Tall as a giant....small as a mouse!

I bloody did it....don't know how but i did. But oh my it was hard work trekking up that mountain! the first 2 hours where ok, i was a little out of breath and my legs were starting to hurt but i could cope with that, the last 2 hours were such hard work, every step i took hurt and the rocky ground was difficult to climb over especially when it would move under our feet. I took this picture from half way up, after this was taken the heavens opened and we were pelted with freezing rain that felt like glass hitting my face and i kept being pushed back and sideways from the force of the winds. I always imagined walking though clouds to be like walking through fluffy candyfloss or cotton wool, well let me tell you it's not! but we made the top and were elated to do so. although very carefull once up there as told at the breifing before hand that when visibility is bad (which is most of the time up there) poeple have just walked off the edge and it's a 1000 ft drop before hitting the first ledge!! Not a good idea then! the views before the clouds envelped us were spectacular, not words or picture could ever do it justice.
Coming down was almost as hard as treking up hill, again everything moved under foot and the larger rocks and bolders had become extreamly slippery in the rain, but it only took 2 hours 20 minutes to decend then staight to the small pub (that resembled a stone shed) at the base of the mountain, i have never welcomed a pint of lager so much!

I could go on and on about this experience but i'm sure it must be a little boring to read, lets just say that despite only just reclaiming normal use of my legs (have been doing what they call the ben nevis shuffle since sunday) i have had the best weekend of my life. i'm fitter than i thoght i was (out of 84 people me and andy were the 23rd and 24th poeple to finish) and feel so much more confident in myself.....im already considering my next challenge for the alzheimers society, great wall of china or inca trail in Peru maybe?

On the down side of this week, yesterday i received a call to say that a friend i have worked with for the last 6 years had lost her battle with cancer. Having lost my cousin to cancer just a few months ago it hit me quite hard, i cried a LOT and wasn't sure if i was upset for me, or her, or her family. Im still not sure of this but do know that i'm happy she is no longer in any pain and that her family aren't watching her suffer any longer.

But in one phone call i had gone from feeling AS TALL AS A GIANT to feeling AS SMALL AS A MOUSE, and now i don't know what i feel about anything. i still feel like i want to be proud of myself but feel so guilty for doing so. I know Nat would have been proud of me so trying to keep hold of that!

xabbix