Story
<p>I SURVIVED!!! and WOW, what an adventure!!</p>
<p>Never having been on a "cold" holiday before (I'm told rainy holidays in Cornwall, Wales and Scotland don't count!) I marvelled at the beauty of the unending expanses of snow which glittered like diamonds in the sunlight whilst my dogs whisked me across frozen lakes and wonderful scenery... we were also welcomed on our first evening by the Northern Lights, which appeared a couple more times during our stay in Alta - just amazing.</p>
<p>Feeding the dogs and hearing their howled chorus of thank you's after they had finished eating was heartwarming and sipping ice chilled chardy in the hot tub under a twilight sky at the end of the trip was something that I will never forget ..... but it was not all plain sailing; .......the adrenaline junkie got the better of me on day 1 when I took a tumble after taking a turn too fast.... apparently I got some good air!! .......and I survived the ice road and what seemed like never ending hills on day 2.</p>
<p>I slept in the heated tent (thanks for the advice to sleep with my woolley hat on in the tent Miranda - I might have looked like a mad woman but it paid off), I had a sauna and then dived straight into the snow to make my first ever snow angel - goodness that was cold!, endured the long drop toilets, and hit my lowest point on the final day when my back had an argument with an oncoming sled! </p>
<p>But through it all, I had the support and encouragement of a wonderful team of people and a fantastic team of dogs (even if they were sniping at each other every 5 minutes when we stopped for a break.....) ah my little Thuglets, Mia, Pumpkin, Butterfly and Ben Ten, who got me safely home, and of course the generosity of everyone who sponsored me in my endeavours. </p>
<p>A HUGE thank you to you all. it wouldn't have been half the experience without any of you and the Dogs and Cats at Battersea appreciate every penny raised. </p>
<p>And for those of you that haven't yet sponsored me and would like to do so, my page will be open for another couple of weeks and every penny will be much appreciated.</p>
<p> So, ..... would I do it again? .... in a heartbeat!</p>
<p>Michelle</p>
<p>x</p>
<p>PS: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>