Ok so I’m actually going to do this. I’m very much looking forward to it and have decided to do it with The Meningitis Trust.

So 11th May this Year I’ll actually do it, should be lots of fun, just have a few things to sort before then including;

• Get abit fitter and been on the beer a little to much recently, cant beat a good pint of Doombar!
• Get out in the hills and get the legs burning and used to the up hill walking again! – Got Mountain Activity the week before the event should help some what.
• Oh and yes £500 sponsorship cash please sponsor me at the following link.

http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/nutt

Ill keep you up to date as time moves on!

Having just read the article from the Telegraph [full link at the bottom], that I saw linked on FB, I decided to share it here and add my views on it. Most of the comments in the article discuss that the sale of OS maps are in decline and that map skill are also in decline.

I sum what disagree as I personally feel that map skills are not declining but that more people are getting into going outdoors as they become more complacent that they can get around but following direction with the use of technology at their disposal. A majority of these people probably don’t know how to properly operate their GPS device [which was most likely a perfect partner's Xmas present].

Maybe what organisations such as Ordnance Survey could do is to have not only ‘Master classes’ on map read and compass work, but also get GPS device makers involved in helping to ‘Master class’ the use of these GPS units. After all most of the GPS units run on OS licensed maps. Some of these units are very sophisticated and can calculate very accurately. Which is great and can download new maps from the net in less time it takes to get a map from a shop or delivered if purchased online.

I do agree that there is no 100% replacement for education in map and compass skills. This is why I still teach map and compass work at Scouts, its a vital tool in the outdoors. The basics can be taught in the same time it takes to learn to use a new GPS unit. Map and compass skills over years of practise can become very second nature, its more fun and works without batteries!

I personally still live by the GPS i was taught with, Grass Pointing System which is a blade of grass pointing at my map where I am because I will know where I am, if I don’t I shouldn’t be there and thus not out in the hills. The only ‘GPS unit’ I own is a SPOT which is not a navigation unit but a emergency GPS locator unit.
Original Article.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/9090729/Warning-over-decline-in-map-skills-as-ramblers-rely-on-sat-navs.html

http://mashable.com/2012/02/08/valentines-day-cards-geek/#449611-You-Are-My-Double-Rainbow

I think my personal favourite however is

http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view?trip_id=293176

Got the spot up and running ready and tested today go to where is … for tracking

Will post photos online soon!

So on the ship and full English breakfast which was very nice. We then went to the reception and meet the Master of the ship (captain). He then took us up to the bridge and showed is around all the control system and navigation systems. Then I got to steer the ship to 290′ which was really cool. We then had some photos before coming back down.

The crew stay on the ship for 2 week rotations and there is 77 crew onboard. A single trip will use 14 tonnes of fuel if running all 4 engines but currently running 2 engines and saving 7 tonnes of fuel. The car deck can be completely flooded with sea water if there is a fire. They can get up to 30 knots as well but normally sail around 18-20

Were just about to dock in Dover so now time to get to Bristol.