Hi all,
This week I had my final medical and I received my test results back and I'm totally gutted to report that it's become clear that I won't be fit enough to participate in the Talisker Bounty Boat expedition. The doctors who I have been seeing whilst I've been recovering from my operation won't sign me as fit and are saying I shouldn't go.
Although the tests I've had to take have came back clear, the lymph glands in my abdominal area are still inflamed despite the time it's been since the operation which according to my doctor implies that there is still stuff going in on my body following the operation. The doc also said that this would explain why I am not putting any weight back on at the moment.
What with having my appendix out, I've lost just over a stone and I haven't been able to put any back on since arriving back home. The doc said it's as if my body has been through the trip once already and is still not far along the road of recovery. I real fine mentally and am raring to go, but physically still don't have anywhere near the amount of energy I used too.
Everyday that I've been home I've been hoping that the next day I would improve further and faster but it just hasn't really been happening. I had fully expected to be fit and dandy by now but it seems that my body just isn't recovering as fast as we'd all like it too.
So feeling really hacked off; I'm now announcing that I'll be off the boat simply down to health reasons and so now there is a place on the boat to fill. Anyone want to go and fill my spot??
The good news is that the book launch is going really well and I have probably signed over a hundred books for different people. I am actually really chuffed at the way it has gone and it is very satisfying to think that my story is in bookstores all over the country and now I am officially an 'Author'. I wonder what my English teachers must think of me!
Mike
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
I'm 18
Hi all,
Exciting news! The book is released tomorrow! It hits the shelves and will be available to buy in any good bookstore.
The last few days have been very busy with lots of press interviews surrounding the book and also the Talisker Bounty Boat expedition combined which has been excellent for ramping up both interest in the project and in the book.
Today after a bright and early start we were driven into London for a day of radio interviews and it was certainly a busy day as we went from studio to studio. The first show was with Libby Purves on Radio 4's midweek program which was good fun. There were four other guests there and we all sat around a table chatting about all sorts of different items for the 45minute long show.
Tomorrow is a very exciting day for me as I get to see the book on an actual shelf in a bookshop! I am doing the main book signing at Hatchards bookstore in Piccadilly from 11am to 1pm so if you want to pop down and grab a signed copy then feel welcome too and it would be great to see you there!
There are also signed copies available off my website www.challengemike.com so if you'd rather grab one off the net then you can order one from there.
It was my 18th birthday yesterday I'm pleased to say and it was a really good day all up which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was really relaxing and lovely to wake up and go into my parents bedroom and open a few presents with my family with us all in our dressing gowns. In the evening we went out for a lovely meal at an 'outback' restaurant which was good fun. Thank you everyone for your kind birthday messages.
Mike
Exciting news! The book is released tomorrow! It hits the shelves and will be available to buy in any good bookstore.
The last few days have been very busy with lots of press interviews surrounding the book and also the Talisker Bounty Boat expedition combined which has been excellent for ramping up both interest in the project and in the book.
Today after a bright and early start we were driven into London for a day of radio interviews and it was certainly a busy day as we went from studio to studio. The first show was with Libby Purves on Radio 4's midweek program which was good fun. There were four other guests there and we all sat around a table chatting about all sorts of different items for the 45minute long show.
Tomorrow is a very exciting day for me as I get to see the book on an actual shelf in a bookshop! I am doing the main book signing at Hatchards bookstore in Piccadilly from 11am to 1pm so if you want to pop down and grab a signed copy then feel welcome too and it would be great to see you there!
There are also signed copies available off my website www.challengemike.com so if you'd rather grab one off the net then you can order one from there.
It was my 18th birthday yesterday I'm pleased to say and it was a really good day all up which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was really relaxing and lovely to wake up and go into my parents bedroom and open a few presents with my family with us all in our dressing gowns. In the evening we went out for a lovely meal at an 'outback' restaurant which was good fun. Thank you everyone for your kind birthday messages.
Mike
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Back home
Hi everyone,
I flew back into London yesterday morning at the bright and early time of 4.30am. It felt like just the afternoon in Australian time though so it wasn't so bad. A day and a half of flying can seriously muck up the sleep pattern..
Looking back at the training I'm totally chuffed with how it went to be honest. I don't think we could be much more prepared than we are now and that is a really good feeling. After packing everything into the container on Saturday there was even a feeling of 'what now?' as we'd now well and truly ticked the job list right off.
I'm really pleased with how the crew has bonded together as that is totally vital for a project like this and I can guarantee with the crew that we have we'll most certainly have an crazy lot of laughs on board.
As I had a couple of days to spare before I flew back to London I hopped over to Hobart to catch up on some friends I had made whilst staying there on my world voyage. I had a great time and had loads of laughs. I think Don and Margie's rabbit called Noddy remembered me..
I've got a lot of things happening this month before I fly back out to Australia, mainly cantered around the launch of my book 'Sailing the Dream' on the 18th of March. I'll keep you guys updated in due course.
Thanks for all the good wishes I received whilst I was laid up with appendicitis. I am now feeling fine, but have been told not to do any heavy lifting for a bit.
Mike
I flew back into London yesterday morning at the bright and early time of 4.30am. It felt like just the afternoon in Australian time though so it wasn't so bad. A day and a half of flying can seriously muck up the sleep pattern..
Looking back at the training I'm totally chuffed with how it went to be honest. I don't think we could be much more prepared than we are now and that is a really good feeling. After packing everything into the container on Saturday there was even a feeling of 'what now?' as we'd now well and truly ticked the job list right off.
I'm really pleased with how the crew has bonded together as that is totally vital for a project like this and I can guarantee with the crew that we have we'll most certainly have an crazy lot of laughs on board.
As I had a couple of days to spare before I flew back to London I hopped over to Hobart to catch up on some friends I had made whilst staying there on my world voyage. I had a great time and had loads of laughs. I think Don and Margie's rabbit called Noddy remembered me..
I've got a lot of things happening this month before I fly back out to Australia, mainly cantered around the launch of my book 'Sailing the Dream' on the 18th of March. I'll keep you guys updated in due course.
Thanks for all the good wishes I received whilst I was laid up with appendicitis. I am now feeling fine, but have been told not to do any heavy lifting for a bit.
Mike
Friday, 12 February 2010
Recovering
Hi everyone,
Sorry about the silence on my blog recently, I've been a tad preoccupied!
I arrived in Sydney last friday morning and after meeting up with David and Pete the other two crew members from overseas we jumped in our hire car and headed off to find the park we're staying at. It was great to see the boat and see the guys expressions the first time they saw her. I'm sure they both shouted "she's tiny!" Don came by later in the evening after driving up from Hobart with all sorts of bits and bobs.
Saturday was the first day of the sea survival course and after just an hour or so, I decided I was feeling pretty ill and went out to get some fresh air. I later headed back to the cabin in a taxi as I wasn't getting any better. I thought it was only dehydration but it turned out to be a little worse..
After waiting to get better I headed into hospital to get checked out as I'd been advised to, and they decided to keep me in overnight for observations as they couldn't define what was up with me. Another day followed with another night in hospital with more tests and the day after that they decided to operate and see if it was my appendix that was causing me a load of constant pain. The op went smoothly fortunately and I was later told that my appendix was certainly inflamed so it was a very good call to have it taken out.
I spent another night in hospital recovering and then the guys came and picked me up and brought me back to the cabin. I'm currently resting up a lot and not really doing much to be honest! Sleep is a little difficult as is moving around but it will hopefully get a lot easier with time.
There's lots happening to the boat in terms of small modifications which are exciting to see and it looks like she'll be going in the water very shortly which should be fun.
Mike
Sorry about the silence on my blog recently, I've been a tad preoccupied!
I arrived in Sydney last friday morning and after meeting up with David and Pete the other two crew members from overseas we jumped in our hire car and headed off to find the park we're staying at. It was great to see the boat and see the guys expressions the first time they saw her. I'm sure they both shouted "she's tiny!" Don came by later in the evening after driving up from Hobart with all sorts of bits and bobs.
Saturday was the first day of the sea survival course and after just an hour or so, I decided I was feeling pretty ill and went out to get some fresh air. I later headed back to the cabin in a taxi as I wasn't getting any better. I thought it was only dehydration but it turned out to be a little worse..
After waiting to get better I headed into hospital to get checked out as I'd been advised to, and they decided to keep me in overnight for observations as they couldn't define what was up with me. Another day followed with another night in hospital with more tests and the day after that they decided to operate and see if it was my appendix that was causing me a load of constant pain. The op went smoothly fortunately and I was later told that my appendix was certainly inflamed so it was a very good call to have it taken out.
I spent another night in hospital recovering and then the guys came and picked me up and brought me back to the cabin. I'm currently resting up a lot and not really doing much to be honest! Sleep is a little difficult as is moving around but it will hopefully get a lot easier with time.
There's lots happening to the boat in terms of small modifications which are exciting to see and it looks like she'll be going in the water very shortly which should be fun.
Mike
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Appendix gone
Hello everybody
I thought now Mike was on dry land he would be updating this blog, but alas he has just had his appendix removed and has asked me to update.
Mike flew to Sydney a few days ago to meet up with the other guys signed up as Bounty Boat crew and to help prepare and take part in the training Don is working up. Mike only managed the morning of the survival course before retiring with abdominal pains then throwing up and fainting a couple of times. He was taken to hospital by some kind people who Don knows. He was admitted straight away and after a couple of days of tests and monitoring the surgeon took the decision of removing his appendix. Great news…one less thing to worry about in the future…. shame he couldn't have his tonsils and any other redundant organs taken out at the same time! The doctors and nurses have done a great job at looking after Mike and BIG thanks to everyone who has visited him.
Peter
Dad
I thought now Mike was on dry land he would be updating this blog, but alas he has just had his appendix removed and has asked me to update.
Mike flew to Sydney a few days ago to meet up with the other guys signed up as Bounty Boat crew and to help prepare and take part in the training Don is working up. Mike only managed the morning of the survival course before retiring with abdominal pains then throwing up and fainting a couple of times. He was taken to hospital by some kind people who Don knows. He was admitted straight away and after a couple of days of tests and monitoring the surgeon took the decision of removing his appendix. Great news…one less thing to worry about in the future…. shame he couldn't have his tonsils and any other redundant organs taken out at the same time! The doctors and nurses have done a great job at looking after Mike and BIG thanks to everyone who has visited him.
Peter
Dad
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Off Piste
Hi everyone,
I got back from skiing on Saturday and wow what a good week it was. I went with an old friend of mine Tom and we generally skied down any piste or off piste available which was certainly a good laugh. We were up in the French resort of Tignes and the choice of piste and off piste was just huge so we definitely explored a good bit. Amusingly every single lunch time we'd ski to the same restaurant on the mountain and have the same pizza there as it was one of the cheapest meals on the mountain - especially what with us being students, every little bit of saved money helps. Surprisingly the resort actually felt quite empty, which was a good thing as a lot of the slopes were nice and empty, although the nightlife did suffer a little subsequently.
Since getting back, I have been totally absorbed making changes to my book, reading and re-reading it before it goes to the printers. I will post details of outlets and how it may be obtained overseas, when they are all firmed up.
Tonight I'm jumping on a plane to Hong Kong which is my transfer airport for flying out to Sydney, arriving there Friday morning! Almost a day in the air! Crazy! I've been looking forward to heading out to Oz a lot and I really am very excited. Especially as it's nice and hot there now too! I'm out there training for the BountyBoat expedition and so I'm sure as team we're going to bond really well which I'm looking forward too.
Right, I suppose I better pack! I'll keep you updated with how the training progresses.
Mike
I got back from skiing on Saturday and wow what a good week it was. I went with an old friend of mine Tom and we generally skied down any piste or off piste available which was certainly a good laugh. We were up in the French resort of Tignes and the choice of piste and off piste was just huge so we definitely explored a good bit. Amusingly every single lunch time we'd ski to the same restaurant on the mountain and have the same pizza there as it was one of the cheapest meals on the mountain - especially what with us being students, every little bit of saved money helps. Surprisingly the resort actually felt quite empty, which was a good thing as a lot of the slopes were nice and empty, although the nightlife did suffer a little subsequently.
Since getting back, I have been totally absorbed making changes to my book, reading and re-reading it before it goes to the printers. I will post details of outlets and how it may be obtained overseas, when they are all firmed up.
Tonight I'm jumping on a plane to Hong Kong which is my transfer airport for flying out to Sydney, arriving there Friday morning! Almost a day in the air! Crazy! I've been looking forward to heading out to Oz a lot and I really am very excited. Especially as it's nice and hot there now too! I'm out there training for the BountyBoat expedition and so I'm sure as team we're going to bond really well which I'm looking forward too.
Right, I suppose I better pack! I'll keep you updated with how the training progresses.
Mike
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Talks, Talks, Talks
Hi everyone,
Well this last week has just been crazily busy. Great fun though!
On Monday I visited the Wren school in North London and did two talks there which was good fun. Later that day I hopped on a train up to Bradford where I had one of Bradford's famous curries and stayed the night. The following morning I went to visit an organisation called The Lighthouse Group. I've never quite seen a setup like the one they had and I was pretty impressed to say the least. The Lighthouse Group is an organisation that works with guys who have been excluded from school and their aim is to get them back on track. An amazing fact is that two thirds of people who are in prison were excluded from school.
I worked with a couple of small groups of people there and it was great to see just how determined some of these guys were to get out there and really lead an exciting life. One of the girls has an ambition to get out to Africa and work there for a while. I know the people heading up the organisation are looking into that and it shows just how committed these people are to getting these guys back on track.
I got on the train back to London, had a super busy day with more engagements and then on Thursday I popped up to Stafford to stay at my relatives house, as I was to do a talk at their college the following day which went really well. The guys at Stafford college made us feel very welcome so thanks guys!
My throat has started to give up now so I'm cutting back on the speaking a little to let it mend but in the meantime a good old friend of mine and I are flying out to France this afternoon to go skiing for a week! We only booked it a few days ago as a spur of the moment bargain holiday but I'm sure we're going to have some great fun out there. We're skiing in Tinges which is an amazing resort, so it should be pretty good that's for sure.
Anyway, I better be off, as I've got to get out to the airport shortly. I'll let you guys know how the skiing goes when I get back.
Mike
Well this last week has just been crazily busy. Great fun though!
On Monday I visited the Wren school in North London and did two talks there which was good fun. Later that day I hopped on a train up to Bradford where I had one of Bradford's famous curries and stayed the night. The following morning I went to visit an organisation called The Lighthouse Group. I've never quite seen a setup like the one they had and I was pretty impressed to say the least. The Lighthouse Group is an organisation that works with guys who have been excluded from school and their aim is to get them back on track. An amazing fact is that two thirds of people who are in prison were excluded from school.
I worked with a couple of small groups of people there and it was great to see just how determined some of these guys were to get out there and really lead an exciting life. One of the girls has an ambition to get out to Africa and work there for a while. I know the people heading up the organisation are looking into that and it shows just how committed these people are to getting these guys back on track.
I got on the train back to London, had a super busy day with more engagements and then on Thursday I popped up to Stafford to stay at my relatives house, as I was to do a talk at their college the following day which went really well. The guys at Stafford college made us feel very welcome so thanks guys!
My throat has started to give up now so I'm cutting back on the speaking a little to let it mend but in the meantime a good old friend of mine and I are flying out to France this afternoon to go skiing for a week! We only booked it a few days ago as a spur of the moment bargain holiday but I'm sure we're going to have some great fun out there. We're skiing in Tinges which is an amazing resort, so it should be pretty good that's for sure.
Anyway, I better be off, as I've got to get out to the airport shortly. I'll let you guys know how the skiing goes when I get back.
Mike
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