Many of you may be aware that I have signed up to walk “Coast to Coast” in May 2012. Starting at St Bees on the West coast of England I shall be walking a total of 191 miles to Robins Hood Bay on the East coast ……. With my feet and many ailments, a daunting task!! 

I am committed to raising as much money as possible for David Lewis. Our daughter has attended this outstanding school for children with severe disabilities for a number of years so I have personally seen what the dedication and commitment can achieve with these children. The school is currently in desperate need of specialist bikes costing in the region of £3,000 each. These bikes help the children in a number of ways - coordination, and physiotherapy to name but two. Please help me in raising as much money as possible for this exceptional place called David Lewis, help to give these children a brighter future.

I will be giving a regular update on my training process so please come back and check on my progress ……. A giggle if nothing else!!

January 2012

Who's idea was this! in the first week of Jan only managed 15 miles and 1 fitness training session.

Booking a 14 mile high exposure Lake District walk (with guide) for 16/2/12 near Ennerdale Water.

Off to the Far East for 2 weeks so no more updates till February!!

Februry

On the 16 February I went on a 14 mile training walk above Ennerdale Water in the Lake District. I booked this in the comfort of my office and in one of the mildest of Januaries on record. Well we had rain, sleet, snow, wind and sunshine!

March

On the 25 March it was decided to do the Yorkshire 3 Peaks as part of my training. 24 mile over 3 peaks and the aim is to do it in 12 hours or under. My godson and I carried out this feat. He had done it before in 8 hours this time it was 11 hours 55 minutes. It was a very hot day and to say it stretched me was an understatement! See the photos

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

 

May

The night before the journey begins! Tomorrow I will catch 3 trains to St Bees on the west coast of England and on Thursday it all begins. The weather is due to do what it does best in the Lake District, rain, rain and rain. Paramo’s at the ready there will be no stopping me!!!!

 May 15th

I'm half way there!  A brief summary of my progress so far is:

St Bees to Ennerdale- Wet and very windy

Ennerdale to Rothswaite - Wet, windy snow !

Rothswaite to Grasmere - no rain, but boggy

Grasmere to Patterdale - wind, wind, more wind

Grasmere to Shap - Wind, rain, sleet, low cloud - thank goodness the GPS works!

Shap to Kirkby Stephen - Cold, boggy but mainly dry.  Martin Greenshields my walking companion from pervious walks set off from KS to meet me but we missed each other - never trust an accountant to organise anything!

I'm in good shape and looking forward to the second half, which is pretty flat by comparison.  Robin Hood's Bay, here I come!

 May 22nd - Robin Hoods Bay - Finished  !!!!!!

 After 2 weeks of every element known to man I have finished.  Many thanks to all of you who donated.

Now going home to plan my next long walk.