“Diabetes is relentless and simply never stopsโฆBut neither do I!” – Blind Steve ๐ช๐ผ
Hi iChristian Family!!
The blindman is off the sidelines againโฆAnd while God gives me the strength in my legsโฆiโll use them for doing crazy fundraising challenges to help others! I really didn’t want to fill this blog with annoying fundraising asks, as my last fundraiser ‘Trail Marathon‘ was only in April 2022…But you know me…And when i stumbled across this ‘One Million Step Challenge’ and found it was for Diabetes UK i just had to do something!
For the last 18 years since meeting my ‘T1D Warrior Wife Sarah’, i’ve always wanted to be a ‘Sarah’s Walking Warrior’ and raise money for Diabetes…So here is the 4th ‘Blind Steve’ fundraising challenge…๐ช๐ผ
Below is the story taken from my fundraising page…
Support Blind Steve in the Diabetes UK – One Million Step Challenge
Diabetes is relentless and simply never stopsโฆBut neither do I!
For the last 18 years iโve seen first hand how my lovely wife Sarah battles, struggles and copes with her โbrittle Type 1โ diabetes. She’s such a warrior and is truly my inspiration on perseverance, determination and drive to keep fighting.
So last week, when I heard of the โOne Million Step Challengeโ i had to sign up straight away. Iโve always wanted to fundraise for Diabetes UK and show Sarah how much it means to me too, and this is my chance!
I realise this challenge has already started (running from 1st July to 30th September 2022). Requiring participants to walk a million steps over those three months. My cunning plan is to start the challenge on Monday 1st August and try and walk the one million steps in two months instead! This works out at over 16,000 steps each day, for the 61 days, without a rest
Type 1 diabetes never gives Sarah a rest, so I donโt want to have one either during my fundraising challengeโฆThe nature reserve trail is going to get a pounding again, lol! ๐คฃ
Quick Factoid…
Did you know someone is diagnosed with diabetes every two minutes? As many as 4.8 million people are living with diabetes in the UK right now.
So if youโre feeling inspired…Please hit the donate button and support my stepping challenge. Every step and every donation counts. Join me and let’s help everybody living with diabetes. For all the mums, dads, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, grandparents, and best friends, creating a world where diabetes can do no harm.
Let’s get this party started!! ๐ As 1 Million steps is around 500 miles, i’ve already donated 5p per mile (ยฃ25.00)โฆIt’s going to be a really tough challenge and it’s the furthest i”ve ever walked…But i’ve got to do the steps now!!
Every penny given will go towards Diabetes UK care and support services, advice and guidance, and pioneering research. Together, we’re changing the world for people with diabetes.
Hi friends! Well here it is…The post containing me & Sarah’s stupendous memories of the day i’ve been waiting 22 years for, since i lost my sight and could no longer drive…As it’s a long post i really hope you can read, watch the videos and enjoy the whole experience with us! โ ๐
Rob (can’t thank him enough for everything) pulled into the car park at Prestwold Hall Race Track near Loughborough, and as he read out loud the sign saying “Adult Blind Supercar Driving” my stomach hit the floor! I think the realisation of what was about to happen finally hit me, i’d been fine up until this point but for some reason getting the chance to drive again after 22 years was right here, right now! ๐จ
We all walked inside of the little reception building where me and Sarah were given a lanyard each with an SD card inside. We had ordered the ‘Media Package’ with our driving experiences which we are so thankful for as they’ve given us these amazing pictures and videos to cherish. Then we were told to go and wait by the pit area near the american diner! ๐
“Wow that sounds well phat, what car is that?” i asked as Rob had led us to the waiting area. “A Nissan Skyline” Rob said “Awww even if i don’t get to drive today, i could just sit and listen to that beautiful noise”.
When i first heard there was an american diner next to the track i was very excited. I was dreaming of drinking coffee, eating a cheese burger in a booth whilst listening to 50’s rock n’ roll and hearing the noise of those mighty engines…But the diner was closed today! ๐ญ But i had no time to lament as “Chase (outstanding co-driver” walked up behind us and asked “Are you waiting for the Lamborghini?” ๐ค
The Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0L V10…
An omnifarious mixture of emotions were swirling around my mind as Chase opened the drivers door for me. I first thought that it would feel strange being behind the wheel again…But it felt completely normal and like i’d always been driving. Second i was thinking how much of a powerful beast this car is so i must try and feather the throttle…Many more things flooded my mind but i’ll spare you, lol. Chase then adjusted my seat for me as the photographer asked me to smile in his direction (not hard when you’re sat in a yellow Lamborghini). ๐
Wow…The videos really don’t capture the ear blasting volume of the 5.0L V10 engine as i started it up, just ticking over it sounded so loud, angry and like it wanted to eat everything for breakfast, including me…IT WAS AMAZING!! ๐ฒ
Chase then said “hold the right paddle towards you to engage 1st gear” and once i’d done it he released the hand brake and asked me to gently pull away. “Wow the car is moving and i’m driving it” i thought to myself as i was navigated out of the pit lane and onto the track. I kept telling Sarah that all i wanted to do is floor it, i wasn’t that fussed about steering etc only flooring it and getting blasted into the seat. But now i’m driving this monster i would be so happy going 10 mph…But then…”FULL POWER” Chase said!! ๐จ
Awww i can’t tell you how awesome the feeling was when i floored it and paddle shifted through the gears as i reached 106 mph. It’s only a small track with a couple of short straights, but having over 500 bhp the Lamborghini hits 100 mph really quickly…What a ‘vulgar display of power’! ๐ฒ
Chase seemed to love being on the track too and kept letting me floor it as the adrenaline rush never ended. I say the adrenaline rush, but as i’m on beater blockers which restricts the adrenal glands, it was a crazy feeling as the Lamborghini was trying to destroy them and give me the boost! ๐คฃ Not entirely sure how to describe that feeling?! ๐ค
Chase was helping me out with some of the steering and was flicking the down shift paddle for me as i was having too much fun and forgetting, lol. It felt really safe as the Lamborghini just had so much grip with the all wheel drive and fat tyres. I had never known grip like it and was stunned at the speed we were taking corners…It just went round like they were nothing…Amazing! ๐ฒ
Sadly it was soon time to slow down and enter the pits after 3 laps, although i don’t think i could take any more as i might explode, lol. I couldn’t believe i’d driven again after 22 years, floored it lots of times and to do it in a Lamborghini is mind blowing for me! ๐
Me, Chase And The Lamborghini Gallardo…
My legs were like jelly as i climbed out of the very low car and it took a minute getting them to hold me up…I think the Lamborghini won the beater blocker fight! Sarah told me that Rob had said to her “Wow, i don’t recognise Steve as he has a massive grin on his face, lol”. ๐คฃ Mission complete!!
Chase guided me back to Sarah and Rob and Sarah asked “How was it?” i could only say “INEFABLE“. ๐ฒ Chase then told Sarah it was her turn! ๐ฒ
Sarah And The Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0L V10…
Wow, wait a minute…I can’t believe how much the yellow Lamborghini suits Sarah!! Did she order this car to be made just for her, and in her favourite colour too?! ๐
Seriously i’m so proud of my lovely wife Sarah for doing this. She has NEVER driven before and this is a scary beast of a first car!! ๐จ But as you may know Sarah is a warrior, and in no time at all she had this ‘Raging Bull’ under control, lol! ๐คฃ ๐ช๐ผ
Standing next to Rob i said “Wow that’s loud from outside. It’s really loud inside but nothing like that”. Sarah was approaching the final bend before the first straight (where we are standing) and Rob said “woah Sarah’s way more aggressive into (and going round) that bend, much more aggressive than you did it”. ๐ฒ
“Awww that engine sounds incredible and so angry…THAT’S MY GIRL, GIVE IT THE BEANS”. ๐คฃ THEN SHE FLOORED IT!!! ๐ฒ
Sarah reached over 107 mph up the straight! ๐ฒ Yeah i know that’s over 1 mph faster than me, as Sarah keeps telling me, lol. I’m never going to hear the last of this…Sarah’s friend Caroline says she should have the speed printed on a t-shirt so it’ll remind me that she thrashed me, lol! I told you i’ll never hear the last of this..But it does make me – SO, SO PROUD OF SARAH!!
Sarah continued flooring it and Chase gave her the new nickname “Speed Demon” when he said it on the video…Yes we even have video proof of him saying it so it’s official, lol!
As Sarah was thundering around the track i was able to listen to a couple standing near to me, they first said “Ooohhh the yellow car is catching the Ferrari” I knew this was Sarah they were talking about, and i think they were with the person who was driving the Ferrari. Then they continued in a much louder shocked voice “wOW SHE HAS OVERTAKEN THE FERRARI”. ๐ฒ I smiled to myself as i didn’t have to worry Sarah wasn’t enjoying herself! ๐คฃ
Now it was time for Chase to say his best comment ever?! There are two main straights separated by a sharp right hander, so Sarah had the chance to boot it twice on the trot. I’ll let you watch the 38 second video (comment is at the end) before i continue…๐ค
“OTHERWISE WE’RE GONNA DIE” I quote this all of the time which doesn’t fail to put a huge smile on both our faces! ๐ I still can’t believe how quickly Sarah had become ‘Penelope Pitstop’ or should i say ‘The Stig’s Sister’…She was paddle shifting like a pro too…I think i’m glad the Lamborghini only had 2 seats, lol! ๐คฃ
As Sarah finished her final and 3rd lap, there was just enough time for Chase to say another one of his classic comments before he stopped the video recording.
Sarah was laughing her head off as she arrived back to me and Rob. She absolutely loved it and said her legs were like jelly too, although she thinks that ‘Chase’ may need a break for a while to get over the shock, lol! ๐คฃ Then the couple who i was listening to earlier walkd over to us. They told Sarah that she was amazing and that she’d overtaken the Ferrari, and she was so fast! They then asked if Sarah was a racing driver? Sarah laughed really hard and said she wasn’t as it was the very first time she’d ever driven a car. They were very shocked and were sure Sarah was a racing driver. We all said we’d had a great time and they said there goodbyes. ๐
Sarah still believes they were planted there just to say nice things to people, but i keep telling her no as i was listening to them whilst you were out on the track, and they were here with the person in the Ferrari and couldn’t believe you’d blasted past a Ferrari…Sarah’s still not convinced, lol! ๐คฃ
I said to Sarah and Rob “If i’d only had the 1 supercar drive today (like Sarah) it would’ve been a dream come true and i’d he the happiest ever, and also i’m super buzzing right now and my legs are still like jelly…But i have 2 more supercars to go!! ๐ฒ
The Ferrari F430 Spider 4.3L V8…
I didn get chance to stop shaking before ‘George” (new co-driver) came over and walked me over to the Ferrari. I was excited to feel (and hear) the difference between the 2 cars, and i instantly felt the difference as i sat inside and put my foot on the pedals…Yes the pedals are so close together you press the accelerator and half of the brake at the same time! Oh don’t forget to smile as the photographer is here, lol! ๐
Starting the engine and having my ears filled with the glorious sound of the V8 made my grin even wider. It wasn’t as loud and angry as the Lamborghini, but still sounded like a beautiful orchestra playing a ‘symphony of destruction’! ๐ช๐ผ
I adapted quickly to the new pedals, as i pointed my foot so just my toes were pressing the pedals and this seemed to work well. I also had the same paddles behind the steering wheel as the Lamborghini so i was shifting gears nicely…Wow i’m driving a Ferrari!! ๐
George was fantastic and after we’d done the first warm up lap, and didn’t have any crashes or dramas…He let me floor it! Aww once again the video doesn’t do the sound any justice at all, but it still sounds stupendous!! Being blown back into the seat whilst planting your foot to the floor, then paddle shifting up a gear once again…Will never ever get boring!! ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฒ
Once again i’m so thankful for the media package Sarah added to this awesome birthday driving gift, as we can watch these videos over and over…Like i already have been doing, lol! Having all of these fantastic photos of these beautiful cars is such a blessing, and i’m sure i’ll get them printed on a variety of posters, mugs, coasters and more, lol! ๐คฃ
George also asked how much i could see of the track so he could judge and adjust the help he was giving…I said “Well i can’t see anything out of the windscreen, i can’t see the dashboard or the steering wheel and everything is really blurry” I think he got the idea! ๐คฃ I can’t thank the co-drivers enough for putting there lives on the line for us blindies, i’m not only amazed that a blindman could drive like this…But i’m also amazed that these guys are so kind to guide, teach and be so calm as the cars scream around the track! ๐
This stunning red Ferrari was rear wheel drive instead of all wheel drive like the Lamborghini, but the amount of grip was just as intense around the corners…But unfortunately it was coming to that time again where i had to slow this ‘Italian stallion’ down and pull into the pits. ๐ญ After thanking George for getting us back alive he guided me back to Sarah and Rob. Shaking even more, heart trying to thump past the beater blockers and an mad grin that looked like the ‘frayed ends of sanity’ were loosening…I told Sarah how amazing it was! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
Me And The Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6L Flat 6…
There wasn’t much time at all for me to calm down as Carl (another co-driver) came and took me to the Porsche. After the Lamborghini and Ferrari i always thought the Porsche was a slight come down (just me as i was never really a Porsche fan) as they were my fave cars…But who doesn’t want to drive a Porsche 911 Turbo?! ๐คฃ As a kid i never had Porshce posters (from Athena) on my wall, i had the Lamborghini Contach, Ferrari F40 and the mighty Koenig Testarossa! ๐ฒ
After a few attempts at starting the car, i was doing everything right but nothing was happening when turning the key…It was apparent the battery was flat…Oh that’s why the engines called a ‘Flat 6’ ๐คฃ We waited quite a while before Carl said we could swap for the Audi R8 if i wanted too…? ๐ค At least i have a nice photo of me sat in a Porsche 911 Turbo!! ๐ช๐ผ
Me And The Audi R8 4.2L V8…
Walking towards the R8 i asked Carl whilst getting into the seat “What colour is this Audi?” he said it used to be red but we changed it to orange, i thought “wow Sarah is going to love this as it’s one of her fave colours”. ๐
After smiling for the photographer for the 4th time, i thought it was cool that i’ve got photos of me sat in 4 cars today instead of 3…Bonus! ๐คฃ The R8 started straight away and i instantly realised that the V8 was very quiet, it felt more like a luxury car than a supercar…Not that i’m complaining, just trying to keep you immersed in detailed descriptions lol! ๐คฃ
I got the chance to floor yet another supercar today (totally unbelievable for this blindman) although i only reached a mere 90 mph…Can’t believe i’m actually saying stuff like this, but it’s been a strange, surreal and awesome kind of day! ๐คฃ
I knew this 4.2L V8 – 420 bhp was the same engine in Ben’s (ex brother-in-law and friend) Audi RS4, but it sounded (or applied the power) nothing like the RS4. I know Ben had tuned his to 450 bhp and his is a front engined (not mid engined) like the R8, but out of the two cars i think i prefer Ben’s Audi RS4 as it just has more character! ๐
There was no sense of theatre or dramas at all when flooring this R8. The engine was quiet, the brakes were super sharp and responsive and It was so good around the corners that it seemed to take away the thrill…I know i can’t believe i’m saying this either! ๐it made everything so easy to achieve that it seemed to take the fun out of driving! It’s similar to how an electric car destroys the soul, and continues to squeeze the entire life out of driving…Leaving you wishing you had walked!! ๐ญ Sorry a little too much exaggeration from this petrolhead, i know i’d already been amazed by the Lamborghini and Ferrari…Although i’m sticking to the bit about the soul destroying electric car! ๐
Yes it’s that time again where i have to pit and finish my supercar driving experience. ๐ญ I still can’t believe it’s actually me sat in the driving seat of the Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Audi in the photos…I don’t think i’ll ever get over it! ๐ฒ
High Speed Passenger Ride: BMW M3 4.0L V8 …
“The experience also includes a thrilling hot lap ride when the race driver will show you what a performance car can do around the circuit in a BMW M3 V8 with 3 passengers”.
Sarah is actually driving away in that yellow Lamborghini!! ๐ฒ
As me (and Sarah) had been driving today it meant we had 2 laps in this car. It was time for Rob to get in on the action. Sarah said for me to go in the front seat first as we all climbed aboard…And the driver floored it! ๐จWow i have never been around corners that fast, and i have no idea how the tyres (and us) held on for dear life. The G force of the corners was relentless, and when the car stopped being a blur and finally stopped (our terrified giggles didn’t)…Sarah and i got out to swap seats for another lap.
The race driver blasted away again and after the first corner i knew why Sarah loved it more in the back! The car just threw you around as there were no bucket seats like in the front. The slippy leather seats made for a crazy, fun and terrifying experience…It was fantastic!! ๐ฒ Unfortunately we didn’t have the in car media on this ride…But if only you could smell those burning tyres, wow!! ๐ฒย
My Supercar Thrill Trailer…
After many days of struggling i managed to put together a trailer with all of the photos and videos i’d acquired from the day. It didn’t take me as long as this post has taken me though! ๐คฃ
Walking back to Rob’s van in a daze i couldn’t quite believe what had just happened…I’m still numb nearly 2 weeks on! Rob then pulled out of the car park and the rain absolutely hammered down…It was pounding the windscreen so hard we all couldn’t believe it. We’d turned up over an hour early as i wantedd to do the american diner thing, and as we’d turned up early the co-drivers had taken us out as they said they were not busy…If we’d had arrived on time, i would’ve been driving in this rain and it would’ve ruined the day!! ๐จ
Just one more thing…?
As part of my plan for this day, i wanted to go from a ‘Lamborghini’ to a ‘Lambor-Donor’ as in Derby they serve kebabs on a naan so i try and have one when i’m up. As usual Rob made it happen…We had kebabs with Rob, Shelley, Abbie, Ella & Georgia!! ๐ย
Thanks to everyone for making this dream come true! ๐
Please click the video and watch a trailer i managed to make with iMovie, and watch me and my lovely wife Sarah on the driving day!! Full (long) post coming soon on the whole amazing day! ๐
Blind 3 Supercar Thrill Trailer…
Hi friends. Sorry it’s been silent over here for a couple of weeks but…I’ve ben on the mountain top in dream land! First i managed the trail marathon which i really didn’t think was possible, then my dream came true when i got the opportunity to drive again after 22 years (thanks to Sarah’s birthday present to me)…But not only drive again…But to drive a Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari F430 Spider and a Audi R8!ย
I have finally recovered from the body of pain that was due to finishing the trail marathon, but i havn’t recovered from the pure excitement due to flooring the accelerator and paddle shifting through the gears whilst being blown back in the seats of these stupendous cars!! ๐ฒ
No way weโre in Corsica! My lovely wife Sarah is going to kill me for ruining this post with another of my digressionsโฆBut my fave cars of all time raced here and i canโt contain myselfโฆ.Yes itโs Group B rally cars! ย
Awwww i can hear that ferocious engine sound (and the monster dump valve) of one of my favourite carsโฆThe Lancia Delta S4. It had an Abarth-designedย superchargedย andย turbochargedย 500bhp 1.8-litre engine, it could hit 60mph in just over two secondsโฆAnd this was 1986!ย
ButโฆAfter a fatal accident (here in Corsica) Group B rally cars were banned and a FISA investigation later proved that driversโ reactions were too slow to keep up with Group B cars, and driversโ eyes could not adjust their focus between the fast corners, which caused tunnel vision. Now thatโs fastโฆAnd insane!!ย
They said the cars had so much raw power but with little containmentโฆI have a wife like that, lol! Sorry Sarah! ๐คฃ ย
I thought the heat was blistering already but it didnโt prepare me for the inferno when we walked underneath the archway and onto the track. ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Sarah said โSteve youโve got to get a photo of me at the original olympic start line! Iโve only been out of my aircast for a few weeks and it would make a great photoโฆZena (Sarahโs friend) will comment straight away and tell me off, lol (she did). ๐ ย
โHere goesโ i said โNo pressure at all for this shotโฆItโs only a one off pictureโ 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! โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธย
Iโm 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) Iโve also bought myself a โTactical Sun Hatโ to try and keep myself cooler in the sun and provide a little shade with the wide rimโฆIt worked really well but i was still dripping like a candle in a Salvador Dali painting! ๐คฃ ย
This has to be one of my favorite photos!! Iโm glad to see Sarah(The Greatest Warriorโ parting some of her knowledge and instruction to an inferior ranked warrior on how to correctly throw a spear!ย ๐ช๐ผ
Awww friendsโฆ.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! ๐
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 โWow, sheโs having her photo taken in front of that cool wall art/sign. Quick get one of meโ โOk my lovely, youโre wearing your new yellow Michael Kors t-shirt too, i hope i get everything inโ. Sarah had bought this t-shirt for our holidays and couldnโt wait to put on the lovely bright colours and flowers.
ย This is one of my fave photos as it shows Sarahโs smile is as bright as her t-shirt.ย
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. โOOohhhh maybe we could get a small cake for your birthdayโ โYes letโs follow her and see what goodies they have?โ As we walked in to the little bakery the guide said โOh yes a lead pipeโ as she picked one up and went to pay for it. โWhatโs a lead pipe?โ i said to the guide โItโs a local cake but it can be used as a weapon too as itโs very heavyโ. Sarah then passed me a bag with a cake in and said hold this โWow this weighs about the same as a 16lb bowling ballโ โeverything is so heavy in here, nothing has fluffy cream like in England as it would melt instantly, lolโ.
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 didnโt know how sweet it was or even if we liked it?!ย ๐ ย ย
ย I never (ever) stop talking about this coconut slice as itโs the nicest cake iโve ever tasted! The bell on the โBlind Sightseers Gastronomic Leaderboardโ was destroyed as this flew to the top of the cakes list! If iโd have known i wouldโve stayed in the bakery and continued to eat every single last one of them! But we only had that one and weโve never been able to go back since this monumental occasion. Oh yesโฆThis monumental occasion is my lovely wife Sarah’s birthday! ๐คฃ
View our full day (Sarahโs Birthday) in Barbados
Hi allโฆI need your help, experience and opinions!
After theย โUltra Step Challengeโ last December (2021) i saidย โiโm not doing a challenge that iโve made up next timeโฆIโm going to do an organised event by the charityโ. Well that didnโt last long, as here i am again thinking of my latest challenge!! I thought iโd put it to you guys first before i started a fundraising page and jumped in feet first, lol! ๐คฃ ย
My latest ideaโฆ๐ฒย
As you may know my lovely wife Sarah is working for MS Society, so i thought iโd do another challenge to help fundraise. My mum died of MS the same month i was registered blind in July 2000. So of course this charity is close to my heartโฆSo here is my idea.
I thought iโd try and walk 2 marathons in 1 day?? (please give me your thoughts on this)ย ๐คฃย ย In my last ultra step challenge it took me over 4 days to walk the distance of 2 marathonsโฆSo i thought itโd be a great idea to try and walk 2 marathons in 1 day! ๐จ Or should i start with 1 marathon first? ๐คย
Can this bonkers blindman do this, lol? I wanted to walk on an athletics track as the stress of walking around my local woods would be way too much external stimuli for me and that amount of distance. But it’s harder than you think to get a track for 24 hours. Any ideas? Do you think this is a good challenge? Have you had any experience of anything similar? ๐คย
Iโm thinking of doing this 24 hour challenge in March or May 2022, as iโll (or you) come up with a funky title for my MS March or May ideasโฆAlso itโll give me some time for lots and lots of walking before i start.
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!ย ๐คฃย
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Size XXL to a Medium…ย
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Since losing 5 stone over this last year, iโve also gone from a size XXL t-shirt to a size medium. I have never been a medium throughout my whole adult life. Iโm loving having to get a new wardrobe andย ordering aย medium size and it fitting like a gloveโฆNot much beats this feeling!ย ๐
Can youย believe itโs been a year today, since i started my epic adventure akaย โJune time to prune?!โ I wanted to put this post on my blogs as a milestone for me and to share my good news with you all!ย ๐ย
My mind is stillย having trouble adapting to the body itโs now living in, lol.ย
-5 Sone…
Iโve gone from overheating all of the time, wearing shortsย through the winter and staying out of the sun as it felt like pins and razor blades cutting my skinโฆTo feeling cold most of the time, wearing normalย clothes in the winter and like yesterdayโฆSpent time sitting with my lovely wife Sarah enjoying the sun without the stabbing pains in my skin.
Size XXL to a Medium…ย
Iโve also gone from a size XXL t-shirt to a size medium. I have never been a medium throughout my whole adult life. Iโm loving having to get a new wardrobe andย ordering aย medium size and it fitting like a gloveโฆNot much beats this feeling!ย ๐ย
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…
Iโve just realised iโm going to go on for ages writing about my year ofย 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 notย notice, lol!ย ๐คฃย
WowโฆI simply canโt believe iโve achieved this goal, after stepping off the scales this morning. To say iโm excited is an understatement!! ๐ฒ ย ย
Itโs taken me about 2 months to reach this next -5 pound badge as iโm almost at maintenance calories now. I absolutely love the food i eat now and wouldnโt change it back for anything. I don’t feel hungry (never thought it was possible) and most of allโฆI can live on this meal plan for the rest of my life!! ๐ช๐ผ ๐ย
Itโs not too late, to sign up for Activ8โฆ!!!ย ย ๐ช๐ผ ๐
You can still sign up for the next 2 weeks.
Hi friendsโฆ๐ช๐ผย ๐ย ย
Are you making yourself attractive to Cancer?ย ๐ค ย
Sarah and I have just signed up for the “Activ8 Planโ with World Cancer Research Fund as part of Cancer Prevention Awareness Week. So for once Iโm not fundraising and bombarding you with donation asks, just sharing information to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle lol!ย ๐คฃย ย
You may not be aware (like me) of all the lifestyle choices we make that can affect our cancer risk. ๐ฒ ย
Info taken from the World Cancer Research Fundย website…ย
What is Cancer Prevention Awareness Week?
ย 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. โฆ..
Activ8: Eat Well, Move More… We’ve also launched a healthy living programme to support people who want to eat better and move more.
Byย 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!
ย I canโt thank you guys enough for all of the support youโve given Sarah & me over the years!! I encourage you to join us onย this challengeย so that you too can protect yourselves against cancer and lead happier, healthier livesโฆ. ย Thank you and God Bless.ย ๐ช๐ผย ๐ย
ย ย Hi friends and welcome to Day 51 of this monumental, inconceivable and definly memorable blind sightseers tour….!ย
ย Bonjour mes amisย (Good Morning My Friends) and welcome to Martinique!ย
Sorry but Sarah & i didnโt managed to take any photos at all on the very wet shore excursion. Yes even i was in my wet gear (last time ever Sarah has commanded) and we had no water proof cameras. But this is a must read and a gripping drama of an adventure weโll never forget! ๐ฒ ย
Side noteโฆAlthough itโs called a post itโs actually more like a short story. So settle back with your favourite beverage and enjoy the drama! ๐จ ย
Letโs have a look and see where we are goingโฆ๐ค ย
Kayaking Mangroves Martinique…๐ถ
Had your fill of sunbathing and swimming? This is one for the more active crowd. Youโll first travel to a nearby islet to pick up your kayaks. And with paddles at the ready, youโll head off into the quiet mangroves. Youโll be in the water about 40 minutes, gliding under tropical canopies. And red and black mangrove trees sprout from the water. Guides are on hand to make sure you get the most out of the day and help you perfect your technique. Plus thereโs plenty of time to chill with a fruit juice, or swim in the sea before taking the boat back to the ship.
On the dock and boarding the boatโฆ๐ณ ย
After another lovely breakfast we left the ship and joined our excursion guide on the dock. We stood waiting for a while and started talking to a lovely man and his grandson who he was taking on our trip. When the man knew i was registered blind and still kayaking and swimming he seemed to relax a little. Yay i can help without helping! ๐ ย
We were then guided onto a small fun boat, it had a totally flat and wide floor (like a dance floor) so was easy for me to get on. We took our seats around the edge of the boat and it pulled away bobbing across the sea. The cool sea breeze flowed briskly through the boat (which i enjoyed) and before long we were pulling up to a small islet from what seemed like a beautiful film set!. ๐ฒ Sarah unplugged her insulin pump and stored it safe in our bags that weโd left on the boat, then we stepped off the boat and after a short lesson on kayaking we were ready to get in.ย
The kayak and the mangrovesโฆโ๏ธ ย
ย As this was the second time weโd tried kayaking (1st time in Mexico) we thought we knew what to expect. Sarah climbed in the back seat and i sat in the front waiting for the navigator (Sarah) to direct. The guide took us across the open sea and we swiftly pulled into line about half way up the group. We were kayaking across the open Caribbean sea and it was incredible, itโs such a lovely feeling being out in the open sea. Then we started to turn towards the mangroves. The group pulled in tight as we made our way along the stunning narrow waterway.ย
Thenโฆ๐จ ย
I heard a commotion a head of me and a screaming/shouting. As we pulled nearer a woman had fallen in and her husband was still in the kayak trying to help her. The woman was freaking out and on the verge of hysterics and could not be reasoned with. As a side noteโฆDuring our boat ride from the ship the guides showed the group huge photos (about A3) of the omnifarious types of creatures out there including huge crabs that lay on the floor and the sides of the mangroves, and i think the woman had those photos still etched in her mind. Sarah said the woman was up to her shoulders in water and couldnโt get back in to the kayak. Her paddle had hit the side of our kayak so we stopped to give her support and save her paddle for when she gets back in. ๐จ ย
ย With the woman safely back in the kayak (she was fuming) the group continued along the amazing mangroves until we stopped for a rest before heading further along for about 20 minutes until it opened back out in to the Caribbean sea. Now we could test the top speed as we flew back to the little dock thingy. I wouldnโt say our kayaking always went smoothly and we have had a few crossed paddles along the way, but we had fun and made it back. ๐คฃ ย
The boat and the short beach breakโฆ๐ฒ ย
ย We sat back down on the boat (tired) after a fantastic kayak trip and the guide said โItโs about half an hour until we get to the beach, so relax and come and have a fresh cold drink at the bar area at the front of the boat. I said to Sarah โThat was the Blind Sightseers 2nd kayak trip and we made it without sinking or capsizing againโ โYeah i knowโ Sarah said very slowly and quite slurry. At firs i thought she was just tired as it took a lot out of us with all of the paddling, and how could it be a hypo as she hasnโt had her pump attached? But i said โAre you ok?โ If it is a hypo then i need to hear her speak so i know it is for definite. โI think iโm having a hypo?!โ Sarah said as she looked at her pump to clarify the very low reading. I knew Sarah really wanted to enjoy the beach we were heading towards but this was going to be a big hypo! ๐จ ย
I jumped up and headed for the juice bar and asked for any full sugar orange juice if they had any? They did and Sarah was just with it enough to be able to drink itโฆNow we wait to see if the sugar kicks in or Sarah passes out. I do not enjoy this bit at all, but i just think about how Sarah must be feeling and stop complaining! The music on the boat was loud, the people were chatting away while i was trying to keep Sarah sat upright. About 15 minutes had passed and the juice wasnโt really working, so i got up and asked for another one. I knew Sarah really wanted to go on the beach and would be upset if she missed it, but i also knew sheโd be absolutely freezing after this hypoโฆThe T1Dโs who read this will know exactly what iโm talking about, the bone chill that happens is like your bone themselves are frozen and the only way to get warm again is to have a hot bath.ย
With about 5 minutes to go Sarahโs speech became much more normal again and she asked if weโd already been to the beach. โNot yet my love, we are about 5 minutes away but we can just stay on the boat where itโs safeโ I said with my arm around Sarah trying to get her warm. โNo way itโs freezing on here and itโs in the shade, at least the beach will be in the sun and i can warm upโ โGood thinkingโ i said as people were getting ready to leave the boat. โHang onโ i said as i heard a couple of people splash into the water โIt sounds like we are not on landโ โNo weโre not, we are in a beautiful film set looking place but the beach island is a long way over thereโ The guide said we have about half an hour until the boat sounds itโs 1st of 2 horns then you have a few minutes to get back on board, the guide continued You can swim over to the ย beach if you want to as we have permission to use the bar there etc but make sure youโre back on the boat shortly after the 1st horn blastโ. Sarah said โThe sea should be warmer than being trapped in here and lots of people are getting off so we can have a swim over to the island and get warmโ โSounds like a plan, letโs goโ.๐ช๐ผ ย
The sea and the island…๐
Sarah guided me to the back of the boat and there were steps leading down to the sea. โSteve you can sit on the bottom step and then push yourself offโ โWhich way is the beach?โ Sarah pointed at a 90ห angle to her right โOk thanks if i canโt tread water iโll head that way until i hit landโ, here goes…
As i slid off the last step i went straight under and started to sink like a stone. At the same time salt water filled my lungs as i panicked and i seemed to stop breathing. I kicked my legs and frantically thrust my arms in a a swimming motion with little effectโฆAt first. More water filled my mouth and lungs and finally my head poked out of the water. I think the panic of drowning was overtaking me as i couldnโt keep my head above water long enough to spit out all of the salt water. Treading water was out of the question but if i swam i seemed to stay on top. I only know 2 swimming strokes Breast stroke and doggy paddle (doggy paddle really wouldnโt work right now). I said to myself โSteve youโre not drowning here and leaving Sarah all on her ownโฆJust swim to the beachโ I knew if i stopped then iโd drown , and i knew roughly which way the beach is so i started the breast stroke (iโm really good at breast stroke). The faster i went the less likely i was going to drown so i kicked and pumped my arms as hard as i could!
I seemed to be swimming for quite a while and i couldnโt hear Sarah at all, i thought Sarah wouldnโt leave me out here alone? But maybe she is next to me or behind me as i can only hear the water forcing itโs way into my ears, either way iโll meet up with her on the beach as she is an amazing swimmerโ. There was no beach or island getting any closer and i tried looking and i thought i could see a shadow of something to my right (it was just blue everywhere else) so i steered myself towards the shadow and kept pumping my quickly tiring arms and legs.
โYESโ i said whilst spitting out another mouthful of salt water โThis looks like an island. OUCHโ i said as my knee hit something sharp and hard, it stopped me dead and i kicked my legs around to try and get purchase on something. I was so thankful that iโd bought some โHot Tunaโ beach shoes with heavy rubber tread, as all i could feel with my feet were lots of points like hundreds of tall pointy pyramids trying to pierce me. As iโm blind iโm really good at feeling with my feet to compensate my sight loss, and after a few attempts i managed to grip on with a foot either side of the huge point. I was crouched and wobbling as i tried to counter the waves hitting me constantly but i was glad of the rest. Looking straight ahead (where i thought the boat would be) i saw nothing but blue. โWow no boat or peopleโ i could also hear nothing or no-one. โHow far have i swamโ i thought whilst looking to my left, i was using and straining my very blurry sight to itโs limit but i could make out that this islet i was on continued further along. Realising i couldnโt stay hear (especially as my foot slipped and my left shin is stinging like mad) i pushed away. ๐จ ย
Finally after swimming around those nasty pointy things ย i crawled my way onto the beach. โI thought they said there was a bar hereโ i thought whilst hearing nothing as i sat down to catch my breath and to think about what had just happened. I expected to hear Sarah calling meโฆBut nothing. I looked out again straining until my eyes burned but couldnโt see a boat either. My left shin was really stinging and i knew it was bleeding and had salt water in it,โฆ
Thenโฆ๐จ ย
As i was rubbing my hands to get the sand off i noticed my wedding ring was missing. My heart dropped through the floor so i checked againโฆStill missing. My first thought was โSarahโs going to kill meโ as i dropped to my knees to search around the sand with my sweeping hands. I couldnโt find it and knew it probably flew off in the mad panic from the boat, so i started walking up and down the beach at the sea edge and thought, “if people were looking for me at least they have a better chance of spotting me if iโm up and moving”. The beach was only about 50 meters long and iโd done a few lengths already and still heard nothing. I walked another time up and down the beach with the realisation of my predicament setting in. I was tired, iโd lost my wedding ring and i was lost on a Caribbean islet, iโd stopped walking at this point and was just looking out into the vast blue sea deep in prayer and thought when…
โSteve?โ i looked a little to my right where iโd heard the noise and thought โThatโs not Sarahโs voiceโ โSteve?โ โYesโ i said as the man continued โSarah (your wife) has sent me to guide you back to the boatโ I was almost in tears of relief as i started to walk into the sea and join him. He continued โHow much can you see?โ โVery likktleโ i said โOk just follow my voice as i keep shouting at youโ. I was back in the water and swimming along behind my navigator as we arrived at the rear of the boat. My mind was picturing me swimming into the propellers and slicing me into a thousand pieces just as i thought iโd made it, but i hit the bottom step instead. ๐ฒ
Here is a photo of my wedding ring that is still in Martinique!ย
Climbingย the last step and into Sarah’s arms she saidย โYouโre not swimming ever again!โ i replied “I do not disassociate myself from that statement!โ. Sarah continuedย โDo you have any idea how terrified i was that iโd lost you?!
I heard you enter the water as i was looking down to make sure i didnโt trip on any of the tiny steps. A lady who was smashing around with an inflatable lilo and another person were totally distracting me with another inflatable theyโd pulled out of nowhere, so when iโd looked upโฆYouโd disappeared. I quickly looked to the right (towards the beach) to see if i could see anyone swimming in that direction, nothing. I looked straight ahead and still nothing. For some reason i looked out to the open sea, and just caught sight of your head bobbing up and down,ย The woman on the lilo kept chatting and chatting really loudly, people were behind me getting more drinks and some were trying to get into the water, it was really confusing. I tried asking the woman on the lilo to help but she wouldnโt leave her lilo, so i asked a man behind me for some help, and when i turned back aroundโฆYouโd vanished again! More time passed and my thoughts didnโt get any happier. Iย was still freezing and feeling a little sick after the hypo, i just wanted you back and to get a hot shower back in the cabin to get rid of this bone chill.
I continued asking for help when this kind man came over to me and i told him how you were heading for the beach, but iโd seen you in the opposite direction heading out to sea! The man looked out to sea and couldnโt see you anywhere, then he looked towards the beach and couldnโt see you there either. A few more minutes went by and the man said โThere he is!โ โWhere?โ Sarah said โHeโs on the beach walking up and down the beachโ โIs he ok?โ โhe looks fineโ โSteve is registered blind and wonโt be able to see the boat never mind how heโs going to get back. Could you please go and guide him back?โ I was so relieved when the man left to go and get youโฆAnd now here you are! Youโre banned from ever swimming again and youโre never leaving my sight! ๐กย
Safe on the boat…
Weโd sat back down when i was about to tell Sarah about losing my wedding ring when she said โWhat have you done to your leg?โ I lifted my throbbing leg up for her to see โWow itโs cut and bleedingโ โI know itโs stinging like madโ โIbet it is, how did you do that?โ I thought about a reply but it would be too long, and iโll tell her the details later โIโve got even worse news than my legโ โWhat could be worse than this?โ I held up my hand and said โMy wedding ring has gone, it must’ve come off in my blind panic (pun intended)โ. I was expecting a drilling but got a hug instead โThatโs ok iโm just glad to have you backโ โค๏ธ
Back on the shipโฆ๐ณ ย
โง Photo of the Marella Discovery from a later date โง ย ย
After a refresh and a very strong coffee, we went to reception and asked if a nurse could take a quick look at my leg to make sure it wasnโt infected. We went down to the hospital deck and had my massive gaping wound (large cut) cleaned and got lots of large plasters to keep it covered for a couple of days. ๐ ย
We decided not to get dressed up for the evening meal and just go up and get a snack from the buffet restaurant. We were just walking in when…
The man, ย his wife and his grandson walked up to us. The man was really limping as he approached and Sarah said โOh no what happened? Did you enjoy the adventure today?โ The grandson said heโd really enjoyed himself and the grandad said โI stepped onto a sea urchin and it pierced straight through my sea shoes and deep into my footโ. Sarah & i made the noise together โAawwwwwโ โYes it really hut and when i stepped backwards after the first sting, i stepped onto another one but luckily it didnโt get me as bad! Did you 2 enjoy the day?โ Sarah relayed the story of what happened and showed him my leg. As we said our goodbyes i was in need of a chip butty! ๐ ย
As we sat down and chatted about the usual Blind Sightseers adventure i said โI didnโt know i could swim that fast?!โ โDonโt startโ Sarah said with a smile lighting up her face. ๐ ย
Thank you…
If you are still reading this and canโt quite believe what โThe Blind Sightseersโ ย can do on a simple shore excursionโฆThen we thank you profusely for coming along for the ride! This is still an abridged version but i know i canโt go on and on and on like Sarah says i do, lol! ๐คฃ ย ย
Weโll see you in the morning for another (hopefully less dramatic) shore excursion.
Weโll meet tomorrowโฆSame timeโฆSame place for another adventure!ย ๐
ย ย Hi friends and welcome to Day 50 of this monumental, inconceivable and definly memorable blind sightseers tour….!ย
Good morning friends! We are in Saint Lucia! ๐ โ๏ธ ๐ดย
WowโฆItโs our 50th day of our trip. I canโt believe weโve hit this milestone already time is cruising by and i hope youโre still enjoying this adventure?! ๐ฒ ย ย
What a day yesterday! As we had to focus on not falling to our death we didnโt get to see much of the rain forest canopyโฆSo we thought weโd book this excursion today at a more relaxing pace. Wait a minuteโฆDid i say relaxing? This canโt be right weโre โThe Blind Sightseersโ lol. ๐คฃ ย
Aerial Tram: Scenic Tour…๐
Soar above a tropical rainforest reserve on this sky-high tour. Hop on to an open-air gondola and rise up through Castries Waterworks Reserve, where youโll have a birdโs eye view over the rainforest. With towering trees, tangled vines, and brightly coloured hummingbirds, this exotic jungle is Mother Nature at her best. As you glide through the canopy, your experienced guide will share their knowledge, point out unusual plant life, and identify the calls of local birds.
Once your feet are back on the ground, your guide will take you on a short walk through the forest, so remember to wear your walking boots. And, of course, youโll need a camera to capture the colourful sights around you.
ย On the coachโฆ๐ ย
We sat at the front of the coach (thanks excursion team) and even though our muscles were hurting from yesterdays zip lining and from walking up a million steps through the rain forest, we sat back and listened to the guide tell us about Saint Lucia. I was excited as our excursion involves an arial tramโฆCould i call it a cable car? If so then itโs the 4th cable car of our lockdown memory trip! ๐ ย
We heard a lot of people worrying about heights and if the arial tram would be safe. This is where another of our blind perks help us. As both me and Sarah have severe sight problems we donโt know how high we are, which works great as iโm scared of heightsโฆAnd it worked brilliantly yesterday walking and zip lining above the rain forest canopy! So it should work well today too! ๐คฃ ย
ย The arial tram…๐
ย Standing at the start of the arial tram circuit we had a few minutes to wait for our turn to begin.ย
ย Yay we are on board and ready to go! Unfortunately we didnโt take many photos as we simply didnโt want to drop our phones out of the arial tram and onto the floor miles below us. ๐ ย
HeyโฆThatโs a sneaky shot, lol! ๐คฃ ย ย
We continued to travel through the multiple layers of the rainforest in our open air ride, we travelled all the way from the forest floor and all the way to the top (and beyond) of the canopy!
Our new car was sturdy and felt very safe, and our guide continued to tell us about the incredible trees and plants we were passing, then as we climbed a little higher the leaves of the trees began to overshadow us and block our view…
And thenโฆ๐ฒ ย
Iโm not sure what just happened? But it seems like weโve just travelled through a classic literature portal in our arial tram which has just trasformed into a โtravel boxโ and we seem to be travelling through โBrobdingnagโ as we glide through the pages of ‘Gulliverโs Travels’ part 2.
This is my roundabout way of saying the leaves were enormous! Iโve never seen leaves this big ever, 1 leaf easily covered the whole tram and was so wide it was beyond belief!
We were coming up to the half way point where the tram turns around to make the return trip down, the breeze up here was lovely and there is a nice view of the northern part of the island and both oceans come into viewโฆIf you could see them, lol! ๐ ย
ย The rain forest floor…
After the tram ride, our guide took us on a 20 minute walk and continued our education of the fascinating trees and beautifully vivid flowers on the forest floor. The path was treacherousย and laced with tree roots, rocks and hidden holes, so when iโd engaged my knees into full suspension mode i was ready to go! The combination of my warrior wife and my super duper sandals protected me once againโฆThank you Sarah! โค๏ธย
A complimentary (and very tasty) glass of non alcoholic punch ย was welcoming us upon our return from the all terrain walk. There is a nice gift shop with locally made sauces and spices. We bought the photo of me and Sarah sitting in the tram from here (2nd photo in this post) which is a lovely memory for us. ๐
Back at the dockโฆ๐ณ ย
Right we were on a mission to try and find (and eat) some Breadfruit. This was our 3rd cruise in the Caribbean (5th in total) and the guides always talked about the Breadfruit but weโd never got the chance to eat it. But today is the day. We walked out of the dock and we were instantly greeted by a street with shops, market stalls and men trying to arrest you (i mean sell you things). Our plan (so we didnโt get lost) was to walk up the right hand side of the street as far as we could go, then return by crossing the road and walking back down to the shipโฆSound simple enough. ๐ ย
We didnโt have to walk far before we stumbled upon a fruit and veg stall, and after a while of Sarah looking at each vegetable she said โSteve i donโt think i recognise any of the vegetables at all?!โ The man on the stall asked if we needed any help? Sarah said โYour vegetables are amazing and look nothing like anything back in Englandโ โThank you and that is Dasheen you were just looking at, itโs local to Saint Luciaโ he said as Sarah continued โWe are looking for some Breadfruit to try, is there anywhere here we can try some? Weโd also like to try Dasheen too?!โ โIf you go over the road into the indoor market there is a place who cooks it all dayโ โWow thanks very muchโ Sarah said and we crossed the road.
Breadfruit & Dasheenโฆ๐ ย
We found the little cooking place and it had a few tables outside. The lady said โ Hi Can i help you?โ Sarah said โWeโre looking to try some Breadfruit and Dasheen if we can pleas?โ โWhat would you like them with?โ โJust some Breadfruit and Dasheen on their own pleaseโ โWhat with?โ โItโs ok weโd just like to try them to see what they taste like, so on their own pleaseโ. The woman getting a little impatient said โYou have to have them with something theyโll be too dry on their ownโ I thought it wouldnโt be too dry for me as i can eat dry toast without butter for some reason, but i digress. Sarah asked โWhat would you have with them as we canโt see well enough to see your menu?โ โIโll make it nice for you, take a seatโ. ๐ค ย
The lady placed the food down in front of us and we got stuck in. Sarah said โWow it looks like Tipexโ We both tried some Breadfuit and decided it tasted of absolutely nothing! I said โI didnโt think something could taste of nothing?!โ ย After we both decided it was used as a filler like a potato we started on the Dasheen. โWow, now thatโs niceโ we both said โitโs so herby and really tasty we shouldโve just had a plate of thisโ i said โYeah but there is no way iโm asking the lady, lol!โ ๐จ ๐ ย
The bird feeder…
We left the indoor market discussing Breadfruit and Dasheen as we walked back towards the ship, when a really funny and cool guy walked over to us. He said with his thick Caribbean accent ย โWould you like a bird feeder?โ Sarah said โNo thanksโ we had only slowed our pace down a little โงThis bird feeder is the one you wantโ โWeโre good thank you we donโt need a bird feederโ The man had walked in front of us now so we stopped โI made this bird feeder and itโs just $30 USโ โยฃ30 dollars, we are fine thanks and thatโs too muchโ โok, $25โ the man said as he was making us laugh with his humour โThatโs still too much and we donโt have room in our suitcases anyway for a bird feederโ The man made a small laughing sound and said โWatch thisโฆYou see this is a special bird feederโ he continued as he pulled a couple of wooden bits off the bird feeder and made it smaller โThis is a special travel bird feeder as it comes apartโ Oh man i thought heโs got us on that one, lol. Sarah continued โItโs still too much for usโ Afterr another 20 minutes chatting with this man (we really liked him he had such a cool character) Sarah bought the bird feeder for $15. ๐คฃ ย ย
Back on the shipโฆ๐ณย โ ย
ย With another relaxing strong iced coffee we chatted about the fantastic day weโd had and the experiences weโve shared, and it wasnโt long before we had the photo shoot and the lovely evening meal.
The food photo quizโฆ๐ค ย
I wonder if you guys could help us? Weโve taken this photo of a fantastic plate of food but we have no idea what it is? And we canโt remember? Could you have a go at describing it for us? We just know we must have loved it as it inspired a photo. ๐ ย ย
ย The photo shoot…
We had such fun messing around (i mean being serious) during the shoot. The photographer was great and kept talking so i could have some idea where they were standing. Now we have even more photos together that weโll cherish. โค๏ธ ๐ ย ย
ย Weโve had another memorable day, isnโt Saint Lucia beautiful? Have you got any rain forest experiences?ย
Thank you once again itโs such a blessing to have you guys join us on our adventures. ๐ ย
But the drama, fun and exploration hasnโt stopped yet!
Weโll meet tomorrowโฆSame timeโฆSame place for another adventure!ย ๐ย
Finally it was our turn for some fun in the snow!ย ๐คฃย
After a nice warm coffee (and me getting a little too excited), we started out in our back garden. “Awww itโs the fat snow that make snowballs!!โ โ ๐
Our back garden…ย
The woods…
After an exciting run around, we decided to venture out into the woods for a snow filled adventure.
My lovely wife Sarah started off looking all innocent, and she was guiding my way through the woods nicelyโฆWhen…
โHeyโฆThey are like bowling ballsโ i shouted whilst being bombarded!! ย
After Sarah unleashed a flurry of blastsโฆI took a large amount of damage and some of the hits were nearly fatal! I knew i had to return fire…
Here it comesโฆ๐คฃย
Thankfully i managed to lower the amount of bombs coming my wayโฆAnd as iโm blind and canโt see SarahโฆI can hear her heartbeat and locate her position, lol! ๐คฃ
Anyway, there is no harm inย getting closer!
Now it was time for the big gunsโฆHere is a nice (accessible for the blind) monster snowball to finish the job, lol! ๐คฃย
WowโฆI hope youโve had as much fun as me and Sarah in the snow?! Is it snowing where you are? ๐ย
Hey friends! Iโve been a little quiet on here for the last couple of months, as iโve been losing weight, eating healthy and exercisingโฆAnd i wanted to start a new blog to share all of my adventures in the health & fitness area without bombarding you with too many topics on here! OOooo you can follow my advent walking challenge over there too!
As a blindman, please could you check it out for me to see if iโve missed anything, need to change anything please give me some suggestions. Oh you could even like, comment and say hi which would be fantastic! ๐
Please click the photo below to visit my brand new blogโฆ.
I want to stop digging my grave with my own knife and fork…๐ฝ
Hi, iโm Steve.
People who already know me (from my other blogs) know Iโve been struggling to beat all kinds of obstacles since I was registered blind 20 years ago, at age 24โฆ.. BUT now itโs time to face my nemesisโฆ Health & Fitness and itโs many enemies – overeating, obesity, excuses not to exercise and many more…
This year (2020) I finally said โenough is enoughโ and Iโm arming myself with the knowledge about the right nutrition, exercise and learning how, as a blind man, I can break free from what feels like inescapable immobility – So that Iโm ready to stand up and fight back for my healthโฆAND i’ve never felt better and more energised โฆ..despite being on beta-blockers that slow me down but help keep my blood pressure low enough not to cause more health problems and further sight loss.I know from personal experience that any โdiet” is often short lived. Iโve always enjoyed eating super processed, high calorie foods and my love of burgers, bacon, kebabs and pizza is well known amongst my friends and family โฆthis has continued and my seemingly endless attempts at dieting over the numerous years I’ve tried and failed to lose weight, have resulted in me often putting on more weight than I lostโฆRead more…
ย Bonjour mes amisย (Good Morning My Friends) and welcome to Martinique!ย
Sorry but Sarah & i took no photos at all on the very wet shore excursion. Yes even i was in my wet gear (last time ever) and we had no water proof cameras. But this is a must read and a gripping drama of an adventure weโll never forget!ย
Side noteโฆAlthough itโs called a post itโs actually more like a short story. So settle back with your favourite beverage and enjoy the drama! ๐จ ย
Letโs have a look and see where we are going…ย
Kayaking Mangroves Martinique
Had your fill of sunbathing and swimming? This is one for the more active crowd. Youโll first travel to a nearby islet to pick up your kayaks. And with paddles at the ready, youโll head off into the quiet mangroves. Youโll be in the water about 40 minutes, gliding under tropical canopies. And red and black mangrove trees sprout from the water. Guides are on hand to make sure you get the most out of the day and help you perfect your technique. Plus thereโs plenty of time to chill with a fruit juice, or swim in the sea before taking the boat back to the ship.
On the dock and boarding the boat…
After another lovely breakfast we left the ship and joined our excursion guide on the dock. We stood waiting for a while and started talking to a lovely man and his grandson who he was taking on our trip. When the man knew i was registered blind and still kayaking and swimming he seemed to relax a little. Yay i can help without helping! ๐ ย
We were then guided onto a small fun boat, it had a totally flat and wide floor (like a dance floor) so was easy for me to get on. We took our seats around the edge of the boat and it pulled away bobbing across the sea. The cool sea breeze flowed briskly through the boat (which i enjoyed) and before long we were pulling up to a small islet. Sarah unplugged her insulin pump and stored it safe in our bags that weโd left on the boat, then we stepped off the boat and after a short lesson on kayaking we were ready to get in.ย
The kayak and the mangroves…
ย As this was the second time weโd tried kayaking (see 1st time in Mexico) we thought we knew what to expect. Sarah climbed in the back seat and i sat in the front waiting for the navigator (Sarah) to direct. The guide took us across the open sea and we swiftly pulled into line about half way up the group. We were kayaking across the open Caribbean sea and it was incredible, itโs such a lovely feeling being out in the open sea. Then we started to turn towards the mangroves. The group pulled in tight as we made our way along the stunning narrow waterway.ย
Then…
I heard a commotion a head of me and a screaming/shouting. As we pulled nearer a woman had fallen in and her husband was still in the kayak trying to help her. The woman was freaking out and on the verge of hysterics and could not be reasoned with. As a side noteโฆDuring our boat ride from the ship the guides showed the group huge photos (about A3) of the omnifarious types of creatures out there including huge crabs that lay on the floor and the sides of the mangroves, and i think the woman had those photos still etched in her mind. Sarah said the woman was up to her shoulders in water and couldnโt get back in to the kayak. Her paddle had hit the side of our kayak so we stopped to give her support and save her paddle for when she gets back in.ย
ย With the woman safely back in the kayak (she was fuming) the group continued along the amazing mangroves until we stopped for a rest before heading further along for about 20 minutes until it opened back out in to the Caribbean sea. Now we could test the top speed as we flew back to the little dock thingy. I wouldnโt say our kayaking always went smoothly and we have had a few crossed paddles along the way, but we had fun and made it back.
The boat and the short beach break…
ย We sat back down on the boat (tired) after a fantastic kayak trip and the guide said โItโs about half an hour until we get to the beach, so relax and come and have a fresh cold drink at the bar area at the front of the boat. I said to Sarah โThat was the Blind Sightseers 2nd kayak trip and we made it without sinking or capsizing againโ โYeah i knowโ Sarah said very slowly and quite slurry. At firs i thought she was just tired as it took a lot out of us with all of the paddling, and how could it be a hypo as she hasnโt had her pump attached? But i said โAre you ok?โ If it is a hypo then i need to hear her speak so i know it is for definite. โI think iโm having a hypo?!โ Sarah said as she looked at her pump to clarify the very low reading. I knew Sarah really wanted to enjoy the beach we were heading towards but this was going to be a big hypo!ย
I jumped up and headed for the juice bar and asked for any full sugar orange juice if they had any? They did and Sarah was just with it enough to be able to drink itโฆNow we wait to see if the sugar kicks in or Sarah passes out. I do not enjoy this bit at all, but i just think about how Sarah must be feeling and stop complaining! The music on the boat was loud, the people were chatting away while i was trying to keep Sarah sat upright. About 15 minutes had passed and the juice wasnโt really working, so i got up and asked for another one. I knew Sarah really wanted to go on the beach and would be upset if she missed it, but i also knew sheโd be absolutely freezing after this hypoโฆThe T1Dโs who read this will know exactly what iโm talking about, the bone chill that happens is like your bone themselves are frozen and the only way to get warm again is to have a hot bath.ย
With about 5 minutes to go Sarahโs speech became much more normal again and she asked if weโd already been to the beach. โNot yet my love, we are about 5 minutes away but we can just stay on the boat where itโs safeโ I said with my arm around Sarah trying to get her warm. โNow way itโs freezing on here and itโs in the shade, at least the beach will be in the sun and i can warm upโ โGood thinkingโ i said as people were getting ready to leave the boat. โHang onโ i said as i heard a couple of people splash into the water โIt sounds like we are not on landโ โNo weโre not, we are in a beautiful film set looking place but the beach island is a long way over thereโ The guide said we have about half an hour until the boat sounds itโs 1st of 2 horns then you have a few minutes to get back on board, the guide continued You can swim over to the ย beach if you want to as we have permission to use the bar there etc but make sure youโre back on the boat shortly after the 1st horn blastโ. Sarah said โThe sea should be warmer than being trapped in here and lots of people are getting off so we can have a swim over to the island and get warmโ โSounds like a plan, letโs goโ.
The sea and the island…
Sarah guided me to the back of the boat and there were steps leading down to the sea. โSteve you can sit on the bottom step and then push yourself offโ โWhich way is the beach?โ Sarah pointed at a 90ห angle to her right โOk thanks if i canโt tread water iโll head that way until i hit landโ, here goes…
As i slid off the last step i went straight under and started to sink like a stone. At the same time salt water filled my lungs as i panicked and i seemed to stop breathing. I kicked my legs and frantically thrust my arms in a a swimming motion with little effectโฆAt first. More water filled my mouth and lungs and finally my head poked out of the water. I think the panic of drowning was overtaking me as i couldnโt keep my head above water long enough to spit out all of the salt water. Treading water was out of the question but if i swam i seemed to stay on top. I only know 2 swimming strokes Breast stroke and doggy paddle (doggy paddle really wouldnโt work right now). I said to myself โSteve youโre not drowning here and leaving Sarah all on her ownโฆJust swim to the beachโ I knew if i stopped then iโd drown , and i knew roughly which way the beach is so i started the breast stroke (iโm really good at breast stroke). The faster i went the less likely i was going to drown so i kicked and pumped my arms as hard as i could!
I seemed to be swimming for quite a while and i couldnโt hear Sarah at all, i thought Sarah wouldnโt leave me out here alone? But maybe she is next to me or behind me as i can only hear the water forcing itโs way into my ears, either way iโll meet up with her on the beach as she is an amazing swimmerโ. There was no beach or island getting any closer and i tried looking and i thought i could see a shadow of something to my right (it was just blue everywhere else) so i steered myself towards the shadow and kept pumping my quickly tiring arms and legs.
โYESโ i said whilst spitting out another mouthful of salt water โThis looks like an island. OUCHโ i said as my knee hit something sharp and hard, it stopped me dead and i kicked my legs around to try and get purchase on something. I was so thankful that iโd bought some โHot Tunaโ beach shoes with heavy rubber tread, as all i could feel with my feet were lots of points like hundreds of tall pointy pyramids trying to pierce me. As iโm blind iโm really good at feeling with my feet to compensate my sight loss, and after a few attempts i managed to grip on with a foot either side of the huge point. I was crouched and wobbling as i tried to counter the waves hitting me constantly but i was glad of the rest. Looking straight ahead (where i thought the boat would be) i saw nothing but blue. โWow no boat or peopleโ i could also hear nothing or no-one. โHow far have i swamโ i thought whilst looking to my left, i was using and straining my very blurry sight to itโs limit but i could make out that this islet i was on continued further along. Realising i couldnโt stay hear (especially as my foot slipped and my left shin is stinging like mad) i pushed away.ย
Finally after swimming around those nasty pointy things ย i crawled my way onto the beach. โI thought they said there was a bar hereโ i thought whilst hearing nothing as i sat down to catch my breath and to think about what had just happened. I expected to hear Sarah calling meโฆBut nothing. I looked out again straining until my eyes burned but couldnโt see a boat either. My left shin was really stinging and i knew it was bleeding and had salt water in it,โฆ
Then…
As i was rubbing my hands to get the sand off i noticed my wedding ring was missing. My heart dropped through the floor so i checked againโฆStill missing. My first thought was โSarahโs going to kill meโ as i dropped to my knees to search around the sand with my sweeping hands. I couldnโt find it and knew it probably flew off in the mad panic from the boat, so i started walking up and down the beach at the sea edge and thought, “if people were looking for me at least they have a better chance of spotting me if iโm up and moving”. The beach was only about 50 meters long and iโd done a few lengths already and still heard nothing. I walked another time up and down the beach with the realisation of my predicament setting in. I was tired, iโd lost my wedding ring and i was lost on a Caribbean islet, iโd stopped walking at this point and was just looking out into the vast blue sea deep in prayer and thought when…
โSteve?โ i looked a little to my right where iโd heard the noise and thought โThatโs not Sarahโs voiceโ โSteve?โ โYesโ i said as the man continued โSarah (your wife) has sent me to guide you back to the boatโ I was almost in tears of relief as i started to walk into the sea and join him. He continued โHow much can you see?โ โVery likktleโ i said โOk just follow my voice as i keep shouting at youโ. I was back in the water and swimming along behind my navigator as we arrived at the rear of the boat. My mind was picturing me swimming into the propellers and slicing me into a thousand pieces just as i thought iโd made it, but i hit the bottom step instead. ๐ฒ
Here is a photo of my wedding ring that is still in Martinique!ย
Climbingย the last step and into Sarah’s arms she saidย โYouโre not swimming ever again!โ i replied “I do not disassociate myself from that statement!โ. Sarah continuedย โDo you have any idea how terrified i was that iโd lost you?!
I heard you enter the water as i was looking down to make sure i didnโt trip on any of the tiny steps. A lady who was smashing around with an inflatable lilo and another person were totally distracting me with another inflatable theyโd pulled out of nowhere, so when iโd looked upโฆYouโd disappeared. I quickly looked to the right (towards the beach) to see if i could see anyone swimming in that direction, nothing. I looked straight ahead and still nothing. For some reason i looked out to the open sea, and just caught sight of your head bobbing up and down,ย The woman on the lilo kept chatting and chatting really loudly, people were behind me getting more drinks and some were trying to get into the water, it was really confusing. I tried asking the woman on the lilo to help but she wouldnโt leave her lilo, so i asked a man behind me for some help, and when i turned back aroundโฆYouโd vanished again! More time passed and my thoughts didnโt get any happier. Iย was still freezing and feeling a little sick after the hypo, i just wanted you back and to get a hot shower back in the cabin to get rid of this bone chill.
I continued asking for help when this kind man came over to me and i told him how you were heading for the beach, but iโd seen you in the opposite direction heading out to sea! The man looked out to sea and couldnโt see you anywhere, then he looked towards the beach and couldnโt see you there either. A few more minutes went by and the man said โThere he is!โ โWhere?โ Sarah said โHeโs on the beach walking up and down the beachโ โIs he ok?โ โhe looks fineโ โSteve is registered blind and wonโt be able to see the boat never mind how heโs going to get back. Could you please go and guide him back?โ I was so relieved when the man left to go and get youโฆAnd now here you are! Youโre banned from ever swimming again and youโre never leaving my sight! ๐กย
Safe on the boat…
Weโd sat back down when i was about to tell Sarah about losing my wedding ring when she said โWhat have you done to your leg?โ I lifted my throbbing leg up for her to see โWow itโs cut and bleedingโ โI know itโs stinging like madโ โIbet it is, how did you do that?โ I thought about a reply but it would be too long, and iโll tell her the details later โIโve got even worse news than my legโ โWhat could be worse than this?โ I held up my hand and said โMy wedding ring has gone, it must’ve come off in my blind panic (pun intended)โ. I was expecting a drilling but got a hug instead โThatโs ok iโm just glad to have you backโ โค๏ธ
Back on the ship…
โง Photo of the Marella Discovery from a later date โง ย ย
After a refresh and a very strong coffee, we went to reception and asked if a nurse could take a quick look at my leg to make sure it wasnโt infected. We went down to the hospital deck and had my massive gaping wound (large cut) cleaned and got lots of large plasters to keep it covered for a couple of days. ๐ ย
We decided not to get dressed up for the evening meal and just go up and get a snack from the buffet restaurant. We were just walking in when…
The man, ย his wife and his grandson walked up to us. The man was really limping as he approached and Sarah said โOh no what happened? Did you enjoy the adventure today?โ The grandson said heโd really enjoyed himself and the grandad said โI stepped onto a sea urchin and it pierced straight through my sea shoes and deep into my footโ. Sarah & i made the noise together โAawwwwwโ โYes it really hut and when i stepped backwards after the first sting, i stepped onto another one but luckily it didnโt get me as bad! Did you 2 enjoy the day?โ Sarah relayed the story of what happened and showed him my leg. As we said our goodbyes i was in need of a chip butty! ๐ ย
As we sat down and chatted about the usual Blind Sightseers adventure i said โI didnโt know i could swim that fast?!โ โDonโt startโ Sarah said with a smile lighting up her face. ๐ ย
Thank you…
If you are still reading this and canโt quite believe what โThe Blind Sightseersโ ย can do on a simple shore excursionโฆThen we thank you profusely for coming along for the ride! This is still an abridged version but i know i canโt go on and on and on like Sarah says i do, lol! ๐คฃ ย ย
Weโll see you in the morning for another (hopefully less dramatic) shore excursion.
Good morning friends! We are in Saint Lucia! ๐ โ๏ธ ๐ดย
WowโฆItโs our 50th day of our trip. I canโt believe weโve hit this milestone already time is cruising by and i hope youโre still enjoying this adventure?! ๐ ย
What a day yesterday! As we had to focus on not falling to our death we didnโt get to see much of the rain forest canopyโฆSo we thought weโd book this excursion today at a more relaxing pace. Wait a minuteโฆDid i say relaxing? This canโt be right weโre โThe Blind Sightseersโ lol. ๐คฃ ย
Aerial Tram: Scenic Tour
Soar above a tropical rainforest reserve on this sky-high tour. Hop on to an open-air gondola and rise up through Castries Waterworks Reserve, where youโll have a birdโs eye view over the rainforest. With towering trees, tangled vines, and brightly coloured hummingbirds, this exotic jungle is Mother Nature at her best. As you glide through the canopy, your experienced guide will share their knowledge, point out unusual plant life, and identify the calls of local birds.
Once your feet are back on the ground, your guide will take you on a short walk through the forest, so remember to wear your walking boots. And, of course, youโll need a camera to capture the colourful sights around you.
ย On the coach…
We sat at the front of the coach (thanks excursion team) and even though our muscles were hurting from yesterdays zip lining and from walking up a million steps through the rain forest, we sat back and listened to the guide tell us about Saint Lucia. I was excited as our excursion involves an arial tramโฆCould i call it a cable car? If so then itโs the 4th cable car of our lockdown memory trip!ย
We heard a lot of people worrying about heights and if the arial tram would be safe. This is where another of our blind perks help us. As both me and Sarah have severe sight problems we donโt know how high we are, which works great as iโm scared of heightsโฆAnd it worked brilliantly yesterday walking and zip lining above the rain forest canopy! So it should work well today too! ๐คฃ ย
ย The arial tram…ย
ย Standing at the start of the arial tram circuit we had a few minutes to wait for our turn to begin.ย
ย Yay we are on board and ready to go! Unfortunately we didnโt take many photos as we simply didnโt want to drop our phones out of the arial tram and onto the floor miles below us.ย
HeyโฆThatโs a sneaky shot, lol! ๐คฃ ย ย
We continued to travel through the multiple layers of the rainforest in our open air ride, we travelled all the way from the forest floor and all the way to the top (and beyond) of the canopy!
Our new car was sturdy and felt very safe, and our guide continued to tell us about the incredible trees and plants we were passing, then as we climbed a little higher the leaves of the trees began to overshadow us and block our view…
And then…
Iโm not sure what just happened? But it seems like weโve just travelled through a classic literature portal in our arial tram which has just trasformed into a โtravel boxโ and we seem to be travelling through โBrobdingnagโ as we glide through the pages of ‘Gulliverโs Travels’ part 2.
This is my roundabout way of saying the leaves were enormous! Iโve never seen leaves this big ever, 1 leaf easily covered the whole tram and was so wide it was beyond belief!
We were coming up to the half way point where the tram turns around to make the return trip down, the breeze up here was lovely and there is a nice view of the northern part of the island and both oceans come into viewโฆIf you could see them, lol! ๐ ย
ย The rain forest floor…
After the tram ride, our guide took us on a 20 minute walk and continued our education of the fascinating trees and beautifully vivid flowers on the forest floor. The path was treacherousย and laced with tree roots, rocks and hidden holes, so when iโd engaged my knees into full suspension mode i was ready to go! The combination of my warrior wife and my super duper sandals protected me once againโฆThank you Sarah! โค๏ธย
A complimentary (and very tasty) glass of non alcoholic punch ย was welcoming us upon our return from the all terrain walk. There is a nice gift shop with locally made sauces and spices. We bought the photo of me and Sarah sitting in the tram from here (2nd photo in this post) which is a lovely memory for us. ๐
Back at the dock…
Right we were on a mission to try and find (and eat) some Breadfruit. This was our 3rd cruise in the Caribbean (5th in total) and the guides always talked about the Breadfruit but weโd never got the chance to eat it. But today is the day. We walked out of the dock and we were instantly greeted by a street with shops, market stalls and men trying to arrest you (i mean sell you things). Our plan (so we didnโt get lost) was to walk up the right hand side of the street as far as we could go, then return by crossing the road and walking back down to the shipโฆSound simple enough. ๐ ย
We didnโt have to walk far before we stumbled upon a fruit and veg stall, and after a while of Sarah looking at each vegetable she said โSteve i donโt think i recognise any of the vegetables at all?!โ The man on the stall asked if we needed any help? Sarah said โYour vegetables are amazing and look nothing like anything back in Englandโ โThank you and that is Dasheen you were just looking at, itโs local to Saint Luciaโ he said as Sarah continued โWe are looking for some Breadfruit to try, is there anywhere here we can try some? Weโd also like to try Dasheen too?!โ โIf you go over the road into the indoor market there is a place who cooks it all dayโ โWow thanks very muchโ Sarah said and we crossed the road.
Breadfruit & Dasheen…ย
We found the little cooking place and it had a few tables outside. The lady said โ Hi Can i help you?โ Sarah said โWeโre looking to try some Breadfruit and Dasheen if we can pleas?โ โWhat would you like them with?โ โJust some Breadfruit and Dasheen on their own pleaseโ โWhat with?โ โItโs ok weโd just like to try them to see what they taste like, so on their own pleaseโ. The woman getting a little impatient said โYou have to have them with something theyโll be too dry on their ownโ I thought it wouldnโt be too dry for me as i can eat dry toast without butter for some reason, but i digress. Sarah asked โWhat would you have with them as we canโt see well enough to see your menu?โ โIโll make it nice for you, take a seatโ.ย
The lady placed the food down in front of us and we got stuck in. Sarah said โWow it looks like Tipexโ We both tried some Breadfuit and decided it tasted of absolutely nothing! I said โI didnโt think something could taste of nothing?!โ ย After we both decided it was used as a filler like a potato we started on the Dasheen. โWow, now thatโs niceโ we both said โitโs so herby and really tasty we shouldโve just had a plate of thisโ i said โYeah but there is no way iโm asking the lady, lol!โ ๐ ย
The bird feeder…
We left the indoor market discussing Breadfruit and Dasheen as we walked back towards the ship, when a really funny and cool guy walked over to us. He said with his thick Caribbean accent ย โWould you like a bird feeder?โ Sarah said โNo thanksโ we had only slowed our pace down a little โงThis bird feeder is the one you wantโ โWeโre good thank you we donโt need a bird feederโ The man had walked in front of us now so we stopped โI made this bird feeder and itโs just $30 USโ โยฃ30 dollars, we are fine thanks and thatโs too muchโ โok, $25โ the man said as he was making us laugh with his humour โThatโs still too much and we donโt have room in our suitcases anyway for a bird feederโ The man made a small laughing sound and said โWatch thisโฆYou see this is a special bird feederโ he continued as he pulled a couple of wooden bits off the bird feeder and made it smaller โThis is a special travel bird feeder as it comes apartโ Oh man i thought heโs got us on that one, lol. Sarah continued โItโs still too much for usโ Afterr another 20 minutes chatting with this man (we really liked him he had such a cool character) Sarah bought the bird feeder for $15. ๐ย
Back on the ship…
ย With another relaxing strong iced coffee we chatted about the fantastic day weโd had and the experiences weโve shared, and it wasnโt long before we had the photo shoot and the lovely evening meal.
The food photo quiz…
I wonder if you guys could help us? Weโve taken this photo of a fantastic plate of food but we have no idea what it is? And we canโt remember? Could you have a go at describing it for us? We just know we must have loved it as it inspired a photo. ๐ ย ย
ย The photo shoot…
We had such fun messing around (i mean being serious) during the shoot. The photographer was great and kept talking so i could have some idea where they were standing. Now we have even more photos together that weโll cherish. โค๏ธ ๐ ย ย
ย Weโve had another memorable day, isnโt Saint Lucia beautiful? Have you got any rain forest experiences?ย
Thank you once again itโs such a blessing to have you guys join us on our adventures. ๐ ย
But the drama, fun and exploration hasnโt stopped yet!
This was recorded by my lovely wife Sarah whilst on holiday in Pembrokeshire with Sarahโs family on 18th Jan 2020. It was before the lockdown happenedโฆBut it looks like we were trapped inside and i was finding a way to entertain Sarahโs dad and brother Marshall, lol!
I also had no idea Sarah was recording thisโฆBut i hope it can shine into your homes and bring a little smile. ๐
Oh noโฆโฆWith only 5 days left until โTough Mudderโ, Sarah and i went into the woods to try out my new trail shoes and also try and get some photos of me jogging/training for World Cancer Research Fund as they want some promotional shots.
Sarah did an amazing job getting me to run in a straight lineโฆ..She had to walk with me to get into positionโฆ.Then walk away until she was in position. Then after Sarah shouts โGO!โ I hopefully run in a straight line towards her(not through her) and she can get some shots.
Iโm not sure how she did itโฆ..But it looks like iโm jogging on my own and also looks like iโe been jogging for miles, lolโฆ..Not just 50 feet at a time! ๐ ๐ช๐ผย
July 21, 2022 
ย 
iChristian 
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