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Firstly i just want to thank you all for all the lovely messages and well wishes I received today. You have no idea what it means to me. I’ve been thinking about them all day and feel very blessed to have such wonderful people joining me on my adventure. Because of you, instead of being worried today I was immensely happy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. x

Secondly..yikes! What a day. I arrived at the public hospital at 7am and went to the place where I thought I was meant to go. I sat there for 30 minutes and there was not a soul in sight.

The nurse

I saw what I thought was a nurse folding bandages in a little room off the main corridor (see pic) so I went up to her and told her why I was there and gave her a quick run down of my medical history in my bad Spanish with a few arm movements just for good measure. I basically wanted to know if I was in the right place. She was looking at me really strangely and it was only when I looked down and saw that the bandages she was folding were actually pieces of toilet paper I realised I was in fact talking to the toilet attendant. (Banos is Spanish for toilet. I clearly missed that sign when walking in). Not a good start to my day.

I eventually found out where I needed to be thanks to a lovely receptionist called Sylvia. I then sat on the floor in the corridor for 5 hours waiting to the see the doctor. When I eventually saw the doctor he kindly informed me that if I wanted the results this year I should go private.

Hospital floor

So I ran to Starbucks and downed a hot chocolate and a cinnamon roll (treat) and scrolled the Internet for other hospitals. I tried calling he British hospital but there was no one who spoke English…. Maybe they should have a rethink on their name!:)

Starbucks hot chocolate

I couldn’t find any other hospitals but then I met a lovely local girl who told me there was a German hospital down the street.

Long the live the Germans! I ran over there and paid $35 and was seen in 30 mins. The nurse looked very optimistic about the results when holding my blood! Results will be ready on Friday!

Bood tests in!

Fingers and toes crossed X

Tomorrow is my 6 month check up at the hospital. The last time I had my blood checked I was in San Jose in Costa Rica back in September. When I receive my amazing results this time round it will be three and half years since I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I always tell people how confident I am that the results will be good ones but every six months my sleeping gets worse and I experience thoughts that maybe cancer and I aren’t quite finished with each other yet.

Right now I feel like a machine. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, I’m outside everyday, I’m doing pretty much everything I’ve ever wanted in life and yet there is still a little part of me that thinks negatively. I often wonder if most people who have been ill feel like this before they go for their check ups.

To help me with this feeling of dread when I go for my check ups I often treated myself to something I love. This treat used to be in the form of a CD from the record shop next to my hospital on Tottenham court road in London. I used to love walking around the record shop looking at all the amazing music and deciding which one I was going to buy.

Of course digital downloads took over so now my treat when I go the hospital is having a cup of hot chocolate.

These things are only small but they made me feel really good and happy.

I’m a big believer in nutrition and eating healthy but I also believe in everything in moderation. I eat healthily more than I eat rubbish but now again I fancy something really cheeky and the way it makes me feel can surely only be good for me…can’t it? 🙂

The moral of the story is that everyone should treat themselves every now and again, especially when you’re feeling down. You deserve it!

I did a little reconnaissance mission today to find out where the hospital in Buenos Aries is and it just so happens that there is a Starbucks across the road! Life is good! 🙂

(This pic was taken when I was in Ecuador and I shared this I promise :))

Greig's Starbucks Treat

Summary of Day 2 from Billy

After yesterdy’s epic Saharan baptism a mixture of fear & excitement was in the bones for today’s 41kms.The tank felt worryingly empty to begin but once ihad got thru the early wobble we settled into a rhythm and made good pace throughout what was another very fiery day in the desert – we are told it nudged 50 today,suffice to say 9litres and 20 salt tabs later & i still dontneed the toilet.Tim & I ran together again and once againit was joyous tohave company to pick you up and drive you on- moods and fatigue come in fiersome tides but we got each other through it and left nothing out there.Yet gain scenery from the movies and dunes to die for,but not ideal to run up.The Sahara Shuffle was the order of the day & is now our way of moving. xx

News from Barry

He is going well, feeling strong and not feeling his injuries His brief note sounded so happy. He thanks you all for your messages, donations and amazing support and says he couldn’t do it without you!

Tomorrow is Day 3 which is ~40kms again. When he completes it, he will go back to his tent, scratch together his food, and think about the day ahead.The dreaded day 4. A DOUBLE MARATHON. This is when he will need you messages of encouragement.

If you want to send him a mail, it’s mega easy. Apparently a volunteer prints them out and takes them to his tent. – (Well that is what we hope)!

Click on: http://www.darbaroud.com/en/live/write-to-a-competitor.html

  1. Find his race number: 831
  2. Put his name and tent number in subject box: Barry Trout. Tent 107
  3. Write message and send

Sponsor the boys

If you would like to sponsor the boys please go to:
http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/desdurham

As my big brother runs across the desert in the MDS I’ve been getting to know the amazing Buenos Aires. I only came here to take some Tango lessons but I’m now totally in love with the place. Lovely friendly people, Tango nights, an old theatre turned into a bookshop and a cemetery that looks more like a posh housing estate.

The Recoleta Cemetery is like its own mini city where Argentina’s elite are laid to rest in beautiful marble graves. This is where Evita also rests.

Little boy lost

At Sundays market I was walking along I heard a group of people doing a slow clap. When I got closer I saw a police officer holding a child with people standing around him. It turns out that the little boy had lost his parents and this was the way they helped find them for him. They walked down the street and as they did everyone would start clapping. I hope they found them.

Tango Nights

I went to my first Milonga last night which is a Tango dance hall with an amazing live orchestra. If you come to Buenos Aries this is a must see. I absolutely loved it. It had everything that I love, dancing, singing, live music.

Tango Nights

That’s me cutting a rug with my dance teacher Lucia who is very very patient! 🙂

As for the Tango lessons, I’m loving them but Frankenstein seems to have taken over my body! I need to get him out. I’m not sure shorts are exactly tango etiquette either. The video for that one should be interesting! 🙂 x

Whilst I prance around Buenos Aries trying to learn something that vaguely resembles the Tango, my amazing big brother (the one in the middle) today started the ‘toughest foot race on the planet’!

The Marathon des Sables is a 6 day, 240km foot race across the Sahara desert. My brother and our good friends Tim Lennox (left) and Billy (Christopher) Gammon (right) are running to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and Rainforest concern. Both are wonderful causes and ones which are close to our hearts and major problems for the future of the world.

Whilst they use all their energy and will power to achieve this remarkable feat they will also be raising the flag for 101 Things To Do When You Survive and spreading it’s message of hope.

This is what the week of hell looks like for them:

  • Sunday, April 6th 2014 – 30km
  • Monday, April 7th 2014 – 35km
  • Tuesday, April 8th 2014 – 40km
  • Wednesday, April 9th 2014 – 82km (surely this is some kind of joke!)
  • Thursday, April 10th 2014 – rest
  • Friday, April 11th 2014 – 42km
  • Saturday, April 12th 2014 – 21km

I have asked you guys for a lot of money recently with my head shave for the Leukaemia Foundation so I totally understand if you are unable to sponsor the boys. Something that would mean the world to my brother is if you could send him a message of support. Your emails have inspired me to keep going on my journey around the world. I still find myself getting sad and worried out here but when I read your emails and messages they fill me with confidence, energy and hope.

The race organisers have arranged an email system where they print out emails and leave them in their tents for the competitors to read after a days running. It would mean the world to my brother if you wanted to write a short message of support. I often forward him the emails you send me to read and it fills him with joy.

If you would like to write to my brother go the attached link and follow these steps:

Go to:
http://www.darbaroud.com/en/live/write-to-a-competitor.html

  1. Find his race number: 831
  2. Put his name and tent number in subject box: Barry Trout. Tent 107
  3. Write message and send

Christopher Gammon’s race number is 613

Tim Lennox race number is: 696

If you would like to sponsor the boys please go to:
http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/desdurham

Much love and luck to the lads and whatever happens please make sure you all come back safe.

X

Race across the Sahara

The good news is I’ve arrived in the amazing city of Buenos Aries in Argentina. I’ve come here with one thing on my mind…to learn the Tango!

I’ve made no secret of the fact my favourite TV show in the world is Strictly Come Dancing (or Dancing with the stars as it’s known everywhere else). Much to the amusement of my pals.
I love this show as I can’t dance to save my life so I just sit looking at the TV mesmerised by what these guys can do. I’ve always wanted to learn to dance like they do.

I feel it’s now time to unleash the dancer within and show these pros how it’s really done! This could well be my greatest challenge yet!:)

Tango in Argentina

The bad news is my good pal Ryan flew back to the UK after an incredible 10 weeks travelling with me around Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. He’s now off home to continue being the worlds greatest Crime Scene Investigator (he hates it when I say that). People of London sleep easy, the saviour is back at work on Monday. Criminals watch out! 🙂 Thanks for an amazing time amigo.

X

Well, I’ve left the beautiful Patagonia and headed north (on one 29 hour bus ride and then a 16 hour bus ride) up to a place called Mendoza in Argentina.

Patagonia to Mendoza

I’ve been looking forward to coming here for ages as it’s wine country and I’m a big fan of my red wine. I don’t drink much anymore so my idea of a crazy night out these days is a nice meal with a cheeky glass (or a bottle if I’m feeling really crazy) of red wine!

The truth is I haven’t got a clue about wine except that I quite like it. When looking at a wine menu I mostly ignore all of the names and types and focus entirely on the price!:). So tomorrow, I’m off on a wine tour with a company called, believe it or not…’Trout and Wine‘ to learn about wine…and taste a wee bit in the process! 😉

Trout and Wine

When I booked it I asked if I could get a discount for having the same name and the guy gave me a free bottle of wine! For years people have laughed at my name but I bet there not laughing anymore. Instead of laughs, I now get wine! 🙂 x

Mother’s Day is many things for many different people. I have friends who have lost their mum’s to cancer and when this day comes around I often think of them and how they must be feeling. This post goes out to all those who have lost their mums to this horrible disease. Thinking of you all on this day and sending you lots of love.

This is a picture of me and my wonderful mum the day before I went in for my operation in 2010. I wasn’t sure how I was going to look after this day so I wanted a recent picture of me and my family looking healthy and happy. I owe my mum and dad everything that I have in my life and I feel eternally grateful to still have them with me in life.

Greig and his mum

It was my mum telling me everything would be ok that helped me get through my cancer as a child. She sat by my bed stroking my back and holding my sick bowl as I had what seemed like endless amounts of chemo, slept at the hospital and gave up work to look after me. She’s without doubt my best friend in the world and I wouldn’t be here without her.

Happy Mother’s Day mum and thank you for more than you will ever know.

I hope all you mums are having a wonderful day and being spoilt rotten.
X

I’ve just got back from a 6 day hike to what I can only describe as one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been to. The Torres del Paine National Park is in Southern Patagonia in Chile is considered to be South America’s best National Parks. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before now.

This was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever done. For 6 six days my pal Ryan and I camped and trekked in the most diverse weather conditions I ever experienced. We trekked up to 14km a day in sunshine, rain, snow, 100km winds and slept in freezing cold conditions. Four seasons in 6 days.

As ever in these pictures I am smiling and looking like I’m having the most fabulous time but the truth is that I was cold, exhausted and my leg hurt like hell. Within an hour of starting the trek (called the ‘W’ trek) I had to offload most of the food I was carrying to Ryan as I couldn’t even walk on the flats let alone up the hills. At night it was so cold I couldn’t sleep and whilst walking the following day I would dream of a bed, a hot shower and a big comfy couch to collapse on!

I think by looking at these pictures you would agree that this was worth every second of those tough times. I saw glaciers, waterfalls, huge towering mountains, snow covered forests, green coloured lakes and landscapes that make you wonder if you are actually awake or in a beautiful dream.

I don’t say this very often but I’m very proud of myself to have completed this trek. I am now into my 4th year of remission for bowel cancer and I have a blood clot which makes walking difficult but I did it!
If you’ve had treatment or an operation and feel like you will never your strength back, please please please believe me…. you will! No doubt about it. I felt exactly the same only two years ago and now I’ve just done this trek. You will be doing things like this soon, I promise you.

A massive thank you to Ryan for carrying the heavy stuff and taking some wonderful photos.

A new addition to my list and one I’m so grateful to have discovered. X

The last week or so has mainly involved trying to get to Southern Patagonia. As spring approaches back home in the UK winter is on its way down here so I wanted to get here before it really kicks in.

My pal Ryan and I jumped on 36 hour ferry from a place called Puerto Montt in Chile (where we spent a couple of nights in a national park called Cochamo which had the most amazing mountains and waterfall) down to a place called Puerto Chacabuco. We we’re told we would be in a dormitory but to our surprise we got our own private en-suite room which was the best news ever!

I’ve been feeling really tired recently and think I may have overdone it with the volcano climb so it was lovely to have an excuse to do absolutely nothing but read my book ( A Game of Thrones! It’s really good!). I slept, ate, read and slept a whole lot more! It was bliss and I felt back to my best afterwards so all good.

After we got off the ferry we were taken to a woman’s house in Puerto Aysen by the bus driver where I shared a room with a French couple. It’s a very strange thing sleeping next to a couple you’ve never met before but they were the loveliest people who didn’t snore….much!:) They were heading the same way as us so we all got another bus to Coyhaique where we had 4 hours to wait for another bus. During that time I quickly got my head shaved and then jumped on another bus to place called Rio Ibanez where we all had to wait another day for another ferry across Lake General Carrera to Chile Chico.

A one hour bus ride to Los Antiguos and we were finally in Southern Argentina. A nights stay in a hostel this time sharing a room with the French couple and Ryan (things are starting to get weird now!:)) and then a 16 hour bus journey to where I am now, El Calafate….The capital of Patagonia!

Tomorrow I’m off to see one of my childhood dreams….The Perito Morino Glacier! A massive glacier which I’ve seen in geography books all my life. I’m ridiculously excited!
On Sunday we head back into Chile for a five day hike in what is widely considered to be the most beautiful National Park in South America. I reckon that’s where I’m going to make my money back on my new hiking boots!:)x

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