Back
For the last couple of days I have had aches in my hip and lower back. I just hope this isn't a problem starting to emerge before going trekking in the Himalaya. I tried doing some stretching exercises this morning to free up my spine. I think I will also have a hot bath as well. I must get this sorted before I fly out to Kathmandu.
I am going to recheck all my kit for Everest today, just to make sure I have everything and that I am under the 20kg weight limit for hold baggage. I have decided on taking a few extra items. For example, my Dictaphone to keep a diary on tape. This might be easier than writing a notebook - I also intend to capture the sounds of Nepal, to add to the many photos I intend to take.
Now I'm getting nearer the time for departure, it is bringing home just how much I'm going to miss my wife and family. Three weeks is a long time to be out of contact with them and I don't know how I will fare. It will probably be harder for my wife as she will be on her own, but I expect the kids will rally around to keep her company.
Welcome to Nepal
Friday, 30 March 2007
Thursday, 22 March 2007
Kit
Freebies
My Xtreme-Everest kit arrived by courier this afternoon... finally. I have had to badger the representative for this to come to fruition... disappointing but not unexpected in this day and age unfortunately. Persistence pays off though.
I am now the proud owner of a Mountain Equipment Windstopper jacket and Polarfleece top. These items will come in most useful on the trek. ME in my eyes is still the Rolls Royce of climbing equipment.
My Xtreme-Everest kit arrived by courier this afternoon... finally. I have had to badger the representative for this to come to fruition... disappointing but not unexpected in this day and age unfortunately. Persistence pays off though.
I am now the proud owner of a Mountain Equipment Windstopper jacket and Polarfleece top. These items will come in most useful on the trek. ME in my eyes is still the Rolls Royce of climbing equipment.
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
All change
Flight Times
Not a good start to the day. I opened the post to find that my old ISP provider was going to pass arrears to a debt collection agency... the second letter was to tell me my flight times had changed for my Everest trek. Great.
The matter regarding my flight times was really inconvenient. The pre-booked domestic flight was now of no use and had to be cancelled incurring a loss of £50. I couldn't see why I had to pick this up and spoke to our trek provider to seek some form of recompense. I was asked to provide written evidence and they would see what they could do. I am not very optimistic.
I now need to seek alternative travel arrangements to get me to Heathrow for say 0600hrs in the morning. A tall order if I'm not to stay overnight. My son then offered to drive me down, although I am a little concerned over the distance for him. That said, I suppose we can share the driving and his wife will hopefully assist on the return journey to give him a break. This is a generous offer that I can't refuse... it also means the family can wave me off.
Not a good start to the day. I opened the post to find that my old ISP provider was going to pass arrears to a debt collection agency... the second letter was to tell me my flight times had changed for my Everest trek. Great.
The matter regarding my flight times was really inconvenient. The pre-booked domestic flight was now of no use and had to be cancelled incurring a loss of £50. I couldn't see why I had to pick this up and spoke to our trek provider to seek some form of recompense. I was asked to provide written evidence and they would see what they could do. I am not very optimistic.
I now need to seek alternative travel arrangements to get me to Heathrow for say 0600hrs in the morning. A tall order if I'm not to stay overnight. My son then offered to drive me down, although I am a little concerned over the distance for him. That said, I suppose we can share the driving and his wife will hopefully assist on the return journey to give him a break. This is a generous offer that I can't refuse... it also means the family can wave me off.
Friday, 2 March 2007
Extraction
Ivory Heaven
Well... there's another tooth gone to Ivory Heaven. After my two latest fillings were tested with some evil tasting fluid, which seemed to burrow its way to the nerve of the tooth and make me wince, the dentist made up her mind which was the one causing the pain. She believes I have a dodgy nerve.
Decision time: to remove the nerve or remove the tooth?
I suggested the latter in view of the trip to Nepal and the dentist agreed. A couple of injections later, some forceful leverage and a cracking sound... and the 'problem' was out. Whether the 'problem' is solved, I cannot tell you yet. I'll have to wait until the anaesthetic wears off to confirm it was the right tooth to be extracted. I do hope so.
Well... there's another tooth gone to Ivory Heaven. After my two latest fillings were tested with some evil tasting fluid, which seemed to burrow its way to the nerve of the tooth and make me wince, the dentist made up her mind which was the one causing the pain. She believes I have a dodgy nerve.
Decision time: to remove the nerve or remove the tooth?
I suggested the latter in view of the trip to Nepal and the dentist agreed. A couple of injections later, some forceful leverage and a cracking sound... and the 'problem' was out. Whether the 'problem' is solved, I cannot tell you yet. I'll have to wait until the anaesthetic wears off to confirm it was the right tooth to be extracted. I do hope so.
Thursday, 1 March 2007
Restless night
Pain
I woke in the middle of the night as my teeth were troubling me, necessitating a couple of paracetamol this morning. I phoned the dentist to make an emergency appointment, but was told that she had commented to say there is nothing she did that may have loosened the tooth. Ignoring this, I still went ahead with making the appointment so my teeth can be checked out. At the mo they are feeling a little better, but I will wait until tomorrow morning before cancelling the appointment just to see if things have definitely improved.
I woke in the middle of the night as my teeth were troubling me, necessitating a couple of paracetamol this morning. I phoned the dentist to make an emergency appointment, but was told that she had commented to say there is nothing she did that may have loosened the tooth. Ignoring this, I still went ahead with making the appointment so my teeth can be checked out. At the mo they are feeling a little better, but I will wait until tomorrow morning before cancelling the appointment just to see if things have definitely improved.
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
Loose tooth
Appointment
Deciding to have my teeth checked before travelling to Nepal, I was x-rayed and told there were fillings necessary. Funny though as there has been no discomfort to date. From time to time my gum has been a little sore, but I didn't connect this with a potential filling. However, I am now back at home, having had two fillings on Monday... and now I do have discomfort... also one of the teeth filled wobbles in its socket.
The dentist was very rough when drilling out the old amalgam, probably the roughest treatment I have ever had. I know, as I never have injections and can compare exactly how gentle they are when giving treatment. Though it did seem a very deep cavity. The two teeth took about four refills of the amalgam tool - she might have been better using a concrete mixer.
So what do I do now? I have telephoned the receptionist who is going to speak with the dentist concerned. Unfortunately though, she has no appointments for weeks, so I will have to phone to obtain an emergency appointment. The receptionist took my telephone number and will get back to me if something can be done on a regular appointment. I won't expect to pay for remedial treatment though, so I hope they don't try charging me again.
I carried out a test pack of my Jagged Globe holdall yesterday and everything fits in - and well within the weight restriction as well. Thank goodness. I was worried I might have to leave stuff behind. I am frightened that I might forget something, so have been meticulous it preparing lists and making sure I have everything I might need. I am slightly worried my bag might go missing on the domestic flight to Heathrow, but this is just an irrational fear and I shouldn't let it dominate my mind. I still have some small items to pack... but these are major in their importance... toilet roll for example. I mustn't forget these!
Deciding to have my teeth checked before travelling to Nepal, I was x-rayed and told there were fillings necessary. Funny though as there has been no discomfort to date. From time to time my gum has been a little sore, but I didn't connect this with a potential filling. However, I am now back at home, having had two fillings on Monday... and now I do have discomfort... also one of the teeth filled wobbles in its socket.
The dentist was very rough when drilling out the old amalgam, probably the roughest treatment I have ever had. I know, as I never have injections and can compare exactly how gentle they are when giving treatment. Though it did seem a very deep cavity. The two teeth took about four refills of the amalgam tool - she might have been better using a concrete mixer.
So what do I do now? I have telephoned the receptionist who is going to speak with the dentist concerned. Unfortunately though, she has no appointments for weeks, so I will have to phone to obtain an emergency appointment. The receptionist took my telephone number and will get back to me if something can be done on a regular appointment. I won't expect to pay for remedial treatment though, so I hope they don't try charging me again.
I carried out a test pack of my Jagged Globe holdall yesterday and everything fits in - and well within the weight restriction as well. Thank goodness. I was worried I might have to leave stuff behind. I am frightened that I might forget something, so have been meticulous it preparing lists and making sure I have everything I might need. I am slightly worried my bag might go missing on the domestic flight to Heathrow, but this is just an irrational fear and I shouldn't let it dominate my mind. I still have some small items to pack... but these are major in their importance... toilet roll for example. I mustn't forget these!
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Team building
Exercises
This morning we were introduced to some teambuilding events (very similar to those I have encountered with the military). These were fun and helped us to get to better know our trekking partners.
It is nice to think we will at least have some familiar faces at Heathrow when we arrive for the flight. After lectures on Altitude Mountain Sickness and Health and Hygiene in Nepal, we departed for home.
Four hours or so later I walked through the door.
This morning we were introduced to some teambuilding events (very similar to those I have encountered with the military). These were fun and helped us to get to better know our trekking partners.
It is nice to think we will at least have some familiar faces at Heathrow when we arrive for the flight. After lectures on Altitude Mountain Sickness and Health and Hygiene in Nepal, we departed for home.
Four hours or so later I walked through the door.
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