Thanks for all your good wishes They are a real motivation.

Today started out really well, loads of dramatic canyons, little bedouin camps and some sections that I actually had a bit of a run through. That felt good! After the shade of the rock canyons it was time to grill and from 10am to the finish for me around 2.30 I felt like I was being roasted on a spit. The course took us past a vast camel racing track made on the salt flats of a dry lake, then into a village where I WAS HOPING TO FIND A BAR SELLING SOMETHINGVERY  COLD,  oops sorry about the caps, but no just a checkpoint with some warm water, then an interminable 10k to camp through fine sand and hammering sun. it was quite tough. Somehow I managed to come in around 90, a bit of an improvement on yesterday.

After a bit of a rest I’m feeling good. I’m participating in a medical study on ultrarunning and odium levels in the blood, and apparently according to my blood stats I should be winning this thing! I have so far gained a kilo?? Must be all he chips.

 My pack is getting lighter which makes a big difference to the aching shoulders

As for the feet, I am looking forward to another visit to the medical tent this evening. On the positive, no infection. On the downside , I feel  like I’m walking on a couple of golf balls.

That’s it for now.

Good luck with the exams Nick, I’m sure you’ll be fine.

Sheena, I hope the flu is gone.

Dan, enjoy Luna Park.

Love to you all.