Many years ago my father was invited to Buckingham Palace as a special guest at the presentation of DofE Gold Awards. I remember my parents dressing up and getting ready to go. I even remember the special parking pass they had to put in the car's windscreen so that they could park on arrival. As a teenager who loved doing stuff outdoors, you might have thought that I would have been inspired. Intrigued yes, but DofE wasn't a big thing at my school; rugby was and so that's where most of my time went. It didn't stop me planning adventures; perhaps I could walk the Cornish Coast or Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast. In the end I did walk part (but not all) of the Cornish Coast (during my first year at university). And just after I graduated I completed the Coast-to-Coast walking from Robin Hood's Bay to St. Bees (the wrong direction, I know) but with a favourite aunt in St. Bees and the prospect of a hot bath at the end, it seemed the better way round to do the walk.

And now I am a headmaster. I have been for almost 18 years and during this, my last year, it's time to take on a new challenge, something original. Truro School has always been one of the leading DofE schools in the country. Here at the Prep, where I'm head, we've often hosted groups undertaking their bronze awards, camping on our field or undertaking their community service. We have even instituted our diploma award at the prep, which requires the pupils to undertake annual walks, some community work, complete a First Aid course and cook at two course meal; inspired in part by the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. 

So, walking from the northern most point of Cornwall (near Hartland Point) to the southern most point on the Lizard seems the right challenge for me. I'll try and take in some high points on the way; Brown Willy, St Agnes Beacon and Carn Brea. And maybe I'll take my dog, Mia, who loves a good walk. But I will report on my progress as I go. Oh, and at this point in time I am planning to do the walk in the Easter Holiday.