Day 34 - Wet but still smiling (just!)

After yesterday's tremendous coverage in the Daily Telegraph (link at end of blog) - I'm writing tonight's blog after hearing about the walk and our fight being broadcast live on Sky Sports !! After the Wales v Rep. Ireland game !!! (John-Paul you are an absolute gent, very much appreciated mate!!!).

Right, last 2 days mate have been a complete navigational nightmare ! Today, I can proudly announce - I DID NOT GET LOST !!!

But the joyous celebration stops there! 

Because it bl00dy chucked it down with rain for a good 4 hours of our walk today !! Not only rain, but walking along Cefn Sidal beach it was blowing a gale !

My fellow walkers today included the wife (who came back for more after yesterday's shambles!), Kaye (my wonderful host last night) and Ann (a work colleague of mine).

Now remember, Kirsten wasn't happy she didn't get to see a beach yesterday! Today, she walked across a beautiful one but STILL didn't get to see it - because her umbrella was permanently up ;) 

Right, so, picture this Gar, I have to walk 12/13 miles with 3 ladies who like to chatter ! - boy was I grateful for the umbrella ;)!! With the howling wind, I simply pretended not be able to hear them !

(Chatter, chatter, chatter, gossip, gossip)

I tried losing them in the wind at one point ;) 

At one point, I thought someone was taking the p*55, a crossroads in the middle of a beach !!??

In truth, they were great company and despite the abhorrent weather conditions, we kept our spirits high. 

(Took me 10 mins to get out of that deck chair !!)

Huge thanks to Pat & Clive for the excellent timing on the coffee interlude !!

Also, I promised not to mention the "lady toilet stops" along the route - so I won't ;)

We eventually reached Burry Port where, regardless of all the weather I had endured, my spirits were instantly lifted - my rugrats were here !!!!

(Awesome seeing these little gems again!) 

Within 10 minutes of the children walking with us, Lucas proclaimed he was bored and tired (Like father, like son !!)

We had now entered proper 'Turk' land ! Llanelli - land of the sospan !

Having reached our final destination for the day, I got to meet up with Glyn Jones, president of South West Wales MNDA branch.

(You can see, by this point Lucas had simply been work out by his 2 mile hike !)

I then got picked up by my friend Julia, who introduced me to her wonderful parents Dave & Jan. Again, I was spoilt rotten and am currently writing this blog overlooking Machynys Bay from my bed ! Awesome house, lovely meal out and great hospitality.

Huge thanks Julia, for arranging this, your parents are fantastic hosts!

I have a huge 3 days coming up, 2 x 24 mile days and a mammoth 27 miler on Saturday. But we've already hit the £9000 mark mate - so it's all worth the pain and my constant moaning :)

I'm sure I've kept Compeed and Lucozade in business these past 5 weeks ! Edging closer to the finish line.........

Massive thanks to:-  

• Mrs H-D for accompanying me last 2 days, sorry about the scenery & weather !

• Mrs Peploe, for transporting my backpack and your continued support 

• Dave and Jan for a lovely meal and hospitality

• Julia - for arranging it all tonight 

• Kaye and Chris, again for last night and the warm welcome

• Sarah, for the ciders and Haribo (my stable diet !!)  ;)

Link to article :- http://t.co/556R2cLXjt

Day 33 - Long (very long) road ahead

Firstly today mate, an old school friend of ours Paul Carey has published your story on the Daily Telegraph website !!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10239233/MND-challenge-my-650-mile-walk-to-raise-awareness.html

This is huge awareness for us. Many thanks Paul, a great article and very much appreciated.

Right, after yesterday's debacle over directions :) surely today was going to be straightforward ???? - ummmmm NO !

My partner in crime today, Mrs HD !

 

(You won't see many photos on the blog tonight mate, she threatened me!)

All started swimmingly. Off we set Kidwelly-bound, with a lot to catch up on etc. 

Now what Kirsten doesn't understand is that after 33 days of walking the last thing you want to be doing whilst struggling up an incline is to chat ;) Didn't stop her though of course, she simply nattered her way through whilst all I could manage were hand signals (imitating a zip across the mouth !!!!!!) :)

In fact, as payback ill post another picture of her :-

(This was shortly after seeing a sheeps carcass being devoured by a fox !!)

After a couple of hours of walking through fields and lanes (déjà vu from yesterday !!), we finally came to a crossroads. The worst thing that could've happened !!! 

I said go one way, the wife said go the other.

Obviously we choose the wrong option. That wrong option was obviously MY option ;)

2 hours later we were walking up the A484 trying to avoid being mowed down by lorries and fuel tankers !!

(This is another reason why the photos are scarce in this blog !!!)

After a couple of hours of walking single-file, and in silence, up the road we somehow miraculously ended up in Kidwelly ! I could sense the anger in her ;)

We had completely bypassed a few villages and ended up off the map altogether at one point (this is becoming a habit now.......).

Luckily though this meant we had the opportunity to meet up with Jan & Dave Jones, with whom I had previously caught up with in Cwm-yr-Eglys.

(Lovely to see you again guys !!)

After a little tour around the castle, we were then met by our hosts for the evening Chris & Kaye Shepherd (Sarah's wonderful parents). 

We were treated to a fabulous BBQ and had a great time wining and dining with their fantastic neighbours (Clive & Pat, Rob & Alison) - some hilarious stories ! (Dont worry Sarah, none about your childhood ;)

So other than the actual walking part of today, we've had a great time !

Kirsten was expecting idyllic coastal offerings and a nice stroll through the Welsh countryside, all i could muster up today were exhaust fumes and dead sheep !! Hopefully tomorrow will go incident-free (but somehow I very much doubt it).

Surely, the last 4 days will be straightforward ??

Hope Tracy has stopped whinging about her black toes too mate ??

Catch up with you tomorrow.

Day 32 - Lost !

Special visitor today mate ! Mrs Hayes !

I heard you were rather worried about her and her lack of sense of direction ? Well you were bl00dy right lol!

The title of the blog gives it away a little but ill park that for a minute. 

For the first hour of the walk, we were fine. For the first hour of the walk there were signposts ! For the first hour of the walk our legs didn't ache ! For the first hour of the walk it was a doddle !

Cue utter carnage !!

New trainers + huge cowpat = unhappy Tracy.

New trainers = New blisters = irritable Tracy ;)

The morning only included approx 4 occasions of getting lost, but in fairness we were simply walking through farmers fields for about 6 miles !

Tracy even found time to munch on her many snacks, ones she brought with her and ones she blatantly stole !!

I think your dear wife was expecting beautiful coastline, long sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery. What she did in fact receive was a lot of green fields, jagged rugged tracks and a very warm welcome from a plethora of animals !!!

But unfortunately, whether it was the perfume you bought for her mate or not, for some reason she simply attracted BULLS !! Boris' distant relatives simply couldn't get enough. 

Every field we had to walk through attracted attention - I've never seen anyone run so fast through a field !

(Spot the Tracy !!)

We reached Llansteffan, roughly halfway and 10 miles in, in relative good time (somehow!) but unfortunately that's where it all went pear shaped !!

We completely lost the plot and found ourselves off track and clambering through forestry, swamp-like terrain and even people's back gardens in search of the WCP signs !! The more we hunted for a way out, the more lost we got! 

(our terrain whilst lost !!)

With time ticking away, we decided to bisect a few farmer fields - OMG - if I thought Boris was a threat - his relatives seriously scared the cr@p out of us !

These fellas (pictured above), came charging after us and whilst trying not to laugh too much at Mrs H's distress, I too started to run a little quicker ! 

She wasted a perfectly good can of redbull (apt!) in the act of fleeing !

(Your wife, recovering after her Bull ordeal!)

Approx 6.5 hours into the walk we realised we were still 2.5 hours away from Carmarthen ! We had walked roughly 20 miles (in circles!!) and were still 7 miles from the end point ! 

For the first time in the 32 days of the walk, I had to 'wave the white flag'! We wouldn't have got to our destination until late and with us already having clocked up the required mileage, reluctantly we had to hail down a cab !!

5 minutes later we had reached Carmarthen ;)

One hell of a journey today! Combining Tracey's directional sense with my

'already established' severely poor map reading skills - we were always doomed !

Oh and mate, she isn't very good at quizzes is she ;)

Tonight, I'm aching more and my feet so feel like they've been on an adventure! I'm guessing Tracy will have a few blisters etc but don't let her moan mate !!

Mrs H-D has joined me tonight too and after a nice meal out etc, she too is now contemplating what disasters can occur tomorrow :) 

Day 31 - Closer to home.........

Only one more week of listening to my drivel mate !

This time next week I'll be in my own bed, in my own house - back to reality ! 

(It's a strange feeling really)

Firstly, a massive thankyou to my cousins Derryn & Peter for hosting me for the last 2 nights - great to meet family I hadn't met before too!!

Today I was told it was a nice flat ramble from Saundersfoot to St Clears - who the hell told me that !!!!! By golly (as polite as I can get !) - this mornings hike was one of the more testing ones I've had for the last week or so (maybe my legs are now actually running on empty?).

I was firstly joined today by a fellow Kilimanjaro conqueror - Ian. Ian was my 'room mate' in Africa as we scaled Uhuru Peak and now a great friend who has supported our fight against MND generously.

(Dont fret, this wasn't 9am this morning !)

It was great to reminisce about the Kili trek etc but I'm sure Ian was only put on this planet to make me walk up ridiculous inclines !!! Everytime I walk with this fella,

I'm walking upwards - it was a backbreaking couple of hours. Actually I'm sure I heard your knees creak for a good 14 miles Ian ?! ;) - WD40 required!

After sweating out what felt like at least 85 gallons, we eventually got to Laugharne (may not be spelt correctly!) Famous for Dylan Thomas' boathouse etc 

(Yep, it's just a house !)

It was here we teamed up with Rhian & her sister Ruth. Yep - Rhian, my 'logistics manager' for Pembroke ;) finally succumbed and joined me on the walk. 

(The excitement of seeing Thomas' boast house is etched all over my face !!)

The girls, armed with a random cowbell, fought their way through farmland, snakes (!!), and treacherous main roads without the slightest of moans - oh hang on - there was some moaning but we couldn't hear it, Rhian was too far back ;)

The road into St Clears seemed to go on forever, so we tried to entertain ourselves any which way we could !

(Spot the buffoon!)

Having finally brought Day 31 to a close we bowled into St Clears unscathed!

In fact it was a good job Ian was with us, because 'someone' had left their car keys back at the start point !! (Doh)

The Owens hospitality, as usual was second to none and Rhian's hubby Gareth rustled up an ace Mexican ! 

I'm bushwhacked, literally am on the last leg home. I don't think I could do much more than 6 days anyhow - simply running on adrenalin now.

Thanks go out to my comrades for today, Ian & Jan, Ruth for travelling up to join us and again Rhian & Gareth for taking me in, feeding and hosting me so well. 

Tomorrow I get to walk with the most important woman in your life, your super wife Tracy and then I get to see the most important woman in my life - my wife, who has signed up to walk the next 2 days (hope there are hills !!!!!!)

Day 30 - You'll Never Walk Alone

Brace yourself mate !! 

Today I have suffered unimaginable humiliation !

A never to be seen again sight, an absolute psychological nightmare, a complete & utter day of sheer torture:-

Yes, I am wearing toilet paper ;) I apologise to all fellow Evertonians and to my daughter (who hopefully isn't scarred for life by this view!), but in the fight for MND and to raise valuable funds (thanks to Richie and Wayo!) I donned the ultimate in embarrassment. 

I seriously felt much more comfortable in both the dress and the pink nuns costume !!

My fellow walkers today included Richie, his dad Tony, Jo (a work colleague), her husband Mike, his sister Kath and ex work colleague Caroline. Also Shirley and Alastair(from Cardiff MNDA branch). 

So a great crowd of us! Plus I was able to meet up with Mrs Cleary and son Alex and also my walkers for tomorrow Ian & Jan.

To be honest, the terrain again today was very manageable, only a few inclines/declines to manage! 

Obviously Richie struggled though ;)

It did start raining briefly at Tenby, but by then i had been dragged into a pub (kicking and screaming as you can imagine!).The Tenby through to Saundersfoot last few miles were a bit testing on the knees but nothing in comparison to last 4 weeks ;)

There were certain points along the route where any mode of transport would've done though :-

(Typical scouser on the rob ! - no offence intended my Liverpudlian colleagues!!)

(Desperate times call for desperate measures)

There was one point where the embarrassment threatened to get to me too much mate !!

(Disused rail track ......... - honest)

All in all, it was a good days walk, 16 miles of great company and banter.

I even got to muscle in on a wedding lol:- 

Plus convinced an army officer to let us cross the firing range ;)

We were buoyed with news early morning that Richie had got us a mention on Radio 2 !! - Anneka Rice's show - where we had a 'get up and go' song dedication - the song (funny bu&&ers!!) was Proclaimers !! 500 miles !

Which in fact was rather apt, as I've now probably walked over the 500 mile mark. Into single figure days remaining.

A week tomorrow it'll all be over and those boots of mine will be launched into the sea (never to be seen again!!).

Not my proudest moment today mate, wearing the red of Liverpool, but I did say I'd do anything to make you chuckle !!

Massive thanks to everyone who took time away to walk with me today and to those who kindly popped some cash into our tin !!

I'm literally coming around the corner now, I can smell the Gower from here (although all I can actually smell is my rucksack, which absolutely reeks !!)

The title of this blog, although not a personal favourite song of mine ! ;) is also very apt. You are not alone in your fight Gar, the army is getting bigger by the day, we will fight on and we will conquer.

PS - any Liverpool fans out there who are now giggling to themselves over the fact I had to wear that rag today - that has to be worth another couple of quid - if only to keep the photo and taunt me with it everytime the Merseyside derby comes around !! Text WMND50 £3 to 70070 

Day 29 - Fresh 2 Fresh

Today was a good day mate ! I'm struggling to find anything to moan to you about.

My sis joined me today ! 

Firstly, I'm amazed she found the starting point !! (I know what you're thinking - how can I possibly question other peoples directional sense ;)

But she did, and it was great to see her !

We were also joined today by Luana & Laura (from Monday) and some more of their family. So we were a 9-strong MND army today !!

We were extremely fortunate today to walk through some fabulous sights.

(St Govans Chapel)

(Barafundle Bay - my poor photography doesn't really do it justice!)

Oh, and we were also extremely fortunate not to get shot at or cannoned - Which is always a bonus :)

(Castlemartin)

The weather held up nicely, only a few 'little' up and downers and some great company again, and some contributions to the collection box has helped get past 29 days! 

Schoolboy error though (and there is always at least one each day with me!) - I lumped a full backpack around all day when I could've just left it in my sisters car and got it at the end !!!!!!!! DOH.

So another day passes. I'm very proud of my little sis for completing a leg of the walk with me - not that I ever doubted you of course Cer !

(Bottom left pic - has half of the team missing and worryingly my foot !!!)

Tomorrow I head for Saundersfoot, via Manorbier and Tenby. Hooray ! Places I have actually been to before ! Home

Is edging ever nearer.

On the subject of home, I just wanted to give a mention to one poor soul who puts up with all my moans and groans constantly on a daily basis - My wife!

Some would say nipping away to stroll around our beloved countryside is great timing whilst the children are off school running riot ! (Wasn't planned deliberately, honestly !). 

But in all seriousness, I've said before it would be difficult being away from them and it certainly has been. They are 100% behind what I'm doing though and I'm sure ill have plenty of time to catch up on all the daily chores :) In fact the 'things for Justin to do when he returns' list is growing considerably by the day! Love you guys. 

Tomorrow, I'm joined by a few more colleagues and friends, going to be another great day to fight MND !!

PS - mate, you're probably wondering when I get to wear that piece of ¥*#€* you call a football top too ? Got a horrible feeling it won't be long............ That is seriously gonna hurt ;(

Special Thanks today to:-

Terry & Betty James

Luana, Laura and family

Derek & Marisa Wiseman 

Derryn & Peter Davies (my hosts for tonight, more on them tomorrow ;)

Day 28 - Twenty Eight Days Later !

28 days later ! - also the name of a zombie film, and that's how I'm beginning to feel now ! I'm struggling to stay awake to write today's blog so apologies if this isn't published until Friday!!

So after a good night of pizza, few beers and an a55-kicking on the pool table, it was time to show the boys what this walking lark was all about!!

Unfortunately though, as usual, I seem to draw the short straw ! I finally succumbed and donned the pink nuns outfit ! 

(Public Health Warning on photos below!) 

(No comments necessary mate !)

Thankyou Donna for the donation, was worth the temporary humiliation! I think Henley and Job were thankful for the attention really !

As with previous, it was good to joined by some of the boys today, they had obvious been hearing me moaning & groaning for the last few weeks and so I was hoping for some tough terrain and undulating cliff edges all day ! They packed enough snacks to last a week! But they didn't last longer than mile 8!

Luckily for them though, the first 14/15 miles was a blissful little stroll across lush green fields and tarmac roads ! Sea views were not plentiful early on either as we walked past more refineries and old forts etc.

That pleasurable terrain would soon change though!

We also had the pleasure of catching up briefly with Chris & Tor, who popped into Angle to kindly quench my thirst ;)

And as usual, after stopping for "one of my five a day" - its difficult to get back up and continue ! 

In fairness though, the boys were struggling with their handbags !!!

(Bag on left obviously mine ! Jobs on right!!)

After being treated to a somewhat luxurious trip around angle bay - my wish of difficult inclines etc came true - at last I could inflict some of the pain into my fellow walkers !

As the boys were getting to grips with what has now become normality for me, I decided to tidy the path up and move some obstructions ;)

(Pre-season training!)

After 4 or 5 beastly hills we eventually caught sight of our destination - freshwater west !

Then, literally 5mins after the above picture was taken, it started raining !! Near miss!

20 miles later - I had hit the 4 weeks of walking mark !!

As my comrades set off, I was then met by Terry & Betty, my kind hosts. 

After a sumptuous roast chicken dinner and homemade blackberry tart (how spoilt am I !!!) I retired for the evening and started to write this before it was too late !

I hear you got to get out again yesterday and watch Scarlett in the park etc which is fantastic. I know how much of an upheaval it is for you to do that and hope you're not in too much pain today/tomorrow. 

I'm sure the photos of me in this costume today will make you chuckle!

I should've kept my mouth shut !!!!!

28 days down mate, the home straight definitely in sight now.....

Tomorrow, my sister joins me on the walk - Sis, god help you ;)