Welcome to Nepal

Welcome to Nepal

Monday 29 January 2007

Testing

University College London

My sea-level tests for the Everest trip have just been emailed to me. I have to attend UCL between 0900hrs and 1600hrs on the 31st January and my bike tests are at the end of the day. I could have been there until 1745hrs, so I'm pleased I'm not one of those selected for the additional lung function tests. I need to get back to my wife (as we are celebrating her 50th birthday).

Monday 8 January 2007

Local publicity

Lincolnshire Echo

My mate has emailed a reporter he knows at the local newspaper - they are interested in doing a short feature article.

Having been misrepresented in an internal Civil Service magazine many years ago, it has left me a wary of reporters... particularly with them putting a 'spin' on things to make an article more newsworthy. I would prefer to only give permission for something to be printed if I can have sight of the article first and 'sign it off'. This is not how newspapers work though.


Typical misleading journo headline!

Thursday 4 January 2007

In the news

Channel 4

Tonight, Channel 4 news featured the Xtreme-Everest trek. It was very interesting as it showed the first volunteers carrying out their sea-level tests prior to joining the expedition. In fact it was lucky that my best mate noticed this was on, otherwise I would have missed it. But with the wonders of the web I was able to view it again.

I see John Caudwell (originally of Phones4U fame) has also volunteered to trek to Base Camp. He is a self-made man and it would be interesting to hear his life story if we happen to be on the same group. I seem to remember he was the chap who handed out surprise £1,000 bonuses to each of his staff for each year of their dedicated service, when he sold his multi-million pound business. Some received five figure sums. He is also the type of individual who puts a great deal of money back into society through worthwhile causes - quite a philanthropist. He is sponsoring the Xtreme-Everest Project to the tune of £500,000.