Updated on Jul 4th 2011 at 6:47 PM from the JustGiving API

Monday 5th - THE FINAL PUSH. The day started, as so many have, with a VERY big hill. The road sign said it was 33%, which if I'm not mistaken is "one in three" in old money, and it wasn't a short climb. At the top another moor spread out before me, followed by the village of Littlebeck. The next two miles, through Littlebeck Wood, were outstandingly beautiful, the most gorgeous woodland of the whole walk. Emerging onto yet another moor, I traipsed through the heather and down country lanes until I reached the cliff tops on the North Sea. The last two miles along the cliffs were full of anticipation for the end of the trip, and when Robin Hood's Bay came into view, elation and a feeling of anti-climax hit me at the same time. On reaching the shore, I dropped my pebble from St Bees in the sea, and headed straight for the pub, where I met up with four Aussies who started the same day as me, and we've been celebrating ever since...

Updated on Jul 3rd 2011 at 6:33 PM from the JustGiving API

Sunday 3rd - THE PENULTIMATE DAY. My hosts dropped me off at the Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge where I'd finished the previous day, and so started a ten mile tramp across the moors on rough bridleways, much of it slipping around on the gravelly roadstone recently used to repair the paths. So I was glad to leave the moors and descend to Glaisdale, followed by the impossibly bucolic village of Egton Bridge. Arriving footsore in Grosmont after a long day in constant sun, I took the last train of the day on the steam railway, and dozed until the train returned to Grosmont, where I checked into the Station Tavern, the only pub I'm staying in on the whole trip. A long hot bath with a pint of ice cold lager revived the spirits. Grosmont also boasts the oldest (and quite possibly the smallest) surviving Co-op in the UK.

Updated on Jul 2nd 2011 at 7:38 PM from the JustGiving API

Saturday 2nd - A LONG HOT DAY. After the usual mammoth breakfast, it was a short drive back to the start of the day's walk, and a long gradual climb back up onto the moors. The sun, even at 9.30, was beating down on my face, and I knew I was in for a scorcher. Once up on the moors, there was no respite, and I was very glad that I'd been able to leave some of my belongings back at my sister's in-laws' house (as I was staying two nights there), thus halving the usual weight on my back. The sun was almost relentless, so the last five miles of flat walking on an old railway track were very welcome. The views over the Tees valley to the North were spectacular, and to the South were unspoilt Dales cut into the moors. I can hardly believe I have only two days left...

Friday 1st - EASY BUT HOT. After yesterday's easy walk, today was another day of country roads and footpaths across mostly flat farmland, and using the walking poles I bought in Richmond, the miles flew by on a hot sunny day. By 11.30 I was contemplating the most dangerous part of the walk, the mad dash across the A19 dual carriageway. After that, it was up into the Cleveland Hills for the last two hours, with a great view back across the Vale of Mowbray. By mid afternoon my sister's in-laws were meeting me on the route, and it was back to their house for the night for some home cooking and - of course - a beer or two...

Thursday 30th - VALE OF MOWBRAY.  The day dawned with sunshine and the realisation that two beers, a bottle of wine and a curry the night before was not the best preparation for a day's walking. However, having pulled myself together, I set off two hours later on what is reputed to be one of the least interesting days of the trip. The vale is very flat, mostly farmland, but I enjoyed the walk very much, as it was very peaceful. The only sounds were the occasional military jet, and the clump of my boots on the ground. Much of the day was spent on quiet country lanes, with the usual farmyard smells that remind me so much of my childhood. There's nothing quite like a good rich country pong. Arriving on Danby Wiske mid afternoon I booked into the B&B, where I had the warmest welcome of the trip, from an extremely charming couple.

Updated on Jun 29th 2011 at 5:58 PM from the JustGiving API

Wednesday 29th - RECUPERATION. I'm very glad I put a day off in the schedule, because it has given me the chance to rest my feet, recharge the batteries, and have a few beers. After a lie-in, I wandered fairly aimlessly around this very pretty town, and then Chris (Area Sales Manager for Fells) joined me for a couple of pints just before lunch. After deep-fried haggis in batter (yummy) with chips, a snooze seemed to be the best option. Mid afternoon, not wanting to spoil the day by doing anything particularly constructive, I had another wander round some parts of the town I hadn't already visited, and recce'd all the local pubs to see which might have the best beer for the evening. It turns out that the Wetherspoons has the best selection, but as their premises have as much similarity to a decent pub as MacDonalds have to the average restaurant, I shall take my trade elsewhere! Chris and I have found an Indian restaurant doing an all-you-can-eat buffet for £9, so it seems rude not to try to eat them out of house and home tonight. Tally-ho!

Updated on Jun 28th 2011 at 6:58 PM from the JustGiving API

Tuesday 28th - SORE FEET. It was a mercifully short easy walk today, a comparatively flat twelve miles into Richmond. My feet are sore, with two new blisters, and the knee is playing up again, so I was very glad to see Richmond at lunchtime. Having limped for twelve miles, albeit through some gorgeous countryside, it was bliss to put my feet up for a while. Richmond 's a lovely town, full of long dead relatives, many of whom I found in the local churchyard; a branch of the family lived here in the 1800's. Tomorrow is my rest day, so I'll be at the local museum doing some more research with a very friendly and helpful local historian who I met briefly this afternoon.

Updated on Jun 27th 2011 at 9:43 PM from the JustGiving API

Monday 27th - A VERY HOT DAY. After the usual porridge and farmhouse fry-up, it was back on the trail. My landlady gave me a free packed lunch when she heard I was walking for charity. Last week her farmer husband had driven his 1948 Massey Ferguson tractor from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay to raise money for cancer charities. Having got slightly burnt arms yesterday, I had to wear something long sleeved today so that I didn't get burnt any more, and all I had was a fleece, so you can imagine how hot I got! There's a certain irony in there somewhere. But today was all about the beauty of Swaledale, and it is GORGEOUS. I finished in Reeth, the "Capital of the Dales", a stunningly picturesque village in a beautiful landscape. On reaching the pub, I found my next walk(s) on a plaque outside their door, see www.innway.co.uk !!

Sunday 26th - BOGS.
The day started warm, with sunny spells, and a VERY long climb up into the Pennines. The target was a hill named Nine Standards Rigg, so called because of the nine very large cairns lined up on its summit. Reaching it was fairly easy, if tiring, but the walk from there onwards was awful. The path goes through the biggest wettest peat bogs I've ever come across, with trenches far too deep to cross, and too wide to jump, with two foot deep mud in the bottom. Some of the trenches were up to two hundred yards long, meaning frequent time wasting detours. Even when the ground was flat, it was sodden, my boots sinking several inches in with every step. And this went on for miles. The only dry way to cross was to step from one tussock of grass to the next, but the chances of turning an ankle were too great, so I splashed across the moor for several hours. On the up side, the scenery was stunning. After stopping at a farm for a cup of coffee, I finally reached tarmac at about 1.30pm, and sat on a rock in a river with my feet cooling in the peat-stained water. The farmhouse B&B where I arrived a little later is lovely, and even when I broke the shower, the landlady refused any  payment. She also offered to drive me to the nearest village in the evening, to get some supper at the pub.

Saturday 25th - A SOLITARY WALK.
After an excellent breakfast in Orton, it was back on the trail again, on a murky day. There were four Aussies in the B&B, doing the same as me, but even with my dodgy knee I was faster than them, so I left them behind. I almost lost my way in the first half hour due to a silly map-reading mistake, but after that the day went very smoothly. The countryside was moorland once again, the weather damp and misty, so I didn't waste any time looking at the view, except for the impressive disused Victorian railway viaduct at Smardalegill. I strode into Kirkby Stephen just before two o'clock; it was useful to be back in a town for the first time on the trip, and I stocked up on essentials. The YHA is a converted church, complete with stained glass windows, pews, and a piano; Denise, who runs it, is chatty and hospitable.

Friday 24th - A SHORT SUNNY DAY. Reg and I parted company this morning, he was walking the twenty miles to Kirby Stephen, and I was bound for Orton, only nine miles away. Consequently I had time to get up late, and dawdle in Shap, visiting the Post Office to send my maps of the Lake District home (no point in carrying them all the way). About mid morning I set off, soon crossing the M6, and spent a very leisurely four hours ambling across open moorland, with only the occasional sighting of another walker, but masses of bird life. Arriving in the absolutely charming village of Orton, I booked in to my B&B, and had the rest of the afternoon to do as I pleased - luxury!

Thursday 23rd - LEAVING THE LAKES BEHIND. The day started with a fine drizzle, and an 800ft climb up from Patterdale. At the top of the climb, low cloud obscured what might have been a great view, but a couple of hours later the clouds lifted high enough for us to see the Lake District in all its glory.  By the time we reached Kidsty Pike, the highest point on the official route, there was a stunning 360 degree panorama. So many walkers were up there, it felt like a party was going on. Australians, Canadians, Americans, Geordies, and many others. Then a steep descent to Haweswater reservoir, and lunch, surrounded by biting midges. A long tramp up the side of the reservoir, and the Lake District was left behind, replaced by gently rolling hills. Finally, after ten hours walking, we arrived in Shap, and after three nights in YHA dormitories, I am back in a B&B, in my own room, heaven!  Reg and I agreed that the only down side of Shap was that the chippy served the worst fish and chips we had ever tasted! Two pints of Thwaites Bomber softened the blow.
Updated on Jun 22nd 2011 at 7:07 PM from the JustGiving API

Wednesday 22nd - SLOW AND STEADY. After a mostly sleepless night in the YHA (one guy snored VERY loudly all night), Reg and I set off by taxi back to Grasmere, and picked up the route where we'd left it the previous afternoon. The forecast was bad, but in the end we had only a few minutes of drizzle in the whole day. It was a short day, up to the gorgeous Grisedale Tarn, and then the long slow descent through Grisedale to Patterdale. My right knee has started to complain, so I was grateful for a short day, only five and a half hours. Tomorrow is the longest, hardest day of the walk, seventeen miles of rough going over rocky paths, with a big climb to start the day, and a dodgy knee won't help. Must get some sleep tonight!

Updated on Jun 21st 2011 at 8:14 PM from the JustGiving API

Tuesday 21st - WET AND COLD. The day started with drizzle, and got worse. I teamed up with another walker, Reg Hall aged 71, who had walked Lands End to John O'Groats two years ago. After yesterday's hard walk, we both wanted to take today slowly, but the rain drove us on. At the highest point, Greenup Edge, we were in thick cloud, visibility down to thirty yards, and no discernable path, relying on my compass to get us safely off the hill. Reached Grasmere, by mid afternoon, and Elterwater YHA by five o'clock, where I am now sitting having a beer in a hotel I worked in 28 years ago, hoping for better weather tomorrow...

Updated on Jun 21st 2011 at 3:15 PM from the JustGiving API

Monday 20th, MOUNTAINEERING! Woke to sunshine pouring through the window, and having forgotten to order a packed lunch the night before, tried to cram in as much breakfast as possible. Set off at 8.15, taking the stony path along Ennerdale Water. At the top end of the Water, took the very steep path up Red Pike, a 2,000ft climb up vertiginous slopes. It felt like 20,000ft. The views from the top were magnificent, majestic, and beautiful. Six lakes were visible, as well as the Isle of Man, and the towering peaks of the Western Lake District. Walking on, after a long stop to rest my legs, I climbed three more peaks before reaching Haystacks, where I bathed my feet in the icy cold water of Innominate Tarn. Then the long descent to Honister Hause YHA, knees and ankles aching after eight of the hardest hours walking I've ever done. Many of the slopes were so steep they'd built stairs up them. A fabulous day, in almost constant sunshine.

Updated on Jun 19th 2011 at 6:06 PM from the JustGiving API

Sunday 19th - Weather great so far, overcast and cool, perfect walking weather. Had bracing stroll along cliff tops, hundreds of guillemots dancing in the air around me, before turning inland across rolling sheep pasture. Climbed Dent Hill before walking along the gorgeous Nannycatch Beck, and then into Ennerdale. Tomorrow looking okay until rain arrives mid to late afternoon, but I should be at YHA at Honister Hause by about that time. Hoping to go up Haystacks if weather holds. Felt first blister coming today, so it was on with the compeed plaster straight away. Legs feeling good after 15 miles, and only 13 to do tomorrow. Time for a pint! The Shepherds Arms beckons...

Updated on Jun 18th 2011 at 10:22 AM from the JustGiving API

Saturday 18th - left my coat at home with maps in the pocket, so had to go back, and missed my train, doh! Safely on the way now though.

Friday 17th - Last day at work, very nervous about the walk, and the weather's not looking too good either!  But there's no going back now.  This time tomorrow I'll be on the train approaching Carlisle, on my way to St Bees.

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Thanks for taking the time to find out what I've let myself in for!

I'll be walking 200 miles (see map to the left hand side) across some of the most beautiful scenery this country has to offer, in aid of The Benevolent, the Drinks Industry charity (cyberlink to the left hand side). The walk will take me through the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Vale of Mowbray, the Cleveland Hills, and the Yorkshire Moors.  

The walk is not easy. It's the equivalent of walking the entire length of the M1, and it's said that only a small percentage of those who try it actually complete it all in one go.   Most people sensibly opt to do it in occasional stages over a long period, but that would be too easy!  I'll be walking without any outside support, and carrying all my own gear on my back.  At the age of fifty, as I will be this year, this is a slightly daunting prospect.

So please donate now.  All donations, large or small, are very much appreciated, and needed.  Every penny counts.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and completely secure. Your details are safe on this site – 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.

Thank you.