From Sipadan it was back to Manila and on to Cebu - an island in the middle of the Philippine cluster. While I'm here I'd decided to dive at both Malapascua and Apo Island - both sites recommended to me by two guys who I did Mount Kinabalu with - Maia and Caspar.
So far I've been up to Malapascua .... and what an adventure!
From Cebu City it was 4 and a half hours by local bus, crammed full of locals and their chickens, up to the coastal town of Maya. I then had to get one of the rickettiest boats I have ever seen across the sea to the island.
It was brilliant! The response of locals who caught my eye through the paneless bus window suggested they dont see many single female white travelers, and I loved feeling like I was seeing the real country, and the way that locals travel through it.
Malapascua has been pretty badly hit by the recent typhoon, however the island was still gorgeous.
I did a night dive last night - which was fantastic! I felt like James Bond!!! scuba-diving by torch light!- and then on just 4 hrs sleep I was up at 4 to go diving with thresher sharks, Malapascua's speciality. I had just about enough time for another morning dive before taking a boat back across to Maia and repeating my journey in reverse.
It's a shame I didnt get to stay longer, however I want to squeeze Apo Island and Dumuguete in before my flight home next week, and so far I'm doing pretty well at optimising my time - on Tuesday I flew from Tawau to KK to Manila to Cebu, then it was straight up to Malapascua and back, and tomorrow I'm heading off down south to Apo Island :)
If you're looking for off the beaten track adventure, and a spot of diving on remote islands, then the Philippines is definitely the place :)
Charly xxx
Thursday, 17 July 2008
CC goes scuba!
A few months ago when I was in Borneo I happened to get chatting to the girl next to me on my flight from KK to KL (Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu).
Her name was Jen, she was English, and she lived in Borneo with her Scottish fiance, who ran a dive company in Semporna.
During the course of the flight I told her about Challenge Charly, and she suggested I dive at Sipadan as one of my challenges.
And that is exactly what I've just done!!
Sipadan is famed as Borneo's best dive site, and the 3rd best dive site in the world according some Malaysian water bottles!!
It was fantastic. I'm technically in the Philippines this trip, making my final Masters documentary on free press and the murder of journalists in the Philippines ( a topic which unfortunately didnt lend itself to video making, so that didnt turn out to be a challenge in itself). However, it is 'relatively' easy to fly across from Manila to KK.
I saw relatively because it turns out that Clark 'Manila' airport, where all the cheap flights to Borneo fly from, is actually nowhere near Manila! I spent more money on my two 3 hour taxi journeys to and from the airport than I did on the flights themselves.
However, despite this aggravation, and some interesting time keeping as a result of the 3 hr journey, I managed to get to Semporna, the nearest town to Sipadan, fairly seemlessly.
Over the course of my 3 days diving there I completed my PADI advanced open water, dived on the islands of Mabul and Sibuan, and then did 3 awesome dives at Sipadan, seeking heaps and heaps of white tip sharks and turtles.
I would definitely recommend Sipadan for diving enthusiasts, and Scuba Junkie, the company Jen had recommended, were brilliant.
Her name was Jen, she was English, and she lived in Borneo with her Scottish fiance, who ran a dive company in Semporna.
During the course of the flight I told her about Challenge Charly, and she suggested I dive at Sipadan as one of my challenges.
And that is exactly what I've just done!!
Sipadan is famed as Borneo's best dive site, and the 3rd best dive site in the world according some Malaysian water bottles!!
It was fantastic. I'm technically in the Philippines this trip, making my final Masters documentary on free press and the murder of journalists in the Philippines ( a topic which unfortunately didnt lend itself to video making, so that didnt turn out to be a challenge in itself). However, it is 'relatively' easy to fly across from Manila to KK.
I saw relatively because it turns out that Clark 'Manila' airport, where all the cheap flights to Borneo fly from, is actually nowhere near Manila! I spent more money on my two 3 hour taxi journeys to and from the airport than I did on the flights themselves.
However, despite this aggravation, and some interesting time keeping as a result of the 3 hr journey, I managed to get to Semporna, the nearest town to Sipadan, fairly seemlessly.
Over the course of my 3 days diving there I completed my PADI advanced open water, dived on the islands of Mabul and Sibuan, and then did 3 awesome dives at Sipadan, seeking heaps and heaps of white tip sharks and turtles.
I would definitely recommend Sipadan for diving enthusiasts, and Scuba Junkie, the company Jen had recommended, were brilliant.
Friday, 27 June 2008
Bushed but Inspired!
So it's been a pretty busy week! Just back from the Lake District, and I'm knackered! I think I've driven about 1500 miles in the last 5 days!
The Bushcraft course was pretty good fun, though I'd have preferred to focus a bit more on the survival side of things than the crafty side of things. My hand is all blistered and cut from whittling! Don't think wielding a knife is quite my forte, though I did really enjoy learning all about fire, water, shelters, and gathering and preparing food.
I have taken something really positive from the course, and from Saturday's beginner adventure race though ... I think I may have found my future calling! Adventure Racing looks amazing and combines all my loves - travel, the outdoors, fitness and thrill seeking! One of the guys on the bushcraft course was amazing - he had done 6 Iron Man triathlons and was now doing Adventure Races and Triathlons around the world - he's just come back from an Escape from Alcatraz triathlon - how amazing is that??!!
SO inspired :)
As soon as I get back from all my travels, I definitely want to start properly training for adventure racing!! Hopefully by then CC will have been commissioned, and I could do the adventure races around the world as part of the series!!
Big plans, but then I guess that's what Challenge Charly is all about - thinking big, and not worrying about physical constraints, you can do anything you put your mind to!
Charly xxx
The Bushcraft course was pretty good fun, though I'd have preferred to focus a bit more on the survival side of things than the crafty side of things. My hand is all blistered and cut from whittling! Don't think wielding a knife is quite my forte, though I did really enjoy learning all about fire, water, shelters, and gathering and preparing food.
I have taken something really positive from the course, and from Saturday's beginner adventure race though ... I think I may have found my future calling! Adventure Racing looks amazing and combines all my loves - travel, the outdoors, fitness and thrill seeking! One of the guys on the bushcraft course was amazing - he had done 6 Iron Man triathlons and was now doing Adventure Races and Triathlons around the world - he's just come back from an Escape from Alcatraz triathlon - how amazing is that??!!
SO inspired :)
As soon as I get back from all my travels, I definitely want to start properly training for adventure racing!! Hopefully by then CC will have been commissioned, and I could do the adventure races around the world as part of the series!!
Big plans, but then I guess that's what Challenge Charly is all about - thinking big, and not worrying about physical constraints, you can do anything you put your mind to!
Charly xxx
Sunday, 22 June 2008
2 down, 1 to go!
So ... my manic weekend is almost over!
It took just over 4 hrs to drive down to Salcombe yesterday (and then another 4 back at 11pm last night, in the fog!) but it was more than worth it.
The Pirate Rampage - an adventure race run by the company Endurance Life was absolutely brilliant.
We had to wade into the estuary to get to checkpoints, climb up steep hills, negotiate balance beams, and kayak across the harbour. The big finale was swimming 50 of the longest metres of my life across the freezing windy estuary and clambering up nets onto an authentic pirate ship moored in the centre!
Brilliant fun! I haven't felt like such a big kid in ages!
Then on just four hours sleep it was off to Kempton Park, another hour's drive, to run 10k chasing men in banana outfits. I have to admit I took it a tad easy! but me and Amy had a great time, and we got to keep out fluro yellow t-shirts - trust me you can't wait for that video!!
Anyway, best get off - 5 hrs of driving up to the Lake District ahead of me this evening! I'm doing a Bushcraft Course all week.
Videos from ice climbing and flying have just been uploaded, and I shall sort out the videos from this weekend as soon as I get back from the Lakes
Charly xxx
It took just over 4 hrs to drive down to Salcombe yesterday (and then another 4 back at 11pm last night, in the fog!) but it was more than worth it.
The Pirate Rampage - an adventure race run by the company Endurance Life was absolutely brilliant.
We had to wade into the estuary to get to checkpoints, climb up steep hills, negotiate balance beams, and kayak across the harbour. The big finale was swimming 50 of the longest metres of my life across the freezing windy estuary and clambering up nets onto an authentic pirate ship moored in the centre!
Brilliant fun! I haven't felt like such a big kid in ages!
Then on just four hours sleep it was off to Kempton Park, another hour's drive, to run 10k chasing men in banana outfits. I have to admit I took it a tad easy! but me and Amy had a great time, and we got to keep out fluro yellow t-shirts - trust me you can't wait for that video!!
Anyway, best get off - 5 hrs of driving up to the Lake District ahead of me this evening! I'm doing a Bushcraft Course all week.
Videos from ice climbing and flying have just been uploaded, and I shall sort out the videos from this weekend as soon as I get back from the Lakes
Charly xxx
Friday, 20 June 2008
Challenge Lulu!
So ... this week I'm not sure who is facing the bigger challenge, me or my old school Mini Cooper Sport, Lulu!
Tomorrow's challenge - the Pirate Rampage, takes place in Salcombe - a 4 and a half hour drive from Reading, where I'm based.
Then it's back late tomorrow night, only to have to drive to Kempton Park, Middlesex first thing on Sunday morning for the Leukemia Research Bananaman Chase, and then that evening I'm driving to Windemere to do a Bushcraft Course in the Lake District - at least another 4 and a half hours driving.
Unfortunately both these distant challenges are in places which are really difficult to access with the train, so it looks like Lulu will have to suck it up and face the challenge!
As for me, not sure how sprightly I'll be doing the 10k on Sunday! It's been a pretty manic week - not just with the three challenges I've already done since last Sunday (London to Brighton, ice-climbing and flying) but I also managed to squeeze in the Cambridge vs Oxford cricket Varsity Match at Lord's and the May Ball back at my old Cambridge college (essentially 9 hours straight of drinking!), so I'm a tad delicate already to say the least.
Plus, the Pirate Rampage finishes tomorrow night at 10pm, so after a 5 hour drive home I should get about 5 hours sleep before I'm up again and having to drive to Middlesex for the run ... delightful!
Remind me again why I do these things ;)
Charly xxx
Tomorrow's challenge - the Pirate Rampage, takes place in Salcombe - a 4 and a half hour drive from Reading, where I'm based.
Then it's back late tomorrow night, only to have to drive to Kempton Park, Middlesex first thing on Sunday morning for the Leukemia Research Bananaman Chase, and then that evening I'm driving to Windemere to do a Bushcraft Course in the Lake District - at least another 4 and a half hours driving.
Unfortunately both these distant challenges are in places which are really difficult to access with the train, so it looks like Lulu will have to suck it up and face the challenge!
As for me, not sure how sprightly I'll be doing the 10k on Sunday! It's been a pretty manic week - not just with the three challenges I've already done since last Sunday (London to Brighton, ice-climbing and flying) but I also managed to squeeze in the Cambridge vs Oxford cricket Varsity Match at Lord's and the May Ball back at my old Cambridge college (essentially 9 hours straight of drinking!), so I'm a tad delicate already to say the least.
Plus, the Pirate Rampage finishes tomorrow night at 10pm, so after a 5 hour drive home I should get about 5 hours sleep before I'm up again and having to drive to Middlesex for the run ... delightful!
Remind me again why I do these things ;)
Charly xxx
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
I Can Fly!
Just back from my first flying lesson and it was BRILLIANT! Though actually a tad tame ... when I saw the size of the aircraft I was really worried it would be a bit scary being so high up, and yet when you actually do get up, the world is just like a toy village!
Really enjoyed rolling and banking to turn, though because it was technically a private pilot trial session I wasn't allowed to do anything too extreme!
I did, however, manage to convince the pilot to go at 60 degrees and create a centro-fugal force :)
Really keen to try aerial acrobatics next - they even have cameras built-in to the plane so you can get footage of the view over the pilot's shoulder, AND at the same time there's a camera filming your face as you fly upside-down, round and round and do other crazy stunts!
Can't wait :)
Charly xx
Really enjoyed rolling and banking to turn, though because it was technically a private pilot trial session I wasn't allowed to do anything too extreme!
I did, however, manage to convince the pilot to go at 60 degrees and create a centro-fugal force :)
Really keen to try aerial acrobatics next - they even have cameras built-in to the plane so you can get footage of the view over the pilot's shoulder, AND at the same time there's a camera filming your face as you fly upside-down, round and round and do other crazy stunts!
Can't wait :)
Charly xx
Ice Climbing
Yesterday I headed to Covent Garden to ice climb on the indoor wall there.
What a crazy sport! I can't believe how physical it is - you really have to put in some effort to get the axes and crampons in, and then it takes some getting used to trusting them to then support you as you climb up.
Thank god the helmets have visors, coz I just completely covered myself in ice chips, and chipped away half the climbing wall trying to get my axes in.
I think I got about a metre above the ground the entire session! But it was definitely good fun.
The footage should be amusing, mainly because the guy who was filming me decided to tip the camera up 90 degrees like you would if you were taking a long still photo! So on all the climbing footage I just look like I'm lying across the screen!!
Oh dear :)
What a crazy sport! I can't believe how physical it is - you really have to put in some effort to get the axes and crampons in, and then it takes some getting used to trusting them to then support you as you climb up.
Thank god the helmets have visors, coz I just completely covered myself in ice chips, and chipped away half the climbing wall trying to get my axes in.
I think I got about a metre above the ground the entire session! But it was definitely good fun.
The footage should be amusing, mainly because the guy who was filming me decided to tip the camera up 90 degrees like you would if you were taking a long still photo! So on all the climbing footage I just look like I'm lying across the screen!!
Oh dear :)
London to Brighton Cycle Ride
The video is up!
But for those of you who haven't watched it yet, I did make it!
To be honest the distance wasn't all that strenuous (I walked almost as far in March), the main issues were just the hills (which were a nightmare, particularly the Beacon 50 miles in!) and the other cyclists.
There were FAR too many cyclists on very narrow roads at times, and people just weren't cycling safely. I can't believe how many people I saw not even wearing helmets.
The race also wasn't that well organised. Unlike a marathon you had to pay for any refreshments on the way round, and our medals are positively tacky. Whilst obviously it's run for charity, the BHF underlines that the £30 entry fee is purely for organisational costs, which was surprising considering how little we received, and the fact 27,000 people were paying £30 each.
Ah well ... another challenge down!
Definitely my most spontaneous one too! I literally agreed to do the race 2 weeks ago, so truly in the spirit of Challenge Charly! And I hadn't even cycled my bike in the last 6 months! (which became quite evident, first when we realised the front wheel was on wrong! and then when I realised it was flat!!)
Am keen to do more cycling challenges though ... am thinking of doing 100 miles next.
At the mo my bike is still in Brighton because we weren't allowed to take them back on the train the day of the race, and my mini boot is TINY! So I've been toying with the idea of cycling from Brighton to Bournemouth, which is roughly 100 miles ... though after Sunday I'd try to find the flattest route possible!
Guess I'll need to sort out my hill cycling if I'm really going to do Land's End to John O'Groats in November :)
Charly xxx
But for those of you who haven't watched it yet, I did make it!
To be honest the distance wasn't all that strenuous (I walked almost as far in March), the main issues were just the hills (which were a nightmare, particularly the Beacon 50 miles in!) and the other cyclists.
There were FAR too many cyclists on very narrow roads at times, and people just weren't cycling safely. I can't believe how many people I saw not even wearing helmets.
The race also wasn't that well organised. Unlike a marathon you had to pay for any refreshments on the way round, and our medals are positively tacky. Whilst obviously it's run for charity, the BHF underlines that the £30 entry fee is purely for organisational costs, which was surprising considering how little we received, and the fact 27,000 people were paying £30 each.
Ah well ... another challenge down!
Definitely my most spontaneous one too! I literally agreed to do the race 2 weeks ago, so truly in the spirit of Challenge Charly! And I hadn't even cycled my bike in the last 6 months! (which became quite evident, first when we realised the front wheel was on wrong! and then when I realised it was flat!!)
Am keen to do more cycling challenges though ... am thinking of doing 100 miles next.
At the mo my bike is still in Brighton because we weren't allowed to take them back on the train the day of the race, and my mini boot is TINY! So I've been toying with the idea of cycling from Brighton to Bournemouth, which is roughly 100 miles ... though after Sunday I'd try to find the flattest route possible!
Guess I'll need to sort out my hill cycling if I'm really going to do Land's End to John O'Groats in November :)
Charly xxx
Friday, 13 June 2008
Challenges This Week ...
It's not just technical logistics I struggle with (oh dear, I really do need a production team!!!) ...
Sometimes Challenges provide more difficulties than just the physical ones! Take Sunday for instance - I've agreed at very short notice to cycle the London to Brighton cycle ride. 54 miles ... now hopefully my 4 hrs or so of cycling in the gym each week should stand me in relatively good stead for the race, even if, as those of you who have watched the Stockholm video will know, my camera skills behind the handlebars are absolutely appalling!
No, the problem is the logistics of getting my bike to London, and getting home from Brighton!
In the end I decided to start 2 days early, and my bike is currently locked up outside my uni's Cavendish Campus.
What an absolute nightmare taking a bike on the train and the tube! Half the tube lines don't allow them! And I still have to get it all the way to Clapham tomorrow! Oh dear!
I have decided to leave it in Brighton on Sunday and just drive home! (I have a tiny old mini - one tyre wouldn't even fit in its miniscule boot!!)
Though I'm not just being lazy, I promise!! I'm going to leave it on the coast, because I'm hoping to cycle it from Brighton to Land's End, in a warm up for cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats in November!!!
Anyway ... that's months away ... this week in addition to the cycle ride I plan to squeeze in a spot of Ice Climbing, and hopefully a Rally Car Driving Day ... oooh and I'll be filming some more footage of me learning how to jump a horse ... that Challenge to be posted soon :)
Charly xxx
Sometimes Challenges provide more difficulties than just the physical ones! Take Sunday for instance - I've agreed at very short notice to cycle the London to Brighton cycle ride. 54 miles ... now hopefully my 4 hrs or so of cycling in the gym each week should stand me in relatively good stead for the race, even if, as those of you who have watched the Stockholm video will know, my camera skills behind the handlebars are absolutely appalling!
No, the problem is the logistics of getting my bike to London, and getting home from Brighton!
In the end I decided to start 2 days early, and my bike is currently locked up outside my uni's Cavendish Campus.
What an absolute nightmare taking a bike on the train and the tube! Half the tube lines don't allow them! And I still have to get it all the way to Clapham tomorrow! Oh dear!
I have decided to leave it in Brighton on Sunday and just drive home! (I have a tiny old mini - one tyre wouldn't even fit in its miniscule boot!!)
Though I'm not just being lazy, I promise!! I'm going to leave it on the coast, because I'm hoping to cycle it from Brighton to Land's End, in a warm up for cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats in November!!!
Anyway ... that's months away ... this week in addition to the cycle ride I plan to squeeze in a spot of Ice Climbing, and hopefully a Rally Car Driving Day ... oooh and I'll be filming some more footage of me learning how to jump a horse ... that Challenge to be posted soon :)
Charly xxx
Technical Troubles
Finally ... new videos are up!! Have been experiencing technical problems all week finding an internet connection strong enough to support the uploading, but ended up going back up to university to post my last 5 challenges.
Am gradually getting the whole process speeded up, though I haven't been helped by the fact that no HDD cameras I can find are compatible with a Mac - at the moment the whole editing process takes twice as long as it ought to because I have to upload all the footage onto a PC before I can transfer them to my Mac to edit them in Final Cut.
Ah well, bit by bit the process should become a smooth oiled machine! I hope! She says, having just spent FAR too much money on a second redundant HDD camera!
Until November I'm ok because I return to the UK in between travels, however from November onwards, when I am on a round the world ticket, I'm going to need to be able to edit footage as quickly and easily as possible ...
Aargh I need a production team!!
Or maybe the Discovery Channel could just produce CC for me?! ;)
Am gradually getting the whole process speeded up, though I haven't been helped by the fact that no HDD cameras I can find are compatible with a Mac - at the moment the whole editing process takes twice as long as it ought to because I have to upload all the footage onto a PC before I can transfer them to my Mac to edit them in Final Cut.
Ah well, bit by bit the process should become a smooth oiled machine! I hope! She says, having just spent FAR too much money on a second redundant HDD camera!
Until November I'm ok because I return to the UK in between travels, however from November onwards, when I am on a round the world ticket, I'm going to need to be able to edit footage as quickly and easily as possible ...
Aargh I need a production team!!
Or maybe the Discovery Channel could just produce CC for me?! ;)
Monday, 9 June 2008
Diary Disaster Strikes!!
So it's definitely Challenge Month, if ever there was one in particular, here at Challenge Charly!
I started the month wakeboarding, then it was straight off to Southampton to learn how to sail a yacht.
The plan for the rest of the month includes zorbing, bushcraft, the London to Brighton cycle ride, and a Pirate Rampage, amongst other challenges!
But there are definite downsides to cramming my days full ... namely diary malfunctions! Basically without realising I booked myself in two places at the same time - on Friday I was sailing, and also meant to be driving to Wales for the start of a Mountain Leadership course. By the time I realised it was 11pm, and I was going to have to wake up at 4am in order to drive over to Snowdonia in time for the start of the course.
Total nightmare! After 6 sleepless nights in a very uncomfortable cabin there was nowhere I was going to be able to function, let alone drive! on just 4 hours of sleep. And so ... I'm not in Wales. Which is really gutting, not only financially as I lose all the fees I paid for the course, but also, because I've got about 4 spare days between now and November, I can't do my training course before my assessment week in October.
Eeek ... looks like that's one challenge which is going to be delayed :(
Ah well, on a brighter side, it looks like the CC website should be up and running really really soon, and hopefully this impromptu extra week will allow me to cram in an extra couple of challenges :)
As ever - give me challenges!! and volunteer to be a challenger!
Charly xxx
I started the month wakeboarding, then it was straight off to Southampton to learn how to sail a yacht.
The plan for the rest of the month includes zorbing, bushcraft, the London to Brighton cycle ride, and a Pirate Rampage, amongst other challenges!
But there are definite downsides to cramming my days full ... namely diary malfunctions! Basically without realising I booked myself in two places at the same time - on Friday I was sailing, and also meant to be driving to Wales for the start of a Mountain Leadership course. By the time I realised it was 11pm, and I was going to have to wake up at 4am in order to drive over to Snowdonia in time for the start of the course.
Total nightmare! After 6 sleepless nights in a very uncomfortable cabin there was nowhere I was going to be able to function, let alone drive! on just 4 hours of sleep. And so ... I'm not in Wales. Which is really gutting, not only financially as I lose all the fees I paid for the course, but also, because I've got about 4 spare days between now and November, I can't do my training course before my assessment week in October.
Eeek ... looks like that's one challenge which is going to be delayed :(
Ah well, on a brighter side, it looks like the CC website should be up and running really really soon, and hopefully this impromptu extra week will allow me to cram in an extra couple of challenges :)
As ever - give me challenges!! and volunteer to be a challenger!
Charly xxx
Thursday, 5 June 2008
I need action!
Oh dear, I don't think I'm cut out to be a sailor ... or at least not a cruising yacht sailor.
I am SO bored! It's just not high-paced enough, or scary enough! I'm definitely a thrill-seeker at heart, and pottering around the Solent really isn't doing it for me!
Hmm... maybe I shouldn't completely give up, but if I do another sailing-related challenge, I think it will be sailing to somewhere like Morocco, or doing the Isle of Wight Cowes Week 'Round the Island' race, or maybe something smaller like dinghy sailing?
Anyway, only one more day left, and then on Saturday I'm off to North Wales to do my Mountain Leadership training ... hopefully that will be a bit more active! And hopefully the sleeping arrangements (even if they turn out to be tents) will be more comfy ... yacht bunks are surprisingly hard :)
Charly xxx
I am SO bored! It's just not high-paced enough, or scary enough! I'm definitely a thrill-seeker at heart, and pottering around the Solent really isn't doing it for me!
Hmm... maybe I shouldn't completely give up, but if I do another sailing-related challenge, I think it will be sailing to somewhere like Morocco, or doing the Isle of Wight Cowes Week 'Round the Island' race, or maybe something smaller like dinghy sailing?
Anyway, only one more day left, and then on Saturday I'm off to North Wales to do my Mountain Leadership training ... hopefully that will be a bit more active! And hopefully the sleeping arrangements (even if they turn out to be tents) will be more comfy ... yacht bunks are surprisingly hard :)
Charly xxx
Monday, 2 June 2008
Watery Challenges!
As promised I am attempting to write this blog a bit more frequently.
So ... I am on Day One of Challenge 10 - Learning to Sail. I'm still aching from Challenge 9 - Learning to Wakeboard, and I didn't even technically wakeboard! I spent two hours being dragged around on a knee board. I'm definitely looking forward to getting up on my feet though, and getting behind a boat!
But for now I'm on a boat. I'm down in Southampton doing my Royal Yachting Association 'Competent Crew' qualification, well technically I'm now in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, after my first day of sailing. The weather has been pretty bleak - grey and rainy, but no wind! Hardly ideal for sailing, but have learnt heaps already - SO much to remember!
So far I think my most successful part has been navigation, which is a relief, as I'm doing my Mountain Leadership training next week and I have a feeling map reading and compass bearings are going to feature highly during that.
By the looks of things June is going to be a really exciting month. In addition to the two courses I've already mentioned, I'm also doing a Bushcraft course, and I have lots of random day challenges planned. Hopefully should be squeezing in indoor sky diving, zorbing and ice-climbing either this month or next month. I've also signed up for the Leukemia Research and 'Banana Man Chase', Pirate Rampage in Dorset.
The most exciting thing has been a spontaneous last minute challenge which I'm really excited about - a friend from school who I literally haven't seen for at least 6 years messaged me on Facebook to ask if I'd like to join her on the Brighton to London cycle ride! So I now have just 2 weeks until I'm cycling in the 54 mile race :) Brilliant! That is JUST what Challenge Charly is all about - you guys challenging me, and ideally joining me on the challenges.
At the moment I am especially looking for challengers to join me doing the Three Peaks Challenge - Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, all within 24 hours. I'll be doing the walk the first weekend of August - if you fancy joining me, either message me on the blog, or on YouTube, or via the Facebook group.
And if a random challenge has just sprung to mind, then let me know! I get inspiration for challenges everywhere! ... literally 2 days ago I caught a clip of Jordan and Peter Andre doing the Rally Master challenge at Brands Hatch and it looks brilliant! Just trying to work out when I can fit it in :)
Charly xxx
So ... I am on Day One of Challenge 10 - Learning to Sail. I'm still aching from Challenge 9 - Learning to Wakeboard, and I didn't even technically wakeboard! I spent two hours being dragged around on a knee board. I'm definitely looking forward to getting up on my feet though, and getting behind a boat!
But for now I'm on a boat. I'm down in Southampton doing my Royal Yachting Association 'Competent Crew' qualification, well technically I'm now in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, after my first day of sailing. The weather has been pretty bleak - grey and rainy, but no wind! Hardly ideal for sailing, but have learnt heaps already - SO much to remember!
So far I think my most successful part has been navigation, which is a relief, as I'm doing my Mountain Leadership training next week and I have a feeling map reading and compass bearings are going to feature highly during that.
By the looks of things June is going to be a really exciting month. In addition to the two courses I've already mentioned, I'm also doing a Bushcraft course, and I have lots of random day challenges planned. Hopefully should be squeezing in indoor sky diving, zorbing and ice-climbing either this month or next month. I've also signed up for the Leukemia Research and 'Banana Man Chase', Pirate Rampage in Dorset.
The most exciting thing has been a spontaneous last minute challenge which I'm really excited about - a friend from school who I literally haven't seen for at least 6 years messaged me on Facebook to ask if I'd like to join her on the Brighton to London cycle ride! So I now have just 2 weeks until I'm cycling in the 54 mile race :) Brilliant! That is JUST what Challenge Charly is all about - you guys challenging me, and ideally joining me on the challenges.
At the moment I am especially looking for challengers to join me doing the Three Peaks Challenge - Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, all within 24 hours. I'll be doing the walk the first weekend of August - if you fancy joining me, either message me on the blog, or on YouTube, or via the Facebook group.
And if a random challenge has just sprung to mind, then let me know! I get inspiration for challenges everywhere! ... literally 2 days ago I caught a clip of Jordan and Peter Andre doing the Rally Master challenge at Brands Hatch and it looks brilliant! Just trying to work out when I can fit it in :)
Charly xxx
Saturday, 31 May 2008
South Africa, Sweden and Sore Shoulders!
Hello!
Firstly, apologies for not having written for so long! I have just been informed that people are actually reading my blog, and therefore I need to be more diligent about writing!
So, first of all, a round up of the challenges I've done since I last blogged.
At the start of May I travelled to South Africa with Lauren Denham from my MA course. We spent two weeks visiting AIDS and HIV charities in Johannesburg and Soweto in order to make radio documentaries. I focussed my 15 minute documentary on the work of small homegrown charities in the fight against AIDS.
Some of the charities we visited were truly amazing - a man running a charity from his tiny house in Soweto, with just £20 in his bank account. A couple in their 60s who had adopted over 80 AIDS orphans over the past 10 years, and currently live with 33. And an adorable guy who was left to look after his brother's orphaned children at the age of just 19, and who started a soup kitchen just so that the kids would have other children to play with.
Absolutely amazing stuff! I promise to get a bit more technical and find a way to post the radio documentary so you guys can listen to it. I will also try to learn how to link up these blogs to my videos on YouTube, but for now, the easiest thing to do is to go to Charly has just uploaded three new challenges - http://uk.youtube.com/challengecharly.
From South Africa it was on to Sweden, where I was meant to be celebrating my little sister's 21st ... little did she know I was going to make her do a challenge while we were out there :)
In the end, the only challenge the rather laid back town of Stockholm offered was a tongue in cheek 'Tourist Triathlon'. Keep an eye on YouTube, it should be uploaded soon.
And finally ... I've just returned from my latest challenge. Learning to wakeboard! Let's just say, I am definitely not a natural, and I feel this will be something of an ongoing challenge! My arms and shoulders are killing already, and I only did about 4 laps of the lake on a kneeboard!!
Off to learn how to sail tomorrow.
Keep the challenge ideas coming in, and remember to volunteer if the sound of any of the up-and-coming challenges appeals to you!
Charly xxx
Firstly, apologies for not having written for so long! I have just been informed that people are actually reading my blog, and therefore I need to be more diligent about writing!
So, first of all, a round up of the challenges I've done since I last blogged.
At the start of May I travelled to South Africa with Lauren Denham from my MA course. We spent two weeks visiting AIDS and HIV charities in Johannesburg and Soweto in order to make radio documentaries. I focussed my 15 minute documentary on the work of small homegrown charities in the fight against AIDS.
Some of the charities we visited were truly amazing - a man running a charity from his tiny house in Soweto, with just £20 in his bank account. A couple in their 60s who had adopted over 80 AIDS orphans over the past 10 years, and currently live with 33. And an adorable guy who was left to look after his brother's orphaned children at the age of just 19, and who started a soup kitchen just so that the kids would have other children to play with.
Absolutely amazing stuff! I promise to get a bit more technical and find a way to post the radio documentary so you guys can listen to it. I will also try to learn how to link up these blogs to my videos on YouTube, but for now, the easiest thing to do is to go to Charly has just uploaded three new challenges - http://uk.youtube.com/challengecharly.
From South Africa it was on to Sweden, where I was meant to be celebrating my little sister's 21st ... little did she know I was going to make her do a challenge while we were out there :)
In the end, the only challenge the rather laid back town of Stockholm offered was a tongue in cheek 'Tourist Triathlon'. Keep an eye on YouTube, it should be uploaded soon.
And finally ... I've just returned from my latest challenge. Learning to wakeboard! Let's just say, I am definitely not a natural, and I feel this will be something of an ongoing challenge! My arms and shoulders are killing already, and I only did about 4 laps of the lake on a kneeboard!!
Off to learn how to sail tomorrow.
Keep the challenge ideas coming in, and remember to volunteer if the sound of any of the up-and-coming challenges appeals to you!
Charly xxx
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Challenge Charly gains momentum!
Whilst I've been away it's been great to chat to travellers from all around the world about CC, and I've taken onboard LOTS of ideas.
In the coming months I will be working on combining the Vlog and Blog at one website, plus adding in educational and geographical elements.
I'll be looking for adventurous sponsors, and I'll be doing lots and lots more challenges.
Some more ideas that have come up over the last couple of weeks - banger rallies, geocaching, Uluru, the Gold Coast Marathon ....
Keep the suggestions coming in, and please do volunteer to join me on the challenges - after all that's the whole point of CC.
In the coming months I will be working on combining the Vlog and Blog at one website, plus adding in educational and geographical elements.
I'll be looking for adventurous sponsors, and I'll be doing lots and lots more challenges.
Some more ideas that have come up over the last couple of weeks - banger rallies, geocaching, Uluru, the Gold Coast Marathon ....
Keep the suggestions coming in, and please do volunteer to join me on the challenges - after all that's the whole point of CC.
Borneo!
Just a quickie I'm afraid as I'm on a hostel computer and there's a queue.
Have spent the last three weeks in Borneo, travelling around Sabah and Sarawak, and completing two pretty hardcore trekking challenges whilst here.
The first was Mount Kinabalu - the highest peak in South East Asia at 4095m. Not all that high compared to Killimanjaro or Base Camp, but a really tough trek because the first day you ascend 1300m in just 6 or 8km (depending which trail you take), and then the second day you ascend 800m before sunrise, and then have to come all the way down again!
The steps up were far steeper than anything on the way up to Everest Base Camp, and adding to the difficulty is the humidity - sweat literally gushed off my fringe the whole way up.
I made it to Laban Rata - the overnight stop at 3300m in just under 6 hours, and then the next morning it took me a further 2 hrs up, and 1 then 3 hrs back down again.
Accompanying me were Challengers Charlie, Kathy, Denzil, Jesse and Chris.
The second climb was The Pinnacles, a unique rock formation in the Mulu National Park in Sarawak. I thought that Mt K was hard - the Pinnacles Climb seemed twice as steep!
Just wait to watch the video to see how crazily steep the whole 2.4km climb up to the viewpoint was. I think we ascended 1300m again, but in less than half the distance!
Up Mt K every half kilometre is marked - something I'd never seen before up a mountain, though you realise why the markers are needed once you start walking - it's just like a marathon!
And yet up the Pinnacles every 100m is marked! And you feel like it takes you just as long between markers.
Jesse, Denzil and Charlie all also accompanied me up the Pinnacles, so they are all eligible for both Challenge 4 and Challenge 5 t-shirts!
Bring on Challenge 6 - Soweto!
Have spent the last three weeks in Borneo, travelling around Sabah and Sarawak, and completing two pretty hardcore trekking challenges whilst here.
The first was Mount Kinabalu - the highest peak in South East Asia at 4095m. Not all that high compared to Killimanjaro or Base Camp, but a really tough trek because the first day you ascend 1300m in just 6 or 8km (depending which trail you take), and then the second day you ascend 800m before sunrise, and then have to come all the way down again!
The steps up were far steeper than anything on the way up to Everest Base Camp, and adding to the difficulty is the humidity - sweat literally gushed off my fringe the whole way up.
I made it to Laban Rata - the overnight stop at 3300m in just under 6 hours, and then the next morning it took me a further 2 hrs up, and 1 then 3 hrs back down again.
Accompanying me were Challengers Charlie, Kathy, Denzil, Jesse and Chris.
The second climb was The Pinnacles, a unique rock formation in the Mulu National Park in Sarawak. I thought that Mt K was hard - the Pinnacles Climb seemed twice as steep!
Just wait to watch the video to see how crazily steep the whole 2.4km climb up to the viewpoint was. I think we ascended 1300m again, but in less than half the distance!
Up Mt K every half kilometre is marked - something I'd never seen before up a mountain, though you realise why the markers are needed once you start walking - it's just like a marathon!
And yet up the Pinnacles every 100m is marked! And you feel like it takes you just as long between markers.
Jesse, Denzil and Charlie all also accompanied me up the Pinnacles, so they are all eligible for both Challenge 4 and Challenge 5 t-shirts!
Bring on Challenge 6 - Soweto!
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Still to come ...
Just to give you a taster of some of the challenge ideas for the next 6 months ....
- Three Peaks
- Mount Brandon (in Ireland ... Brandon is NOT a person!!)
- Ice Climbing
- Flying Lesson
- Coasteering
- Indoor Sky Diving
- Zorbing
- Wakeboarding
- Windsurfing
- Aerobathon
- Pirate Rampage!
- Bushcraft Week
- Learn to Sail
- Mountain Leadership Course
Any other ideas?! Then get in touch! And come join me on the challenges!!
- Three Peaks
- Mount Brandon (in Ireland ... Brandon is NOT a person!!)
- Ice Climbing
- Flying Lesson
- Coasteering
- Indoor Sky Diving
- Zorbing
- Wakeboarding
- Windsurfing
- Aerobathon
- Pirate Rampage!
- Bushcraft Week
- Learn to Sail
- Mountain Leadership Course
Any other ideas?! Then get in touch! And come join me on the challenges!!
42 Miles, and then onto a plane!
Hi everyone!
So ... Challenge Charly is actually going really well - the feedback I'm getting has been great, and the whole thing is really gathering momentum.
On Saturday two new challengers will be tackling the Three Towers Hike with me - a 42 mile Scout hike across the Berkshire Downs ... and yes, we do have to do it in just one day!
I've actually done the Hike four times before, the first time when I was 16, but it definitely doesn't get any easier, and now I have a record to keep up because I've never dropped out. Could be tough as I'm still in quite a bit of pain after getting tripped up during the Marathon a few weeks ago.
In previous years I've taken as long as 18 hours to finish - you have to stay as a team of three, so if anyone in your team drops out you could wait for hours for another team to join up with.
I'd like to say our target is 15 hrs, though it's a pretty mean feat, and seeing as neither Mark nor Tom have ever really hiked before, we'll just have to see how we do!
Then, less than 24 hrs after I finish I jump on a plane to Borneo. The main challenge whilst I'm out there will be Mt Kinabalu, but I have three weeks of activities planned, so I'll do my best to film all the fun!
And then .... literally 10 hrs after I land back at Heathrow I'm setting off to Johannesburg to make a documentary about AIDS orphans, which I know is gonna be at least emotionally tough.
So ... lots to come - keep tuned to the You Tube channel - Challenge Charly is a YouTube Channel where I'm documenting all my various random adventures around the world.
The whole point is to encourage people to try things they wouldn't normally think of doing, or think they are capable of doing.
Get involved by suggesting new challenges for Charly, or by volunteering to be a Challenger, and taking part in one of the challenges with Charly.
Or you can just sit back and laugh at what an idiot I'm making of myself !!
Tune in at ...
http://uk.youtube.com/user/challengecharly
and remember, I'm always keen to hear your challenge ideas, and accept volunteer challenges to join me on the challenges!!
Who knows - if word can spread enough we may even end up with some famous Charly's Challengers!!!!
Take care, and remember to try everything you see at home!
So ... Challenge Charly is actually going really well - the feedback I'm getting has been great, and the whole thing is really gathering momentum.
On Saturday two new challengers will be tackling the Three Towers Hike with me - a 42 mile Scout hike across the Berkshire Downs ... and yes, we do have to do it in just one day!
I've actually done the Hike four times before, the first time when I was 16, but it definitely doesn't get any easier, and now I have a record to keep up because I've never dropped out. Could be tough as I'm still in quite a bit of pain after getting tripped up during the Marathon a few weeks ago.
In previous years I've taken as long as 18 hours to finish - you have to stay as a team of three, so if anyone in your team drops out you could wait for hours for another team to join up with.
I'd like to say our target is 15 hrs, though it's a pretty mean feat, and seeing as neither Mark nor Tom have ever really hiked before, we'll just have to see how we do!
Then, less than 24 hrs after I finish I jump on a plane to Borneo. The main challenge whilst I'm out there will be Mt Kinabalu, but I have three weeks of activities planned, so I'll do my best to film all the fun!
And then .... literally 10 hrs after I land back at Heathrow I'm setting off to Johannesburg to make a documentary about AIDS orphans, which I know is gonna be at least emotionally tough.
So ... lots to come - keep tuned to the You Tube channel - Challenge Charly is a YouTube Channel where I'm documenting all my various random adventures around the world.
The whole point is to encourage people to try things they wouldn't normally think of doing, or think they are capable of doing.
Get involved by suggesting new challenges for Charly, or by volunteering to be a Challenger, and taking part in one of the challenges with Charly.
Or you can just sit back and laugh at what an idiot I'm making of myself !!
Tune in at ...
http://uk.youtube.com/user/challengecharly
and remember, I'm always keen to hear your challenge ideas, and accept volunteer challenges to join me on the challenges!!
Who knows - if word can spread enough we may even end up with some famous Charly's Challengers!!!!
Take care, and remember to try everything you see at home!
Friday, 21 March 2008
Charly Challenged Me!
So ... Challenge Charly is GO!
We've got the You Tube page -
http://uk.youtube.com/user/challengecharly
The Facebook Group -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8905359430&ref=mf
And a special Facebook Group JUST for Challengers who complete a challenge with Charly -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11745157015&ref=mf
We're getting 'Charly Challenged Me!' t-shirts made for all Challengers, and they will be specific to the challenge you complete, and we're even thinking of getting medals made like Jim'll Fix It!!!
The whole point is that it is interractive - you guys suggest the challenges, and either watch me complete them, or take part in them with me.
If you have an idea for Challenge Charly then either leave a message here, or on the YouTube or Facebook walls.
Likewise if you'd like to be a challenger, let me know
Charly xxx
We've got the You Tube page -
http://uk.youtube.com/user/challengecharly
The Facebook Group -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8905359430&ref=mf
And a special Facebook Group JUST for Challengers who complete a challenge with Charly -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11745157015&ref=mf
We're getting 'Charly Challenged Me!' t-shirts made for all Challengers, and they will be specific to the challenge you complete, and we're even thinking of getting medals made like Jim'll Fix It!!!
The whole point is that it is interractive - you guys suggest the challenges, and either watch me complete them, or take part in them with me.
If you have an idea for Challenge Charly then either leave a message here, or on the YouTube or Facebook walls.
Likewise if you'd like to be a challenger, let me know
Charly xxx
Rome Marathon
Hi everyone
Challenge Charly is now truly up and running.
Last Sunday was the first proper challenge - the Rome Marathon, and with 4 'Challengers' - Amy, Amy, Mel and Jo - I successfully completed the challenge.
The run was pretty hard - the start of the race was far warmer than any heat I'd been training in in England, and I'm pretty sure I was glowing bright red for at least the first hour.
I fell into time quite comfortably with the 4hr 30 pacemakers, and was looking set to break the 5hr barrier (I ran the Paris Marathon in 5hrs 9 mins 3 years ago), until just after 10 miles a backwards runner tripped me up.
Backwards running is something of a new craze - no doubt a future Challenge Charly will be based around the phenomenon!
Anyway, this guy crashed straight into me and sent me flying across the Roman cobbles. I cut my hand, bruised my elbow, and fell really hard onto my knee, which is now a pleasant shade of green!
I luckily only slightly scratched the video camera I was running with, but as a result took the brunt of the impact myself.
I walked for a few minutes, and I thought I wouldn't be able to carry on because I was in so much pain.
I ran to the Half Marathon point but by then my knee was throbbing, and my internal voice was starting to get a bit negative.
It's far easier to give up when you're doing something on your own, and thus you are the only person who you need to convince to stop.
Luckily at just the right point, when I needed 'another voice', I met Thomaso.
Thom was in his 50s, an Italian from Rome, who had children my age, and who had run over 25 Marathons.
He explained how he was running a km, walking a km, and asked if I would like to join him.
At first I thought I'd just stick with him for a couple of k, but in fact his form of Scout's pace was perfect and I walked/ran with him for about 12 kms.
Just before the Collosseum I met up with Amy and then Mel, and we all finished within a minute of each other - 5 hrs 6 minutes.
Jo finished about 15 minutes later, and Amy I we discovered, finished half an hour ahead.
I'm not going to say it was easy by any means, but the biggest challenge is definitely overcoming your own doubts.
A positive mental attitude is by far the greatest weapon when it comes to endurance tests like the Marathon - some of the girls had only been training for 6 weeks, and Jo only decided to sign up the morning beforehand!
I think if I get up to full fitness, and train properly, I could run a Marathon in 4 hrs, but for now, the next challenge is to complete one in under 5 hrs, ideally in 4 and a half.
There are whisperings of the Athens and Milan Marathons in November, and I'm also keen to run at least a Half Marathon dressed as a big fluffy mascot!
Challenge Charly is now truly up and running.
Last Sunday was the first proper challenge - the Rome Marathon, and with 4 'Challengers' - Amy, Amy, Mel and Jo - I successfully completed the challenge.
The run was pretty hard - the start of the race was far warmer than any heat I'd been training in in England, and I'm pretty sure I was glowing bright red for at least the first hour.
I fell into time quite comfortably with the 4hr 30 pacemakers, and was looking set to break the 5hr barrier (I ran the Paris Marathon in 5hrs 9 mins 3 years ago), until just after 10 miles a backwards runner tripped me up.
Backwards running is something of a new craze - no doubt a future Challenge Charly will be based around the phenomenon!
Anyway, this guy crashed straight into me and sent me flying across the Roman cobbles. I cut my hand, bruised my elbow, and fell really hard onto my knee, which is now a pleasant shade of green!
I luckily only slightly scratched the video camera I was running with, but as a result took the brunt of the impact myself.
I walked for a few minutes, and I thought I wouldn't be able to carry on because I was in so much pain.
I ran to the Half Marathon point but by then my knee was throbbing, and my internal voice was starting to get a bit negative.
It's far easier to give up when you're doing something on your own, and thus you are the only person who you need to convince to stop.
Luckily at just the right point, when I needed 'another voice', I met Thomaso.
Thom was in his 50s, an Italian from Rome, who had children my age, and who had run over 25 Marathons.
He explained how he was running a km, walking a km, and asked if I would like to join him.
At first I thought I'd just stick with him for a couple of k, but in fact his form of Scout's pace was perfect and I walked/ran with him for about 12 kms.
Just before the Collosseum I met up with Amy and then Mel, and we all finished within a minute of each other - 5 hrs 6 minutes.
Jo finished about 15 minutes later, and Amy I we discovered, finished half an hour ahead.
I'm not going to say it was easy by any means, but the biggest challenge is definitely overcoming your own doubts.
A positive mental attitude is by far the greatest weapon when it comes to endurance tests like the Marathon - some of the girls had only been training for 6 weeks, and Jo only decided to sign up the morning beforehand!
I think if I get up to full fitness, and train properly, I could run a Marathon in 4 hrs, but for now, the next challenge is to complete one in under 5 hrs, ideally in 4 and a half.
There are whisperings of the Athens and Milan Marathons in November, and I'm also keen to run at least a Half Marathon dressed as a big fluffy mascot!
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Introducing Challenge Charly!
Hello and welcome to Challenge Charly.
CC is an online VLOG, accessible on You Tube at www.uk.youtube/challengecharly which follows my adventures around the world and in the UK.
The whole point of Challenge Charly is to inspire normal people to try abnormal and daunting challenges.
The world has countless opportunities to offer .... go out and make the most of them.
I've already uploaded some footage from Everest Base Camp, which I hiked to over Christmas and New Year, and over the next few months I will be running the Rome Marathon, climbing to Mount Kinabalu in Borneo, and visiting AIDS orphans in South Africa.
Stay tuned, and remember to try this at home!!
CC is an online VLOG, accessible on You Tube at www.uk.youtube/challengecharly which follows my adventures around the world and in the UK.
The whole point of Challenge Charly is to inspire normal people to try abnormal and daunting challenges.
The world has countless opportunities to offer .... go out and make the most of them.
I've already uploaded some footage from Everest Base Camp, which I hiked to over Christmas and New Year, and over the next few months I will be running the Rome Marathon, climbing to Mount Kinabalu in Borneo, and visiting AIDS orphans in South Africa.
Stay tuned, and remember to try this at home!!
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