Twenty One Days: Mike Rocks Everest

My name is Jules Peters and I'm married to rock musician, Mike Peters of The Alarm. I manage Mike and all things Alarm-related. Mike and I have been together for almost 21 years and together we have shared the most amazing life. We’ve had our ups and downs and emerged all the stronger for it. Mike is a two-times cancer survivor (most recently in December 2005 when our life fell apart temporarily, after Mike was diganosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (or CLL for short).

Weds October 10th 2007

Location: Home, North Wales: Weds 11am
It was with a heavy but excited heart that I waved off Mike and the crew
this morning. Goodbyes are never easy even for a good cause. If I was
honest, I had never wanted Mike to embark on a trip of this nature, so close
to his diagnosis of CLL back in December 2005. On top of that, we had given
birth to our much wanted second son, Evan in January 2007 (brother to Dylan,
aged 3.5), after four gruelling rounds of IVF and personally, I felt the urge
to head back to Wales and baton down the hatches for 12 months or so.

Thurs 11th October 2007

Location: Home, North Wales: Thurs Midnight

What a day! I'm wasted but excited at the thought of hearing from Mike and working on Everest Rocks from 'Base Camp North Wales'! My two sleeping babes soon woke up and I spent the night bed hopping between them! Nothing like sleep deprivation to set you up for the day!

Twenty One Days: Mike Rocks Everest Day Three
Friday 12th October 11pm

Dylan, Evan and I all ended up in one bed together. It made life ‘easier’ after the bed hopping from the night before! The fertility clinic certainly didn’t carry any warnings about sleep deprivation!!!

Twenty One Days: Mike Rocks Everest Day Four
Sat 13th October 3pm

It’s quite strange waking up in Wales and thinking that your husband is already a few hours into his trek to Base Camp, Everest. Each morning, over breakfast, I look out onto the peaks of Snowdonia... Mike and I completed the Snowdonian ‘Fifteen Peaks’ a few years ago, one Midsummer’s Day and it was an experience that will last with me forever. We trekked the spectacular peaks within 36 hours and it has remained an addiction of ours ever since. There is nothing quite like losing oneself up high and whenever we can, Mike and I try to escape three thousand feet upwards...

Sun 14th Oct

Sunday morning and I was missing Mike today. Weekends are always the worst for missing your loved ones. I’m used to being apart from Mike but it still doesn’t get any easier. Dylan however was adapting to his Daddy being away from home. It’s amazing how quickly children respond to a changing environment.

Mon 15th Oct One Step Closer

Monday morning and the school run. A whole new world for me! I love it! I loved school, back in my day and now I love walking into school with Dylan and Evan, throuh the Autumn leaves, chatting about the week ahead. Dylan's teacher enquired about Alun and we discussed the possibility of broadcasting one of the Everest podcasts featuring Alun to the class in the assembly hall.

Tues Oct 16th - For Better For Worse

I felt worse this morning and decided to visit the Doctor straight after the school run. I had a chest infection and needed antibiotics. I was almost relieved that Mike wasn't around as I know illness stuff like this makes me very nervous. No doubt, time will help and I will learn to manage illnesses better and be less inclined to wrap Mike in cotton wool.

Weds Oct 17th Are they even in India?

Each day I try to walk around my neighbourhood. Our walks are quite spectacular and the last few days have been breathtaking. In the mornings, I’m treated to a watercolour view from my window as if the Vale of Clwyd has been painted especially for me. To step outside is like wading into an explosion of the senses. At the moment, the colours are purple, orange, navy and olive. The view is like my religion. It is there for me always and soothes me in times of trouble and times of joy. It has been my barometer through all life’s trials and tribulations and when I leave Wales, I miss my view. Desperately.

The day started well with another peachy sunrise together with suggestions that Jose wanted the England job. The football season and countless matches could become all the more bearable with this potential appointment. Please God.

Friday the 19th was a full on work day for me. Dylan was being cared for after school by Mike's Mum, otherwise known as Nana Marj. Evan was sleeping and playing alongside me in the office.I was tying up all the loose ends on the Spirit of 86 DVD, the Gathering DVD, a database mail out and the latest ep release from Counter Attack.

I didn't speak with Mike today so I can only hope and pray that all is well out there in Base Camp. I feel relaxed and confident that everything is ok. I'm a firm believer in trusting one's instincts.

I've just spoken with Michael Leslie Peters very briefly and he announced breathlessly that they had just performed the highest gig in the world. I was holding Evan in my arms and Dylan was wrapped around my legs at the time so it was difficult to share truly in the full magnitude of the achievement! Mike’s speaking voice has sounded so strange for days now that often I have not been fully convinced that I am actually communicating with my husband at all!

It was going to be a crazy day - I just could sense it! The story of Mike performing the highest gig in the world was just about hitting the news wires and by the time I had dropped Dylan off at school (discussing Alun the bear's travels with Dylan's teacher on the way) my blackberry was buzzing!