http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk en-gb chrisgwilliams.co.uk 2008-6-29T00:00:00Z chrisgwilliams.co.uk http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#26252 Got up 07.00 and finished packing my bags. The group has a rest day today and will continue to practice rope work abseiling and scrambling in the valley. Met up with them all at breakfast. Matt JG came down at 08.25 to take me to the airport. Said all my goodbyes and wished them all success for the rest of the week especially those that were going onto Mt Blanc on Saturday. All I wanted to do was get back home get rid of this infuriating infection re plan the schedule and start training for the next trip.The weather in Arolla was still fine amp in the mid 20s c although the forecast is still saying afternoon thunderstorms at any time. The flight home was uneventful arrived back in the UK bang on time Mag was there to meet me and take me home. The sooner I can draw a line under this trip the better. This is my final blog on this particualr stage of the challenge. I would just like to offer my sincere apologies to all those who were expecting me to complete this stage and those that... 2008-6-27T00:00:00Z http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#26132 Arose this morning around 7.00am after another nights fairly restless sleep. The foot is still very painfull swollen and red. After much cursing I managed to get a trekking boot on but am unable to tie it up. As dinner breakfast was a solitary affair. The guys by now should be well on the way to the summit of Pointe de Vouassan. I hope they all make it safely. Matt JG picked me up at 10.15 for the Drs appointment.The Dr. was a bit a character his name was Dr. Eggs I was half expecting to see a diploma on the wall from the IV Fertilisation Clinic What was more amusing was that he had a huge black eye I think some cosmetic surgery had taken place recently. I was given 2 x rays and a blood test. This was carried out by the receptionist Talk about multi tasking The results confirmed an infection and the diagnosis was cellulitis brought about by possibly an old blister which had opened up again. A prescription of anti biotics extremely large pain killers and cortisone cream was given ... 2008-6-25T00:00:00Z http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#26079 After a restless night I awoke around 05.30. My foot was exactly the same as the night before. Any pressure brought to bear on it or touching it made it very painful. I fear this is the end of my course amp the Mt Blanc summit bid. Caroline came up after breakfast and we had a brief discussion about the way forward. It was decided I could not go anywhere today amp we should evaluate the situation later and if necessary seek some medical advice. Monica hotel owner aka Sybil supplied me with a cold compression and some pommade a lArnica. There are 2 doctors on the course Sarah amp Rowland who examined the foot suggested it maybe cellulitis. The guys set of to Aigulle de Rouges Hut while I sat on the terrace foot elevated swathed in Monicas compress. An hour later Matt JG Operations Manager arrived amp confirmed my worst fears. There was o way I could continue to Chamonix and attempt the summit on Mt. Blanc........the trip is finished We arranged to meet back up on Tuesday and deci... 2008-6-24T00:00:00Z http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#26041 Dinner last night was ok. We had a menu of pea soup smoked salmon tarlet beef potatoes amp carrots followed by chocolate moose washed down with a glass of local vino rouge... all very civilised We have now all met each other and in total there are 11 including me on the course with 4 of us continuing to Chamonix at the end of the week to attempt a summit on Mont Blanc. 1 member of the team dropped out for personal reasons hence not 12 of us as originally planned.They are seem a nice bunch with an eclectic variety of ages backgrounds amp experience.The course director Caroline Ogden seems very friendly and laid back. She hails from North Wales but has spent most of her life in New Zealand and possesses the accent to go with it She obviously has a wealth of expertise infact she is leading an expedition later this year to Himalaya and going up Ama Dablam. We set off this morning at around 0900 Ecole du Glace to learn our crampon ice axe techniques. It was introduced to us as a gentle w... 2008-6-23T00:00:00Z http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#25904 Arrived at Terminal 5 Heathrow to catch the 0630 flight to Geneva. Boarded on time but the time of take off was delayed for over 20 minutes. The weather in the UK was foul wet and windy and my Terminal 5 experience was noneventful. The plane was only half full and finally took off at 0650. Breakfast on the flight was a cold bacon and egg roll half a cup of fairly strong coffee and a cup of water Mmmmm not Flight data Ground speed 499 mph Altitude 31000 feet arriving in Geneva at 0905 local time. I boarded the Swiss train at 1027 local time to Sion to change for the bus connection to Arolla. The journey took us round Lake Geneva through Lausanne Montreaux and finally Sion. Unlike the UK system it ran exactly on time and was very clean. Arrived in Sion then had a 2 minute walk to catch the bus for Arolla. Reached Arolla which stands at 2000 metres above sea level. Checked into the Hotel Mont Callon and met up with another recruit called Jez who actually lives in Twickenham and works... 2008-6-21T00:00:00Z http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#25595 Just started packing my bag. Equipment check is now completed. Today finalised my public transport transfer from Geneva to Arolla. The weather in Switzerland still remains unsettled... hope that is not an omen I have had some great messages of support and good wishes... so thank you all it is hugely appreciated. I should receive the satellite phone mid week but they have already given me the number. Evidently I will be able to receive and send email messages max of 160 words so I will be able to update anyone who is interested of the progress we make. It also means if I have your email address I will be to send a personal email to you the minute we summit. If you would like to recieve a personal message from The Roof Of Western Europe then please email me your address to mailchrisgwilliams.co.uk before Friday 20th June 2008. You will receive an email back stating how you can send a message to me whilst out there. As soon as I summit which should be either Monday 1st or Tueday 2n... 2008-6-15T00:00:00Z http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#25271 Well..... it is now just about 2 weeks before I depart on the second stage of my Ultimate Goal. The equipment has all been bought and tried out batteries are being charged as we speak training is continuing so all in all everything is as ready as it will be. The weather over there in Switzerland at the moment is changeable to say the least but hopefully by the time we arrive it will have settled down a little. I was asked the other day if I had any fears about the trip. All I can say is I feel various emotions at the moment.... excitement trepidation focused and determined. My motivation has always been and will continue to be to raise the awareness and hopefully substantial funds for my chosen charity Leukaemia Busters without whose work amp research I would not be here and be able to embark on this adventure. I was one of the fortunate ones who was given a second chance at life and everyone who is given that additional chance should embrace it and in some small way show others th... 2008-6-8T00:00:00Z http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#20599 Dear Friend The last two years have been a period of major rebuilding for Leukaemia Busters.Decisions were taken in 2005 to set about a full refurbishment and reequipment of our Simon Flavell Research Laboratory in the School of Medicine at Southampton General Hospital and to embark on a significant collaborative research project with specialist scientific institutions in Italy. Both these projects are now nearing completion with exciting scientific progress emerging from the collaboration which is fuelling a major new research programme in our laboratories all under the direction of our Scientific Directors Drs David amp Bee Flavell. As a result of discoveries made we are looking to engage in further international collaborations in pursuit of our vision of a world in which leukaemia is safely quickly and completely cured for all patients. To support our vision and our future research we are planning a major relaunch of the charity in April 2008 to help secure the funding required to... 2008-2-27T00:00:00Z http://www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk/page20.htm#17947 Hi All Well we are nearly into a New Year. Along with it comes new challenges. In late May 2008 I will be off to the Lake District on the next stage of my Ultimate Goal. I will there for 10 days training in mountain equipment and techniques for the preparation of our trip to Chamonix. This follows on directly after the training. We will be spending 6 days on Mont Blanc where it is anticipated we will spend 3 days ascending the mountain and top out during the first second week of June 2008. Fitness training will start in earnest again on 2nd January under the guidance of my buddy and Personal Trainer Gareth. I will regualrly up date the blog with news views and progress reports on training but more importantly how the fundraising going. Please leave your postings on here or email me on mailchrisgwilliams.co.uk Your comments are really appreciated and serve as a great motivator as I continue on my quest. While you are here please take a tour of the site and give me your feedbac... 2007-12-30T00:00:00Z