Well, this last week has certainly flown past - we are busier than ever supplying fabulous nursing clothing to new mamas across the UK and abroad, so much so that I haven't had chance to update everyone on my 3 peaks challenge!
On 1st May, myself and 16 other ladies set out to tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks - one of the most famous fitness challenges in the country - which involves a 26-mile walk across the peaks of the three highest points in Yorkshire. The trek travels across Pen-y-ghent (691m), Whernside (728m), and Ingleborough (723m), with the total climb approximating 5,200 feet across varying routes and paths.
My friend Hayley joined me, and we eased ourselves gently into the weekend by booking into the Devonshire Spa hotel - we indulged ourselves with spa treatments, relaxing in the pool and a fabulous meal in the hotel restaurant. Fast forward 24 hours, and we were booking into a spartan B&B just down the road from the famous 3 peaks, and an early night before our 5.00am start!! (that's me, there, on the far left of the pic - hellllooooooooooo!!)
Fingers crossed for a better day than forecast (heavy rain!) the day dawned bright and clear, if a little cold. The walk took us up Pen-y-Ghent first, and we strode quickly up up up, through the low clouds into the bright morning sunshine, scrambling up the rocky summit to some stunning views across the Yorkshire fells. Woo-hoo, 1 down, 2 to go!!
Onwards down the other side of Pen-y-Ghent, and a long, long trek through the marshlands over towards the peak of Whernside. Had some lovely chats with the other girls taking part in the hike, and it was great to discover their backgrounds and the reasons that they were undertaking the walk.
We snacked as we walked: nuts, trail mix, dried fruit, chocolate, crackers, cheese, fruit, cereal bars and lots and lots of water and lucozade sport!! Over stiles, through gates and across streams, down paths, through stony ground and marshy ground, over bridges, down farmtracks, and main roads on and on we went...
Up, up, up Whernside next - up the stone slabs all the way to the top - yay! Then just after we reached the trig point at the summit, suddenly the heavens opened and an absolute deluge of rain and hail hit us. Water dripped off our waterproof jackets, and having not packed any 100% waterproof trousers (oops) I was suddenly very, very cold and with rather wet legs and socks.
Coming down Whernside, my sacro-iliac joint started to twinge and I was very wary of putting my back out again as I did in September. Nightmare. I picked my way carefully down the slippery stones and muddy path, hood and hands up against the hail, trying to avoid the trickling streams of water accompanying us down the slopes now, and made my way down to the meeting point at the bottom - I then decided that the pain in my hips meant I couldn't risk tackling Ingleborough and that I was very proud to have completed two peaks in one day. Hayley carried the Bella Mama hopes forwards, and went on to complete Ingleborough and the 3 peaks challenge!
This hike was easily the most challenging thing that I have done! I had some fabulous messages of support from my relatives, friends, Bella Mama's designers and customers alike - so thank you so much to everyone who has supported me in this. Hayley and I are planning a trip back this summer so I can do Ingleborough. I had a really fun day, I enjoyed the hike and the chance to see some of the loveliest parts of the UK whilst doing so.
Bella Mama will also be making a donation from each order until 15th May, and we are also offering a special 10% discount to use on the site from 30th April until 15th May - enter the code THREEPEAKS at checkout. In total will have raised over £600 for MedEquip4Kids,which will go to help support a lot of new breastfeeding mamas!
Kirsten
xx
