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Day 49
Sandra, husband John, and other family members and friends left Drift to walk the pretty route to Lands End avoiding the A30. Sandra was in such a hurry she started to run once Lands End was in sight but was promptly told by John to slow down, "we don't want a twisted ankle at this stage".
Family, friends, representaives from Vitalise and of course Sheila, without whom the whole journey would not have been possible, were waiting to greet Sandra and with Champagne flowing and good Cornish Pasties all round the group spent an enjoyable afternoon followed by an even better evening in Penzance to celebrate Sandra's achievement.
Days 46 - 48
Days 46 - 48 are pretty much a blur for Sandra as she was once more alone after her visit to Churtown and in need of completing the journey. She came across a vineyard which raised her spirits so to speak then dashed them again when she was told it went bust.
On the eve of the final day she was joined by family and friends ready to walk the final leg.
Day 45
Sandra reached celebrity status today with a photo call and interview with the St.Austell Voice.
She called in to Churchtown, the Vitalise center in Cornwall. Where she met residents and staff and thoughly enjoyed her hour`s break.
Sandra is now west of Stenalees with only about 50 miles to go.
Day 44
Sandra has crossed the 'downs' and considered they should be called the 'ups'. One of these was where the nursery rhyme Jack & Jill originated, fortunately Sandra did not fall down.
Sandra has skirted round Dartmoor and thinks she might reach Cornwall by Saturday noon.
Weather cloudy, still no rain.
Day 39
Sandra just spoke to a young man who when asked where he was going he said "Lovenington". On being told Sandra was walking to Lands end he turned to his mate and said "Where's that". Thought for the day geography should be taught in schools.
Trampolines are obviously the garden toy of the year! All the way from Scotland to Somerset.
Day 37
Sandra has passed to 3/4 way marker & is on her way on Day 38 from Batheaston heading for Cranmore. She is now in the West Country.
The past 4 days have been challenging. The support vehicle had a poorly water pump which was repaired in Swindon. On Sat June 10th Sandra 'hit-the-wall' & has suffered but recovered from heat stroke & exhaustion. Having buddy walkers has been a great support.
Day 36
A major problem mainly with the weather Sandra has suffered from severe exhaustion, possibly a touch of heat stroke and is trying not to scratch the prickly heat and the nat bites.
Shelia successfully delivered the motor home to Swindon for a new water pump. In searing tempetures the last thing you need is a busted water pump.
Bennett Tree caravan site was a pleasure. Without a loo and shower in the motor home re busted water pump. Sandra & Shelia and buddy walkers were having to hike though a bean field and around a farmyard, to use their facilities, but they survived. Sandra is now back on track with cooler weather and feeling nice.
Afterthought: According to Rosie walking downhill hurts your toes but is good for your buttocks.
Day 35
Big thank you to Glynn Marshall, Adam Ward and Antoinette Eaton for their company over two days and a delicious leg of lamb barbecued and served up by Glynn. Ice cubes for cold bees duly sorted out and delivered by Antoinette.
Day 33
Thurs 8th June Sandra is on her way from Kinlet towards Martley & beyond.
Day 32
During this day Sandra was walking by a field when she noticed a group of people equipped with cameras & notebooks. She thought they might be twitchers & there is a special bird about. It turned out they were photographing one of the old engines running on the Severn Valley Line & pulling carriages with passengers enjoying a meal at £250 per head. It could be said that the photographers were twitchers of a sort as the train was a Mallard!
Sanda greatfully received enough Frusli bars to keep her walking for the next two and half weeks. Thanks to Helen at Jordans
Day 31
Tues June 6th Sandra is heading towards Albrighton. About 4 days ahead of schedule, feet are great, feeling good & still enjoying it. Happiness is having Bolton behind you!
It's been great to have buddy walkers such as John & Rosie over the last week-end + priceless help from William (Bill) Webb of Aandy's Travel in Northwich. Bill taxied Sandra at discounted rates to and from start & finish points while Sheila (support vehicle driver) visited her Manchester home.
Bill is a keen canal enthusiast & he was able to give copies of the Shropshire canal route to Sandra which proved to be very helpful. If you are ever in the Northwich area & need a taxi contact Aandy's Travel on 01606-76949 or 017710 764481.
Helen of Jordans Cereals has contacted Sandra & will be providing muesli/frusli bars for the rest of the walk but a word of warning - don't carry chocolate bars while walking in sunny, sweaty weather.
It has been so tranquil in some parts that you could hear the cows chewing the cudd & 'popping' - ask Rosie James for details.
Sandra has been travelling along the Shropshire Canal which had some challenges such as over-protective swans, ankle-deep mud & invasive nettles which are not much fun when walking in shorts & a t-shirt. Some of the towpath was so slippy that Sandra nearly ended up in the canal twice! She was warned about the Betton Cutting where the canal goes through a steep hillside & the dangers of rock falls & mud slides. It is a dark & eerie sort of place known as the Betton 'Shrieking' Cutting. Barges do not moor in that section because it is reputed to be haunted & not because of the screeching owls.
The 2nd swan encounter was a bit of an aggresive tussle with a lot of hissing, flapping & stabbing (from the swan not Sandra) but a trusty walking stick & some sharp 'go away' commands meant both the swan & Sandra departed remaining friends.
The weather is great & so are the locals (people not pubs - well maybe both)
Day 25
Sandra thought you might like to know how my fundraising is going.
So far she has managed to raise £4,500.00 for Vitalise.
It's June 1st & she's ahead of schedule having crossed the 500 mile marker, been serenaded by a piper, attacked by midges and sipped coffee in a Tibetan monastery. She is feeling good & enjoying the experience.
The hardest part is the fund-raising. Thanks to all who have sponsored her & if you haven't already done so your donation would be very gratefully received.
If you know anyone kind enough to sponsor me, please take a moment to send them the link to my online fundraising page.
It only takes a minute to donate by credit or debit card. My page can be found at: http://www.justgiving.com/vitalise-payplan/
All donations are secure and sent electronically to Vitalise. If you are a UK taxpayer, Justgiving will automatically reclaim 28% Gift Aid on your behalf, so your donation is worth even more. Please join me in supporting Vitalise and a fabulous cause.
Sandra is on her way from Newton to Whalley & beyond. Had a great picnic on top of the Forest on Bowland. A very big thank you to all the buddy walkers who have accompanied her over the past week.
Day 24
Sandra is heading towards Wray and should pass the 500 mile marker today.
En route from Ettrick Sandra had a welcome break at Eskdalemuir at the Tibetan Monastery for a cup of cappuccino & a prayer for good weather. It worked!
Throughout the Bank Holiday weekend Sandra had morale boosting buddie walkers in the shape of husband John, Rosie, Kim, David and Ann.
Day 17
On her way towards Tushielaw still feeling good & ahead of schedule. Her buddy walker today is a young and fit rugby player - Alistair Browning.
Day 14
Long lonely road, very quiet and peaceful until Sandra met a seven stone rottweiler growling and barking. Running was not a option so she faced up to it and screamed "Go away" three times and it worked. Sandra spent the rest of the day considering which adult she would apply this technique to.
Day 13
Sandra's favourite walking snack Jordans Frusli bars ran out today. Ideal snacks with no chocolate.
Foot rot is being treated but sandra needs to wear flip-flops when she's not walking, change in weather sunshine again.
Day 12
En-route she's seen red squirrels and been attacked by pre-season midges but all in all, Sandra is on schedule and feeling good.
For day 12, she'll be changing her route and avoiding the West Highland Way as this has been described as 'treacherous in part' due to the recent rainfall and winds. Instead she'll follow the western shores of the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Day 11
One week of bad weather, squally rain and wind. Helly Hansen heartily recommended as in the words of the infamous Pretty Woman "nothing gets through these little suckers".
Day 10
She has been serenaded by a bagpiper in full highland dress, watched red squirrels and attacked by pre-season midges. West Highland Way reported as treacherous in parts so Sandra is playing safe & traveling down the A82 on the western shore of the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Day 8
Sandra is okay, ahead of schedule and is now heading towards Onich on the A82 as the West Highland Way (original route) is reported as being very difficult due to recent heavy rain.
Day 4
Sandra is feeling good & the weather is great.
Day 2
Sandra is ahead of schedule & feeling good. One or two minor hiccups such as a faulty water-pump on the motor home and a damp mobile phone but all fixed and all systems green.
Day 1
Sandra is on her way.
