I'm used to the Hills around Malvern but this was something else. :)

[dall05]

Hi all, I'm back and just about recovered now from a week in Polperro, Cornwall. Its a place where you shouldn't go if your on oxygen and struggle on hills but if your a little crazy like me then you may see it as a challenge.

There are hills and there are HILLS!!!, there's one here called Talland Road and its not for the faint hearted, I thought I walked it last year but was mistaken so I had to give it a go this year. Pavarti another healthunlockeder on our site walks this hill regularly on oxygen and then does 5 miles further on to Looe as she's in training for the Great North Run half marathon.

I found myself stood at the bottom and looking up this very narrow steep incline which reminded me of our local Old Wyche rd, the oxygen was set to 8 liters and off we set, that's me and Sharon my wife and trainer.

It wasn't long before I realised that this could be a hill to far for old Dall but I kept telling myself that the end could be just around the next corner. Well lots of corners came and went, I was pulling out all the stops, zig zagging, walking backwards and shortening my stride whilst trying to keep some sort of rhythm to my breathing which was more of a full on gasp by now.

My problem is once I start something I just have to finish so I grinded onwards and upwards until we came to a place where things opened up a little, a man was walking into a house and I jokingly said I suppose your going to tell me this is only the halfway point, he answered 'Yes it is' and I could tell he meant it.

Wow! now the way I was feeling at this point this was not what I wanted to hear as I new we were into a whole new ball game and my limits were far down that hill behind me.

Sharon new there was no point in trying to stop me so she as usual kept her eye on me and slowly walked on. A few people passed us on the way and were probably expecting to hear the sound of an ambulance coming shortly afterwards to pick up this mad fool walking on Talland hill but I'm glad to say things remained quiet until we came to a fork in the road, each way looked as steep as the other so we went right and up some more, well around here the only way is up it seems.

We had done it, the road leveled and opened up, there were houses and a school which must have a better access than the road we had just walked up or the school kids in this area would all be Olympic athletes.

I felt completely drained but also quite happy with my days work and I have nothing but praise and admiration for Parvati who I'm sure will complete the Great North Run with ease if this is her training ground.

Tony: alive and still kicking JUST!!!

Click the link if you want to see a few holiday pics around Polperro and me on the dreaded Talland Hill

plus.google.com/10152331535...

[DozyDormouse]

Congrats my dear. That was a walk and a half. I could probably manage the one down the hill. No I am not going to tell you off. Hurray for the miracle man.

Xx 🐀

[onamission in reply to DozyDormouse]

Hi DozyDormouse I could do it in a car lol but well done Tony great to see you back

[dall05 in reply to onamission]

It would have to be a small car, its so narrow many have got stuck up that rd. . Gooogle Talland rd Polperro and you'll see just what I mean Ha Ha.

[dall05 in reply to DozyDormouse]

Hi Dozy, I passed the test just but if I had known how long and steep that hill was I might have turned straight to the Pub instead.

It would have been great to have met 'Parvati' another oxygen back packer on the hill but talking and walking would have been the final nail me thinks.

Now seeing as the walk back down was so much easier I've decided to invent a gravity reversing machine so going uphill can be made as easy as coming down. Professor Dall is off to his garage to start work on it and with some help from some incoming lightening storms tonight I might find the power to do so. Now where's that Igor the lab assistant got to .

Remember Tina to keep smilingalways and stay positive through the high's and lows. See I can reverse names already Ha Ha so gravity should be a piece of cake eh'

Tony xxxxx

[DozyDormouse in reply to dall05]

Inspiration comes from strange places and people. You are just a nutter and a daredevil but still I'm proud to sit on your wing. Also chuffed to bits as my challenge is accomplished and I now fit into a size 16 pair of jeans and look great. Not bad for an old lady of 61ish.

Take care but not too much

Tina x 🐀 xx

[dall05 in reply to DozyDormouse]

Every dare devil nutter needs an inspirational wing lady to stop him from overstepping the mark DD so sorry but you are the chosen one Ha Ha.

Great work on the size 16 and like me have you found the weight loss has helped with reversing gravity a little making those hills a little easier to climb.

It seems walking miracles love a challenge and just won't be beat eh'.

Tony xxx

[DozyDormouse in reply to dall05]

As long as you fly so will I. Aiming to travel to see those Malvern Hills next year. There must be a pub where we can meet.

X 🐀

[dall05 in reply to DozyDormouse]

Plenty of pubs on the hills, why do you think I walk up them. xx

[Colours23]

I have a face book friend that lives there is doing the run,she's on oxygen for 6 yrs now,she runs everyday. Polperro , the north run, Vanessa..I love walking but I need oxy to do it ,I may have to go private, NHS think it's a luxury , well done that took some courage , you had support from family, I suppose they get used to living down there.

[dall05 in reply to Colours23]

Hi Colours, I was hoping to meet up with Vanessa but due to no 02 phone signal, no internet and me tiring towards the end of the week it didn't happen.

There's no way I could have done the walk from Polperro to Looe with her without more oxygen but at least she can see she's not the only oxygen breather to have completed the Talland Rd challenge.

Have you been tested to see if you need oxygen and if so you should get it. I was amazed at the lengths Airliquide went to keep me supplied for my holiday.

As you know Polperro is not accessible to large vans so the driver had to bring 6 cylinders, 1 large backup cylinder, a liquid oxygen dewer and a concentrator by 3 sack truck journeys up and down the hill from his vehicle. It was later discovered that half of the cylinders were not suitable for my 8 liter conserver so they returned two days later with more cylinders. On the Saturday we left, another man came and reversed the same process.

If you can get oxygen the service is amazing and free so get on to your oxygen nurses and get a test done. If your oxygen sats drop below 86 when walking for 6 minutes then you may well qualify.

My family came down from Malvern also and they are used to hills like me which certainly helps when holidaying in Polperro.

Tony

[Colours23 in reply to dall05]

They offered me one so large I could not even lift it up,so I was. So shocked they got. Annoyed with me a year ago,I didn't want to pull a trolley I like walking, nothing wrong with my legs ,I cannot walk more than a few steps. So they make out they test me 5 mins.........then say I don't need it,there lying. So I am having trouble with them.

[dall05 in reply to Colours23]

They have always told me there is nothing lighter than the 400 cylinder but a few months ago I met someone with the same back pack as me but inside it there was a 200 cylinder which was 1/2 the size and 1/2 the weight. Ok it wouldn't last as long but there are smaller and lighter cylinders out there for people who struggle with the weight.

I have liquid oxygen also which is still around a stone in weight but does get lighter as it empties. I can refill it at home but its more temperamental to use and I wouldn't swap it for my cylinders if I had to choose.

Keep talking to your oxygen nurses until they give you what you need.

Tony

[Colours23 in reply to dall05]

Thank you ,I'm gonna speak with doc. I think they are too busy with all the cuts people have to suffer, that's why I am willing to pay,so I don't have to be a victim of the stupidity of the NHS . Redickulous!!!!!!

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Nice one Dall !

[Lyd12]

Lovely pictures, thanks for those. the nearest I am likely to get to Cornwall. You did so well.

Good job it wasn't hot like today! Now take a breather. Iris x

[pergola]

I love that part of the UK. I can remember a very steep hill near Clovelly. First time I climbed it was when I was in my 30s-40s. SOB of breath then but second time not so bad because I was on my buggy!! Feared for the battery. XX

[jimmyg23]

Good on you dall love the photos am on oxygen myself but maybe a bit to much for me but good on you dall

[scorpiolass]

Very well done Tony. You are quite mad though, still why not? It,s a few years since we were in Cornwall and Devon, very steep as I recall. Well done to Sharon too. Glad you got tee shirt weather and it wasn,t as hog as this week. Love Margret x

[casper99]

It's getting where I dare not read your posts Tony because your escapades are hair-raising!!! What a hill, I really don't know how you do it. Well done and yes, parvati must be one tough cookie too. Your both amazing. xx

[Mavary]

Ah Tony! I know that area well. It brought back many memories. Mike and I used to stay at Looe and also the caravan park at the top of Polperrow. I'm not sure which hill you took. There is a very steep hill that took us back to the caravan park at the top and that you have to walk across a path on top of the hill looking out to the sea. It's a lovely walk but quite a long way. I remember Mike didn't like going down the hill as it hurt his knees. That was before he got new ones. I didn't like going up the hill because I'm asthmatic and I think that also affects the oxygen in your legs. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I don't believe it that I'm not fit! Ha ha! Anyway good on you for not letting it beat you. X

[sassy59]

Whoa there Tony! I feel dizzy just looking at the brilliant photos! Well done to you for tackling that there hill though and admiration for Pavarti too of course. Glad you had a wonderful holiday and the scenery is so beautiful. Making a mental note to go to Cornwall one day as I know we would love it. No venturing up any hills for Pete though or me come to that.

Wishing you well as always and take care you nut case!

xxxxx

[peege]

Good on you Tony. 👍

[jackdup]

Well now I need a nap.

Good job and I hope I can get back into good enough shape to do something similar.