31/07/06: As you can see from the picture, Josie and I (and Paul) reached Land's End as planned on Friday. Mike was there with the support vehicle videoing our last few paces. I was pleased to have achieved my challenge but really did not want it to come to an end. I had a fantastic time and met some fascinating and generous people. And of course the weather was brilliant, though we had a wet drive home on Saturday, minus roof, after a lovely surprise night in a luxurious B&B.

Just a few people to mention. Firstly, and most importantly, "my team". Mike and Paul for driving kit around and getting me to and from start/finish points. Sonya for taking care of my poor feet (you get to know someone quite well from that end, don't you?) and for accompanying me one day. Josie for being the inspiration for the whole thing and for encouraging me to walk a bit faster when she was with me and all of them for putting up my tent, blowing up the air bed and feeding me each day. Also not forgetting Roger for updating this page when everyone else was out of reach of a computer. Grateful thanks too to all the campsites who accommodated us at no cost. It means we have been able to put more into the charity pot.

Also, Tim and Matt, hope you get to Plymouth ok and enjoyed the southern leg - I would love to have kept going. It was good to know you were there somewhere on route. John, did you take the job at Bedruthan? Mike, hope Amy was able to cheer you up! And all those other lovely people who took the time to talk to me. Family on the Rock/Padstow ferry - hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday. Lennox's family - did you get your car fixed? Caravanners at Wadebridge - thank you for the blister treatment. Sue - thank you for the delicious shark steaks - I still drool when I see the photo we took before we tucked in.

The walk really started off as a challenge but ended up being one of the best things I have ever done. I had time to myself to think and appreciate my surroundings but I also had great company along the way. And of course, thanks to you all, I have raised a useful sum of money for Astrofund. (It is not too late if you have not yet donated - this page is open until 20th October!)

28/07/06 (10.28)  Karen's last day of walking!

I think Karen is meeting Josie at Sennen campsite.  They will then go on to get to Lands End around pasty time! Good luck to Karen and Josie for the last few miles!

25/07/06

Josie joined Karen last night.  Karen reached Hayle today and had a nice walk along Gwithian beach and paddled in the sea.  Josie walked from Hells Mouth to Godrevy.

22/07/06 

Karen made it to Perranporth by lunch time, a total of 76 miles, just another fifty to go. The feet are a bit easier after some medical assistance from Sonya.  Mike has moved the tent to the next camp site at Rejarrah. If the wind gets up he hopes to go kite surfing later.

21/07/06   Karen reached the Crantock ferry, Newquay, at 1pm, still a couple of miles ahead of schedule. Plans to spend the afternoon on the beach relaxing before moving on to Perranporth tomorrow. The support vehicle is still running well and I plan to pick Josie up from Exeter on Sunday and both of us rejoin the walk (Josie and me not the car and me).

20/07/06  Carried on today past Porth Cothan to Bedruthan Steps. Met up with Mat and Tim again, a couple of lads who are walking all the way to Plymouth. Its nice to know there is someone not far behind in case of problems (nearly trod on an adder - are they really poisonous?).

19/07/06  Karen started at Port Quin walked via Polzeath to Rock where the passenger ferry crosses the Camel to Padstow. Passengers on the ferry kindly donated before being allowed to disembark!  She carried on a couple of miles past Hawkers Cove her planned finish

18/07/06    Mum arrived into Port Quin at half four today and will be heading to Padstow tomorrow. She stayed with Sue Russell at The Paddocks in Wadebridge and we'd like to thank her for her kind donation of a shark steak dinner!

16/07/06  Message from mum ...........  "Made it about 1 mile beyond Crackington Haven.  Toe very sore, looks like blister under nail!"

15/07/06 Mum is out of  internet range now as she started her challenge today so I am updating you on her progress.  Message from mum after her first day.......... "Phew! first 9.5 miles under my belt and they were long ones with all the steep ups and downs only three blisters!" "Nice camp site"

 9/07/06: Huge thank you to Sterts. Total has been boosted by over £240 thanks to the generosity of the audience. The performance of The Railway Children was superb and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants an entertaining evening out.

30/06/06: As you can see from the picture, Josie is looking remarkably well following her surgery on 26th June and was actually discharged from hospital in London the day after this picture was taken. Henry Marsh, her surgeon, said he had been more radical than he had ever been before and there was a high probability that Josie would be left with some form of paralysis. Miraculously, she has movement on her left side (the side affected by the tumour) and has even been for a short walk. We now must hope that future scans show no recurrence.

Since my original target was reached at the same time as Josie's operation (thank you Don for the final leap!) I am now entering a new phase of my fund-raising. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far, both online and offline, but I do not want to deprive anyone else from helping me to help Astrofund so I am increasing my goal to £5000. I did not think I would reach £3000 but you all helped me to do it so let's see what happens. If you have not donated yet, why not do it now?

Plans are now in place for me to begin my walk on Saturday 15th July at Marsland Mouth, the Devon/Cornwall border on the north coast, so if you are interested in where I plan to be, or even wish to join me for a few miles, then read on.

15/07 Marsland Mouth to Widemouth Bay (9miles), 16/07 on to Crackington Haven (17miles), 17/07 on to Tintagel (26m), 18/07 on to Port Isaac (36m), 19/07 on to Padstow (45m), 20/07 on to Porthcothan (57m), 21/07 on to Newquay (66m - over halfway!), 22/07 on to Perranporth (76m), 23/07 on to Portreath (88m), 24/07 on to Hayle (97m), 25/07 on to Trevalgan (106m), 26/07 on to Porthmeor (112m), 27/07 on to Cape Cornwall (120m), 28/07 LAND'S END!!!!! (127.75m).  Josie says she hopes to be able to do the last section or at least a few metres of it, with me so watch out for us at the signpost.

16/06/06: Information for anyone in Cornwall on Friday 7th July. Sterts Theatre at Upton Cross near Liskeard is helping me with my fund-raising by holding a raffle and collection in aid of Astrofund at the opening night of their production of The Railway Children. Please support this event and have an entertaining night out at the same time. For more information about Sterts visit their website at www.sterts.co.uk.

Update 12/06/06: Just returned from a week away windsurfing with Josie to take our minds off the forthcoming op. (Not sure that I'm cut out for water sports - think I'll stick to walking!) She has successfully completed year 4 at med school now so we were able to celebrate passing exams. Checked on total today and delighted that it has risen considerably in my absence so thank you all very much. Now getting prepared for having a stall at the local fete next Saturday and then we will be off to London the following weekend to be with Josie when she's admitted to St George's.

Update 19/05/06: I'm past half way to my target! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far - you have been very generous. If you haven't donated - WHY NOT? Your donation will be very much appreciated by Josie, by me and of course by Astrofund. And by the way, I'm still in training. Did about 15 miles last weekend.

Update 29/04/06: I'm in training! Had a practice today of the start of the walk from the Devon/Cornwall border - a strenuous section. And it was too. No sooner had I struggled up a steep slope than I had to slither down to the next combe. Didn't do many miles 'cos I then had to go back again to where the car was parked but at least I know where the start is! Had a nice bath when I got home and feel fine so I WILL DO IT!

My reason for the walk..
Those of you who know my family will know that my daughter, Josie, had awake craniotomy surgery in January 2005 to attempt to remove her brain tumour. She made a good recovery following surgery and was able to plan and enjoy a very active trip to New Zealand and Australia before returning to her medical studies in September 2005. However, an MRI scan in January this year revealed that the tumour had begun to grow again. As a family we were devastated by this news but Josie is being very brave and positive about her future. She has not let her diagnosis interfere with her life and continues to fill every spare moment between her studying with activities she enjoys, especially climbing and windsurfing. She is due to undergo surgery again in June this year and has been warned that she may not be as physically able as before. One thing that she has wanted to do but has not had time to fit in is to walk the coast of Cornwall so I am planning to don my walking boots and attempt to walk the north coast in July from just East of Bude to Land's End, a distance of 127.75 miles. Who knows, if I make it I might even continue on along the south coast back to the Tamar!

I would be extremely grateful for any sponsorship you can offer in aid of SDRT Astrofund. Josie's original diagnosis came as a great shock to us and funding for research into possible causes and treatment for gliomas might prevent other families going through what we are suffering. Please support me in my efforts. 

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Samantha Dickson Research Trust (Astro Fund) will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.