Day 3! Wow I was just so glad to be able to say that and be there still.  I had been so worried about my foot flaring up and making it a complete nightmare but it hadn't and I was sticking to my strategy of just getting to the long day in the best shape possible.

So with the jebels in the background what did day 3 have in stall for us.  To my horror, sand dunes, and lots of them.  The road book said it was a 30km day which normally that would mean it shouldn't be too hard.  I knew that it couldn't be that easy, its The Toughest Footrace in the World!  How right I was, it might have only been 30km but wow what a 30km.  This day really sapped me as it was relentless dunes and slow moving progress, but at least progress.  All I wanted to do was to get through today, push on and get it done.

So today I had use the knowledge learnt from the last few days regarding salt tablets.  This was fairly easy to grasp.  'TAKE MORE'!!!!   So I knew that when it starts getting tough, as in when i'm having to work harder and sweat more, I need more of everything.  Salt, water, and calories!  Yes you will hear me talking a lot about this and if it sounds repetitive then sorry but it was.  If I am to explain to you how it was, with thoughts and routines then this is exactly what it was.

This is one of my favourite pictures.  This started of as a tough climb in the dunes but then developed into a Jebel. As tough going as it was I loved this.  Getting up high with the views and getting different terrain broke it up and made it feel exciting. Once I'd done the hard climb, which was at least in the morning so the temperature wasn't ridiculous yet, we got up on to the ridge this was amazing.

You can see on this picture the soft sand, this was like when your on the beach walking between the small dunes or just up down a long hilly beach.  This kind of sand was so hard to walk, run or climb in as it felt like one step forward and slide back two.  My heart rate was rising rapidly, so guess what???? Yep, get some salt tablets downed! This trek up the dune felt endless and mentally was a tough challenge.

It was worth it though, just look at that view.  This is another one of my favourite pictures, I love being able to see the line of runners they just look like ants ha ha! Incredible view and what an experience.

 This was another great moment in my day.  I was ahead of the 'COW' thank goodness!!!

The day just seemed to go on and on, ploughing through the soft sand and crossing dune after dune after dune.  I was now taking 2 salt tablets every hour and extra when I knew I was going to be working harder or just after a tough stretch where I thought I'd sweated more.  All I could keep thinking was its only 30km and once its done I was on to the long day which was always the target.

We crossed many long dunes but the one above felt significant.  The view shows the flat plains ahead of me which showed me that for the next hour at least I will be on harder ground, not necessarily easier as I found out.  It was only slightly more compact and kept switching in patches from soft to hard.  This messed with your mind, as you thought you were through a tough section and were going to get a slightly easier period, but no I was straight back in and out of the soft, draining, energy sapping sand.

So after about 20km we ended up back at the mountain range from the previous day, just slightly further along.  From where I stood to take the picture it didn't look too bad, but once you were half way up and sheltered from the breeze it just got tougher and tougher.  Near the top of the long climb was the rope from yesterday that had been moved and clipped in.  We needed it to help climb up the final section which was made awkward with the poles and slightly dangerous with other people at the same time pulling the rope in all directions in their bid to make the top.

Once over the top I assumed it wasn't going to be too far to the bivouac.  We were back on flat hard ground that was very stoney.  There was one single trail path that lead us across yet another plain.  I was suffering now as had been in the hottest part of the day and I just wanted to be back at base camp laughing and joking about my day just gone. I still had some work to do as the camp wasn't in sight yet.  All I could see in the distance was a hilly bank and people seemed to disappear at this point.  So it was either that the camp was there or we had to go up the bank.  Again with it being the 3rd day there seemed a pattern with the placement of the camp each day.  We always seemed to have a tough climb then a spectacular view once over the top of the camp.  This now became my target and I decided to get a move on as I could sense the finish line.  I wanted, or should I say needed a distraction.  So I started coming up with a rhyme to occupy my mind.  Before long I was up and over the bank that seemed so far away at one time and I was on my home.  In the picture above you can see what I saw, this was about 2km away aarrgghhh!  Anyway it gave me plenty of time to fine tune my rhyme ready for my grand entrance to the tent for the boys in the tent.

It was a glorious moment, I'd planned it  for the last couple of hours.  The rhyme was based on my day and I used my Hardmoors classification title of 'Shire'. It went something like

There was a shire from Yorkshire

Who crossed the desert that was his desire

Over a dune and a jebel or two

and then he felt pretty dire!!!

I know I know its that imaginative but it was the best I could do at the time.  It took all my powers to remember that, but a brilliant distraction and a great way to end my day.  Like I say a glorious moment.  Once I'd managed to get the pack off and out of my horrible salt lined smelly clothes I managed to lay down and relax.  Head on pack, feet raised up on sleeping bag and roll mat, and recovery drink in hand.  I was glad this nice easy 30km day was done.  My feet were boiling and starting to look like they'd been in the wars.  I picked up a couple of blisters but nothing major.  I empty my shoe from the thin soft sand that manages to get in, cleaned them down then popped them splashed in some iodine and left to dry.

With day one done we were in it, no turning back only forward progress would do.  For me it was like a job now, I was there to get it done and I was going to treat it like work.  There were routines in place now that I needed to follow in order to feel prepared for the day ahead and to deal with the challenge of that day.

The day began with what was now becoming the norm, the elephant stampede to the toilet block.  For some they couldn't wait, literally.  So the idealic holiday morning draw back of the curtains where you look for blue skies, beautiful landscapes, ocean views, nope not here!  You were most likely to get the view of someone's backside or frontside depending on the direction of the wind! Once I had sorted out my own morning ablutions I needed to get some food in me, sort my water rations and the attend to my feet.  Today was meant to be quite tough, it was 40k with numerous testing jebels.  Now after yesterdays little teaser, intro day, welcome to the desert, I was preparing for a battle.  I knew today was going to be about getting the salt tablets, hydration and calories right.  Legs felt good and ready for a marathon, since we'd only done one day this was pleasing ha ha!

Off we went still showing signs of energy and excitement.  We knew we were in for a test today so the mental games began straight away.  Boom straight away, up we go!  Heart rate nearly through the roof and a gradual feeling of nausea, oh great!  I kep pushing on and trying to work through but all I could see ahead of me was this mountain.  The breeze abandoned me and the heat became the new battle.  I could feel myself getting worse and worse, people were collapsed in heaps under any tree or shadie bit they could find, which in the desert ain't much!  I ground to a halt, there was a medic under a tree treating a coiple of people who looked pretty ill.  I was reluctant to stop because I didn't want them thinking I couldn't cope and giving them reason to pull me out but I had to. I had to just take a few minutes to get me back on track.  I knew the feeling well as have felt like it before on other events.  I needed not just water, but food and salt tablets.  Then I just needed a few minutes to compose myself before heading off.  I had a little chat with the medics they were just wanting to make sure I was ok before heading off.  One told me it was 1 and a bit kilometres up and over, then you'd be able to see the bivouac.  Great sounds so easy!

So off I trot, the ascent started ok but I slowly began to become weary and struggle.  My heart rate was much higher now and I was sweating profusely.  The need for mini breaks became often, just to let my heart come down then off I'd go again putting in another bout of effort.

So all I had to do was keep going. prevent myself from being sick and get to the top.  Another mini break and I'd be there!

The view back now was amazing, we'd covered such distance and gained great elevation.  I needed to reach the top then it would be done, just a matter of getting down the other side but I'd worry about that when I got there.  I turned the corner of the never ending climbing and I could see the pinnacle before people just seemed to disappear so that was the target.  Heart in mouth and desperation written all over my face I got there.  Instantly shovelled two more salt tablets down, a shot block and a gulp of water.  What was next!  The view was amazing, breath taking!

So all we had to do was start the descent by holding onto a rope and kind of abseil down before just making a run for it!

"Right here you are" the marshal said, "off you go!  Allez Allez!"

Once I'd made it to the bottom, bit of a scramble the last bit but actually quite good fun, exciting, I headed off towards camp.  We were are able from the top of the climb to see the camp.  Yet again it was about another 2k from here but everyone suddenly had a spring in their step and they were racing it home.

This was a great feeling, as it meant I'd got through day two and we were now well on our way to getting to the long day.  Just the matter of the dunes day tomorrow, but lets worry about that tomorrow!  I stormed into camp, the boys were all back and crashed out in the tent.  I entered to a round of applause and a few cheers which was nice, I then proceeded to untangle my pack from my body.  Oh my lord I cant move my arms let alone use them to lie down.  My shoulders were so sore it was unbelievable, they were that bad I couldn't rest on my arms or use them to prop myself up, the pain was immense.  This took a good couple of hours to wear off, but thankfully it did wear off otherwise it was going to be a long night.  Again!!!!

With my head resting on my pack, legs elevated on roll mat i'm having a well earned rest.  Once your back you have the privelidge of watching others return back to their tents, dragging their heels and carrying their water rations.  What I did like was that when someone does does return and pass your tent or surrounding tents, the runners who were already back clapped them in and congratulated them.  So instead of the walk of shame it was the celebration shuffle!  Next thing I know in hobbles Tim, 'whats happened?' I asked.  Tim's ankle was swollen, in fact it looked a tennis ball on the side of his foot.  The reply was that he'd fallen and wrecked his ankle.  They weren't quite sure to the severity but it didn't looked good at all.  Tim was having to go backwards and forwards to the medic tent, mainly because he kept forgetting either a bottle of water or his medical card.  They strapped it up and gave him a high dose of pain killers because he was insistent on carrying on no matter what.  Legend!!!  He still beat me back that day and the rest of the week lol!

What did I learn from this first day then, apart from don't fall over and wreck your ankle like Tim?  Lots of basic learning which confirmed all the things I knew I was going to have learn about and fast.  How much water, how often to take the salt tablets, how many calories, did I need the poles, was I hampered by foot if so how did I deal with it and keep dealing with it????  All these questions needed to be answered and as I found out each day it was going to be a constant learning process.  After my little rest and the excitement of Tim's ankle I needed to have a bit of a clean down and start sorting my feet in preparation for the next day.  First though I needed food and I wanted to do this before I tended to my feet.  I felt pretty good after this section, my foot held up well and my legs felt strong.  The pack had been heavy but it was only going to get lighter, thank goodness my shoulders were destroyed and it was only day 1.

Whilst I re-taped my feet I was planning my next days strategy for water, salt and calories.  This seemed to be our initial main topic of conversation and whether we thought we were getting it right.  What we decided was, we were pretty much on it but if anything we need to take more salt tablets.  Especially for me when I knew I was either going to be working hard or if I had just been working hard therefore seating more and had a greater need for replacing it.  We also decided that in the hottest part of the day, so 1-4, we needed to be taking more salt on as again would be sweating more therefore much greater need to replace lost salt.

The tape I had used and put on the vulnerable areas of not just my feet but my shoulders and lower back had held up ok and were doing there job it seemed.  I treated my feet, a mini wash and clean then covered them in the goo!  Yes Gurney Goo.  As most things in our tent, we hadn't used it before or tested it so it was a little into the unknown.  We were all using it, you could tell as we lay there feet raised and drying in the breeze.  It was amazing stuff, I'd recommend it to anyone.  We all couldn't believe how much it helped the recovery and protection of our feet.  The smell though was something else.  A cross between 'Vicks' and 'nail polisher remover' which got right up your nose and let off a party popper.  Wow!  Pungent stuff!

So apart from missing my shower I managed a slight clean down and a change into my evening wear.  A different pair of shorts, a merino wool long sleeve top and if needed a windproof running jacket.  I wasn't able to get into my sleeping bag initially as it was too warm for me.  This soon changed as my fear of scorpions and camel spiders grew the darker it became!  The headlamps went out and noise quietened, then there was darkness and eerie silence.  Before long the snoring started, then the flatulence took over.  It was gong to be another long night!!!!

The call was made, it sounded like  a festival horn.  We all kind of guessed what it meant but if we weren't sure the marshals were doing the rounds ushering us to the start line.  All kitted up and ready to go, we walked across to what can only be described as big bouncy castle arch start line. We first had to move over to where some ribbon was and gather.  Number 32.  This was for the aerial photo from the helicopter, a spectacular vision each year but a little over indulgence I feel from the organiser Patrick.  It did look good though!

We moved over towards the start line expecting another Patrick speech, and yes we weren't disappointed.  We had a mini speech since he had done one the night before explaining a lot of things about the race.  This time it was just to cover a few key points, especially about the bag de kaka and then the birthday shout outs for everyone.  This was all wonderful but I really just wanted to get on with it now.  The music was blaring out, every song you could think of relating to heat and the desert, such as 'Two tribes go to war', 'On a horse with no name' and then the big one 'highway to hell!'  Patrick loves this song its the signature song of the race.

The countdown was done and we were off!  I love remembering how everyone looks at the start, all fresh, energetic, laughing and joking, talking to everyone, then compare it to the end of a race or the last day in a multi-stage its the opposite.  Quiet, looking rough, broken, probably mumbling a few profanities and looking ready to drop. The start to each day was the least enjoyable for me as so many people all around you hustling and bustling, pushing in front with no regard for others.  It was like a rat race till the first checkpoint then suddenly it just spreads out.  Mainly because people taking breaks and resting before carrying on.  The start of the first stage, everyone was off like a shot.  Short easy introduction day they said, a mere 18 miles taster they said.  Well trust me, this was not easy, a taster yes!  It gave us an insight to what the week had in store for us.  A few little hills, a few long drawn out dunes, a few long salt plains to cross and that was me feeling sick on the first day.  One poor chap I passed with the medics looked very ill, it turned out he'd suffered a heart attack.  There were others too suffering quite badly and this first easy day was turning out to be a test, it weeding out the ones that shouldn't be there.

This was one of the first long sessions across the dunes.  We had just ascended a tough climb and heading across to the plains.  This sand was so hard to get any purchase from, I found it slowed me right down.  You could feel the pace change as soon as you got back on to the hard ground, it was easier on the body and you were off again.  The dunes were like running in treacle, a long slog, the poles helped though and were a life saver in the end.  The pool running that I did in training really helped.  I knew the feeling instantly, as soon as we hit the soft deep sand and the legs suddenly had to work much harder I just said to myself 'we know what this is like, we've done this in the pool' so would just work through it knowing it would end at some point and then I could get going again.

As we crossed the plains the views were just amazing.  With the mountains in the background and all around you I loved it.  The ground was now a harder more compact sand with lots of loose stones on top. It literally looked like the sea bed if you took all the water away that's the best way to describe it.  We were now working through the hottest part of the day 1pm-4pm, and oh boy did we know about it.  With it being a short-ish stage today many runners would be finishing shortly and able to rest up  Not for me I was going to get longer acclimatisation time, value for money all those wonderful excuses for being a tad slow!  I spent the day trying to understand how my body coped with the heat, learning about the salt tablets and trying to guage my water in take.  As I found out this was going to be a steep learning curve and one that was probably going to take most of the week to get right.  My plan was to use the first three days to learn as much as I could then use that information to get through the long day.

Once I finally got to the point where we had made a climb up some dunes you were given a view that would rival any in the world.  This view didn't have mountains, didn't have dunes, wasn't the prettiest but you could see the bivaouc in the distance and it just looked amazing!  The best view ever after you'd slogged your guts out for the day.  This suddenly put a spring in my step as I'm sure it did for everyone else.  You could tell everyone suddenly put a bit extra into there effort and pushed on to get across the line.  After a mini sprint finish at the end I was greeted with a hot cup of sweet tea, this was amazing loved it.  I headed on to the next queue and tent, got my water card clipped and received my next allocation.  The worst part of the day now, carry your water and head across camp back to your tent.  Aaarrrgghh as if you hadn't done enough lol!  What a feeling though when you get back to your tent, all the boys were back and Lynton was visiting so I got a little cheer and then I collapsed on to the carpet whilst trying to get out of my straight jacket of a backpack ha ha!  Time to rest, thank goodness, day 1 done.........

That night we were spoilt with a traditional Moroccan buffet.  You know us English we love a good buffet, fill ya boots lads!  At first I was a little apprehensive after the conversations on the facebook group with everyone worrying about getting a bout of deli belly.  It was amazing I loved the food, you could also have a can of beer if you wanted.  I refrained thinking I'd save myself for the end, unlike Tim and Paul who got stuck in to a tinnie. This wasn't any ordinary buffet this was a 1200 person buffet.  Tables oh yes, chairs er no! We had to sit on the floor to eat, this was actually quite tricky and uncomfortable, but we managed.  Although I did keep putting my hand in someone elses spilt meal, or at least I hope it was food but I could have been wrong going by the toilet antics.

It was now dark, back to the tent for last minute preparations before the official start in the morning.  At least we'd been able to get a bottle of water at meal time this was heavenly!  Since it was dark and no party games it was pretty much sleeping bags and off to sleep.  This turned out to be harder than I thought as was probably a little excited at the thought of getting started in the morning and not knowing what to expect.

Morning has broken!  Oh my god it felt early, that's because it was!  So at 5.30 people started getting up, with us having our luxury apartment in full view and close proximity of the exclusive toilet block we were constantly woken by the early risers going about their business.  First things first, I joined the local rat race to the bathroom.  Then it was all about food, feet and packing the bag ready for off.  Breakfast on this occasion was a lovely variety of porridge with strawberrys, this was probably the only morning I enjoyed porridge.  After that it became a bit of a chore. Whilst I waited for the porridge to mix properly I started taping my feet.  I nearly jumped out of my skin when Paul suddenly screamed out and pointed at my trotters.  His words were something like 'WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY?' or something very similar lol! His face was a picture, startled almost, whether this was just sheer surprise or fear i'm not sure.  What I do know is he hadn't seen feet like mine before ha ha!  All I could say was 'my feet will probably be worse now than yours will be by the end of the week'.  It was a moment I will probably never forget, absolute comedy.

They tent started disappearing, the Berbers were out in force working in a military fashion, very organised.  They were getting round the bivouac at some pace, it was amazing to watch and a spectacle in itself.  The problem was it made me feel anxious and rushed, when in fact we had plenty of time.  Feet taped and ready, porridge downed and kit squashed back into the bag, it was time to start adding the kit to my body.  This turned out to be rather a challenge, having forgotten my wonderful new ones that I got at Christmas from my sister, Lynton had brought me a spare pair of his.  Phew that was yet another close one I seemed to have got away with.  The problem was, I couldn't get them on.  It seemed my calves were the problem lol!  Once I had completed this mini mission or battle should I say, I moved on to the gaiters.  Now maybe on a different day this would have been a simple task, but for some reason it was like the krypton factor.  After eventually getting them on and feeling rather proud of myself I looked at the others and something was very different.  Instead of thinking I might be wrong, I questioned them, 'have you got those on the right way round?' what a plonker!  The replies came back and very obvious answers lol 'er yes, the zip goes on the outside'.  Oh whoops, that will be me that's wrong then!!!!  Once all kitted up pack on, gaiters sorted, drink bottles filled, and snacks at the ready, it was time for a quick pic or two.

There's the chuckle brothers getting ready for battle ha ha!  'to you, to me!'

The camp was being packed up fast, the berbers were on a mission.  Or was that just my roll mat, mmm not sure now!

Oh look its Luigi!  It must be Mario Cart time soon.

The start was looming, we were ready in plenty of time.  Lets chill for a bit was the call, then we'll head over to the start line.  Just watching the rituals and mayhem of the pre-race preparation was actually quite exhausting. I needed a lie down!

Once we'd rested, which is weird since all we'd done was sit down on the plane and coach, we managed to get the tent set up.  Now with us being desert novices and it being only the first day/night we were a little naïve in rigging the tent to suit our needs.  After my many laps of the bivouac looking for the whereabouts of people, I had gained a few tips looking at others tents.  They were set up for you in a pretty standard manner, open and accessible, which is great for when you arrive but not so great when the cold night wind sets in.  So there were lessons to learn, and quick!  Paul soon took this on like a true boy scout.  He soon learnt about adjusting the poles and propping up the corners, what was needed and what we could take out.  The tent soon became our fortress, more compact, protected, weighted down by any rocks we could find.  The first night was a big eye opener, a crispy cold breeze whistling under the tent making us all feel very cold and vulnerable to the elements.  Personally I was ok just my face was a bit cold, the others found the whole night to be a cold restless sleepless experience.  We thought wow if its like this every night we're in bother as they were all wrapped up in any spare clothing and jackets they could find.  As the week progressed though the nights seemed warmer, whether this was an actual fact or because our bodies were exposed to the heat all day every day I'm not sure.

Our first morning, there was lots of hustle and bustle around the camp, excited people dancing about tussling with their kit before the all important kit checks and weigh ins!  Not in our tent, it was more like a morgue due to the lack of sleep during the night and the knowledge our kit checks weren't till after 11 so no hurry.  Unfortunately though what we did manage to cock up on our first day was the first water collection, 3 litres of it, infact our entire days water.  We slept through the 6.30-7.30 one hour window allocated to you collecting your ration.  A very smug Lynton (my mate from Uni), came hovering round the tent probably looking for any food he could scrounge, seeing how we were getting on and revelling in our confused state and bomardment of questions about when we could get some water.  He particularly enjoyed telling us how he had loads in fact about three bottles to be exact, and then proceeded to wander back to his tent.  We all just looked at each other, expressing our stupidity in some very colourful language, and it wasn't French or Spanish!

My first mission was to sort my kit out and test the weight of the pack without water, of course, since we didn't have any aarrgghhh!  We were all desperately packing, emptying and re-packing our packs trying to reduce the weight scrimping and questioning previous decisions and choices.  The obvious goal was to get it down as close as you could to the minimum weight of 6.5kg, but mine was just under 11 oh dear!  I kept taking more and more out, asking everyone's opinion on items I wasn't sure about and then getting the eventual ultimate question of 'do you really need it, or can you eat it?'  Check-in and pack weigh time was fast approaching for Paul and myself, and oh yeah I'm a tad thirsty wonder why that is, numpty!  So all packed up, I tested the weight without water and it was 9.79kg.  This seemed really good at the time compared to the first time I weighed it at just under 11, oh how I did  regret not getting that lower lol!

So off we went to find the check-in tent, all excited at the prospect of not having to worry about my pack any more and to stop stressing over what kit to have and what not to have.  We dumped our hold all bags ready to go on the lorry to the hotel at the end and joined our respective queue's.  This first bit, the weigh in and medical/ECG check seemed ok and pretty quick, we were shunted through the tent and told to then go and join another queue for your race number.  Of I toddled pretty pleased with myself and excited at the prospect of nearly finishing the processing, and joined the next queue.  Once I got to the front I received my bib and I was then handed two more brown bag de kakka's, oh joy!  Yet again I was then directed to another queue which I thought was just to get your official picture taken with the sponsors backboard, so I told Paul we might aswell skip that unless you were that bothered about the pic which I wasn't.  We were soon advised to join the queue as it was a reference picture for them plus you needed to log your tracking device into the system by registering it over the line in the tent.  Ooops nearly another major cock up!  We headed back to the tent happy now we were done and couldn't change anything, by this point I was starting to feel a little weary and dehydrated so was praying for tea time when we could get a drink.  We entered the tent where the other two were still stressing over there kit before heading off.  We rested and dreamt of the forthcoming start line the next day!

The bivouac from a distance.

Paul, Tim and I went for a little walk after all the processing was done.  It was nice to stretch our legs a little and absorb our new environment for the week.  We scrambled up a little hill and took in the views before heading back to camp.

We were now all set and ready for the big off!  Lets have it ha ha!

THE MARATHON DE SABLES
A tale of Endurance, stubbornness and a whole new different way of life!

Where to start when such an epic journey is to be told!

The journey began a long time ago really, the seed was planted after reading a book by an Ultramarathon legend.  I then set about a series of challenges to find out if anyone could do these amazing things or if you needed to be an elite athlete.  What I soon realised was it is in us all to achieve great accomplishments and amazing feats of endurance, you just need to believe you can and want it more than anything or anyone.  Our bodies can go through extreme levels of pain and can endure such levels of exhaustion.  My challenge began with distance, I wanted to be able to show that an ordinary person i.e. me can complete a 100 mile endurance race.  This soon developed into even greater challenges testing not only fitness levels but having the challenge of differing environments with the elements adding even greater difficulty.  So, The Marathon de Sables it was to be!

On Thursday April 6th 2017, I set off from York Station, duffel bag and MdS rucksack in tow.  Standing waiting for the train, excitement and apprehension written all over my face.  Whats going through my mind as I'm about to set off on this journey of a lifetime, a little bit of fear for the unknown, apprehension and wondering if I'm in too deep and can I actually do this, excitement for the forth coming adventure, and yes of course constantly going through my mental kit checklist.  Have I got everything, what have I left behind, what if I haven't thought of every eventuality!  I waved goodbye to my slightly worried parents and that was it, this was what I have been planning for, training for and getting mentally prepared for, 3 years in the planning and we're off!

My first great challenge, and to be honest I had more worries about this than the MdS and this was crossing London and not missing my trains.  The underground was going to be my greatest challenge yet but I was ready for it ha ha!  After being picked up and driven back to my sisters home by her fiancée Justin I was able to relax and yes you guessed it I went through my kit again.  Oh how I will be glad when I don't have to check my kit any more lol! With the prospect of getting up at 3am so we could be off to Gatwick airport on time meant for an early night, would I be able to sleep, that's right, no chance!!!

Arriving at the airport was fun I was actually excited now, seeing other people being dropped off by loved ones and carrying there yellow and black MdS packs made it all good fun we were like cattle gathering.  I checked in and got rid of my bag before saying my goodbyes, then wandered through to the departure lounge where all the other mds'ers were hovering and buzzing round.  This was is it, I was really there, I couldn't quite believe it I think.  It didn't seem real, but it was it was happening there and then.

The idea had been to try and meet up with a couple of the other lads before I headed off, I managed to bump into Matt who I'd met at Leeds Uni whilst doing the heat chamber training but the other boys were on the later flight so I was just getting random messages like 'which airport are we going from?' or 'ooops I've forgotten my hairdryer!' etc etc.  Very amusing and made it all a little less daunting.  So straight from the departure lounge to boarding, my number had been called so on I went, not much time to meet anyone to be fair.  Perfect, I got the aisle seat!  I ended up with two other lads who seemed good quality, we had a bit of a laugh and got all the normally apprehensive jokes out of the way.  I was keen to see if I would see them both by the end of the week, one lad for sure as was a squaddie but seemed to have his head screwed on about it where as the other lad seemed to be winging it a little bit too much.  One of his comments was regarding his Velcro for his gaiters, his words were 'yep, did mine last night at a mates and just used glue but did it myself!' in my eyes this did not bode well but I hope he finished he seemed a nice guy.

From Ouazarate airport we were bundled on to coaches that were to take us to the bivouac, I already knew this was going to be a long journey, it was in the travel documents saying around 6 hours aaarrrggghhh!  My knee was already playing up from the plane so this wasn't going to be much fun.  I sat with Matt and got shuffed in next to the window, an incredibly squashed position the seats seemed so close to each other.  The coach trip was apart from quite painful, also quite an eye opener, a nice little introduction to Morocco before the desert descended upon us.  During the trip we were given a few bits of vital kit and information regarding camp and tents.  They were trying to get us all sorted into groups of 8 for the tent but I wasn't with my friends or the people I had arranged to be with so I just kept quiet.  We were given our first quota of 'bag de kakka' of which there was two.  Without going into too much detail these were for toilet needs (you'll have to use your imagination'.  After a couple of hours we stopped for a quick toilet break, being British I thought there might be some kind of rule like 'women to the left and men to the right' but no, this was my first eye opener.

It was very random and pretty much just go wherever you want and in full view of everyone lol!  The next stop was for food, we were each given what looked like a shoe box full of dates, but it actually turned out to be a build your own sandwich with meat and salad, some fruit and biscuits and a carton drink.  To be fair I thought it was fine more than adequate and did the job.  We were already getting into the habit of anti-bacing our hands at all opportunities as this became more and more important the more we became isolated, self sufficient and vulnerable to picking up germs.

It wasn't long, well I mean about 6 hours lol, before we arrived at the Bivouac, we all departed the coaches grabbing our kit bags and a bottle of water.  The idea now was to register yourself and tent mates and be designated a tent number.  Mmm this could be interesting as I was on my own, the other lads were on the next coach and I couldn't see Joe any where.  So my turn, in my best mixed up francais/anglais I blagged a tent for my buddies and me so off I trotted.  If only it had been that easy!  I still couldn't find Joe and his mate so after going backwards and forwards a few times covering a couple of kilometres already I decided that enough was enough.  I bagged a tent, plonked all my kit and decided I was just going to go and tell them I'm in tent '126' and I was waiting for my mates.  I quickly grabbed Paul and Tim who brought along John and we went to the tent.  Only to find another group had been assigned to 126, but I soon fought for our tent and moved them on.  I was already in protective battle mode, 'don't mess!!' Tim and Paul were shell shocked, a little taken back by my protectiveness but if they'd  walked back and forewards with all there kit as many times as I did they too would have been the same I'd like to think.  We all collapsed and sprawled out in our tent expecting others to join us.  They didn't come, the tent was ours!