasoning. It wasn’t just a meal. It was an event. At the time, I described it as being like a rock concert, complete with Marshall stacks, guitar solos and enough flavour to make Wembley sit up and take notice. Which, looking back, was probably my first mistake. Because once you start describing chicken like a stadium rock performance… the next logical step is apparently to write a stadium rock song about it.

FROM DINNER TO THE STAGE

Fast-forward to 2026. I’ve been having great fun writing my own lyrics and then using Suno to turn those lyrics into actual songs. And somewhere along the way I thought: “Hang on… what about Sarah’s Tamil Chicken?” Why not? It had everything: drama, heat, rhythm, a killer chorus and, most importantly, chicken. So I started writing. And suddenly that original FitBlitz post came back to life. The chicken became the star, the black pepper and coconut marinade became the opening act, the pilau rice laid down the rhythm section, the caramelised onions became the guitar solo, the mushrooms and lettuce wandered onto the stage completely unexpectedly, and the turmeric yoghurt came in for the cooling encore. Except this time, I turned the whole thing into lyrics.

WELCOME TO THE SARAH KITCHEN ARENA

The song takes the original idea and pushes it completely over the top. Because why simply say that Sarah has made a tasty chicken dinner when you can imagine the whole kitchen transformed into Sarah Kitchen Arena? The smoke is rising, the crowd is going wild, the black pepper is hitting like a guitar riff, the chicken is sizzling, and somewhere in the background I’m probably wondering whether we should call the fire brigade. It’s completely ridiculous. And that’s exactly why I love it. The song isn’t meant to be serious. It’s meant to make you smile. It’s meant to make you want to bop along. And, ideally, it’s meant to make you slightly hungry.

BUT THERE’S A SERIOUS POINT…

Well… sort of. One of the things I’ve really enjoyed about creating these songs is discovering that a story doesn’t have to be huge to become something worth creating. It doesn’t have to be about a life-changing event. It doesn’t have to be profound. Sometimes it’s simply: Sarah cooked chicken. I thought it was brilliant. I wrote about it. And then, months later, I thought: “That would make a funny song.” So I wrote one. And that’s the beauty of creativity. You never quite know where an idea is going to take you. A walk can become a photograph. A photograph can become a story. A story can become lyrics. And apparently dinner can become a rock concert.

SARAH’S TAMIL CHICKEN

So here it is. Sarah’s Tamil Chicken. A song born from one of Sarah’s ridiculously good dinners and my inability to leave well enough alone. The original meal was real. The FitBlitz post was real. The lyrics are mine. And then Suno helped me turn those lyrics into the musical madness now known as “Sarah’s Tamil Chicken.” I think Sarah deserves the credit. After all, without her cooking, there would be no song. Although I suppose technically I deserve a little credit too… because I was the one who ate it. That’s research.

THE ORIGINAL FITBLITZ POST

If you want to see where the whole thing started, you can read my original post: Sarah’s Spiced Symphony: Tamil Black Pepper Chicken. That’s where the chicken, pilau rice, caramelised onions, mushrooms, lettuce and turmeric yoghurt all first appeared. Back then, I called it a culinary anthem. I clearly didn’t realise how prophetic I was being. Because now… it actually is one.

FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE STAGE

And that, my friends, is the story behind “Sarah’s Tamil Chicken.” One meal. One slightly overexcited food review. A handful of lyrics. A lot of imagination. And one very willing AI music generator. Who knows what’s next? At this rate, Sarah had better be careful what she cooks. Because there might be a song about it.

Thanks for stopping by, and remember… Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest places. Sometimes it comes from a guitar. Sometimes it comes from a walk. And sometimes… it comes with black pepper, coconut and a side of pilau rice.

Listen your way…🎧

If this story and song resonated with you, and you’d like to listen again, you don’t have to keep coming back to YouTube. Sarah’s Tamil Chicken is also available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and many other streaming services. Whether you’d like to add it to your favourite playlist or simply listen on the platform you already use, you can choose your preferred service by clicking the link below:

🎧 [HyperFollow Link]

Thank you for listening, for your encouragement, and for joining me on The Blind Sightseers journey. Every share and every kind comment helps these memories continue to travel far beyond the places where they first began. 🙏😀

The Pond Panorama…

Hi Friends…

It’s Tuner Tuesday again, which means it was time to get back out onto the trail and put in another bit of training…And of course, no Tuner Tuesday would be complete without my trusty Tuna Stack Sandwich, lovingly prepared by Sarah. 😋

I’m beginning to think the sandwich is actually an essential part of the whole Tuner Tuesday experience. The walk, the photos, the hat and the tuna sandwich. That’s the routine. And yes, I wore my new wide-brimmed sun hat again…I’m becoming rather attached to this thing.

With the sun blazing down today, that big brim did a pretty good job of keeping some of it at bay, which made the walk a lot more comfortable. I’m still not a fan of being roasted alive while I’m trying to walk, so anything that keeps a bit of that sunshine off my head is a winner in my book. But I’ve discovered something rather disappointing…

The hat isn’t magical.

Despite the trail being pretty busy today, I didn’t get a single “Good morning.” Not one.

Because today I wasn’t wearing my usual khaki outfit. Nope. I was dressed entirely in black. So maybe the combination of wide-brimmed hat + khaki clothing was giving off some sort of unofficial park ranger vibe after all. Clearly I need to conduct further scientific research. I’ll probably have to wear the khaki outfit again and see what happens.

And then there were the photographs.

I’ve taken not one, but TWO panoramas today!

I’m definitely getting plenty of practice in, because I’m going to need all the training I can get before we head to Florida next April. Every panorama I take is another bit of practice in getting the positioning right, keeping everything steady and getting a feel for how the finished image is going to come together. Considering I’ll have some pretty spectacular scenery to work with in Florida, I’d rather get the mistakes out of the way here!

So that’s another walk, another bit of fitness training, another experiment with the camera, another opportunity to test the magical powers of my hat…And naturally, another Tuner Tuesday complete with Sarah’s Tuna Stack Sandwich. Although I’m still slightly concerned about the lack of “Good mornings.” Maybe it really was the khaki.

Now focus…

Now it’s time to get back in tune: back to a healthy calorie deficit, consistent walking, and working towards a healthier version of myself. With around 9 months until my birthday trip to Florida (God willing), I’ve got a great goal to keep me focused, one step at a time. 😀

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“Getting fit isn’t about being perfectly in tune every day. It’s about showing up, putting in the miles, practising the things that matter, and making a few adjustments along the way. Today it was another walk, two panoramas, a wide-brimmed hat, a Tuna Stack Sandwich and plenty of practice for Florida. Some days we’re building strength, some days we’re building habits, and some days we’re just figuring out why nobody said ‘Good morning!’ 😂 But every step counts. The goal isn’t to rush the journey…it’s to keep moving forward, stay focused, enjoy the little wins, and trust God with the bigger picture. One step, one choice and one Tuner Tuesday at a time.”

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Friends…

Some songs begin with a melody. Some songs begin with a moment.

“Brighton” began with a memory.

Back in 2014, I surprised my lovely Wife Sarah with a birthday trip to Brighton, England, UK. We stayed at the Thistle Hotel in a special Spa Suite overlooking the famous Brighton Pier, and we spent a few wonderful days enjoying the sea air, the beach, the views and each other’s company.

At the time, I captured those memories through photography. Even though I am registered blind, photography has always been a huge part of how I experience and share the world around me. Through my camera, I have been able to preserve moments, places and emotions that mean so much.

The photographs from that trip became more than just pictures. They became memories frozen in time.

Years later, those memories inspired this song, and the photos were merged into the album cover.

Over the last few months, I have been experimenting with Suno music creation, exploring how artificial intelligence tools can help transform ideas, lyrics and emotions into finished pieces of music. I have been writing my own lyrics and then creating detailed, complex prompts to try and guide the music towards the feelings, atmosphere and stories behind each song.

My aim has never simply been to create songs. It has been about bringing memories to life…Like an audio photo album!

When I write lyrics, I think about the places I have visited, the people I love, the emotions I felt and the stories behind my photographs. I then try to shape the music so that it reflects those experiences.

“Brighton” is part of a much bigger project I have been working on called The Blind Sightseers.

The vision behind this project is to create an album full of songs inspired by my blog posts. Places I have visited, photographs I have taken, adventures shared with Sarah, and moments that have become special memories will be transformed into songs.

It is about taking the stories already captured through words and images on my blogs, and giving them another voice through music.

The cover artwork for “Brighton” was created from photographs taken during that original trip, bringing together the visual memories and the musical journey into one piece.

For me, this is another reminder that creativity comes in many forms. A photograph can tell a story. A blog post can preserve a memory. A song can bring that memory back to life.

I hope you enjoy listening to “Brighton” and that it takes you somewhere special, whether that is a seaside walk, a treasured memory, or a place close to your own heart.

Listen your way…🎧

If this story and song resonated with you, and you’d like to listen again, you don’t have to keep coming back to YouTube. Brighton is also available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and many other streaming services. Whether you’d like to add it to your favourite playlist or simply listen on the platform you already use, you can choose your preferred service by clicking the link below:

🎧 [HyperFollow Link]

Thank you for listening, for your encouragement, and for joining me on The Blind Sightseers journey. Every share and every kind comment helps these memories continue to travel far beyond the places where they first began. 🙏😀

You can also read the original blog post that inspired this song here:

Happy Birthday Sarah! A Suite For My Sweet

Thank you for joining me on this journey as I continue exploring how faith, photography, memories and music can all come together. 🙏 😀 

The Pond Photo on lap 1…

Hi Friends…

This morning’s walk felt like a much bigger achievement than the distance might suggest. Two laps around the trail, just under 6 miles, may not sound like a huge challenge compared with some of the distances I have completed before, but after the knee problems I have faced over the last few months, this was a genuine rehab milestone.

For weeks, every walk has been a test of patience, listening to my body, and trusting that my knee was gradually getting stronger. Today, I stepped onto the trail wondering how it would respond, and I am delighted to say that it made it all the way around. No major flare-ups, no worrying pain, just the satisfaction of completing two steady laps and proving that progress is happening.

The conditions certainly added another challenge. It was already 25°C when I started this morning, following yesterday’s scorching 34°C heat, so this was not exactly a cool summer stroll! The warmth made the walk more demanding, but the early start, plenty of water, and keeping a sensible pace helped me enjoy being back out on the trail.

This walk was not just about miles covered; it was about rebuilding confidence. After the disappointment of having to step back from my usual distances, being able to complete six miles comfortably feels like another important step forward.

The Pond Panorama…

One of the highlights of today’s walk was attempting another panorama of The Pond. This time, I put into practice some expert advice from Sarah, the undisputed Queen of Panoramas! She showed me that the key is to take things slowly, keep the camera steady, and make a smooth controlled turn rather than rushing the movement. So, I focused on making a really slow and steady torso rotation, carefully keeping everything as level and consistent as possible while capturing each section of the scene.

It turns out that my years of target shooting from the age of four may have helped more than I realised. The discipline of maintaining posture, balance, controlled breathing, and steady movement seems to have found a new purpose in photography. Who would have thought that skills learned while aiming at targets all those years ago would one day help me capture the beauty of The Pond in a panorama? With Sarah’s expert guidance and a little help from my old shooting discipline, I think this attempt might just be my best one yet!

Now focus…

Getting in tune also means being honest with myself. Since completing my 50km walk on March 1st, I’ve gained nearly 2 stone. The celebration was deserved, but while my knee recovered, I carried on eating like I was still burning those miles without actually walking them!

Now it’s time to get back in tune: back to a healthy calorie deficit, consistent walking, and working towards a healthier version of myself. With around 9 months until my birthday trip to Florida (God willing), I’ve got a great goal to keep me focused, one step at a time. 😀

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“Sometimes the journey knocks us out of rhythm. A guitar string can loosen, a knee can slow us down, and our habits can drift. But being out of tune doesn’t mean the song is over. We stop, we listen, we adjust, and we begin again. Today I’m tuning my body through movement, my mind through discipline, and my heart through faith. Every step, every choice, and every day is another chance to become the person God created me to be.”

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

The Pond Photo…

Hi Friends…

As we begin heatwave number 4, when I left (I really didn’t want to face that sunshine again) I was surprised when the clouds rolled in and blocked the blaze after about 10 minutes on the trail. This meant it was really muggy though, but thanks to my reduced pace I managed to shuffle my way around in one piece. 😀

At the moment and through most of August, I’m only doing 1 lap as my knee gets used to the uneven surface and hills etc. I’m really glad about that as it’s summer…But it’s also great training for me to cope with the Florida heat next year. I’ve just ordered a wide brim sunhat to see if it’ll help as I can’t wear sunglasses on the trail, I’ve tried lots of pairs but they simply don’t work. So a wide brim, lightweight and breathable hat sounds good to me…Can’t wait for it to arrive and try it! 😀

Now focus…

Getting in tune also means being honest with myself. Since completing my 50km walk back on March 1st, I’ve put on nearly 2 stone. The problem wasn’t the celebrating, because finishing my longest walk ever was definitely worth celebrating! 😀 The problem was that while my knee was recovering over the last few months, I carried on feasting like a beast without burning those extra calories off. That’s the reality. So now it’s time to get back in tune. Back into a healthy calorie deficit, back into consistent walking, and back towards the healthier version of me. With around 9 months until my birthday trip to Florida next year (God willing), I’ve got a great goal to keep me focused one step at a time! 😀

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“When a guitar slips out of tune, you don’t throw it away…you stop, listen carefully and tune it back up. Life’s no different. Sometimes we drift. We lose focus, gain weight, get injured, or fall out of rhythm. But God asks us to keep coming back to Him. Today I’m tuning my body, my mind and my heart to His voice. One healthy choice, one faithful step and one day at a time.” – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers…

I can’t tell you how happy, thankful and pleased I am to get back out on the trail this morning. With only a few days until it’s been 3 whole calendar months since I was last out here, it’s fantastic to be able to take some photos for you agin.

I seriously didn’t know how my knee was going to handle the uneven trail, inclines and 3.40 miles of virtually non-stop walking. I kept my pace at a nice comfortable 2.7 mph (I think the slowest I’ve ever walked, lol), and my knee handled it great with no pain…Especially as it’s been a whole week since I’ve been off the painkillers! 💪🏼 😀

Also as I havn’t been out here since April, I’m sure it’s in full bloom and full of life. I hope my photos show you some of this? I’m used to leafless trees in the cold, so I hope these are more pleasing for you guys. I got a little excited being out finally so I took a few more than usual, lol! 🤣

Around the halfway mark is ‘Dayle’s Rest Stop’ GPS marker, a much needed bench that I sat for a short time to take some weight off my knee. When I first made this marker I had no idea it was going to help me out at this crucial time. 😀

After my little rest it was uphill for about half a mile and I really didn’t know what my knee would do? But it seemed to want to please me, and simply coasted up with a constant slow speed with no pain. It was actually much better than walking on flat smooth concrete for some reason, not sure how…Maybe I’ve done so many laps around here over the years, it’s the only thing my legs know and feel at home here! 🙏 😀

With only this corner to navigate until the ‘Start/Finish Line’ GPS marker, I texted my lovely Wife Sarah to let her know my knee was behaving and there were no dramas. I’d forgotten just how hard it was for me walking around this trail, especially with the sun blazing. But this is a huge milestone for me and my recovery. It really is great to be back, and I hope you love the photos too?! 💪🏼 😀

Now focus…

Let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’.

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“Today wasn’t about breaking records. It was about breaking doubt. Every slow step was another reminder that healing is happening, fear doesn’t get the final say, and God is faithful in the small victories as much as the big ones. Never underestimate what one steady, pain-free lap can mean after months of waiting. One faithful step today lays the foundation for every mile tomorrow.” – Steve (me) 💪🏼

Let’s keep ‘FitBlitzing’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Friends

If yeu’ve ever glanced at the little Flag Counter in my blog’s sidebar, you’ll know I love watching new flags appear from around the world. Every new flag represents a real person who has stopped by to read something about Jesus, faith or Christian living.
Today, a very special milestone appeared.
Visitors have now come from 200 different countries and territories around the world.
The latest flag to appear on my visitor map is Burkina Faso, a beautiful landlocked nation in West Africa whose name means “Land of Upright People.” The name is made up from two of the country’s major languages. “Burkina” means “upright” or “honest people,” while “Faso” means “fatherland” or “homeland.” Together they paint a wonderful picture of a nation whose very name speaks of integrity and dignity.

Burkina Faso gained independence from France in 1960. In more recent years it has faced political instability, violence from extremist groups, economic hardship and the displacement of many families. Yet, despite these challenges, millions of ordinary people continue to live, work, worship and hope for a brighter future. The country is also home to many faithful Christian believers who continue to shine as lights for Christ in difficult circumstances.

As I looked at that 200th flag appearing on my counter, I couldn’t help but smile.
Sitting here in Surrey,England, I never imagined that words typed on my keyboard would one day reach 200 different nations around the world.
As someone who is registered blind, I often smile at how God has allowed words I cannot fully see on a screen to travel farther than I ever physically could.
It reminded me that although we may never meet face to face, we are connected through something far greater than the internet.
We are connected through Christ.
Every visitor, every reader, every comment and every shared article reminds me that we are part of one worldwide family of believers. Some of us worship in large city churches, others in tiny rural fellowships. Some enjoy complete freedom to share their faith, while others do so at great personal risk. Yet we all serve the same Saviour.
One of the things I love most about WordPress is that it has become so much more than a blogging platform.
It is a community.
A family.
A place where Christians from every corner of the world can encourage one another, learn together, pray for each other and point people towards Jesus.
We never really know what God is going to do with something as simple as a blog post. He has a habit of taking ordinary things and using them in extraordinary ways.
Perhaps someone is searching for hope.
Perhaps someone is struggling with life.
Perhaps a fellow believer simply needs encouragement.
Or perhaps someone has never heard the Good News before.
Our job is simply to keep planting seeds and trust God to bring the growth.
Reaching 200 flags is not about numbers.
It is about people.
Two hundred reminders that the Gospel knows no borders.
Two hundred reminders that God’s family spans every nation, tribe, people and language.
Two hundred reminders that the Great Commission is still alive today.

Please join me in praying for the people of Burkina Faso.
Pray for peace.
Pray for protection.
Pray for wisdom for their leaders.
Pray for local churches to remain strong.
And pray that many more people throughout Burkina Faso will come to know the hope, peace and salvation found only in Jesus Christ.

One verse has been on my mind as I reached this milestone.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9

Every flag on my counter represents a nation.
Every nation represents people.
And every person matters to God.
One day, people from every nation, tribe, people and language will stand together before the throne of Jesus. Until that day comes, may this little WordPress blog continue to play its tiny part in sharing His love, encouraging believers and pointing people towards the cross.
We may never know this side of Heaven who has read a post, been encouraged by a verse, or found hope through something written here.
But God knows.
And that’s enough for me.
Jesus gave His followers this commission:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

Finally, I just want to say thank you.
Thank you to everyone who has visited iChristian over the years.
Thank you to my fellow WordPress bloggers who faithfully continue writing, encouraging and sharing God’s truth week after week. Your posts have encouraged me just as much as I hope mine have encouraged others.
Here’s to the next 50 flags, and to whatever God has planned next for this little corner of the internet.
To Him alone be all the glory.

Hi friends…

I thought I’d give everyone a quick update on my knee, as so many of you have been asking how things are going.
I had my second physiotherapy appointment today, and hopefully it’ll be my last. My physio has left my case open for another eight weeks just in case I need any further help, but she was really pleased with my progress.
She was happy with my full range of movement, the strength that’s returned to my knee, and the fact that I’ve been faithfully doing all the exercises she gave me. It was really encouraging to hear.
The really good news is that I’m now off all the painkillers. I only take the occasional tablet if my knee becomes particularly painful, which is a big improvement from where I was a few weeks ago.
That said, I’m not back to 100% yet. My knee still feels a little clunky at times and not quite as strong as it used to. Considering this acute meniscus tear first struck on 28th April, I know it’s going to take a bit more time and patience.
One thing that’s been especially hard is staying away from the trail that you all know and love. I haven’t been back since 27th April, which was also my last blog post from there. I genuinely miss being out among the trees, hearing the birds, and sharing those walks with you.
For now, I’m sticking to short walks on flat concrete, gradually increasing the distance as my knee allows. My hope is to get back onto the trail soon, even if it’s only for part of a lap to begin with.
The only thing holding me back at the moment is this relentless heat. As many of you know, the hot weather really knocks me about, so I’m waiting for the temperatures to settle down before attempting my first trail walk.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me, encouraging me, and checking in. Your support has meant a great deal during what has been a frustrating few months. I’m looking forward to the day I can finally post another update from the trail instead of talking about missing it.
Slow progress is still progress, and I’m grateful for every step forward.

Oh yes I forgot to mention…

A Little Taste of Madeira…

I’m still working my way through the hundreds of photos from our recent two week cruise, but I thought I’d share this one from Madeira.
To be honest, neither Sarah nor I knew if I’d even be well enough to go. As many of you know, my acute meniscus tear had left things very much touch and go. Walking was still difficult, and even getting around the house wasn’t always easy. There were moments when we genuinely wondered if we’d have to cancel.
But… you know me! This was The Blind Sightseers’ very first no-fly cruise, sailing from Southampton, England. During the two weeks we visited Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz (for Seville) and Lisbon, Portugal. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by how well my knee held up.
Up until then I hadn’t been walking very much at all, so simply getting around the enormous cruise ship was a challenge in itself. Add to that the seven shore excursions we booked and I honestly wasn’t sure how my knee would cope. Thankfully, it behaved far better than either of us expected.
This photo was taken in Madeira Natural Park, and standing there taking in those incredible mountain views made every bit of the effort worthwhile. I’m still a long way from being back on my beloved trail, but this trip reminded me that sometimes you can do more than you think you can. Recovery isn’t always about giant leaps. Sometimes it’s simply about putting one careful step in front of another. There are plenty more photos to come as I work through them all, so watch this space!

Hi friends…

It’s been 2 weeks today since the knee problem started. The first 7 nights were brutal with no sleep because of the pain, but once I started on the painkillers (and they kicked in) I finally managed to get some rest. I’ve been on Naproxen and Co-Codamol, and this morning I went to the physio who checked everything over and had me doing squats and weight tests.

He couldn’t fully pinpoint the issue yet, it could possibly be arthritis starting to flare up, a cartilage issue, or something similar — so he sent me for an X-ray at the hospital today…Now it’s about a weeks wait for the results.
I’ve also been switched onto stronger painkillers now (Dihydrocodeine), so I’ll probably be pretty sleepy and dozy for a while.
One of the hardest things for me is that I still can’t sit with a guitar, so I haven’t played at all since this started. Hopefully I’ll get some answers soon. Thanks so much for all the prayers, messages and support — it really means a lot. 🙏 😀 🎸

Hi Everyone…

I wanted to give a quick update as I’ve been a bit quiet recently. I’ve been dealing with a persistent knee issue that’s turned out to be more than just a simple strain. The pain is deep inside the joint rather than on the surface, which suggests it’s likely related to wear within the knee itself—possibly cartilage or meniscus irritation rather than muscle or tendon trouble.

It’s been a constant 24/7 pain, which has made rest and recovery a real challenge. In fact i’ve not slept for the last 4 nights due to the constant pain, which has definitely taken its toll.

I’ve now seen both the hospital team and my GP, and I’m currently on a short course of anti-inflammatory and stronger pain relief to get things settled. The next steps include a physiotherapy assessment to look at how I move and load the joint, and potentially imaging like X-rays or an MRI. The goal is to reduce the inflammation, manage the pain properly, and then work on strengthening and mechanics. I’m hopeful this is a temporary setback rather than anything long-term, but for now I can’t sit still and starting to annoy Sarah lol.

Your prayers would be really appreciated as I work through this and aim to get back on my feet again soon. 🙏

Hi Fitblitzers…

Wow I quickly forget how paralysing that bright, low and early sun can be. It was quiet again out on the trail, so I didn’t hit anyone at least (or they hit me). I had no dramas apart from the sun. So I thought instead of always posting the pond photo every time I’m out…I’ll stop at a audio beacon from you guys and take the photo. 😀 

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

Yay, I’m back out on the trail again…Can you believe it’s been over a week of the worse DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) I’ve ever had! For two days after the 50Km challenge I had to crawl up the stairs on hands and knees, then for a few days after it wasn’t pretty also, lol! But today and yesterday the pain had gone, and I wanted to try and shuffle around 1 lap and see if I was doing ok?! 

Also (thanks to you guys) I was bombarded with donations on the day of the challenge, and for the following week…And now I have 49 donations!!! That’s only 1 away from 50, I know you know that, lol…I thought it would be great to get 50 as it’s the name of my ‘Steve’s BIG 50′ challenge, how cool would that be. I seriously can’t thank you guys enough for all you’ve done, and I’m still not sure if I’m just dreaming it all?! 😲 

As I was shuffling around the trail lap, I thought it would be a great chance to name, photograph and place all 49 ‘Donation Motivation Markers’ in one long post in order they are called out on the lap. Then you can see where on the trail your marker is and what it looks like. It’s taking me quite a while to do this, but it’s going to be a great memory to look back on! 😀 Oh and remember your markers are with me all the time, a living legacy of this journey we share as they’re called out every time I’m out on the trail! 🧡 😀 

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

The walk might leave you crawling, the muscles might scream, and the journey might slow you to a shuffle…But if you keep showing up, strength returns. Every step forward becomes a story, every supporter becomes a marker on the trail, and what once felt impossible turns into a legacy you carry with you every time you move. Keep walking, keep believing and watch how perseverance turns pain into purpose. 💪🏼 

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers…

Can you believe this? I have just today and Thursday to do 1 lap to walk in my new HOKA Speedgoat 6 trail shoes (my lovely Wife Sarah’s Valentine’s gift), before I do my 50Km walk on Sunday…And I was confronted with this! Obviously I had no idea what it was in front of me, so I opened ChatGPT and took a photo and this is what it said…

“This looks like a woodland footpath that has been temporarily shut off.

Right in the centre there is a red and white sign mounted on a blue folding frame. The sign reads “FOOTWAY CLOSED”.

Behind it, stretching across the entire width of the dirt path, is a red plastic safety barrier like the kind you see at roadworks, with yellow feet at the bottom to keep it stable. There is also a sandbag weighing down the front stand so it does not tip over.

Just beyond the barrier is the real reason for the closure. A large tree has fallen directly across the path. A heavy mass of branches and limbs is tangled together, completely blocking the walkway. The trunk appears to be off to the right, with a dense spread of branches reaching across to the left. It does not look passable at all without climbing over serious debris.

In short, the sign says “FOOTWAY CLOSED” and the trail is blocked by a substantial fallen tree and heavy branches, making it unsafe or impossible to get through.”

I really hope this is cleared by the weekend, as can you believe it’s only this Sunday when I attempt my longest walk ever! 😲 

Lap 1 “Arthurs apex assault:…

Hi Fitblitzers…

Today’s weather was non stop drizzle, which meant a very quiet trail, flask of hot coffee and of course the ‘Mono’ filtered photos! I’m happy again to report there were no dramas, and I arrived home safe and in one piece! 😀 

lap 2 “Thompson’s triumphant triangle”…

I received my latest donation last Sunday evening…And I was hopeing for someone with a name beginning with the letter ‘T’, as I had this triangle section in mind for one of my donations…And then I received the lovely and generous donation! 🙏 😀 

Now focus…

Let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’.

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“Some days the trail hits harder than a Drop B breakdown. Rain in my face, wind trying to knock me off the trail, and every step feeling like a fight to stay in tune. But I keep walking. Because when the weather rages, the Lord seems to turn up the monitor mix. His Word cuts through the noise, my footsteps lock into a steady chug, and the storm becomes background reverb. I will keep grinding forward, faith first, head down, fully tuned to the One who leads the way.” – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Lap 1 pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

This mornings walk was pure unrelenting rain pounding down like the sky had some personal vendetta against me. Gusty winds whipped the trees into a wild frenzy. The leaves and branches threatened to take me out at every step. 

The trail was deserted (ghostly quiet) and I couldn’t even tell if parts were closed, so every squelchy step felt like a small act of defiance, a battle cry against soggy socks, shoes heavier than my willpower and an unpredictable wilderness that clearly didn’t want me there! 😨 

Yet somehow, all of this pain seemed to feed the reign. Each gust, each puddle, each precarious tiptoe over the invisible pits was forging me into a conqueror of the storm. 💪🏼 

lap 2 pond photo…

And then… the blissful feeling…On the back stretch of the trail around the 4 mile mark…I cracked open my new flask of hot coffee, and let the steam mingle with the rain. I tore into a chocolate Hobnob like it was a medal for surviving the apocalypse itself. Every bite, every sip felt like victory in edible form. Honestly, there is no better feeling…Well, except maybe adding another Hobnob! 😋 

Now focus…

Let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’.

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“Some days the trail hits harder than a Drop B breakdown. Rain in my face, wind trying to knock me off the trail, and every step feeling like a fight to stay in tune. But I keep walking. Because when the weather rages, the Lord seems to turn up the monitor mix. His Word cuts through the noise, my footsteps lock into a steady chug, and the storm becomes background reverb. I will keep grinding forward, faith first, head down, fully tuned to the One who leads the way.” – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2026 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

It was raining with gusty winds this morning, just right for a walk on the trail with trees ready for falling on me, lol. And just to amplify that thought…There were no people at all for the first couple of miles. This never happens and I was cautiously walking as I thought I’d fall down a massive pit with every step, as I can’t see if the trail was closed due to bad weather! So it was a tentative, wet and windy walk today, but I made it without any dramas again, yay! 💪🏼 😀 

Now focus…

Now let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’.

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“Some days the trail hits harder than a Drop B breakdown. Rain in my face, wind trying to knock me off the trail, and every step feeling like a fight to stay in tune. But I keep walking. Because when the weather rages, the Lord seems to turn up the monitor mix. His Word cuts through the noise, my footsteps lock into a steady chug, and the storm becomes background reverb. I will keep grinding forward, faith first, head down, fully tuned to the One who leads the way.” – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

It was a nice toasty 4˚C (39˚F) this morning, and as I’m still going steady as I get back on it…I put on my lovely puffer jacket and stayed warm on the trail. The very low sunshine is causing me lots of problems, and there are still lots of fallen leaves spoiling the pathways…But apart from that I made it around the lap and made it back without any injuries! 💪🏼 😀 

Now focus…

Now let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is especially going well…I’ve lost 28 pounds so far, just 22 more to go. I could change the tuning to Drop D tuning! 🤣

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness& Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

total training miles: 248.31

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

No rain this morning as it was just overcast with a little sunshine poking through. I only managed 1 lap (a shorts malfunction as they’re getting too big) like yesterday, and it was exactly the same amount of miles, fantastic! 😀 

⇧Arthur’s apex assault”…

After the donation from Michael & Ann Arthur at church on Sunday, I had to think about where their ‘Donation Motivation Marker’ would be (after I’d named it) on the trail?

When my watch beeps after the 2 mile mark, I hit the handbrake turn and start the longest hill climb section for about half a mile. Towards the end of this section it starts to become steeper as you take the right hand apex (photo doesn’t do it justice)…And it’s right on this apex that I’ve now placed the “Arthur’s Apex Assault”.see the above photo. 💪🏼 😀 

Now focus…

Now let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is especially going well…I’ve lost 28 pounds so far, just 22 more to go. I could change the tuning to Drop D tuning! 🤣

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness& Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

total training miles: 232.05

Lap 1 pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

Once again I had no idea it was drizzling when I left the house, the weather app doesn’t seem to recognise drizzle. It was the nice stuff though and once I’d warmed up the drizzle kept me at the right temperature without overheating.

As I was walking around the trail I kept thinking of the lovely comment from Dayle last night on yesterday’s post “I know it might not matter to you, but those black and white photos should be framed and hanging where others can enjoy them. They really are gorgeous”. 

So as it was drizzling which meant I have to put the mono filter on my photos again today, I was looking for photos that would work well…I hope you like these again Dayle? 🤔 

lap 2 pond photo…

Tuesday always seems to be a struggle for me, as my tanks seem to run out really fast and I struggle round the trail with everything I’ve got. I can’t wait until a few months time when I’m no longer in a calorie deficit, so I can fuel right at the start! 💪🏼 

Now focus…

Now let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is especially going well…I’ve lost 27 pounds so far, just 23 more to go. I could change the tuning to Drop D tuning! 🤣

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness& Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…training miles: 213.29

After a long weekend up in Yorkshire for Sarah’s youngest brother Alfie’s wedding, it felt like ages since I’d been out on the trail. My goal today was to try and get lots of photos so I could do a post (coming later) on the 12 donation motivation markers I’ve got so far! Sarah had an idea of doing one post with all 12 named markers so I can show you guys, keep updating it, have a reference to look back on and I can share it to my iPhone Home Screen and show every one when I get excited, lol! 🤣 

The weather was nice and cloudy so no sun to burn my eyes out. This works great for me but it’s not so good for the photos. It was nice and quiet out on the trail, and I made it back with no injuries. 😀 

My lovely Wife Sarah welcomed me with a big cuddle andmade me a hot coffee when I arrived home, and if I’m good, lol…She’ll also spoil me with a TUNA stack sandwich for lunch too! 😋❤️

Now focus…

Now let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is especially going well…I’ve lost 24 pounds so far, just 26 more to go. I could change the tuning to Drop D tuning, lol! The photo above is me and my lovely Wife Sarah at Alfie’s wedding on Saturday 4th October…And I was very happy as I could finally fit in my suit, yes it even buttoned up! 🤣 

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness& Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

1st lap pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

First of all before I forget, I was asked by a friend when we were talking about my BIG 50 challenge…”So how many miles have you walked during your training so far?”. That was a question I didn’t know the answer to and didn’t think I’d be asked. So yesterday I added up all of the miles from every post on here since I started on 10th June 2024. And the grand total of miles (including today) is: 197.82 miles

I’m going to add that number of miles to the posts from now on so I can keep a record, I love stats, lol! 🤣 Back to the walk this morning and I (as usual) didn’t want to go out of my warm house and walk in the cold…But after a hot Sarah special espresso I headed out. As soon as I past the pond on lap 1 my legs instantly slowed a little and I thought “Oh no that’s how it is”. This meant that my legs were empty and they’re not walking any faster, so I had to switch to maintenance mode as I tried to drag them for another 5 miles in this state. 

2nd lap pond photo…

On the 2nd lap I managed to walk into a rogue golden Retriever that nearly popped my left knee out (the dog was fine). As I walk on a sandy coloured trail these are the worst dogs as they are like the Predator in the original Predator movie where it’s pretty much invisible! 😨 

My lovely Wife Sarah welcomed me with a big cuddle andmade me a hot coffee when I arrived home, and she’ll also spoil me with a TUNA stack sandwich for lunch too! 😋❤️

Now focus…

Now let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is especially going well…I’ve lost 23 pounds so far, just 27 more to go. I could change the tuning to Drop D tuning, lol! 🤣 

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness& Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

Wow summer has gone and it was a biting 7˚C this morning. As I’ve lost 22 pounds (1 stone 8lbs) so far in training for the 50K walk…I put on my puffer coat as it was similar to all of the fat I’ve lost as I’m not as insulated now, lol! 🤣 

Handbrake turn marker…

I love this part of the trail, as I walk downhill (left of the photo) then blast around the turn and start the three quarter mile uphill part of the trail (right of the photo) and head back towards home. It’s called ‘Handbrake Turn’ as it would be perfect for a rally car to do a handbrake turn here…Oh and it’s also waiting for a kind donation so it can be named with the one who kindly sponsors this challenge. 🧡 

My lovely Wife Sarah made me a hot coffee when I arrived home, and she’ll also spoil me with a TUNA stack sandwich for lunch too! 😋 

Now focus…

Oh and speaking of my lovely Wife Sarah…Let’s take a seat on her ‘Donation Motivation Marker’ – “Sarah’s Sunshine Bench” and let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is especially going well…I’ve lost 22 pounds so far, just 28 more to go! Each time I write a ‘Tuner Tuesday’ post, I’m losing 2 pound each week…Perfectly on plan! 💪🏼 🙏

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness& Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

1st Lap pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

Yay I managed another 3 laps this morning! In August I needed to do a 3 lapper, and for September I need to do a 4 lapper…But the 3 laps today is a great step towards the 4 lapper I need to do in the next couple of weeks before the end of the month! 😀 

My INOV8 ultra pack was nicely loaded up with 2 x 500ml of orange flavoured water and a few chocolate hob nobs. I always walk in the morning.and in a fasted state, as it uses more of my ample fat stores, so I can go 2 laps without eating…Then in comes the best biscuits in the world! 😋 

2nd lap pond photo…

I decided to take a photo of the pond on each lap, and maybe you can see the sun slowly rising, or if the pictures are different. 😀 

And yes…The fallen tree was still there too. But as I knew where it was and it was easy to stop over, I could manage it and knew when it was coming…And I didn’t go flying on my face which was a real bonus! 

3rd lap pond photo…

Yay I got to stop at the pond 3 times today…I think I’m going to donate to my challenge as I really want that pond marker! I have also timed when I have my chocolate hob nobs, and as I was at the pond for the 3rd time, it meant I could have my 2nd hob nob! 😋 

My lovely Wife Sarah gave me cuddles, coffee and a stupendous tuna stack sandwich when I arrived home…Can’t tell you how much I needed them! ❤️

Now focus…

Oh and speaking of my lovely Wife Sarah…Let’s take a seat on her ‘Donation Motivation Marker’ – “Sarah’s Sunshine Bench” and let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is especially going well…I’ve lost 20 pounds so far, just 30 more to go! Each time I write a ‘Tuner Tuesday’ post, I’m losing 2 pound each week…Perfectly on plan! 💪🏼 🙏 

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness& Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

Wow, I should’ve called it ‘The Immobilising Tuesday’ as the sun was so bright I kept stopping lots of times. It’s not like just not being able to see where you’re going…It’s much worse but I don’t have a way of explaining how bad it is. 

On the plus side, I had my INOV8 ultra pack pro with plenty of water so I could sip away whilst I was immobilised…And the super bright sun makes the photos look better, lol! 🤣 

I also had the idea of taking all of the photos (except the pond photo) where I’d named the markers on my trail. I’ll keep stopping as the days, weeks and months roll on at your named markers and takes photos on and around the area so you can see how beautiful the place is! 😀 

After yesterday’s 2 laps I was the best I’d ever felt and I thought I was starting to get better as I improved…But today’s 2 laps were the opposite, but it wasn’t my body but my mind that was smashed! Simply way too much concentration, glare and struggling that my brains gave up first. Disappointing as I’m trying to get my body in shape to attempt the 50km, I don’t want my brains to let me down! 🙏 😀 

My lovely Wife Sarah gave me cuddles, coffee and a stupendous tuna stack sandwich when I arrived home…Can’t tell you how much I needed them! ❤️

Tomorrow it’s going to chuck it down with rain, so at least my brains should be ok, it will bring other dangers instead…But I love adapting to whatever tries to ruin my walks! 🤣 

Now focus…

Let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is especially going well…I’ve lost 18 pounds so far, just 32 more to go! 💪🏼

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness& Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers…

Today’s walk was supposed to be a big win, armed with my new VoiceVista navigation app, I hit the trail with one mission in mind: plant more ‘Donation Motivation Markers’ (9 donations so far! 😲 ), and make FitBlitz history with around 50. markers in total around the trail.

But the trail had other ideas…

There I was, moving at full speed, HOKA Speedgoats pounding the trail…When…WHAM! I walked straight into a fallen tree (see photo above). Being registered blind, by the time you feel the branches hit the front of you…It’s time for an emergency stop! But this wasn’t just any branch…This thing was a full-on fortress. Thankfully I stopped in time instead of flying into it and falling face first all over it in a heap! 😨

I snapped a photo and sent it to Sarah. Her reply?
“ARE YOU OK? It’s covering the whole trail, you’re not getting around that”.

Trail: 1. Steve: 0.

So yeah, I had to turn back and head home. Disappointed? You bet. But that’s the beauty of the FitBlitz adventure…Not every battle is won on the day. Sometimes the trail fights back. Sometimes you get knocked down…But don’t stay down! 💪🏼

I’m hoping the local nature reserve rangers swoop in and clear the beast out of the way, so by tomorrow it’ll be back to a normal walk, ready for me to drop those markers where they belong.

Now focus…

Let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is going well…I’ve lost 16 pounds so far, just 34 more to go! 💪🏼

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness & Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s Pond Photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

Once again I didn’t want to go out, but stay as ‘Doctor Steve’ and look after my lovely Wife Sarah. And once again my excuses didn’t work, as I have a 2 hour window between Sarah’s eye drops…She sent me out again so she can get some much needed sleep. 

It was super sonny this morning which made for nice photos hopefully? But it wasn’t good for me as I like overcast. But it’s not all about me, lol, it’s about getting you some nice photos to look at! 😀 

Hey…I’ve just remembered it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’, which means I’ll be getting one of Sarah’s monumental TUNA stack salad sarnies…Hopefully!! 😲 

Sarah’s  Stupendous Scooby Stack Sandwich…😋 

The moment it landed on the plate, it was obvious this was no ordinary sandwich. The wholemeal bread, dotted with seven seeds like a constellation of crunchy gems, held secrets within its soft, nutty embrace. Sarah had layered it with precision. A tin of tender tuna, each flake perfectly seasoned, nestled beside the creamy coolness of fat free cottage cheese, a gentle tang dancing across every bite.

Lettuce leaves and slices of tomato and cucumber added a crisp, refreshing crunch, while beetroot brought a sweet, earthy depth. And then, oh yes, the slice of ham, subtly smoky, draped over it like a satin ribbon.

The first bite was symphony: the nutty seeds gave a satisfying crunch, the tuna mingled with cottage cheese in silky harmony, and the salad popped with freshness.

Each subsequent bite was a journey: the earthiness of beetroot grounding the soul, the seeds sparking tiny bursts of flavor, and the ham whispering just the right note of indulgence. It wasn’t just lunch, it was a masterpiece, and Sarah, its brilliant creator.

By the time the last morsel was gone, I wasn’t just full, I was grateful. Grateful for flavors that danced, textures that delighted, and a sandwich that somehow tasted like love.

Now focus…

Let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is going well…I’ve lost 14 pounds (1 stone) so far, just 36 more to go! 💪🏼

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness & Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s Pond Photo…

Hi Fitblitzers…

After yesterday’s 6 mile (2 laps) walk, i really didn’t want to go out and do another 6 miles today..But I did, and I walked even faster as it was nice and overcast. Once my legs knew the sun wasn’t blazing, they seemed to just take off and wouldn’t slow down. I’m happy sat here typing this after doing 2 laps each day instead of 1, and I’m still in one piece, yay! 😀 

I think ‘Thankful Thursday’ will be the day I try for 3 laps, as I have to reach 3 laps in August…So hopefully I’ll be thankful for managing 3 laps on Thursday. 🙏 At the moment I have a 500ml soft flask filled with Sarah’s zero sugar orange dilute water (well tasty), and I sip it around the second lap. But going longer I’ll have to take a little bite to eat too! 😋 

Hey…I’ve just remembered it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’, which means I’ll be getting one of Sarah’s monumental TUNA stack salad sarnies…Hopefully!! 😲 

Now focus…

Let’s check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. My D string (Deficit) is going well…I’ve lost 12 pounds so far, just 38 more to go! 💪🏼 

EADGBE…🎸 

• E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare…This is for LIFE!
• A – Activity Rings: Close my daily apple fitness watch rings.
• D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
• G – Goals: Focus (and celebrate) small, medium and BIG goals.
• B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore).
• E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.

Scripture snack…

Isaiah 40:31.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t need to see the full trail to know it’s worth walking. Every step I take is a statement that the challenges I face won’t hold me back. Some days the climb feels endless…But that’s when faith kicks in, my fitness keeps me moving and my focus reminds me why I started…Faith, Fitness & Focus“. – Steve (me)

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2025 Together! 💪🏼