30 day push-up challenge and Dry July - Day 8&9

Total push-ups completed: 850
Push-ups to go: 2150

I've had a bit more energy this weekend so I have managed to catch up on some of the missed push-ups and I'm now just 50 behind schedule.  I'm hoping I'll be back on track by Wednesday. 
I'm still struggling to do more than 10 at a time at the moment though. Surely they must get easier soon!! 

I decided to add Dry July to my challenge.  While I don't drink very much anyway, I wanted to have a proper break from alcohol for a while, but again, due to my lack of discipline and various celebrations this month, I knew I would crack if there wasn't a good reason to stay sober!  This weekend was a test and I'm happy to say I passed with flying colours, despite the peer pressure!
My tolerance for alcohol, and the inevitable 3 day hangover, seems to have evaporated in my advancing years!  So learning to be sociable without alcohol again is a very good thing!  The more you donate, the more likely I am to succeed 😉

And on the donation front, thanks to Peter Campbell for today's very generous donation.
Peter informed me that the Paypal.me link requires you to have an account to donate, which I'm sure didn't use to be the case.  So, for those of you that don't have a Paypal account, I have set up a personal GoFundMe page.  Finding a platform that would allow me to link 2 charities has proved fruitless, so these are the best options I can come up with.  Here's the links for both options:

Paypal
GoFundMe

The Charities

Ewen's Room 
Lots of goings-on on their Facebook page.  They are currently running workshops on Tuesdays via Zoom, focusing on Realising Emotional Wellbeing and Resilience Development. If you are interested, you can register here

Ewen's Room lockdown cookbook - If you have any favourite recipes you'd like to share, they are putting together a recipe book from all our favourite lockdown foods. Send them yours via the link.


Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust

Exciting sighting of West coast Orca rockstar, John Coe, was spotted of Neist Point on Skye today!
Check out the awesome pictures here.
I've been lucky enough to spot John Coe and his partner in crime Aquarius from the good ship Silurian, in this very location!  I didn't manage to get a picture of that encounter but I did see the rest of the gang on another trip, again just of the west coast of Skye. Here's a couple of pics from that encounter. 

Floppy fin

                        Aquarius & Moneypenny (I think)




All their research expeditions have been cancelled this season, so they are relying on any sightings of cetaceans and basking sharks being logged by those at sea or by the public from the coast.  If you see anything, please use the Whaletrack app to log your sighting.

Another way you can help them, is by shopping.  If you use Amazon, register for Amazon Smile and select HWDT as your chosen charity.  It's a really easy and effective way to raise funds without even trying! 


That's all for tonight.  I'll be back with another update of my progress soon.

Stay kind,
Fi x

Fi's 30 day push up challenge - Day 4 - 7

Total Push-ups done: 630

Push-ups to target: 2370

The last few days have been a real struggle and I have fallen behind in my daily targets.  I struggle with chronic fatigue every day and can usually manage it reasonably well, but sometimes even the slightest exertion floors me.  On Monday and Tuesday I did quite a lot; yoga, cleaning our community shop, 100 push-ups each day, dog walks, gardening and painting. Not overly busy by any standards, but it seems to have been enough to exhaust my body and for the rest of the week, just getting out of bed and functioning has been a challenge in itself.  

I have included some alternative push-ups from my yoga sessions.

In Mondays Stay Strong class, we do a vinyasa sequence which includes pike presses, and on Wednesday, my yoga instructor very kindly included some dolphin dips just to help me reach my target for the day.  Here's a video sample of the moves:

All the yogis very kindly donated their dips towards my total, but I haven't included them as it felt like cheating! But thank you so much for the thought and support! 

And if you fancy joining a yoga class, I can highly recommend Mountain Yoga Kinlochleven via the wonders of Zoom!

So it's now the end of day 7 and I am 70 push-ups behind schedule! But I hope to make these up over the next few days.  Donations create motivation, so if you can donate, even the price of a coffee would be fantastic. If all my Facebook friends did that, we'd reach the target in no time!

Paypal.me/fioweo

100% of donations will go to the charities, plus gift-aid.

An update about the charities will follow over the weekend, but for now, it's time to rest! 

Goodnight,

Fi x

Fi's 30 day push-up challenge - Day 3

3 days in, 300 push-ups done, 2700 to go!

Many thanks for today's donation, Gillian.  It now takes the total to £40. Slowly but surely, keeping me motivated!

Here's the link to my PayPal.  Please donate if you can:

http://paypal.me/fioweo

Ewen's Room Big Summer Challenge - This week, Ewen's Room have a challenge for you! If you've got kids that love arty crafty stuff, this should be right up your street. 'Art that falls apart'. Make a picture or model from natural things you find around you when on a walk or at the beach.  Take a phot and then leave it for other to enjoy until it falls apart!  Follow the link to find out more!

HWDT latest news - unfortunately, but not surprisingly, they have taken the decision to cancel the rest of the research expeditions for the remainder of the year.  I can empathise with their decision, which would not have been an easy one to make.  SO now more than ever, they need not just funds, but your help with their research.  If you're lucky enough to live or travel on the coast or sea, keep your eyes peeled for those sea monsters and log your sightings here Https://whaletrack.hwdt.org

Today's stats:

I am thoroughly knackered and need to start going to bed earlier!

Stay kind,

Fi x

Fi's 30 day push=up challenge - Day 2

I'm not going to lie, today has been a struggle.  My arms, shoulders and chest ache from the additional 75 push-ups yesterday, and I've had to improve my technique immediately to make them register on the app!  I've had to do them in smaller sets throughout the day and I'm still only halfway for today's target at 10.30pm!

BUT...I got my first two donations today. Yipee!!
So I have added a donations thermometer here
and I am determined to reach today's goal before I post this blog 😁

In the meantime, if you want to keep me motivated, here's the link to make a donation:

http://paypal.me/fioweo

Any amount, large or small, makes all the difference and is very much appreciated. 

A reminder of the charities I'm raising money for:

Ewen's Room

Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust 

And a wee video of where I live

...It's 00:02hrs and I made it! I did one extra yesterday so I did one less today to keep me perfectly on track. Here is today's count:

Thanks again for today's donations and everyone's words of encouragement/bewilderment!

I'm off to rest my weary arms which are aching just typing this!

Goodnight x

Fi's 30 day push-up fundraiser challenge Day 1

Welcome to my 30-day push-up fundraising challenge!

I've resurrected my old blog after setting myself a crazy challenge of doing 3000 push-ups over the next 30 days to raise some much-needed cash for a couple of charities that are important to me.

Ewen's Room is a charity based in west Lochaber providing mental health services to local people as well as online resources to anyone that needs it.  As the name might suggest, the charity was set up in memory of Ewen Gillespie, and his mum writes the heartfelt story of how Ewen's Room came to be here.

Give their Facebook page a like!

Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust are a conservation charity based in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull.  I have volunteered numerous times on their research survey trips aboard their yacht, Silurian, and was lucky enough to work as a marine mammal observer too.  They have carried out over 2 decades of research of marine life and have an amazing education outreach programme, connecting with local communities and schools up and down the West Highlands and Islands. 

Check out their Facebook page for more info.  You might even find my face in the archives!

I am aiming to raise £1000 and hoping I can achieve that with your generosity and sharing the challenge with your friends.  

I'm also hoping I can sustain it over the 30 days.  I do struggle with pain and chronic fatigue, so while I'm not looking for sympathy, I want to stress the 'challenge' element.  It won't be easy, but I can be bloody stubborn and determined when I set my mind to something. Just ask my mum!!  So the more you give, the more motivation I have to carry on 😉

If you are able to donate, no matter how small, it would be gratefully and humbly received.
*Update, I now have a GoFundMe page for those without a PayPal account
GoFundMe Link

I've decided just to use PayPal to save on any commission or fees so 100% of donations will go to the charities. Here is the link

paypal.me/fioweo

Please use the 'Friends and Family' option.

I'm looking forward to the challenge and hope you'll follow along with me.  I need plenty of cheerleaders!

I am using a push-up counter app on my phone to record the number of push-ups.  It doesn't let me get away with rubbish attempts so I'm going to have to build up strength quick smart! 

Here are todays stats:

Stay safe, stay healthy, keep those eyes peeled for sea-monsters from the deep, and keep your mental health healthy!

Much love,

Fi x

Life in the Tropics

So, it's been a while, again, since my last blog and as I am currently resting a twisted knee and hip (don't ask), I have no excuse for not updating you all on my last 3 months.  If you have been following my Facebook/Twitter updates you will know I am now in Airlie Beach, 512km and 6.5hrs south of my last post.  In the grand scheme of things, I haven't made it very far!

Mission Beach is where I left off, so it's where I shall begin.
I spent 9 weeks there, driving the courtesy bus by day for Absolute Backpackers and working in the restaurant at Mackays Motel by night.  The restaurant only had 6 tables so it was very easy work and most of the guests were long-term trade workers, so I spent most of the time socialising with the boys!  I did some gardening work for Mackays, until I was attacked by an angry colony of ants and spent a week with my legs in itching agony and my hands in my pockets!  I also managed 5 hellish shifts in a Thai kitchen, being shouted at in Thai, cleaning all the dishes by hand, but eating fabulous free food!
Only working for pay 3-4hrs a day, I found it hard to save much so activities were limited to the free stuff; lying by the pool/on the beach when the sun shone, bonfires on the beach at night, rainforest walks, hunting cassowaries and wallabies (not literally), swimming in creeks and jumping off waterfalls.

We were reliably informed there were no crocs in here!

Cassowary dad and chick

Being the rainforest, there was inevitably going to be some rain, and when it rains in the rainforest, it really rains!  We were flooded on several occassions, even having the bridge over the creek covered in fast flowing water.  Once the rains dried up, the bugs appeared in their thousands!  Such is life in the tropics!

I'm a bug killing demon!

There were obviously many nights out, some which ended sensibly, some not so much, and some which didn't end until the sun came up.  Cairns is a 2hr drive north and it was too much of an irresistible draw when Vanessa had a car, so myself and Noora just had to join her in a road trip.  Having not seen more than 1 shop in over 4 weeks, we found it hard not to spend, spend, spend the money we didn't have.  Cairns is a lot of fun and I wish I had more time to spend there and further north.  But my time is limited and after 2 months of laid back life, I made the hard decision to move on.  But not before my free skydive!  I was surprisingly calm on the day of the jump, but I had had a cancelled jump just 2 days before so I think the nerves had been drained from me then.  Vanessa had been working for Skydive Mission Beach and decided to join me to do her first jump as well, so we were able to distract each other somewhat.

The 'before' shot

I was jumping with Rob who I can't praise highly enough for his skills and ability to keep me calm.  In fact the only moment I felt a tad terrified was when the door of the plane opened (plane doors generally should not open).  Having bungee jumped before, I was convinced this would be easier, having no perspective of how high I was etc etc.  Turns out it is easier, but only because you have someone attached to you who does everything for you, including throwing you out the door!  Freefalling from 14,000ft is probably the best adrenalin rush I have ever had!  I cannot put into words how amazing it is, but it is an incredible feeling of freedom being able to push the limits of your survival.  Once the canopy is opened (which takes you by surprise and hurts a tad around the legs - note my face in the vid) it's a joyous glide over magnificent views of the great barrier reef, back to solid ground.  My biggest fear was, by far, the landing, having 'landed' badly from height in a previous life.  I needn't of worried, I just had to lift my legs up to my chest and Rob did the rest.

The slightly windswept 'after' shot

I seriously DO recommend this to anyone with an inkling of a desire to fight gravity!

And so ended the age of Mission.  I had a fantastic time there and made some amazing friends. One of which comes from my hometown of Motherwell.  Small world indeed.  Chinelle, Vanessa, Sebastian, Heather, Noora, Toni, Catherine, Jenny, Liam, Rebecca, Diesel, Mags and all the other Scots, Barabara and my tradey boys, and of course, Pip, Brendan, Peta and Dez.  You all made my time there an amazing one and I miss you!

The best part of my job!

So onto Townsville.  Again, I had only planned to stay 3 weeks, but... I initially worked at a hostel for my accommodation again, but found an advert for a job working in boarding kennels.  Naturally I was very keen on the work and earning some proper cash, but it meant 12hr days for 29 days straight.  Being poor, I couldn't pass up the chance of money, so I had to suck it up!  The job was 15km away from town so I has to hire a care for the month.  I forgot the joy of freedom a car can bring!  I also found an amazing flat to stay in as living in a hostel was going to be way too expensive and tiring!  I just wish I had more time to enjoy the time with my flatmates, Nathan and Ange. 

The kennel work was easy.  It was great to be back working with dogs again.  The owner also had another business transporting pets around the country, which I wasn't aware of until my first day, and I had 2 days to learn the entire business before he and his wife left on holiday.  He did admit he flung me in the deep end, but I managed and hopefully didn't bankrupt him!  The money has been a life saver, however, I was taxed almost $1500 when I wasn't expecting to pay any tax, so the flight home remains unbooked!  After the work was done, I had 5 days to enjoy the fun side of Townsville and Magnetic Island.  Kayaking, horse riding and more beach times were had before I had to give up the motor and head south once again.  To be continued...

The works ute

Red sky at night, kennel maids delight

                        

Bad blogger on the buses

Ok, so it's been nearly 3 months since my last blog.  I apologise for the tardiness!

The adventures have continued, although there have been a few bumps in the road, a lot of hanging about, waiting for the next step, as well as beach times and road trips. 

The next adventure has already begun.  I am now a bus driver for a hostel in Mission Beach, Queensland.  I do 3hrs work a day and in return I receive free accommodation, free internet, free laundry and if I stay at least 1 month, there’s a free skydive on offer.  Too good an offer to pass up!  It also allows me to find some paid work as well and puts me in a good position for saving some money to do the fun stuff…and buy a flight home :-s

I have to put up with this view for the next month or so...

That perfect job still eludes me… in fact finding any work that isn't a sales role duping people out of their hard earned cash is hard to come by!  I have been kept afloat by odd shifts here and there (thank you Gregg Peek – check out his free city tour of Sydney www.peektours.com), the generosity of family and friends who have put me up for a few nights and kept me fed and watered, but mainly the bank of Mum and Dad have been far too generous and have enabled me to stay here living the dream!  Thank you kindly!

In the time since my last blog I have worked as a 'shepherd' for the aforementioned Peek Tours; worked as a nanny living on millionaires row right on Tamarama beach (just round from Bondi) looking after 4 kids for a very rich family; spent Christmas working for said rich family and then partied with my fellow orphans; had a fantastic New Year with some fabulous people watching the fireworks at Sydney Harbour and then watching the sun rise on Bondi with a lovely random Aussie bloke; campervan road trip to Melbourne and a 3 day Great Ocean Road tour with the lovely Katie Day; spent 5 strange days in Adelaide melting in 40 deg heat before hitching a lift back to Melbourne with Paul Atkinson.  I then spent a week in Melbourne, hosted by the right honourable  Dr Glassford (thank you kind sir for your unyielding generosity).  I managed to take in the semi-final of the Australian Open Tennis between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.  Great atmosphere, even though the outcome was not the desired one.  I spent a day pondering the complexities of life in the Botanic gardens, getting emotional at the Anzac memorial and wondering along the Yarra river.  I caught up with some long lost friends; Alisha, my favourite little Aussie, and Jamie and Sarah Anne, my favourite islanders from Skye!  I wish I had stayed longer, but the promise of work was too tempting and I made my way back up north to Sydney.  I spent a lovely long weekend in the Blue Mountains with my Dad's cousin, Marilyn, her husband Kevin and Milo the dog, who very kindly put me up and gave me a personal tour of some delightful towns, shops and cafes, as well as experiencing the worst hail storm I've ever encountered Blue Mountains Hail Storm!  Thank you both for your wonderful hospitality.

Blue Mountain home

Milo

I also managed to find a volleyball club to train with while back in Sydney, as well as attempting some beach volleyball with Dirk and Megan.  There was the Australian Open surf champs in Manly, free gigs on the beach, great music at Spectrum, skateboard comps, surfing with Jarrod and the Mojo boys, movies and meeting Mark Wahlberg with Piritta.  

I am glad to finally be travelling and exploring again, but I will miss Sydney and the people in it.  I have become quite attached to the place.  I will be back!

When trying to recall everything I've done in the last 3 months, it makes me smile thinking of the fun I've had and the friends I've made, and I really wish I had the discipline to keep a diary/update this blog so I can look back and remember everything I've done.  I must make a concerted effort to blog more often, but I fear they may become like buses... none for ages then they all appear at once!

The Living End free gig on Manly beach

Moonlight cinema, Centennial Park

Bowl-a-rama Bondi

Sydney sunrise