Friday, 10 February 2012


Dear jimmy, have just sent you corrected version.  I am now scheduled to have scan at 8.45am tomorrow. Everything depends on this!!!

Meanwhile, I have been saving for the scan by living ouside..camping as usual.. Shall send you pics... 

Love and thank you Jimmy 4 wonderful help and moral support always.  Rosiexxx








Dear Jim, This is latest from Italy! Determined to use head and heart - and 100 per cent focus, to get back on the run asap. Have to have knee scan today. Then will have clearer picture.
This is NOTHING compared to the frostbite in the winter blizzard of the Yukon during world run - I HAD to get treatment then - but was back on the river before the ice broke with my foot still in bandages, but operational. I made it through AND I SHALL DO SO NOW.

I am being treated by Vale Health, the best sports injury facility in Wales, that looks after elite Olympic athletes...recommended by the wonderful physio Elaine Gillies, who saw me in Perth.
This is situation right now:

Ever since I was generously seen by the French Hospital about a week ago - I have continued w crutches. But though I managed about 14 kms a day it took 9 hours each day to achieve it..
I hoped that if I just kept going, the knee would gradually get better. Instead it got more painful.
So when I was flown to Scotland for the marvellous Event in Perth, I knew I had to get knee checked out - in order to go on.
So it all depends on the scan!
IF THERE ISN'T CARTILAGE TEAR, I can get deep tissue treatment and hope very much to be on the road by end of next week with luck!
IF THERE IS A TEAR, THEN I'LL HAVE TO HAVE KEYHOLE OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

In the former case - I can run on, check in with some of the great people looking out for me en route and then go w Icebird to Rome by truck, and run Rome Marathon. Then continue running to Rome afterwards
IF I have to have surgery, then I must get Icebird to Rome, where I can join her on 15 March, and fine to do marathon itself after resting and getting treated before.
I AM GOING TO FINISH MY RUN FROM PARIS TO ROME - EVEN IF IT ALL HAS TO BE AFTER THE MARATHON - AND THE TITLE OF MY NEW BOOK IS ..
THE LONGEST ROAD TO ROME - ALL ABOUT MY ADVENTURES, INCLUDING COMING BACK FROM THIS INJURY AND NOT EVER GIVING UP -
YOU CANNOT HELP WHAT HAPPENS ..BUT YOU CAN HELP HOW YOU REACT TO IT..
The way to do is IS Unfortunately that I must get the knee treated - BUT I WILL DO IT..in fact I feel 100 times more determined. It is important to do this for the charities, and I amvvvvv sure that I must go on. The great thing about a bit of a struggle, is that it breeds focus and clarity - and the struggle itself gives the mind extra strength.
I am so sorry that this has happened, after all your kind plans - but I will continue and let you all know later today or Monday, what is result of scan!! PLEASE KEEP ON FOLLOWING ME ON BLOG LINK:http://rosies-paris-to-rome-run.blogspot.com/
I am grateful to everybody for your fabulous support.
Love and best wishes, Rosie

Tuesday, 7 February 2012


Dear Sophie, Sarah, Maite and all my friends in France, Italy and UK,
Thank you all so much for great kindness and concern.
I am talking at the RSGS Event in Scotland today and shall also be receiving the Honorary Fellowship -just  like Scott and Shackleton and other fabulous explorers compared to whom I am nothing..so it is a VERY, very great, great honour!!!
Also I am taking the opportunity of being here  to get my knee scanned.
It still hurts to walk, but I am nearly off the crutches.  I have spoken to my sports physio down in Bristol and he thinks it is either

1. Muscle problem which can quickly respond to expert deep tissue massage

2 the other more serious possibility is cartilage - but probably the hospital in Fontinbleau wd have found it even though I was only seen by URGENCES (who were very good and kind)
The answer is to TRY to get to Sports injury Clinic tomorrow am. THEN I will know my calendar!
I hope to flt back to France tomorrow pm all being well - and continue slowly w Icebird
Thus;
Giving the life lessons on NOT to give up
Also making all the rest of my body stronger while the knee heals, going slowly and not losing fitness!!
I STRONGLY FEEL IN MYSELF THAT THE I JURY CAN BE OVERCOME.
IF I need more treatment here in UK, CD STAY A FEW MORE DAYS, OR GET TREATMENT IN FRANCE
Icebird is waiting for me at St Fontainen - courtesy of the Mayor, the Red Cross - and other very good people there!

 I hope to continue slowly...  Then when time is right take Icebird to Rome run Marathon - then continue run to Rome after Marathon itself.
So I am sorry I cannot today easily I've times when I shall be somewhere as dear Alessio wishes - but I WILL make it through - also can't wait to see u all in Dijon...
That things do go wrong IS the common ingredient of all high aims and big challenges and goal.  The solution is to KEEP FOCUS AND keep going..and at the same time cure the practical problem!!!
I always say that reaching for your dreams means digging deep, and giving what you care about ALL your strength; always.  I have especially appreciate the kind emails from Paul Polman and from Bruno of Unilever France - this has meant so very much to me.
Love and best wishes to you all,
Rosie



Sunday, 5 February 2012

Wonderful cybercafé at Gare du Lyon manager Mayess has fixed up Yahoo and Mozilla on my french system AND found me SIM card that is much cheaper -...so can call you more easily - communication is a joy..  Still snowing... Tucked into my  PHD Mustagh jacket  a Great friend from all round the world - it- feels so cozy. And it  is. Definitely VERY best Paris wear/fashion.. Also off painkillers and trying leg out.  Love. Rosie



Saturday, 4 February 2012


Dear Everybody,, Hope you are well. I am in the middle of many new adventures - please look at my new Blog organised by my  son James Swale. Many of you already know him famously through his great work with the rosiearoundtheworld website - even keeping in touch somehow when I was in Siberia. That was a hard school and I looked on my present 1,000 run  as just a holiday, but though fun, it is being quite challenging.   

I am proud to have made 1st Checkpoint st Florentin about 150km south of Paris, The left knee is still hurting badly, but I hope to get it scanned over next few days.  I am DETERMINED not to give up because of the injury - you don't give up in a war just because u r in a bit of pain!!!  Love, RosieX. Blog link: http://rosies-paris-to-rome-run.blogspot.com/

Friday, 3 February 2012

Dear Jimmy, Here is pic taken today on arrival at St Florentin. More later.  Thank you for great support. Love, Rosie and Icebirdxxx
 
 
I was amused to find my hair frozen to my pillow last night!    I am about 120 miles south of Paris 10 north of a little town called St Florentin - as I'm running from Paris to Rome for cancer charities and do the Rome marathon with it..
 It's only -12, though cold for France.  
  The only problem really is lack of communication - so THANK YOU Yet again so vvvv much my son James Swale for blog and to Paul Bass - James says he will liaise with Paul to get some news up. I am very very grateful. And v appreciate of loving wishes from Eve and family and from Nancy, Patty and Diana in USA, and all my friends everywhere.
   Big problem is my injured knee, It won't go away!!!!!! All I know is that when the chips are down there can be no giving up EVER. It is the only lesson that matters in a battle! Even though this run was meant to be easy and has ended up quite hard, I have been there before and WILL OVERCOME THIS!!!!!!!!! After good treatment in hosp, I am continuing slowly   Many thanks for all the great support
  I SHALL be back in Uk soon, but just for a couple of days for my talkon 7 Feb at the  RSGS h/q in Perth. The RSGS are most WONDERFULLY flying me back from France and also are  going to present me with a Royal Scottish Geographical Society Honorary Fellowship with is a fantastic honour.
   Must get going EVERY MILE COUNTS.  I am being sponsored per mile for charity.  

  THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYBODY.

Rosie. 3 Feb 2012 14kms north of St Florentin en route for Dijon/Lausanne/Turin/Rome!!!!!ALL roads lead to............!!!!xxx
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