Weekly Missive - the first for the New Year

Happy New Year to one and all, and all that stuff.
This will be the year when it all kicks off - Hurrah
Already things are beginning to move fast. We have meetings with
sponsors, film companies and logistics organisations. We will be
finalising the flight details in Antarctica shortly and our first
fitness assessment is in a few weeks time.
Fitness assessment, so soon after Christmas!! We can only improve. It
is funny though, for all of us feel a little below par at the moment -
the winter colds, Christmas excess and cold damp nights drawing in...
but I also feel energised, refreshed and raring to go and make it all
happen.
I went for a marvellous run this evening. It was dark, cold and
raining. I ran across fields, the forest, forded dark rivers, hit the
foreshore with the waves crashing around me with the last mile on
tarmac to do some grids!! Wet, muddy and fun!!
I know the others in the team are also giving it "large", Dave has a
personal trainer, Steve and Rupert did a mega tyre-drag through the
New Forest at the weekend, Mike is keeping busy, Mick never stops,
George, as a farmer, is permanently active and Matt is training for
the London Marathon.

We lost one member of the team this week. Sadly, but correctly, Huw
has had to pull out to look after his ailing Mother. Family duty must
always come first, and we salute his decision though we are sad at the
same time. I have told him to keep fit, keep in touch and let's see
what happens!!

Speak soon one and all

Hurrah
Manley
Expedition Leader
Best of British South Pole 2011