Kindle For Christmas?

Happy Christmas, readers.

It has been a wonderfully sunny day here today. But for the lack of leaves on the trees and the shortage of degrees on the thermometer, it could have been mid-summer.

Our local market was open. There were only 3 stalls, but they included the all-important fresh veggie stall and the baker. We had a light lunch, a leisurely stroll in the glorious countryside, a glass of mulled wine with mince pies and continue with a quiet, leisurely day.

I know millions of people have had Kindles, iPads, and other e-reading devices for Christmas. I was happy to see that at least some of these had been downloading my book overnight instead of peeping out for Santa. Good move. The reviews tell me it is a decent read, which you get at the same time as contributing to the search for a cure for the serial killer which is pancreatic cancer. And it is inexpensive. Top right on this page is where you can find out where to get the book. Do it now!

Precipitation

A brilliantly sunny day today, but what a difference a few days of rain or snow has made!

We have had a bit of rain in the past few days, after most of the year has been pretty dry.

This weir was almost non-existent for months, but now it is in full force, as are a number of waterfalls round about, including one we can hear from the house.

The local ski stations have been totally devoid of snow and unable to open. The rain we have witnessed has fallen as snow higher up the mountains. Again, we have been able to see some on the hills in front of our windows. The bit peaking over Lavelanet market in the picture is actually much nearer to skiing. A limited number of runs have been able to open.

Importing Bones

The winter has arrived at last, but hardly in full force. This time last year we were skating around on snow which had melted a bit then frozen again - very nasty stuff. For the last couple of days we have had a bit of light rain and temperatures under 10 degrees.

On our morning walk today we saw some white herons, which seem to have been around for a few days. I tried to get a picture of one as it was flying over us but it was too quick for me. That would have been nice to show you.

Gay picked up a bit more information this morning on the human bones found in the woods here recently - as I reported a couple of weeks ago. Apparently they are recent, female, and about 50 years of age. That is all that is known so far. How do the police go about finding who they belonged to, especially if they have been "imported". There was a case in the papers recently. A body had been found near Perpignan about a year ago. Now a man in Germany has been arrested. He is charged with committing a murder in Germany and dumping the body more than 1000 kms away, near Perpignan, on his way to Spain.

Warm Walk Work

Little to report. The running experiments have continued and are reported on in the other blog (click here). There is a slight setback to report, but nothing too serious, I hope.

But the walking rehabilitation has continued. I am now taking regular walks of about 6 kms. I am encouraged in this by the magnificent autumn and early winter weather we have been having. A report in the local paper the other day told us that November was the warmest for 63 years in these parts, by a factor of almost 4 degrees Celsius.

What Big Teeth You Have, Sleepy Hollow

As I set off for my walk today, I was not 300 metres from the house when I saw a couple of these lovely critters - wolves. These are not my pictures because unfortunately I did not have a camera with me.

We were told only a few days ago that the person who now owns Puivert castle has some wolves there - I assume the two I saw had managed to get out for a walk of their own.

We are told at the wolf sanctuary not too far from here in the Pyrenees that it is a complete myth about wolves attacking humans and that there is no known case of it happening. I am always telling people this but was still a little trepidatious to be faced with a couple.

It seems that the activity I came across yesterday in the woods - multiple gendarmes and sounds of machinery in action - was related to some human bones found up there. Some hunters at the weekend discovered part of a human skull and now the police investigation has found some more bones. The machinery I heard was probably something being used to sift the soil.

Isn't life exciting here in Sleepy Hollow?

Don't forget to have a look at my other blog, about the hopeful resurrection of my running career by casting cushioned shoes to the wind. Click here

To The Woods

Today I had my longest walk for some time - about 8 kms. This involves walking directly upwards on the road which goes past the house, towards Esperaza. After about 4 kms I turn into the woods and come back a far more testing way.

While I was still on the road I was passed by a Gendarmerie car and another which I took to be an unmarked accompaniment. Then just before I turned into the woods I saw these two vehicles parked up, with two more, a bunch of gendarmes, a fellow in camouflage, and a sapeur pompier. In the woods was the sound of much activity with a mechanical saw which sounded as if it was sawing wood.

I fully expected that when I was in the woods I would be turned back by more gendarmes because obviously something big was going on. As it happened I passed well on the other side of the activity but I could hear the sawing, almost continuous, for a good three-quarters of an hour.

What could be going on? Gay speculated that somebody was trapped under fallen trees but there seemed to be far much sawing for that, and too non-stop.

We have been having some lovely weather lately as the photographs, taken today, show. Don't forget it is the last day of November. Long-lost Fred emailed me from Cheltenham yesterday and said that it was nearly dark there at 1530. That is the same time at which I took these photographs.

'Tis The Season

Today's picture from Walker's (I nearly put "Runner's" but that's my other blog) Heaven HQ. We are having some superb autumn weather. Did I mention that the tree in our courtyard, which lost all its leaves in August, now has a full set of leaves again? When the winter sinks its teeth in that is going to be one very confused tree.

After a break of several months due to injury I have at last commenced a program of walking - at the moment a 6 kms walk every other day. Whether it is a good idea to also introduce a short burst of running (at the moment 5 minutes, but going up in increments of an extra 5 minutes every third run, for one run out of 3 if you know what I mean) we shall see.

Mike Comes Up Trumps Again

Brittain's,

We spent the weekend in Provence, which involved a drive of over 1,000 kms. We had two objectives. One was to spend the weekend with our good friends the family Scriven, Americans who live temporarily (intention 2 years, now going on 5) in le Rouret, near Nice. We had a great time with them, including spectating at our first ice hockey match in Nice.

Our other aim was to attend the monthly quiz and fish supper at Brittain's Salon de The and Restaurant in Valbonne (superb fish and chips). Mike Preston organises this quiz and each month the money raised goes to a different charity.

I met Mike before Vic's Big Walk, as a result of his own personal donation and excellent support of my project. Also, just before the start of VBW, Mike's monthly quiz made a substantial donation into my JustGiving fund for pancreatic cancer research. We have kept in touch and now we even have a mutual friend, Rose Mary Boehm, in Lima, Peru.

We nearly won Friday's quiz. We came joint first and lost a tie-breaker. Before this I had been required to stand up and say a few words about pancreatic cancer and the urgent need for some progress with this awful disease. The first, second (us) and third prize winners returned their prizes to the pot and it was agreed that the total takings would be donated to my JustGiving page. This amounted to the equivalent of £150, plus £37.50 in Gift Aid (tax rebate).

The fund is still open and well above the target of £7,000 which I originally set (although the displayed link seems to be stuck on 100%). You can donate by clicking on the JustGiving symbol on this page.

Once again we shall not be sending Christmas cards out this year, but will instead be putting the equivalent amount into the fund, where it will do much more good.

And - just a reminder - don't forget that all the proceeds from my book also go direct to pancreatic cancer research. So you do some good at the same time as - according to the reviews - you get a good read.

Big Walker, Barefoot Runner

As demonstrated in the pictures, a couple of posts back, of me in the Man versus Horse Race, I used to be a runner. My genes think I still am a runner.

I am about to start a tentative program of rehabilitation and shoe-dispensing which may see me become a runner again. There is a new link on the right hand side of this page which will connect you to my second blog - Big Walker Running Barefoot - which will chronicle the reasons for this, and my progress, if any. Or you could just double-click here to take you to Big Walker Running Barefoot.

NOTE. Since writing the above, I have discontinued my blog about "barefoot" running because it was not attracting enough readership for me to continue putting in the effort.

Book To Save Lives

The first cheque has gone to Pancreatic Cancer UK from my publishers - the first of many, I hope.

And as Pancreatic Cancer said to me yesterday,

"Fantastic that the book is starting to bring in funds – you must be really pleased. And as we all know its not just about funds but about raising awareness of Pancreatic cancer and your book sales will be doing just that."


To remind you, ALL the proceeds from sales of my book go direct to pancreatic cancer research.

New Angles

We have just driven to Les Angles, which is a ski station in the mountains. Never been there before but will go again, if only for the beautiful drive. It is only 75 kms but takes ages because it is all narrow gorges and twisty roads. Passes several hydro-electric plants and is at 1600 metres. Very nice up there. Cafes, restaurants, shops selling outdoor stuff, especially skiing of course, a big lake.

And it would also seem that the Tour de France passes through sometimes. The mountain stages frequently finish at a ski station because of the availability of accommodation.

The reason for our journey was to buy some running shoes. As the last post said, watch this space.

Is It A Man .... Or A Horse?

Just to prove I haven't always been 71 years old and a plodding (and for the last few months injured) walker.

Gay has been sorting out some old photographs and scanning them into her digital photo archive.

These photographs were taken in 1993 during the Man versus Horse Race which takes place annually in mid-Wales over almost marathon distance and hilly, cross-country terrain.

Those were the days!

But watch this space.

Hallowe'en

Hallowe'en is gaining ground here in France, just as it is in the UK, although we are somewhat behind, and of course we are all well behind the USA.

When we were in Indiana 3 years ago, at the time of the presidential election, it was amazing to see the profusion of stuff in gardens as we went out for our morning walk.

There were election posters, Hallowe'en things, Thanksgiving things, and even one or two early Christmas symbols. There were full sized graves, bones and skeletons, ghoulies and ghosties, inflatable turkeys bigger than ostriches, enormous plastic pumpkins, Vote-this-that-and-the-other exhortations, and a few tasteful Santas and wreaths.

It will all be here soon. I blame the television.

Yes, of course we have the bags of chocolates ready!

Steve Jobs And Pancreatic Cancer

I really expected that the sad death of Steve Jobs would have raised the profile of pancreatic cancer and publicised the need for more money for more research in order to get some progress with this disease. There is a desperate need for a cure and for earlier diagnosis.

But in the acres of newsprint and the terabytes of cyberspace devoted to him, I have seen little mention of the illness. And I have seen no mention of any of what must be his vast fortune being diverted to help conquer the serial killer that ended his life too soon - maybe that is in the pipeline.

Of course all other cancers need attention - and I speak as someone who has recently lost a younger brother to brain tumour and who has seen a daughter, in this same year, have to fight cancer of the thyroid. But with most cancers, including those two, there has been immense progress over the years. With pancreatic cancer there has been no improvement in survival rates during the past 40 years.

What can we do? We can continue to help raise funds and awareness. Once again I will be sending no Christmas cards this year but will be placing the equivalent money into my JustGiving account which feeds directly to pancreatic cancer research. I will continue to publicise my book, all proceeds of which go direct to pancreatic cancer research. And I will continue to ask readers of this blog to do the same - you can make a donation via the blue JustGiving button on this page or you can buy the book via the "How to find ..." button on this page. I would also ask you to email, Facebook, Tweet, and use other social media to invite your friends to do any or all of the above.

Anybody Seen Will Fricker?

Vic's Big Walk was conceived in 2008. My preparations and training started then. So did this blog. In November of that year I posted here about John Hillaby, a famous walker from days of yore.

In July 2010 I completed my walk. In October 2011 - in fact yesterday - a gentleman - a mere stripling of 59 called William Fricker put a comment on my blog, attached to the 2008 John Hillaby item, giving me the advice which is below in italics.

If anybody sees William Fricker, can you please tell him that my walk is over and done. I finished on my 70th birthday, last year. It is I, with the experience of walking 17.5 million steps during the whole project, who am now ready and willing to advise him about his projected walk. I would start by agreeing with him about not wearing boots but something sturdy but lighter. I would go on to point out that if he walks from Land's end to John o' Groats he will find himself tripping over many other people doing so, which may dent his sense of achievement. Much better to set himself a unique, personal target and to plough his own furrow. But to follow in other people's footsteps is of course better than to do nothing at all.

He could learn much by reading my book about Vic's Big Walk. If, reading this paragraph, he swivels his eyes to the right, he will see where he can find the book. All will be sweetly, he will learn from my mistakes; have, I am told, a good read; and he will be content in the knowledge that he will be doing good as he reads because all proceeds go direct to pancreatic cancer research.

This is what Will had to say:

I wish you good luck and strong feet. I am 59 and plan to walk next year from Land's End to the tip of Scotland, too, and to prove that life can be fun at 60! I managed a 3,500 trek 30 years ago to Greece, returning on two wheels via North Africa. I can tell you walking is much easier than cycling (with luggage). I suggest plenty of liquid, a plentiful supply of chocolate (it boosts your energy levels at low periods), a comfortable rucksack and knowledge on how to pack it, a walking stick and a dog (two necessary companions). I agree with Hillaby that a light tent is essential for it provides independence, and you can crawl into it when the weather is forbidding. As to footwear, I phoned Hillaby before I set out on my trek and woke him from his siesta (Grumpy)....I started it out with light boots but chucked them after a week (10 blisters per foot) and resorted to adidas leather trainers (3 pairs). You can skip and trot with light footwear. The secret is to be as light as possible and to remember that you will, at times, go mad, and that you will also meet a lot of bores, too. Bon viveur!

Will Fricker

The picture shows John Hillaby's famous book "Walking Through Britain

Stress Testing

I went for a walk yesterday. So what, you say, are you not the Big Walker, of VBW? Do you not gallop 30 kms before breakfast? Or rather, say the closer followers, 30 kms including ideally two stops for coffee?

Well, yes, I am or was that man. But since early this year I have been plagued by plantar fasciitis - the dread of any runner or walker. In July and August I flew to England 4 times for other reasons, but while there had my pf zapped 4 times by Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, in the hope of ridding myself of this affliction.

The last treatment was in August. I was advised that it would be 4 to 6 weeks before the benefit fully arrived at the end-of-my-leg thing. But I could cautiously try a bit of walking. I tried a couple of times and detected no improvement. I waited until the six weeks were up. At the time I was doing some incidental walking at altitude - 2 or 3 miles up in the sky in Peru. It was impossible, because of the thin air and the lack of time, to essay an actual hike. Nevertheless I had, especially first thing in the morning, because that is when fp manifests itself, pain in the afflicted part. I contacted the physio who applied the ESWT. He advised that maybe another 4 to 6 weeks should do the trick. I was a little cynical about this response.

So you can imagine my pleasure when I accomplished 6 kms yesterday, with a bit of climbing up to our local chateau, and arrived home with only a slight twinge in the heel. More stress testing will ensue. Watch this space, but please cross your fingers.

The Force Is Not With Us

A huge relief this week. At last we have sold V-Force One, the campervan we bought solely for the purpose of being our base during VBW. The walk finished in July last year, but it has taken until now to sell the vehicle. We have made a huge loss, but at least we no longer have the anxiety of wondering if it would ever be sold.

It has become obvious to us, through various comments made, that there has been a widespread impression that the vehicle was donated to us by our sponsors Columbia. No. Columbia very kindly designed, manufactured and fitted the "adhesiveage", incorporating the "Vic's Big Walk" logo and websites, the Satmap logo, and, rather mdestly, I thought, their own logo. But the vehicle was purchased and owned by Yours Truly and of course Mrs Truly. It was a lovely vehicle but we had no further use for it and have been embarrassed by our continuing ownership of it. We are happy to say goodbye. And so is our bank manager.

Is It Worth It?

This is me from now on.
As I was lying on my couch pondering the problems of the WORLD,
I rapidly realized that I don't really give a HOOT.
It's the tortoise life for me! (Read on...)

HEALTH MESSAGE:

1. If walking/cycling is good for your health,the
Postman would be immortal.
2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks
Water and is fat.
3. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years.
4. A tortoise doesn't run, does nothing ...yet lives
For 450 years.

AND YOU TELL ME TO EXERCISE!
(I DON'T THINK SO)

I'm retired, go around me!

I am indebted to kind friend Bob, who sent this to me. It seemed so opposite to my life that I just had to appropriate it for my blog.

Fitness For Cancer Patients

This blog is principally about me walking (and writing) to help sufferers from a particular type of cancer. But exercise can help cancer sufferers themselves.

David Haas is an advocate for cancer patients and wants to make a difference in their lives because cancer has devastated so many people in this world. The following is a guest post from him because recently he has been researching and writing about how beneficial cancer support networks and also staying physically fit is to people going through treatments, in remission, and even family members of cancer patients.

I have also added a link to David's Blog "Haas Blaag". This can be found on the left side of this page.

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The Best Exercises For Cancer Patients

What is the best exercise for someone with cancer? Generally speaking, most people can engage in any physical activity they like, within limits. While surgery may limit a breast cancer patient from certain types of exercises, and conversely, breathing difficulties may affect those in mesothelioma treatment; most cancer patients can benefit from gentle or moderate exercise.

There is not one best exercise for every cancer patient. The right exercise for any patient depends on a number of factors, including personal fitness level, cancer treatment type, and general health. The important thing is to choose an enjoyable activity and stick with it.

Determining The Best Exercise

The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests several ways to choose an appropriate physical activity. For example, cancer patients should ask themselves if they enjoy socializing with others or prefer time alone. Do they need an energy boost, or a way to reduce stress? Do they require structure in their exercise programs, or do they thrive best with a flexible routine?

These questions can help patients determine the best exercise for them. Once they have chosen their game, it is important to engage in the activity on a regular basis. The ACS suggests 30 minutes of activity, five or more days a week. Patients should start with gentle or moderate activities. In time, they can slowly increase the exercise intensity, frequency, and duration according to their fitness level.

Fitness Programs Versus Daily Activities

People who want to follow an exercise program should include aerobic activities as well as flexibility exercises and resistance training. Walking, running, bicycling, and swimming are examples of aerobic exercises that work the heart, lungs, and large muscle groups. Stretching, yoga, and Pilates are common flexibility activities for cancer patients. Weight training and isometric exercises are good resistance activities.

For cancer patients who are not enamored with fitness programs and gyms, there are other ways to stay active in daily life. Gardening, dancing, bike riding, stair climbing, walking in the garden or down the street -- even vigorous housework -- can provide adequate exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Fitness Benefits For Cancer Patients

Research shows that physical activity reduces the risk of developing some types of cancer, and it may also reduce the risk of recurrence. Certainly, it helps cancer patients cope with the symptoms of their disease, as well as the side effects of cancer treatment.

Whether someone is facing prostate cancer, skin tumors, rare mesothelioma, or another illness, they can benefit from staying active through exercise. However, some activities are not recommended for people with certain types of cancer. So it is important for cancer patients to talk to a doctor or therapist before starting a fitness program or engaging in a physical activity.

By: David Haas

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My book "Vic's Big Walk" can be found on Amazon.com (Kindle) or Amazon.co.uk (Kindle), Barnes&Noble Nook or Apple iBookstore (also soon from Sony Reader) for less than the price of a couple of coffees. All proceeds go direct to pancreatic cancer research.

Visit Machu Picchu With Us

Today we leave Peru after a most memorable and enjoyable holiday.

If you would like to share our experience of visiting Machu Picchu, double-click here for an amazing 360 degrees panorama. You will think you were there.


For details of where to find my book "Vic's Big Walk from SW France to NW England" double click on this.

Machu Picchu - A Dream Come True

Yesterday we visited this fabulous place, which the Spanish never found. News of its existence was broadcast to the world exactly 100 years ago, in 1911, by Hiram Bingham, of Yale.

I have waited almost as long - 60 years in fact - since I first read about it and saw the pictures and decided this was a place I must vist. And it was worth the wait. It is magic. I only wish my photography was up to it - but if there is one place of which you will easily find good photographs elsewhere, Machu Picchu is it.

And if you are puzzling over the picture which is lying on its side - so am I - it is the correct way up in my computer. I will leave it there to intrigue you - and to demonstrate my incompetence.

For details of where to find my book "Vic's Big Walk from SW France to NW England" double click on this.

Inca Technology

I have been interested in the Inca civilisation for most of my life, but to see it blows the mind. The astonishing architecture, using massive stones in impossible places, cut and fit with an amazing precision, built by a people who knew neither steel nor the wheel, is everywhere and difficult to comprehend.

But their use of technology is also a real eye-opener. I have been reporting on only a few of the sites and sights we have seen. Sometimes, as today, we visited 5 or 6 places. One of today's stops was at Moray, where we saw the pictured perfectly circular terracing. This was designed for testing and developing new crops and plants. At each level there was a different temperature. The irrigation ran down cleverly from one level to another, which is not surprising, but no water collected at the bottom. Drainage, which presumably involved a tunnel through the surrounding mountains, removed the water to be used elsewhere.


For details of where to find my book "Vic's Big Walk from SW France to NW England" double click on this.

The Road To Machu Picchu

Today we left Cuzco for 3 days, leaving our large luggage in the hotel there, and taking a smaller bag each for the next 3 days. We have moved into the Sacred Valley, visiting such places as Pisaq and Ollantaytambo. We have ended up in the magnificent Libertador Tambo del Inka (Google it and have a look, it is stunning) at Urubamba.

Tomorrow we have a look at some Inca roads and grain stores above Ollantaytambo, coming back again to the Tambo del Inka. Thursday we go on the train to Machu Picchu (there is limited luggage space on the train, which is why we are down to hand-baggage), then stay in a hotel at the foot of the "lost city".

Machu Picchu is of course the higlight of the trip for everybody, yet we are all subdued. One of our number suffered what seemed to be a stroke when we stopped for lunch, and had to be ambulanced off back to hospital in Cuzco. Our tour leader Bill went with him. The good news is that Bill telephoned from Cuzco to say that the patient is already showing signs of improvement and has his speech back.


For details of where to find my book "Vic's Big Walk from SW France to NW England" double click on this.

Wayne Rooney

I forgot to mention, when talking about our visit to the community on the reed island on Lake Titicaca, that these people, who are so cut off from the rest of the world, are fully aware of international sporting “celebrities”. When one of our party was asked where he came from and replied “England”, the instant response from the Indian was “England – Wayne Rooney!”.

Saturday we visited the ancient ruins at Tihuanaco, high in the Andes and not far from Lake Titicaca. Then Sunday we flew from La Paz – which has the highest airport in the world, with a runway which has to be 4 miles long instead of the usual 2. This is because there is 40 percent less oxygen in the air than at sea level. We flew from there to Cuzco, the ancient capitals of the Incas.

The Spanish conquerors destroyed the wonderful Inca civilisation, being interested only in gold and conversion to Christianity. They did their best to also obliterate the wonderful buildings which abound. This morning we went to Sacsayuaman, just outside the city. Despite the Spanish depradations, the ruins there are still a marvel. The walls are built of huge stones, some over 100 tons in weight. And the Incas, who had not discovered steel, managed to cut these huge rocks so perfectly, and fit them together so finely, that a piece of paper can not be inserted between the joints – which do not even use mortar.


For details of where to find my book "Vic's Big Walk from SW France to NW England" double click on this.

Lake Titicaca

Bolivian Woman in traditional bowler hat



Uros Girl

Wednesday we had another long drive from the Colca Canyon to Puno, on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. After checking into the hotel we had a boat trip out - after a breakdown - to the extraordinary floating reed islands. Here the Uros people spend all their lives on small reed islands, which they make themselves, living in tiny reed houses and living mainly on fish.

Thursday it was on across the altiplano to Bolivia. Here, after the chaotic border formalities, we embarked again on Lake Titicaca, this time on a hydrofoil, where we visited the Island of the Sun, where we had lunch, then the Island of the Moon. At both places we visited archaeological remnants of the Inca and pre-Inca civilisations. More time on the hydrofoil, then a bus trip into the heart of Bolivia and to its captital La Paz, the highest capital city in the world.

We are all very short of breath with any activity. Our altitude is varying between 3,500 and almost 5,000 metres above sea level.


For details of where to find my book "Vic's Big Walk from SW France to NW England" double click on this.

El Condor Pasa

Condor




Pre-Inca Terraces




Vicuna


Monday we left Arequipa and travelled by coach up onto the high altiplano. The highest point on the way was 4,900 metres but we finally ended up at the Colca Lodge at 3,400 metres. On the way we saw llamas, alpaca and vicuna.

Yesterday we arose before the crack of dawn - we seem to have done that several times on this trip, which is very hectic - and made a two-hour coach trip into the Colca Canyon. We stopped at a viewpoint where the drop was greater than any other canyon in the world. It was well above 1,000 metres. Many people were gathered there to see the condors, which nest nearby and seem to get up much later than we did. They circle round for a bit, put on a bit of a show, then go off to find meat which as conveniently dropped dead somewhere for them.

On the way to the canyon we saw many fine examples of the stunning pre-Inca agricultural terraces.

As always, double-clicking will make the pictures bigger.


For details of where to find my book "Vic's Big Walk from SW France to NW England" double click on this.