Last up-dated 09/02/06
First things first... please sign my guestbook (scroll down!).
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO READ ABOUT MY EXPEDITION TO EVEREST 2010
A brief intro... I'm Sarah Thomson,(aged 26), I graduated in 2001 from St.Andrews University, with a BSc degree (Geography and Geoscience). Despite my interest in outdoor life, it hasn't come easily - in July 2003 I underwent bypass surgery to my leg following a trapped artery... Enjoying life now though!!
Latest news... Have decided to try and concentrate on the main interests in my life... these being tennis, hill-walking, and canoeing. Will still do all the other stuff I'm interested in, but will primarily concentrate on getting better at these three...
Went walking/camping up in Glencoe - did Buchaille Etive Beagg (or should that be 'Bog'!). Incredible day though with amazing views from the summit of Stob Dubh. Also travelled to Holland/Belgium - not too far away this year; I'm saving up to go back to New Zealand (or possibly on a round the world trip) early next year.
Have left the Territorial Army (didn't want to be called up!) - but did some good stuff which I'll always remember, such as going to Germany, getting my articulated lorry licence, officer life, etc.
Had a go at waterski-ing, kills your arms, but good fun, especially when you actually manage to stand up! Other news... travelled to New Zealand (Queenstown - South Island) in March 06, loved it! Stayed in Singapore on the way back. In 2007 I plan to make the most of what's available 'on the doorstep' and save up to go back to NZ in 2008. I'm also saving to get my other car the Grocott Jaguar (pictured here with my first Beetle) on the road...
Entered the Caledonian Challenge 2006,(aim = to walk 54 miles in under 24 hours! - I was very pleased to manage 30 miles in 13.5 hours, especially given I had a disabled badge 4 years ago!).
Have now had 3 bypass operations... (leg and having 2 seperate ops to put a tube by my eye for a blocked tear duct!). On the 21st July 2003 I had a leg (Femoro-popliteal) bypass operation, after a muscle-development problem led to me having a trapped artery (Entrapment Syndrome). At the time I was told I had a 1 in 20 chance of having my leg amputated above the knee, so it was rather major. My leg has to be scanned every year from now on to check on its progress... This op is very rare (took 6 hours), particularly in someone of my age (23 at the time) - so I've been told a million times post-op! I had a disabled badge for just over a year as a result of this problem, and I was off work for 3 months after the operation. I kept a journal and here it is! I've added photos taken just after my leg operation. Click here to view my mode of transport when I visited Oban and Isle of Mull not long after getting out of hospital. Due to the rarity of my leg operation it is unknown how long the bypass will 'survive' for - pretty much guaranteed until 5 years later (2008) but hopefully it will keep going beyond that...
Other news... Whilst still in the TA I went to Gutersloh, in Germany, taking-part in a X-Country driving competition. Then spent a few days in Folkestone (by Dover) and managed to get a ride in a Chinook Helicopter! Kart-Racing (Super GP Series Championship 2004 at Whilst at St.Andrews I thought I'd better have a go at golf... not nearly as easy as it seems... I had terrible problems even HITTING the ball!
For a bit of fun (and to get you looking round my website!) I have added a "Secret Page". Somewhere on this website there is a concealed link which leads you to this page (and entry into the "special guestbook" - Congratulations to Nick Dunstone on being the first to find it... don't let it get to his head, YOU go and find it too!). It IS there - don't give up! (Hint: All the links are not quite what you think they are!). I hope you find it :)
My Honours Geography Project(Webpage designed by me!) http://www.angelfire.com/sc2/atmosproject/home.html
Our Holiday house (we also own the house next door, so good sized garden!) A Site I've done for Ex-Kilgraston Pupils LINKS to friends' sites Alice's homepage (my sister!) She'd like you to visit it! Allen Bailey's site on poetry, etc. Clare Bailey's site on webdesign. Fraggle & Killer make their way along the West Highland Way.
Adventure Alternative Gavin Bate's site on expeditions he has to offer.
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