Thank you for visiting my fundraising site.

I have finished the walk! See below for details.

I have recently retired from the Diplomatic Service. My last post was Dakar, Senegal, where I spent three and a half years as British Ambassador.

During that time the British Embassy worked closely with Plan Senegal and Association Femme-Enfant-Environnement (AFEE), a small local association dedicated to improving the conditions of women and children.

The needs of developing countries are considerable and both Plan and AFEE are doing an enormous amount towards helping children, their families and communities have some hope for a better future.

I will start to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats (the "End to End walk") on 4 May to raise funds for these two organisations. I will be walking on my own, although I hope that friends and family will join me for some stretches. The route I plan to take is around 1800 kms and I hope to reach John O'Groats before the end of July. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me. If you choose the "Sponsor me now" option, Plan UK will receive your money faster, and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in reclaimed tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. Plan UK will take in all the sponsorship funds. After the end of the fund raising they have agreed, at my request, to transfer 50% of the funds to AFEE in Senegal. The other 50% will stay with Plan and be given to community based projects in Senegal benefitting young children. So please sponsor me. They are such worthwhile projects. Many thanks for your support. Alan Burner PROGRESS. 4 to 13 May 2005 A hard start along the South-West Coastal Path, but so worth it for the breathtaking views and beautiful spring flowers. A few too many lanes for the next stretch. Lost the way a bit trying to get over Bodmin Moor (and "Brown Willy"), so came round the moor somehow. Sort of obstacles met include a local farmer grazing his bearded goats and blocking the stiles with thorn bushes to stop them (and walkers of course) from using the paths. The Grand Western Canal from Tiverton to Taunton was lovely. Jane has been with me for this stretch (the first two weeks) and we have stayed with very kind friends all the way so far. Feet aching a bit at the end of the day and have only had to put on an anarak on one day - the rain must come someday! 13 to 16 May Still great weather. The Somerset Levels were interesting - some long stretches! Chased by playful bullocks here, which was an unpleasant experience. Thought I had got through them, only to find myself surounded by water everywhere and no bridges; so had to summon up a lot of courage to face the bullocks on the return! Glastonbury and Wells lovely. Nearly at Bath and still on schedule. 16 t0 22 May Have now reached Tewkesbury after some lovely walks on the Cotswold Way (not always as well sign-posted as it might be!). Beginning to meet other serious walkers including an American family from Boston with three very heavy rucksacks. Found a wonderful b and b in Painswick - a delightful village in the Cotswolds.Was even interviewed for the local Painswick Chronicle! Had one day with my heavy rucksack which left the shoulders feeling quite sore; and that was not the day to drop my map and have to return half a mile to try to find it. Could not face carrying the bag so hid it in nettles in a ditch. A major hailstorm while I was in Cheltenham. Luckily I happened to be on the shopping centre at the time having heels put on to my boots. Tomorrow it is the Severn Way to Worcester. 23 to 27 May Now as far as Penkridge and not so far from the Peak District and then the Pennine Way (probably the hardest bit!). Two days on the Severn Way to Worcester and then Bewdley were lovely, but a few difficult stretches in thigh-high grass and nettles and some rather narrow bits too close to the river for comfort. Few other walkers around yet, but have met some interesting people - from on old man who interspersed every word with "bl****" and told me every detail about his various medical conditions to a man in Kinver Edge who gave me a pound coin for a drink as he thought I looked thirsty! A very hot day today and it looks as though it will be hot over the Bank Holiday Weekend. I am taking my first day off in Ilam on Monday. One highlight of the Severn Way was a swan family with 4 just born cygnets - the fierce cob was on guard and I gave them all as wide a berth as I could. 28 May to 23 June I am now in Edinburgh! So the Pennine Way (PW) and the Borders behind me. Ilam and Dovedale were lovely - the latter a gentle 8 mile walk along a beautiful river on an easy path. Then it was the PW. Luckily I met John Williams, a retired Head of Maths from York in the Edale Youth Hostel (YH). He agreed I could join him on his PW walk. Just as well as I would have lost my way on a number of occasions without his help. Apart from a few days we had rather wet weather on the PW - some of it was atrocious - the first day up past Kinder Scout and then later on the walk over Cross Fell come to mind especially. Cross Fell was shrouded in low cloud, there was driving rain and it was bitterly cold! But the variety of countryside on the PW is amazing - very boggy heathland, rolling hills and pastures, fields full of flowers, lovely rock formations, high hills (Pen-y-Gent) and incredible waterfalls (e.g Low fall, High Fall and Cauldron Snout). We stayed mostly in YHs on the PW. In places they are the only option. But they are all very good and excellent value. It was great to have various Sevenoaks friends join me for bits of the PW. I left John Williams at the Scottish border and.... promptly lost my way! The Borders are beautiful too and I stayed at Jedburgh and Melrose and Traquair. Edinburgh is a hum of youthful activity, full of tourists and with an air of expectancy with the March against Poverty soon to arrive. Tomorrow I start crossing over to the West coast to join the Westr Highland Way. Still on course to finiish at JOG on 15 July. 23 June to 4 July The West Highland Way was wonderful - not difficult but beautiful along Loch Lomond and I have been so lucky with fantastic weather. A lot of other walkers too, so got to know a lot of them. Slept in a wooden wigwam at one point (no room at the inn), and the floor was hard. I am now half way along the Great Glen Way (Fort William to Inverness) - again not difficult walking but some quite long distances. Jane joins me on Friday! 5 to15 July Got to John O'Groats on schedule on 15 July! Huge relief. Jane joined me in Inverness and supported me all the way up to the end. A lot of road walking after Inverness, but a lovely coastal bit from Dornoch to Brora in blazing sunshine. So many thanks to everyone who sponsored me and helped me with accommodation on the walk. LEJOG was a wonderful experience - parts of England and Scotland seen, people met and all the experiences. Where do I go next?!!!!!!