Strong Woman Chronicles

Luxury is a Mind Thing

A while back I asked what you readers would suggest I take to the South Pole. As supplies are limited I’ll be hard pressed to fit too many luxury items onto my sled.

Many thanks to those of you who took the time to ponder this one... in my next entry I’ll explain how I’ve been trying to secure the ONE item I really want to take to the Ice.

Folks, drum rolls….here’s what you said:

1. Eyebrow Tweezers – for those pesky facial hairs that will gather layers of ice and snow. Well yes, that’s quite a thought. For a while now I’ve been a client of the Eyebrow Queen, Vashaily Patel, [link] who keeps the fuzz on my face down nicely. A swift visit to her for one her Youch threading sessions should do the trick.
2. A Picture of my Children to remind me why I am a Strong Woman in the first place. Great one ~ one of the ways I sustain training and will keep focus on the walk is to repeat over and over the names of my children. Imagine: Freddie, George, Jack, Tom, Harriet, Isadora, Meredith….Meredith, Isadora, Harriet, Tom, Jack, George, Freddie,…Freddie, George, Jack, Tom, Harriet, Isadora, Meredith. Will I come back sane?
3. Kleenex – I hear stories that it’s best not to cry in -30 to -50 conditions. Tissues don’t stand a chance of being used to mop salty drops because they freeze on the face. Picture crusting eyes, thick frozen streaks ~ guess my stiff upper lip will have to see me through.
4. My friend Danusia - For laughs, hugs, long chats, encouragement, strength and moments of madness. Well what can I say other than I too can’t think of a better person to take with me to the South Pole. Wherever I go, funny thing she seems to follow me.
5. Hotwater bottle – boy, a ‘hotty’ would be good to have out there. Problem is, hot running water isn’t something found on the wayside of this walk. Dig snow, fire up burner, melt & pour into the bottle ~ maybe an hour job, maybe more. Frozen lump within minutes, I’m guessing.
6. Lip salve – a lifesaver for the lips, for sure. I need to research whether this works in the environment.
7. Champagne – please God let this happen. Enough said.

Number 1 South Pole Item

Forward planning by several months here folks ~~~~ I've a question for you. It goes like this:

If you were going to the South Pole, what’s the ONE item you’d have to take?

Email to let me know your ideas. I'll publish them here as soon as I can.

Yours in anticipation,

Danusia

xxx

What the *%$^ !

I laughed the other day when someone asked me how many ‘porters’ and ‘huskies’ I’ve allocated to me for the South Pole journey. Of course the answer is none. It’ll be my sled and all my kit pulled along by - you’ve guessed it - me and my hauling harness.

My sled weighs approximately 50/55 kg which pretty well matches my own body weight. I’m told during any expedition, explorers can expect to lose about 10% of their body weight, depending on the length of the adventure. I can think of faster and less arduous ways of shedding a few pounds - suffice to say, losing weight is not high on my mind.

In order to be fit enough to pull my sledge I will be following a fitness regime that will intensify as the expedition gets closer. This month so far my training has amounted to clicking on my keyboard, lifting my wine glass, & exercising my lungs laughing.

I've allowed myself to go AWOL from fitness and it's time to return to pulling my tyre in the Cotswolds lanes near my home; walking; attending regular gym sessions; weight training; pool running; and thrashing myself at a variety of classes with great names like Butts & Thighs, Power-Bar, Super-Sculpt and the like. My task this year then is to increase stamina & strength and to boost my ability to endure loathsome [I mean demanding] conditions.

Getting fit is one thing – maybe worse, is leaving my children for more than a month over Christmas. This will be a hard and early hurdle for me to make. Christmas 2005 was tough enough - as we dressed the tree, opened presents, ate Christmas dinner and later put all decorations away, we acknowledged I won’t be present this year. It was as if ‘my absence’ in Christmas 2006 was already present at the last one.

My children, especially the eldest 5 who are old enough to let me know what they think of my plans, support my journey to the South Pole. They are scared something awful will happen to me and at the same time know this is something I must go and do.

To add to all this, I am married to a military officer and he'll be away on operational tour 7,000 miles from the UK while I'm walking to the South Pole – he is not certain yet that he can return home for Christmas 2006. I am left wondering what will happen to our seven children -who will care for them?

Bye Bye Boob & Black-Eyes

Being a full-busted runner and regular gym girl, I just couldn’t be without my hold-em-down-tight brassiere – it’s a godsend.

Promise I’m not on commission, an affiliate, or on any financial kickback from this company –  had to share this with you all – made me grin!

Brrrrrr...Antarctica

I’m told it is a whole world covered in ice and snow: ice on the mountains, ice capping the sea, ice tumbling off the cliffs, whole caves and hills made of ice, ice crunching under feet, and ice crystals glittering on eyelashes.

It is the coldest, windiest, harshest continent, and with little precipitation (roughly 2inches per year) is the driest place on earth. It is roughly 14 million sq km, has an average elevation of more than 2,000 m (6,500 ft), and 98% of the landmass is covered by yes you’ve guessed it an ice sheet. It’s technically classed a desert.

Imagine all that, and you have an idea of what it's like.

The ice and frigidity of the Antarctic, with temperatures around -50, means activities are always weather dependent and require scrupulous planning. The severe cold can take human life. The use of gloves and mittens and constant alertness for the whitening of the skin, the first sign of frostbite, especially around the cheeks, nose and breasts are absolutely essential. I'll haul a sled, eyes protected by dark glasses to safeguard against snow blindness, caused by intense sunlight reflecting off the snow and ice.

Youch - would anyone out there like to take my place?….just joking - I think I may be queasy - no, let's make that petrified - especially when I see Pom Oliver's toes.

Pom, strong woman polar explorer abandoned her journey to reach the North Pole in 2002 having reached the South Pole two years earlier - her frostbite, let's say, needed attention.

As if we haven't got the message already, Judith Spanberger who lived at a research station in the Antarctica for a season shares, "I made the mistake once... OK, twice, of putting my pencil in my mouth while I readjusted my clipboard. It’s surprising to have a pencil freeze to your tongue by the lead".

Whatever have I let myself in for?

Birthday Celebrations

Today is my birthday. Coincidentally, Ernest Shackleton and I share a birthday. Later this year I am due to complete the last part of his long held dream to place a flag at the South Pole.

Here's his story:

From an early age, Sir Ernest Shackleton knew he would become an explorer: 'I seemed to vow to myself that some day I would go to the region of ice and snow and go on and on till I came to one of the poles of the earth, the end of the axis upon which this great round ball turns.' This dream explains why he didn't become a doctor as his father wanted. Instead, he went to sea at the age of 16, and by the age of 24 had qualified to become a Master, making him able to captain a British ship on any sea.

In 1900, Shackleton volunteered for Scott's National Antarctic Expedition. Shackleton, having impressed those close to the expedition with his personality, was chosen to go with Scott to the South Pole on the famous Discovery expedition in the summer of 1901.

The trip would be a bittersweet one, as Shackleton became seriously ill on the journey and had to be returned home. It was not an empty journey, however, as Shackleton gained invaluable experience in Antarctic expeditioning. Once recovered, he was asked to take a ship to rescue Scott and dissuade him from continuing for another winter at the Pole. Shackleton declined, wanting not to save Scott, but 'prove himself a better man' with his own expedition.

His dream was realised as commander of the Nimrod Expedition (1907-09), his team made numerous important scientific discoveries and set a record by coming within 97 miles of the South Pole. In December 2006, with a small team I will complete those last miles to honour Shackleton - and to raise at least £100,000 for children with life threatening illnesses. 

Knighted in 1909, he commanded another voyage from 1914-1916 on the Endurance. The ship was crushed in the ice in 1915, yet he led his men to safety against all odds-making an incredible journey across 800 frozen miles to South Georgiato get aid - a testament to his skill as a leader of men.

Shackleton's last journey strove to achieve his goal of circumnavigating the Antarctic continent. On South Georgia Island, under great mental and physical stress, Shackleton died - where his wife Emily insisted he was buried.

Big Grin Goals are Best

I wouldn’t blame you if you are thinking,

Why should I care if you get to the South Pole over Christmas?

I’ll tell you. The expedition will be no holiday, no recuperation, no rest – still, that’s my choice, right? I could, after all, go for a bikini-rest on a beach instead. Wouldn’t take me to the ‘edge of myself’ and more importantly, that wouldn’t make a difference to other people’s lives. And here’s the biggest reason why I want you to be interested in this expedition: I intend to raise minimum £100,000 for the charity Make-A-Wish Foundation. No joke. My gremlin is bawling in my ear 'Under-promise and over-deliver' you twerp!

The Make-A-Wish Foundation in this country aims to grant the wishes of children aged 3 to 18, living with life-threatening illnesses. A wish granted is utter magic for the child and provides happy memories for the family when, perhaps, time finally runs out.

Originally formed in 1986 after a little boy, Christopher, realised his wish to become a police officer for the day, the foundation has now granted more than 97,000 wishes to children with life threatening illnesses across the globe. Today a child enjoys a Make-A-Wish experience at the rate of one wish per hour every day around the world. Through a wish, the most incredible dreams come true. The money raised by my South Pole expedition will mean more wishes will be granted replacing pain and heartbreak caused by a child’s illness with laughter and joy. Take a look at the Foundation’s work on http://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/

The charity allows children to test the boundaries of their imagination when selecting a wish. Most wishes fall into one of four categories:

I wish to visit           I wish to meet
I wish to be             I wish to own

One true example of a wish granted is about James who dearly wanted to swim with dolphins – he was thrilled when he was told this would be possible. However, his condition deteriorated so the wish-granting team instead granted his second wish – a laptop computer, digital camera & printer. James and his family had a wonderful day transported by limousine followed by a meal in the Rainforest Café.

When James arrived home he found the computer equipment waiting for him. His face was a picture. He sat propped up in bed playing with his computer, taking pictures of his friends – although their visits had to be no more than 5 minutes long as he didn’t have energy for more time with them – he adored looking at their photos over and over. James died in Oct 2002 and his mother says, ‘Life will never be the same without James – we are so grateful to Make-A-Wish for bringing him happiness in his last weeks of life’.

During my own life, my brother Robin died of Cystic Fibrosis before he was 40; my third son was diagnosed with Leukaemia aged 4 and amazingly re-diagnosed later with Coeliac Disease instead; and most recently my baby daughter Madeline’s heart stopped in mid-term pregnancy. These experiences help me guess the amazing impact of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Hey guys, what's a few weeks freezing my baps off when the money will help so many kids?

You ARE Mad then?

Almost certainly! It started back in 2005. I just knew it was time for me to do something stretching – not just a bit challenging – but something that would scare the pants off me. Something big & something that might change my perspective on life, radically; something, also, that would make a difference to others and would mean someone’s life would be enhanced.

I didn’t search for the something – it found me. I met Fiona Thornewill, Polar Explorer extraordinaire & World Record Holder seen here pulling her tyre - we did the usual woman kind of thing, we met for tea and chats.

Before I knew it, I was somehow on a small team headed for the South Pole to celebrate the centenary of Ernest Shackleton’s Unfinished Journey.

What’s the Unfinished Journey ?

Shackleton, as you may know, is famed for turning back from his expedition crossing the South Polar continent from sea to sea. – his decision meant he saved the lives of his crew. And it meant he didn’t complete his journey, which was his life-long dream. People, and their lives, mattered more to him than proving himself.

From December 15^th 2006 a small team of us will complete the journey Shackleton began one hundred years ago – beginning at the point where he turned back, we will haul our sledges in the ice and snow until we reach the South Pole. We will honour the heroic efforts of this awesome leader and polar explorer.

Going to the South Pole

Why go to the South Pole? Are you a Madwoman?

Great Questions.

I’d love to be able to tell you that when I was a little girl I decided, one day, I’d go to Antarctica. I’d also like to be able to recount a long-held obsession with Polar Explorers. Maybe it would sound plausible if I could tell you I ski with ease and relish the outdoors. Or that I am longing to spend a Christmas month away from my children and all the hype of the season. Fact is I’d have to be a bare faced liar to get away with any of this.

Let’s get this straight then:

• I loathe cold weather. I’ve suffered hypothermia during a british winter

• I have never – yes, never- erected or slept in a tent

• I don’t have a clue how to ski

• I had a ‘careful-does-it’ childhood as my legs were insured for one million pounds during my classical ballet training

• I have spent no more than 14 days away from my children [in one ‘block’ of time] since I became a mother at seventeen years old

• I am a complete virgin explorer

Three Things to Handle

The closer I get to expressing myself fully and living the life of my soul's yearning as if by magic, 3 things happen:

1. Temptations arrive to distract me from the direction I have decided to take - for instance, an awesome full-time consultant post  has been sent to me by no less than four people. Sure, I fit the bill. It could have been written with me in mind. Wonderful salary, ideal location, skin-tight fit with my experience. Just one thing - a teensy little detail - I don't want the darned job. I am set, more like excited, to launch Strong Woman Salon in 2006. I'm developing the Strong Woman TV series [more on that later] and a host of services for Strong Women in the World. I know where I'm going and it isn't into that alluring [and easier] future.

2. Surprises happen that alter my plans. In the last week, for example, my husband learned he will be out of the UK for between 5-8 months. For any family this would have big impact - for me it brings enormous choices too. I am due to leave on a South Pole expedition in mid-December. My husband was going to 'hold the fort' in my absence for more than a month. Will this Strong Woman give up her place on the team? If not, who will care for my children?

3. Fear gets in my way. It is a deeply courageous act to live fully, to express myself, to stand in my knowing, and to feel my power, especially as a woman. As I dare to be myself fully, fear rises. The more connected I am with myself, the more I am a a force to be reckoned with. The amount of my fear matches my daring - stepping into terrifying territories in my Life right now, my fears try to take up more space. As I write the treatment for two - not even one - TV series, my fear will have me believe I am a no-one, that I must be silent, and that I will be exposed and damaged by my ridiculous plans. I am having none of it - did you hear me shout that? - instead I simply notice that yes, I really am on the right path. I go clean up my messy pants [a girl has 'accidents' when she's stricken with fear] and I take another step.

Temptations, Surprises or Fear - which one is alive in your Life right now? Let me know how you deal with it!