This summer I walked the length of the country, from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The walk was in memory of my mum, "Gill", who died from a type of leukaemia in 2007. After 18 months planning and 9 months training I started on the 27th of June and finished on the 1st of August. I walked the 913 mile route over five weeks and averaged just over 29 miles per day; six days per week and in total climbed 69,000 feet (twice the height of Everest) and took approximately 1.6 million steps.
PAST £6000 ON THE PAGE - THANKS!
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Progress
Day 24: Thurs 23rd - 28 miles, 856ft ascent (To Twigworth)
Really pleasant day walking the remainder of severn way in intermittent sunshine. The way is not well used, so in places very difficult and slow going, I particularly enjoyed the stands of thigh high thistles and nettles in shorts!
Day 25: Fri 24th - 32.2 miles, 2365ft ascent (To Grittleton)
Two very sharp showers but apart from that, a pleasant summers day with a cooling breeze. Good walking predominantly on lanes with a few sections of footpaths. Pushed on for a while at the end of the day to get in a few extra miles. The highlight of the day was meeting the nicest man in South West. He stopped to ask if I wanted a lift and when I told him what I was doing he returned 10 minutes later bearing water, energy bars and sweets. Genuinly the most generous thing that has happened in the last four weeks (Sorry I didn't get your name but if you read this "Thanks :)". Got to James and Anna Breens at about 7 and had a lovely pub dinner with them and Mike and Julie Hollywood.
One week and about 220 miles to go! Feet and legs fine and feeling good. I've lost a lot of weight over the last week, because of not eating much when I was ill, going to spend my day off eating everything I can lay my hands on!
Sat 25th - REST DAY
Spent the day planning the final push and then went over to see Nick and Louise Bell for a BBQ. After a lovely sunny day, it started raining the second we got there!
Day 26: Sun 26th - 33 miles, 2655ft ascent (To Wells)
One of the best mornings of walking I have had in a while. I felt really good all day after my day off, the weather was warm and the walking was really good predominantly on canals and one of the national cycle routes. Got in 25 miles before a late lunch in Midsomer Norton where Sev and Steve Tasker found us. Sev (fresh from power walking the Moon Walk) joined Jacqui and I for a rather unpleasant afternoon of heavy rain and busy roads whilst Steve entertained the kids. Jacqui left for home in the evening.
Day 27: Mon 27th - 31.7 miles, 1208ft ascent (To Ruishton)
Very nice days walking from Wells to Glastonbury and then across the levels finishing close to Taunton. Showers in the morning, followed by warm sunny spells. Simon Clifford joined me at Glastonbury and was good company for the majority of the day, despite the fact that I wasn't really in the mood for walking today. Dad found us late afternoon to do the driving during the final week. Really looking forward to getting finished.
I can almost see Land's End from here. I am pushing on hard trying to get in some extra miles every day so I can finish a day early. Now really hopefully of making Land's End on Saturday afternoon..................
Day 28: Tues 28th - 32.3 miles, 2547ft ascent (To 6 miles East of Tiverton)
Jon Reader joined me late morning and kept me entertained for the rest of the day. Not a lot to say, yet another day of walking! Kindly accomodated by Martyn Whitehead and family. Duncan, Lou and Kate from The Vale joined us for supper. Lou left me with some of the best flapjacks I've ever tasted!
Day 29: Wed 29th - 33.0 miles, 3311ft ascent (To Lyford)
It's a new record! 32 miles in the rain!! It poured down for all but the last mile :-) Jen Hall courageously kept me company for the first 15 miles. Good walking along lanes and then a national cycle route from Okehampton.
I've said it before but I'm really looking forward to Saturday! Under 100 miles to go...
Day 30: Thurs 30th - 36.1 miles, 3996ft ascent (To Lanivet)
First completely dry day in as long as I can remember. Enjoyable days walking through the lanes of Devon and Cornwall, although, I suddenly remembered just how hilly Cornwall is. Pushed on to do the longest day so far so that I can get finished at a reasonable time on Saturday. Today was the furthest I've ever walked in a single day in my life and I suspect it will remain that way!
2 days to go, past £4500 on the page, THANKS!
Day 31: Friday 31st - 32.5 miles, 3268ft ascent (To Nine Maidens)
Another virtually dry day. Yesterday took a lot out of me, today (and particularly) the afternoon was tough. Today and with under 50 miles to go my right shin decided to go into spasm, REALLY irritating. The 12 miles after lunch hurt a lot and I had very little left in the physical or emotional tanks to cope with it. Whilst I am trying my best to enjoy the last few days, actually all I want to do it get finished!
1 day and 26.1 miles to go. I have a date with Land's End for 4pm tomorrow afternoon I reckon..................
Day 32: Saturday 1st August - 25.8 miles, 1520ft ascent (To Land's End!)
Made it safely to Land's End at exactly 4pm!
Really tired in the morning, so quite a tough day until I found the first sign saying "Land's End 10". Once I was counting down in single digits I knew I had it beat! Had lunch with Jacqui, Dad and Wendy and Haydn Wallis at St Buryan and then Jacqui joined me for the last 6 miles. Its still difficult to describe how I felt when I reached the marker post, the overwhelming emotion was definately relief mixed with happiness, a huge sense of acheivement but also tinged with a sense of loss. When I reached the post, I couldn't understand what all the racket behind me was until Jay turned me to face the rather noisy welcoming party she had managed to secretly convene and which I had managed to completely ignore! They were: The Gilmours (Suzanne, Vicky, Steve, Nick and Louise), Mike and Ang and the Blackman family, cousins Keith and Lynne Edwards, Wendy and Haydn Wallis and of course Jacqui and Dad - A huge thanks to you all for providing an entertaining and emotional end to what has been one hell of a journey.
I've said it to many people along the way but I can catagorically state that "Its a ****** long way"
Total Miles: 913.3 miles Total Ascent: 68,880ft
Total Time: 5 weeks, 2 hours, 42 minutes
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With Special Thanks
Dad "The Drives" Huxley for his sterling performance during weeks 1 and 5 (I could not have done it without him, he has been a star)
Jacqui: The list of reasons is endless, you know what they all are, thanks honey.
XLVets for their generous financial support and assistance (www.xlvets.co.uk)
Jeanette and all at Rushcliffe Vet Centre for their support and campaigning!
Mike, Steve, Andy, Ruth, Joanne and Ang for the driving, food, accomodation and entertainment in week 2
Elis, Ali, Joe and Libby for their company, hospitality, driving and support (sorry about the bags!) at the end of weeks 2 and 3
David and Bruce at Paragon vets in Carlisle for their company and a very enjoyable dinner
Helen H for the best performance by a fellow walker (23 miles I think?)
Peter Price for collecting me at the end of week 3 in torrential rain and on one of the busiest travel days of the year!
Auntie Mary and Uncle John for collecting me from Northwich
Brother Jim for driving me round
Sarah, Gary, Jade and Brook for their company
Howard and Caroline Benbow for their superb hospitality and transport, I'm sorry I was feeling so rotten.
James and Anna for their hospitality
Mike and Julie for dinner and taking the time to come down to see us
Nick and Lou Bell for an excellent BBQ
Sev and Steve Tasker for their company
Simon Clifford for his company
Jon Reader for his company
Martin and Melanie Whitehead for their excellent hospitality
Duncan & Lou Findley and Kate Fairclough for company (and some superb flapjack Lou)
Jen Hall for her company
Wendy and Hayden Wallis for their generous hospitality and support
The fabulous and very unexpected wellcoming party
Everyone for your phone calls, texts, messages of support and incredibly generous sponsorship - Thanks!
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