What's next Chris? - In the name of Thiago - Day 288

 

Whether it be media interviewers or simply interested bystanders, the same question keeps cropping up. What are you going to do now? People aren't necessarily expecting me to take on another huge challenge immediately but I think they are just as concerned that I don't get lost in the aftermath of general life and a return to whatever normal might look like these days.

One thing that I've thought about since the heady heights of Friday afternoon, is that I could not have been luckier with how everything fell into place with the lack of restrictions in the parts of the country where I was walking. Everyone that planned to come on the walk joined in and the whole thing, aside from my abysmal geography, went off without a hitch. I worked hard to make it a success and I had some helpful lucky breaks. I am exceptionally proud of myself for having pulled it all off in the midst of a global pandemic too.

Essentially I just vegged out today. The only time I got off my backside pretty much was to take a load of stuff up to Leycett tip. It's a temporary state of affairs and I only want it to be just that. Besides, if every time I veg out, Spurs are going to blow a 3-0 lead in the final ten minutes, then I'm more than happy to start putting myself to better use again!

It's simply nice to be at home for the time being though. Elisa is being a classic pre-teenager and doesn't necessarily want to spend any more time with me now than she did before I went away; but that's ok. I'm just happy knowing that I'm around and ready to help out with stuff if she wants me to. And it's the same with Angelica. My good lady has put up with an awful lot while I've been away. Ultimately we are a partnership and it's pretty tough being a partnership if you're away from each other constantly. I'm quite comfortable just being at home with my two special ladies.

I've had the new wood burner fired up this afternoon. I must be going soft as it's only mid-October but it was seriously toasty within an hour of this being on today. It felt like a good move, as I'd dedicated the afternoon to a thorough dose of vegetation.

After four weeks of doing something quite extraordinary, it's time for me to return to work tomorrow. There's a good deal less chance of anything extraordinary happening there but I'll be going back with a new found confidence; a self belief that the second half of my working career needn't be an exercise in futility. There is no need for me to be quite so meek. Completing my walk has taught me a valuable lesson - I have no reason to undersell myself any more. Being given a rapturous applause by people who've never met me before has given me such an incredible lift. There is so much for me still to do in this life.

On our way back from the tip, Angelica and I stopped off at Keele cemetery to see our little man and as always, I cried buckets. I've very proud to have raised £21,000 for Birmingham Children's Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital but there's still a part of me that feels so hard done by knowing that I'll never get another day with this little man. He has done so much for me, providing me with the inspiration to do what I've done but at this very second I'd still rather be a 20 stone slob and at least see his gorgeous smile once more. 

The cards that have been dealt to me and Angelica have been undeniably shite but from this point onwards, it is all about how I go forwards. But as always, that will happen one step at a time.

I'm keeping my fundraiser open for another six weeks, so there's still time to donate if you haven't done so already. Thank you for all your magnificent ongoing support.