Last day and awards banquet how to sum up............... not sure there is ever a last day. Just read the blog I put on in the desert cyber tent after the long stage oops sorry about the typos and spelling mistakes I am sure you will figure it out.

Well we left camp for the final leg into San Pedro Atacama though a canyon and then on track then road into the town. The last 3km were around the dirt streets of the little village weaving in and around the roads with locals and tourist cheering us on. Then I hear the drums beating and come around the corner to see the last couple of hundred metres to the finish line emotions running all over the place and I was just taking it all in... the enormity of what we have just all achieved.. amazing. As Mary put the medal around my neck I had all those feelings from past races ones hard to explain but ones never to forget... pain no more it was all gone the feelings were over whelming.

Lots of cuddling and kisses......we were all perfect strangers at the start of the race but now buddies and friends.  We continued to cheer on more and more competitors it was so exciting experiencing everyone’s victories...

In comes Col so we start chanting ... Colin colin coiln... and clapping... he does a push up just before the finish line jumps up and runs under the banner to receive his medal from Mary also.. I start crying and hugging him WOW WOW we did it...YES YES YES  done and dusted... incredible feeling memories we have mad together forever.

Now pizza and coke oh yes I had two pieces of pizza and a coke oh so rare for me but geez did that go done well....

A shower now was on everyone’s mind... back to the motel oh yes do we stink... a bath soak of the bandages check the damage rub marks everywhere from the pack blisters on the feet bruises on the knee and scabs on one where I fell and scratch marks up the leg from the dense bushy stuff we pushed part in the desert.. Col no blisters what a man.... after the bath a shower and the lovely clean clothes ...oh the little things in life just so important now

Awards banquet was great.... food delicious and a fun night... everyone relaxed and in party mode. I was presented my trophy for 2^nd place female a memory that will last forever feel very teary writing this email right now... I even made a speech when I was asked another fear of mind.....

Thanks to all our tent buddies we had so much fun and supported each other which was brilliant... oh yes and Col was known as the comedian in the tent...oh that would not surprise any of you.

Amazing people amazing time and friends forever we walk away with....

To all that have followed us from near and far I can now properly read all your messages and both Col and I appreciate that you made the time to follow us thanks does not seem enough .....

Well we leave this desert behind and look forward to catching up with everyone at home... but not before a nice break in Peru.... lots of love and big hugs from the both of us... xxxx

Another day not really sure were to start other than a great day or variation not only the desert surface but also the mind lots of demons today after check point two ..ummm now seems all  no problem but at the time I truly had to dig deep and get in the right head space. To explain left check point one after having a great run up and down rocky paths and sand dunes some hands and knees to crawl up so funny and I watched Anne Marie go down them so magic to watch she certainly is a skier she can’t believe I have never skied…. Scenery was great and the canyon that we ran along side top side I should say was awesome I wished we could have gone down into it…anyway into checkpoint two grabbed some water and of I took felt a little touchy in tummy but you get that out here just from all the conditions food hydration.. well we were doing a 12 km stage I think and it was on rocky sandy type path and when you looked up that is all you could see in the distance well by then stomach was worse and I could feel the over whelming feeling of losing the plot so with a few tears shed walked for a few minutes put the Ipod on had something to eat and drink told myself a few choice words ( suck it up Princes was one of the mantras thanks Carolyn for that one) Well took of running and told myself the quickest way to the next check point was to run and that I did turned the music up louder and louder and so focused had to be careful I did misjudge the rocks I was jumping over… Got to check point two grabbed the water and took of through the salt falts deep mud and even two little mucky river crossings some completely unrunable and just cruched under your feet kinda like coral I guess… anyway the only bonus was when you got to some kind of bits of crushed paths very narrow and still had bits of the salt stubbly bits so I tried to run that very carefully so wouldn’t want to fall been there done that yesterday … anyway anywhere I could run I would and by now feeling a lot better everytime I walked I try to eat bits of food and I think that is what got my in with the water and electrolytes…  came in 16th overall for the day and 2nd female think about 15mins behind leader so I am sure as hell happy with that.. Col did awesome today and Patty Sharon and I waited for him and when I say him running the last bit in I went out and grabbed his hand and we ran over the line together me in my slippers so funny… He is doing so well and told me before he is ready to smash it tomoz…

Read all the messages with Col and we both send our love to everyone… Louise have to say there is going to have to be a big pay back  to that brother of yours oh notice I say your brother not my son… ha ha ha…. Hope Hayley is good give her big kisses from us… Trishy yes Louise is right only you and me could fall go to the wrong place to pay of a layby but hell at least we give other people a Laugh.. big kisses to the boys…

Loved ready all the messages from so many friends absolutely awesome and Carolyn I want to know what Rohan is going to come up with on our return…. Well not sure how this all reads as so hard on these little lap tops with my bad eyes… but you get the drift.. Tomorrow the long day have no expectation of the day just to get to the end… scernery is stunning and have lots of pics love to all and goodnight… will be checking comments you have all left tomorrow but not sure what time… please send all the positive energy you can we need it… xxxx

What an incredible day somuch varied landscape and course... tough day but a great day for me other than a few mishaps.. Oh yes was doing really well and made it to first check point 1st then when we hit the great jeep tracks was very runable so Mark and I just hammered along there and it was great we both zoned out and went for it both of us made a great team and it was awesome.. made second checkpoint really quickly and still first so hammer another jeep track then hit the most revolting salt muddy stubby tree stuff oh yes and the long grass so funny it alot of ways by the end of that section was so over it . came through some thick mud disaster hit my shoe got stuck so had to pull it out stop put it and reattach the gaiter... yuk anyway continue in th crap with bit of areas you could run but had to watch you didnt do the ankle or knee... Scot free from all that so what happens next running over a rocky type area and I look up for two seconds to see were next check point is and trip on a rock and down I went I was horrified anyway Anne Marie had caught up to Mark and me so the both of them helped me up and we walked a few seconds and off we took Knee was grazed and shoulder was killing me but in true Aussie spirit or stupidity I was hear to finish what I started.....so we all cruised together was such great team work with us all... amazing day really up and down sand dunes over rocky paths and the final killer hill into camp.... We all held hands and the three of us corssed together equal first place for stage two but Anne Maree still in front of me from day one... Anyway great convidence booster for grandma me and we had a great bond the three of us today was so great...

Col came in feeling really good and said he just loved the sand dunes today and powered up them thats my man. Well time to eat and recover for tomorrow another lazy 40 wish us luck...

Just read all our comments and emails and just so happy to hear from you all I have laughed cried and so touched thanks guys ever so much for sharing in our journey.. Jelly beans saved me today Dean oh how we love those jelly beans..... lots of love talk tomoz on the blog... xxxxxx

Wow what a day some of most breathtaking scenery and such a varied run. Heaps of water crossing and some very fast flowing water oh I nearly went under at one stage but grab some guys hand to help me ... so funny when I think about it now.. the lovely Jacqueline from Brazil helped me with another one of the crossings gosh I am so hopeless on them but getting through okay... We then strted to climb up a rocky path and on to a rock track for some time before climbing a hill to first check point. I felt really good now that I had got through the first lot of water on that stage and was ready to takle the hills and goat tracks well that is what I thought they were... I caught up to Anne Maria the first place women from stage one and we played a bit of cat and mouse along this section to the next check point were after that we pretty much just ran together I felt really good and we chatted and then started the in and out water again.... Have to say the most breathtaking scenery along the way from check point one and then again from checkpoint two for awhile unitl we hit the muddy salt flat area... a combination of mud and salt and sinking in it... any way was happy when we got out of that and ran along the road into camp the final checkpoint and both

of us sprinted to the finish coming in equal 1st Woot hoo what a boost for my convidence as i felt pretty good tired legs but pumped. both of us were equal 18 overall so I am so so happy.. spent the time this afternoon cheering on other competitors and waiting for all the other tent buddies to come in...ohhh thats in between resting stretching and eating...drinking as well lots of course.... Well my amazing husband came in and I was waiting with the camera and Anne our Adelaide was  with him so that was great... I wonderful lady we have meet on this event and a capricorn the same as me so of course she can't be anything that great go Anne...

Just finish reading comments and thanks everyone for keeping us going it is so humbling to read them...

To all the family love you lots haave my photo I was looking at before of you all and I hope I do you proud.. Louise still holding you to do one of these events with me in a few years to come... All our gorgeous grandchildren I ran with you in my heart today and came in equal first so all I can say today was for you all.

Two of our tent mates have been pulled from the race one is at the medical tent on an IV then other is suffering altitude sickness...so sad had a cry with them both... Well signing of till tomorrow going back to tent to have big cuddles with Col I am so proud of him and of course he is so proud of me... what a team we are... love to all xxxxx

Woot Hoo Col and I both made it day one done and dusted… I am stocked came in second female and not sure what overall think 25th so so happy. Camp last night was a huge storm and the tent leaked so it was havic we had to stand and hold up the tent with poles to try and drain it of backpacks got wet and our gear and it was freezing every layer of clothes I had I put on but in between the rain we grabbed some dinner and hot water for our cuppa and took cover in the tent. The storm past and a most beautiful sun set in the rocks was awesome that is so what is great in these events…the remoteness and the stunning deserts all so different and all so beautiful. WE also had lightening so we got the run down on if lightening was close we would be called out of the tent as they have metal poles and move away from camp and crouch down hudddle up until the lightening past..oh we were lucky it finally disappeared and when I got up to the toilet in the night I looked up into the sky at the most magical stars in the sky.. thanks Jane P. for telling me that …awesome…

Well today started across a path of rocks and continued and continued oh I was so over rock running so so had to concentrate all the time so worried about twisting my ankle so took it very easy …… we went up we went down we went around in circles okay not quiet we had fun Col told me go girl but be careful and enjoy so I did thanks Col he is a gem… Well then we got to a canyon I took some gorgeous shots but it was up hill and uphill and more uphill Oh yes did I forget to say it was uphill … Well it slowed lots of people down and I did  my grandma shuffle and over took a few had some lovely runs with a few of the guys and Dan from Sydney and I encouraged each other…I missed a flag when he had dropped back  and he yelled out for me to come back…thanks Dan…. Well all id good got in before midday and waited patiently for my wonderful husband so so happy when I saw him come in hugs all around and rest and recovery now ready for tomoz… thanks for the comments guys will be checking in tomorrow so keep posted love us xxxxx Family thinking of you all the time lots of love and kisses…

Check in tomorrow getting rather anxious and nervous but the buzz around the motel and town ship is great. We have met lots of competitors and it has been so great sharing stories and having a good banter with them all. Well tomorrow is the briefing, then medical, gear and food check... We will also get the course notes and find out what’s ahead of us. The unusual rains have caused a bit of a problem but fingers crossed we don’t get the big storm that is predicted.

We spent the morning weighing and bagging up our food and all is done so now we are up to squashing it all in the pack.....ummmm ...I look at all that stuff how is that ever going to fit in the pack but it always seems too.... oh yes part of the challenge really.

All is good with us and we went for a run yesterday to stretch out the legs we both felt when we started to run the sluggishness of being at altitude but after 5 or 10 mins heart rate started to regulate and all was fine. I think the first camp is at 3300m so will be an interested start especially with a full back pack.

Have to say my Spanish is not great in fact it’s terrible and I am referring to the Spanish book that Denise so kindly lend me not doing me much good thou...the locals smile and fortunately there is usually someone in the near vicinity to translate.

Well this is it we are ready ....what ever will be will be........will try to blog or check on comments first thing in morning but otherwise the next blog will be from the 1st camp in the cyber tent. Will look forward to all the comments thanks everyone for you wonderful well wishes and to my beautiful family miss you heaps.... love and kisses us

P.S.Hayley Happy birthday for tomorrow 5 Iso can't believe it.. have a very special day Nana and Poppy love you heapsxxx

WE ARE HERE yeahhh so so excited if I can just stop myself from falling asleep in the middle of the day I could take allot more in.....my body clock is all over the place.... but working on it stayed in the sun and walked around the township which is gorgeous lots of lovely little village type shops. Starting to meet up with other competitors which is great some have done a past event others it’s their first... lots of chatter as usual on pack weight what you are taking etc....

Our room is a mess with all the food and gear everywhere... but we are so happy we got all the food through customs ...think they were too busy to give us too much of a hard time so that was a bonus. The only problem we have now is tomorrow we need to spend the time weighing and bagging up all the food oh yes it all comes down to taking only so many grams but at the same time having enough to keep the body functioning.

Well this is it we are here ready to tackle whatever comes our way....the challenge of the unknown in the desert....  Bring it on

Just arrived in Santiago and realised one of  my raidlight drink bottles has fallen out of the holder...oh so not happy.... if any one hasn't left home and has a spare so would appreciate if you can bring it or if any one is there and has one they are not using I will buy you a beer, wine, coffee, chocolate whatever really... HELP... 

Anyway good news is we got all our food through customs so happy about that have extras so can always trade that off to anyone..ha ha ....Cols bag went missing along with a few other RTP competitors we meet but all got sorted in the end. Well we are here for the night then catch a 5.10am flight tomorrow..... have to say time means nothing at the moment we are 14hrs behind Melbourne time here so I dont know if I should be eating breakfast or dinner..... so funny really... Sandy

Lots to do and time is running out… doesn’t seem to matter how well you plan everything there always seems to be a mad race at the end. Work is very busy and so madly trying to finish up there and I have been told by my office staff anything they muck up while I am away is going to have my name on it…ohh they are so funny but pay back is always sweet hey girls… I use that loosely as we are all an ageing staff!!

Will spend the weekend checking everything off the list and probable checking again and then working out how to pack it all….. All our race gear and food will come on the plane with us and we so hope none off our food gets taken of us at customs in Chile… will be a great relief if we have no hassles. Have left it all packaged as suggested which means we will have to weigh and bag it all up in the motel room when we get there.

Hope we can get some local currency at Santiago Airport!!!... If anyone has that info would appreciate if you could pass on to me.

Checking all the songs on my IPod and must say needs a bit of changing around and updated. Will definitely be in my pack as so need it on the long day.

Have the tent allocations and very excited to be sharing with our Sahara buddy Patty in tent 13 which is my lucky number in fact we live at no 13 in our street…. Lots of things in our family fall on the 13^th of the mth …so funny and has always brought us luck so go number 13….. Bring us more luck… yeahhh …  also looking forward to meeting the rest of our tent crew.

Thank you so much to all those that have donated to our charity it is so appreciated and means so much to both Col and I so thank you very much. Also to all those that have gone out of their way to wish us all the best and promise to follow and encourage us along the way… Thanks to you all it is very humbling.

To our most precious family so going to miss you all!! …. I will be looking at your photos which I have in my pack you all inspire me so much……… thank you for being so wonderful and so supportive.

Well next Blog will be from Chile I would be thinking ……safe travel all … and will so look forward to catching up with everyone…..  Sandy

Colin and I are once again raising funds for the Australian Childhood Foundation which help abused children and families dealing with violence.

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/colin__sandy_suckling

This is something I keep very close to my heart as my children and myself have lived with domestic violence in a past life. Now we all have a most wonderful life and I feel like I have been given a second change. Like a desert challenge it draws on all your strengh to move on in your life. My children and I had to flee our family home and start all over again but we did...It was one of the hardest things I have ever done but the only way to a new and better life for us all.

I met the wonderful Colin and we have been married for 12 glorious years now. Between us we have five children and nine grandchildren so I think we are very blessed. We are now living our life with no regrets and having the most amazing time doing just that... Sandy

Well we are back home after the most amazing trip and yes we conquered the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro, 5895metres. Words cannot explain the feeling of being on the roof top of Africa…...in fact I felt I was on the rooftop of the world looking down on what I can only explain as stunning and truly spectacular. There was one down side…. you have to endure the freezing cold (-17deg c for us) and the breathlessness through so little oxygen in the air but in saying that, there is the challenge, the unknown before you start of how your body is going to react. I felt very emotional when together with our friends Carolyn and Rohan we all reached the summit a memory I will treasure forever.

Both Col and I feel very privileged to have been able to not only reach the top with little effects of altitude sickness but also to discover so many wonderful memories of Africa.  My dream has always been to go on a Safari and that we did I was gob smacked so many variations of animals what a great Kingdom it is all living in harmony…well that is until one of them is hungry… we drove through the Ngorongora Crater and the Serengeti seeing not only the BIG 5 but much, much more I still look at the photos in amazement that we were there and we took those photos.

We were also lucky enough to complete the climb to the top of Mt Meru 4566metre not for the faint hearted either very scary rock scrambling but a must if you are in to hiking and if not the views are worth every bit of the climb. We reached there for sunrise and again absolutely spectacular scenery. I sat on a rock and just immersed myself in the surroundings and other than the cold and the long journey back I could have stayed there a lot longer.

The final days we spend on the beach at Zanzibar to take in the last bit of Tanzania before our long journey home. Oh yes and not forgetting our training we squeezed in beach runs in the soft sand first thing in the morning which seemed to be quite customary with many of the locals.... in fact after a couple of mornings we all joined each other in the runs.... it was great.

Well now it’s back to the reality….. Work, early hours of training, getting all our gear out and stocking up with food items.  Glad I have that spreadsheet as I am just ticking of items as I go and somehow it will all come together….. ohh arhhh I hope anyway see you in less than a month ...... scary… Sandy

Just been reading every ones blogs and as time clicks by ever so fast it won’t be long till we are all meeting in Chile……. but before then Col and my exciting news is that we are off to Africa tomorrow for 3 weeks can’t believe it really but yes after some planning with friends over a year ago now the time has come….. Woot Hoo. The timing probable isn’t quite right with all our training preparations for Atacama but our motto is “Why not!!!!! This life isn’t a dress rehearsal for something else…if you want to do it and the opportunity arises just do it!! no regrets”.  So we are! … we leave tomorrow to climb the highest peak in Africa, yes Kilimanjaro nearly 6,000 metres (whatever that is in feet I don’t know but lots) so hope the altitude doesn’t affect any of us as that would be devastating to go all the way and not make it to the top… anyway won’t think about that as we will all make it!!!!! And of course no trip to Africa would be complete without doing a Safari so we are doing that too along with a few days at the beach.

Now Col and my challenge is to find somewhere safe to run in Kenya and Tanzania on the days we are not climbing Mountains …. Ummm …. I thought we could get a guide to accompany us on our runs so we stay safe and don’t get lost but then I got to thinking and remembered how fast they can run… gosh perhaps not a good idea.... perhaps Col and I will take turns running and bike riding to try and keep up…. anyway it will all be fun and I am sure I will have some stories to tell when we get back.

Well Happy New Year to everyone hope it is a great one for you all……….as it sure is going to be for Col and I we have so much planned in travel/races and adventures for 2012..… Woot Hoo… my birthday next week and I think I am getting younger and sillier…….. I sure don’t feel 52…ohhh yes that is 52 years young…. Ha ha ha … happy training everyone Sandy

Training has been going along fantastic feeling really great …fit …strong …really stepping it up then the dreaded of all dreads... an injury occurs... you are stopped in your tracks...….. Boo Hoooo why does this happen!!!! on top of the world one moment and in total disbelief and self doubt the next…….First I get angry….then I go into denial and decide it will be fine I’ll run on it anyway ….oh yes it is easier to try and keep running than face the fact that my body is telling me to stop! Take a rest! ….. you see, that in itself lies the problem… ummmm I can hear many of you saying………Oh yes we have all been there before, pushing our bodies more and more which is all fine but yes they need a REST…..oh am I so dumb!!!

Well after punching a tree in the park, which I am not so proud of……. poor tree……….followed by the sobbing……….. I decide to get my act together and work out a plan…..and yes my hand suffered as well.... that tree was hard. First the massages and see what the damage was!!!!!…….. verdict, very tight ITB’s, hamstring and over training on speed work the tendon somewhere side/behind knee was going into spasms. Oh and guess what I needed to REST it ……don’t run….arhhhh ……

After some agonising massages …..…. and adopting a love/hate relationship with the exercise bike and deep water running……..all is coming good……….yeahhhhh ……….. And even more so yeahhhh for Col ….oh yes he has had to put up with all my carry on ….. But I do remember him saying “oh this is great I was born to tapper”… Oh Colin you are so funny…

Well bad luck buddy because I am back ………(hopefully fitter and stronger from the FORCED rest) Have testing out the injury on a couple of slow shorter runs and I am ready this weekend for a trail run ……… oh I am soooooooo happy……… BRING IT ON as my friend Mickey would say…  Happy training everyone ..........Sandy

P.S. Oh yes and thanks Lucy RB for all the great advice with my injury…

P.S.S. And Natalia, can't wait to be there and catch up but like you am panicing all at the same time...

There seems to be a lot of talk about food already which is good as it sure is something to test out. No matter what you plan to use just make sure you test it out would be my advice. The other thing to remember is whatever you bring is going to be squashed up in your backpack and unrefrigerated and there will be days you are just too tired to eat but guess what ????.....this is the time you really need to eat.

I learnt after completing Sahara that it was all about snacking small amounts all day long and sipping on fluids. Being a vegetarian the calorie side is a bit trickier, especially if you are trying to keep the weight down in your pack but it can be done just be creative. For you meat eaters you can get less weight and more calories a lot easier than us veggie people but by Gobi I had it a bit more sorted. My bonus is I am small so I need less calories but the down side of that was I had to get my backpack weight down a lot more than someone bigger….You really need to think about percentage extra you are carrying on your body with that pack strapped to your back. A 10kg pack to a 50kg person is 20% extra body weight and to an 80kg person is only 12.5%. For Sahara my pack was around 8kg and for Gobi I managed to get it down to under 7kg which made a huge difference. Oh it is so amazing what you can live without…….. quite liberating really.

Well here is what I eat just for a few more ideas for you to try. You also need to take into account how long you plan to be out on the course…. Umm I hear you all say… Yes lots to think about…

The difference between mine and Col’s is the amounts …..Other than that he just does what his told!!!!…….. Oh what a good man you are Col……….…. Hee hee hee…. Oh yes my bad sense of humour …..Apologies to all those that end up in a tent with me….. Oh well you might be too tired to care….  

Breakfast: 
Meal Replacement shake

Oat/Chia Seeds

Coffee Bag

Food on Course:
Sports Jelly Beans 
Protein Bar or Organic live food bar (both for long day)
Almonds & rice snacks (extra for long day)

Sesame snap

Power bar chews (long day)

Energy Meal shake have at middle checkpoint

Electrolyte tablets for Hydration

Arrive at Camp: 
Recovery Drink (then get organised in tent)

Then a Cup of soup & Potato chips

Dinner:
Dried Meal pack (I add mashed potato or Buckwheat noodles to my meal packs for day 3&4)

Green tea Bag

Before Bed 
Camomile tea bag

I would most of the time save my sesame snap from during the day and have with my cuppa at night…. Felt like a treat that way…..

Well there you have it a bit more info to take in good luck….. Happy training ….Sandy

....Oh yes and snap lock bags will become your best friend!! …..Plastic fantastic I call it!!

Time flies for sure…ohhh perhaps as the saying goes it’s because we are having fun….and I’d like to say in the sun but that is a bit scares at present as we are just coming out of our winter months. One thing is my body loves the sunshine and it makes the runs in the early hours of the morning before work even more worthwhile as you watch the sun come up and day breaking.

Well have just come back from Mum’s 80^th birthday party and no I still haven’t told her we are going to Chile. Oh yes it’s so funny .......but why put myself through months of stress of getting told all the reasons she can think of why it is all so bad for me when the fact is I love running and sometimes even I don’t understand that just that I do…. Why complicate things there is enough complications in life.

Getting pretty excited as I check documents book flights & accommodation and start organising all the gear and food again. Back to the spreadsheet which has been a great source of preparation. Oh yes and what we all end of talking about.... the backpack weight….. Ummmm……something I seem to get obsessed about. Must admit I wouldn’t change too much from what I took and ate in Gobi other than perhaps a warmer top for night wear as it seems it will be a lot cooler. Col and I changed so much from Sahara as it was well and truly a learning curve for us novices but that is what is so great about the experience you live and learn and if you don’t you are probably not going back for another attempt.

We will be arriving a few days early and hope to do a few sightseeing ventures or just wonder and take in the culture and give our bodies a bit of a chance to acclimatise. Anyone that is around and would like to venture out with us is most welcome.

Happy to say that Col and I are looking forward to catching up with old friends and also looking forward to making new friends. I am sure there will be plenty of stories to tell......

I think it is time to do a bit of a look at desert songs for my shuffle….so so saved me on that long stage…… and check out the spreadsheet Col has for all our training…… and when I get on the plane heading for Chile (injury free I hope)I will say what I always say “have I done enough” …….

Happy training everyone… Sandy

Ultra madness...ummmm....…. well I didn’t think so but clearly others do when you mention what you are about to embark on….. I am sure you have all heard it before “you are doing what” when you mention a 250km desert race oh yes and let’s not forget carrying the backpack. The fact that Col and I have now completed the Sahara and the Gobi makes it even funnier as now we get why would you go back and do another…. And as for my lovely Mother she told me the other day you are not to do any more it isn’t good for you….. oh I am so in trouble already as yes Col and I have signed up to do our third desert the Atacama…..and you know what…. I can’t wait. ….my biggest issue at present is telling my Mum….. I have a plan don’t tell her till I am about to get on the plane….pathetic I know I am more scared of my 80year old mother than anything else…. Gosh I am glad Mum hasn’t worked out how to read these blogs I think I am safe at the moment.

What brings us back………….. arhhh that is without doubt the wonderful people you meet, the challengers you face, the beauty and solitude of the deserts and the opportunity to visit places and cultures I never would have otherwise.  It is such an emotional journey of highs and lows which we share with many others, unknown to us at the start of the event but best of friends by the end…… that is what brings us back …. More than that you will need to experience yourself……

So happy training everyone………….Oh yes and we received our invitation to do Antarctica next year ….ummmm…..there is only one more question to answer…… do we dare on not….. I think you probable all know the answer to that one……… cheers Sandy