Saturday 5th June: - 85 miles to go

9am: Off and Running from the centre of Newcastle its cloudy. Harry the Hero Bear is strapped to my rucsac and I'm all ready, been really looking forward to this and I haven't brought any cigarettes with me.

11am: Getting warmer - met some people from Hampshire who are also Walking the Wall (photos to follow)

1pm: Have now drunk 3 litres of water all of which has sweated out of me. It is touching 25 degrees up here which is hot with a rucsac on your back. Glad to be out of the streets of Newcastle and heading towards the country

3pm: The Countryside!! well on the way to my first nights rest at Heddon on the Wall. T Shirt is stuck to my back!

4pm: Heddon on the Wall.. 5pm: The Swan Pub for a well earned pint something to eat and no cigarettes.. night night

Sunday 6th June:- 70 miles to go (Yes I walked 15 miles yesterday)

8.45am: Off we go - a little stiff this morning - nothing I can't handle.

Noon: I'm soaked again but not with sweat - it's piddling down, warm rain....

1pm: Another stamp on my passport at the Robin Hood pub (yes another pub but still no cigarettes). Met a nice girl from Hong Kong (again photo to follow) plenty of people to talk to (apart from this morning 4 hours and not a soul).

3pm: 1st Blister!! Ouch!!

5pm: the George Hotel @ Chollerford 2 days down. Now why did I book this place ah yes Jacuzzi, Sauna, Beer. Relaxed now

7pm: Some bloke offered me money in a changing room - Don't worry all above board and thanks John @ Northumberland council for donating.

Monday 7th June:- 54.1 miles to go (and today is a short day - but up hill) Still no cigarettes!

9am: Web page is showing 43% on way to target. I know of at least another £50 coming in offline so should be halfway to the target when I reach halfway across a MASSIVE THANK YOU to anyone that has donated and for the messages of support - it does keep me going!

1pm: Tony is currently out of mobile phone range on this section of the walk so we will update you as soon as we can. Harry the Hero Bear however has been in touch to say the odour of Tony's feet currently leaves a lot to be desired. Mouldy and cheese were the words used. Yuk!

2pm: Harry The Hero Bear here - my dopey walking partner has lost his glasses this morning. Got his passport stamped @ Chesters (See route map photo 2) and left his bloody glasses there. Only realised 6 miles further on at the next stamping station. I reckons another 24 hours of this and I'll be taking up smoking!

2.30pm: Yes I've lost me glasses! But I'm still making good progress, a group of walkers I met this morning have route marched me uphill to Housesteads. Stopping for lunch at the Once Brewed pub then just a mile to go today before bunking up for the night. Having a good look round the old forts and taking lots of pictures. Good to have a shorter day and enjoy the sights despite the fact that it's absolutely hissed it down today! Might get a paper and read it - errr maybe not NO GLASSES.

5.00pm: Thank God it was a short day. That last section was a killer. Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down and bloody up again. Took 2 1/2 hours for that last mile and a bit. I think it's about twice as long as the guide book says because of the hills. Everyone I have met on this section says it's the hardest part and they are all struggling a bit today. Sore limbs aching bones. Bloody Hell!

5.30pm: Bunk House be buggered....I've checked into the Pub - I need a bath. Reflecting on the day I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have to say the Fort and Barracks on the tops have to be seen to be believed. Come and visit this place it's incredible. The whole wall was set up as a border crossing with a passport control.

Still no cigarettes - to be honest I need all the breath I can get up here a ciggy would kill me!

Tuesday 8th June:- 44.2 miles to go (another short day before the 2 gruellers)

8.30am: Still suffering from yesterday, all the experienced walkers have said that this 10 mile section  on the top is the worst you can do. And you know what they are absolutely right! So I have engineered some help for today, I have paid a Fiver and my luggage is being taken by van to the Pub I am sleeping at tonight. So I'll be at least 20lb lighter today on those hills.

8.35am: Maybe even lighter, the new trousers I bought last week have gone from snug fitting to loose in 3 days. I'm going to write a book when I've finished this it will be a combined diet plan and give up smoking at the same time. Hang on I'm hallucinating there are Romans everywhere dressed up what on earth is going on - Wait, Roman eating a Mars bar - ah it's a school party all dressed up to walk up to the forts. Hope the Romans had Kagouls it's persisting down again.

8.45am: Got me Mars Bars and me bubbly chocolate and ready to face the day. If you want to text me and tell me to get moving you can do 0779 198 2015 I won't reply but I'll have a laugh. Off I go, More hills, More rain, More miles, More Wall. I know this much when I get back I won't be walking anywhere for at least 2 weeks.

3.45pm: The Samson Inn Gilsland. I am a happy bunny, nice people warming up with a foot spa to look forward to. Just as well my blisters are bleeding whoops sorry breeding. I now have a cluster of them building up on my feet. And despite what that little sod Harry the Hero says my feet are not cheesy and do not smell - he's been like a bear with a sore head and a sore a*** since he got wet. He's been quiet today though not heard a peep out of him. Luggage is going on ahead again today, you don't know how much better it felt without the weight of the rucsac. Bliss - Still no cigarettes.

4.30pm: Right! Harry the Hero Bear here. Haven't heard a peep out of me I'm not surprised. Old glasses losing dopey got his rucsac transferred by car this morning well Whoopee do! He shouldn't have left me strapped to it. I've had to hitch a lift back with some stranger (could have been some nutter with a bear fetish for all I know - I didn't sleep anyway) all the way back to that pub we stayed in last night. Then I've spent all day trying to catch him up. Now I see he is once more in a pub with his feet up whilst I am out here looking like well a drowned bear to be honest. No doubt I'll be sleeping on the floor again tonight whilst he hogs the bed. That's another whisky I'll be having tonight - I'll need rehab after a week with this guy!

6pm: Tony and Harry are currently out of mobile range and will be back online with updates tomorrow morning.

Wednesday 9th June:- 34.3 miles to go - and a lot more wall!

9.00am: Tony and Harry are still out of range (or they are giving each other the silent treatment) more updates once they find a signal.

9.15am: Harry Here! What a night that foxy little teddy from the Samson Inn kept me awake all night telling me stories (where were you all going with that?). had to take up residence at the end of the dopey ones bed. Using his smelly foot as a bed head yuk but hey I'm a bear with needs.

9.30am: Up and walking (no more running) my right foot is very sore this morning and black. Not just blisters I have done somethingto it but don't know what. I suspect it's that damn bear! Go to bed foot fine - wake up and foot is black...mmmm

THE SAMSON INN - Anyway had my breakfast and have to say the staff and hosts at the The Samson Inn are second to none. I cannot praise them enough. I felt welcome from the minute I walked through the door. Everything about this place screams you are home at you. Fantastic. Cheeseburger Chips and salad on arrival. The soup and warm cobs later on were excellent an the breakfast this morning not a drop of fat on the plate Egg Bacon Toast and Spicy Sausage I mean come on ladies who doesn't like a bit of spicy sausage! I would recommend this place to anyone tucked away in a lovely part of the country. If you are ever up there then visit and if you are not then make the trip.

Samsoninn@hotmail.co.uk TEL: 01697747220  www.samsoninn.co.uk   Go There!

9.45am: Missing Slim Tim; Jean and the black labs today hope they enjoy the rest of the walk and Thanks for the sponsorship guys really really appreciate it. Going to take a slower pace today to account for my foot. Still not smoking but reckon I have put the weight back on with the night at The Samson.

11.00am: Birdoswald at the fort nearly bought a Roman helmet and sword (what a big kid I am) then I saw the price tag of £200 and became an adult again very quickly!

11.15am: Harry Here, you will not believe what dopey has done now. It's bad enough he lost his glasses and then forgot me but now he's really blown it. The Samson Inn have just rung to say he was a lovely guest but when he locked his room up this morning did he really have to take the key with him. We are past Birdoswald now so guess who's got to trek the 4 miles back and then 4 miles back to here again. Yep Harry the bloomin Hero. Dopeys moaning about his foot so I suppose I should take some responsibility. (Anyway it's a chance to see that little minx again - and the sweet barmaid)

3.45pm: It's been a very lonely day, after all the people in the interesting bits at the summit I feel as though I have entered no mans land. Saw 4 people in 4 hours - the only trouble was they were in a group going the other way. The good thing is I have reached my destination for the evening but guess what? That's right I have decided to carry on walking into the centre of Carlisle and knock another 4 miles off my route. With the aid of my trusty assistant Paddy Gill who will meet me there and take me back to my bed for the night. Hang on none of that last bit sounds right. Paddy will drive me back to the place that I am staying in Crosby on Eden. (If Paddy makes it that far otherwise it'll be thumb out and trouser leg rolled up)

4.15pm: IT'S HARRY TIME! We're DOOMED! Just heard dopey say we are going to thumb a lift. Well I'll be alright handsome devil that I am but this old vagrant will be lucky if a refuse truck stops to pick him up. Blimey he's ripe after all this walking. Just cos you are walking a Roman Wall doesn't mean you have to live like one..... If someone picks us up I'll eat my own fur........and for those of you with a rude mind STOPPIT! I didn't mean anything like that...

5.30pm: Ah It seemed like such a good idea at the time to walk into Carlisle - Now however it seems like a bloody long way!.

6.00pm: HELP HARRY..SOS - It's good news and bad news. Good news Paddy has arrived and we are in Carlisle - Bad News - Have you seen Paddy! It's bad enough with dopey but now sleepy has turned up! By the time we reach the end we should have a full crew. Where is snow white when you need her.

6.05pm: Paddy is here and he is out of driving time which means I have to drive him and me to my destination. Cheers Paddy it's not like I've done anything today. I'll just put my blistered feet onto the accelerator - thank god these wagons are automatic. Wish that stupid little bear could drive all he's done is get on my nerves all week. How I've not had a cigarette I'll never know. More to the point how stressful has this got when I'm talking to a stuffed bear.

6.06pm: Stuffed - Stuffed - you want to see what dopeys put away all week. Fat knacker!

9.30pm: Many thanks to the couple at the Bluebell Bunk House & The Stag pub. (Same couple). For giving Paddy somewhere to park his wagon, for giving me a lift from the Pub back to the Bunkhouse. Great fish and chips fantastic Guiness, and not far to go. Got my muscle rub, really stiff so need to have a good rub tonight. Really beginning to think I can do this and the sense of achievement is hanging over me in a good way. Cannot thank people enough for all the support especially all those I have met along the way it's really kept me going and determined. That's enough for tonight but really have the feeling I have forgotten something?

10.00pm: I have walked with him, been abandoned by him, left strapped to a bloody rucsac by him, then his new best mate Paddy turns up and who gets left on the bed and not taken out for a drink at the pub, you guessed it. He says it's cos of my age... does he know how old teddy bears are we've been around for years..he's not cuddling upto me tonight.

10.05pm: My muscles ache so what does he do - muscle rub - muscle rub - Oi! dopey - FUR!!  It'll take weeks to get this out.

Thursday 10th June:- 14.9 miles to go (THE END IN SIGHT - Not much Wall and still no Ciggy!)

8.00am: It must be because I am close to the Scottish Border but I woke up this morning singing a proclaimers song (I'll let you guess which one). Bacon Butty for breakfast and I am now on the Castle in Carlisle dancing a jig and ready for my last day. I will be in my own bed tonight!

Harry and I are now joined at the hip (he is strapped to my belt) and are the best of friends, it's been a strain on our relationship but here we are the last day 14.9 miles to go and we are going to be cheerful all the way. I am in my shorts and wearing my T-shirt with Walk For Heroes on it here goes.

8.05am: Harry here - Dopey sorry Tony isn't really that bad you know in fact he is carrying me on his belt today cos my legs are a bit tired Top bloke he is! Here goes last day of walking. See you at the finish.

10.05am: mmmmmm We're lost. Don't ask me how but when you are following a wall that then joins up with a castle that has a wall round it you end up walking round in circles. I feel dizzy and Harrys been sick. Don't know how many more miles this has added but it's not funny just let me ask this guy "Excuse me mate do you know where I go to follow the wall"? "What Wall"? "err forget it"! I'll just keep walking. Can't believe I make it out of Newcastle over the tops and then get lost in Carlisle - a place I deliver to every week!

12 noon - Out of Carlisle and well on the way, feet are killing me, black and blistered and every step is beginning to hurt but feeling good about getting to the end.

2.00pm: How far can it be from here I feel like I've been walking forever and I'm sure I passed a sign about half an hour ago that said Bowness on Solway 4 miles but I've just passsed one that says 5 miles. Bugger.

3.00pm: Help me - I think I relaxed a bit too early and this is the hardest bit so far. I know the hills were bad on day 3 and the heat on day 1 and the rain on day 2 but this is painful and still no end in sight....

4.00pm:Downhill - promenade - BOWNESS ON SOLWAY YES! YES! YES! No all I have to do is go to the stamping point and get the last stamp on me passport and I am done. mmm not much here in Bowness in fact a little disappointing. No fanfare no fireworks and no bloody stamp - Yep someone has nicked it! Now where was the other stamp round here ah yes THE PUB!

4.30pm: Ah old friends (not the beer) but Isla & Mike from Grimsby and Andy from Finland (studying at Luton), you lot must of got the bus... Surely.

4.45pm: Harry Here, what can I say, He's carried me all day and he has even taken me into the pub this time to meet some friends from the walk. All the people we have met have been fantastic and so many of them are in here now getting their certificates to prove they have not just talked the talk but walked the walk.

5.00pm: The lift has arrived and it's bought me another pint - brilliant about 25 more of these and I won't be able to feel my feet and you do not know what a blessing that would be. I have blisters on my blisters is that possible. Me n Harry are ready for the ride home now and you know what - I could have spent a £1000 on a holiday and it would never have matched this for experience, people met and the feeling of achievement I have at this moment. And I have given up smoking... The support has been BLOODY FANTASTIC and I look forward to seeing everyone in work tomorrow and then all my customers next week.

This is it Tony's log for the last time.......................................................................

or until next years challenge? maybe? Anyone up for it?

Monday 14th June 2010: Well I'm back on the road and looking forward to meeting all the customers who have given so generously over the last couple of weeks. Harry is in the passenger seat all belted up and looking like a right Trucker. So off we go on our Thank You Tour of Scotland.

Tuesday 15th June 2010: I DON'T BELIEVE IT! I only nipped for a shower this morning I come back and the engines running and guess who's sat in the drivers seat, yep HARRY! Need to apply for a digital card in his name cos he's not running illegally in my wagon.  Off we go Tony and Harry on another whirlwind adventure...........

 

 

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am a strong believer in the Charity "Help For Heroes" and for this reason I have decided to give up some of my Holidays this year to walk the length of Hadrians Wall (84 miles) to raise money for this worthwhile cause. Whilst I don't expect this to be an easy task it will be nothing compared to the pains endured by our true Heroes.

Please sponsor me and be assured that any amount will do however big or small as I try to achieve the target of £1000. I will be joined on this trip by Harry the Hero Bear (See Picture) who will be taking photographs of the various places and people I meet along the way.

These photos will be updated on here along with a run down each day of who we met and how far we have got.

Cheers

Tony Duff

This event has been endorsed by Help for Heroes with the following Event ID

Event ID: 20100428-6964-9977

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – 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.

So please dig deep and donate now.