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Rosie's around the world run adventure,  Welcome to the website of Rosie Swale-Pope.    

Rosie has successfully completed her five year long, around the world run.  For various charities and to highlight the importance of cancer awareness and early diagnosis.

Who Rosie is, and why she is running around the world.
From Rosie: On the 2nd of October 2003 my 57th birthday, I'm going to set off to run around the world. I shall be solo, self supporting and on a very low budget.  My dearest wish anyway, is just to do a complete circle of the earth.  The death of my husband Clive from prostate cancer, taught me more than anything about how precious life is; How short it can be, that you HAVE to grab life, do what you can while you can, and try to give something back. I'll be trying to raise awareness of the following very special charities...  Rosie. (edited James)  Read full in the About Rosie  link.


Hi, here are the details of Rosie's book.  Amazon link



Title: Just a Little Run Around the World: 5 Years, 3 Packs of Wolves and 53 Pairs of Shoes.
Pub date: 28th May
£6.99 paperback (includes an 8pp plate section)
isbn: 978-0-00-730620-6

 

25th of June 2009. Hi, here are some photos of the unveiling of a plaque at the Tenby Leisure Centre commemorating Rosie's achievement of running round the world. Thank you to everyone who organised it, I think it's a lovely thing to have done. regards James.


 


11th of June 2009, Hi everyone, had a great celebration up in London last week. Rosie was interviewed on the breakfast TV shows. And I met her later at her book publishers Harper Collins, who had planned a little party for Rosie. A huge amount of work had gone into getting the book ready and it was great to put faces to names of the young exciting staff of HarperCollins who had been involved with all the editing and publication. Also the Mayor of Hammersmith and Tenby were in attendance as well as a sprinkling of other friends. To round off the evening we went to the sea Spitfire restaurant that was nearby and we have a great meal together.

Rosie is back in Tenby now, we finally a chance to catch up with huge amounts of e-mails she has received. She wants me to thank everyone for the great support and kind words through the guest book. I'm extremely impressed with what my mum has achieved. Even her last little run from Tenby in Wales to London for the prostate Cancer Charity, was a great achievement and wasn't without its dramas.

Rosie was working to a very tight deadline to arrive in London for the morning TV interviews and a couple of days before, Icebird basically snapped in half and if it wasn't for the extraordinary efforts of a local aluminium welder things could get very difficult.

But things worked out great, and the main thing is Rosie is safe well and knowing her I'm sure there will be further adventures happening in the future. But I think she certainly deserves bit of a break after her non-stop run round the world followed by non-stop bookwriting.

Warmest regards James.



Me and Rosie.

 

the Mayor of Hammersmith and Tenby


These are photographs of the party at HarperCollins.


At the Spitfire restaurant.                                            The end of a whirlwind day.

 


21st of May 2009. Hi everyone, had a chat with Rosie yesterday evening, I could hear the rain crashing down on the roof of Icebird.  She is in the Brecon Beacons.  Everything is going really well apart from an accidental food spill.  The big news is that the Daily Mail are doing a feature in their paper today Here is the Link.  They came out and visited her yesterday and interviewed her and took some photos.  Also next week they are going to be serialising Rosie's new book, I don't have the precise details about this right now.  Also I have these wonderful photos of Rosie setting off from her home in Tenby on her way to London.  Many thanks to Malcolm for these.  Regards James.





 

15th May 2009
Hi, Rosie is setting off today with the Icebird for a little jaunt from Wales to
London,in aid of the prostate Cancer Charity


Hello Everyone, Just to tell you that I I shall be setting off tomorrow at 12.30 to run approx 240 miles from Tenby to London pulling ICEBIRD. This is a special run; Just a Little Run this time, but it means lot to me because although the world run is over but the battle for cancer awareness has to go on.

It is in aid of The Prostate Cancer Charity, www.prostatecancer.org.uk. I hope to raise as much money and awareness for them as I can, as there will be some publicity for forthcoming book anyway - and that can help spread the message that matters so very, very much.
 

I passionately believe - EARLY SCREEN SAVES LIVES. Life is precious and often is fragile. The run is also just a run for plain joy and in thanks and celebration of all those people everywhere who have helped me succeed in world run against so many odds. That is something that will be with me forever.

My route will be as follows;-Tenby/Carmarthen/Brecon/Abergavenny/Monmouth/Gloucester/Cheltenham/Cirencester...
Marlborough/Reading Slough/London and on to /London. I aim to arrive in the centre of London on 5th June - and on to the centre of London.
I look forward to seeing many of you along the way... Please come and say hello if you spot ICEBIRD!

The talk in Keswick was a privilege to do.. It was brilliantly organised and well attended. I was thrilled that Gretchen Stevens and so many of her colleagues and friends from the Centre for Complementary Care and also my favourite cousin, astronomer Dr John Ponsonby were there. The raffle was a great success too. Peter Hutchinson's mitts and the racing jacket donated by The organisers of Keswick Mountain Festival were much appreciated as prizes.. It's been quite a rush to get home in time to finish getting ready to set off tomorrow..

I had to catch the 05.57am train from Penrith. I camped in my faithful bivvi in the centre of a wooded roundabout 2 miles from Penrith - and so could quickly run to the station this morning. I had a good journey... I have just got home...

I shall now adjust the new lights for ICEBIRD, finish getting ready for the London.. Meanwhile, my lovely friends and neighbours having been making cakes and sandwiches to be served 11m30am to 12.30 at what seems likely to become quite the street party, with half of Warren Street as well as many others from Tenby.

There'll be a celebration for which I can hardly wait when London too - Eve and Pete, my grandson Michael and little 2 year old Lucy and James will be there..- and we'll go out for a meal and have fun.

Not even Dick Whittington and his cat could have enjoyed arriving in London as much as I am going to do. More details as plans develop on the road. I'll be sending little updates.

A huge special thank you again to my dear son James. I wrote yesterday's short update on this Blackberry when I was racing through woods I had to try to get to Keswick in time for a photoshoot being arranged by the Keswick Festival. I ran a few yards, wrote some words; then raced on. Just like in the old days while writing the blog on the run. In the end, I only managed to send the little update to James with about four hours to go to the lecture that evening. I couldn't even read it well as my specs were steamy and sweaty. No fear, James who is always calm and works faster than anyone I know, somehow got it up on the website in time. . He's amazing. Rosie.

 

13th of May 2009 latest news.

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I last updated website so please forgive me all those waiting for news of what Rosie is up to.

I am delighted to report, that Rosie's book "Just a little run around the World". is going to be available on the 28th of May in paperback. Add is published by Harper Collins.

On the 23rd of April was awarded the Jane Tomlinson Inspiration Award 2009 chosen by the readers of Runner's World magazine. this was a wonderful occasion with most of Britain's sporting talent in attendance.

Rosie also ran the London Marathon, completing in a time of six hours and seven minutes.

Now to current news.

Tonight Rosie is in Keswick giving a talk at the Keswick Mountain Festival at 6 pm. apologies for the rather last-minute announcement of this event. I've just received this update from Rosie who is running towards the event and is a few miles away from the festival.

Also I would like to include an e-mail from a lovely lady and friend of Rosie called Gretchen Stevens. Highlighting the details of the Centre for Complementary Care, which is a wonderful organisation.

All the best James.

Dear Everybody, I am running this morning to the sound of birdsong. The sunlight is dancing on the hills and the bluebells are out in woods. It is wonderful to be in the Lake District again. It is Heaven. I am on a run from Penrith to Keswick.in honour of the Keswick Mountain Festival where I shall be giving a talk tonight 6 to 7pm. I would like to thanks Cheryl, Tara, Cathy and everyone involved for inviting me to do the talk and especially, for kindly arranging to hold holding a raffle at my talk -as this raffle is in aid of the wonderful Centre for Complementary Care, Eskdale. As first prize I shall be giving a pair of the Peter Hutchinson Omega down mitts - that saved my hands at -62C in Siberia and Alaska..

I shall telling stories about how to cope with the cold and what happened after - got knocked unconscious while crossing a river - about the wolves - - most of all I shall be talking about all the people I met who taught me that good is stronger than evil... You'll all be in my thought tonight. My very marvellous son James is STILL on the case - I am so grateful to him for putting this out - so sorry it is late..

I am now on a glorious cycle path with only about three miles to go to Keswick I have to send this now - and head into town..... I would just like say a deep THANK YOU to everybody. You have been absolutely brilliant to me. Thank you to so very many of you for checking in while I was writing the book - even when I was buried in words and struggling to get to the deadline and could not often reply. The deadline was very tight. I am so relieved and grateful that I made it "JUST A LITTLE RUN AROUND THE WORLD" is coming out this month in paperback published by Harper Collins.- I couldn't have kept going with a story that often felt like WAR AND PEACE. without all the sublime and amazing help from all my family and friends.

Rosie.


Hi James. Further to our conversation this morning, the web address for the Centre for Complementary Care is www.cccare.org. It tells about us and the healing work we do in West Cumbria.

Rosie has been a friend for many years and a loyal supporter of the Cenre since it began 20 years ago. She will be mentioning it in her talk at the Mountain Festival at Keswick on Wednesday, May 13th and holding a raffle for us there. The Centre is a beautiful place in tranquil surroundings, where people come for healing treatment, regardless of their ability to donate towards the cost of their care. We never turn anyone away. Research outcomes published in professional journals in the US and UK indicate "significant benefit" from healing by gentle touch.

Hope that is enough to get us going. If you need anything else, please e-mail gretchenstevens@googlemail.com.

Best regards, Gretchen

--
Gretchen Stevens
Director
Centre for Complementary Care
Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1RD
01229 717 355
www.cccare.org

 

 

21st of March 2009.


Rosie at Buckingham Palace after receiving her MBE

21st of March 2009. Hi everyone I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and wish all mums including my own, a happy Mother's Day tomorrow.  Here are some photos of the day Rosie received her MBE from the Queen.  It was a great occasion and one I don't think I will ever forget. Some very good friends of Rosie, Patty and Richard had flown over from America to visit as well as Rosie's stepsister Maude . And we were all staying in the same hotel the night before and we went out for a lovely meal.

There was a great flurry of activity in the morning between Patty, Maud my sister and Rosie sorting out last-minute adjustments to the wardrobe and makeup. We arrived at the Palace by taxi, and we were asked to show our passports and tickets at the main gate.

We went through the main facade and found ourselves in an inner courtyard. On the far side an ornate glass gazebo sheltering the main entrance to the palace.  Everyone was incredibly well-dressed, some wearing very unusual military uniforms. We were then ushered in to the palace.

It was amazingly opulent, there were marble statues and huge paintings everywhere you looked there was something fascinating to look at. The whole ceremony was incredibly well organised and it was an extremely pleasant experience.

The guests and the recipients of the awards were split off.  As guests we were led into the the main banquet hall and seated to wait for the ceremony to begin.  There was a small orchestra of about 14 musicians playing a pleasant selection of lift music sorry I mean classical music .  Strangely attired palace staff milled about with warm and friendly expressions as they guided people to the right place.

The Queen's entrance was preceded by her personal guard of Beefeaters with the full regalia including pikestaffs and ministry of funny walks.  The Queen also had traditional guard of two Ghurkhas, that were quite possibly trained Ninjas.

The Queen looked great, she had wonderfully sparkly eyes. When it was Rosie's turn to receive her award the Queen seemed very animated and knew about Rosie's past adventures.  She actually spoke to Rosie the longest out of all those receiving awards.

After the ceremony we took some photos, and had some taken outside.  After this we went round to Catherine's house to meet up with our friends.  Catherine had put on an amazing feast and we had some champagne and it was a great way to round off an amazing day.

Regards James Swale


                                                                             Me with Michael Rosie's grandson


With my sister Eve.                                                 Pete Stanway, My sister's husband & Lucy and                                                                    Michael.



Good friends of Rosie Richard, Patty
and Catherine.                                                           Arriving at Buckingham Palace.

 

7th of March 2009, Latest news.

7th of March 2009. Hi everyone, I am delighted to report that Rosie handed over the manuscript of her book to the publishers last week. You wouldn't believe how hard Rosie has been working on this book, it was such a tight deadline.

My mother has a very unique writing style which makes reading a real joy. The book is very addictive I've been tearing through the chapters that Rosie has been sending me over the past few months. The book really is something special and I'm not just saying that because she's my mother.

And to go with the great sense of celebration about the finished book, on Tuesday, Rosie will be picking up her MBE at Buckingham Palace. Me my sister and my nephew and a good friend from Alaska will be joining her for the ceremony. Should be a great occasion and I'm really looking forward to it. Hope to post up some pictures when we get back.

Warmest regards James Swale

 

July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec. 2008 Latest news. Regular updates every Weekend.

31st of December 2008. Hi Just wanted to congratulate my mother Rosie for being awarded an MBE.  She is really over the moon about it, and I am delighted as well. I am so proud of her and the way she has battled with so many adversities and challenges during her five years on the road.  I think it's an incredible achievement. 

And it's been a great privilege to be part of it in a small way by managing the website. I've seen human courage, kindness and hospitality go further than I ever knew were possible and I have found that so inspiring. I send out a special thanks to all of Rosie's friends from around the world. God bless you all.

Thank you all so much as well for the kind guestbook entries and for the many e-mails congratulating Rosie. Rosie sends her warm regards and we would both like to wish everyone a wonderful New Year. All the best James Swale.

 

22nd of December 2008. Happy Christmas everyone, thank you so much for all the e-mails I'm still getting congratulating Rosie. This is the first Christmas Rosie has had back home for five years, and she is having a good old family one in Wales. Rosie wanted me to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I've been digging through the archive and have some more pictures, there is no particular order, just ones I like and I hope you enjoy them to. Warmest regards James.

 

 

 

 

   

12th of December 2008.  Hi everyone.  one thing that Rosie can do now which she was never able to do while running around the world is to really go through the website and the guestbook in great detail.  Rosie has particularly enjoyed reading the guestbook again, and wants to thank everyone for their kindness once more, for all those lovely and supportive messages. 

The book is going really well and is taking every moment of her time. I have some new photos for you here from the archive.  These were taken at various times and places.  The first is a picture of Rosie in Siberia.  The second is Rosie in the far west of Alaska. The others are various from Iceland, Alaska and America.  Warmest regards James Swale

   

 

18th of November 2008. Hi I hope everyone is keeping well. I don't know about you but I've been getting withdrawal symptoms, and am really missing those regular updates from Rosie when she was running round the world. I never knew what to expect as virtually every day new adventures and challenges came up.

A huge number of people followed Rosie's progress on the website, and I would like to thank you all for your interest and the many lovely e-mails I still get congratulating her.

Rosie is writing a book at the moment as you properly know, and she has a fairly steep deadline. Rosie tends not to do things by half measures and I really feel that she is putting as much effort into writing this book as she did when running round the world.

I've received many invites for Rosie to attend some very lovely events, promotions and to do some talks . But right now due to the deadline for the book she is not able to do much else apart from her writing until the book is finished around the early part of next year.

Also I thought it would be nice to dig through the photo archive and see what I could find and post them up.  I'm going to do this as a regular series every week.

 

Here is a message from Rosie herself she sent me today. Regards James

Hello Everybody,

Just to let you know that I am thinking very much about you all.

I am working hard on the book.. I have today finished Chapter 17... and am heading east towards Siberia.

It feels as if I am running around the world all over again - through the book. I think this journey will never end...

I need to tell you that you all are part of what has been the extraordinary and special five years of my whole life..

Thank you all so much for everything... Thank you for always being there for me - through thick and thin!!!

I am sitting here, and I must tell you had my little home does not feel like a house - it just feels like an extension of my beloved cart Icebird.

Love and best wishes to you all,

Rosie
 

This is Rosie arriving in Tok Alaska.  Being met by Abigail Neil from the BBC. This was an absolutely lovely place, we receive such warm hospitality.

 

 

6th of October 2008. Hi, you might hear Rosie on the radio today, she is helping to promote awareness of Living Streets, for 'walk to School month'. It is an initiative to encourage more primary school children to walk to and from school. Which I think is a great idea

Rosie is in London and she is doing a whole series of interviews for local radio stations around the UK to talk about this and why she supports it.

It was Rosie's birthday on the 2nd of October and he came up to London and stayed at my sisters. She had a great day and also her birthday was a five year anniversary of her setting off to run round the world.

Here is a message from Rosie herself.

Dear Everybody, Thank you all so very much for your wonderful birthday wishes. It is also magical that today is the exact 5 year anniversary of setting off -. Life will never, never be the same ever again - it will be much more fun! - That's because of your amazing encouragement and support - with the running and the writing! - you'll be part of everything I do and plan in the future.... I loved your comments and with Jim's great update for the web! Anyway, I am now on Chapter 7 of the book. I shall soon be describing my first winter in Russia. Writing, brings it all back - I feel as if I am running around the world again!! WOW! At least this time I won't need all those replacement running shoes!

Rosie


Also on an unrelated matter I've started a support group called Patientfriends, Rosie is very interested by this. The aim of the group is to support those who are being treated by the NHS (the UK's National Health Service). And also to campaign for a better level of patient care. I really love the NHS but I would like to see people served by it given more of a voice. I think this would allow people to become interested and involved with their local NHS service. which I believe will improve levels of patient care.

The website to Patientfriends is www.patientfriends.org.uk  its bit of a work in progress but please take a look.

If this is an area that interests you please drop me a line with any thoughts or suggestions.

This is obviously a local issue to the UK, but I'm a great believer in people power, and if there is any issue you care about strongly, whatever they may be.  I urge you to start your own groups and to believe that when people get together they can make a difference and improve things.

Regards James

 

 

2nd of October 2008.  Hi I hope everyone is keeping well.  Thank you all so much for your interest in my mother's world run.  We've had an amazing number of people visiting the website, I've been telling Rosie this but I'm not sure that she completely believed me. So I thought I would post the web stats for August/ September, and this year.

  Unique visitors: 2953Number of visits: 3941Pages: 7821Hits: 210079Bandwidth: 2.11 GB Unique visitors: 6613Number of visits: 9657Pages: 30057Hits: 561068Bandwidth: 5.25 GB Unique visitors: 6826Number of visits: 10492Pages: 25949Hits: 449468Bandwidth: 3.89 GB Unique visitors: 7243Number of visits: 10660Pages: 23025Hits: 533680Bandwidth: 4.80 GB Unique visitors: 7121Number of visits: 10522Pages: 24554Hits: 442539Bandwidth: 4.88 GB Unique visitors: 18517Number of visits: 23857Pages: 65326Hits: 1964436Bandwidth: 27.08 GB Unique visitors: 8413Number of visits: 13559Pages: 33642Hits: 679816Bandwidth: 8.64 GB Unique visitors: 17416Number of visits: 25493Pages: 66095Hits: 2414515Bandwidth: 26.38 GB Unique visitors: 6449Number of visits: 10217Pages: 21883Hits: 701316Bandwidth: 7.65 GB Unique visitors: 0Number of visits: 0Pages: 0Hits: 0Bandwidth: 0 Unique visitors: 0Number of visits: 0Pages: 0Hits: 0Bandwidth: 0 Unique visitors: 0Number of visits: 0Pages: 0Hits: 0Bandwidth: 0  
  Jan
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May
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Month Unique visitors Number of visits Pages Hits Bandwidth
Jan 2008 2953 3941 7821 210079 2.11 GB
Feb 2008 6613 9657 30057 561068 5.25 GB
Mar 2008 6826 10492 25949 449468 3.89 GB
Apr 2008 7243 10660 23025 533680 4.80 GB
May 2008 7121 10522 24554 442539 4.88 GB
Jun 2008 18517 23857 65326 1964436 27.08 GB
Jul 2008 8413 13559 33642 679816 8.64 GB
Aug 2008 17416 25493 66095 2414515 26.38 GB
Sep 2008 6449 10217 21883 701316 7.65 GB
Oct 2008 0 0 0 0 0
Nov 2008 0 0 0 0 0
Dec 2008 0 0 0 0 0
Total 81551 118398 298352 7956917 90.68 GB

Having a little trouble getting the bar charts to show their colour, but basically the bars are in the same order as the coloured tabs on the table, for example January 2008 the first transparent bar is unique visitors, the next is number of visits, the next is pages, then hits then bandwidth.  The same pattern for all the other months.  I'm having the same issue with the full website statistics, but as above all the chart bars are in the same order as the coloured chart tabs, so it's fairly clear I hope.

To view the full website statistics please click here

It's really great because, the charities she was raising awareness for and the issue of cancer awareness is so important it's lovely to know that the word has been spread and hopefully it will help to do some good.

It's great to have Rosie back I'm having a lot of contact with her and the book is going to be amazing, I'm actually the unofficial editor though she does not need my advice as she is doing a great job.

I have to say I do miss talking to Rosie to get the latest news, because it was never the same there was always some challenge to be battled through, and more often stories of great kindness and hospitality from people she had met on her journey.

In regards to the future of the website I'd like to keep it ticking over, it's a nice archive, and I hope to keep it available to everyone.  If anyone has any thoughts or ideas about website, please drop me a line at the usual address james_swale@rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk

And a quick message I got Rosie herself, to you all.

Warmest regards James Swale.

From Rosie:

Dear Everybody, I just want to say I am so very touched and inspired by the huge number of people who have visited my website.

I miss the run-and I miss all those I met. I working on the book and have a hard deadline, but it will be for all of you - it will be my thank you.

I shall be contacting you whenever I can especially ,re dates and checking details for the book, but

Hello to Lila and the Amish people..
hello to wonderful Nancy Rodgriquez -who had my toenails painted red for the Chicago Marathon - which helped me go much fast..
Hello to ALL my dear friends everywhere in the world.

I will turn up to visit you all one of these days, when the book is done.

Just hang in there for me - writing the book is harder than the running, but it is such a chance to relive everything too.. I am DETERMINED to make it.

Especially I honour James my brilliant son, who organised the website in the first place, and my daughter Eve, who is so beautiful and smart, She always said. 'Mum, a circle of hands around the world is going to help you, and bring you home' - This is what has happened. All across America and everywhere, you have become my family also.
I thinking have the biggest family in the world
love to you all,

Rosie

 

16th of Sep 2008, hi everyone, a little postcard for the web site from Rosie here. Rosie received the Prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award, presented to her by the Rotary Club who themselves do a huge amount for charity and the local community.

"Paul Harris Fellow recognition was created in 1957 in memory of the founder of Rotary as a way to show appreciation for contributions to the Foundation's charitable and educational program. A Paul Harris Fellow is an individual who contributes £1,000 or in whose name that amount is contributed. Every Paul Harris Fellow receives a pin, a medallion and a certificate when he or she becomes a Fellow. This identifies the Paul Harris Fellow as an advocate of the Foundation's goals of world peace and international understanding."

Rosie is heavily stuck into writing the book about her adventures, we have been in very close contact and she has been reading me chapters and sending me drafts, it's a lot of fun. Rosie is putting an incredible amount to work into this, and its coming out really great.

Regards James

 

From Rosie

Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:17:28

Subject: THANK YOU TENBY ROTARY CLUB. Web postcard

 

The PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP is the greatest honour I have ever received in my life.

THANK YOU TENBY ROTARY FOR THIS FABULOUS AWARD THAT WAS PRESENTED TO ME AT A FANTASTIC WELCOME DINNER AT THE FOURCROFT HOTEL IN TENBY ON LAST TUESDAY.

Thank also so much for the amazingly sponsorship

A cheque for THOUSAND POUNDS Was given to me made out to the prostate cancer charity and

THREE HUNDRED POUNDS FROM. THE KIND TENBY LIONS WHO WERE AMONG THE WONDERFUL GUESTS

Most of all it was a happy, warm beautiful night out with many distinguished people including my personal dear friends and the Soropomists and other organisations and the Governor Elect of Rotary South Wales.

I shall treasure and prize the FELLOWSHIP and the memory of this evening forever.

Thank you also to Those friends who have sent sponsorship for the cancer society and for the Kitezh Community for children in Russia.

I am on chapter two of my book now.. It's quite a challenging chapter I am thinking of you all i working as hard as I can!

Rosie.

 

5th of August 2008, Hi here is a message from Rosie, I spoke to her today and she had this done a radio interview for a show that will be broadcast in the Middle East, and has 6 million listeners, which is really exciting. 

This is a nice picture of Rosie on a camel, that I took from a photo in Rosie's house, thought it would be fun to post it, I think it from when Rosie ran the Sahara marathon.  Regards James

1aRosie5468652451.jpg (194436 bytes)

'WEB POSTCARD From Rosie.

Thank you all for the most fantastic welcome. No film, King, Queen or Princess EVER had such a brilliant as I did in Tenby at THE FINISH!!! I am deeply moved and so grateful I dedicate my run to every person I've met along the way, as well those I'll may never meet, but who have all made all the difference through your treasured comments and letters! .

My next challenge will be writing the book! It is exciting that Harper want to publish it next spring. It will inspire me that you'll all be with me in spirit through every word. It's fun, not having to write by torchlight having to eke out fading batteries anymore!

Amazing, to live again in a home where one can just press a switch - and turn on a light! Also, being able to turn a tap on!

The first bath I had at home felt so marvellous - that I went to sleep in it and let the water overflow!! My first domestic challenge!!!! Anyway, re the writing, special thanks to Steve Fisher of Webb Computers for sponsorship of printer and hugely reduced in cost laptop, and to my fabulous Master of the Web and dear son James, a genius, who set it all up for me while he was here.

To TROT ST Clears, THE BLADES, TENBY ROTARY CLUB AND INNER WHEEL, Tenby Fire Service, Tenby Police. and thousands of others. Through thick and thin, above all, very much love to my my fabulous family, Eve, James Pete, the kids, Bob, Nancy, Victor, Patty, Rich, Kevin, Marianne, Maude, Kaye, Gerald, Mark. Mandy, Andrew, Lila, Susan, Nicolas, Ann, Catherine, Geoff . Many more.....- all of you far and wide. Rosie

 

3rd of September 2008. Hi, I have just uploaded to Youtube some footage of Rosie speaking to the press and crowd, outside her house. I think Rosie's energy and optimism really shines through here, it's well worth a look. Please follow the link here or below  to watch it. Also here are some more photos that I took.  

One thing I forgot to mention before, and that is a huge thank you to the ladies who belong to the 'Inner Wheel', the wives of the Rotary Club members, who who laid on an amazing spread of food and cakes for about 30 people at Rosie's house. there were some of the nicest home-made cakes I think I have ever tasted in my life, particularly the Victoria sponge cake.

Thanks again for all your lovely e-mails, I've been in close contact with Rosie, and she is doing great, and has a very tight deadline to produce her book.  I've had a lot of e-mails from people wondering about whether Rosie is available to do talks about her adventures and experiences.  Thank you so much for the interest, but I don't think it's going to be possible until after she has finished writing.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ixzSTuDboU

Rosie on Youtube talking with the press, follow link to watch, click click click.

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Rosie being photographed by Adrian Sherratt for her article in the Sunday Times

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Some stills of Rosie talking with the press.

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Abigail Neill who did a great piece about Rosie's homecoming on the local BBC News.  Abigail had previously visited Rosie in Alaska to do a TV programme about her. Here interviewing Rosie's mother Marianne Griffin.

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T.R.O.T St Clears running club, about to set a new record of how many people can fit into Rosie's front room

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We had a lovely meal later on that evening, at the Mews Bistro, with friends and family.  In the photos are Gerald Rosie's brother and his wife Kay.  And in the other Maude Rosie's sister and John Ponsonby Rosie's cousin.

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This is my cousin Mark Ottman and his wife Mandy and son, who I met for the first time, we had an absolutely great evening together.

30th of August 2008 Hi, the radio show was really good, Sandi Toksvig is very witty and it was a lot of fun. Excess Baggage, is also available to download as a podcast which is great news.

I would like to mention also, that the Sunday Times have done a piece about Rosie, for this Sunday's edition of the newspaper. I was in Tenby when the photographer came down for the photo shoot. And Rosie was wearing glamorous clothes down on the beach, a contrast with her normal running around the world gear, so you may not recognise her. All the best James.

Hi, I just found out that Rosie is going to be on the BBC radio 4 show 'Excess Baggage', as a guest this Saturday. The show starts at 10 AM, Saturday the 30th of August. And will be available on listen again for seven days at the BBC web site http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/excessbaggage/ regards James

29th of August. Hi here are some more photos has promised. Thank you all so much in for the lovely e-mails of congratulations and stories about Rosie and what an inspiration she is. I am very proud of her myself and delighted she made it back in one piece. I shall be forwarding on all these kind messages to her that I have been sent. Regards James

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Rosie heading towards the centre of Tenby, accompanied by T.R.O.T.S running club.

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The finish line and celebration at Tudor Square, with the Mayor and Ann Rowell a good friend.

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And that's me Rosie's son James. I am absolutely over the moon that she is made it back safely. It was a lovely occasion, with so much warmth and kindness towards Rosie. It was wonderful also see family and friends who had come for Rosie's return. Some who had travelled as far as Alaska and Ireland to be here. A huge thank you for all the photos and absolutely wonderful e-mails. There is plenty more I would like to post up over the next few days. Warmest regards James

 

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 A kind friend, coming out to wash Rosie's hair in the morning, to look good for the cameras.

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Looking cool.

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29th of August 2008. Hi everyone, I just come back from seeing my mother Rosie complete her epic world run, when she returned to the point she started off five years ago. It was an absolutely wonderful occasion, she got an amazing reception in Tenby when she arrived. And the loudest cheer I think I've ever heard from the crowd in Tudor Square. I have loads of great pictures and news. 

The full website update will be ready at about nine o'clock this evening. Until then I will leave you with a couple of photographs of Rosie speaking to the crowd after reaching the finish line. Regards James

 

23rd of August 2008. Hi, just getting ready to set off to Tenby tomorrow morning, so this will probably be the last update until I get back next week, and when I do, I shall be telling you all about it. I've had a another great collection of photos sent through by Malcolm, showing Rosie battling on with her crutches. Thank you very much for them. 

I've had tonnes of e-mails from well wishes, and countless offers of hospitality and help, thank you all so much. All these messages have been a great boost to Rosie, also those cheering her on from the roadside, and she wanted me to thank everyone very much. I hope everyone has a great weekend and look forward to speaking with you all again when I get back. Warmest regards James

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Hi James Just to update you Saturday. Rosie has pass through Narberth and as always in good spirits. The steep hill out of the town been difficult holding back Icebird hands are aching but she says home is almost in sight. Malcolm Oh yes this pic is of the traffic jam with all the motorists slowing and stopping to congratulate Mum

 

22nd of August 2008. Hi things are getting really exciting now, only a few more days and Rosie will be home at last. Rosie has had the most wonderful support and encouragement from everyone during this final stage of her journey. 

Her hands are getting a little sore from using the crutches but she is really happy because she knows she will be able to make you on time. This is important to her because she has friends and family coming from quite long distances and did want to let anyone down. I told her that would be impossible no matter what happened.