Welcome to the FART's Blog (Father Abraham's Roving Team)

Kilimanjaro 2008

2011-05-20T09:13:00.002+01:00

2009-10-21T09:05:00.002+01:00

Never mess with an old FART

2009-09-15T11:31:00.001+01:00

Never mess with an old FART

A farmer went out one day and bought a brand new stud rooster for his chicken coop. The new rooster struts over to the old rooster and says,

'OK old fart, Time for you to retire.'
The old rooster replies, 'Come on, surely you cannot handle
ALL of these chickens.
Look what it has done to me
Can't you just let me have the two old hens over in the corner?'

The young rooster says,
'Beat it: You are washed up
And I am taking over.'

The old rooster says,
'I tell you what, young stud.
I will race you around the farmhouse. Whoever wins gets the exclusive domain over the entire chicken coop.'

The young rooster laughs.
'You know you don't stand a chance, old man.
So, just to be fair,
I will give you a head start.'

The old rooster takes off running. About 15 seconds later the young rooster takes off running after him.

They round the front porch of the farmhouse and the young rooster has closed the gap.

He is only about 5 feet behind the old rooster and gaining fast!

The farmer, meanwhile, is sitting in his usual spot on the front porch
When he sees the roosters running by.

The Old Rooster is squawking
And running as hard as he can.
The Farmer grabs his shotgun and
- BOOM -
He blows the young rooster to bits. The farmer sadly shakes his head and mutters,

'Gawd dammit!!.......
Third gay rooster I bought this month.'

Moral of this
Story? ....

Don't mess with the OLD FARTS -
Age, skill, wisdom, and a little treachery Always overcome youth and arrogance!

OLD DUDES RULE

FARTS Kilimanjaro 2009 Reunion

2009-07-03T13:11:00.007+01:00

After well over a year we organised a reunion of a nautical nature. 9 out of the original 13 made it on a warm, showery evening. Chris took "Mandu" his fish killing Kat and I took me yacht "Euphoria" for a bit of comfort for the boys.
On "Mandu" as is usual with Chris, the fishing was frantic, trying several marks and catching a few Pollock.
On "Euphoria" we did a bit of sailing and chilling and then our competitive edge kicked in for 10 minutes and we caught 6 mackerel. 3 by complete novice Fish Killer Mike Sullivan who also caught the fishing bug - he would not put the rod down.
These were BBQ'd at Pwll Du (Thanks Phil - any chance of my Spatula back!!) and consumed with some bevvies.
Then it was time to saunter back to the marina whilst Mandu frantically checked more marks for the elusive Bass with four rods.
Outside the marina Billy spotted some Gar fish and the one rod on "Euphoria" was cast and within seconds 2 more mackerel were caught for me supper. Lovely. Or did Owain catch them with his hands while swimming? Cant remember. Fishing with rods is for amateurs, proper Fish Killers use their hands and teeth!!

Any way time to rap this posting up cause Michael Douglas and Katherine Zita want a spin over to Croyde and a day out like The Hoff had!! Click here for more info

Raising money for ORCHID

2008-09-17T11:48:00.002+01:00

As some may know FART our charity group is raising money for ORCHID (details above). Enzo Maccarinelli kindly donated some boxing gloves which were signed by himself and Joe Calzaghe. We sold these privately for £300.

Enzo (via his father in law) has donated somemore stuff to help which is fantastic.

I now have-

Two more boxing gloves signed by Enzo and Joe
A great poster signed by Enzo
A Ospreys rugby jersey signed by the whole squad.
A Swans jersey signed by the squad.

Let me know if anyone interested with reasonable offer or any way forward to ensure they go to a good home and we make some money for ORCHID. Please feel free to e mail anyone who might be interested but is known to you. I don’t want them on e bay!!

Cheers Chris

FARTS Wye Vally

2008-06-28T19:34:00.006+01:00

FARTS Wye Vally Canoe and Kayak Trip 21ST June 2008-19 miles

12 FARTS arrived Hay on Wye on Friday night including a new Celebrity FART (Johnny Depp aka Capt. Jack Sparrow) for an overnight camp.

A few beers in the Three Tuns in Hay was followed, on the advice of our Sports nutritionist, a few FARTS opting for a curry and some a Chinese! Most FARTS had a peaceful night other than Paul T. who was busy training doing a swimming invididual medly in Alan’s watertight tent!! Boys put the roof on next time and a little more parcel tape to hold it together. No longer 3 Para but 4th SBS (Special Boat Service)! Down to the river and a further nutritious bacon butty before leaving on a 19 mile paddle down stream!

7 miles in and the FARTS were wondering what they had taken on! They stick at it to mile 11 and the Boat Inn for a well earned rest and a pint. Johnny Depp had to leave at this stage for a prior Celebrity engagement but the die hards paddled on to the end. Alan, the two Pauls amd Jenson all took a dip as the river flow got faster with the overnight rain! An arduous 6 hour paddle and aching shoulders and backs the boys deliver another difficult challenge.

FART adopts ORCHID as its's Charity for 2008/2009!

2008-06-02T18:19:00.007+01:00

Formed in 1996 by former testicular cancer patient, Colin Osborne, Orchid is the only UK registered cancer charity to focus entirely on the male-specific cancers; prostate, penile and testicular. We exist to save lives and suffering caused by these diseases by funding medical research and promoting awareness about them.
We raise voluntary funds which enable us to continue funding pioneering research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these dreadful diseases and improve education about them so that symptoms can be recognised and medical attention sought early; helping doctors to find cancers at an early stage when treatment is easier. Men should not die because of ignorance or embarrassment.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer for men aged 15-45; each year around 2,000 young men are diagnosed and face the emotional and physical trauma of fighting this disease.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK with around 35,000 cases diagnosed and 10,000 deaths each year; this equates to one man dying every hour.
Penile cancer ffects around 400 men each year; normally over the age of 60. Sadly one in four patients does not survive.
Behind each statistic is a man; a father, son, brother, grandfather and friend, and behind each man there are family and friends who are affected by these uniquely men’s cancers.

Martin Preuss (1952-2007)
Martin Preuss was a top man. Martin did a 100 mile walk in 3 days in aid of NSPCC in 2004. This was quite some challenge and Martin was up the front inspirational as ever. Many FART members walked with Martin. Quite soon afterwards Martin became ill with a very aggressive prostate cancer and tragically died in 2007. Martin would have been up for many of the challenges that FART have/will be doing. We raise money for ORCHID in his and others memory.

A FART is born-why FART?
Mission
To raise money for charity and do a series of challenges and sponsored events.

Background
Previous challenges have raised considerable sums for charity. Money has been raised for a number of different charities. Individual collection of money can be difficult with cash, cheques etc often being given to individuals and the personal cheques given to charity. It can be difficult to keep track. F.A.R.T. provides an overall focus for collection of money and distribution to charity in a single yearly sum.
The Father Abraham name was born after a successful summit of Kilimanjaro 2008. In the bar afterwards the group performed the “Father Abraham had Seven Sons song” led by Rubber Johnnys (Robbie) and the usual bar tray. A complaint from a twit in the bar led to a minor affray. Thereafter the poor sad chap wished he hadn’t opened his mush as Father Abraham was sung and mentioned to exhaustion. The poor chap will never know the debt that charities throughout the world may owe him!!

FARTS

2008-05-22T20:45:00.000+01:00

River Wye Kayaking 21st June 08

2008-05-22T18:14:00.008+01:00

19 mile kayak trip down the Wye on 21st June
Overnight camp on Friday night in grounds of pub!!! Fiver for camping and 25 quid for canoe/kayak and you get dropped back to start as part of deal so it’s down river!! Few of boys got big tents so pitch a couple of 6 man jobs. Sat morning coming up would be fine. We’ll be back home for Sat eve.

Had interest from Me, Phil Foot, Tony Lewis, Mike Williams, Robbie Jones, Alan Davies, Paul Ellis, Martin Wells, Billy Bevan, Ashok Rayani so far.

Pete/James went and did it the other day and reckoned it was great.

Some video from the FARTS tour to Kilimanjaro

2008-04-24T19:52:00.009+01:00

Proposed challenges for FARTS

2008-04-24T18:51:00.004+01:00

F.A.R.T TRAVEL (Did Mike really have a dump up their?)
UK
1) The 15 3000’s- climb 15 peaks all over 3000ft in North Wales-3 days-Winter 2008
2) Swansea-Dublin cycle ride-6 days. (Swansea-Fishguard-Rosslare-Dun Loghaire-Hollyhead-Swansea on a mountain bike.)-end summer 2008/beginning summer 2009.
3) Welsh Three Peaks-2 days-Winter 2008?
4) Kayak on the Wye-1 day-Summer 2008?

Abroad
1) Everest Base Camp-11 days.-2010?
2) Alaska Dog sledding-10 days
3) Kayak the Zambezi-7 days-2010?
4) Lions Tour South Africa plus Mountain Trek-2009.

Phil Foots shots

2008-03-04T16:26:00.008Z

At 0600hrs (local time) on 21st Feb, myself and my companions reached the rim of the Kilimanjaro crater at Gilmans Point, to be confronted by a full lunar eclipse in front of us and the sun rising behind us!
It was another two hours trek to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the mountain, but all 13 of us in the group made it!
The temperature (I'm assured) was -20 degree C without accounting for windchill. I don't think I have ever been so exhausted........
After coming down off the mountain we were given 30 minutes for packing, 30 minutes for some food, then instructed to hike for 3 hours down out of the high altitude danger zone to our next camp
Kilimanjaro is, at 19,340 feet, the highest peak in Africa
That's over four times higher than Ben Nevis! Phil Foot

Climb completed 21st Feb 08

2008-02-26T10:30:00.006Z

Message from Rhys Harris

2008-02-26T10:25:00.002Z

Hi guys,

Great news you all did it! Well done.

Thought I'd send you one of me to go with the collection!

Rhys

Hi Rhys - only wish it was that easy!!

Kili D Day -2

2008-02-13T15:55:00.008Z

After a lot of training on Gower and in Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons the time has arrived to pack and rest before finally flying to Tanzania in Africa this Friday 15th Feb 2008. We will be 13 guys supported by our Tanzanian guides and porters setting out on Sunday for a hopeful ascent of Kilimanjaro summit by early hours Thursday morning. Snowcapped Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain at 19,335ft (5,895m), it is the world's tallest free standing mountain and is roughly the same height as Everest base camp. (Everest @ 30,000 ft).
If you have already sponsored us then thank you very much - It will form a huge part of the motivation required to leave a freezing tent (-20C) and sleeping bag at the Kibo hut Bivouac (4,700m) at midnight. We will then push in frozen darkness and very thin air for an African dawn at the summit over 1,200m away, then descend a very tricky 2,000m of scree to rest some 16 hours later. The main physical challenges are potentially lethal altitude sickness, injury, illness and fatigue.

Kili Kit list

2008-02-05T10:18:00.000Z

Personal equipment

index

All communal equipment such as tents and cooking gear is provided by the climb teams.

All personal equipment is usually provided by the climbers. Please refer to the equipment lists below.

Total luggage should be kept to a maximum of 15kg on the mountain. Extra luggage can be safely stored at your hotel. If you need to take more luggage then you must let us know at the time of booking so that we can arrange additional porters.

Item	qty	notes	hire
Soft kit bag	1	in which porters will carry your main mountain equipment
Small backpack	1	30 to 40 litre : for your own personal gear
Rain cover for small backpack	1	optional : can use plastic bags for rain protection

Wide brimmed hat	1	for shade against the sun
Balaclava or woolly hat	1	for warmth
Scarf or bandana	1
Sunglasses or goggles	1 pair	against snow-blindness , preferrably with side gusset

Poncho	1	optional
Hooded waterproof jacket	1	must be very good quality, waterproof & breathable	$ 25
Four seasons duvet jacket	1		$ 35
Warm upper body layers	3	to fit over under layers and each other
Upper body under layers	3	preferably synthetic for easy drying
Sports brassiere	3	not necessary for men

Waterproof outer gloves	1 pair	must be very good quality, waterproof & breathable
Thin undergloves	1 pair

Gel-activated hand warmers	2	for summit attempt

Waterproof trousers / pants	1	must be very good quality, waterproof & breathable	$ 20
Fleece trousers / pants	1
Llightweight trousers / pants	2	must go on top of each other
Short trousers / pants	2
Thermal under trousers / pants	2	must go on top of each other
Underwear	3

Gaiters	1 pair	optional : waterproof & breathable

Thick socks	3 pair	woollen or synthetic
Thin socks	6 pair	woollen or synthetic
Hiking boots	1 pair	must be well-broken-in, leather recommended
		wear on plane in case of lost luggage
Spare laces	1 pair
Trainers	1 pair	for use around camp

Walking poles	1 pair	can be purchased at gate	$ 10

Sleeping bag	1	must be four seasons : fleece liner optional	$ 35
Inflatable sleeping mat	1	repair kit essential
Foam sleeping mat : thin	1	can bring two for comfort	$ 7
Foam sleeping mat : 75mm / 3"	1	available for hire only : expensive due to porterage	$ 25

Water bottles, 1 litre	2 / 3	preferred formats ...
		1 metallic SIGG type for double use as hot water
		1 bladder Platypus type for drinking whilst walking
		must have insulated tube against freezing

Water purification pump	1	optional
Water purification tablets		iodine, not chlorine
Cordial or water flavouring		recommend Redoxon type vitamin C tablets
Favourite snacks
High-energy bars

Head torch	1	as powerful as possible but light weight : mini Petzl okay
Spare torch batteries	4 sets	allow for lots of reading
Spare torch bulb	2

Pocket knife	1
Plastic bags & bin liners		for keeping various things dry

Pencil & paper for the trip log
Camera plus film and batteries		check temperature ratings
Video camera and batteries		check temperature ratings

Reading material
Games & cards

Towel		can be the lightweight quick-dry type
Toiletries
Lip balm
Ear plugs
Soft toilet paper	2 rolls
Wet wipes
Spare contact lenses or glasses

Paperwork		route guide
		pre-climb briefing
		insurance documentation with 24hr medical emergency number
		invoice paperwork from us
		mountain map : usually available at trailhead

Snowdon & Cadair Idris 26th 27th Jan 08

2008-01-29T00:38:00.000Z

Day's to departure, 19!

The weekend started, at the pub, the Cwellyn Arms to be precise (Rhyd-Ddu). A few beers were had around the fire to the occasional cries of 'Gary', who up to this point no one had met.

7 returned to the cosy bunk house for an evenings light snoring whilst Chris, Phil, Pete and myself bedded down in our tents for what turned out to be a rather blustery night.

Saturday started, well a little slow actually. Pete and I had a little lie in, still feeling the effects of several pints the evening before while the advance party headed back to the pub to ask directions to the path up Snowdon!! (Are'nt GPS fantastic!)
The walk began at a gruelling pace up the Rhyd-Ddu path gaining height quickly onto the windy flanks of the horseshoe of Snowdon. Then came the airy Bwlch Main ridge (several members clinging to rocks accross the more exposed parts) some 1000 foot drop on either side. The Summit (1085m)was reached after a quick ascent of 2and a half hours to stand clinging to the trig point in high winds, with absolutly no view and a very quick, cold lunch. Our chosen return path was missed in the thick cloud that hung over Snowdon resulting in a cross counrty jaunt back to the Snowdon Ranger path, here the party split, another summit? Moel Cynghorion (674m). Or the pub? Tough choice!
All in all a very good walk, some 12 miles in total and 5000feet of ascent.

Another evening of entertainment in the Cwellyn Arms.....watching Billy loose to his own game of cards, repeatedly and Pete hoarding the poker chips! All Whilst sweating after someone loaded the fire. what was the reasoning behind that? canadians?

Sunday dawned much more settled with a drive over to Dog-a-loo (Dolgellau) to climb the punishing steps and much steeper slopes of Cadair Idris (893m). once up to lake level the path became steeper still until up on the ridge.

Again we battled against strong winds, with occassional glimpse's off the sheer cliffs down to the Llyn Cau lake 1100feet below. Just when we thought we had reached the summit, hopes were dashed, down again and along the ridge and up the otherside to the trig point yet again shrouded in cloud. Once we had determined which direction it was back to the car park, we headed down and out into sunshine, possibly the first Wales has seen for a few months! The steps down were punishing on the knee's however the stunning views and warm evening sun took your mind off aching limbs and shaking knees.

A fantastic weekend's walking, some seriously good training for whats to come. Thank's to all and good luck on Kili.
James Youren.

Brecon Beacons Jan 12th 08

2008-01-15T18:17:00.000Z

Possibly the hardest training day yet with a suprise of snow on the beacons. 7 peaks climbed with a total ascent of 6000ft, 12 miles walked and not suprisingly 6000ft descent.

Oxwich Bay to Mumbles 16 Dec 2007

2007-11-13T17:53:00.000Z

Training session-Sunday 16^th December-Oxwich Bay to Mumbai Indian restaurant Sunday buffet (all curry u can eat!!) Will be further than last Sunday about 26 miles.
A bitterly cold and early start from Oxwich Bay - this walk followed the coastal path - but if there was a sand dune or headland with any sort of incline then it had to be climbed. A hard walk with plenty of sore limbs the following day. Nice curry too.

Rhosili to Upper Killay 11 Nov 2007

2007-11-13T17:33:00.000Z

Another hard walk of 20+ plus miles for the boys and dogs. Jenkins the borrowed Labrador had a fab day out tripling the distance walked by us by running, carrying small branches, swimming and playing with everyone. At Oxwich he reduced the visit of a local dog training club to a shambles by careering through all the assembled dogs.

Brecon Beacons training 4th Nov 2007

2007-11-08T21:22:00.000Z

On our way for some more Brecon Beacons training as filmed by a South Wales Camera unit belonging to the local speed control specialists? 40 in a temp 30 on quiet dual carriageway early Sunday morning.

Sun Oct 21th 2007 Pen y Fan-the hard way

2007-09-18T20:01:00.002+01:00

Pete Letheren can do

ALAN DAVIES

this date im nights but the weekend before 6/7 and the weekend after 13/14 i can do. hope to meet up soon.

Please add comment or mail to add yourself

Photo Billy near the summit in Septembers climb.

Sun Nov 11th 2007 Round Gower yomp and dune climb

2007-09-18T20:01:00.001+01:00

Pete Letheren can do
ALAN DAVIES
again cant make this date but the weekend after 17/18 can do.

Please add comment or mail to add yourself

Sun Dec 16th 2007 To be decided

2007-09-18T19:59:00.000+01:00

Pete Letheren can do
ALAN DAVIES
this date im working but the weekend after 23rd can do.

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Sun Jan 13th 2008 Full day in the Beacons-Pen y Fan and others

2007-09-18T19:58:00.000+01:00

Pete Letheren can do
Comment if you can do - and you will be added

Sat/Sun Feb 2/3rd 2008 Overnight trip up to Snowdonia-two day walking plus ? overnight camp.

2007-09-18T19:56:00.000+01:00

Pete Letheren can do
Please add comment or mail to add yourself

Kilimanjaro 2008 Chris Johns abuse

2007-09-18T19:17:00.000+01:00

This post is purely for abuse for Chris for roping us into this challenge!!!