Tomorrow (October 8th, or as I type this, in 5 minutes time) it is our villages Scarecrow Trail and we have a very Big and Friendly gent joining us. I wonder if you have guessed who he might be yet! We are also holding some games for the children on the drive and will be selling some crafty bits and pieces. All of the proceeds from the games and the donated craft sale will go to Helen & Douglas House. I have also sold some driveway space to family to sell their wares and treats and a percentage of the sales will also be going to the charity so fingers crossed for a good day. I'll leave you with another small clue as to who might be towering over the children outside our house tomorrow.

I completed the Thames Bridge Trek on September 10th. It was a very sombre atmosphere in London as I'm sure you can imagine, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. I shared very few words with anyone and walked the 25km alone (although there was nearly always another participant in site). The London street's certainly took their toll on my hips, feet and ankles as did the steps up to and down from all bar one of the 16 bridges we had to cross! I was delighted to get the first big challenge completed and learned what little changes I will make before tackling the next walk. Thanks to everyone who supported me x

Today would have been Jemma's 40th birthday and I have spent much of the day thinking of her and our childhood memories, precious times we spent together. It should also be the day I complete my forty sit ups and forty press ups a day which has been a challenge I started on my 40th back in June. However, as nothing has gone to plan so far this year with my challenges it's no surprise that we've had a set back with this one too! Last Monday afternoon I trapped a nerve in my shoulder, my trapezius muscle to be precise which has been extremely painful. Thankfully after a trip to the physio on Friday and lots of tablets during the week it has eased over the weekend so hopefully I can finish the final weeks worth of push ups and sit ups very soon! The Thames Path Trek is not far away and I'm looking forward to finally taking part in my 1st Ultra Challenge on the 10th September. With Love, Carly xx

Well unfortunately I am still suffering following my recent bought of Covid and chose to defer the Jurassic Coast 100km until 2023. It turns out this may have been the right choice as I still have crackles on the right side of my chest where the infection hasn't cleared. With my 40th fast approaching we have decided the best option would be to move the goalposts a bit and so the challenges will start on my 40th in June and run through with the final challenge being the mammoth Jurassic Coast Continuous 100km walk. Finishing with the biggest challenge makes more sense too really! We have a family team taking part in the Helen & Douglas House Butterfly Bimble on the 22nd May which will be a nice opportunity to get together and remember Jemma together. Our team page can be found here :https://helenanddouglas.enthuse.com/pf/40for40

Well it's 20 days until the Jurassic Coast 100km and I'm still not fully recovered from my bout of Covid but I will give it my everything for Jemma x

After two years of managing to avoid it, Covid has finally infected our household! Gutted does not cover how I'm feeling right now as I've had to defer to next years Easter 50km. Not only was it going to be the first of the five Ultra's, it was also going to act as a massive warm up for the Jurassic Coast Continuous 100km trek in May. I hope you will all carry on supporting me as I start to count down the 5 weeks until the Jurassic, I'd better dig out the treadmill!

Bit of a set back last week when I had to cut short a training walk after just over 2 miles. My trusty old walking boots rubbed my ankle red raw and so I had to stop. New boots purchased and they'll be getting broken in during this week.

One of the less physical challenges of the 40 but I will miss having a beer while watching the rugby, enjoying a nice gin and tonic or glass of red while watching Gardeners World once that returns. However, it'll do me good and will help with getting in shape for the first 50km Ultra Challenge on the 9th April.