Reflections of years past.....

New Years Eve has always been my favourite day of the year.  A time to reflect, a time for family, a time to remind those closest to you, just how much they mean, to thank them for their love, and to commit yourself for the next year to helping each other through famine, or feast. 

As a boy growing up, Hogmanay was a time spent at home, no matter where else the party was. Comfortable in the bosom of your family, at midnight, when the bells sound, and corks fly, doors open, neighbours cram in, people move from house to house with good wishes, and good spirit.

Hogmanay is a day of community, of family and of friendship.  A day of hope, for a prosperous, and successful year, of good health, and happiness.  Sadness too, sometimes. Reflections on words said, friendships lost and hearts broken.  Hogmanay is a great healer, as with sadness, comes forgiveness and new beginnings, new resolutions, determination, purpose.  It's just a day....but a day like no other.

And so for next year, my resolutions are simple....life has changed a lot since 2003.  No longer is it straightforward to have all of the family together.  Children are growing up, wanting their own space, finding themselves, and making their own choices.  Two families to satisfy, two worlds to pull together.  

in 2011.... My resolution is the same as it always has been.  I'm a father, to five wonderful, beautiful kids.  I'm blessed with good fortune, so my commitment is to be there whenever they fall...to enjoy their successes, to encourage their flight along life's path, to support them when that path is rocky,  and to put wind in their sails when the path is clear.  To test them, to push them to succeed, to try all of life's flavours without fear, and to embrace the people around them, to recognise that it is only by embracing the challenges in life that you can live your life well. 

I've my own challenge...Kilimanjaro this year, 2011....just 76 days now until I depart on my own test.  A challenge that truly embraces life,  a challenge that recognises for me, a need to give more back than you take in life. 

Thank you for your support, and I would wish all of my friends, and my family a happy, and peaceful 2011.  I trust you will all find your goal, and have the courage to chase it down.

In 2011 I hope to raise £3500 towards Autism Concern.

Donate at www.justgiving.com/graham-kennedy1

A Boxing Day hike...

I thought today was ideal for walking off yesterday's excesses.  Liz maintained it was far too cold to be out, but what better day to check out how my new coat, and thermals performed?





I was like toast, despite temperatures of around -8 degrees.  The coat is fabulous, and the snoods really do the job.  Actually, it was a fantastic day, although cold, it was beautifully bright, and the snow was definitely deep and crisp and even...The dogs had a field day.  Chasing around, burying their noses in the snow, and fighting over ever larger sticks.  We walked about 7 miles round the Jurrasic Way, from our house, up to Charwelton, where we stopped for a welcome lunch.  The dogs, after a bit of persuasion got themselves a sausage each, before we headed for home.

There was plenty of virgin snow on our walk, and it looked like for much of the route, only the farmer may have been out and about.  It's a route we've done many times, and Charwelton Church looked magnificent today, isolated as it is. 

Northamptonshire has a great history, and this church, and the village that was around it have been deserted since the mid 15th century, after the War of the Roses.  Right now, all that surrounds it are sheep.  

Meanwhile Christmas was an unusual one this year.  I don't suppose too many people would be delighted if they received gifts of water purification tablets, anti diahorrea salts, and mosquitto repellant sprays, and cuffs?   My Kilimanjaro war-chest if almost complete, just a small matter of selecting a decent 4-season sleeping bag, and I'll have all the kit sorted. 

Just 81 days to go!!!   I can hardly wait :-)  

Visa to apply for....Yellow fever vaccination to arrange, and half a stone to lose....easy.

Coffee anyone...??

Anyone who knows me will know that this is something I'm notoriously poor at....but this morning with a full office to make for, I happily encouraged anyone who wanted one to partake :-) 

Nope, I've not turned over a new leaf....but I did have the chance to deliver a nice cup of coffee or tea to each & everyone of them, delivered, of course with a protective mat to keep the tabletops, or desks from scalding.

Great to see some of the faces, and I've had a few promises of some support on the back of them....trouble is, they want a cup every day in return...so I guess I'll be boiling the kettle a few times more than normal in the next few weeks.  

I'm considering changing my target...I'm just £104 short of my first target of £3000, and there are 3 months to go before my climb.   Thanks to everyone who's been generous enough already to donate.  If you're tempted to help Autism Concern, just click on the Just Giving button at the top of the page, and indulge :-)

Quiz Night & Christmas Fair

Well, we've had the most fantastic fundraising weekend...although it has to be said that I didn't imagine standing out in the street, selling wine bottles full of water when the temperature is about -6 degrees would be so much fun!!

Sam was very excited that Santa came past on his sleigh, and he quickly worked out that if he kept going back to see him, Santa has a really poor memory...Sam came away with 3 presents...(mostly chocolate). 

After the fair, on Saturday morning we clicked into Quiz mode...loads of final preparations to complete, like a small matter of finishing the questions list, but in the end we had Wine, Beer, Nibbles all sorted....plenty of raffle prizes, and a fantastic group of friends rolling into the Memorial Hall by 7pm. 

I think a great night was had by all....we certainly got through the wine!!   There are so many people to thank for the help in making this weekend go fantastically well. We've had a brilliant time, and this weekend alone, we've raised over £500 for Autism Concern

Now it's back to the gym.  Thank you Woodford Halse......

Dad’s big climb to help charity - News - Daventry Express

I'm not used to this press attention, haha....and it featured on page 25, not page 3....but Sam is chuffed to bits with his picture in the papers.

Hope to see loads of people at the Street Fair tonight, and joining us at our quiz night on Saturday.  Enjoy the read...or cringe quietly :-)   Thank you Daventry Express !!!


Dad’s big climb to help charity - News - Daventry Express

Don't forget you can sponsor my by clicking on the "Sponsor Me" button at the top left.  No amount too small, and it all goes towards the charity.

A busy week...complete

We've been busy getting ready for a huge weekend of fundraising and fun.  Liz has been collecting wine bottles from pubs, clubs, neighbours...even stealing them from recycling bins. 

Samuel, Sam & Jessica have been helping prepare our table poster for this Friday's Christmas street fair, and we've been finishing our preparations for the quiz night on Saturday.....phew...breath!!

In between times, I've been on a couple of great walks around Farnborough.  It's freezing cold...minus 5 degrees on Sunday afternoon, but a completely beautiful day.

We've got the loan of the Autism Concern publicity stand for the weekend, so we'll be easy to spot at the Christmas Fair....We'll be delighted to sell you a bottle for just £1.00 each....(trouble is....will it be wine?  Or just water?)  

www.justgiving.com/graham-kennedy1

Lipsmackin'thirstquenchin'acetastin'motivatin'goodbuzzin

Wow, its been a great week....

I've managed to get to the gym, been interviewed by the Daventry Express, had a photographer around to take some publicity pictures, and persuaded Thirstys of Northampton, the UK's premium manufacturer of Beer Mats to produce 500 for me free of charge.

Coming to a bar near you :-)

Back in the race...

 Ok, so not a race exactly, but I have been very lazy over the last 2 weeks.... we've had a few relaxed walks with the dogs, the kids...even followed the noise of a hunt pack the other week, without actually seeing them.  However, climbing Kilimanjaro will be slightly tougher than a stroll through the countryside, picking corn on the cob, and chasing the kids.

We did have a laugh when Murphy fell of a bridge into the stream.  

Anyway, after 2 weeks off, I decided that this weekend I needed to get active.........and then it went a bit Pete Tong!!  (Ok - translation at this point, for anyone from Russia, Turkey, Korea or of course the Netherlands...Pete Tong = Wrong!!)

2.5 hours up the road towards Shropshire was cut short by traffic problems on the way, so I end up instead in Cannock (That's #1).  I decided to go for a walk round the Chase.  Three hours was enough, I have to say, with apologies to anyone from Cannock....it was as dull as ditch-water, and I've seen loads of that recently !!  (That's #2)  If you ever fancy a scenic walk with loads features, plenty of variety and stiff enough to give you a feeling like you've exercised?  Then stay away from here!  I wouldn't describe it as totally boring, but only because it's not that nice.

Anyway, these things happen in 3's yes?  And so it happened...Charlie, despite the nature of the walk, had managed to dig himself into a few holes, jump into a few pools and cover himself in muck...so he was going in the back on the way home...relegated from his relative comfort on the way there.

The estate was full, so while I moved the contents to the back seat to make room for Charlie, I placed my camera onto the roof of the car and......yep...you can guess the rest!!  (That's #3)   Fortunately, this means I have no pictures of Cannock Chase to share with you!!

I've never been particularly superstitious, but maybe I should have exercised more in the last two weeks?  The payback was a bit rough mind....I mean,  why guide me towards Cannock for a walk??

Suitably punished for my lack of effort in the last two weeks, tonight I went back to the gym.  I may brave the wrath of Mr Wii in the morning....I'm sure he won't be too tough on me.

There has been a couple of positive things to report in the last couple of weeks....my friends at Catalyst Logistics became the first sponsor of my Kilimanjaro coat, adding £201 to my fund.   Thanks to Jeremy Batchelor & his colleagues for the huge donation.  

And, the Northampton Saints, who have already come up trumps with their enthusiasm and assistance publicising my challenge in their match program donated 2 match tickets, which were purchased for another £50 in the pot.  £2370 raised....4 months to go.  Bring it on!!

www.justgiving.com/graham-kennedy1

Birthday home truths....

I'm 44 tomorrow...Sam told me this morning "you're fat, and you're old, and we need to throw you in the tip.""  Goodness knows what he thought in August...I may have been 3 months younger, but I was also 20lbs heavier. 

Still, it doesn't do any harm to have a little motivation from time to time...I think I'll give Sam a wide berth when choosing a personal trainer though!!  The trouble with living with an autistic child is that he finds it very difficult to lie.  He's not for the faint hearted...and you are advised never to ask if your bum looks big in this!!

Slightly more of a motivation is that my fundraising profile has taken a bit of a boost in the last week.  Firstly, Snix magazine, (Special Needs Index for Northamptonshire) printed a full page poster advert, and then the Parcelforce News printed a lovely article highlighting my challenge.  Between them, possibly an audience of 000's so all I need to do now is work out how to capitalise on the publicity.

We also have a feature in the November WOW (Whats on in Woodford)...Liz is organising a quiz night on December 4th to help with the fundraising.  I think it's likely that I'll end up with the job of hostess with the mostest....or maybe just 100 questions or so.   We're collecting plenty of prizes for a raffle on the night, as well as some decent prizes for the winners.  It should be a fun night. 

The training is picking up too, I've been doing a bit more running, and a bit less cycling, as I prepare for my 10k race (haha...did I say race??)  on the 21st of November.  In the mean time, I have loads to do...I've an appointment next week with Jeremy Batchelor at Catalyst Logistics to collect a nice cheque for £201 towards my target.

This whole challenge is a bit of a logistics nightmare...pack everything you need for 7 nights in a tent in temperatures ranging from +30 to -24 degrees, kicking off in tropical rainforest,  through lifeless dry tundra, and up onto a frozen icecap with no oxygen....oh...and make sure you can fit it all into just two bags, weighing less than 25kgs between them.  (remember you have to carry one of them 63kms up 19,340ft).

So, who better to be the first sponsor of my coat for the challenge than a specialist in Logistics planning & design?  I'm delighted to have them supporting me, and it's given me a great idea for the remaining space on the coat :-)....

Onwards & upwards.....(I think thats what it's likely to be all about).

Dutch Courage

I'd not really given this one a lot of thought, so it may be short.....in the last 24 hours my blog has been viewed by 26 people in Holland?   As far a I can work out, I only know 3 people who are Dutch, or who sound like they could be Dutch. 

Anyway, in recognition of this amazing influx of visitors I thought I would apply a Dutch theme to my blog.  So here it is....

First we have Jan Van Reibeeck, who in 1621 was the founder of Cape Town, South Africa....they've been great explorers, and trend setters in the world, and good old Jan followed a line of famous Dutch seamen who explored the globe while the English were too busy fighting with the French or the Spanish.

And it's not just exploration of the globe that they've been good at.  They grow some of the most exciting house plants too!!

And who can argue that they may have produced, in Johann Cruyff the third greatest footballer in the world.  I can hear the cries of foul already....who are the other two I hear....well, of course there is Pele...probably no argument that he just pips good old Johann to the pinnacle, but what about this other chap?? 

Possibly the greatest world cup goal ever?  You decide....thats what the comment box is for!!  Just follow the link below, sit back & enjoy....(unless you're Dutch of course!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8uchI1g3tM

Beware of expensive immitations...

Ok...that's a bit tenuous ....but I'm very aware that taking on a challenge like Kilimanjaro is an expensive business...since picking up the mantel I've been astonished by just how many sources there are now offering the opportunity of a lifetime....and no doubt...it is the opportunity of a lifetime!!

For every one of these challenges there are overheads to be paid, flight costs, porters, medical support, park fees etc....not to mention the backroom staff, advertising costs, business locations, and marketing that these businesses need to support.   Since the high profile of the sports relief challenge in 2008 the number of climbers on Kilimanjaro has quadrupled, and now around 50,000 people attempt the climb each year. 

Around 70% will be successful, but for everyone there are generally three ways to fund the climb.

•  Minimum Contribution - Raise minimum £3500 Charitable donations, and pay about £499.
•  Mixed Contribution - Raise minimum £2500 Charitable donations, and pay £1000.
•  Self Funding - No Charitable donations necessary, pay around £1750.

There may be a little variation, but the cost of those overheads for all the businesses offering the trip is around £1750 - £2000.  That's why my contribution towards the cost of my event will be £1750.   No ifs, no buts...

I want 100% of the donations

 you make to be used for

the charity of my choice. 

There is no doubt, this is the most exciting, challenging, and daunting thing I've ever set about embarking upon.  Kilimanjaro is 19,340 ft (5895meters) to the Uhuro peak, the journey takes you along around 63kms of treking path, over 7 days, and 5 distinct micro climates.  Typically, the temperature at the bottom will be a tropical 30 degrees, by the time you reach day 5, climbing from 14,500ft to the top, temperatures may fall to -24degrees, and the last 3,000ft is likely to be across a frozen ice cap.   

For me, the value of this experience is priceless, and for sure it is not one which I would want anyone else to pay for.  I have set my heart on completing this, it will provide me with memories that you just cannot replace.  I will share mine, as I have read others....but only by doing it will you really know.. 

So if you have any doubts, that a donation, no matter how small was not going to be used directly to support Autism Concern, then I'm happy to dispel those fears.   No donation is too small...and every penny will be used to support the families, children, schools, support workers across our county.

Autism Concern (part of the the Autism Alliance) provide superb care, and support for thousands of families in Northamptonshire.   Climbing Kilimanjaro is beyond a value....donating just a few pounds can change lives.  You can be sure 100% of it will be donated to the Charity, and 0% to the organising company for my challenge. 

Thank you everyone who has donated, and to those still thinking..... well...I hope I've helped you reach a decision.  £1 or £100...invaluable, thank you :-)

Autumn Leaves

  

I love this time of year...for just a few weeks the world develops the most fantastic colour, of reds, and oranges, purples, and yellow....what was once shades of green is now a cacophony of colour.  

Preparing for the ascent of one of the world's magnificent mountains is probably not helped by a few miles around the Batsford Arboretum, but it was such a magnificent day, and the colour so vivid, who wouldn't enjoy the walk here?  

After several weekend of walking up hills, some higher than others, it's been a time to relax a bit recently, and to enjoy some of our Northamptonshire countryside with the kids. 

My fundraising has been going well so far, and this week, I passed the £2000 mark which is fantastic, thank you to everyone who has donated so far.  Something else that's been going well so far is my relationship with Mr Wii.....yes...it's been a while since I mentioned him, but this week I also went past another milestone, which is 12'7lbs.  So far, I've lost 20lbs (about 9kgs) since the start of August, and I'm feeling better, and fitter than I have in a long time.  

There is a long way to go of course, but I think my preparation is coming on.  Mr Wii will see a lot more of me for the next few months. I'm running in the 10k at Castle Coombe in November, and of course the Wicksteed Half marathon on New Years Day.  

In the mean time, I hope the weather stays fine, and I can enjoy a few more walks through the rainbow world, that is Autumn.  Thanks again to everyone who has sponsored me so far.  If you would like to contribute, please visit my fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/graham-kennedy1 

Collingtree Golf Day....

It seems like ages in the planning, but finally today I was able to host my golf day.   The weather was really kind, and the course at Collingtree Park was in excellent condition.   I have to confess that I never troubled the scorer much....I think 4 years without a game, and possibly only 10 times in the previous 2 years before that was a bit too much of a break....and no!  It's not like riding a bike...actually, it strikes me that golf is a game which needs practice. 

Anyway, who cares about the result...I did manage 3 shots in a row, which not only went straight, but also finished just 8 feet or so from the hole, and in rolled the putt for a birdie :-)) 

Golf has always been a game where the bad shots are easy to forget, and the good ones get exaggerated for weeks. 

Congratulations to my winner David Wright, who put everyone in the shade with a great score, and walked off chuffed with his £100 worth of Silverstone Vouchers.   Second prize courtesy of Ernie Els, and third prize was a signed book from Golf Commentary legend Peter Alliss.  

Huge thanks to everyone who played, and donated so generously.  Thanks also to Autism Concern trustee Bryan Dunne for his help.