Survivor's Gathering

Last night, the team attended a celebration of the walk at Stafford. It was a great opportunity to see the army again and thank them personally for their support and hospitality during the walk. We also got to see some of the other walkers, in less strenuous conditions. Also attending the event were Deputy Mayor of Stafford, Malcolm Millichap and the Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, Terry Dix.

Everyone was in good spirits, and well recovered from the walk. It was a pity that Ross couldn't make the evening. The team's efforts in starting and completing the walk together were recognised in an award given by the Regiment for the leadership and organisation demonstrated before and during the event.

All in all a great night, including the renowned Gurkha curry.

Thank You All

We are all nursing injuries, mainly to our feet, but wanted to record our appreciation of the support and help we received during the walk.

In no particular order

• Steve and Bob - Our support team - When we needed lifting you were always there for us, If it were not for your unstinting support we doubt that the challenge would have been completed. Not forgetting Bob's dad who lent the trailer.



• Russell Edwards, Jerry McGachy and the rest of 22nd Signals Regiment. Of particular note were "Stray", who was always very encouraging and "Tuesday" (we named him that as he was a big guy with a massive chest - it is a reference to a film where there was a similarly sized character "if he says it's Tuesday, it's Tuesday").



• Neil Crump - for the t-shirts.



• Rachel Stanley - provider of the tremendous medical kit.



• The lady in the ice cream boat at Shugborough



• The folks at the Bridge Inn, Brewood - for the teas and coffees provided.



• Michelle Ayres at the Cat, Enville - on hearing of the walk and that we had targetted the pub as a meet point for friends and family, she opened it especially for us.



• Everyone of our colleagues, families and friends who met us on the final day. In particular Sam, Matt, Rachel, Mike, Stella, Cheryl, Ann, Mike, Barbara, Brian, Lorna, Sarah and the lads (I hope I have everybody) who walked with us for part of the day and Mandy for the ice creams. It was truly inspirational to have such support, you made the difference.

I hope I have remembered everybody, apologies if not, blame it on old age and extreme fatigue!

New Photos Uploaded

Some photos from the walk have been uploaded to Flickr.

Day 3 9:00pm The End

We have made it. An emotional end at the end of the Staffordshire Way. One of an elite band to walk the whole of the Way. Some better reflextion in time, it is going dark we're completely exhausted and in extreme pain.

Day 3 - 7:20pm - The Cat Inn, Enville

I'm crying, standing on the street outside the pub. The applause as our team turn into the garden is overwhelming. How the team has coped so far is testament to the character of each person and the wonder of team work.

We are also indebted to the landlady at the pub who opened especially for us after seeing this blog. It wouldn't happen everywhere.

Just three miles to go........

Day 3 5:48pm - Highgate Common

We are completely knackered! It's raining, we're wet and on our last legs. We now expect to be at Enville in 70 minutes.

We will complete but the last 6 miles will be incredibly hard.

Day 3 2:25pm - The Bradshaws

Suffering big time. Had to change shoes and socks because others were too wet. Toes and heals of feet now screaming. 14 miles to go, surely nothing will stop us now?

Day 3 - 1:10pm Codsall

Temperature rising, chances of showers. Brilliant reception from family and colleagues as we came in outside the Station Pub. It has really lifted our mood which had begun to dip with the humid conditions.

Now expecting to finish between 7-8, bodies willing.

Day 3 - 11:15am - Brewood

Much needed break. Cup of char at the Bridge Inn. Even the army wanted us to stay on the canal through the vilage. A democratic vote decided that we were not for taking short cuts. This is our District!

Ross's hips are giving him problems and Bryn was feeling it along the towpath. A calculated decision to stop.for 15 minutes, hope we don't all suffer for it.

Joined by Rachel and Matt for the next section to Codsall, eta 12:45pm.

Day 3 - 10:00am - Lapley

Good section just completed. Clouding over where we are. Obviously very disappointed that it isn't hot and sunny for us today, LOL.

If anyone is hoping to join us we should be at Brewood for 11:00am. We are only taking very short stops as we seize up if we don't keep moving. Try to guage our times accordingly.

Will keep updating as and when possible.

Day 3 - 8:00 am Penkridge

Mile 5 moving well. Other teams have succumbed to the temptation and are staying on some roads rather than keeping to the Staffordshire Way proper Rresisted the temptation of fudge and cakes on stalls at the market.

Day 3 - 6:00 am

Up for an hour, now sitting in the minibus waiting to be bussed over to the Glacial Boulder. Everyone is strapped, bandaged, lubricated and ready to go.

We have a new role in the team, Medic Ross with his magnificent pharmacy for all that ails.

Day 3 - Revelle

Dawn chorus, and then the sounds of human activity, yawns, squeels, f**ts,wails of anguish. Another day in paradise.

Day 3 Captains Briefing

The army have requested that we start earlier tomorrow, to give everybody the best chance of completing the walk. 5.30 am wake up call to start out at 6.00 am!

Day 2 Post post postscript

We have just been advised by Capt Jerry that there advance team has just completed the final days walk. He was told by the fittest member of the 22nd regiment that "it is the hardest thing he has ever done!" Arr h.

We are not expecting a good night's sleep.

Day 2 - one word descriptions for the walk

Rachel - gruelling
Dan - wicked
Ross - relentless
Bryn - punishing
Paul - grinder
Graham - never again (captain's perogative to have a second word)
Bob - pleasurable

Day 2 - Postscript

We have been chatting and, on the basis of our performance over the last two days, it is unlikely that we will hit our suggested timings from the earlier blog.

To help, and if you were hoping to see or walk with us, you can contact our support, Bob on 07968 894660.

Blister repair is on-going. The men's showers are broken but a kind army chef has offered to allow Ross to use her shower! Family and friends have visited this evening, really appreciated by everyone in the team.

Day 2 5:14pm - Cannock Chase

End of the second day. We are all completely kn***ered. Hottest day of the year, sapping all of our energy, causing feet to swell and blisters to form (see picture).

We came in 4th of 10 teams, having started last. Bryn survived, but almost lost his balance when his bad knee gave out one almighty twang.

Wecame across anice cream boat, hats off to Ross for doing the honours.

Day 2 12:54pm - Blithfield Reservoir

The flag with Paul. All going well.

Day 2 - 12:00 pm Abbots Bromley

Mile 12. Bryn leads us in to the Village, brilliant.

Day 2 10:30 am - Hobbs Lane

Mile 9. Everyone still going. Bryn now promoted to 2 sticks but still going. We are now in 5th place due to the army leading 3 groups in the wrong direction!

First stop for 10 minutes.

Day 2 9:30 am - Uttoxeter

Mile 4. Passed 2 teams already due to poor navigation. The only problem is that Dan also made a mistake! Thankfully, it was only for 20 metres before the Captain corrected him.

Bryn struggling, will wait and see how he goes.

Day 2 - 7:30 am Start

Late start! Weather already good, and all signs of being a hot one. We have given the other teams a head start.

Day 2 6:42 - Rocester

Breakfast complete. They say an army marches on its stomach. We have decided to follow this advice.

Everyone has reported in to walk this morning in our team. We found out that the last team finished day 1 at 11:45 pm! Good on you St Georges.

Day 2 4:45am - Rocester

The dawn chorus is in full swing, or is it Bob snoring? It's just one of the problems of camping next to a large lake (and Bob's tent). Note to self - sleeping in a tent has its disadvantages. Come to think of it there don't seem to be any advantages.

Day 1 7:02 pm - Rocester

Sitting in late evening sunshine at the school. 3rd group in (of 10). Final first day distance 33.7 miles. We averaged 3.4 miles while moving but we were stopped for 2 hours. This was mainly due to the awful terrain over much of the route.

Everyone survived the first day, some better than others. No photo, no one yet feels human again.

Signing off.

Day 1 - 4:36 Hawksmoor Estate

Ouch, that hurt! Very difficulties section. Lots of muddy fields.

Day 1 2:00 pm - The Black Lion, Consall Forge

If ever you wouldn't want to use the toilet! Fantastic colour, not. Taking a well justified break at the pub. Great to slow down after suffering a runaway Ross along the river.

Day 1 12:48 - Longsdon

Mile 17. Good progress but for the mud by the canal feeder before Leek. Short stop for removal of pebbles from Paul's boots. Just starting along the Caldon Canal.

Day 1 11:14 am - Dam at Rudyard Lake

Quick stop for ladies toilets. Paul has broken the cane holding our flag. Instant repairs were needed with insulation tape. Dan is becoming even more of a ludite. May have to blog in secret from now on.

Day 1 -10:30 am - Rudyard Lake

Mud, glorious mud. Thankfully we are now moving into a flat section for 10 miles.

Day 1 9:03am - The Cloud

7 miles top of The Cloud. Met Rusell, the organiser. Thanked him for inviting us. One broken stick so far

Day 1 6:45 - Mow Cop

The start. Everyone arrived at the car park. Cold and cloudy but with good indications for better weather. A good spirit amongst the team.

Day 1 - 4:15 am

What time do you call this? Oh well, here goes. It's going to be a very long day!

It is finally time to start walking

Wow, what can we say. The sponsorship total now stands at £3,755. A great big thanks to everyone who has sponsored us. A special thanks to Raggy and Mark for their food related fund raising efforts today.

Well, as we sit here writing this blog we are less than 12 hours from the start of the walk. We hope to be able to keep people regular updated on the walk's progress, via the wonders of mobile phones. You might even see the odd picture or two (OK, there won't be too many).

Thank you for all of the good wishes we have received over the last few days. It is truly amazing how much good will has been expressed to the team.

See you in 92 miles and three days.

Rachel, Bryn, Dan, Graham, Paul and Ross, plus Bob and Steve (the support team).

2 Days and counting

The sponsorship has no reached £3,264, with further opportunities to raise more money thanks to Raggy's samosa sale tomorrow and a sweepstake to guess how many steps Rachel and Paul will take over the length of the walk.

We have been told by the army that only 9 teams have so far confirmed their intention to walk. Originally a maximum of 25 teams were going to be allowed.

On the up side is that the weather forecast is now dry and sunny over the weekend; a lot different from the rain and high winds forecast at the beginning of the week.

3 Days to go - Do you want to join us?

No photos today (did I hear you say thank you?).

Instead an offer to anyone who wants to join us on the final day of the walk. Set out below are the projected times we expect to be passing various points on Monday, as we walk through South Staffordshire. We start from the Glacial Boulder, Chase Road, nr Brocton on Cannock Chase at 7.00 am. We expect to pass through the following villages at the times indicated.

08:30 to 08:40 Stone Cross, Penkridge

11:00 to 11:30 The Bridge Inn, Kiddemore Green Road, Brewood

12:30 to 12:45 The Bull Inn, Codsall

14:40 to 15:10 Post Office Road, Seisdon

17:30 to 18:00 The Cat inn, Enville

Please bear in mind we are not stopping as we pass these points (except where the location is highlighted in bold). We are suggesting that you need to be at the location before the first time mentioned and join us as we come through the village. The times are approximate but they are based on our performances on training walks.

By the way, we have passed the £3,000 barrier today, yippee!

4 Days to Go

We were visited by an Express and Star photographer today - hopefully there will be an article in Wednesday's edition. The sponsorship total has also passed £2,800. Again many thanks to everyone who has contributed.

£2,500 and still going

Wow, what a great few days. Thanks to all of the people who have helped us pass £2,500 in pledges for sponsorship.

We've also received our new "designer" T-shirts, courtesy of Neil at Inkline, thanks a lot, they're great (seen "modelling" the T-shirts are from left to right, Daniel, Rachel, Graham, Bryn and Ross).

Sponsorship Passes £2,000

A BIG thanks to all at E-on for sponsoring us to the tune of £500 for the walk. We have now passed £2,000 in sponsorship, with more than a week to go before the event.

We have also just heard from Bryn after he got the results of the X-ray. He has sent the rest of the team the following message.....

"Hi all, I thought you may be interested to know I went to see the quack this morning to get the results of my knee x-ray. The results have shown that there is no bone/joint damage which is good news! The stiffness/pain is therefore muscle tissue related. They have referred me for some physiotherapy on it and this may or may not be before the walk weekend, in some ways I may need it more afterwards! I have walking poles and enough pain killers to stun a rhino so I should be OK.

Bryn.

P.S. Our vice-captain went to the Staffordshire Way meeting at the army camp yesterday, I'm sure she will be writing up a full report! Safe to say I think that what we have done is a lot more than what a lot of other teams have done......"

Full Steam Ahead

No walking last weekend. WIth Bryn's condition still undiagnosed the rest of us are all somewhat reticent to carry out any more strenuous training in case something similar happens. It will be another week before Bryn returns to the doctor to find out the results of the x-ray. Instead we have begun to focus on fund-raising for the charity. As I write this we have just cracked the £1,400 barrier and are hoping to raise much more in the fortnight left before the walk. A big thank you for everyone who have contributed so far.

We had a meeting yesterday to discuss arrangements for the event; Rachel will be attending the final pre-meeting with the Army next week and then the final week of preparations will be upon us.

We are hoping that some of our friends and colleagues will walk with us for part of the way on the Bank Holiday Monday as we walk the full length of South Staffordshire. We will be giving further information of our expected timings at various pubs (sorry, I meant villages) as we travel through the District. If you are not doing anything please join us.

More information will be posted in the next two weeks.