Geoff and I have found the last few days quite tough. The paddling has been challenging but ok. The wild camping has been amazing too. But we were starting to feel a little different about the expedition. It was a bit difficult to put our fingers on it but talking it through we think we now understand.
Yes the paddling is hard and the living rough out of the kayaks can get a bit draining but by far the toughest challenge is what goes in in your head. We have developed many strategies for breaking down the 100 days and 2,500 miles into manageable chunks. We’ve aimed for milestones like getting across the Bristol Channel and into Wales, back into England and in particular getting to Scotland. We have always told ourselves the West Coast of Scotland will be the best bit of paddling and that we’ll not notice the miles.
We have strategies for each day too. If its a long crossing we’ll paddle 2 or 3 miles, stop for a drink and a snack and repeat (up to 10 or 12 times often). If we’re hugging the coast more, we’ll try and paddle 10 by 10. That’s 10 miles by 10am. Then stop for a second breakfast and do a second 10. Stop for lunch and then push on for the final stint (aiming for at least 25 miles wind permitting). Then of course talking about all the food we’ll eat when we stop for the evening usually helps too.
The psychology has pretty much worked. Except now that we have nearly finished the west coast and still not quite half way, the enormity of the distance left hit us both quite hard for a few days. Up until this point we always took one day at a time and were pleasantly surprised each week to see the progress we made. Geoff likens it to the middle part of a long distance race, the hard miles still to do before the sprint starts. Our sprint starts at Dover.
So the last couple of days we have been chatting about the milestones that will get us through the second half. Cape Wrath (no more north) John O’ Groats (heading south again), back into England, seeing my brother Mike and his daughter Hannah, seeing Roger and Salome (and new baby!) and hopefully Tanya in Newcastle and so on…..
There are five other very good coping strategies to help us for the next 8 weeks. And that’s the charities that we are supporting along the way.
Over the next week or so we’ll say a little more about each charity and the work they do. First up is a lovely note from Liz about her experiences of the West of England Therapy Centre.
“My name is Liz and I am a member of The West of England MS Therapy Centre. I want to say a huge thank you to the Midlifekayakers for raising money for the Centre.
The West of England MS Therapy Centre has been an essential lifeline for me and countless others over the years. I come here to use the treatments – oxygen therapy and acupuncture – as well as for friendship and understanding.
I was diagnosed when I was 29. My MS came on after having my son who is now 3 years old and very active! I find, like many others, that my symptoms and relapses can flare up without warning. This affects my ability to live a normal life. I am a Mum as well as an MS survivor and the Centre helps me to be the best I can be. The oxygen in particular helps me to deal with deadening fatigue and my toddler!
Our Centre needs in excess of £400,000 each year to keep providing this vital service to people who have Multiple Sclerosis. We do not receive any statutory or government funding, raising all the money needed ourselves. There is little help available for individuals through the NHS to help manage day to day symptoms so the oxygen therapy, physiotherapy, exercise classes, reflexology, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reiki and counselling is absolutely essential for the growing MS population in and around greater Bristol & South Gloucestershire.
To date I believe Andy & Geoff have raised £4,000 for the Centre, just part of the £9000 in total they have raised for good causes with their brave expedition. I am currently sitting in the oxygen tank writing this as I wanted to wish you good luck and many thanks as it makes a huge difference.“
Midlifekayak 
I love you so much honey. What you and Geoff are doing is utterly amazing. You are both very special, and a lot of people are very proud of you. You’ll be home soon … probably thinking about your next challenge. Keep strong and keep going and keep safe. Everyone in the village sends their love, xxx
Thankyou so much for posting that Andy, it will surely help people reading your posts dig a bit deeper and give to the causes to push you along at the stern!
Keep your spirits high and your paddles paddling…we are so proud of you and Geoff…enjoy the gorgeous scenery, as Tanya said you’ll be home soon and this amazing trip will all be a distant memory.. you are truly special people and we love you lots! xxx
Hey, try to remember that what the two of you are doing is pretty unique. Very few have or will have the opportunity, the freedom and the iron conviction to complete this experience. Also don’t forget, the money you are raising will help change the lives of those who need the help of your chosen charities. You are an inspiration to all us and we are proud to have you as friends. Stay strong and stay safe.
Andy and Geoff, what can I say? It feels so weird to be back at work, people asking me how it went and how I feel now I’m back. All the while in the back of my head is ‘those guys are still out there, pushing on, day after day and so much to go’. As I said to you when I left you, I feel like one of the few people who really understands what you’re going through and the enormity of the challenge that you’ve chosen to undertake – a challenge I don’t think any of us quite appreciated at the start. Put simply, you are both amazing – the drive, determination and mental and physical stamina it takes to get up, day after day, after an uncomfortable night and paddle hard says so much about who you are and your commitment to the adventure and more importantly to life in general. You should already feel very proud and I guarantee that you will deservedly feel extremely proud when all this over (all you’ll be in the kayaker’s roll of honour!). Bizarrely I can also tell you that all you’ll want to do is get back in your kayak and paddle some more – believe me, sat in a meeting today that’s all I wanted! I’ve met and worked with some remarkable people in my life, in some of the most hostile corners of the world – people who’ve won gallantry medals, OBEs and engaged in adventures of all kinds – and you two are right up there at the top of them, not least for facing this challenge with a great sense of humour, calmness and such determination.
Everyone is thinking of you. Everyone is rooting for you. No one underestimates what it is you are doing and most importantly – and believe me when I say this – we all think you are amazing.
Fair winds my friends.
Andy and Geoff, what can I say? It feels so weird to be back at work, people asking me how it went and how I feel now I’m back. All the while in the back of my head is ‘those guys are still out there, pushing on, day after day and so much to go’. As I said to you when I left you, I feel like one of the few people who really understands what you’re going through and the enormity of the challenge that you’ve chosen to undertake – a challenge I don’t think any of us quite appreciated at the start. Put simply, you are both amazing – the drive, determination and mental and physical stamina it takes to get up, day after day, after an uncomfortable night and paddle hard says so much about who you are and your commitment to the adventure and more importantly to life in general. You should already feel very proud and I guarantee that you will deservedly feel extremely proud when all this over (all you’ll be in the kayaker’s roll of honour!). Bizarrely I can also tell you that all you’ll want to do is get back in your kayak and paddle some more – believe me, sat in a meeting today that’s all I wanted! I’ve met and worked with some amazing people in my life, in some of the most hostile corners of the world – people who’ve won gallantry medals, OBEs and engaged in adventures of all kinds – and you two are right up there at the top of them, not least for facing this challenge with a great sense of humour, calmness and such determination.
Everyone is thinking of you. Everyone is rooting for you. No one underestimates what it is you are doing and most importantly – and believe me when I say this – we all think you are amazing.
Fair winds my friends.
Keep your spirits up guys your doing a fantastic thing for the charities and a personal challange that most people haven’t got the bottle to do your doing something amazing! WELL DONE!
Andy, Tony Stevens here. Read your comments over the weekend and it is obviously very tough, both physically and mentaly way behond anything I can appreciate. One suggestion, unless having the beard is part of the deal or linked with one of the charities, or is keeping you warm – shave it off !! I find if I haven’t shaved for even a couple of days, when I do I feel refreshed and sharp again.Try it – you can always grow it back !! Best wishes mate.
Hi Tony hope you and Jan are well!
Actually for some strange reason we committed to grow beards. All part of the expedition look! But we have thought about shaving them off several times and nearly have!! Look forward to seeing you guys on the east coast.
Andy