Has She Gone Mad?

One day she's posting horrible pictures of her feet and then the next she's out doing 13.7 miles.

Well, let me explain my madness. Yesterday I took the photos as I was able to take off all the dressings safely and leave my poor paws out for a bit of natural healing in the air. To give you the gory detail, pretty much all of the wounds had stopped weeping or oozing and I even braved the night without painkillers.

While tottering around Kendal, I'd also equipped myself with all manner of cushioning articles, guaranteed to see my feet floating along. So, why not think about a little plod?

The plan was to go to Carnforth, setting for a scene in 'Brief Encounter' as well as seeming to be a trainspotters' heaven for some reason, and walk back from there. This involved the 09.01 from Kendal, the 09.11 at Oxenholme and then the 09.39 from Lancaster. Those of you with a map (or google) will see that I had to go through Carnforth and then go back to it. Grrr

I forgot my suntan lotion so bought the smallest bottle I could find and, more importantly but unknown until much later in the day, I left my cashcard in the machine after checking my balance. Finally, I was on my way.

It was hot, not like it was for those poor people in London but still a tad warm and sweaty. Walking was slow and ungainly. You only realise things when you try. I found that I was avoiding heel-striking on both feet. So I probably looked like I had a strange, flat-footed way of moving. The fore-foot cushions seemed to be helping although I was worried they might slide up the foot on the downhills.

I was making progress but never got into a more efficient stride. I'd opted for little yellow roads so didn't have to worry terribly much about traffic. Now, you may wonder why I would walk on roads rather than footpaths. The thing is, road surfaces tend to be a damn sight flatter and more even than footpaths. Uneven surfaces hurt my feet.

I nearly came to a premature and sticky end! Standing on a corner, checking I wasn't about to go the wrong way, I made to move and thought 'Oh no, I've stood in something' (wouldn't be the first time). Anyway, I was sinking into the hot tarmac!!! I got going before it was too late. Didn't want to ring 999 again!

Had lunch at The Wheatsheaf in Beetham. I know these places have to make a living but I'd love to look at where the costs are in supplying a cheese sandwich and how much extra it would be to provide MORE BLOODY FOOD for my money . Feet didn't seem too bad, although I was still plonking along rather than walking.

After lunch, fore-foot bits just in front of the toes were starting to hurt. This is where some of the major blisters have been. I continued and it clouded over a bit so it wasn't quite so hot. You could even enjoy the scenery.

Although hang on, I love the Lake District and there's definitely been a lot of money spent here in the years since I last passed lots of time here. However, there were some sympathetic restorations of previously dilapidated stone buildings but I saw some horrible examples of plastic double glazing, feature windows slotted in but not matching the shape of the building and other crimes. I'm not one of those who objects to new building styles but I do think renovation and restoration, especially in a place so beautiful, should be done properly. Blame Kevin!!!

Then came the phone call from Carnforth Halifax, could I pop back in to collect my card? Err, no. Can you put it in the post tonight, please? Cancelling and issuing another really not being an option...... Fingers crossed that it arrives tomorrow. I've primed the chap in the downstairs flat as he seems to get all the post whatever is on the envelope.

My feet were starting to throb and there was still about 2-3 miles to go. Brainwave! I'll try this hitch-hiking lark for the first time in my life! And you know what? Yet again, it was a couple of young lads (ironically on their way home from Carnforth) who gave me a lift. Dropped me off at the beginning of Kendal where I had about half a mile left to do. The youth of today really aren't as they are painted.
So, I de-shoed and examined the damage. Both heels had oozed a bit. Left little toe was sticking out like the proverbial but it's been trying to complain for a few days. The fore-foot blister pads both felt warm to the touch, so perhaps still mending. Hmmm. Was thinking of another walk-ette tomorrow, but I might wait and see how they feel in the morning

I've had a nice bath though so not quite so smelly! With dressings on my feet it's been difficult to wash.....

I'll get back to you soon x

The Kindness Of People

Even before I set off on my journey, I was struck by the kindness of people. Not just those I know and love, but folk I'd never even met or spoken to.

By the time I left home, a forum chum had offered a bed for a night (thanks Andy). I also had lined up use of a cottage south of Bristol (where I took the photos on the morning I stopped walking) because I had e-mailed a company asking for help as I needed somewhere in their vicinity. A couple on a working farm had also responded to a letter seeking help (I found them on yell). My ex-in-laws (you know what I mean) own the flat in Kendal where I am currently resting up.

Along the way, it's been the same. Chirpy responses to my polite requests for tap water, sometimes returned with ice and once with some strawberries as well! A couple of cab drivers who've not charged the meter rate (can you imagine that in London?!).
I've really not mentioned the fundraising side of the effort at all unless asked directly as this is as much a personal challenge as anything else (although my colleagues were fighting over who should get the proceeds as I left - even the legacy team!). I've still had two people give me cash donations.

And since I've been hobbling about all sorts of people have been offering help! My stereotyping of a group of young people drinking in the afternoon at the Harvester was completely disproved when one of the chaps carried - unasked - my rucsac when I decamped onto the grass from my lunch table.

Let's hope the Scots are just as lovely as I'm going to be there for quite a while!

Of course, I know one Scotsman who's done more than anyone else already :o))))


I also shared a giggle in the street in Kendal yesterday passing a man struggling up the pavement while I was gingerly making my way down, realising how hopeless we both looked.

The feet!

The above was taken last Wednesday morning.

This was photographed in a mirror, so is the left foot. And it was taken today, so is after 4 days of getting better -- it was worse at the time.

Litter

Walking along, you notice things and one of the subjects that started to provide entertainment was the litter you find at the side of the road. Now many of the roads I've travelled aren't much walked so items must come from passing vehicles.

First puzzle: why so many gloves, usually the heavy duty, workman type? Theory: they get chucked in the back of the truck and the wind catches them. Next stage is to investigate if evenly split between right and left hands.
Then shoes. Surely they don't jump out in the same way as the gloves? Mostly singletons but occasionally a pair.

Banana skins. Now either bananas are the refuelling choice of motorists and their passengers over other fruit or the skins do take longer to decompose. Personally I don't like them!

Underwear. Yes, that's what I said. Two pairs of underpants and what looked like a black lacy thong. Hmmm.

Fast food packaging and drinks containers. Honestly, if you bought it why can't you keep the rubbish in the car until you find a bin or get home? The car will smell of the food anyway.

Bags of rubbish, tied up and all.

The main message to me is that people don't care about what's outside their own little world. Once it's out of the car window it's gone. It may not even be someone else's problem as it doesn't exist anymore. But it does matter. Most of the things I've mentioned won't biodegrade. They'll linger for years, cluttering up the hedgerows, poisoning or choking wildlife.

And you have to wonder at why some things have been thrown away.......

Take pride in your country and don't use it like a bin.

Please sponsor me: www.justgiving.com/womblejog Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Texts from Womble

Latest status:

"I must look a complete crock - people keep offering to carry my bag or ask if I'm OK"

"I'm at Monmouth. Bus to Hereford, then hopefully another to Leominster".

25th June - from Mike

Hi. I collected Womble yesterday at 5pm. You can imagine how bad things must have been if she'd stopped at a "Harvester". She struggled to walk even a few yards to the car. The ambulance crew had bound her feet up, but they were pretty bad.

We spent the evening drowning our sorrows in the pub that she was booked to spend the night at. (Well, at the attached B+B). It was clear, I think, that 36 hours of rest was not going to fix it. The plan had to change.

But what to have as a new objective? Hitchhike to JOG? Drink in every county between here and JOG? Pick up all the litter between here and JOG?

The plan currently is to complete the journey, but for the next few days at least, to make use of public transport. Maybe get back to walking as and when the feet recover. With this plan, at least, she can use the accommodation that she's booked. I'll rejoin her on Saturday.

Now I have to go back to work and explain why I disappeared suddenly in the middle of Wednesday....

24th June

From Womble:

"Hi guys, nightmare day here today. Reached yesterday's destination as planned - no hiccups except one pub having closed down. However, feet really painful overnight and didn't sleep well as a result. I usually have a slow start and then feet get into rhythm and we keep going. Didn't happen. By five miles it was hurting so much I became one of those anecdotal people who rings 999 for a blister. I was in tears. The nice young men confirmed no infection, so that was good. They re-dressed the worst culprit (right foot - the pad before the toes) and advised rest then they asked how much further I had left to go today! They were very good and weren't at all dismissive or impatient.

I have since hobbled on to the Harvester by J17 of M5 where I'm waiting for Mike. We're going to review schedule and see how to rescue the situation.

Thanks for all the messages, here, on the blog, texts, e-mails....I might offer a prize for first owl mail :-)

I bought a lottery ticket "Always look on the bright side of life......"

Story So Far

Day 1 lovely. It rained. Fledgling blister on left heel, hardly visible but in one of usual places.

Day 2 sunny, put precautionary compeed on baby blister. By the evening it was becoming a potentially troublesome teen and three new friends had arrived.

Day 3 feet starting to hurt. A lot. Stopped early, feeling quite ill. Left knee had started to twinge with all the walking on a camber. Reached Devon at 17.05.

Day 4 Saturday said goodbye to Mike as he took my bag to Tiverton. He dropped me back at yesterday's stop point. Lunch in Okehampton so I was back where I'd started in the morning! Got to Tiverton by cab for last few miles although I had a pint in a nice pub while waiting. Didn't like the b&b. Spotted swollen knee when I got in the bath.

Day 5 Yesterday I'd felt sick in the morning as I was really worried that I'd f**ked up already. Today I just wanted to cry and for Mike to come back and tell me it would be ok. Made it to Bridgwater - again by cab at the end (nice interesting Persian called Amir). Asked nice b&b man if I could stay two nights instead of one. Got to Somerset at 19.20.

Day 6 mostly overcast although a bit claggy at times! Went out and caught up on miles with a relatively short 18! Taunton seems to have only one pub that does food and it looked awful. Another was happy to provide ice for my knee and let me eat a sandwich procured elsewhere. In return I bought a pint of Stella for £2.50! Knee went through very dodgy patch in afternoon but then decided to cooperate. I bought it a bag of ice as reward.

So, I've dropped a day but am on schedule in relation to where the accommodation and walking are. I have learned that I must get out earlier in the morning.

Onwards and upwards! And thanks for all the messages, it's really lovely to hear from people x

Some thoughts from the road... KIT

Best new bit of kit - joint winners (1) Lowe Alpine dryflo technical knickers and (2) Berghaus 35+8 Freeflow rucsac.

Best bit of kit I already had - Garmin 305 although I'm not using HR strap.

Most disappointing bit of new kit - Freeloader solar recharger. Only seems capable of putting about half a day's power into the Garmin - which isn't much bliddy use.

So, if anyone is in Bridgwater, Somerset on Monday evening and could lend me a 305 charger plug for 3 weeks that would be marvellous!! Email me directly at runningwombleathotmaildotcom
as I'm not sure if messages through the site are getting through or disappearing into junk (don't know what Bilberry does with that).

Doing ok - the Blackberry although a plea here to RW Towers to make a 'light' version of the site for Blackberry users (and other devices - presume) so it doesn't lock up for hours loading things (presumably all those clever ads).

Worst bit of kit - my feet.

Overall Winner - MikeFrog :o) Obviously he's not really kit but the most valuable item on the trip xxx

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Womble reports .....

Day Zero - the Big Day dawns

After an uneventful (having forgotten the "Don't eat at Little Chef" rule) and glorious weather, we got to Land's End just after 5. It was shut. *The* signpost had gone home for the night and even the seagulls couldn't be bothered to hassle the lost souls wandering about. We established that the post would return at 10am. So much for an early start.

Things looked up when we got the Youth Hostel at St Just. A family room for the two of us, they did meals and had some nice beer. View from the garden was lovely too.

Day One It's really happening
Got to LE early and managed a cup of coffee at the hotel ("We don't normally open to non-residents until 10"). I think the whole place opens at 10, not that there's much to see. The 'official picture left us £9.50 lighter but they did at least then let us take some of our own too.

Finally met up with Liz who's both a forum friend as well as sister of a club-mate. She'd cycled into a stiff headwind from Penzance to see me off. Unlike yesterday, this was grey, nasty and very windy.

So, at 10.36 the journey began. Shortly after so did the rain. It stayed until late afternoon. Flaming June, eh? Mike drove to Redruth station and caught the train back to Penzance where we had lunch. The soggy frog then joined me for 18.22 miles which is not bad considering he'd just done South Downs marathon and no walk training. My feet weren't too bad at all. We drove to Illogan YH, seemingly to share with only one other couple. No meals here so we'd raided Tesco. Just a dorm for 8 to ourselves this time, with only outdoor mobile coverage!

Day Two I like windfarms

Back to Redruth station where the ticket lady was bemused by my request to stamp my verification form. Lunch in a pub somewhere(!) then Mike drove on to our b&b in Bodmin and cycled back. We rendezvous-ed at Indian Queens for afternoon tea (petrol station machine tea and coffee, sandwich for him and flapjack for me) We know how to live.

I wondered if some people run a b&b just so they can show people how 'nice' their house is. A very small room and lots of instructions to remember. Bodmin seemed to be shut the whole time we were there. We ate at Bodmin Jail, an interesting setting no doubt. Food was good although I thought a bit expensive. Restaurant was in the old chapel and I don't think they could decide on a style so it was an odd mixture of carved wood (gothic), nautical items including a rope pattern in the carpet and some art deco (I think) splashes. Very odd. I don't think Kevin would approve.

Feet starting to hurt and a total of 4 compeed had been applied by the end of the day.
***

More to follow but not tonight. It's been a hard day and my feet really hurt. Just over 30 miles.

On the way ....

A brief posting by beanz on behalf of Womble.

"Wednesday - Day 1 done - 28.4 miles. Network coverage a bit ropey"


"Thursday - lunch in a pub in Zelah. Today was Redruth to Bodmin 30.17 and my feet are starting to hurt!"



beanz says "I'll try and make a google map to track progress."

The Route

Well, a few people have been asking and I suppose it's about time I revealed the plan:

Day 0: 16 June Arrive Land's End
Day 1: 17 June Land's End to Portreath
Day 2: 18 June Portreath to Bodmin
Day 3: 19 June Bodmin to Okehampton
Day 4: 20 June Okehampton to Tiverton
Day 5: 21 June Tiverton to Bridgwater
Day 6: 22 June Bridgwater to Long Ashton
Day 7: 23 June Long Ashton to Trellech
Day 8: 24 June Trellech to Leominster
Day 9: 25 June Leominster to Chatford
Day 10: 26 June Chatford to Bickley Moss
Day 11: 27 June Bickley Moss to Winwick
Day 12: 28 June Winwick to Garstang
Day 13: 29 June Garstang to Kendal
Day 14: 30 June Rest!
Day 15: 01 July Kendal to Plumpton
Day 16: 02 July Plumpton to Kirkpatrick Fleming
Day 17: 03 July Kirkpatrick Fleming to Nether Howecleuch
Day 18: 04 July Nether Howecleuch to New Lanark
Day 19: 05 July New Lanark to Stirling
Day 20: 06 July Stirling to Foulford
Day 21: 07 July Foulford to Trinafour
Day 22: 08 July Trinafour to Kingussie
Day 23: 09 July Kingussie to Moy
Day 24: 10 July Moy to Alness
Day 25: 11 July Alness to Golspie
Day 26: 12 July Golspie to Dunbeath
Day 27: 13 July Dunbeath to Reiss
Day 28: 14 July Reiss to John O'Groats

The last 8 days are potentially subject to small changes.

Mike is going to be with me at the beginning and end. There's a possibility of a mini-social in Okehampton and a certain forumite is putting me up along the way (in the scouse region). However, if you feel you'd like to meet up one evening (or you fancy a briskish walk) then get in touch. If you haven't got my contactables then try sending an e-mail to runningwombleathotmaildotcom

For inspiration, my desktop at work has had a picture like this for the last few weeks:



It's starting to feel a bit real now.

I'm fully equipped with all sorts of gadgetry which will, of course, conspire against any wishes I have to keep this blog updated with my adventures, but I'll be trying anyway.

And yes, please sponsor me in support of Crisis, the national charity for homeless people. Especially as they've been so kind as to let me out of the office for five weeks!