Coniston, Guide Dogs and Titanium Plating
Being in the health industry, us dental folk often have fleeting thoughts that we should look try and look after our bods a bit better. Or, if you are somewhat ambitious like myself, yearn to look like Lara ‘Tomb-Raider’ Croft. (Those who know me, please do not mock, I know, my hair isn’t as long as hers yet.)
This yearning has being going on for quite some time now, and something needed to be done about it. In the beginning, there was riding. Which tones ones’ nether regions slightly better than they had been toned before, butt (ha, ha) still, no Lara.
On the second attempt, there was running, which requires one Munsterlander, two Labradors, lots of Lucozade Sport (not good for the pegs, people) and Aerosmith. And still, no Lara.
Things were getting desparate, and so on the recommendation of my pious, vast amount of weight losing sister, I joined Slimming World. And then got bored and ordered a Chinese.
And so, it was a very maudlin Miss B. who agreed to join the bessie mate at Coniston this weekend and dog sit whilst he worked. Restraining over 100kg of dog ought to at the very least, sort the upper arms out.
I should explain…the fabulously organised Guide Dogs Coniston Team Challenge took place this weekend, with basecamp being John Ruskin School. The challenge consists of walking (or hauling in my case) up Coniston Old Man, then cycling through gorgeous Grizedale Forest , then hopping into a canoe to do a tour of the lake. Easy peasy. Although I could only do the hike (as dogs don’t cycle or canoe – ahem…) I was up for it.
The Team Challengers are looked after brilliantly by Guide Dogs. Before setting off for the hike in the morning, the teams are briefed by Davy Newell, and his professional team of mountain and outdoor professionals. The challengers are provided with a check list of items that they must take with them for comfort and safety, and are even frisked for these before they set off on the challenge. A paragon of professionalism, Mr Newell…
My safety briefing was, of course, just as thorough.
Him – ‘Right, got all the leads?’
Me – ‘Yep’
Him - ’Got a drink?’
Me - ’Yep’
Him - It’s up there (pointing skywards) - just keep walking until you get back down here – see you later’.
Marvellous. Mountaineers and explorers clearly follow the same doctrine as dentists. The nearest and dearest always have the worst teeth…
The Guide Dogs Team Challenge Event is so well organised, that they even have their own medic on site. Jamie of Ex Meds (that ’s Extreme Medics…does what it says on the tin), fortunately, was very bored all day. Which only fuelled his excitement for his up and coming contract in Norway. During one of our many chats of the day – him having refused to dog sit so that I could do the rest of the challenge, we got talking about dental injuries and how many times Mountain Bikers actually do manage to head plant. Or, don’t stay ‘rubber side up’ – dude.
We were pondering on the many virtues of titanium plating for jaw bones (and shoulders, in my case, following a gripping horse-riding escapade), when I got a call from Mike in Ambleside. He likes to tell us all about his exciting cases, and was phoning to tell us that he’d been at Total Dental attending to a mountain bike injury…
So like Mike says, he’s like James Herriot, but with a drill.
The joys of rural practice and living in Cumbria.
Tags: Challenge, Coniston, Guide dogs, Slimming, Titanium Plating