"Fat to Fittie"

There are many human characteristics associated with donkeys and it’s mostly not good to be compared to one, unless it’s been proceeded by the words “hung like a”, which is a phrase I’ve never personally heard. Stubborn, stupid, clumsy, not particularly pretty, are all things that people associate with this stoic animal, when in reality it should be, extremely hard working, never give up, affectionate, social, highly intelligent and have a great memory. I absolutely associate with some of those traits, though I’m still not sure when asked to pick an animal you see yourself as, anyone’s actually going to say, “Oh yeah, I’m definately a donkey”.

One of the words I used when describing peoples perceptions was stubborn and whilst I’ve just said it’s not fair, without doubt that’s the first thing you think of when talking about this long eared mule and you know what, it’s not such a bad description. Stubborn can mean unreasonable, obstinate and awkward, but it can also be headstrong, unyielding and a sense of never giving up, now that describes me to a tee. When I set off on my challenge to walk up the 199 steps at Whitby, there was no way I wasn’t finishing, whatever happened I was getting to the top and without getting too cocky, it was easier than I expected. Wish I could say the same for the second challenge I did in Scotland, nearly called it a draw halfway down, very hard, bit dangerous, wholly stupid, but because of that stubborn attitude, I wasn’t giving up.

I did however, reach my total plus a little bit more, but when it came to taking down my Just giving page, I found it difficult, mostly because I’d done it in memory of my granddaughter Margot and I didn’t feel ready for it to end. After a bit of thought I made a decision to partake in another challenge and as it would happen, there’s a very steep path that runs parallel to the 199 steps, all the way up to Whitby Abbey. It’s actually called Donkey track, because it was the route they used to take to get to the beach and provide rides for the kids, I’ve never actually walked up it, usually just peered over the side when going up and down the steps and wondering, what sort of idiot would want to walk up there?

The plan is to undertake this arduous task about a week before I go for my first operation, which I’m hoping is late July/early August, so plenty of time to get a bit fitter, though it’s not just a case of being fit, but finding a way to get through the pain and make it to the top. Perhaps in the future, the original idea for the name may be lost on the generations to come, who will believe it derives from the donkey who tried to walk up it with knackered hips and instead rolled all the way down and knocked himself out on the pub step at the bottom. When Edmund Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, his reply was ” Because it’s there”. When they ask me sat up in my hospital bed, with a bandage round my head, “So Keith, what made you want to walk up Donkey track in your state” my reply will be nothing similar to Edmonds, more likely, “Because I wanted to try, even though I was pretty sure I was going to end up on my arse”. Fingers crossed I don’t.