All done

Back home now having completed the walk at 2pm yesterday. It has been a wonderful 9 days seeing tremendous scenery and enjoying almost every moment of the the way. Hopefully looking at well in excess of £4k so a serious amount of money raised too. I felt quite emotional approaching the line with my youngest, Sam who walked the last day and a half ,with the bride Cheryl, my mother and stepdaughter Bekah waiting. I also managed to phone Lou shortly after completing the walk and my first glass of champers!

Thanks to everyone who has helped me both in terms of sponsorship and messages of support and of course Cheryl especially for logistical, mental and emotional back up. The right knee is knackered and somewhat swollen and my left toe is still a bit messy but physically it was generally ok and a small sacrifice compared to what Lou goes through on an almost daily basis.

Cheryl did ask where next...... we haven't spoken since!! All I can say is it might be a while but if anybody is thinking of a long distance walk the Cleveland Way is a magnificent starter.

More later....or maybe not

Day whatever it is complete, must be 7 because only two to go. Vital stats now at blisters 3, knackered knees 1, miles to go 25, pints consumed several.

Today was the first part of the route I know but it didn't stop me appreciating its wonderful beauty. Sunny sky, blue seas, gale force winds trying to blow me off the cliffs.... Marvellous.

Had to revise campsite due to wind but am now settled and sheltered.

Oops need milk will send more later*

*note from Cheryl - nothing arrived so far, suspect the search for milk became a search for other liquid refreshment ;-)

What can go wrong??

What can go wrong? Well it started raining just as the washing was dry and then not one but two zips on the tent broke. Thankfully the absence of further rain or wind meant I got through the night ok aided by temp repairs and several beers.



Managed to fix one zip this morning and purchased needle & thread to sew the other this afternoon, not the neatest nor perfect solution but we are functional although as I sit overlooking whitby harbour it is bouncing down.

A much shorter day using the spare day which is just as well as the left foot blister count is up to three and the little toe is a mess. I don't have the prettiest feet at the best of times but the appearance is not improving... Still at least they are big!

Walked to Whitby only and will shortly sort out a piece of cod with my name on it before watching Manure on Sky.... Apparently they won the league at the weekend... At least satan's lot have to play in the div 3 playoffs...c'mon Yeovil.

Anyway enough footy, I am my favourite place and food and beer are calling.

Day 5 - Slapewath to Runswick Bay

The day I had been dreading in terms of mileage but I had a really good walk which is amazing considering the start. I have two knackered discs at the base of my back and every now and then they flare up. Of course it had to happen today so imagine the scene of me taking the tent down and packing the rucksack on hands and knees. I was literally having to throw plasters at my blisters because I couldn't reach my toes.

Anyway was packed and upright by 8.10am and amazingly the pressure and heat generated by the pack helped and the pain eased.

I eventually hit the coast about ten, had the obligatory stroll on the pier [don't get the bride started on my love of piers.... Sad b... Is the sum of it].



Then it was off on the 52 miles to Filey - all by the sea.

The first part has spectacular cliffs and some fascinating industrial heritage.. Code for ugly bits. Had a late lunch in the cod & lobster at staithes where the lovely Sarah & Carol both offered sponsorship,, and no bride I didn't even register that they were blond, curvy etc... Just read my map!

Arrived at Runswick bay in good time and fine fettle for once. Lovely site, god pub nearby and somewhere to wash some clothes. What can go wrong.

Tea and sympathy - day 4

Despite walking like I had just got off my horse last night I didn't feel too bad this morning. After the milk fiasco I was bailed out by my neighbour who not only provided the milk but made the tea too... Top man and brave too as he was camping with his neice and grand daughter , plus he sponsored me, hope you got home ok and it was a pleasure to meet you Keith.

After a lengthy chat with the farmer about the lambs, two of which were born in the next field overnight, I was on my way by 9.10am to cover the last section of moors including the mini matterhorn Roseberry Topping. This is a very steep distinctive peak that seriously hurt with the weight on my back. The local primary school fundraisers had set up a tent/cafe serving tea etc which was welcome apart from the obligatory red faced colonel type drumming up custom. He of course had to comment on my puffing. I managed to restrain from asking him to fornicate elsewhere.... Just.

The rest of the walk to Slapewath was mainly through forestry commision land which was ok but again hard on the feet. Only one full blister but lots of pain due to the cast iron surface. Apparently there has hardly been any rain this year and you can see the evidence.

Tomorrow I begin the coastal path. Had a few glimpses since yesterday but looking forward to hearing the crash of waves. For now a hot shower beckons and then joining up with the local hunt for the evening.[think about it]*

*note from Cheryl - a pub called 'The Fox and Hounds' in case you couldn't work it out either...

Day three

Apparently today's section is the most strenuous of the whole walk so sensibly I end doing two days! 21 miles and do I know it, first blister, sore knees and yes mark from the lion my chuffin feet kill.

After last night when Paul aka lightweight crashed during tea we both had an early night [very seperately I might add] with the consequence we up before 7am and I was walking by 8am.

A cool and blustery morning over quite stunning countryside saw me reach the lunch stop by 11am. Not to be deterred I had breakfast bap and a lunchtime glass... Sorry its imperative to maintain a constant diet.

The next miles were killers up and down but I continued to make excellent progress. At 11 miles I had the choice of 2 miles off route as planned or anither 10 to the next nights stop. Chose the latter and do I know about it now. Although relatively flat the wind knocked hell out of me making me stagger like old lightweight last night.

Eventually I reached Kildale only to find the shop shut. At least Lou and Andy were meeting me so I could ask them to get some milk which they did and have just driven off taking it with them... Doh.

Anyway we had a great meal, proper roast dinner and a couple of beers. Lou is doing ok although she has had a tough day although Andy did have the joys of his family last night. A picture from today of me and Lou attatched.

Tomorrow is shorter but today has given me some slack later in the week.. I may well need it.

Day two...and the IT is working!!!

A second quality days walking although the feet, back and knees ache. After my walking partner of yesterday Keri dressed for the occasion in shiny white trainers, jeans and carrying his roll ups today we had paul who confessed that if he didn't cover his head in the sun, naked he looks like a match !!

Back to the walk, the above clearly illustrates my attractiveness as a walking partner. Yesterday was a steady climb to hambleton through a very gentle rolling landscape while today has seen a huge variety, hills, views, moorland and a couple of naughty climbs just when we thought we were nearly there at osmotherly.

Campsite is great tonight with wonderful and needed showers.last night had a great pub but no facilities..... not so good so don't go there. Even better this afternoon the sun has come out so have given the man breasts an outing... Good thing cheryl was at home pining.

Booked in for a meal tonight at caths [queen caths hotel] where being the finely honed athlete I am I shall restrict myself to lager shandy and j2o...

Tomorrow sees allegedly the most strenuous day and at the mo the body is having a bit of a chunter so we shall see how we progress. Mind you I am convinced I have gone deaf... Every time I pick up my pint I do so in silence?

Sorry for the missing contrib yesterday, spent half an hour typing it only for it not to be received...damm technology.

Anyway cath is waiting,subject to my IT skills will post tomorrow....

Finally under way....

Cheryl posting here for John; he was going to email through his thoughts on day one, but nothing has arrived so far - I suspect the lure of a roaring fire, somewhere to rest his weary legs, and a few pints (but not necessarily in that order) may have won the day.

Keri joined John today for the first leg of the journey, and thanks to him for sending through the photos which will hopefully appear if I can work out how to do this.

They made excellent progress - so fast in fact that the pub in whose beer garden John is spending the night (bet thats not the first time he's done that...) was closed. A bit of a detour ensured that dehydration didnt set in apparently.

More from the man himself tomorrow....

In the meantime, some pics of today, cant tell you where they were all taken exactly, but presumably somewhere between Helmsely and and The Hambleton Inn. The first one below is definitely the start, cos I was there!

The day has arrived

Well thats it, no way out now. the Rucksack is packed absolutely to the brim, it weighs 16kg which in other words is a chuffin lot and I shall be leaving shortly. I'm quite nervous really which has surprised me but then the fact that I know the next 9 days are going to be really hard work is the reason.

the sponsorship has gone really well with over £3500 to date which when the gift aid is added on means I shall raise over £4k... all I have to do now is get round. Thanks to everyone that has contributed it means so much to me to be able to help Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Anyway assuming the technology works the next posting will be after the end of day from a tent high on the North York Moors. Waheeeyy!!

Better news

Well not for me cos I keep blundering along the old painful trying to get fit versus beer consumption route but lou has got up to 9 stone in weight. For those attending fat club etc this may not seem a great achievement but I am seriously (tears in the eyes bollox) chuffed. Lou is still going through the chemo including the ice cap treatment which apparently helps preserve the hair but in reality gives you an ice cream headache and spikey hair like something out of the Iceage movie. talking of which I feel a bit like that rodent pushing his chuffing walnut around at the moment...

Anyway.... need to keep pursuing those that are yet to sponsor me and continue to ramp up the training. The bride is failing to appreciate the massive hours I need to spend refereeing for purely fitness reasons but these are the personal sacrifices us finely (hugely potentially) honed atheletes need to make.

Training has to get serious now

Now down to only six weeks to go so I am trying to up the training. I managed to get up early monday and tuesday and do 6 & 4 miles respectively before work and then reffed Tuesday night, ran the line Wednesday night and did bog all Thursday.

Today has been the first day out with almost a full pack and boy do the legs know it tonight. I went over to the Staffordshire border and did a bit of a 12 mile up & downer complete with pack. Great countryside, wonderful weather for the most but hell fire the climbs take it out of the legs. I was OK on the flat and in retrospect overall managed but the difference is noticeable. Coupled with the route guide I was using referring to paths bifurcating which is the sort of term that would get the internet police (otherwise known as geeks) on your case at work I was not having a good day.

Even lunchtime got politically correct. Me "what lager do you have?" Landlord " Numpty's and grolsch", Me "what was the first one again?"... landlord "Numptys its a real ale joke about Carling". Jeez only wanted to drink the stuff not have attend church for a sermon on the evils of non living organisms as you drink them. Basically it goes down the same orifice, emerges in a similar state and dependant on the alcohol content has the same effect...... mind you then he told me he was a Port fail fan so enuff said...

Anyway lessons learnt today about how to pack the rucksack, proper breakfasts are required and it is going to be tough. Only (?) three games to ref this weekend but the key thing is to get used to the pack all the time now. Better go and re-hydrate now with some more non pc fizzy stuff.

Onward ever onward

Now down to less than seven weeks till the start of the event and I am at last beginning to up the exercise. Friday saw me out and about above Curbar and Froggatt in a ten mile walk with a decent pack on the back probably two thirds of actual weight. My walking pace did not seem hindered but it was a walk without significant climbs. Mind you it was blowing a gale and there was not a lot of cover on the moors so I still had to work fairly hard. Managed the obligatory lunchtime break... you have to keep in training you know.

Friday evening saw me running the line in the Matlock & District junior cup final with Sam my youngest on the other line. Gentle evening out with just the two sendings off and some kind gentleman offering to place my flag up a narrow opening of a sensitive nature. Mind you the ex wife threatened the same thing today..... strange breed are ex wives!

The rest of the weekend involved two more matches and on both occasions despite horrendous weather conditions (gale force winds yesterday and hail today) I felt in good nick. The back and knees may be knackered but the engine seems to be improving. I am trying to start getting up early and doing a few miles each morning if for nothing else to keep the dog happy. Meg (our golden lab) had to go to hydrotherapy for her damaged elbows .......don't even think of asking..... and when I went out with my boots and rucksack she sat sobbing by the front door for hours.

Anyway the plan is to get up and out about 6am, do a few miles with a decent pack on. Mind you come the morning with snow forecast the option of another hour in bed may prove highly alluring.

Fundraising is up to £2456 so approaching the 2nd target. I am hopeful of really pushing on now so will no doubt revise the target upwards this week.

Bloody Win Hill

Well at least the training is finally up and running, well walking actually even when I supposed to be running. I managed to get three games in at the weekend despite yet more rain and the usual predictions of drought conditions during the summer. We are usually losing matches to frost if anything but I can't believe how wet and seriously heavy all the pitches are. When I used to play I was nicknamed the camel for my running (ambling) style so my sprinting (hah) through the middle gets severely hampered... have you ever seen a camel run in mud?

More importantly for the walk I have taken a weeks holiday with the intention of doing at five days consecutive walking. had a fantastic if somewhat tiring day yesterday. I went up to Castleton and walked a circuit from the town, up the Limestone way(see above), round over Mam Tor along the ridge (below) over Lose Hill (thats the pointy hill at the bottom) and then down to the Cheshire Cheese pub at Hope. Marvellous pub, bowl of beef stew and a couple of pints later I decide to take the short route up Win Hill because I am feeling a little tired but needing a few more miles.


I would attribute it to the beer but unfortunately it was probably my lack of map reading skills. The short route basically goes straight up, no passing go, collecting £200 or any of that just straight up. Fortunately halfway up the mobile rings. Seeking any justification for a rest I answer and have a surreal conversation with HR from work with me doing a dirty phone call impersonation... lots of heavy breathing... and them offering me a job and a salary. Carrying on for another ten yards I meet a lovely Belgian lady called Lutje who kindly informs me how much easier the other route is. Lutje walks these hills most Mondays on her day off and looked considerably fitter than I was feeling. Anyway we chatter about my walk and she sponsors me there and then. As I say lovely lady.

Running out of excuses I stagger on to the top and then back down the longer and gentle bridleway..doh! Finally get back to Castleton having had to lift 5 stone of dog over about ten stiles on the last section, just what I needed. I reckoon it was between 12 and 14 miles so it will be interesting how I react today. Certainly the dog was knackered and limping last night.

I would of course have photos of my nemesis i.e. bloody Win Hill but the moral of the story is don't buy cheap batteries for the camera.

Planning, Running, crashing

An eventful day today after a fair few active days. After losing match after match I managed to ref three games on Saturday with the result I could barely walk saturday night. My writing hand was certainly stiff after 22 grown men spent most of the afternoon kicking lumps out of one another. Happily I recovered sufficiently to ref the local veterans match on the Sunday where 22 grown men wanted to kick lumps out of one another but were too slow to catch their opponents.

Reffed again on Tuesday night where it was -4 by the time we finished and the astroturf was freezing. And even played 5 a side last night. Did my usual headless chicken running around act, what the others don't realise is I have to do several laps to get up to what speed I have got. thought I was going to die afterwards so had a few pints on the basis that at least I would die happy.

For once the forecasters got it right and we were treated to a shed load of snow. Conscientously I relied on our council to clear the major roads (which they did well as usual) so all I had to do was get down the narrow lanes to a major road without mishap and I could get to the office. Without mishap was the only problem though so I now have a broken car residing in a pub car park after sliding into a large kerb. Not good. Cheryl was of course sympathetic and understanding.. " I knew you would come back with bits of car missing"

Looking on the bright side trudging back from Matlock in the snow was good exercise and I will now be acclimatised if it snows in May!

Fundraising has picked up again with two of the campsites sponsoring me (thanks to hambleton Inn and to Hooks House Farm @ Robin Hoods Bay). I feel obligated to consume several fine ales at Hambleton now!! Fired out countless e-mails today so hopefully I can push on further.

Amazingly the planning aspect has also made some progress. Most of the campsites have now been booked so the itinery looks like this

Day 1 (Friday 4th) Helmsley to Sutton bank 10 miles
Day 2 (Saturday) Sutton Bank to Osmotherley 12 miles
Day 3 (Sunday) Osmotherley to Carlton Bank 8 miles
Day 4 (Monday) Carlton Bank to Kildale 13 miles
Day 5 (Tuesday) Kildale to Slapewath 11 miles
Day 6 (Wednesday) Slapewath to Runswick Bay 17 miles
Day 7 (Thursday) Runswick Bay to Robin Hoods Bay 15 miles
Day 8 (Friday) Robin Hoods Bay to Scarborough 14 miles
Day 9 (Saturday) Scarborough to Filey 10 miles

I did try and juggle a bit but I am constrained by campsite locations and not wanting to go out too hard too early as advised by others who have done long distance walking. Day 6, 7 & 8 look tough though because the coast path can be very demanding. Still looking forward to it and hopefully the rotundness may have diminished a bit more by then.

First corporate sponsor

My good friends at S & A Parsons, a company I have been advising, supporting and generally working with for the past ten years have kindly agreed to sponsor me to the tune of £2 per mile. Parsons are one of the joys of the work I do in that they are a family firm with a top bloke for an MD but the sort of company you really want to succeed. Don't tell Howard (Parsons the MD) but it is enjoyable just visiting. He thinks I purely do it for the money!!

Training has commenced with getting back to reffing duties last night. Bloody cold mind you not aided by forgetting the trackie botttoms and trying to supervise neanderthalls kicking lumps out of one another in a "quaint" suburb of Chesterfield. Tonight sees me lumbering round a five a side pitch in the pursuit of the ultimate goal... well a half decent shot on target would do. No doubt will have large chunks of my ankles assaulted in the name of fun but then I cannot always claim the greatest subtlety in my approach.

Now up to £1400 so have upgraded the target to £2500 which would pay fopr an hours support of all the Marie Curie nurses in the country which is not a bad aim I feel.

Training regime begins

Well sort of anyway. Reffed a game this morning (Sams the wuss got injured and carried off) and did lots of powering through the middle and sprinting into corners... which is supposed to make you look good to assessors, mind you so is taking shorter steps to look like you are running faster but sod that for a game of soldiers. Also started to cut the old alco units down and doing more wine less beer which is surely above and beyond the call of duty. Reffing for 2 and 1/2 hours on tuesday, playing 5 a side wednesday and reffing four games next weekend so hopefully some improvement may begin to show... scales time in the morning mind. I was 15stone 5lb last Monday aargh!! yfb to all football fans.

Progress

Well the donations and pledges are going well now up to £1140 while the training is not. Had hoped to be a vision in black nylon pounding along the line at Eastwood Town this evening but the weather ruled that one out. However with 14 weeks tomorrow to go there is still time. Cheryl keeps suggesting stupid and allegedly helpful ideas like walking the dogs and drinking less but I have thus far resisted. However exercise beckons with two games planned for Sunday and a more favourable weather forecast. Here's hoping.

Must get the campsites booked soon although with snow lying at the moment and only 14 weeks away it does seem a trifle cold even with my layers of insulation. However since the first weekend is a bank holiday I need to press on. There are still lots of people to pressure especially now many have received their first wage since Xmas and the relatives have yet to be harangued. I have made contact with the charity who are sending me a pretty yellow vest for some reason in an extra large size! At least I will be visible.

The start of the idea

I first started thinking about doing something because of my sister Louise's illness last summer when my wife and stepdaughter did the Race for Life. 5km may not seem a long way but for Cheryl who hadn't run since her school days (and on the day it was 34c in Cambridge) it was a massive achievement and one which made me hugely proud. Here's them crossing the line (they are the two with the hands in the air). The day was hugely emotional for me with 10,000 women running for Cancer research and many emotive messages on display, Cheryl's is here.



I have to confess I shed a few tears when Cheryl and Bekah were out in the countryside while nursing a cold beer (pure consolation of course). I think it was at that point that I decided I had to undertake some sort of challenge and since then I have considered many options without being able to decide on exactly what I would like to do. Finally I went for something that would be a challenge physically but also be rewarding and hugely enjoyable and that is to walk the Cleveland way.



A bit about my sister. Just over 3 years ago Louise was diagnosed with breast Cancer. She immediately underwent a programme of chemotherapy, and then had a mastectomy and radiotherapy. It didn’t work and subsequently she was diagnosed with secondaries. Louise now acknowledges that she will not be cured but we continue to hope it can be controlled. I have been down to visit Lou these last few days and built her a patio as her birthday present. The fact that Louise recognises that she will no longer be able to tend her garden as she used to is indicative of the stage she is at but the conservatory and patio will at least enable her to see the outside world and on better days be outside (thank you global warming). Here's us with our respective dogs on the newly laid patio... no comments please on the development of my pregnancy.

Louise's latest batch of chemotherapy has not worked and her liver is now being affected by the cancer. Consequently having tried in the words of her consultant "all the good drugs" Lou will have to suffer chemo drugs with the greater side effects. This starts on Wednesday for the next eighteen weeks in six three week cycles. We hope it will arrest the growth but its going to be yet another tough time for Louise and Andy. Here's hoping.