This will be the final daily blog from what is now Land’s End to Ellesmere. I will put the occasional update up when there is something to report – eg sponsorship totals, or eventually if I continue with the walk in a future year. You can of course unsubscribe, or just leave yourself as a follower so as to receive such future occasional messages.
Liverpool Stuff
Hannah left after breakfast, and then Tom and I did one of the things I have been childishly looking forward to since Land’s End – we went on the Ferry across the Mersey (we did not sing).
We did the obligatory photos by the Beatles statues and had a coffee in the Fab 4 Café – I had a Yellow Submarine cupcake (it was yellow, but there the similarity ended – however it tasted better than it looked).
Then we went to the World Museum, mainly to see a Dr Who Exhibition, which included lots of props, costumes, and particularly alien baddies. Excellent for Whovians like me and especially Tom.
We had lunch in the park opposite, and then I saw him off on his bus home. Having him and Hannah with me for these two days has provided a great emotional ‘buffer’ to the sudden curtailment of the walk. It has also been great to be here in the upbeat and city of Liverpool, now one of my favourite cities.
We had lunch in the park opposite, and then I saw him off on his bus home. Having him and Hannah with me for these two days has provided a great emotional ‘buffer’ to the sudden curtailment of the walk. It has also been great to be here in the upbeat and city of Liverpool, now one of my favourite cities.
I returned to the hotel to begin extricating myself from the rest of the trip, starting with the people I will not after all be visiting/walking with from here-on, and those who had taken the trouble to send messages of support and sympathy (many).
The Decision to stop
Lots of people supportively messaged me to say they are sure I have made the right decision. In a way it was not really a decision, or rather the only decision was when to go public. Although I have been able to limp round Liverpool a little, any serious walking would have been too painful to contemplate – and increasingly so as the Plantar Fasciitis would simply have got worse (and ditto Shin Splints if, as I suspect, I have that too). So really from the moment I woke in Ellesmere on Saturday and could hardly make it to the bathroom, the decision was made for me.
Had it been a matter of my morale or general tiredness, I might have felt guilty. This I can do nothing about.
Regretful Stuff
Here are some of the words that express how I feel about having to stop
Frustrated, disappointed, irritated…..
Disorientated – doing the trip in the first place was disorientating, but I eventually got used the being on an 11 week process. Now I am having to adjust all my expectations back again. Taking the extra week away (2 more days in Liverpool, then a couple in Chester, the three in Manchester – can you believe that I have never been to Manchester, except once to Old Trafford?) I think will be an important part of the adjustment process. I return home on 7th Sept.
Sad – I nearly welled up when I received a particularly kind WhatsApp Message (thank you EF), while sat in a coach in Penny Lane, with the Penny Lane song playing. Managed not to make an exhibition of myself!
I have a heck of a lot of admin to do to cancel the remaining nights’ accommodation.
My foot hurts (though not as much as on Saturday)
Positive stuff
I am genuinely proud of what I did manage before my foot got me.
I walked 467.74 miles in 28 walking days, which averaged 16.77 miles per walking day.
I enjoyed nearly every moment of it and do not regret it for a moment. It has been a great adventure. I find it difficult to realise that I have actually done it, even though it was not the full 1050 miles
I have met, walked with, and stayed with some great people.
I have very much enjoyed writing the blog and I am glad that some people have enjoyed following it. Big thanks to Hannah (Mission Control Guildford) for all her help with the technical side.
I survived 58 miles during the Amber Heat Warning, including the climb from Porlock Weir to the Hills above Minehead.
Highlights along the way:
Quantoxhead, though I was only there by mistake
Walking with son Ben and the surprisingly attractive countryside in the hinterland between the M5 and Avonmouth and onto the Clifton Bridge
My penultimate day’s walking, with the amazing views from the Shropshire Way
I am pretty sure I have lost some weight!
Learning and future stuff
I have the option of returning to the trip to complete it in the future. If so, I will probably do it in two stages of about three weeks. At least that is my thinking at present.
Although but for injury I would have proceeded, I realised that I had managed to give myself too far to walk on each day. This was partly because I underestimated the distances on the maps, but also because I thought I would find longer distances easier as the walk went along, which proved not really to be the case. When and if I return, I will plan to walk no longer than 15 miles per day where possible. Generally the miles after 15 on any day were rather too tiring. Of course in Scotland there are some places where the distance between places to stay is greater than that.
Fund-raising stuff
The walk may have finished but the fund-raising hasn’t. I am confident that the stated target of £15,000 will be reached, but I would love to get to £20,000.
Many people have already given very generously. It was clear on the giving pages that if something happened to prevent me finishing, that given money was not recoverable. MANY thanks to all of the people who have given already.
Some people, I know, will have been waiting until I got to John O’Groats before donating – that is what I would have done were I sponsoring. I am hoping those people will now donate something – perhaps 45% of their planned donation for 45% of the planned walk. Or perhaps all of the planned donation because you feel sorry for me. (Imagine me sitting,weeping, alone in my room in Birkenhead Premier Inn, all my plans in tatters, my foot elevated……………) Of course the charities are worth it in their own right – remember you can choose which of the four you support. Over £250 has come in from people since I called a halt – thanks.
My website states that in the event of stopping, I will donate:
1. The money that I would have spent on accommodation etc for the rest of the trip, where it is still possible to cancel
2. Where money has been prepaid, I will claim back on my insurance and pay that in too
3. This will be MY money so I can gift aid it as well
I will divide the above equally between the four charities. It will take a few days to sort this out.
So if you are reading this and feel moved to donate (?more) please do, and many thanks.
The whole thing has already been worthwhile, but I would be really chuffed if we can get to the £20,000!
Thank you for following the blog. As I say there will be a few updates in future.
Today's route
No Strava today for obvious reasons
Donate to the charities
Daily Data
Days left until John O’Groats | n/a |
Route miles walked | 469.74 |
Route miles missed | 12 – Bridgwater to Highbridge 6 – Richard’s Castle to Ludlow 580 - Ellesmere to John O'Groats |
Estimated miles until John O’Groats | |
Evening and rest day walking | 14.28 |
Counties walked through | 13 |
Ferry miles | 0.4 |
Number of walking companions so far | 8 |
Number of stiles crossed | 75 |
Current sponsorship total | £13,195.85 |
Cast of characters (Bold = walking companions) | Jeremy Pemberton, Laurence Cunnington, Brad Poulson, Adele Poulson, Graeme Parkhill, Andy Hellwig, Patrick Lynn, Esther Lynn, Emma Rayner, Quentin Rayner, Sara Low, Robbie Low, Christopher Darwin, Heather Darwin, Christine Hytch, Chris Hytch and Annown, Hilary Edwards, Richard Edwards, Rachel Robbins, Mark Robbins, Ben Turner, Bart Day, Cristina Dorador de Los Santos, Ruth Sharville, Adrian Sharville, Jill Turner-Webb, Lisa Turner-Webb, Crispin Pemberton, Suzannah Pemberton, Jane Mortimore, Peter Mortimore, Ian Howarth, Barbara Howarth, Sue Welch, Bob Welch, Lynda Gray, Jim Gray, Nigel Pursey, Gill Pursey, Hannah Turner, Tom Turner |
Hi Guy
Not sure if our earlier messages have got through. You’ve been a real inspiration all the way through, and still are in the way you’re handling things now. You've achieved so much and, sorry though we are you’ve suffered this injury, we know you’ve made the right decision. Will definitely still be donating.
With love, Sally and Alex
It has been an amazing journey Guy and you certainly should cherish the memories and be proud of what you achieved. We have loved following the blog and hope for updates in the future when you are physically recovered. Much love from the Robbins family.