James Denny
James's Canal Caper
Fundraising for Families of Ocean Ward
Story
Tuesday April 5th to Wednesday April 13th, 2016
Unfortunately I have had to give up on my long-held wish to skydive on Louis’ behalf for a number of reasons. Despite what some of you have said (hopefully jokingly lol) I have always wanted to do it, but for one thing I don’t feel my fitness is up to it.
Unfortunately I have had to give up on my long-held wish to skydive on Louis’ behalf for a number of reasons. Despite what some of you have said (hopefully jokingly lol) I have always wanted to do it, but for one thing I don’t feel my fitness is up to it.
So, it’s out of the frying pan and
into the fire instead, as I’ve decided to do a Morris Dance from Bath to
Croydon, along the Kennet & Avon Canal (via the Berks & Hants line, for
those of you know the GW area), River Thames and River Wandle, finishing up in Waddon
Ponds, the last place I visited with my late mother, so I’ll have
somewhere special to aim for.
This will consist of 9 days’
dancing, covering 152+ miles at an average of just over 5 and a half hours’
dancing per day. Along the way I hope to be joined by my own three regular sides
and many others along the route with whom I have performed in the past. And as
if this challenge isn’t enough, I also hope to play music whilst dancing
for a short period each day (though I make no promises!!!). Although it’s
fair to say this is more of a physical challenge than a skydive, the worst I
can do if my fitness fails me in this case is fall over!
All of you who have sponsored me for the ‘chute
jump via Just Giving, your money has already been donated through Just Giving
to the charity. Those who donated in person, or pledged via the form, your
money is safe and will be transferred to this new endeavour. Anyone at all who
wishes to add to the sponsorship, I will have a new set of forms soon and the
Just Giving page is https://www.justgiving.com/canal-caper/
The charity I’m raising money for
is Families of Ocean Ward (www.oceanward.co.uk), an
extremely worthy charity who look after families of children with heart
conditions.
Please can I ask you to forward this
email far and wide – the more support I get, the more likely I will be to
make the finish!!! And of course anyone who wants to join me, be it for the
full trek, a day or an hour, will be more than welcome. I’ll also need
plenty of help with things like logistics, such as driving, playing music,
carrying kit etc and would be very grateful to anyone who felt able to offer their
assistance.
For interest, the initial intended route
is as follows, and (subject to training and fitness) I intend to do it either
this autumn or next spring. I’ll update with a date as soon as I can!
Day 1:
Bath Bottom Lock to Devizes Bottom Lock via
Dundas Aqueduct, Bradford Lock (lunch) and Semington Top Lock. 19.7 miles / 06:34
hours dancing
Day 2: Devizes Bottom Lock to
Great Bedwyn
Church via Horton
Bridge ,
Pewsey Wharf
(lunch) and Savernake Tunnel. 22.6 miles / 07:32 hours dancing
Day 3:
Great Bedwyn
Church to Newbury Lock
via Hungerford Lock, Kintbury Lock (lunch) and Benham Lock. 14.3 miles / 04:46
hours dancing
Day 4: Newbury Lock to Burghfield Lock via
Colthrop Lock, Ufton
Bridge (lunch) and
Shenfield Lock. 14.5 miles / 04:50 hours dancing
Day 5: Burghfield Lock to Westfield Farm
Moorings via River Thames, Shiplake Railway Br (lunch) and
Henley Bridge.
17.15625 miles / 05:43 hours dancing
Day 6: Westfield
Farm Moorings to Bells of Ouseley Pub via Bourne End Railway Br,
Maidenhead
Bridge (lunch) and Windsor Racecourse. 21.78125
miles / 07:15 hours dancing
Day 7: Bells of Ouseley Pub to Kingston
Bridge via Staines Railway Br, Shepperton Lock (lunch) and Hampton Court Br. 17.90625
miles / 05:58 hours dancing
Day 8: Kingston
Bridge to Earlsfield via Teddington
Lock, Kew Railway
Bridge (lunch) and Thames
- Wandle Jn. 17.0125 miles / 05:40 hours dancing
Day 9: Earlsfield to Waddon Ponds via
Merton Abbey Mills and Carshalton Ponds (lunch). End. 7.65 miles / 02:33 hours
dancing