BLIND DAVE’S BLOG

21-04-2007

On Sunday, Blind Dave Heeley from West Bromwich will be running in the London marathon. In his exclusive Stirrer blog, he gives us the lowdown on his preparations - and a family holiday.

For once over a Bank Holiday we had some smashing weather and so, taking advantage of the sun, the kids and Debb got tooled up and decided to attack the garden, knocking it into shape.

Debb carefully took out the plants, and the concrete otters and their little pool ready to fill in the area with new soil. A ton was suggested but we started with 10 bags of compost and in the end that was more than enough.

It was a little hive of industry, the kids loving every minute in their own little soil sand pit, wearing only their shorts. I was emptying the compost out of the bags, over their feet, they were screaming and having great fun, jumping and flattening it ready for Mom to re plant.

What with plastic soil bags, trowels, bare feet and a lot of laughing, who needs expensive toys? The kids had a whale of a time. Mind, if we wrapped up a bag of compost for Christmas or birthdays, I bet there’d be some moaning.

It took a few hours, but the plants were back in, the otter and it’s pool were on their new plinth, the kids were absolutely filthy, but the job was done. Mom was happy, as we’d finished a job she’d been wanting to do for months - only the beans to plant now. Oh no, those dreaded beans.

Did we enjoy our late dinner, Mom grimacing as the kids ate with that much dirt under their fingernails. I told Debb, a little bit of dirt never hurt any one - it hurt later, though, with two showers, a bath and plenty of scrubbing to get the kids clean. Who’s laughing now? Not me. I had to do the washing. Still a great day, a job well done.

Now the girls and Debb are deciding on my next project; either a greenhouse, a Wendy house, a bike store with balcony and slide, or an all in one shed. My family certainly don’t make things easy for me to design and make - “Dad it’s easy, we know you can do it, cause you’re the best Dad in the world and you can do any thing”. Talk about creeping, mind it’s got me thinking and designing, so I’ll keep you up to date with my progress.

Tuesday was a day for packing. We were off to Bridgewater the following morning to stop a few days with family, but as usual, things had to change in a hurry when I had a phone call from a photographer from the Daily Express.

“Are you in for a couple of photo’s, we’re interested in doing a piece on your challenge for next year?”.

“Yes” I replied. Debb was truly happy with me. The man was 30 minutes away, so after some very fast tidying up, the kids were washed and changed, Mad Mac was rung up (still on holiday from work), and we just about got ourselves sorted.

Three hours later, after plenty of running up and down the street, photos in the living room, photos in the garden, gallons of tea, plenty of biscuits, we were done. The article would be in the Sunday Express this week, so it was back to the packing and me up the town, a little later than anticipated, but what the hell it’s all good publicity for the challenge.

The following morning we packed the car, in with the kids, dog and off we went to Bridgewater. It was going to be a fast and furious day, the girls are going to be bridesmaids in the summer, so today was a whistlestop tour to show us were everything is.

We visited the church, the hairdressers, the bride’s mothers, the groom’s mothers, popped in the Travelodge to book for our first nights stay - phew! It was all passed by so quickly I just hope we remember on the day. Still, that was the business end sorted, the next couple of days were to relax.

The following day we headed off to Minehead, we had a little stop off at a place called Blue Anchor. It was quite a nice place, with a pebble beach, and a steam train chugging away from time to time, but most important the kids had a great time.

Grace was throwing the ball at Richie, Debb’s cousin, Wicksie was trying his best to eat the ball, when he could get hold of it, but what always amazes me is that even though there’s miles and miles of beach, the little ones have to sit on me, bouncing stones off my feet.

Minehead was a totally different beach, it was sand, and here I am again moaning. What does sand mean? It’s in your shoes, in your socks, sticks to your hands, in your hair, you get home and it’s every where. To be honest, it’s a flipping nuisance, but the one bonus is the kids love it, making castles and running in and out of the sea. To be honest it is kinder on your feet, so all in all not a bad day all round.

Off the beach it was like an old fashioned prom, with it’s very own railway station and the steam trains pulled up there too, where there was an ice cream man with the nice creamy ice cream, flake in to boot - what a nice way to end the day. Dannie certainly enjoyed it as there was more ice cream over her face than in the cornet, but who cares, she enjoyed it.

Did I say that was the end of the day? I was wrong! When Debb was a little younger, her uncle and aunt took her to a little beach some where between Bridgewater and Minehead and today was the day she decided to find it, so every little road we past on the way back we explored and believe me there are a lot of little roads.

We checked them all out and guess what? We never found that little beach from all those years ago. That’s what happens when you get old - your memory goes!

Friday we decided to visit the animal farm (now now, not the farm you’re thinking of) - it was a lovely little adventure farm for the kids, well worth a visit if your in Burnham.

There’s all sorts to do for the kids, indoor adventure slides and play area, similar areas outside, large trampolines, climbing frames, and a carousel. In fact, there is so much the kids don’t know were to look first, with a motorised train taking you all round the farmland - very relaxing, that’s the way to travel.

We had made the right choice of day, as the weather had cooled a little and the walk around the farm kept you warm, viewing all the different types of animals. I was amazed at the one animal Debb described to me, a sheep dog with horns? It’s actual description after the sign was read out to me, was a Highland Cow, a sheepdog with horns - whatever next?

But the main attraction turned out to be my guide dog Wicksie - not from the kids and other visitors, but the other animals. He got the Donkeys following and naying loudly, the Shetland ponies were kicking the fence, the bull was certainly snorting, the cows mooing, the goats all gathered in a herd.

Wicksie was the centre of attraction and I was glad they were all behind fences, as I was attached to Wicksie and I didn’t much like the noises the other animals were making - big teeth, hooves that kick and rather large horns sprung to mind. I wasn’t exactly when the kids wanted a last go on the indoor slides - sanctuary.

We travelled back on the Friday evening, kids in their pyjamas ready for bed when we got home.

As far as our training goes, we are simply running a few miles now to keep the legs ticking over; I can’t believe this weekend is the marathon - where has the time gone? Still, we’re as ready as we’ll ever be. Mind, I had to laugh at the fact that due to Prince William and his girlfriend splitting up, they pinched our space in the Sunday Express - at least it was the Royals keeping us out.

The best laugh of all was that it cost Mac £1.30 to find out, he bought the paper specially, before realising we weren’t in it. It broke his heart to spend that much money; they say a duck’s water tight - he’s tighter. He was upset I can tell you.

Well it’s time to get the rebels bathed and ready for school again. It’s been a fast and furious couple of weeks, but enjoyable, so here’s Blind Dave signing off with a smile.

To help Dave achieve his dream of running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents - and raising money for Guide Dogs - go to www.justgiving.com/777

And to see our film of his exploits, “Personal Best - The Story of Blind Dave” click here.