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On 5th May I set off from Land's End with every intention of walking to John O'Groats, approximately 1100 miles. 5 weeks later I have arrived back at home in Macclesfield, just over a third of the way. After repairing and replacing bits of equipment (I wish I could do that with my feet) I will be setting of again from home to join the Pennine Way.

I would like to thank the people I have met along the route so far who have donated towards The Christie Men Matter Appeal. I would also like to thank all the friendly people I have met along the way, Rock Radio 106.1DJs especially Mike Sweeney for giving me the idea to raise money for the Men Matter Appeal, and last but not least my wife Vivien for supporting and encouraging me and letting me leave home for 3 months.

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Just a short update.  Monday 21st June, the longest day of the year.  Arrrived in Horton in Ribblesdale having just walked over Pen-y-Ghent.  A lovely hot and dry day.

Thursday 24th June.  I have now reached Tan Hill Inn which is the highest pub in England and the half way point of my walk.  An appropriate place to stop for a celebratory pint.  Only 550 miles to go!

25th June. Great night at Tan Hill.  Met a group of cyclists, cycling from the highest pub to their local, The Admiral Wells, Holme, Cambridgeshire which is the lowest pub.  A trip of 200 miles in aid of various charities.

Tuesday 29th June.  Met another 'End to Ender', Darren, Walking for the the British Heart Foundation. Have a look at his website, www.walkinginmyshoes.co.uk.  Spent last night at Haltwistle, the centre of Britain.  It rained most of the night.  The first rain since the middle of May!  Met an Australian couple also walking 'End to End', Mark and Kylie.  I had been following them for a week and had the pleasure of meeting them personally in Haltwistle.  It has been another hot afternoon.

Thursday 1st July.  Keilder to Bonchester Bridge.  I eventually arrived in Scotland, unexpectedly along a disused rail track between Keilder and Saughtree.  A long road to Bonchester but so quiet, more like a footpath than a road.    John O'Groats seems a lot nearer now.

Sunday 4th July, Broadmeadows Youth Hostel to Peebles.  What perfect timing, I chose to traverse one of the highest and most exposed routes on the Southern Upland Way on the worst day yet.  Gale force winds and driving rain, still it can't be hot and sunny everyday.  Good route to Peebles along another disused railway line, hopefully I can follow it to Biggar.

Sunday11th July.  Spent last night on the shores of Loch Lomand, very quiet and beautiful.  Unfortunately, confined to the tent because of the midges!

Arrived at Crianlarich this afternoon.  I have been up and walking since 5.30am following an extremely wet night with gale force winds and a flooded tent.  It was wet and windy again today but on the bright side it has kept the midges at bay.  Had a thought only another 300 miles to go.......

Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven.  A good walk overy Rannoch Moor, overcast but no rain.  Coffee and a packet of crisps for lunch in the Kings House Hotel, Glen Coe.  A sunny afternoon and the views from the Devils Staircase were wonderful. 

Wednesday 14th July.  A rough wet and windy day walking the mountain pass from Kinlochleven.  This afternoon I walked along the Caledonian Canal to Torness. After a long walk I have just arrived at the camp site and the showers are cold! Hope they warm up later.  Unfortunately, the midges are out too as the wind has dropped.

I spent Thursday night at a great hostel in Laggan.  Free internet in the rooms and a great shop.

Friday 16th August.  I am staying in Morag's Lodge at Fort Agustus this evening.  After a really wet early morning the weather cleared at about 11am.  I should be at Guisachan Forest tomorrow night, just north of Fort Agustus.  Then I will be making my way to Cannich. 

Unfortunately the weather forcast is bad until next week!

Monday 19th July.  Spent last night wild camping on the track from Struy to Contin.  No wind or rain this morning though it is cold.  Just watching the sun rise over the Moray Firth.  Turned into a bad day; I left my map in a bothy that I passed on the track and had to go back for it (45 mins wasted), the hydro dam path to Contin was closed for safety reasons, had to walk what seemed like miles, probably four out of my way.  Got to Contin and the campsite was closed so wild camping again in a forest near Contin.  Tomorrow I am staying at Aultguish Inn.

Thanks to Dave Benson for your kind donation of £10 which is  the donation dated the 19/7/10.  My secretary was having a bad day and evidently did not upload the information correctly.  Apologies to you Dave.

20th July.  Only 138 miles to go.  It was beautiful this morning, wonderful and sunny with stunning scenery.  Steams and swamps for the next few miles.  It's been raining today.  Rain like I have never seen before.  No signal at the bunkhouse so had to walk and find signal.

Arrived at Crioch .  It has rained all day.  I began to think it wouldn't stop. On my way to Rosehall now via the Oykel Bridge.  Having to camp wild again.  The phone boxes up here don't work and I'm having a few problems with signals.

22nd July.  I am camping near the Achness Waterfall, Rosehall, this evening.  I asked the estate Ghillie if I could camp.  When I explained that I was walking LEJOG to raise money for Christies he was pleased to let me.

23rd July.  Very cold last night and this morning but glorious sunshine all day.  Everything is dried out now after yesterday, thank goodness.  Ankles beginning to ache as I have been walking on roads for the past couple of days. 

25 July.  Met some very nice people at lunchtime at the Crask Inn in Crask.  Thanks for your donations.  Unfortunately the Inn was fully booked but the landlord was most helpful and directed me to the really comfy bothy near by. Made my way to Fosinard today.  A very long day of walking so decided to treat myself to a hotel tonight.  Only a few days to go now providing I don't have any problems.

26 July.  At Melvich this evening, only two and a half days to go now.  A beautiful morning walking through rugged and sparsely inhabited coutryside.  I have had trouble beating off large flies called 'clegs' not too sure of the spelling.  Surrounded by swarms of midges this evening even though I was assured they are not on this coast.  Tomorrow I will be in Thurso.

27 July.  A sixteen mile walk today past Dounreay and through the Flow Country,  an area of peatland and wetland of Caithness and Sutherland.  Just met a couple this evening from the Wirral, they are doing Lands End to John O'Groats then back to the Wirral in a 1930 Austin 7.  They say someone has told them about a couple of lads doing LEJOG pulling a fridge freezer!  One particular point of interest today were the small cemetaries with very large tombstones.

A short stroll today, just eight miles to Dunnett Bay.  A pleasant area, lovely sandunes with people surfing in the sea.  Rained all night but a brighter day today.  It's funny but the main topics of conversation here is the weather and of course the midges.

I've made it.  Arrived at John O'Groats.  Spent a pleasant morning  walking 12 miles from Dunnet Bay listening to Radio 2.  Even though I was plodding down a main road the time flew listening to Chris Evans and Ken Bruce (really showing my age now). Spent the afternoon at John O'Groats and I am camping here tonight.  A wonderful view overlooking the island of Stroma.  Early to Wick tomorrow, then catching the sleeper train home.  Arrriving early Saturday, really looking forward to being home.

People have asked me what were the best bits of the walk?  I have to say that it is the wonderful people I have met along the way.

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored or supported me in so many ways.