I have wanted to do a long distance canal walk for some time, but two things encouraged me to actually do it:

Firstly it was a bit of a joke that got out of hand! You see, I have a daughter who lives in London and I have been very unlucky with train services when travelling to see her. Last time I caught the train after work to take her out on her birthday but due to 2 hours delay I could only grab a quick pizza with her before having to catch my train home. Yet throughout the many delays I could always spot lovely stretches of the Grand Union Canal near the tracks – reminding me of a less hurried era when it took a week to get to London. I've joked to my daughter “next time I’m walking down to see you”. 

Secondly, earlier that year I had been talking to Jo and Robbie Brough about raising money for an anti bullying charity in Erdington that they had been involved with that did great work with children who are going through very traumatic circumstances. Robbie Brough, a Spice Member for over 20 years, died in June 2017. He was a thoroughly decent and lovely man who added greatly to the life of our group. It therefore seemed appropriate to do the walk in memory of Robbie and for that charity.
UPDATE: As that anti bullying charity has recently closed, I have agreed with the Brough family that I will raise money instead for BBC Children in Need, which supports a number of these types of charities.

The Grand Union Main Line is the longest canal in the UK, Some 137 miles. So I am taking it at a gentle 20 miles a day over a week. I am doing the walk alone and carrying all my kit. However, I would love it if any Spice Members want to walk with me for short stretches or perhaps link up with me in the evenings (anyone with physiotherapy or podiatry skills would be a particularly welcome drinking partner!) I will be staying in B&B’s/ Hotels and will publish my schedule nearer the time.

I will set off on Thurday 12th July at 10am from the start of the canal which is at Proof House Junction, beside Birmingham Proof House and Typhoo Wharf (where the tea came daily by narrowboat, having been unloaded from the tea clippers at the London ports). From there, it will be something like this, God willing!:

Day 1: Birmingham to Warwick/ Hatton (Ev Premier Inn Warwick)
Day 2: Warwick/ Hatton to Daventry/ Flecknoe (Ev Mercure Daventry)
Day 3: Daventry/ Flecknoe to Blisworth (Ev Walnut Tree Inn)
Day 4: Blissworth to Fenny Stratford (Ev Premier Inn, MK South)
Day 5: Fenny Stratford to Tring (Ev Pendley Manor Hotel)
Day 6: Tring to Harefield (Ev Denham Grove Hotel)
Day 7: Harefield to Thames at Brentford. Meal & train home.

I will fund all the expenses of the trip so that any money donated is guaranteed to go to the charity in full.