Yay it’s good to be back out on the trail, and there were much less leaves causing mayhem. My shin didn’t fold in half and stayed strong and I managed to walk around the lap and almost enjoy it, lol. 🤣
It was a great feeling to get back out and walk without any dramas. Sarah was very happy too as she had a lovely hot fresh coffee and a cuddle waiting for me. ☕ 😀 No excuses now so I’m going for 2 laps tomorrow!
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
It’s almost a whole calendar month since I’ve been out on the trail properly. My shin has kept me out for nearly a month and I really didn’t need that! Now this monumental challenge has now got even bigger for me! 😨
I tentetivly walked around the lap this morning as a test, to see if the too many leaves were blocking my way (sounds crazy but it really ruins everything). It was better but still not great as I had to do a shortcut right at the end and knock off about 400 metres as the leaves were too much and there is a lamppost somewhere along the path which I really don’t want to hit on my first day back. Good news is that I made it around one lap in one piece, and my leg seems ok so I can hopefully get back on with my training…Only now I’m a month behind. 💪🏼 😀
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
After my ‘5 Lapper (14.72 miles’ a couple of weeks ago, you may remember I cracked my shin on a fallen tree or rock)…Well I havn’t been out on the trail since, as I’ve had my shin in a large dressing as I try and get the wound to heal. It’s quite a big one and is right up the shin bone, my lovely Wife Sarah has been taking care of it and I’m hoping to try and get out on the trail this Wednesday! 😀
So I hope you can imagine my joy as I received 2 more donations yesterday from our church friend Ken and my lovely Wife Sarah! This was not only fantastic…It meant I also earned the raised over £500 badge (see above) for the MS Society. It truly is overwhelming how amazing you guys are, who keep believing, praying and encouraging me throughout my rollercoaster challenge! 🧡
More Motivation…
If you’ve already donated…Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And if you haven’t yet, there’s still plenty of road ahead and every pound really does make a difference. Let’s keep this momentum rolling, help me smash through to the next milestone! 🧡 DONATE HERE 🧡
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
I can’t believe I’m writing this, and I’m going to celebrate once I’ve stopped feeling like a zombie! 🤣 The sun was on killer mode this morning for the first few laps and I thought about stopping as It was cooking my brains…But I’m glad I powered through!
The trail was quite clear for the first lap, and I thought it was a mistake choosing to walk 4 hours 20 minutes today as I was feeling a little sluggish. But I was fully loaded with water, chocolate hobnobs and my new Under Armour HeatGear base layer! 😀
Lap 2 photos…
The Mental Fatigue Side of a Long Walk
It’s funny — my body seems to be adapting really well to the long-distance walks now. I can handle the miles better, my legs just about keep up, and even the recovery’s getting shorter. But the thing that’s been catching me off guard is how mentally tired I get afterwards — especially when the sun’s blazing like today’s first 3 laps.
When that bright light hits, it feels like my eyeballs and brain are being fried. It’s not physical exhaustion, it’s mental. Being registered blind, my brain’s already working overtime to process what little I can see. Add in the glare, reflections, and flickering sunlight through the trees, and it’s like someone cranks the sensory volume up to 11. My brain’s visual circuits go into overdrive trying to make sense of it all, and that’s super draining.
The concentration side of things makes it worse. I’m not just walking — I’m navigating, listening, keeping my balance, tracking sounds and surfaces, and staying aware of every step. Other people can zone out and cruise; I’ve got to stay switched on the whole time. That constant focus eats through mental energy faster than my legs ever could.
It’s kind of like running an amp at full gain for hours — it’ll keep working, but it’s going to heat up, or blow up. My brain’s the same. It can just about handle the load (so far), but it needs time to cool down after.
It’s not a body problem — it’s a sensory load problem. The fitness is slowly coming; now I’m learning how to manage the mental side too! 💪🏼
Towards the end of the second lap I finally found a little boost as I passed the finish line to start lap 3…I think it was me getting excited as I knew I was about to crack open the chocolate hobnobs! 😋
lap 3 photos…
Passing the pond for the third time, I was starting to think about stopping the whole walk as the sunshine was simply exhausting me. My body felt like it could cary on but my brain, eyes and mental overload just wanted me to stop…I really can’t describe the feeling but it makes you want to finish and finish now. 😨
then crack!!!
My shin bone suddenly cracked against something hard and I instantly said “OUCH”. I had no idea where it’d come from or what it was as I was walking on the left hand side of the trail. After a few hobbles I stopped to feel throbbing and pain from my shin. My first thought was “I hope it hasn’t ruined my new UA base layer”. As I was about 2 miles from home and I knew I had my 10 minute pitstop after this lap I carried on with my shin throbbing and feeling a little wet.
lap 4 photos…
I knew Sarah was in a ‘Teams meeting’ during the pitstop so I had to decide whoever to stop or carry on…I thought I’m NOT doing this on another day this week so I’m going to ‘Man Up’ and carry on.
The pitstop went fantastic as I filled up my soft flasks, put more chocolate hobnobs in my tubs and had a toilet break. It’s the first time that my legs had not felt tight at all when I started out walking again…I really like those UA base layers! 💪🏼
lap 5 photo…
Yay come on Steve only one more lap to go, it was nice to see the pond again for the 5th time as I knew it was the last, lol! My shin had stopped throbbing finally as I kept walking and didn’t give it time to complain.
As I got home after 4 hours 20 minutes with a average pace of 3.5 miles per hour, I was happy I could finally stop. Sarah welcomed me with a lovely fresh hot coffee as I told her about my shin. She quickly turned Into a medic and got the first aid kit. I’m still not sure what’s happened to my shin, I only know I hit the bone and my skins ripped off…I’m sat typing this with a large dressing and cream over it and it’s throbbing now…But YES I DID IT!! 💪🏼 😀
More Motivation…
Screenshot
My watch also beeped after I’d completed this months challenge badge after my walk!
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
Wow it was proper chucking it down out on the trail this morning. I havn’t walked in the rain yet since I started at ‘June time to prune’ over 4 months ago. It’s drizzled before but nothing like this. I got to try out just how waterproof my layers are!
The trail was really clear and I think I only seen 2 people, that’s never happened before. I had no dramas and I stayed nice and dry whilst staying warm. And when I arrived home to my lovely Wife Sarah who also had a fresh coffee in hand…Wow just wow! ☕ ❤️
More Motivation…
YAY…I’ve just hit 25% of my fundraising target! I was sat at church yesterday and Michael & Ann came over to me and handed me an envelope and said “Here is a donation towards your great challenge”. I’m honestly blown away by the support so far. Every donation, every word of encouragement, every prayer and every share has helped keep me going. This challenge isn’t just about covering 50 kilometres in 1 day; it’s about pushing limits, raising awareness, and doing something meaningful together. If you’ve already donated…Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And if you haven’t yet, there’s still plenty of road ahead and every pound really does make a difference. Let’s keep this momentum rolling, help me smash through to the next milestone! 🧡 DONATE HERE 🧡
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
Can you believe it’s been 7 years since i did my first fundraiser?! I thought this would be my first and last! I thought you’d like to look back with me on the day this blindman tackled the Tough Mudder…And survived…Just! Looking back on this post has given me some more motivation to keep smashing away at my current (and 7th) fundraising challenge…”Steve’s The BIG 50“
Tough Mudder
Yay…..We did it!
From left: Adie, Vini, Me, Josie & Ashley
Tough Mudder 5K – Saturday 13th October 2018…….Here Goes!
From left: Adie, Me & Josie Me carrying Adie on the “Hero Carry”
It was amazing to have my friend of nearly 30 years Adie Monk join our “Hard As Nails” team. I thought we’d sit and catch up over a coffee….I didn’t have this in mind, lol!
Thanks John Atherton for taking another great photo. I can’t thank you and Sarah Atherton enough for giving us all these memories to cherish! 😀
After jogging a little, we came to this…….
“At over 2 stories high, this is one of the most impressive obstacles in the UK. It is a giant A-shaped cargo net that you and your team will have to scramble up and over it. Working together will be the only way to overcome”.
This is where my new trainers just hooked perfectly around the rope and it felt completely solid. Also my blindness helped me out for once as i couldn’t see how high i was, and didn’t freeze like a couple of people i heard up there!
Then….When getting to the bottom i hear “Yay, Whoop Whoop, Steve, Steve, Steve” and the sound of the plastic clapper hands were going crazy! What a feeling to know my lovely Wife Sarah and the Crazy Clappers team were cheering me all of the way, a great feeling! 😎
Me, Vini & Ashley biggin’ up the cheering team
More jogging….Adie and the team were excellent at guiding me when jogging. Moving low hanging branches, telling me of tree roots and pulling me in the right direction. Adie said “I tried running with my eyes closed for a few steps…And there is no way i’d try any of this if i couldn’t see”.
Then…..
“We’ve taken the 10′ Hero Walls and tilted them right at you. By removing the ability for you to climb up and over this wall, you will have to form a strategy with your team, work together and boost each other to the other side”.
Ouch, my leg hasn’t bent that far in about 20 years, lol!
More Jogging…..
“This obstacle will have you crawling on the ground, pinned down by a giant cargo net. Working your way through this one will require lots of communication, teamwork and a strong will”.
You’ve guessed it…..More jogging and then….
“The aim of the game is to get your team up and over this stack of super-sized hay bales. There is no right or wrong way so boost, shove or yank every last team member over the other side”.
⇧ Ashley helping Josie in a display of team work ⇧
Next…….
“Can’t go through it, can’t go round it, you’ll have to go over it. Work together to boost and shimmy your teammates up and over this 10′ Tough Mudder staple”.
Yep, more jogging…..
“Time to get swinging. Grab on, hold tight, feel the momentum and swing yourself from ring to ring like a regular Tarzan. This obstacle will test your strength, coordination and flow. Hang in there, you got this”.
Really didn’t do well on this one…And i can’t really blame my sight for lack of strength, lol!
After a little more jogging……
“One of the most teamwork-inducing obstacles in the Tough Mudder portfolio, this obstacle is difficult to complete alone. You’re going to have to work together to form a human pyramid and, like its namesake, climb up and over your fellow Mudders on the way to the top”.
As Vini was making everything look so easy…..It was great to look at the photos afterwards and see it wasn’t all too easy!! 💪🏼
AND NOW……MY NEMESIS!!!!
“A true Tough Mudder legend. Everest will challenge participants to run up a quarter pipe to reach the summit. Can’t do it alone? Not to worry – teammates are encouraged to hang over the top to pull their new friends up and over”.
I knew this was going to be more difficult for me as i needed to try it and get hands on before i could calculate what exactly i needed to do. Adie & Ashley explained the process….But i knew i just had to do it before i would really know….As running at a half pipe wall thingy when blind is going to be interesting!
Here Goes Nothing…..
I took 1 step too many….and before i knew it the wall was in my face! Ooooo i was so close to reaching the ledge.
After hitting the wall i dropped down on both knees, and as the obstacle was made of hardish tyre rubber, it simply burned and ripped the skin off both knees….Wow that stings, lol. Time to regroup and recalculate!
“Ok Steve, just do the same but with 1 step less”. Here i go again!
Yay….That’s better…..And once i had my talon trainers gripped to the ledge, i could just heave myself up. Wow i made it! 💪🏼
⇧ Ashley showing how it should be done! ⇧😎
The team were fantastic and we all made it up. No-one was being left behind and you could just feel the team growing closer with each obstacle, it was amazing.
Now the final obstacle was overcome, it was time for a short jog to the finish line,Yay!
The Finish Line & The Headbands……
WE DID IT……
⇧ When words fail to say how thankful you are!!! ⇧
Me, Adie & the headbands ⇧ Adie, Vini & Me for a final photo ⇧
WOW WHAT A JOURNEY……
I can’t thank everyone enough….
With more than a week past….My knees are still scabbed and bruised…..But i’d like to give an Elephantine amount of thanks for everyone involved! 💪🏼
First, I’d like to give a stupendous amount of thanks to my lovely Wife Sarah….The amount of love and encouragement was/is mind-blowing! And the “Hard As Nails” team…..”“my muscles were fading but the sense of team work was overwhelming and no matter what…..We were getting over those obstacles”.💪🏼
Second, i’d like to give a monumental amount of thanks to the “Crazy Clappers” team. “When i’d finished an obstacle and was about to collapse……I’d hear the Cheering Team and you’d put a big grin on my face to remind me it was alright and to keep going! 😎
Third, i’d like to give a gargantuan amount of thanks to all of you guys for your donations to “World Cancer Research Fund” and encouraging me(& the team) every step of the way! “Intention isn’t Prevention……And you all have helped me spread the good news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers we can prevent.”
Fourth, A colossal amount of thanks to John & Sarah Atherton(from the Epsom Camera Club) for giving up your Saturday and taking the amazing photos of us all….We’ve got fantastic memories of the day!
Wow…i hope you enjoyed reading and it’s MOTIVATED you in some way too?!
motivational quote…
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated” – Bak of my INOV8 t-shirt.
It was nice to be back out on the trail after a lovely weekend of rest, reflection and filling up the tanks. Spending time with my lovely Wife Sarah is the most special and blessed thing for me! Once again I had no idea it was drizzling until I left the house, I even checked the weather app and it said there was zero chance of rain, lol! 🤣
It was pretty clear out on the trail as I think the drizzle kept most of them away. This is also good for me as I have to spend most of my concentration on not hitting anyone or any dogs etc…Another win win for me. 💪🏼
2nd lap pond photo…
I seriously didn’t want to do 2 laps this morning as I just wanted to come home early for my coffee and big hug…But I knew it’s ‘Motivational Monday’ and it wouldn’t be very motivational if I just gave up and put comfort first!
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
Today is the start of my 2 lap minimum each day to try and build up more strength and stamina…I’m really going to miss the 1 lapper. After managing 12.12 miles last Thursday(4 laps) it’s time to level up ready for the October 5 lapper which I’m really not looking forwards to! 😨
The trail had lots of runners, cyclists and dog walkers and I managed to miss all of them, lol. I even managed to overtake some walkers too…Yay this blindman is getting faster! 😀
2nd lap pond photo…
This photo of the pond through the trees is right next to the path. The photo doesn’t show how bright and blinding it is as I can’t see the trail and try really hard not to walk straight into the pond…Now that would surprise me, and of course I’d try and get you photos from the bottom of the pond, lol! 🤣
I averaged a 3.56 mph pace over 1 hour 41 minutes which is quick for me, and to arrive home without any damage or dramas at that speed is fantastic!
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
more motivation…😲
After last Thursdays 4 laps (12.12 miles) I achieved the ‘September Challenge’ badge. I don’t think I noticed it until the following day as I was too tired from my trail walk! 🤣
The gusty winds were blowing loudly against the windows this morning, and the weather app had given out weather warnings for strong winds…But thatj’s not very ‘MOTIVATIONAL’ is it?! I thought the trees on the trail don’t need much wind to blow them over, but I’ve got a challenge to prepare for so I don’t have time for excuses, lol! 🤣
As it was very windy today I decided to leave the shorts at home and put on my cosy tracksuit bottoms. I also put on my cosy yellow wind proof jacket too. I was very warm and cosy out there, totally wind proof…I just had to walk slow as I was a little too warm, but well worth it! 😀
I was quite enjoying being blown around whilst staying wind proof and warm, it was a nice feeling. It was also nice that there were no fallen trees, especially as the sun was blazing so it was extremely difficult to see the trail at all. I was about three quarters around the lap when…🤔
the fallen tree…😨
Thankfully as I was so warm I couldn’t walk very fast at all, so I managed to stop instantly when my foot connected with the tree. I quickly felt it with my foot and stepped over it…Yay I didn’t have to try and find another way out! 💪🏼
more motivation…😲
Over the weekend I was sent an email to say I’d unlocked the £250 badge, as my last donation to ‘Steve’s BIG 50’ challenge made my total fly past the £250 mark…Now that MOTIVATES ME! 😲 💪🏼
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
No matter what I do, when I walk 2 laps around the trail from door to door…I always hit 5.99 miles and not 6.00 miles! 🤣 Well at least my route and Apple Watch are accurate! 💪🏼
I’ve had plenty of MOTIVATION this weekend ready for today. On Friday I’d lost exactly 2 stone (28 pounds) in total in around 3.5 months…And 18 pounds in total on my BIG 50 challenge, I only had the challenge idea after I already started losing some weight, lol. This meant that I could finally use the gift Sarah had bought me a year ago but it didn’t fit…So today was the first day I wore my INOV8 Ultra Pack Pro 2in1 (5ltr or 12ltr thanks to it’s removable 7ltr pack). It also has 2x 500ml soft flasks which is perfect for my training as I’m now doing a minimum of 2 laps a day! 💪🏼 😀
I managed 2 laps today which meant 4 photos of my trail, and when I arrived home after sipping my water, I’d felt better (and didn’t collapse)…A BIG thanks to my lovely Wife Sarah for her amazing gift! 😀
And the best thing about walking 2 laps is that I get to take a different photo of the pond. I’m writing another MOTIVATION post at the moment to tell you about a massive dose of MOTIVATION I received this weekend too…I know I’m spoilt beyond belief! 😲
motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
I really don’t like leaving my lovely Wife Sarah to head out on the trail…But after I made her a coffee (inferior to her amazing ones) I headed out on a mission.
The Soundscape app I always go on about, as it’s what gets me around the trail and sets the markers (I couldn’t walk on the trail without it)…Has been replaced. I’ve spent days setting up routes, markers and useful obstacles, and now I have to start all over again! 😲
Thankfully the new (and improved app) is current and being updated with new features all of the time, unlike the Soundscape app that had just been left with little features etc.
So today had to start completely from scratch, and shuffle around the lap setting all of the markers, donation Motivation Markers, Obstacles and benches I could remember…It’ll take me the rest of this week to set it up properly and set custom settings…But it’ll be worth it! 💪🏼 😀 Here’s a little more about it for any who are interested, lol! 🤣
VoiceVista iphone app…?
VoiceVista is an iOS navigation app for people who are blind or visually impaired, offering real-time audio cues to help them navigate their surroundings by providing information about locations, points of interest, and routes. It was designed by Dr. Wu and is a successor to Microsoft’s Soundscape app, allowing users to create custom “markers” (saved locations) and set up audio beacons to guide them back to those points or along specific routes.
What is VoiceVista? Audio-based Navigation: VoiceVista provides audio guidance and information to help blind and visually impaired users build a mental map of their environment and navigate unfamiliar places.
Feature-rich: It offers turn-by-turn navigation with integration to Google and Apple maps, announces intersections, and can even announce street numbers.
Customizable: Users can control the level of detail they receive, from general information about surroundings to specific points of interest like bus stops or shops.
Location-based Technology: It uses iOS advanced 3D audio and precise location services to provide directional audio cues through headphones, indicating when a location is to the user’s right or left.
What are markers? Saved Locations: A marker in VoiceVista is a saved, or “pinned,” location that the user creates to mark important places in their environment.
Navigation Tools: Users can set up an audible “beacon” on a marker to guide them to that location. Purpose: Markers can represent anything from a friend’s house entrance to an obstacle or a familiar building entrance, acting as a reference point for safer navigation.
Creation: A marker can be added by saving the user’s current location, searching for a specific address, or by using an “Auto Marker” to mark a recorded segment of time.
tivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
Well after an emotional weekend, I really didn’t want to leave Sarah and head out on the trail…But Sarah said “GO, I need some sleep, and there is a 2 hour window between each medication, so you can go out for your walk…You’re not letting the FitBlitzers down’…Well I tried my excuses but they didn’t work, lol! 🤣
The sunshine was blazing today and it wasn’t an easy walk. But I still managed to keep a 3.5mph pace and I didn’t hit anything or anyone, yay! 😀
Now I’m back it’s time to switch to ‘Doctor Steve’ mode and look after Sarah some more. It was actually nice to be back out on the trail, especially after spending yesterday sat in a chair on the ward for over 7 hours! 🙏 😀
Motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
Wow ‘Motivational Monday’ comes around fast! I had no idea it was slightly raining, until I stepped out of the house..It was the fine stuff that soaks you through which was perfect for me, as it meant it was overcast so much better for my vision. But you probably knew it was raining as all of the photos are in monochrome! 🤣
It was nice for me out on the trail, there were few people out and the drizzle was keeping me cool even though I had to do 2 laps (6 miles) today…Oh no it’s starting to get serious!
I’ve made another little trail lap rule: 1 lap = 3 photos, 2 laps = 4 photos, 3 laps = 6 photos, 4 laps = 8 photos etc. I thought it would help me stay sane and keep my brain working as I often zone out and hit full zombie mode. And at the same time I’ll get more photos for you guys to enjoy…A win win! 💪🏼
I need to start doing 2 laps (6 miles) each day now as I slowly progress and crank up the kilometres. My legs are not happy about it but they have no choice. 🤣 I hope you enjoy the 4 photos in this post? I’m resting my legs as I post this with a lovely ‘Sarah stack ham, cheese salad sarnie’. 😋
Motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me)
Wow…I think the weekend stole my motivation! I really didn’t want to go out on the trai this morning, but with Sarah gently encouraging me, and the fact I have to write this post for you fantastic FitBlitzers…I knew I had to man up and get out there! 🤣
I think all of the other people around here didn’t know (or forgot) it’s ‘Motivational Monday’, as it was really quiet on the trail. It was better for me though as it was blazing sunshine, and I was all over the trail as I couldn’t see a thing with the crazy glare that proper mashes my brains. 😨 But it does make for sunnier photos, lol! 🤣
When I arrived home and my lovely Wife Sarah had one of her stupendous fresh coffees for me, I could hardly speak. It wasn’t my body that was so tired, it was my mental exhaustion through concentrating through the glare! After I’d sat down for about 15 minutes I was back to my usual self! 😀
Motivational Quote…
“Life won’t always hand you smooth paths or easy walks. Sometimes it’s mud, sweat and grit. That’s when you lean harder on your faith, push deeper with your fitness, and keep your eyes on the goal…Faith, Fitness & Focus” – Steve (Me) 😀
Today was the day I went out and created the ‘Dayle’s Rest Stop’ audio beacon on my Soundscape 3D audio navigation app. It’s located about half a mile away from yesterday’s ‘Nancy & Ken’s Crossroads’, and is in a beautiful location in the trees. I hope you like it Dayle? 🤔
🥾 Why ‘Dayle’s rest stop bench’:
In a place like Epsom Common, with its uneven and bumpy trails, ‘Dayles’s Rest Stop Bench’ can be especially helpful for:
Sitting and regaining energy on the long and hilly paths.
Giving your legs (especially the soleus and calves) a short recovery.
A chance to stop, listen to sounds of the different varieties of birds, and the wind blowing through the trees.
And most of all…Eating a protein bar, a Sarah stupendous stack sandwich and having a much needed drink.
Back on my 3.41 mile walk…
The sun was out and it was really quiet on the first ¾ of the lap…Then as I was climbing the hill for about half a mile, all the people seemed to be here walking down the hill (the easy way)…And I was the only one pounding up the hill. It instantly reminded me of a post I did years ago…
“BE DIFFERENT! Don’t go with the flow!” we are urged. “Don’t follow the crowd! Even a dead fish can float downstream.” It does not take any effort or work on the part of a fish to go with the flow and drift downstEven a dead fish can float. Only a living and healthy fish can swim against the current and travel upstream. In the same way, any weak Christian can live like the world; it takes a vital, healthy faith to enable someone to stand on their convictions, firm against the tide of opinion and the example of unbelievers.
Wierd what comes to my mind, lol! 🤣
Now focus…
Anyway, i’d better stop rambling on (pun intended) and let us check if we’re in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. I’ve added ‘Blood Pressure’ to the ‘B’ string as I now take my blood pressure every week, as it’s so important to know your blood pressure numbers!
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare, lol!
A – Activity Rings: I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals: Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.
Scripture Snack – Heaven’s Fuel…
Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Today’s pond photo (did you think I’d forgotten, lol)…
Yay…The sunshine (nasty glare) had gone away, and just left my best conditions with even some drizzle to cool me down along the trail. 😀 There were no dramas today, just the usual couple of swerves around stray dog walkers, but other than that it was nice and enjoyable out there without having my brains scorched!
You may have guessed that I’ve found the ‘Mono’ filter on my photos today. I thought on the days it drizzles, rains or chucks it down I will use this filter for a change! 😀
More trees…
Things are going really well at the moment. The weight is coming off, the nutrition is way cleaner and delicious and my walking is moving forward each week. I have the 2 lap walk tomorrow as in the last week of each month I need to do one lap more than the previous month, so I can keep getting stronger each month ready for the BIG 50K! 😨
Anyway, i’d better stop rambling on (pun intended) and check that i’m in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. I’ve added ‘Blood Pressure’ to the ‘B’ string as I now take my blood pressure every week.
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare, lol!
A – Activity Rings: I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals: Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
When your goals are clear…It’s easier to take the first steps toward it.
Yay, BlindSteve has just found the ‘Filter’ button on my iMac photos! 😀
Hi Fitblitzers…
Unlike last ‘Tuner Tuesday’ my lovely Wife is working from her office at home, which means I get to taste her tremendous ‘Tuna stack sarnie! 😋 The sun stayed away this morning which made the trail the best it can be for me without all of the glare.
I’ve worked out the next 7 months during my training for ‘Steve‘s The BIG 50‘, and I can’t believe I have to do 2 laps before the end of July. I only do 1 lap at the moment (around 3.38 miles) and I can only just manage it, so I’m not looking forwards to doing 2 laps in the next week. It’s amazing how you lose your stamina so quickly, as it’s only been about a year since I started to stay in my room and pfocus on my guitar and my multiple effects pedals! 🎸 😀
More trees…
Whilst cropping the photos to add to this post (as I can’t see my phone when taking the photos, trust me they need cropping, lol), I found the ‘Filters’ button for the first time…So all of these photos have the ‘Dramatic’ effect. 😀
Anyway, i’d better stop rambling on (pun intended) and check that i’m in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. I’ve added ‘Blood Pressure’ to the ‘B’ string as I now take my blood pressure every week which is great to have all that data too.
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare, lol!
A – Activity Rings: I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals: Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees” – Henry David Thoreau
My lovely wife Sarah is working in the London office today, so I put on my HOKA Speedgoats and left at 7am when Sarah’s taxi arrived. This was a fantastic time for me as there was no brain melting sun, my new shoes seemed to know this before me and shot off! I did one lap (3.40 miles) at 3.6 miles per hour, that’s really fast for me and I got home 10 minutes faster! 😲 I can’t tell you how much of a difference it makes when there is no blazing sunshine, it takes way less mental energy to not cope with that glare! 💪🏼
Audio Beacon #18…
I actually remembered to stop and take a couple of photos of my audio beacons. I set this audio beacon called ‘Turn left into the woods on the back straight’ right on the apex of the bend. It beeps in my ear when I am facing it so I can walk towards it, and as it hits the beacon it automatically moves to the next beacon after a swooshing sound! 💪🏼
audio beacon #22…
I also set this audio beacon called ‘Keep right for the start of the steepest hill climb’ right on the apex of the bend again, as it calls out the distance in feet as soon as it’s activated after the last beacon…I told you the Soundscape app was brilliant! 🤣
I can’t believe it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’ already and I can’t look forward to Sarah’s stupendous tuna stack sarnie…I’ll be making my own (not so stupendous) tuna sarnie instead, lol. 🤣
Anyway, i’d better stop rambling on (pun intended) and check that i’m in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. 💪🏼
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare, lol!
A – Activity Rings: I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals: Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body & BP: Check blood pressure & listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
As it’s a heat wave today and it’s reaching 32˚C, I decided I’d not risk melting as I’m not good in the heat (never mind carrying 50 pounds extra)…So I thought I’d be productive and design a logo for my ‘FitBlitz & iChristian’ blogs. 💪🏼
Could you please let me know what you think of the logo above?!
I can’t believe it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’ already but i’m really looking forward to the Sarah tuna stack sarnie. 😋
Anyway, i’d better stop rambling on (pun intended) and check that i’m in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. 💪🏼
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance: Tortoise NOT Hare, lol!
A – Activity Rings: I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit: Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals: Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body: Listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification: Feeding my mind and soul fuels me to serve, encourage, and inspire others.
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
Wow that was hard! My leg muscles felt like they were empty and only running at about 20%. Oh and the sun was out too making it really difficult…Shal i stop complaining now, lol! 🤣 I’m thankful for actually making it around 2 laps (6 miles) without any dramas, and that’s another day of walking complete ready for the challenge which starts 1st July!! 💪🏼
I can’t believe it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’ already but i’m really looking forward to the Sarah tuna stack sarnie. 😋
As i walked around 2 laps today, i didn’t want to bore you with another photo of the pond. So when i arrived at the Bench inside the woods audio beacon, and it’s the place where i can get lost if i’m not concentrating…I thought i’d take a photo instead.
Anyway, i’d better stop rambling on (pun intended) and check that i’m in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. 💪🏼
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance – Tortoise NOT Hare, lol!
A – Activity Rings – I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit – Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals – Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body – Listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification – Pretty much help and improves everything, lol!
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m DONE!”
After two weeks off walking as i’ve been way too busy, i’m finally back out on the trail. I’ve really got to put in the miles from now on ready for my longest walking challenge so far that starts on 1st July. Of course it was checking it down with rain and overcast but that is my fave conditions to walk in with my eyesight.
I can’t believe it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’ already but i’m really looking forward to the Sarah tuna stack sarnie. 😋
The foot soaker…😨
Don’t step in the foot soakers!
I knew the trail would be wet today and the foot soaker section would be full of puddles, and as i walked two laps today i had to try and navigate this section twice. It doesn’t look much but each of the puddles are ankle deep and my trail shoes are not that tall, lol. I somehow managed to get through it both times with only a skimming of one which only soaked my toes, yay!
Anyway, i’d better stop rambling on (pun intended) and check that i’m in tune as it’s ‘Tuner Tuesday’. 💪🏼
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance – Tortoise NOT Hare, lol!
A – Activity Rings – I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit – Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals – Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body – Listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification – Pretty much help and improves everything, lol!
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m DONE!”
No walk today as i’m still well out of tune, but i’m hoping to finally get out on the trail tomorrow and see how it goes! But at the moment i’ll sit and enjoy my lovely Wife Sarah’s super tuna stack sarnie! 😋
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance – Tortoise NOT Hare, lol!
A – Activity Rings – I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit – Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals – Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body – Listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification – Pretty much help and improves everything, lol!
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m DONE!”
Me and my lovely Wife Sarah (The Blind Sightseers) were chatting today about what i’d like to do for my 50th birthday next April 2025? I mentioned that i’d never been to America and i’d love to go there one day. Sarah said that she’d also love to go to America and we both talked about maybe Florida?!
I said i’d write this post to ask all of you amazing people about what you guys thought about ‘The Blind Sightseers’ travelling Stateside? Can you guys think of where we could visit, places to go and see and points of interest we could explore? I’m thinking of Florida at the moment but i’m open to any other ideas too? I’ve heard of the enormous crocodiles, snakes and spiders over there…And this could only make the adventure more exciting if we survived, lol! 🤣
Please could you leave a comment with all of your thoughts as i’d love to hear them…I’m getting excited already! 😀
Hi WordPress family. I just thought i’d let you know that i’m currently knocked flat with a cough, running nose and lurgy type thingy, so i havn’t managed to post anything for a week! I hope to be back up and running soon and i can’t wait to catch up with you guys. 🙏 😀
I’m really missing being out on the trail and pounding out those miles…But i can’t be bothered to do anything yet as my energy levels are very low etc. See you guys soon! 😀
The beautiful Benagil caves in the Algarve taken from our RIB boat tour!
Hi WordPress Family…
Me and my lovely Wife Sarah (The Blind Sightseers) have not forgotten you…We’ve just had the chance to celebrate both of our birthdays in the Algarve, Portugal, our first holiday in 5 years!! 😀
We have taken lots of photos for our amazing memories, and i hope you can enjoy them too?! Here are a few i’ve managed to edit for a little taster until i can post more as i edit them. 😀
Our holiday doesn’t properly start until Sarah has her feet on the beach!My lovely Wife Sarah at Vilamoura marina, Portugal.Me & Sarah sat at the front of the RIB boat on our tour of the Benagil caves!Wow a dolphin! 😲
On our boat trip to the caves we stopped to see some dolphins. Sarah was saying that the dolphins were popping up everywhere…I whipped out my camera and randomly clicked, i didn’t dream i’d ever catch one in my shot, lol! 😲 ❤️
🙏 Father, I simply want to thank you for my wife. You have blessed me with a woman that knows you and loves you. She challenges me to be a better man and encourages me to love better. I pray that I can love and cherish her like the gift she is. The gift you have given me, Amen.
Carrying My Princess…
I thank God everyday for Sarah as i know i don’t deserve her, but God never seems to stop expressing His love! ❤️
Here is ‘Bruce THE Boxer’ 14 th July 2000 – 3rd Dec 2011. He was my 1 and only dog and such a character, i still miss him now (yes he’s the furry angel from my testimony) and love keeping his memory alive with these legacy photos i’d taken! Hope you enjoy meeting him?! 🐾
Today whilst i was walking around the 2 laps, i started to think about this post i was going to write and the title ‘Thankful Thursday’. So i thought i’d start listing the things i was thankful for off the top of my head. 1st i was thankful that today (after 13 days of the challenge) it was actually overcast which is fantastic for my sight and walking, 2nd i was thankful for another day with my lovely Wife Sarah, 3rd i was thankful that God holds together all things including my legs that are getting me around these 6 miles etc, 4th i was thankful for you guys…Then i thought hang on if i start listing everything it’s going to be way too long and you’ll all block me, lol! 🤣
I think your getting the idea of this post, and i hope you can find things to be thankful for, even if it’s a really challenging time or your not in the mood.
Oh and thanks to Robin Mark for the song i always like to sing -🎶 “Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King…His love endures forever. For He is good, He is above all things, his love endures forever. Sing praise, sing praise!” 🎶🙏 🎤🎸🥁
Day 13/92 Step Challenge ‘Theme…Animals’
Yay…This blindman can dip into my ‘Blind Photographer’ archive and show you some of my fave ‘Animals’ from my adventures. Getting these shots was an amazing lesson in patience, lol…Especially as i couldn’t see the subject…Thanks to digital photography for lettting me delete thousands of images, lol!
Oh, i also want to write a second post (coming later today) another ‘Animals’ theme with my 1 and only dog i had – “Bruce THE Boxer”…Yeah he’s the ‘furry angel’ from ‘My Testimony’. 💪🏼 😀
Please let me know which one/ones you like the best?? 🤔
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m DONE!”
Today i actually had a more relaxing walk, as the theme today is ‘Trees’, now this is a theme i can do as i bore you to death with photos of trees everyday, lol! 🤣
Day 12/92 Step Challenge ‘Theme…Trees’ 🌳
Yay, let this blindman show you around my 3 mile trail lap today, and you can see all of the ‘Trees’ i walk past every day but can’t see them, lol! Hope you have a lovely time joining me walking through this beautiful local nature reserve?! 🌳
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m DONE!”
Yay for the clouds…Well at least the first lap was better for me, until the sun blazed my brain on lap 2. Either way i managed both laps today and got my daily 6 miles in for the step challenge! 💪🏼
The trail was nice and quiet too, so after 11 days i still haven’t been savaged by dogs, torn flesh on thorns and stinging bushes, flattened by cyclists etc…I’m not used to not having any dramas as yet, lol! 🤣
Now it’s time to check i’m still in tune from last week, or do i just need to tweak?!
EADGBE…💪🏼
E – Endurance – Tortoise NOT Hare, lol! 🤣
A – Activity Rings – I use apple watch so i need to close my daily rings.
D – Deficit – Make sure i’m in a healthy calorie deficit each day until healthy weight.
G – Goals – Focus on my many lifetime goals.
B – Body – Listen to my body and look after it (it’s not young anymore, lol).
E – Edification – Pretty much help and improves everything, lol! 🤣
Day 11/92 Step Challenge ‘Theme…Triangles’
As part of my 92 day step challenge the Diabetes UK facebook group posts a different theme each day, and here’s mine…
Yay, Friday was me & Sarah’s 16th wedding anniversary, and i’ve been dying to show you guys my present but didn’t have the theme…Until now!!!
Check out the ‘Triangles’ on this bad boy!! I love the shark teeth fret inlays!
Motivational Quote:..💪🏼
“I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m DONE!”
I can’t believe it’s been 5 months since i’ve last posted! I’ll try and give you an abridged version of my fight to adapt and overcome to keep blogging!
In January (after my last post) my trusty 2010 iMac died for good, it was like my old friend. I was already starting to have problems with ‘Marsedit’ which i used for posting instead of trying to navigate the WordPress website…And over these last few months since getting an old 2015 mac mini it stopped working completely. The WordPress app on my phone stopped to and moved over to something called ‘Jetpack’, which i also had to adapt and overcome simply to just read my notifications etc with my voiceover screenreader! I use my iPhone and desktop to do different simple tasks just to post and do basic operations, and i think i’m almost there now, lol!
I’ve seriously missed you guys and hated missing your posts, comments and friendships on my blogs…But i think i have cobbled together a simple accessible way between my mac and iPhone to get back posting!! Please say hi and let me know in the comments if you are still around here?!💪🏼
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!! It’s such an incredible blessing to share life with my lovely wife and best friend…And also to feel love, fun and joy grow more each year!! Thank you for blessing my life with yet another great birthday weekend celebration…And it’s not even my birthday…Well not until Friday, lol! 🤣
Although it was Sarah’s birthday yesterday (Monday), we spent the whole weekend celebrating and making the most of creating more memories together, including; hair salon, Turkish restaurant, walks through woods, planting 15 plants in the back garden and much more!! ❤️
We had a great time over the 3 days, and although it may seem that we only ate food…Sitting down at the table was the only time we remembered to take any photos, lol! 🤣
The Turkish Restaurant Birthday Meal…😲
Sarah’s Fantastic Birthday Cards…😀
Sarah was blessed with lots of great cards too! 😲
Sarah’s Birthday Carrot Cup Cakes…😋
We bought 2 carrot cup cakes from Craddocks our local bakers! 😋
Sarah’s Birthday Flowers…😲
Sarah’s brother and fiancée sent her these lovely flowers! 😀
Birthday Beef, Bacon & Cheese Burger…😋
Sarah created a birthday burger and it wasn’t even my birthday! 😲
Sarah’s Birthday ‘Turbo Snail’ T-Shirt…🤣
This is the logo that covers the front of Sarah’s t-shirt! 🤣
Sarah’s Birthday Coffee & Doughnut…😋
Cafe Mocha supplied us with a birthday doughnut and espresso’s! 😀
The Mouse Logo On Top Of Sarah’s Birthday Cheese Selection…😋
Sarah loves this logo…Even more than the cheese i think, lol! 🤣
Hi friends. I’m simply stunned by all of the love and support from you guys so far, we’ve now reached a whopping 86%!! I also can’t believe there’s only 16 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Thanks to Suzanne & Martin for completely shocking me with another donation (yes their second) this week!! Now my ‘Blindman’s Trail Marathon’ challenge has reached a colossal £860 (that’s £86 per lap) for the MS Society…I hope my mum would be proud?! I’d really love to hit my target and make it £100 per lap…Oh and it’s my birthday next ‘Fundraising Friday’ (15th) so not only will i be older so this trail marathon will be even harder for me, lol…But it’s a heads up as i may be asking for birthday donations to this fundraiser…What a birthday gift that’d be!! 💪🏼 😀 🧡
The Donation…🧡
Hi friends. You’re never going to believe this?!! It was Saturday morning and my iPhone blasted out the muppets theme tune to notify me i’d received another donation!! After i’d stopped dancing, jumping up and down and stopped grinning until it hurt, i checked who it was from…Wow it was a SECOND (yes second) donation from our friends Suzanne and Martin who we were going to meet up for a meal this weekend but it was cancelled. I then checked the lovely message they’d left…”A little top up Steve to a nice round figure! Congratulations on your training. As we couldn’t meet up this weekend here’s the cost of pizza instead!! Not long now till the big event Steve. xx”…Well if that’s not motivation i don’t know what is! 💪🏼 😀
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
in Just 16 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
No way we’re in Corsica! My lovely wife Sarah is going to kill me for ruining this post with another of my digressions…But my fave cars of all time raced here and i can’t contain myself….Yes it’s Group B rally cars!
Awwww i can hear that ferocious engine sound (and the monster dump valve) of one of my favourite cars…The Lancia Delta S4. It had an Abarth-designed supercharged and turbocharged 500bhp 1.8-litre engine, it could hit 60mph in just over two seconds…And this was 1986!
But…After a fatal accident (here in Corsica) Group B rally cars were banned and a FISA investigation later proved that drivers’ reactions were too slow to keep up with Group B cars, and drivers’ eyes could not adjust their focus between the fast corners, which caused tunnel vision. Now that’s fast…And insane!!
They said the cars had so much raw power but with little containment…I have a wife like that, lol! Sorry Sarah! 🤣
I thought the heat was blistering already but it didn’t prepare me for the inferno when we walked underneath the archway and onto the track. 🔥🔥
Sarah said “Steve you’ve got to get a photo of me at the original olympic start line! I’ve only been out of my aircast for a few weeks and it would make a great photo…Zena (Sarah’s friend) will comment straight away and tell me off, lol (she did). 😀
“Here goes” i said “No pressure at all for this shot…It’s only a one off picture” But it worked and Sarah looks fantastic! Sarah had gone for months with an aircast, and now seeing her on the start line looking like a true olympian was another emotional moment for me. She really is my warrior princess wife! ❤️❤️❤️
I’m not good in the sun but Sarah comes alive in the scorching hot weather. So i sloshed on my sun cream as it was already 36 degrees outside (ouch) I’ve also bought myself a ‘Tactical Sun Hat’ to try and keep myself cooler in the sun and provide a little shade with the wide rim…It worked really well but i was still dripping like a candle in a Salvador Dali painting! 🤣
This has to be one of my favorite photos!! I’m glad to see Sarah(The Greatest Warrior” parting some of her knowledge and instruction to an inferior ranked warrior on how to correctly throw a spear! 💪🏼
Awww friends….Let me introduce you to this Yellow, 1961 Unimog…..have you seen the tires, lol! It threw us around like crazy and i still can’t believe that he didn’t slow down for anything. There is no way a vehicle can hit rocks, huge pot holes, climb cracked hills and go around tight bends whilst travelling at break neck speed, it would have destroyed anything else and left them in a pile of spare parts, lol. I’m not sure they issued these with brake pedals! 😎
After a short boat ride back to the ship, we had enough time to get changed, leave our bags and have a well needed iced-coffee before heading out to explore as much as we can without getting lost before the ship leaves.
We walked up one street and turned right before Sarah stopped and said “Wow, she’s having her photo taken in front of that cool wall art/sign. Quick get one of me” “Ok my lovely, you’re wearing your new yellow Michael Kors t-shirt too, i hope i get everything in”. Sarah had bought this t-shirt for our holidays and couldn’t wait to put on the lovely bright colours and flowers.
This is one of my fave photos as it shows Sarah’s smile is as bright as her t-shirt.
And speaking of lovely architecture and colonial towns, your first stop is at Speightstown. Here you’ll enjoy seeing historic buildings and beautiful tropical beaches.
The tour guide kept talking about the PRC Bakery at our first stop, and said she was going in to get something for the trip. “OOohhhh maybe we could get a small cake for your birthday” “Yes let’s follow her and see what goodies they have?” As we walked in to the little bakery the guide said “Oh yes a lead pipe” as she picked one up and went to pay for it. “What’s a lead pipe?” i said to the guide “It’s a local cake but it can be used as a weapon too as it’s very heavy”. Sarah then passed me a bag with a cake in and said hold this “Wow this weighs about the same as a 16lb bowling ball” “everything is so heavy in here, nothing has fluffy cream like in England as it would melt instantly, lol”.
Sarah told the baker that we loved coconut and did e have anything with coconut in them? We only got 1 coconut slice as we didn’t know how sweet it was or even if we liked it?! 😋
I never (ever) stop talking about this coconut slice as it’s the nicest cake i’ve ever tasted! The bell on the ‘Blind Sightseers Gastronomic Leaderboard’ was destroyed as this flew to the top of the cakes list! If i’d have known i would’ve stayed in the bakery and continued to eat every single last one of them! But we only had that one and we’ve never been able to go back since this monumental occasion. Oh yes…This monumental occasion is my lovely wife Sarah’s birthday! 🤣
Hi all, this is the official release for my fundraising towards my brobdingnagian challenge…It’s exactly 7 calendar months until my trail marathon! 💪🏼
‘Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon’ in memory of my mum Valerie ❤️
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind. I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to stop MS. 💪🏼
I know I’ll be stretching myself past my limits for this challenge and so your encouragement and support would really help me to keep my training on track. Any donation you can spare would build my morale and endurance so I can smash this and reach my £1,000 goal to make my mum proud.
Together we can be a force for change and BEAT MS
Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis SocietyIn Memory of my mum Valerie
Story…
Hi, I’ve chosen to raise funds for MS Society and I’d love everyone who kindly decides to support me and this amazing charity, to take a moment to remember my lovely Mum Valerie!
She spent so much of her too short life giving to me and my siblings before MS took her independence and eventually her life. This is why I’ve decided to give something positive back. I want her name and face to join the fight so that she can live on through the tireless work the MS Society is doing to find treatments that will stop MS for good. 💪🏼
My beautiful mum passed away from progressive MS, after a courageous and tiring 14 year battle, in July 2000.
As you may know I’ve been registered blind since I was 25. My sight loss happened in the same month my mum finally lost her life and missing her added misery to my own struggle to come to terms with the isolation and insecurities of managing my new life as a blind man.
And so…….
My Challenge…Sunday 24th April 2022
I originally planned to take part in an MS officially organised event but quickly realised that with my sight loss walking an unknown route amongst so many people would create too much external stimuli on my senses and be too confusing for me to manage without serious injury.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do the challenge at all but I’ve finally found a safe(ish) trail about 2.5 miles long, in the woods and past a lake near my home. I am hoping this will work well as my walking route, (I’ve now learned it enough to be able to follow it without guided help). I think this trail will work really well for me to do my trail marathon challenge … if I can manage to make my way safely around this uneven, hilly, rough terrain about 11 times! 😰
I’ve begun to realise, as I write about this challenge during the start of my training, that I’ve only managed 2 laps each time so far, after which I collapse, needing water and food, lol! I have no idea how I’m going to continue for 11 laps non-stop but I’ve got seven more months to build up my strength and endurance… I hope. 🙏
It’s slowly dawning on me that this challenge is going to include around 8 hours non-stop blind walking… Ouch that’s going to hurt and take a lot of concentration, mental effort, strength, energy and discipline. And so before I get time to change my mind, I’ve decided to create a JustGiving fundraising page and I’ve notified the MS Society…so no backing out now 🤣.
Please help me complete what feels like an impossible challenge in memory of my wonderful mum… because Together we are strong enough to beat MS. 💪🏼
You can follow my training over the next 7 months on my Fitblitz blog and I will use my apple watch to count the steps, miles and elevation etc of the challenge, uploading the screenshots to let you know of my adventures and celebrate with me if I finish, lol! 🙌
About Multiple Sclerosis Society
Over 130,000 of us in the UK have MS. It’s unpredictable and different for everyone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We’re the MS Society. We understand what life’s like with MS. We’re here for you through the highs, lows and everything in between. Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Yay…My early 14th wedding anniversary (post coming on Wednesday) present from my lovely wife Sarah!! I’ve been wearing it for every game so far and it seems to be working lol! 🤣
Size XXL to a Medium…
Since losing 5 stone over this last year, i’ve also gone from a size XXL t-shirt to a size medium. I have never been a medium throughout my whole adult life. I’m loving having to get a new wardrobe and ordering a medium size and it fitting like a glove…Not much beats this feeling! 😀
Can you believe it’s been a year today, since i started my epic adventure aka “June time to prune?!” I wanted to put this post on my blogs as a milestone for me and to share my good news with you all! 😀
My mind is still having trouble adapting to the body it’s now living in, lol.
-5 Sone…
I’ve gone from overheating all of the time, wearing shorts through the winter and staying out of the sun as it felt like pins and razor blades cutting my skin…To feeling cold most of the time, wearing normal clothes in the winter and like yesterday…Spent time sitting with my lovely wife Sarah enjoying the sun without the stabbing pains in my skin.
Size XXL to a Medium…
I’ve also gone from a size XXL t-shirt to a size medium. I have never been a medium throughout my whole adult life. I’m loving having to get a new wardrobe and ordering a medium size and it fitting like a glove…Not much beats this feeling! 😀
My Engine & Body Analogy…
As i used to be a panel beater in a bodyshop, the engine analogy just seemed to click for me when thinking about my nutrition etc. As i needed to be in a healthy calorie deficit to lose weight, i needed to find out what kind of engine i had and how much fuel (calories) it burns.
Hang On…
I’ve just realised i’m going to go on for ages writing about my year of transformation. So before i bore you all to death, i thought i could write about it post by post for a while. This way i can slowly bore you to death and you may not notice, lol! 🤣
Hi WordPress family! As it’s my birthday today (2nd in lockdown)…I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to raise a coffee and take a little time to thank you for your continued love, encouragement, inspiration and fantastic comments between all of you on this blog. I always talk to Sarah about all of you guys and how amazing it is to have this blog read and commented on from all around the world. 😲
After my incredible 1st lockdown birthday last year, i was stunned by how you all commented with your fave coffee and drinks, and where in the world you were from whilst you were happily mingling with other friends here through the comments section. 😀
So what i’m trying to say is…As my birthday gift could you please comment below with your country and this time…let me know your fave foods etc? I can’t believe that i’m 5 stone (70 pounds) lighter than this time last year, and i’m interested to hear about foods from around the world…I love food, lol! 😋
It would be a lovely birthday present for me to hear all of your fantastic responses…I’ll make another coffee here in Surrey, England, UK, grab my fave snacks…Propercorn Peanut Butter and Almond Popcorn and a Grenade Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Protein Bar…And look forwards to seeing (and sharing fave foods and stories) with you guys! 😀☕
Wow…I simply can’t believe i’ve achieved this goal, after stepping off the scales this morning. To say i’m excited is an understatement!! 😲
It’s taken me about 2 months to reach this next -5 pound badge as i’m almost at maintenance calories now. I absolutely love the food i eat now and wouldn’t change it back for anything. I don’t feel hungry (never thought it was possible) and most of all…I can live on this meal plan for the rest of my life!! 💪🏼 😀
It’s not too late, to sign up for Activ8…!!! 💪🏼 😀
You can still sign up for the next 2 weeks.
Hi friends…💪🏼 😀
Are you making yourself attractive to Cancer? 🤔
Sarah and I have just signed up for the “Activ8 Plan” with World Cancer Research Fund as part of Cancer Prevention Awareness Week. So for once I’m not fundraising and bombarding you with donation asks, just sharing information to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle lol! 🤣
You may not be aware (like me) of all the lifestyle choices we make that can affect our cancer risk. 😲
Info taken from the World Cancer Research Fund website…
What is Cancer Prevention Awareness Week?
Cancer Prevention Awareness Week is an annual event where we draw awareness to cancer and cancer prevention. Currently, 40% of people diagnosed are diagnosed with a cancer that could have been prevented.
Knowing what you need to do and making small, consistent changes to the lives of you and your loved ones can help you avoid preventable cancers. …..
Activ8: Eat Well, Move More… We’ve also launched a healthy living programme to support people who want to eat better and move more.
By signing up, you’ll get 8 weeks’ worth of motivational emails, which will include links to specific nutrition and physical activity resources such as tip-sheets and videos, as well as live support from our experts.
Make preventing cancer part of your everyday life. By following our Cancer Prevention Recommendations you’re giving yourself the best chance of reducing the risk of at least 12 types of cancer. Take action today!
I can’t thank you guys enough for all of the support you’ve given Sarah & me over the years!! I encourage you to join us on this challenge so that you too can protect yourselves against cancer and lead happier, healthier lives…. Thank you and God Bless. 💪🏼 😀
Hi friends and welcome to Day 58 of this monumental, inconceivable and definly memorable blind sightseers tour….!
🇦🇼 Good morning friends!
Thanks for joining me and Sarah on another Birthday celebration cruise and stay in the Caribbean, it’s great to have you guys along for the ride.
Marella Explorer (Apr 2019)…🛳
Unbelievably this is the Blind Sightseers 6th cruse! We have never been on the Marella Explorer and Sarah had booked cabin 8001 which is dead centre and right at the front of the ship. She chose this cabin as she thought the views from the window would be fantastic….She’s right again! 😎
All it was missing is a steering wheel, lol.
⇧ View from our cabin Nø 8001 ⇧
Before getting to Aruba we had a day at sea. We were pleased with this as it gave us time to walk about 80,000 steps to find out where we could get Breakfast and the evening meal…But most of all find the Coffee Port to see if they made lovely strong coffee? They did! 😀
🇦🇼 Aruba…
As usual we had booked an excursion for each of the 5 islands we were visiting and todays excursion is: De Palm Island – Full Day, Aruba.
De Palm Island has got it all. Set adrift off the Aruban coastline, this private reef offers up pristine waters and a huge variety of exotic marine life, it’s a first-class spot for an underwater exploration. Your day will start off with a short boat trip over to the island, where the friendly staff will be waiting to meet you. After a short safety briefing, you’re ready to slip on your mask and wade into the warm, clear waters. Expect to meet friendly blue parrotfish and angelfish. Back on dry land, there’ll be time to sprawl out on the sand, take your seat for a banana boat ride or visit the island’s small waterpark before heading back to the ship. Don’t forget that a full buffet lunch and refreshments throughout the day will be included.
On the dock…🛳
We had a short walk around the dock until we arrived at the place to get the little fun boat.
The little fun boat…🚤
Yay, it didn’t disappoint as it bobbed up and down spraying us in the face with nice cool sea water.
De Palm Island…🏝
⇧ My lovely Wife Sarah catching some long awaited sunshine outside the cafe ⇧
When booking this shore excursion we had visions of excitement and adventure from the amazing Xel-Ha island in Mexico, unfortunately this wasn’t like that. This place was tiny in comparison which worked well for us not getting lost but there wasn’t much to do either. The weather was overcast and muggy, until the clouds parted and gave the sun chance to burn a hole through your flesh! 🔥
I was well impressed by the solid wooden walkways that curled around the whole place, and i marvelled on how long it must have taken to construct this very accessible path. When i was fully sighted i worked as a panel beater in a bodyshop so i know a little about sanding etc. I was enjoying the smoothness of the wood when Sarah pulled me from my reverie…“Steve! Come on stop touching everything to see how smooth it is, lol!” 🤣
We found the cafe first (funny how that happens) and use it as our starting reference point. We found a souvenir shop (we’ll be back) then the toilets (useful) and passing the bar and food court (Mmmmmm) we stumbled upon the sun bed area. Seeing that all of the sun beds were taken and we’d only just got here, we walked back to the cafe to see if they had iced coffee?! 😀
Walking around the cafe looking at the assortment of food we suddenly heard an american man with a bright and cheery accent right behind us “HOWDY” Sarah and i turned to face him and he continued “I hope you don’t mind me interrupting? But i saw you have an insulin pump and wanted to ask about it” Sarah talked to him about how long she’d had Type 1 diabetes and how long she’d had the pump. The man was a chemist/Pharmacy person and his niece was debating whoever to get one or not? After Sarah talked about how much of a life saver the pump has been i think his niece will be getting one! The man (sorry forgot his name) had arrived on the ‘Celebrity Silhouette’ cruise ship that we’d noticed towering over ours in the dock, and it was also his first time in Aruba, then we finished up our coffees (no iced coffee, just a machine) and parted ways with the lovely man. 😀
Yay…It was the first time in a while that i’d been able to wear the bright orange shirt i bought in Saint Kitts from our first cruise…Read all about it here.
We quickly figured out that this place was mainly for snorkelers, and that wasn’t an activity the ‘Blind Sightseers’ could do (yes even we have limits, lol). We managed to secure 2 sun bems ( nobody wanted them as they were in the shade) and as i sat down Sarah went to see if she could have a paddle in the sea?! Sarah quickly returned looking sad as they’re were rocks pretty much all the way round and lots of ‘Beware of Jellyfish’ signs. More clouds came and lowered the temperature so we walked into the food court place as it was lunchtime already.
Yay…I was happy as they were mainly serving burger and chips (well french fries which are fake chips) and Sarah said they served salad too! 🤣 Once again (like the sun beds) every table was taken except the only one in the blistering sun no-one wanted…So we sat down and i placed my ‘Tactical sun hat’ on my frying head and enjoyed the burger, although i wasn’t sure which one of us was barbecued, lol! 🍔 ☀️ 😀
“HOWDY” the man said whilst walking past, i said to Sarah “I don’t have to ask who that was as his accent is fantastic” as we waved in his general direction. As Sarah and i can’t make eye contact it’s almost impossible to make friends or start a conversation unless people come over to us. So it felt great to make a friend here who always says “Howdy” when seeing us! 😀
Sarah & i had a great time wondering around this beautiful little island and we found lots of little places until stumbling into….The gift shop! We love to find souvenirs that help us remember the amazing journeys/adventures we have conquered, and Sarah bought a fantastic t-shirt with “Biba Dushi” written on the front. Biba dushi in Aruba means “living the sweet life”. The language is actually called Papiamento and is one of Aruba’s two official languages spoken by many on the island. Papiamento is a Creole language derived from Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, and African languages.
Back at the ship…🛳
After another fun ride on the little boat back to the ship, we had enough time to get changed, leave our bags and have a well needed iced-coffee before heading out to explore as much as we can without getting lost before the ship leaves.
We walked up one street and turned right before Sarah stopped and said “Wow, that lady is having her photo taken in front of that cool wall art/sign. Quick get one of me” “Ok my lovely, you’re wearing your new yellow Michael Kors t-shirt too, i hope i get everything in”. Sarah had bought this t-shirt for our holidays and couldn’t wait to put on the lovely bright colours and flowers.
This is one of my fave photos as it shows Sarah’s smile is as bright as her t-shirt.
Walking back to the ship we finally found a local Bauble maker…Her daughter makes and paints them herself. We bought a beautiful one which even had a cruise ship painted on with the Aruba island and even 2019 on it. 🎄 😀
We’ve started collecting Christmas Tree Baubles since i started going abroad 5 years ago. We love unpacking them at Christmas and filling the tree with all of the places we visit. We think its a lovely idea to fill the tree with our lives journeys and give thanks to God for everything.
Our wonderful new friends…😀
Sarah & i like to share a table with other passengers, mainly to take this opportunity to try and be sociable( being blind and trapped in your very small world & not having any eye contact it’s almost impossible to be sociable. or start conversations). So asking someone to read the menu for you because we are blind is a great ice breaker, lol!
We met 2 lovely couples that night and you will hear a little more about them throughout this trip.
Thanks for joining us on our visit to Aruba! Have you been here before? 🤔
We’ll meet tomorrow…Same time…Same place for another adventure! 😀
December 8, 2025 
⇧ Ashley showing how it should be done! ⇧😎 
Hope you enjoy meeting him?! 🐾
iChristian 
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