Thursday, 23 May 2013

Frugaldom Updates on the Moneysaving Front

A Frugal Holiday, a Hill Walk and Some Fundraising.


Most of my time, recently, has been focussed on trying to get fit enough for a charity walk up Ben Nevis and trying to raise some funds for my chosen charity - Pirsac (Port William Independent Lifeboat) - so I apologise for the lack of posts recently. It will soon all be over, done and dusted.

We set off tomorrow morning and travel just over 200 miles north to Fort William where 10 of us are meeting up and planning on walking up the mountain on Saturday. We are all walking for different reasons and/or causes.

I would have loved to have raised £1,000 to help keep our local lifeboat afloat but, sadly, many friends have just refused point blank to support this by way of donation. If I am honest, I have been very stupid and allowed myself to take it personally. After 4 months of trying to overcome back, knee and hip problems in order to get fit enough to even attempt such a strenuous walk, I felt insulted by the total lack of support by some of those around me and disgusted by the belittling comments, but apparently walking up Ben Nevis is easy and almost anyone can do it! Well, for me, IT IS A BIG THING and I can happily live without such thoughtless comments!

All the details are linked to the www.mcgonks.com website and I shall update whenever possible over this coming weekend. At the moment, I have nothing much left to say on the matter and shall consider future options carefully after making the most of what I expect to be a very enjoyable and very challenging weekend. Good luck to my fellow walkers. :)
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20 comments:

  1. Welsh Poppy23 May 2013 at 17:36

    I know it is not much but have donated a wee amount good luck I envy you all have a fantastic time and come back to tell us the stories:-)

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  2. Susan at Frugaldom23 May 2013 at 17:42

    Many thanks, A, its really appreciated and looking like we might make it to £500 for the lifeboat. Apart from that, you have been inspirational during my training for this, that is also appreciated. :)

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  3. johnnyjumpsup23 May 2013 at 18:32

    Good luck with your endeavours. I admire your efforts and I am sure that climbing Ben Nevis is by no means easy. Take care.

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    1. Susan at Frugaldom23 May 2013 at 18:37

      Many thanks for your support - we can but try and the hostel knows to expect a bunch of middle-aged crocks even after just walking up and down the mountain path. LOL We will all be dong our best. :)

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  4. Sooze23 May 2013 at 19:18

    If it's so easy, why aren't they all doing it? To even think of attempting to climb a mountain (erm, correct me if I'm wrong, but it is a mountain, isn't it?) - or even just to walk up it if there is indeed that much of a so-called easy way - is to be applauded. Even more so when you've had the health problems you've mentioned. And doing it for charity - well, you deserve a huge pat on the back and the support of everyone you know.

    I am sorry I am not in a position to donate, but you are to be commended for doing this. I hope you have a wonderful day.

    Regards, Sooze

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    1. Susan at Frugaldom5 June 2013 at 23:55

      Hi Sooze, sorry it took so long to reply and thank yu for yur moral support. I chose to ignore the belittlers and the 10 of us went up that mountain, having a fantastic time in sunshine and snow. We all made it to the top and back down safely and raised hundreds of pounds into the bargain. :)

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  5. Vixen 30723 May 2013 at 19:34

    I admire anyone who takes on a physical challenge for something they believe in, may be able to make a small donation this weekend, would hate for you not to achieve your dream amount. Its understandable that some cannot donate as we are in such difficult times but its nice that they give support on here. You keep on going and ignore those who have slighted you, the rest of us are right behind you. And its not a big thing its a HUGE thing you are doing. xxxx

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    1. Susan at Frugaldom5 June 2013 at 23:56

      The deed has been done, loved every minute of it and ended up visiting the summit twice in the same day. :)

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  6. Jo24 May 2013 at 12:42

    Well done to you for giving it a go. Hope you enjoy it!

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    1. Susan at Frugaldom5 June 2013 at 23:57

      Loved it, would go back and do same again if someone could guarantee the weather would be as sunny as glorious as it was on May 25th 2013. Hope yu enjoy the photos. :)

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  7. Sue24 May 2013 at 17:27

    I hope the walk/climb goes well for you all and you have a bit of fun too. Fingers firmly crossed for you for some decent weather :-)

    Good Luck.

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    1. Susan at Frugaldom5 June 2013 at 23:59

      Better late than never - it was a fantastic day, you just do not realise the size of that place until you are standing at the top, looking out across miles and miles of mountain tops. Absolutely stunning! :)

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  8. Moira25 May 2013 at 17:10

    To have slighted someone who is overcoming health problems not just for their own benefit but to raise funds for other people's benefit is low, selfish and mean-hearted. I hope that all has gone well and that your knees and back are in good, if aching, form. Thank you for your inspiration and fingers crossed that you make your target.

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    1. Susan at Frugaldom6 June 2013 at 00:01

      Back, knees and hips all behaved beautifully, the calf muscles ached a bit for a few days afterwards but two of us walked up to what's known as the Sugar Loaf on Cow Hill the day after and it was a fairly brisk walk. LOL

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  9. Lydia La La25 May 2013 at 23:40

    I would feel as you do.... hurt. Good luck with this tremendous climb. I've only driven past Ben Nevis and Fort William and it looks STEEP! Just discovered your blog so I'm off to read older posts.

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    1. Susan at Frugaldom6 June 2013 at 00:05

      Lydia, the mountain track that's mostly used as the tourist route wasn't too bad. It meanders more than climbs continuously and we stopped so often for photographs that the walk up went fairly smoothly. Coming back down takes a little more concentration, especially where it gets rocky and quite slippery in places. The snow was pretty treacherous in places on the way down, there was no other option than to slide in places - remaining upright was an additional bonus if you could manage it, Main thing was, IT WAS FUN! :)

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  10. Susan at Frugaldom6 June 2013 at 00:06

    Mission accomplished, John. All ten of us who did the walk made it to the top and back safely. :)

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  11. Susan at Frugaldom6 June 2013 at 00:08

    I have posted photos from this walk on the McGonks blog at www.mcgonks.blogspot.com and also on the Mcgonks Facebook page at www.facebook.com/McGonks Two of us were walking for the McGonks' Challenge in aid of the local lifeboat and we managed to raise £675.

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  12. Winterfell Mixed Media16 January 2014 at 05:28

    I know it's long over but big kudos to you.

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    1. Susan at Frugaldom16 January 2014 at 09:55

      Thank you. Hoping to go another walk soon, Schiehallion has been mentioned. :)

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