Blood, Sweat & Beers

Conical Water Tower.

I've made it to Somerset, 215 miles completed 75 to go! I'm pretty chuffed with that. I'm raising money as I walk for a fantastic charity, if you'd like to support me click here to go to my Just Giving Page and donate directly to Macmillan Cancer Support. I'm doing the hard work you just have to click a button or two! £30 is only 10p a mile, just think of the blood, sweat and beers I've had to go through to get this far!

I started the day in Box, in Wiltshire, having been well looked after by my airbnb hosts. If you have been following my blog you will be aware that finding the right accommodation has sometimes been challenging and might include a bit of a detour. But this airbnb was pretty much right on the trail, out of the front door past two houses turn left and I was back on it. The rain that had been threatening for the last couple of days finally arrived and it was a bit of a soggy start to the day, but undeterred I set off to complete this 13 mile stretch.

Neolithic Health and Safety?

I'd fell out with Whiltshire yesterday afternoon as my walk was a bit uninspiring, with overgrown paths and in one case a field almost impossible to pass. But today it redeemed itself. Some very scenic walking, lovely towns and villages.

The walk today was from Littleton Drew to Box, crossing the M4. After a lovely evening in the Neeld Arms at Grittleton and a good full English breakfast, I was well set to face the day. Grittleton, was a couple of miles off my route and the landlord, Charlie, not only offered to drop me back in Littleton Drew but also knocked £20 off the bill to donate to Macmillan Cancer Support - thank you so much!

Of Course I'm Not Lost!

I realised as I unpacked at my Airbnb that I'd forgotten my toothpaste. Now is this bad, but I was sharing a bathroom with another guest, who conveniently had left his toothpaste out. So the phrase 'necessity is the mother of invention came to mind', and not knowing if I would pass a shop selling toothpaste on my journey, having taken a small blob to clean my teeth that night, I decided I needed to fill the lid of my deodorant just in case! I smoothed the tube back as best as I could. I think I got away with it! He was probably thinking bloody hell you don't get as much toothpaste for your money these days!

Happy Smiley People

Its great to get back to the walk, the long weekends come round quickly and it always feels good to head off again on another adventure.

I had an early start with the train to London, then a short hop to Paddington, train to Kemble and bus back to Cirencester where I left off 3 weeks ago. Today I'm walking to Avening a total of 12 miles. After my Cirencester detour I also re join the main Macmillan Way.

Bus Stop I Spy!

I woke up to the sound of rain, which didn't fill me with joy. I checked the weather app on my phone, and yep rain followed by more rain. In fact I had a moment  where I debated cancelling today's walk and just getting the train back from Cheltenam! No, I thought stay positive, I've been so lucky with the weather up until now, man up a bit and get on with it. This is supposed to be a challenge not a Sunday stroll in the park! After a lovely breakfast from my Airbnb host off I went, bus back to Northleach and then picked up the trail again in Hampnett.

Vaseline and the Lonely Walker

I've not mentioned my chafing for a while. It's not gone away and usually by the third day it's getting quite sore. I have measures such as cycling shorts and Vaseline which help, but today about two hours into my walk, I was getting quite uncomfortable. I'd stopped for a water break (in and out) and was just debating about applying some more Vaseline to help. I had a quick look around there was no one about, so I went for it. If anyone had walked passed at that point I've no idea what they would have thought. I had my hand down my trousers rubbing away and a tin of Vaseline on the bench next to me!

How Your Garden Shed Can Earn You a Fortune!

After yesterdays trauma the day started with a wonderful breakfast to set me up for the day. I felt so much better after a good night's sleep and ready to face the walk to just south of Little Compton, a total of 13 miles.

The day was much cooler and fresher than Saturday, with a nice breeze, but I was told by Clare my B&B host to expect rain at some point during the day.

The Restorative Powers of a Cup of Tea.

I have a thing about Amazon, in that they are trying to take over the world, and with Amazon Prime who on earth is so desperate for something that they want it delivered the next day or in some cases the same day?

Well 2 days before the start of the next section of my walk I went into total meltdown, as I realised that I'd left my Guide Book and update sheet on the train on the way home from work. The back up team sprang into action and a new guide book was delivered the following day and an update sheet emailed from macmillanway.org the same night. Amazon and of course macmillanway.org- you are amazing!