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Location Date Bharatpur 1317510000 Kathmandu 
1317078000 Solukhumbu 1316127600 Dingboche 1315263600 -
Location Date Tue, 27 September 2011 1317133684 Sun, 25 September 2011 1316936544 Wed, 21 September 2011
1316575885 Tue, 30 August 2011 1314716277
The Great Big Beard Vote - Yes, The Beard deserves its own entry. Even before we'd decided to definitely do our Great Escape, "Chance to grow the biggest beard of my life" was already jotted on the 'Pro Travelling' list for James. By the time our offices gave us the green light to dig out the money belts and re-Deet the mossie nets, the razor had been stored in the loft and The Beard had its Visa and had booked its one-way ticket to Bali.
And, other than a brief fall-out in Week Five in Singapore, when James agreed with Mrs Conron to exchange the facial hair for a week of free red wine and steak, The Beard has been a constant companion.
The third person in our relationship.
A constant reminder of our freedom.
A great source of chat with new people: "That is a serious Beard; how long have you been lost on Everest?" or "Ah, from Your Beard, I sense you must have been travelling for 53 days, right ?".
An incredible insight into the world of male grooming: "Actually no, just 40 days but rubbing coconut milk on your face makes all the difference".
A useful thing to stroke to make Nicola believe you're thinking really hard about what she's saying.
A handy place to store spare bits of biscuit on overnight train journeys.
An additional source of warmth in the Himalayas.
A source of delight for the local boys who - when accompanied with the growing mane - shout 'Wolverine! Wolverine!" across the street (one group actually asked 'Hugh Jackman' for his autograph).
A point of amazement and paparazzi-esque behaviour for the Chinese who grow fewer whiskers than a siamese cat.
A regular point of discussion for those quieter moments on a five hour bus trip: "What do you really think of The Beard? Should I shave under my chin?"
A frequent concern: "Is it still growing? Are there any exotic insects trapped in there? When I shave it off, will I have a white bottom half of my face?"
A source of amusement for you as you decide who a Bearded James looks like: a Big Issue seller (Dave Smith), Brian Blessed's love child (Toby Idle), Wolverine (Stu Crawford), Che Guevara (Mike Clark), the Yeti (Ems Chiverton and Gilby).
It's now a point of debate for you, our readers. As you are well aware, we will be running in the Great Kathmandu Marathon this Saturday 24th September (www.justgiving.com/james-and-nicola) and, after the recent strong growth on our Everest trek, James needs your opinion on how the chin fluff should look for our charity run. The options are:
a) Do nothing. We want to see it in its full glory on the finish line, it'll interfere with your aero-dynamics and you'll be very sweaty.
b) Just a trim. Even Hugh Jackman had a barber trim his Wolverine spread every now and then. Stay hairy but smart.
c) Just a goatee. We haven't seen a good goatee since Bepe left EastEnders.
d) It's all about the Massive Lamb Chops. Leave behind nothing but the huge side-burns.
e) 'Tache it up. Preferably with some sort of moustache decoration, design or twist.
f) It's time to give it up. Be bold & bald. You've made your point that you are a man and can grow facial hair. Now, be a gent, smarten up and shave the lot off.
The Great Big Beard Vote begins. Leave a comment below to register your vote....
- comments
NCo f - please please get rid of it.
Kaz D. Kiwis love a good lamb chop.
Daniel E. Moustache, new trend in 2012
Sam Potts F. Get rid of it
Ben Potts F. Get rid of it
Jennie Potts F. Get rid of it - the bottom half of the face will definitely be white and there is the perfect amount of time left to even up the tan!
BigTittyCowGirl Most definately A. There are thousands of reasons swilling around my ample bosoms but here are the main 5 - 1) You have been growing it for 53 days, trimming it now would be like only playing for 53mins and coming off the pitch because your tired. Your a Quinine legend, legends just wouldnt do that. 2) You promised Stuart & Laura you would keep it for their wedding, think of the photos. 3) There is a Facebook group called The Running Beard Movement, you have the opportunity to become a hero to millions of Running Beards. These fine men (and possibly women) dream about running Katmandu Marthon. 4) Regrets - dont give yourself the opportunity to have any. 5) Nicola - what if when you shave it off she realises that she really did love it and in the 53 days it takes to grow it back she meets one of the Running Beard Movement (who are running their bearded dream)? Do the right thing for you James, for Stu & Laura, for the Running Beard Movement and most importantly for Nicola.
Sarah (Simmbo's) Put it this way, if this was a debate about Andy's Chewbaca Beard I would have sold my left leg on the Napalese black Market to obtain some hot wax then stripped The Beard off while he slept in one foul swoop. Still, while it exists, use it: extend your teaching skills from Geography to Biology and give it a good comb and shake over an upturned umbrella (or similar) and let the local children/wolverine fans examine the fauna from the beard microclimate and collect specimens for show and tell. For the Marathon you should definitely go for some serious chops, but then afterwards please for Nicola's sake, chop, shave, exfoliate and moisturise. Thoroughly. PS. I wouldn't be surprised if NCo sneaked in a small tube of tinted moisturiser which could be suitable for blending in post-shave White patches. Looking forward to seeing you both soon. Love Sarah x
Sam Potts Uncle James, I fear there is a female conspiracy going on here as the below entries wasnt me or daddy, I was watching DayBreak until 8.45am and daddy was on the toilet. A please, I hope its snowing as then you'll look just like Father Christmas.
The Running Beard Movement Mr James, we have heard great things of your beard and keep updated regularly by your excellent blog. Our members are most impressed that you are raising the profile of progonotrophy around the world. I must agree with BigTittyCowGirl that it would be such a shame to cut such a fine mane. We do hope you don't persist with thoughts of cutting it off but if you do I have attached a link to our Facebook page for Nicola http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Running-Beard-Movement/146844072024563
James Hathaway I'm all keen for something like this - http://www.transitionfour.com/2011/03/a-truly-impressive-running-beard/
Mum and Dad (Conron) Have you really got time before the marathon to get rid of it ?? Also think of your next leg to India - you could pass as a native and with your begging bowl just think of all the money you could get from the unsuspecting Brits! All that said we have to support our daughters vote. Its an "f" from the Spanish jury.
Dad Keep the beard for the marathon, get a drum kit and run as Animal from the muppets Then Nicola can shave it off and knit it into a hair shirt.
Malc leave it on......it enhances your .......chance of joining the local amish community, whence you returneth
Mum Young James out in Khatmandu, Had a beard that just grew and grew. His beard was so fine, Completely sublime, Leave it on? Cut it off? What to do? His girl was in Khatmandu too. Told him straight just what he ought to do! "That beard’s got to go, Or you won’t be my beau. Goodbye beard. Goodbye James. Adieu." This feuding pair went down to Goa. James shaved off his beard with a mower. Nic said “Just in time, You’ll always be mine, And I don’t need to use my flame thrower."
Mum again No subtelty in these blogs!! That was three limerick verses once.
Helen Sorry James but it is F for me. Mostly because I can feel Nic's anguish from here but also because I want to laugh at the tan lines.
James Hathaway Reading all these comments James I think there are 2 things to note. Firstly it's only girls who want the beard gone. BTCG made a great second point in that your about to be inducted into the Quinine Legend's Hall of Fame, what kind of legend succumbs to female pressure?? "James, James it 53mins gone of the game now, thats enough, come off as I want to get my nails done"
Thackers A is for FREEDOM!!!! Every summer, I grow my ginger beard and it is the most liberating thing. You've done the hardwork. The loss of the beard will symbolise the loss of Freedom. Nicola's just jealous because she can't grow one!
Peter Beardsley Dear James, Despite my 59 starts for England, 756 professional football league appearances and despite scoring 237 goals I remained beardless. I remain a bitter and hollow man. And so now I look to you as one of the leading luminaries of beard growth and facial hair couture to fly the flag, to wear the hair with pride, to ignore the naysayers and to be a braver man than I. Keep the beard. Keep the faith. Your mate. Peter Beardsley. Ps I couldn't help noticing from the photo that if you turn it upside down you look like a young Chuck Norris. Your
EmChiv F. It's been a source of comedy but it's got to go!
Nick Bottrill A. The beard is legendary and must be kept. London town is ready for it and particularly the consulting world; it would give James extra gravitas. It could never be beaten if you return in time for Movember.
The 25 kids at Disabled Newlife Centre 25 votes for F: James Sir. Please get rid of beard. You look like nasty black bear to eat us. We don't like.
JLa & NCo The official count is complete: A: 9 votes B: 0 votes C: 0 votes D: 2 votes E: 1 vote F: 33 votes We said that the fate of The Beard would be decided by vote and the result is conclusive. James and The Beard are off to find a dodgy barber. Farewell hairy friend.
The Beard You coward. I'll be back...
Luca I like lamb chops Uncle James x
Kate Please keep it James, I need to know if you can grow it long enough to plait it......it's not too late.....
Staunts A Aaaaaaaaaaa a a a a a a
catexotica Loved your insights into the culture and beauty of Kathmandu! It sounds like a place filled with unforgettable experiences!