We Did It!

We have had quite an eventful weekend at Ochre HQ. We undertook the challenge of climbing the 3 Peaks in 24 hours. Climbing 3 hills doesn't sound particularly tough, and each one individually is not too bad. But doing one then sitting in a mini bus for a few hours, then another, then another, and your legs start to ache, and oh yes - normally you would sleep in a 24 hour period.
Ben Nevis was the hardest - it is the biggest, it starts with the steepest incline, and starts to get quite cold as you reach the top. (There was snow!).
There were a few mishaps, mainly the mini bus not starting several times - thank you to the local cabbie who got us to the first Peak, and to the AA man who shows our driver how to use this magic spray on the engine.

Scafell was the next, and we set off in daylight and came back in the dark - it was quite eerie seeing the headtorches of all the other climbers in the distance. Once again the mini bus cut out in a lane somewhere in the Lakes - then 10 minutes later it did it again. Thankfully by now Paul T our driver was quite adept at getting it going.

As we entered Wales it was raining quite heavily - our hearts sank, last time we had practiced on Snowdon we got very wet- but as we drove further into Wales the rain started to ease off.  
When we reached Snowdon it was just starting to get light - and as the sun was rising there was a fantastic play of light on the hills. We set off for the last climb at 4.15 am. Knees were starting to get very sore with the constant climbing, and we were running on empty. But a brisk walk along the Miners Track and a final sprint for the finish ensured we achieved our target. We finished as a team, with 10 minutes to spare - a huge achievement, and a relief that it's over. 

Daily Routine

It's funny how quickly life gets back to normal - and living in our new abode feels like home.
The bulldog has settled in - and quickly established her routine. Sleep until 6, have breakfast, sleep until 9, small snack and wander around the grounds(!), sleep until lunchtime, little stretch, then start playing merry hell from about 4 as she wants her tea!

Life for Ochre And Ocre has quickly resumed it's routine as well. Still internet connection issues which make it quite hard - you are half way doing something when suddenly the connection dies, or worse I get an email on my Blackberry saying I've had an order, but I can't log on to print it off.
I pay more for having my Broadband through Eclipse Internet, but it is worth it as I can at least speak to a friendly human, and they have been trying really hard to resolve things.
We went to our first show since moving last Saturday, and it was quite a fresh start, as we've upgraded our shelves and signage. We think it's clearer and neater - comments welcomed. I know I now need to update the banner, but it's another cost again, and you do wander if it makes a huge difference?

This weekend it is our big challenge - the Three Peaks. As well as me and Mr Ochre, our book keeper Amy is doing it as well - nothing like taking the whole team down in one go is there! Maybe we should be more like royalty and not travel together! We will be posting updates on Facebook, lets hope the weather is dry!
I caught up with Jet from Dinner Party Allotments on the phone today, as she has just come back from her first major show, (Chelsea), and was being a very harsh judge on herself. I wish there was some site / forum where small businesses could share info truthfully on good / bad shows, what advertising works, or doesn't work. Unfortunately everyone seems too keen to set up sites and take money off you. Anyway not only had Jet managed to get her stand on the BBC, she also had loads of journalist's interested.

Jet with Rachael de Thame at Chelsea.

One thing I've always found from shows is that you get something from each show, even if it's not sales. 
It is very hard when you are working from home, without that support network of colleagues, and help desks, you can drive yourself into ever decreasing circles, and question what you are doing.
When Emma, (Naked Soap) and I were talking to Wilfred from The Black Farmer at the Cirencester Polo match show last weekend, it was very telling  when he was asked how does he manage to step back from things and yet still get everything done. The word "we" was used a lot - for instance "when we update Facebook". Unfortunately for most of us there is no we - and although we have different external supports, the day to day is very much "I".