In April, I will metaphorically be embracing the fresh air and spring sunshine to walk 100km across the month with *my furry friend in aid of Cure Parkinson's. I am doing this to raise funds for ground-breaking research into treatments that could slow, stop, or even reverse the Parkinson's which has necessitated *my borrowing of my sister, Celia, and her dog, Tansy, to do the 100km of walking while I manage the admin. It seems the best division of labour for the three of us. Celia and Tansy will be walking the fells of the Western Lake District (mostly) … in fact Celia will be walking and Tansy will be running, rushing, jumping, weaving around in the kind of of loops only Border Collies can, and diving into rivers and lying down in muddy puddles, and, I would imagine, posing for her trademark ‘Spot the Collie’ photos. I will be on the walk through the month, mostly from the relative comfort my armchair in deepest East Suffolk-by-the-Sea, managing Parky, and posting photos on the way.

Driven to cure, this agile charity funds cutting-edge Parkinson's research and unites the world's leading experts under one cause. Cure Parkinson's can only continue to have this impact with support from people like you. Please donate to help us!! Give in one lump! Or call back every day/week and give a little to spur us on! Or keep an eye on how we’re doing and reward us at the end! But anyway, PLEASE GIVE 🙏🥰

Scroll down for regular updates on how we’re doing and for photos of the gorgeous springtime in the Lakes … and for the long-running Spot the Collie game - we’re starting with a couple of easy ones!

Day 1 walk 1

Celia: 4.62km

Tansy: 5.6km

This is Tansy upright and awake.

Day 1 walk 2

Celia: 2.07k

Tansy: generally she runs a third to half as much as again as C.

Day 1 walk 2. Bit of a problem at the moment. Ms T’s activity tracker is failing to update - changed its battery but no success!!! Will go online to find out what to do!

Day 1 Total km

human: 6.69

canine: NOT KNOWN 😧

<<<<Spot the Collie 1>>>>

Here’s a very easy one to start with :

Day 2

Tansy’s tracker has failed after three years, just when we have need for it! However, a call to the manufacturer resulted in an immediate offer to send another one … at half price because she’s running for charitable purposes. So here’s a shout out for the PitPat Activity Tracker from PitPatPet Ltd:

Proper service will be resumed asap.

Day 3 Good Friday

Walks were done. Tracker arrived!

Day 4 Easter Saturday

Tansy is recording her steps and distances again, and the daffodils are looking Eastery!

and Celia can track her accumulated kilometres which makes my admin job easier.

And here’s another easy Spot the Collie:

Day 5 Easter Sunday

Photos of a day which combined sunshine and hailstones. Spot the Collie clue: there’s no Collie in the second pic!

Total km so far: