Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. As most of you know, my Mum died from cancer last year just before her 90th birthday, having only been ill with cancer for seven weeks. Although there was not much time for Macmillan Cancer Support to get involved, they were there as soon as the referral was made. Their involvement provided a great support to me and all who were involved in her care.

Unfortunately our family has been touched too much by cancer in recent years and I felt I wanted to support Macmillan Cancer Support and mark Mum's birthday on 6th September. I plan to walk the 102 miles of the Macmillan Way West starting from Castle Cary in Somerset on Friday 30th August and finishing in Barnstaple in North Devon on Friday 6th September. The walk goes across the Somerset Levels, the Quantocks and Exmoor.

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Please support this worthwhile cause because you never know when your family may be affected by cancer.

Thank you, Janice

Below the walk as it happened:

Walking the Macmillan Way West

Day 1 – Thursday 29 August 2013

 

I needed to get to start of walk so walked half mile to Barnstaple Station and caught the train to Castle Cary Station. On the one & a half mile walk into Castle Cary I met the Assistant Head from Send First School where I am a governor. It’s a small world! Walked to Douglas Macmillan's house - the founder of Macmillan Cancer Relief's home is where the MWW path starts.

 

Day 2 – Friday 30 August – Castle Cary to Somerton

 

First day of my campaign – cloudy but very humid until late afternoon when the sun came out. First day was much more difficult than I had expected! Waymarking on MWW was often not good & I ended up on the main Macmillan Way path going back into Castle Cary! Quite a few of the stiles were totally impassable & gates were very awkward & heavy to open. Ended up having to cross fields where the height of the grass or ploughed fields obliterated any sign of a footpath & hardened tracks were difficult to walk on. Lost the footpath a couple of times & other footpaths just disappeared so ended up doing an extra 5 miles! Not a good start to a long distance walk.

17.89 miles completed.

 

Day 3 – Saturday 31 August – Somerton to Burrowbridge

 

Path was much easier to find today across the Somerset Levels so no real mistakes. However broken stiles, brambles & stinging nettles made the going difficult. Even found it hard to find a pub in Langport at lunchtime. Got followed by 2 herds of cows which was a bit off putting! River Parrott Walk was diverted due to flood defence work & the diversion was difficult to walk on.

15.07 miles completed.

 

Day 4 – Sunday 1 September – Burrowbridge to Broomfield

 

Easy morning’s walking and a lot of lanes which meant the pace was quicker. Therefore was able to enjoy a leisurely lunch in North Petherton & enjoy reading the Sunday papers. It was a permanent climb after lunch through King’s Cliff Wood at the start of the Quantocks. Had a pretty river running through which I managed to cross too early! Got back on track, then went up a steep slope which was wrong & added an extra mile.

14.08 miles completed.

 

Day 5 – Monday 2 September – Broomfield to Williton

 

Longest day yet but at least I knew it was going to be. Had to climb up & over the Quantocks and didn’t finish until almost 7pm. Got attacked by brambles again but generally paths were much better. Eastern Quantocks were really lovely with lots of moorland & views of the sea & South Wales. A cooling wind helped with all the climbing.

15.77 miles completed.

 

Day 6 – Tuesday 3 September – Williton to Wootton Courtney

 

I didn’t manage to get away until 9:30 today which wasn’t good when it was going to be another long day. Very humid this morning; hot this afternoon; clear blue sky & hot at 6pm but walking directly into sun! Lots of ups today as I’m now on Exmoor; especially Grabbist Hill out of Dunster & a long windy climb down through spooky woodland to Wootton Courtney. A slow worm crossed my path today. Another cold bath at the end of the day to get rid of the lactic acid – Peter tells me they are good for me! Makes the pints more enjoyable!

15.82 miles completed.

 

Day 7 – Wednesday 4 September – Wootton Courtney to Simonsbath

 

It was a long, long climb out of Wootton Courtney to climb to Exmoor’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon. Finally got there 2 & 1/4 hours later. The pain was worth it for the 360 degree views, including South Wales, even though the rucksack felt heavy for the first time. As the climb was first thing in the day, I hadn’t had much chance to drink the 2.5 litres of water I carry every day. I was sitting quietly enjoying the view when a group of D of E pupils arrived. Just after Dunkery, I saw a herd of red deer hiding in the heather with only their heads showing. All the climbing in full sun took longer than expected, so began to worry about being late for my lift but no mobile signal to let them know. Why is it the last section always seems the longest? Started following yellow markers down from the moor but then they disappeared and I had not been looking at the map so it was very confusing. Fortunately the compass & my sense of direction took me down a river valley and into the car park just as my lift was beginning to get concerned about what had happened to me. It was 7pm & I was an hour late so I’m not surprised!

14.13 miles completed.

 

Day 8 – Thursday 5 September – Simonsbath to East Buckland

 

As I climbed back up onto the moor, I saw the route I should have taken yesterday evening. I wasn’t so far out after all. I think I must just slow down at the end of the day! I met some nice guys at Exe Head who gave me £20 for Macmillan. I love being up on the moor with wonderful views but very hot again. Today’s route took me from the wild moor where I saw some tiny frogs in amongst the bogs to gentle river valleys. Lot of fences so I needed to make sure I read the map correctly. Another long day & didn’t finish until 6:45pm but the taxi had just arrived so good timing for once.

16.09 miles completed.

 

Day 9 – Friday 6 September – East Buckland to Barnstaple

 

My Mum’s birthday & Andrew joined me for the last day of the walk. Trust him to choose the easiest day. Had great views of the Taw Estuary, Hartland & Baggy Point. Waymarking and footpaths were much better & the walking was easier. We even managed to be in the pub in Barnstaple by 4pm having completed the final 13 miles. Now just have to walk the final three quarters of a mile back to the flat! 

 

Total walked -  121.85 miles along the Macmillan Way West in 8 days and it had been dry for the whole week’s walking!