Visitor Comments

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# Following your journey, the Yorkshire bit of the family!

Hi Ben, please tell us all how the boots are holding up now?
Mum and Dad (Marion & John) thought your Birthday message to your Mum was lovely, didn't know you had been in the Scouts, you're a true inspiration to ours... and to me... I am doing a college course (HND Computing) and going on next year (hopefully) to complete my degree, my personal artic. I spent quite a while in bed again last year, still got M.E. I will never achieve the North Pole, but would love to visit Himalaya and have a look at the mountains, not sure how wheelchair friendly it would be though! You still planning to go there?

You're doing so wonderfully, keep on going ...
"One more step along the road..."
Remember all the Scout songs, make a change when you tire of your music and air guitar, there are plenty of action ones to do! :-)

Take good care of your self and mind the Polar Bears.
Love (cousin) Jane and all the Stockton-on-the-Forest Scouts, Cubs and Beavers

By Jane Pike on Tuesday, 20 April - 11:38 pm -0700

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# Dedication???????

Hi Ben,
Sorry I haven't written in about four days, I guess I am not loyal anymore, however this past week has been from HE double hockey sticks! This weekend it was 89 degrees in VA, had to be out, didn't have time for the puter! However I still cannot get over how cold it is there, and what you are trekking through! I can't wait till you get back, to see the footage and the conclusion of your closing dispatch! Just a reminder, don't forget the picks! The kids are waiting you know. They get out of school June 21! So we'll give you some time! You make alot dedications on every dispatch, however I have yet to hear you mention yourself, it is YOU that is trekking, it is YOU that is up all day sking, swimming etc. it is YOU that put the clothes on (almost 2 months ago) YUCK :) and it is you that is doing this adventurous, extreme job. YOU..........................You should at least dedicate one day to YOU. I think most will agree. Those that you mention, possibly gave you inspiration and such, however YOU are doing it, and no one is pushing YOU but YOU. Give yourself some KUDOS......Take care BEN. Warm wishes and see you in Canada (on TV of course)
Christy

By Christy on Tuesday, 20 April - 05:28 pm -0700

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# Happy Birthday Ken!

Have you recovered? ;-)

By Nikki on Tuesday, 20 April - 05:12 pm -0700

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# hello

hello ben the reason i know about you is cause a man came in from:serco transartic and started talking about you and what you do for a living.

i am just e-mailing is to wish you good luck on your journey

do you think its hard walking in that freezing cold for so many miles and do you wish you could just come home and sit down with a nice cup of tea and a blanket.

good luck

sam teale (9)

By sam teale on Tuesday, 20 April - 05:06 pm -0700

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# Good going

I assume the pic is where you have just crossed,not what is about to come :) As they say when the going gets tough....
FYI i find this interaction very intresting and in a way a bit strange
P.S anybody know what happened to the map or is it just me :)

By Pies on Tuesday, 20 April - 04:25 pm -0700

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# Hello from PH'er

HI Ben,
We are watching your progress and every now and then we have a thread on PH re your progress.
Hope you will be back in time for Pistonfest. Or you will miss a good weekend.
Take care.

Ellie
aka Ding

By Ellie on Tuesday, 20 April - 04:06 pm -0700

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# Flying high

Hi Ben. I see that you are still being plagued by rough ice. If it all gets a bit too tough, just take the advice of Douglas Adams (Hitchhikers' guide to the Galaxy) and fly across the rough stuff. How?.. Just throw yourself at the ground, and miss...

Stay safe.

Bill

By bill on Tuesday, 20 April - 08:02 am -0700

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# 50% Determination - 50% Attitude

Hi, Ben
California soul - right on! We have a lot of 'things' in California, and one thing we've got, is soul. Like fillet of soul, soul-lutions, soul-fullness, and soul-o-rama. Tonight, if overnighting a parcel were possible, some of Mo's famous Santa Maria barbecue, would be waiting at Borneo for you. Until then... Rock on, ultimate dude!
Cheers,
Scot
San Luis Obispo (SLOtown), Ca.

By Scot Morrison on Tuesday, 20 April - 05:37 am -0700

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# Happy birthday....

........to me.

So where's the card then? Too busy? lol...

I think I may be a little drunk, had many drinks for you Ben.

Ken. (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Monday, 19 April - 11:09 pm -0700

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# any form of progress IS progress!!

Sunglasses and earbands....sounds like a wonderful day skiing on the slopes in Vail, Colorado! I am sure that days like today are treasured by you more than we can ever imagine. Some days I can't even imagine walking 2 miles anywhere, much less 7-9 NM (and just forget 24 NM) through pans, leads, polar poo ~ KUDOS to you. Hopefully polar poo isn't stinky like doggy doo, proabably would make for a bad night sleeping in your tent with it on your boots! Ben, you are a true inspiration and I wish you more sunglass and earband days. You have earned everyone of them. Keep the skis pointing north and the pole will come before you know it! Good Luck

By Michelle on Monday, 19 April - 10:06 pm -0700

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# Fifty Fifty - Glass half full

Thants the spirit Ben. Typical of you. Even when the odds are fifty fifty you still look on the bright side! I guess life is what we make of it and your view on today epitomises this expedition in a way. Thanks for the inspiration. It helps us to stop complaining about things much less significant in life.

See you soon!!!!

By Chris Hyman on Monday, 19 April - 09:59 pm -0700

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# Reaffirming faith

Hi Ben - I just recently found your site (quite by accident) and have looked forward to checking on your adventure daily. You're a wonderful writer and adventurer, but what amazes me the most is how quickly you have reaffirmed my faith in the human spirit. You can handle anything that comes your way, and I'm so glad there are people like you in this world. Best of luck!

By Sara on Monday, 19 April - 09:27 pm -0700

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# I'm touched

Thanks Ben, I'm honoured :-) I owe you a beer or two.

I'm sure it was down to your persuasiveness though, and not some logo ;-)

Take Care

By Mrs Fish on Monday, 19 April - 08:54 pm -0700

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# Way 2 Go Ben

Just back from England returning to the States. Jolly good. I too can relate to the nostril freezing cold, Gwen experienced, as I was raised in Maine and can relate. As I said over a fortnight ago, I've added you to my daily prayer list and consider it very important. Look forward to catching up on your entries as not able to get access while in England. You inspire me not to complain. Stay warm. A big thanks to Serco. Keep the Faith Ben.

By victor young on Monday, 19 April - 07:54 pm -0700

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# The miles add up!

Happy to hear of some progress. Day by day, the miles add up Ben.

This may be a good time to ring out with song. Singing is good for the soul, the imagination and always a smile.
Good Cheer and many miles for tomorrow.
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Monday, 19 April - 07:46 pm -0700

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# Bouncing Red Ball

It is still stuck on 85 - and I thought you had passed that a "few" days ago? In fact, it doesn't seem to have moved for some time. Or was this quesion answered before.

Anyhow, from a snow-bred Canadian, may the wind always be at your back.

By Stan Stych on Monday, 19 April - 07:43 pm -0700

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# speed time!

Looking real good!!
You'll have to ski/swim hard in the next 4/5days before you get laden down again with your new supplies on your sledge, you'll have to get over the shock of almost seeing people again too- they'll be king people though. So its time to speed along before the shopping arrives!!!
Did you know that if you did 24nm a day, you'd finish in only another 4 weeks!!??
Back to Danes Hill tomorrow, and geography too - you're still one of 5ELBs topics.
Happy, successful skiing.

By THOMAS AND ALEXANDER ECKL on Monday, 19 April - 07:42 pm -0700

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# Thanks indeed to Serco.

Glad to see your post had some half good news! Hope you have more good ice in store. Nikki had thanked Serco in her post, I'd like to do the same. Thank-you, Serco for making Ben's journey possible. It's refreshing to see heros backed by good companies. Have a great day Ben; G.

By George Fudge on Monday, 19 April - 07:33 pm -0700

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# Groan is right! :)

Good pun, Ben! Glad to hear the day was 1/2 good - better than no good at all, eh? Weather sounds great. I can even relate to the temperaturs you're encountering now since I've lived in Maine and endured nostril-freezing weather a time or two.

Well, thank you from me too, Lisa Bradbury aka Mrs Fish for your design logo, especially if that had anything to do with Serco sponsoring our boy!

Press on tomorrow Ben. Looking great :)

By Gwen on Monday, 19 April - 07:13 pm -0700

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# woah nellie!

Toasting you from haines alaska, i raise my tea in your direction!

By brian on Monday, 19 April - 07:10 pm -0700

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# Better than 70 (yuk rubble)/30 (beautiful pans)

I'm honored to be the first to comment today! You sound like you're in great shape, Ben! Still you're witty self and taking all this with a great attitude! You never cease to amaze me with that...I can't tell you how much this all means to me...waiting to read your dispatches, and enjoying your writing style! These dispatches also take me away from the day to day and re-affirms what I need in my life every day...more optimism and positive attitude! Since learning about your expedition and tracking it, I've committed to NO MORE NEGATIVITY in my life and being here at this site helps me do that every day. So I thank you, Tony, and Serco for helping me every day!

Warm hugs, Nikki

By Nikki on Monday, 19 April - 07:00 pm -0700