Home and knackered!

Evning! Well, I've now been home for 2 days and not stopped, the need for sleep is kicking in! Poor old Kylie had her rucksack hijacked by Heathrow terminal floor so there will be a nice stinky bag in the pile, if my rucksack was anything to go by! Seems like a very long time ago now, but what an experience. I've uploaded a few photos for you all to see, including Misty and Barnarby having a go at going bareback. Rest of the photos to follow when I have time. I'm still gathering in the sponsor money so am thrilled to be getting closer to the £5k target - it's not too late to sponsor me! Back to reality and work in the morning, feels a very long way from the peace and tranquility of the northern plains. I still keep looking skywards at night to spot the northern lights! I have to say though a warm bed and bath was very welcome.... 2 years to prepare for the North Pole, an extreme challenge. Let me know if you want to join in........ Kx

I made it back!!!

Hello all! Just a quick post to say that I am back in one piece with all fingers and toes in tact! Thanks for all the comments, nice to see you enjoyed watching the progress. I am absolutely shattered so will update properly with photos and tales of the adventure at a later date. Suffice to say my body is aching for a long hot soak in the bath, and although it was physically demanding it was definitely an experience to remember. For those of you who want to know what is next.....we are toying with the idea of an expedition to the North Pole, will take a bit of planning and serious training so watch this space for 2010! I think the cold affected my brain! Anyway, to Hugo, Andy, Frank and of course Dryan (Michael), thanks for looking after us, keeping us safe, lending us your dogs and keeping the humour levels up! To the gang (Rob, Rebecca, Marie, Amy, Carla and not forgetting Kylie - the Aussies), thanks for making this trip so memorable - not always for the right reasons :), keep in contact and wahey we all survived! The biggest thank you of course goes to those of you who sponsored me and have contributed to helping improve the quality of life for those who need it. Off to get clean and a good nights sleep in a double bed in the warm!!! lots of love Kerri xxxx

Thursday 27th March

A morning to relax. Saying that I will probably either go skiing or have a go on a snowmobile, will see how the mood takes me. Due to land back in the UK this evening - can't believe it's all over!

Wednesday 26th March

Wednesday 26th March
Final day of sledding today returning to the start point of the Mushers Lodge. The finish post is the infamous Ice Hotel.......going to have a couple of iced vodkas, in ice sculpted glasses, with ice - not that I haven't seen enough ice already AND....there's a HOT TUB, I can get clean! The hot tubs are great, it's just the getting out in to sub zero temperatures that is a little challenging.
I am in on piece with just a few minor injuries and unbeleivably one is a burn!! Covered over 400kms in total,everyone is knackered but totally exhilarated!!

Tuesday 25th March

Hard work today travelling uphill, yes uphill on to the plateau that overlooks the forests that we were whizzing in and out of on Sunday. Stopping the night in the 'Wilderness Lodge' and it is exactly that - a wooden lodge perched right on the edge of a frozen lake........yeah a sauna to rest the weary muscles at last.

Easter Monday

Had smoked Reindeer for breakfast this morning then covered about 80km from Soppero to Jakalajarvi sledding through Reindeer country - Misty and Barnaby got to meet Rudolph and all his friends! Needless to say the dogs like a reindeer or two so adding to the days challenges was stopping them chasing off after the Reindeers. It's amazing how wildlife survives in this wilderness, although it is extremely peaceful.....feels a very long way from home.

The picture was taken this morning of the River we were following.

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter! Continuing on the tobacco trail today covering about 35km of more stunning landscape. Whizzing across frozen lakes and in and out of the forest adds to the excitement and nerves (not heard any cracks yet!). The Lodge tonight dates back to the Sami period and is steeped in history, it's still run by real Sami descendants. Misty and Barnarby say hi to everyone at Praewood and St Albans, missing you all loads but having the adventure of a lifetime, if not a nippy one.

Saturday 22nd March

Hooked up with the huskies this morning and learnt how to handle them, although I suspect they were secretly learning how to handle me. Today's journey took us across some incredibly beautiful landscape on the tobacco trail to the Jakalajarvi cabins (pic) which is our home for the night! Saw reindeer, fell off sled, covered in dog muck! We got water for tonight from an ice well. The ice on the lake here is thin in places, our guide fell through, he's ok just damp! Basic rustic and minus 28 hoping to have clear view of northern lights again tonight. Love Kerri x

Stockholm to Kiruna to Laxforsen (Good Friday)

I have finally arrived in Kiruna, 300km inside the Arctic Circle in the northern extremes of Sweden. We're spending tonight in the Mushers Lodge at Laxforsen where we're getting our briefing on how to survive! Then it's off to a hot tub outside the lodge to relax and hopefully get a good view of the Northern Lights - maybe the last bath I get for 5 days so am going to make the most of it!!! Barnarby Bear and Misty Mouse arrived safe too, although they're finding it a little chilly x

Stockholm Airport

Hello! Well we're half way to the Arctic...bit of a bumpy start to the 2 hour flight to Stockholm however arrived in one piece. Snow flurries in the sky and it's a tropical -2 degrees. Not a lot to do here and a 2 hour wait so thought I'd jump online. Apparently there are only 7 of us doing the challenge and so far I have met 2 others, all's well so far. It also turns out that this may be the last trip for our UK guide, Andy Tutchings so let's hope it will be a trip for him to remember - and for the right reasons :) Weather conditions are good and we have been informed that there is a real chance we will get a clear view of the Northern Lights this evening, so fingers crossed I can get a good photo on here later. I hope everyone is having a great day off work, I'm making the most of the lack of physical activity today - saying that I've walked the length of the airport a couple of times! Kerri x

Nearly there .......

A very quick note to confirm that Barnarby Bear and Misty Mouse have packed their bags and are ready to go. In the picture Barnarby is being very sporting and wearing a Willow T-Shirt with the logos of all my corporate sponsors. Thank you to all of you as well as all the individuals who have sponsored me (and hopefully more to come), and to all the good luck wishes and cards that I have received - no pressure then you lot! Have you heard we'll be sending some snow over to the UK whilst we're away? x

2 Sleeps!

This will be a quick entry tonight as I am in a mad panic trying to do handovers for work and then even contemplate packing. Yes, it didn't quite happen last night, so the contents of my rucksack are still all over the living room floor! The good news is that I've invested in a new phone with a wizzy camera so should be able to get some pictures over to this blog. I have also made contact with a fellow musher, who also has an inate fear of dogs so between us I am sure the huskies will be having great fun! Anyway, I doubt I will get a chance to update again before I head off, so Adios Amigos and speak from colder climes soon xxxx

3 Sleeps to go!

Hello all!
Thanks to all of you have sent cards and messages, it's all starting to feel a bit real now. I have uploaded a map so you can see where I am going! If you look at the top of the map you will see a place called Kiruna. This is where we fly to (via Stockholm) and then head North. Kiruna is the northern most settlement in Sweden, and if any of you are lucky enough to go the the famous Ice Hotel, this is where it is.
I will hopefully have a phone signal in places so my brother has kindly agreed to update this blog for me whilst I'm out there.
The fundraising is getting there, nearly £3,500 now, only £1,500 left to go, come on those of you who haven't sponsored me yet, there are lots of individuals and families out there who aren't as lucky as you and who could use your support.
Bag packing is on the agenda tonight, as I am treating myself to a night out at the cinema tomorrow. As much as I've enjoyed all the preparation for this trip, I will be looking forward to getting my social life back.
From a nervous, potentially wannabe intrepid explorer x

4 Days to go!

I can't believe it's only 4 days to go. The nerves are well and truly starting to kick in. Ironically, I am supposed to be on a diet which consists of 60% carbs, 20% protein and 20% fat - it's the fat bit I'm struggling with. Had it been 6 months ago then I would have been struggling to get the fat content of my diet 'that low'! Well, my bag is nearly packed and bar some sunscreen, a pot of vaseline and a neck warmer I am about ready. Post injuries and stomach bugs, I managed my longest training session yesterday without breaking sweat so fingers crossed I'm now fit enough to enjoy the experience. The fundraising is also picking up again so I'm hoping to get back and have hit the £5k target - any anonymous donors out there who want to donate, please feel free. Willow is a truly great cause and one very close to my heart.

Oh, I forgot to mention in my previous entry, I have 2 travelling companions joining me ........ mascots from 2 local primary schools!!!!

10 days to go!

Count down has well and truly started. Following training disruption from a sort achilles tendon and rather a nasty blister I am back down the gym tonight! For those of you who don't know me, about 6 months ago I had rather too much to drink and thought it would be a great idea to do something a bit different to raise money for the Willow Foundation, and sign up to trek across the Arctic! This is someone who likes a bit of an adventure and who isn't a huge fan of the cold. I am also not a member of the Dog loving population, so the prospect of looking after my own team of Huskies also poses a challenge!

My main intentions of getting technical and writing this blog is to share my experience with those who know me and those who don't. I'd like to raise as much money and awareness for Willow (www.willowfoundation.org) and prove to the wider population that you can really do anything that you set your mind to. There are always others out there who are less fortunate than yourself and every little helps.

I will post before and after photos, daily diaries (once out there satellite signal permitting!), press cuttings and anything else of interest!

Happy reading and if you feel generous and making a difference in this world, please visit my fundraising page of www.justgiving.com/kerriwynn

Lots of love xx