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The 300-mile walk is to both raise money for this wonderful hospice who took such good care of our terminally ill family members, and to provide an activity that others going through bereavement will find helpful in dealing with grief. In total, the trek will involve about a dozen of us covering the 300-mile trek the length of Wales climbing all the “high bits”. Additionally we are aiming to be joined by some people living in Wales, with learning disabilities, to help them raise money and enjoy the walks.

WEEK-1 UPDATE:

We have completed week 1 of the Cambrian way – circa 100 miles, very hilly, totalling over 5500 metres of climbing including conquering Pen y Fan from the difficult east side. We met lots of very friendly and informative Welsh people, stayed in a bizarre range of bunkhouses, got soaking wet and quite cold on 3 days and lost some hats and gloves.

What did we find out?

1. That the solitude of being high up with stunning views is both moving and helpful to both reflect and look forward.

2. Getting exhausted each day is strangely relaxing if the food and company in the evening is good.

3. A lot of people appeared to enjoy the Rev Woodley’s daily, hilltop video broadcasts.

4. There are an extraordinary number of very kind people out there, for whom supporting the hospice is important. Thankyou so much for your donations – after week-1 we have passed the £5000 mark.

5. If pressed for the two highlights: the company and support within our small group towards each other and the daily encouragement of seeing all the comments flooding in on this JustGiving page. Two reasons to have faith in human nature.

It would be remiss not to thank our 2 support drivers, Rory and Derek, who not only shepherded us to start points and bunkhouses but also did the shopping and even sometimes cooked for us.

In a few weeks we set off on week 2 through the hills of mid-Wales for another 100 miles and loads of climbing. Can the weather be kinder than in week-1?

We’ll try to be better this time, about posting pictures and updates to this page and to the SHC Facebook, as we progress. So, if you know anyone who would like to add their support to Salisbury Hospice, please point them in the direction of this site or the Salisbury Hospice Charity website: https://www.salisburyhospicecharity.org.uk/

Thanks again for all your support and interest.