It was time to test myself again and as usual I had something quite challenging in mind. This time I was full of doubts that I could actually still do this walk and I was not really sure it was the right thing to do.
I decided to try and get myself to the top of the Herefordshire Beacon or what is also known as the British Camp.
I drove to the car park across the road from the Malvern Hills Hotel, parked up and placed my Blue Badge in the window, I looked up the very steep hill side and thought better turn my oxygen to full throttle (8 litres) pulsed. I looked around for anyone else wearing an oxygen back pack but strangely enough their wasn't any , everyone looked fit and healthy like they do this kind of stuff for their morning warm up so why am I there I'm thinking to myself. We'll its because I used to be one of them and I'm not gonna let this lung condition stop me doing the things I used to enjoy, all I have to do is pace myself correctly and almost anything is still possible.
I have memories of walking out of the hotel bar late on warm summer nights with my friends and someone would shout race to the top and we would all run up to the top of the British Camp in 15-20 minutes but that was almost 40 years ago now and even a lung transplant wouldn't bring those days back Ha Ha.
Anyway off I set making sure not to go to fast and keeping to a busy route where I would be quickly found if something nasty were to happen, I checked with 'Dozy Dormouse' my walking miracle wing lady that she was ok with this, (yes talking to myself ) and thought of all the things you Healthunlockeders have told me to do like mobile phone reception, carry warfarin card, steroid card, ID etc and the check list was complete.
I took the steepest but shortest route to the top taking very short steps and plenty of stops, I found that by turning around and walking backwards also helped share the strain on other leg muscles which enabled me to keep going a little longer between breather breaks.
I wont lie it was very hard going but within exceptable pain and comfort limits and before I knew it I was out of the tree level and onto the hills where the views help to take away the negative thoughts. I knew I was on my way now and nothing would stop me getting to the top.
I could hear skylarks singing, swifts, swallows and house martins were skimming the grass gulping down insects all around me, it was just great up there and worth every breathtaking step of the way.
The air was clear so the views were far reaching and I could see over to the Welsh Black Mountains and the Cotswolds in the other direction.
As usual I was snapping away with my phone camera so you could all share the Malvern Hills experience on my way.
Around 2 hours went by before I walked onto the dished area at the top where there were 5 or 6 people enjoying the breeze and views in all directions. I had made it, my confidence was boosted with the fact that 'things are not so bad afterall', my lungs must be still working at about 25-30% and little or no deterioration had taken place through the winter months. Whew!!!
I hope this is the same for all you healthunlockeders out there so we can all enjoy the summer ahead of us.
Here's a few pics and videos of my Malvern Hills experience to share and a short video of the inside of my Dads polly tunnel starring my Dad of course. .
Take care all Healthunlockeders and if you can't get to the top of your local hill hope you enjoy a virtual walk with me up to the top of the British camp on the Malvern Hills.
Tony
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Well done Tony, you put me to shame, you really do. I think I'd find it a little bit scary on my own right up there, there aren't enough people around, lol. The views are beautiful. your one tough cookie. xx
Hi Casper, I had a great time up there even though I was puffing like a freight train at times. there were plenty of people out walking so I wasn't alone but they were all a little quicker than me. .
As for a tough cookie it takes one to know one don't it casper Ha Ha.
Glad you enjoyed your virtual walk on the Malverns.
Wat wonderful pics and video. Many thanks for sharing with us. You must be very pleased that you made it up the hill despite having a low lung function. You put me to shame! Lovely that your dad enjoys all his hard work in the poly tunnel, he also has a lovely smile! Xx
Hi MC, the camp is only just over 1000 ft and I start from the car park 1/2 way up. It is very steep sided though and a real challenge for me. The best bit is going back down where I could almost run it, well in my dreams I could.
My middle name is Arthur so it seems I have a hill named after me up your way.
I've just googled it, its a fine looking hill and like the British Camp very steep sided, not an easy walk for the likes of us eh' MC, even at dawdle speed.
What wonderful scenery Tony and didn't you do well! Enjoyed the photo's and videos. Your dad has some lovely plants in his poly tunnel and he looks really well too.
Take care and keep up the good work just don't overdo it.
Hi Carole, glad you enjoyed my mountain climb up the British Camp, its the 2nd highest peak on the Malverns but has the steepest climb to the top so its a little hard going.
So far I have managed to get to the top at least once every year since falling ill. I've proved to myself I'm still capable and my lungs haven't deteriorated to much in this time. It seems all my exercising is working at holding things at bay so I guess I'll have to keep it up gad dam it .
As you can see my Dads as happy as a pig in mud when he's pottering in his poly tunnel and surrounded by his plants.
No exercise today for me though, my mates picking me up and were going to the Pub for lunch, Yippee!!
that was a good climb! You are brave! Lovely views, how long did it take you, and how did you feel at the end? I think you have inherited the push yourself gene from your Dad, all that produce in the poly tunnel, looks amazing. Well done father and son. Love Iris x
Well my dear, I am not sure that I would have agreed if I'd seen the pictures first but I do know that as long as I can sit on your shoulder you will look after me. Mr Miracle man, I am taking you with me tomorrow to my lung doc and I will go in dancing. Remember do not push beyond your limit.
At least there was plenty of other people around this time, the British Camp is a popular place when the sun is shinning.
I was pleasantly surprised when I made it to the top because my last walk out in the country was a real struggle as you know.
Remember to take a list of questions to ask that lung doc as I always forget something when I'm seeing mine. They have no real answers to fix us but they can tweak things around a little.
I'm sure he'll be impressed by your weight loss and from my experience when they see your making a real effort to help yourself then they respond accordingly.
Hope your lung doc is ready to tango tomorrow Tina and good luck.
Hi Tony, super pics and videos. I miss all the lovely open country. You bring back some lovely memories.
I don't think I have been here. We used to picnic at Birdslip or lunch at the air ballon. There is a very old camp near here. There are super views across to Wales, Gloucester and Stroud. Very well done on another adventure, you are an inspiration.
Your dad is so youthful too. It looks as if he shares poly tunnels with Vashti.
I am going to Brussels tomorrow, re patient advisory group and lung cancer. I am feeling a bit nervous but I think if you can climb heights on oxygen, i can travel Eurostar. Love Margaret x
I see your posts and smile! You are fighting so hard - you are an inspiration not just to those suffering but to people like me. I can see totally where you daughter gets her courage from. Have a great lunch xxxx (if of course you can get in the pub with that big head!!! haha)
Glad I put a smile on your face Tad, Its tough for you carers and wives having to cope with us, what with our moods and suffering silently , you wish eh'.
I guess this fight is one we can never win but keeping things stable and as they are is worth fighting for.
A pint if cider and a steak sandwich is coming up soon so that's me sorted for the day if as you say I can get through that dam door.
Thank you for this "happy" post. It's good to read about the good times when we mostly share our bad days. I'm glad I found this sight where we can read about it all. I'm wondering about where you said you turned your 02 up to 8. Does that help? I'm finding that this hot weather is zapping me. I find myself not wanting to go out at all. I will try turning my 02 up next time and see how I do.
Many thanks Tony for the photos, film - and the sunny smile from your dad
Big congratulations on your achievement in climbing 'the hill' !
Looking around at the beautiful landscape and being close to nature has been a real treat, and would be sure to lift anyone's spirit....anyway, who wouldn't enjoy a walk with our Tony...Lovelight xxx
Do you think I should be put on the payroll Lovelight, for promoting the Malverns. I seem to be doing a pretty good job of it but then its not difficult with views that sell themselves.
Its always a good confidence boost when you find your not quite as bad as you think you are. Things seem to have deteriorated and my breathing was not so good recently so getting to the top of the Camp was a big ask. The thing is it went well, very well so I'm still in pretty good shape on 27% gas transfer. Whew!!! .
Its fit to breath exercise class for me tomorrow after the bloods INR nurse has pricked my finger at 9.10, I had better get to bed now so I'm fit for action. Goodnight lovelight xxx
Hi rmf, I do try and keep my posts positive and share my pics and experiences with those who may not be able to get to such amazing places.
I have got used to using my 02 to its max and adjust it according to the level of exercise I'm doing at the time. Without 02 while doing a 6 minute walk test my sats will dip to 67 but using 02 on high it will stay in the 80s and I can keep going easier.
I'm capable of going long periods without 02 while at rest and my oxygen sats can be as high as 94/5 on a good day but often I'm in the high 80s.
I seem to be better in the hot weather than the cold so this warmer spell has been suiting me just fine. .
Go careful with the 02, it might be worth talking to your oxygen team first just in case its not right for you. My motto is 'as long as your burning it you can use it'.
Too much oxygen can be dangerous for some people I believe so check it out first.
I'm a hopeless anglophile and it's almost worth having dodgy lungs to see these photos and videos. How would I have found them otherwise? I have lots of maps and books on footpaths and walking in England but my days of actually hiking them are over I think, with all the difficulties posed by getting across the ocean. So thank you for walking for me - I love it all. If you just walked to the post office making a video I would like that too - I really am that bad a case of anglophilia. It is very impressive that you can do all this with low lung function while carrying your tank...
Hi Nancy, glad you enjoyed a virtual stroll upon the Malverns with me. I always take a few pics and vids when I'm out somewhere interesting to share with the Healthunlockeders.
I've found that if I time things right when I'm having a good day I can still do most things all be it at a much slower pace. I think attending the follow up class to pulmonary rehab called fit to breath has helped me keep up the exercise routines at home which make all the difference when you take on a challenge like the British Camp.
Hi music, thanks and yes I felt pretty good knowing I can still get to the top of the British Camp, I've managed it every year since falling ill and see it as a test of my lung and overall condition.
I haven't been quite so good recently so I was surprised and kind of relieved to find I could get up there. .
Hi Tony fantastic views from the hills I have put them on my bucket list to get up one day.
Your Dad has loads in his garden does he know how to keep slugs off the veg my old man planted some green beans and someone told him about copper but the slugs have just slid over the copper and eat all the beans. I don't want to use slug pellets they kill hedge hogs I just want rid of the slugs.
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, everyone looked fit and healthy like they do this kind of stuff for their morning warm up so why am I there I'm thinking to myself. We'll its because I used to be one of them and I'm not gonna let this lung condition stop me doing the things I used to enjoy, all I have to do is pace myself correctly and almost anything is still possible.
huff xxx
So now I'm hobbling! 
How things move on...
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