Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  Scroll to the end for an updated "blog" on the 100 mile walk.

For our next challenge, my son and I are embarking on a 100 mile hike around South Somerset.  He is raising money from sponsorship towards his trip to the World Scout Jamboree but as I have to accompany him on the walk (he is only 13) I thought I may as well do some good.

I was treated by the good people in the Plastic Surgery Department at Frenchay Hospital last month for an injury I suffered to my right hand after an argument with a barbecue.  So I figured why not do something for them.  The good cause I have chosen is a brilliant one - if those kids and their families can face life with such vivacity after what they have been through then my little injury and the challenge of the walk is a piece of cake!

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100 Mile Walk Day 1 - Oct 24th

Did 19 miles from Milborne Port to Castle Cary via Wincanton.  Blister count = 1 large and 1 small on right foot.  Everything else OK.  Final 3 miles were mostly uphill.  Torture.  Looking forward to tomorrow and the stretch to Langport from Cary - another 20 miles.

Day 2 Oct 25th

Only made it as far as Somerton (15 miles) today due to a combination of a later than ideal start and James ankles becoming sore.  There is still a long way to go so felt it best too be safe, terrain pretty boring today and the villages/towns we came through were deserted.  Where are all the people?  One nice lady in Keinton Mandeville saw the t-shirt and gave us a donation.  Tomorrow looks like rain dear (old panto joke!).  Blister count = 3 (there is no plaster big enough for the one on the right heel).

Day 3 Oct 26th

Starting at Langport, followed the River Parrett Trail down to Kingsbury Episcopi and thence to South Petherton, in driving rain and wind most of the way!  Did 11 miles before stopping for lunch and a dry out at a pub.  Afternoon it was drier and did 9 miles to Ilminster.  Should have been less but Brian could not tell the difference between Dillington, Dinnington and Chillington on the map!  Not popular.  Blister count = 4 (including painful one on the little toe).

Day 4 Oct 27th

Started just outside the aforementioned Dinnington and went east through Hinton St George to Merriott.  Then we went back on the RP Trail to Norton-sub-Hamdon, over Ham Hill via Stoke-sub-Hamdon and into Yeovil via Montacute and Odcombe.  Had a nice chat with Pete and Elize from BBC Radio Somerset, great people.  Distance today was around 16 miles but am claiming 15, lots of clawing mud on the boots from the field elements.  Sent James into a shop for some lunch supplies and he came out with two packets of wine gums, a Mars bar and Twix (other chocolate bars are available), a flapjack and some "Bobbys" chocolate turkish delight.  Jamie Oliver eat your heart out.  Even ready steady cook couldn;t do anything with that lot.  Blister count = 5.  Local shops running low on plasters.  HELP!

Day 5

Doubled-back and went from Montacute to Sherborne via the Cokers and Bradford Abbas (16 miles).  So total is now 85 all together.  It was tough going today as if it wasn't hills then it was fastish road or rat-runs.  The closer we got to Yeovil and Shernorne the more litter we came across.  Depressing.  Even an old microwave in a hedge.  That's biodegradeable isn't it?  Enjoyed a quick lunch in The Rose and Crown in Bradford Abbas, plus being entertained by Charlie the spaniel.  He has a good grasp of the English language, especially Guiness!  Power walked through Sherborne with people obviously reading our T-shirts and then quickly looking away when they realised it might involve parting with cash.  Only tomorrow to go and the last yomp home via South Cadbury.  Blister count = still 5

Day 6 - Homeward bound

From the centre of Sherborne to Woolston via a meandering route through the villages and hills around Corton Denham, Sutton Montis, Sandford Orcas, Weston Bampfylde, Sparkford and North Cadbury. I sit here after two glasses of rather good Champagne trying to think of a highlight.  Met a nice lady outside Sherborne who promised to support on-line and a London couple with their children who said they would do similar.  How they reminded me of myself 13 years ago.  The final couple of hours was just about doing the six miles from Sutton Montis that would take us to the ton - the finale being overtaken by our support team (my beautiful wife and younger sons) whilst less than 1/4 mile from home and listening to the theme from Rocky on James' MP3 player whilst striding up the lane towards the finish.  Magic, magic feeling.  Well done James, you did me proud - hope I made you proud too?  Blister count = haven't looked yet!