Thurs 20th May Both tired after printing T-shirts at 2:30 am! Still packing Campervan when John arrived from Pangbourne but with his help we managed to get on the road by 14:30 and arrived at Millbrook just after 18:00. Good trip down with John driving the camper. Ro making good progress with the broken arm – probably helped by enjoying John’s and my reminiscences about our RAF days in the 60’s! (?) After checking in we finally had an ‘eve of run’ celebratory meal in Swanage. Good food, good company, good weather!
Friday 21st May Leaving the Millbrook guest house in Swanage to get to start of run at South Haven Point. Bob and Lynn (Jones) at Millbrook were very generous in both supporting our cause and giving us a good send-off on top of an excellent breakfast before setting off to South Haven Point. On arrival at start we were amazed to find our good friend Keith, who had travelled all the way from London just to see me finally setting off at 10:30 He stayed with John and Ro until the afternoon – after joining in the welcome for me arriving in Swanage at about 11:45.
All 3 of them had encouraged others to cheer me on and to donate generously to the cause before I continued on my way about 12:15. Weather was quite warm – I ran out of drinking water about ½ hour before my arrival in Kimmeridge Bay at about 15:45. A very enjoyable and relatively easy first day of about 22 miles (in fact because of the Lulworth Army Firing Ranges the next section of the path is closed until 09:00 Saturday.) We then set up camp at a farm site just inland at Steeple where we enjoyed a BBQ , warm evening sunshine and the news that we wouldn’t be charged for our stay! John kindly volunteered to be the first to test the new tent!
Sat May 22nd – Day two of run
Steeple Leaze Campsite refused to let us pay! Brilliant. I then left left Kimmerage Bay 10:00 en route for Lulworth, Weymouth etc. Weather warm and sunny but with cooling breeze on cliff path. John and Ro met me with more water at Lulworth about 11:45 – after a 20min break I continued on my way; team also met me at both Osmington Bay and at Weymouth – excellent support! I finally ended the day about 17:30 at Portland Bill Lighthouse where I had a tremendous reception by all at the outdoor cafe! Today’s mileage about 31 – bringing my average back on the 26 mile daily target. Final surprise was Sam, Neil, Alexander, Yasminka and Liberty joining us at Bagwell Farm Campsite – where I had luxury of a bath, followed by all having a great meal at campsite cafe!
Saturday 22 May 2010
Tuesday 18 May 2010
Appeal for support driver successful!
Following yesterdays appeal many kind offers came forward to help following my wife's (and mentor/coach) accident at the weekend. My old pal, John Morgan has very kindly offered to leave the big city life and give us 2 weeks of his valuable time to drive our campervan in pursuit of this old jogger - my wife's prayers were answered today! (John and I were in the RAF together when Pontious was a pilot.)
Managed a hilly but slow 2 hour training run today. Hoping 'me little legs will be ready for the big start at South Haven Point on Friday.
Hopefully 2 weeks will see me past the slightly more awkward (especially in terms of the 11 river crossings) south coast area to progress to the simpler but more rugged North coast - with which I am much more familiar ...
Managed a hilly but slow 2 hour training run today. Hoping 'me little legs will be ready for the big start at South Haven Point on Friday.
Monday 17 May 2010
Just back home in Devon following travelling to Derbyshire for the Funeral/Celebration of Life of my dear brother-in-law Jon.
Only time for one run and some walking for training in last few days but I thought it was perhaps a good idea to increase my 'fat stores' for the 4 week effort to come?
The bad news is I have lost my planned main support for the run at the last moment. My wife, Ro, had a very bad fall in the shower just before the funeral - this meant 2 days in Derby Royal hospital to repair a badly broken forearm which will prevent her driving for many weeks. Depending on support for her at home in Devon I am considering ways of still starting the run on Friday 21st May; we are very reluctant to delay or postpone the run - it is most important to keep the inertia going especially in terms of the fund-raising which is going very well so far ... It may mean me setting off from Poole harbour 'unsupported', at least initially. I may carry a bigger pack which would include a small bivvy tent in addition to the usual spare clothes, food and water for the day. Please watch this space!
Only time for one run and some walking for training in last few days but I thought it was perhaps a good idea to increase my 'fat stores' for the 4 week effort to come?
The bad news is I have lost my planned main support for the run at the last moment. My wife, Ro, had a very bad fall in the shower just before the funeral - this meant 2 days in Derby Royal hospital to repair a badly broken forearm which will prevent her driving for many weeks. Depending on support for her at home in Devon I am considering ways of still starting the run on Friday 21st May; we are very reluctant to delay or postpone the run - it is most important to keep the inertia going especially in terms of the fund-raising which is going very well so far ... It may mean me setting off from Poole harbour 'unsupported', at least initially. I may carry a bigger pack which would include a small bivvy tent in addition to the usual spare clothes, food and water for the day. Please watch this space!
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