A FEAT ON FOOT

Hi friends and supporters

On 2nd June I will be walking the West Highland Way in Scotland, beginning at Milngavie (pronounced Mull Guy), a little way out of Glasgow, to Fort William. The trek over drovers', military and old coaching trails is 152km or about 100 miles long. During the six-day hike over moors and mountains, ascending the Devil's Staircase and other peaks for views of Ben Nevis, I will be averaging up to 20 miles a day, The walk is described as arduous.   

So why am I doing this? The aim is to raise funds for the World Development Movement (WDM), a charitable organisation that campaigns to tackle the root causes of poverty and create lasting change. I have been loosely associated with WDM since my editorial days at South, the magazine of the developing world in the 1980s. The disparities that existed in 1969, when WDM was set up, continue to plague developing societies as governments still pay only lip-service to the most impoverished in society. I hope you will find this a cause worth supporting in 2012 in the interest of global justice.

On the sixth day, i.e. the 7th of June, I will either wearily trudge or briskly march (depending on how bone-weary I am) into Fort William. It is also the day I turn 60 and am spurred by wanting to contribute a little towards alleviating humanity's hardship, as well as doing an out of the ordinary feat to remember this milestone in what else but miles!

I started training on 2nd January and have been averaging about 13 miles a week. Sometimes it has been hard going in gusting wind and rain walking Suffolk's clay-sodden footpaths like the 20-mile Bury St Edmuunds-Clare walk. A scheduled ten-mile walk on 5th February had to be abandoned after plodding two miles in foot-deep snow since the county was blanketed with the white stuff!.There have been lingering aches and pains and old sport injuries have resurfaced to be the proverbial pain, but the will to succeed is strong.

In March a friend Mark Richardson and I completed the 15-mile Devil's Dyke, constructed 1,400 years ago to keep out invaders. It was a gruelling walk, up and down the dyke from Wooditton to Reach in the Fens. On Sunday 1st April I walked 18 miles with the Long Distance Walking Association (the Norfolk-Suffolk branch); these guys are tough and take no prisoners - they don't walk, they yomp as the military does. It was a real challenge to keep up with them; by the time I caught up with them they were off again disappearing over the next horizon! But it was a glorious day, the sun was out and there was a gentle breeze and the countryside was looking green and pristine. Nevertheless, it was exhausting, legs weary after about 8+ hours of walking with brief stops for a bite to eat and bottles of water. Must remember to carry isotonic drinks rather than just plain water next time. On Easter Monday Bank Holiday 9th April my self-appointed trainer Mark and I walked about 9 miles in rain and overcast skies; legs are still hurting but getting stronger hopefully. We saw deer, kestrels, yellow hammers, heard the yaffle of woodpeckers as well as in the paddocks horses, bull, cows and sheep. On 15th April friends Hazel (and her two dogs Jazz and Poppy) and Al (and his three dogs Cass, Badger and Lottie) and old mio walked about 15 miles traversing the Stour Valley Path. This was the first stage of the 62-mile journey which we plan to accomplish over co9nsecutive Sundays. Finding the start of the Path at Cattawade at the mouth of the river was tricky as it was poorly signposted and we had to double back a number of times to locate the prescribed footpaths. But we made it to our destination Nayland after five hours of non-stop walking with the briefest of breaks. Part of the walk took us past Flatford Mill and Willy Lott's Cottage, famously protrayed by Constable in his paintings; the wide open and splendid Dedham Vale; while some of the trek saw us trudging through deep undergrowth as the navigational decals were missing and we had to find our own way out of fields and meadows. Sore in body but spirits high we returned to our local - the Crown in Hartest - for some refreshing pints of ale and cider, and hot roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings courtesy of landlady Hanne May.

On Sunday 22nd April walked the second leg of the Stour Valley Path, with Al, Hazel, five dogs and 'Guinness' Bob from Thorrington Street to Little Horkesley. This time the trek was just as arduous as a lot of the journey was uphill. Huffing and puffing - the cigarettes will have to go - you think of giving up but then find the inner reserve to persevere. And the beauty of the surrounding countryside, the meadows, the briming river, the woodlands covered in bluebells at this time of the year make up for the moments of weakness and doubt. The legs still hurt but getting stronger. The next leg will be to walk from Little Horkesley to Sudbury. And eventually to end in Newmarket. Will keep you posted.

Just about five weeks to go before the walk commences, and from May have to start walking 8-10 miles every day to get in peak shape

Last Sunday 27th May did a 13 mile trek in 26C heat which was tiring! The previous Sunday (20th May) did a 10-miler. Plans to walk most of this week failed to materialise becvause of pressing deadlines. 

Well, catch the train to Glasgow tomorrow to begin the walk on Saturday. 

Will your support provide an added spurt? You bet it will!

In 2008-9 many of you contributed to my efforts to raise funds for research into ovarian cancer at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where Jan was being treated, and continues to be monitored. Beyond all expectations my target of £3,000 was surpassed and I was able to raise £5,000+. We remain grateful for your generosity.

I hope you will be able to support me in this venture as well, and I look forward to hearing from you all. 

So, many thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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If you feel able to, please do donate and thank you once again for your generosity.

Warm regards

Matt