I have arrived in Bordeaux! One day ahead of schedule.  I walked approximately 440 miles!

A hugh thank you to everyone who has supported me and to those who have generously donated money towards the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Day 1 Tuesday 11th Oct Guildford to Midhurst 21 miles

Day 2 Wed 12th Oct 15 miles

Day 3 Thursday 13th Oct 16 miles into Portsmouth and ferry to Le Havre

Day 4 Friday 14th Oct in France 19 miles

Day 5 Saturday 15th Oct 11 miles. Bernay, Reception and tour of Edith Piaf theatre and lunch with Twinning representative.

Day 6 Sunday 16th Oct 22.8 miles

Day 7 Monday 17th Oct Walked as far as town of Sees, Route D438.

21.2 miles.

Day 8 Tuesday 18th Oct walking towards Alencon.

Day 9 Wednesday 19th Oct reached outskirts of Le Mans

Day 10 Thursday 20th Oct Another 15 miles

Day 11 Friday 21st Oct A well earned day off!

Day 12 Saturday 22nd Oct Another 15 miles

Day 13 Sunday 23rd Oct walked 20 miles.

Day 14 Monday 24th Oct just south of Vernantes on route D767

Day 17 Thursday 27th Oct heading towards Niort on route D743. 61 miles in last three days. Rainy day.

Day 18 Friday 28th Oct Starting the day on outskirts of Niort

Day 21 Monday 31st Oct heading into Mirambeau on Route D137

Day 23 Wednesday 2nd November arrived in Bordeaux!

Thursday 3rd - day off!!! rest those feet!

Friday 4th November  reception  at Yvonne Arnaud's birthplace. local TV and press interviews.

Saturday 5th Homeward bound!

440 miles approximately!

Hello! I am Jonathan Graham-Brown, I am 70 years old, and I have walkied approximately 440 miles in aid of The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

2011 marks the centenary of Yvonne Arnaud's first appearance on the English stage.  To honour this occasion, and to raise much needed funds for the Theatre, I am doing a solo walk from Yvonne Arnaud's grave at St Martha's chapel in Guildford to her birthplace in Bordeaux.  This is a distance of about 500 miles, and will take me three to four weeks.  I left Guildford on October 11th.  You will be able to follow my progress by going to www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk. 

I am very grateful to Sir Ian Botham  for his support as Patron of The Arnaud Bordeaux Walk. Special thanks to Freeborn, who I am delighted to say have generously donated the use of a motorhome as a support vehicle for the duration of my walk.  Special thanks to my volunteers who while I am walking will be driving the vehicle. I couldn't undertake this epic walk without this kind of support.  Grateful thanks  to Alton Sports for providing essential kit and energy drinks. Special thanks also to Cook Trading Ltd who are generously providing food, and thanks also to everyone who has supported me. I prepared with a fitness instructor and had daily routines and walks.

Why am I doing this epic walk?  The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre lost its Art council grant of nearly £500,000 per annum in 2009.  This was a terrible blow for the theatre and a huge hole to fill which is a constant ongoing financial challenge. I have a long association with the Theatre. My father, Alderman A W Graham-Brown, was founding Chairman, and I want to do what I can to help the Theatre to continue to serve the community, now and in the future. 

Please help me raise essential funds by giving whatever you can manage.   

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  I am busy walking and check in to this page often and it would be really encouraging to see your support.

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 help me on my way and dig deep and donate now.