THE FINAL HUZZAH PART TWO: DONE: 50 THINGS BEFORE I'M 50 - CHALLENGE COMPLETED - So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

50 BEFORE 50 - DONE!  Ticked off, completed, done and dusted.

April 2017 I loudly and brazenly proclaimed to Facebook my intention of completing 50 tasks before I reached 50 years of age. The list had many different types of tasks, funny things, things I hadn't tried before and a fair few things which sounded ridiculous, for me - running, walking, cooking, abseiling, wingwalking!?

These last thirteen months have been my best of times, and my absolutely freaking worst of times.  A few short weeks ago I did what I set out to accomplish - complete 50 challenges before my 50th birthday, yes, I was a couple of weeks late but all things considered I'm having this as a win.

Loads of people start these sorts of lists, 50 before 50, 40 Before 40 - lots complete and lots don't. Funnily enough, the folk who don't complete are generally the people who have seemingly amazing lists, get themselves in to local newspapers, make a huge hoo hah of what they are going to do and then realise it's actually quite hard to keep motivated for this sort of thing. And quit. Personally, I was buggered if I was going to tell folk of my plans and then give up...

Not even when half way through this year of excitement my world fell apart.  Completely fell apart.  Losing two parents in seven weeks.....I'm still nowhere near getting over this, nor do I actually think I'll ever completely get over this, how can I?  It was a brutal seven weeks which has changed me significantly, for ever. :( :( :(

But.

My Mum and Dad had total belief in me and always believed that if I've set myself a goal I'm going to accomplish it.  They loved me, they thought I was crazy, and they thought I was completely bonkers and they loved me for it, as they'd loved me for everything I had done in the previous 49 years of my life.  So, I kind of did this for them in the end.  And I'm glad.

The photos in the collage above are of pictures from the top 9 blogs of activities I've done.  In the end, the wingwalk was my most read blog - I'm glad cos before then it was the skinny dip blog which was the most read and that surprised me in many many ways!   But in the end, the top activities were wingwalking, skinny dipping, driving a tank, abseiling off the Newport Transporter, sheepwrangling, quadbiking, Velocity - the fastest zipwire in the world, running- C25k and all other 5ks and the firewalk.

I did a lot of activities where there were medals and certificates on offer, I'll do a LOT for a shiny shiny medal or a stificate.  This is my 'swag' photo:

The list I have in my head of what were my favourites differs a little bit from what were the most popular posts.   My top five things - for different reasons are as follows:

The most challenging and the biggest buzz:

Driving A Tank!

Driving a tank surprised me.  It was a late addition to the list and I'm so freaking happy I did it.  Not being able to drive - a thing - meant that to be in charge of a 17 tonnes vehicle was a major achievement.  It was something that 13 months ago I probably wouldn't have considered doing, but here I am now, still almost buzzing at the thought I actually did this.  Looking back, it's a helluva an achievement to know I've done this, completely quirky, totally off the wall, and, I still can't quite believe how good I looked in tank overalls and a helmet!

The Funniest and Most Quirky Unique Challenge:

Llanfairpg Cream Cracker Challenge!

Think this is a challenge lots of people didn't see, or didn't get. But as far as I'm concerned this is one of my favourite things from throughout the whole year.  To say the longest place name in Wales in three different ways.  There is NOBODY else who will have tried this, this is me, its my own truly unique item and it still cracks me up:

The Truly Most Terrifying and Most Out My Comfort Zone:

Abseil Off the Newport Transporter Bridge

Without question, abseiling off the top of the Newport Transporter Bridge, for charity, gave me my biggest, kneetrembling, I'm about to pee my pants moment.  No contest.  The scariest moment of this year, and my life, came when I had to duck underneath the ledge at the top of the bridge, grasp onto the rail for dear life and then 'let go'.  I was shitting myself - excuse the language but there is no other way to describe that moment when you are asked to step backwards off a VERY high bridge and 'let go'.  My legs were literally trembling, they really were, and it was the moment in the last 13 months when I actually did think, 'I'm not sure I can actually do this'.  To know that I did then do it, probably my stand out proudest moment.  And I raised quite a lot of money for a south Wales hospice so a few different reasons to look back on this fondly.

The Most Satisfying and Biggest Commitment:

Complete Couch to 5k and run Pretty Muddy 5k, Light Up Cardiff 5k, Mo Run 5k, Santa and Elf Dash 5k

Couch to 5k, and the subsequent fun run 5ks  I've done,  without doubt demanded the most commitment, the biggest commitment I could give to any 'task'. I was 49 years old, never an athlete or sporty person, I've never been in a gym in my life and yes, I hold my hands up - I smoke, and not only do I smoke but I smoke - a lot!  And have done since I was 19 years old.  But, it was on my list as something I thought might be doable, but a challenge all the same. And yep, it was a huge godalmighty challenge but the one which probably puts the biggest smile on my face and the one which I'm determined to carry on with. When I started C25k with Stewart, I cried, I cried for most of the first runs, I'm not kidding.  It was a huge wake up call for what I'd done to my body. But, we kept going, I kept going, and bloody hell I did it.  Run for 30 minutes continuously and complete 5k.  It's kind of gone wrong since I lost my parents but it's the thing I most want to carry on with and I have already signed up for some more runs for this year.  It was also the thing my Dad was most proud of before he died and that, is a huge factor in why I want to carry on.

So,

The Funnest Challenges and the Cutest Pictures;

Milk a Cow, Be a Penguin Zookeeper and Sheepwrangling

These were not exactly challenging, they were fun, they were cute and by God I'm so glad I got to play on farms and get up close and among different animals.  50 Before 50 is a subjective challenge type of thing - I completely get that the most difficult thing with my list was trying to schedule and fit everything in.  I totally get that a lot of the things were not exactly testing - but without the list, to be honest, I probably wouldn't have tried half this stuff.  

The proper 'challenges' I've faced this last 13 months have involved the serious life stuff - so I'm not going to regret that I didn't have marathons or skydives or flying lessons.  I'm quite happy with what I have done and I'm quite happy that I'm about to end with pictures of cute animals.

 So, this is my final blog.  And that actually makes me REALLY sad.  I have had a blast this last year, not just doing this stuff, but also writing up about it.  I've honestly felt that each time I've written a blog that I was writing for friends.  And even though there haven't been any comments, I still knew that you've been there reading, watching and supporting - particularly through the hard times, the seriously tough times.  So, thank you, thank you, thank you - not sure what I would have done these last few months without you - so DIOLCH, GRAZIE, MERCIE, SHUKRAN, HVALA, TAK , DANKE, EFHARISTO, TODAH, XIEXIE, OBRIGADO, SPASIBO, ARIGATO

Lots and lots and love, Lesley Edge, age 50 years and a bit xxxx



DONE: No.49 - Get 50 Selfies From The Challenges - The Final Huzzah, Part One

And so, the end is near.....50 challenges in a year, and 50 challenges now done and ticked off.  The final task, to collect 50 selfies from the challenges, completed when I got my selfie with Dave, the pilot of the wingwalk.

I'm really quite sad now.  This last year has been such a total blast (the challenge list that is) and a revelation.  I CAN do stuff if I set my mind to it and there IS a huge amount of fun out there to be had.  Don't get me wrong, I didn't exactly spend my first 49 years on earth in some sort of fun vacuum, I have been out there and I have been doing stuff and exploring and experiencing.  Just not quite at the same extent as this last year.

It might surprise folk to know but this particular challenge, getting the 50 selfies, I actually found extremely tough.  Initially it was my intention to get 50 photies only of me with people met through the year but this turned out to be hard for me.  Believe it or not, I'm actually naturally very shy!  Yep, if I know you, I'm confident and happy and appear an extrovert, but if I don't know you....It takes time to build a relationship doesn't it.  So, to randomly ask complete strangers if they wouldn't mind getting up close for a photo - I found it excruciating.  But, I'm glad I did when it was possible.  In the end I reckon just over half of these photos involved either another person or another 'thing' but there are loads which are pure solo selfies:

So many memories here, so many smiles in my heart.  I know the name of each and every person in these photos: Jason the penguin keeper, Dave the pilot, Billy the goat, Jay the glassblower, Alex the tank, Derek the weather, Sonia the quiz, Jo the St Johns Ambulance, Rivaldo the horse whisperer, Jon the farmer, Lion the horse, Ermintrude the cow, Dewi - my SAVIOUR, Emma the sheep farmers daughter, Basia the sushi chef, Liz the St Johns Ambulance, Liam the Segway, Ben the abseil, Olly the snowboarder, Timber the guide dog 💖, Ceri the velonteer, Rocky the extra miler, Vicky the O2 climber, Brian the bird, Jay the zipwire companion and Stewart - my darling and soul mate 💘

I know these names won't mean anything, but they deserve a mention and hopefully they read accurately from top left picture to the bottom.  It's important for me to shout out and log and document these people.  I couldn't have completed particular tasks without them.

The pictures themselves are pretty shit, a lot of them!  My selfie taking ability did not improve throughout the year but I do have a few favourites.

Firstly, and almost purely cos they are very good looking and totally got the whole challenge thing, are Liam the segway guide and Ben the abseiler:

Then, one which is of myself and it's just bonkers- it's the selfie I took at the top of London's O2 when I climbed over it in the summer, yes, the summer!  It was a tad windy!

Then, the man I described above as my 'saviour' - Dewi the quadbiker!  I was dreadful at quadbiking and crashed on my practice run and didn't get any better.  Dewi took me under his experienced wing and looked after and babysat me for the rest of the afternoon and I was so glad he did.  And he is just such a cool man.

And finally, my favourite pic - has to be the selfie with Timber, the guide dog in training we were looking after last year and who actually came along, took part and helped out with a number of my initial tasks.  Loved this dog and he was very photogenic and the photos just make my heart melt - yes, I know this accolade should actually be going to Stewart but I'll be thanking him in the final ever blog in the next few days, so in the meantime, my favourite selfie of the year, with Timber.

DONE: No.4 - Wing Walk!!!

Dun, dun, duuuun - the WINGWALK, the biggie, how this whole list thing started and the thing throughout the year I most wanted to do.  Climb up on top of a plane and stand on while it flies through the air at top speed.  Crazy?  Nah.....a piece of cake.

We drove to Rendcomb Aerodrome, Cirencester to do this with AeroSuperBatics who not only allow 'civilians' to have a go at wingwalking but also form part of the world's only formation wingwalking team.

First things first and you had to watch a 'safety' video which also outlined the potential risks, mainly of the plane catching fire or tipping over, or whatever...You do have the option to opt out after this video and get a full refund. Did the film put me off?  HELL no.  I've been dreaming of this for a loooong time.

Even though you are told to arrive at the airfield wearing tight clothing that won't flap about in the wind, I was given a flying suit anyway.  Not exactly flattering and a wee bit too big.

There were quite a few crazy folk, nutters, brave souls doing wingwalks for various reasons today so before I had my go, I got to watch a few flights.  Initially, in the literature, you're advised that you can opt for a 'sedate' flight, as opposed to a more adventurous flight.  There was no way Jose I was going sedate.  In fact, a huge disappointment for me was that I wouldn't be getting to do a loop the loop which I desperately wanted to do. But, apparently they never allow first timers to do aerobatics as they, and you, don't know how you're going to react to standing on top of a plane while it flies through the air at top speed - sounds just as crazy a statement the second time round doesn't it!  Anyways, I was a bit gutted with this. 

So, the time came for my turn.  Something I had worried about the most was that you have to be able to climb up on to the top of the plane completely unaided.  I'm a total short arse with wee stubby legs and I wasn't sure how I'd manage.  The planes are not exactly teeny.

But, I surprised myself.  Must have been the excitement or the adrenaline but I managed to haul myself fairly easily.

So, got strapped in, given ear plugs and gloves and pulled my goggles up.  Nearly ready to go.

The plane revs up and then trundles and bounces like buggery across a field, ain't no proper runway here, just a field.  This was possibly the most uncomfortable and unsafe feeling of the whole experience because I was getting really 'shoogled' around.  But, when we got to the end of the field, you get ready, you're told to hold your arms out wide and then, up, up and away.

It's difficult to say how it felt.  I wasn't particularly scared, this was something I wanted to do.  I also wasn't scared because all I had to do was stand there - it wasn't me in charge of the plane was it!  I think the bits I liked the most were the steep banks where he kind of went sideyways and then when he climbed steeply and did dives - they were my favourite bits.  When I was younger, and living in Leatherhead me and Stewart actually had annual season passes to Chessington, Thorpe Park and Alton Towers because we were rollercoaster freaks.  Think I wanted to experience that again.

And, one more.....

 Now, if you think you know what a wingwalk looks like now from the ground - d'you want to see some pictures from the plane!  There was a go-pro mounted on the wing to capture every single moment of fear, happiness, snot erupting from crevices - the wind really whips you and it's cold and you can't feel your nose or sniff so it just pours!  Betcha wouldn't have thought about that, I didn't!  I also do an amazing 'Creature Comforts - wide mouth tortoise impression!  Enjoy :)

Sorry this has been a long post but hope you've enjoyed it!  Lots of love, Lesley xxx

DONE: No. 14- Monthly International Culture Club - Part Two: The Films

One of my monthly tasks - to explore international culture.  I've already written about the books in translation I read, now it's the turn of the 'foreign language' (for this monoglot) films I've watched this past year. Again, I tried to visit different continents - twelve different countries, twelve very different stories. The list of films were chosen mostly by myself and for different reasons, but some were recommended by LFS (London Film School) alumni. Having spent 14 glorious and happy years working in an international film school surrounded by immensely talented, creative and gifted filmmakers from around the globe, it would have been stupid to not draw on their knowledge of world cinema. So, the list:

France - Jules Et Jim
Italy - La Dolce Vita
Iran - Taste of Cherry
Brazil - City of God
Germany - Goodbye Lenin
India - Queen
Mexico - Pans Labrynth
Spain - El Sur
South Africa - Tsotsi
Wales - Hedd Wynn
Japan - Spirited Away
Sweden--Wild Strawberries

A fairly eclectic mix, covering most continents with films from various eras. Unlike the books, where I loved every single one, the films divided me. Even though I suppose I got something from each of them, a few really bugged me or disappointed. I know this is a case of each to their own and I can still acknowledge artistry but the two I really struggled with were Spirited Away and La Dolce Vita. Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli I accept might just not be my thing but I really wanted to bite my skin off while watching it. La Dolce Vita - God I wanted to love this film so much and I did enjoy the authentic glimpse of Italy in the 60s but it was too long and the characters were too obnoxious, I get that was the point, the original paparazzi and all that...

Of the rest. I think I had three clear favourites:

 

Hedd Wyn, the only Welsh language film ever to be shortlisted for a Oscar. I loved this. It tells the true story of a Welsh poet sent to fight in France during World War One. Most of the film focuses on his life as a North Wales farmer, with a poetic bent. While in France, he submits an epic poem to the Eisteddfod Committee - a huge deal - and it wins. Unfortunately he died from battle wounds without ever knowing he'd finally achieved his dream.

Tsotsi I found similar to City of God which I also enjoyed.  Both films are exceedingly violent - not usually a fan at all of violent films - but the violence I suppose is relevant because of the areas and the backgrounds of the characters involved, City of God is set in a Brazilian favela and Tsotsi is set in a Jo'Burg slum.  Now, I don't particularly believe that difficult backgrounds necessarily means you have to be a thug...Where Tsotsi won over City of God for me was the extra storyline of the inadvertently kidnapped baby.  Even though it was a horrific situation it did show the slightly more humane side of the main character and even though he put the parents of the baby through hell, he did the right thing in the end.

Finally, my favourite of all these films and favourite just because for me, who grew up during the Cold War and witnessed - via the news - the Berlin Wall coming down and the fall of communism it was bloody interesting:

Not sure how critically acclaimed this film is but it was just pure entertainment from start to finish.  I was in the middle of specialising in studying Communism and the Cold War and the 'Superpowers' at University when the Wall did come down, so to see a film about normal life on the 'other side' was a revelation.  And it was funny, and the characters just loved their Mum, and the main character - he's pretty cute!

Of the other films, the LFS influenced films, Abbas Kiarostami's Taste of Cherry, Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries and Victor Erice's El Sur were close contenders.

So, this could be a controversial post considering that I know so many filmmakers!  But, this is the ex-School Secretary/Student Services Manager of the LFS's view.  And I am open to suggestion of what other foreign language films to watch in the future.  This 'international culture' task will continue in my life!

DONE: A Tale of Two Walks - No.38: Cardiff Poppy Walk 10k and No.45: Processions-100 Years of Womens Suffrage

A tale of two walks, each for different but equally important causes.  One done yesterday, Saturday 9th June, one done today Sunday 10th June. 

Lets start with yesterday - the Cardiff 10k Poppy Walk being done for the British Legion.  My Dad was in the RAF (as was my Welsh Dad), my great uncle died in 1918 during World War One and Stewart's uncle was a young lad celebrating his 19th birthday on the beaches on D-Day.  So, the Poppy Appeal has always had significance.  But, yesterday, it was actually all about fun and exploring Cardiff city centre.  It wasn't a straightforward 10k, there was no great 'set off' instead when you signed in you were given a map and a list of questions to find around the route.  I did this on my own, without Stewart's supervision - me and maps and directions, don't work!

And don't worry - I don't have a lot to say about this walk, nor many photos either.  I basically turned up to Cardiff Castle to register, was given my t-shirt and a map with questions, and a poppy.

Then I was basically off.  Not much to show for the rest of this walk.  I was on my own and I was on a mission to get round the course as quickly as I could, without adding too much mileage by getting myself lost.  To begin with I was OK, we started through Cardiff Civic Centre and main shopping areas both of which I know pretty well considering I work here.   First quiz question stop was the National Welsh War Memorial where we were to place the poppies we had been given. After that, I did my best to keep going and not get lost.  I did - once. South of central station on the way to Cardiff Bay.  I've been to Cardiff Bay many times but by train, never by walking and they did take us off the beaten track.  Discovered a canal which feeds the dock area and it was a revelation - seriously big posh houses and quite serene.



When I actually made it to Cardiff Bay I came across loads of other people wearing the poppy walk t-shirts, all taking it easy and stopping for a bit of lunch.  I didn't - maybe a mistake in hindsight - instead I decided to keep ploughing on.  So, from the Bay you had to head straight back into town, mainly along the Taff Embankment walk, again, an area I've never played in so that was quite enjoyable.  Eventually I reached the finish point which was back at the castle.  I asked if I was one of the last to arrive, I found out I was one of the first!  Though, later on, and through today, I wish I had taken it a bit more easy.  Even though I've done a lot of walking this year it's a very long time since I 'powerwalked'.  I'm suffering now.  Still, when I finished I went straight to a pub for a sit down and a cooling refreshment.  We were given a medal for doing this walk and I am glad I managed to fit a 10k in - even though initially I hoped I'd be up for a 10k run, not a walk.  Unfortunately events have transpired that I'm some way off running 10k. Still, I felt satisfied with my efforts.

So, straight to today, the Processions March which was a living art event taking place simultaneously in each capital city of the UK - Edinburgh, Belfast, London AND Cardiff. Processions was celebrating 100 years of womens suffrage.  Even though I would always have been interested in this, I particularly wanted to to do for a specific reason.  Not sure if you know or not, but there was a running argument between me and wee Joycie for over 40 years - I swear, and have always swore that wee Joycie told my seven year old self that she'd BEEN a suffragette and chained herself to the railings.  She consistently denied this but I'm not sure.   Now I know she wasn't a suffragette, she wasn't that old, but I'm so convinced she told me she was. However, it did mean that I was aware of the suffragette movement from a very young age so it's a positive thing.  Today's event, I'm not going to say too much about it, just going to share some photos.  Again, I did this walk on my own, it started from Cardiff City Football Stadium and we processed, in glorious sunshine through Grangetown, through the city centre to Bute Park.  It was an amazing day and an amazing friendly atmosphere.  I loved this.  But please, just enjoy the photos: