Dear All,
It's just over a month since we finished the Walk. The blisters have healed (even Kevin's) but the memories are still strong.
The cash has all been gathered in and I wanted to let everyone know that our offical total has reached the staggering figure of £2524.55.
It doesn't seem so long ago that were were optimitically hoping to reach £1000.00, and the amount we've actially raised has taken us all completely by surprise. There may be a little more to trickle in, but as an official total this will do me nicely.
Many people have told us we did a wonderful thing, but all we did was go for a nice walk in the country; it was YOU who did the wonderful thing by donating. The money will go some way towards altering the lives of some very special people who deserve all the support and honour we can bestow upon them.
So on their and our own behalfs we'd all like to issue a final THANK YOU to all who donated, all who wished us well, and all who kept us going even when our feet were aching and our kit was heavy. We'll always look back on this adventure with immense pride, and always remember that there are many many very good people out there.
Thank you all, and goodbye.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona,
Hadrian’s Help for Heroes.
Monday 6 September 2010
Friday 6 August 2010
Reflections on a job well done.
Well it's been a couple of days since we finished now and the dust has settled, giving us all time to reflect on what we've achieved.
Obviously the main point was to raise as much cash as we could for a very worthy cause, and in this we succeeded beyond our expectations. Most of the money came in through the just giving website as we anticipated, but we still made over £400.00 in bucket collections over the five days of the Walk. It was therefore well worth the effort of carrying the collection tins as we marched. We also handed out cards with the just giving address on to people in places where we couldn't collect, so there could be some more to come in from that source before the end. In addition, both Kev and I have some outstanding sponsorships to collect, so there's definately more to come. Currently we have a total in the region of £1650.00, and it could well top £1700.00 in the end.
So, cash aside, how do we think it went?
Firstly it has to be said that the whole project was a team effort. Although the idea was hatched by Kev and I during a pub-break on a hill walk a couple of years ago, the others were all on board very soon after, offering their support and services. Dawn, Ed and Catriona were instrumental in getting the displays set up at each site, and Ed and Catriona did most of the donkey work of carting the stuff around. John was a brilliant stand in legionary, taking on the combat routines after Kev broke his hand, and also pitching in with about half of the walking, after poor old Kev's feet went the same was as his hand! Dawn, Ed and Catriona all did their own stints at walking so that there was always at least two of us walking at any time.
So everyone played their part, everyone did their bit, and as a team we kept each other going and got the job done.
Would we do it again? I think the answer has to be yes we would. Everybody enjoyed themselves and had a good laugh, and we all got a massive kick out of achieving something positive. I certainly intend to walk along the wall again sometime, but as a tourist so that I can take in more of the scenery and spend more time just looking at the archaeology.
Would we do anything different? Again the answer is yes. Personally I would not recommend doing 85 miles in only five days. Although 17 miles a day does not sound too taxing, the terrain is variable and very rugged in some places, and we were rarely able to march at the pace we had anticipated. I also would not have planned to do so many shows, as they each took a lot of time and meant that we were frequently running late or walking against the clock. The result was some long days and late finishes, and if we were to start again now, I'd plan to do fewer, longer stops at sites, and do the hole thing in maybe six or seven days. But then again, where's the challenge in that?!
Finally, was it worth doing? Hell yes. I'd have walked the wall just for fun. I'd even have walked the wall in kit just for fun. So to do it for Help for Heroes was a bonus, and the support and good comments we got from everyone we met was the icing on the cake.
If anyone is actually reading this blog, and is thinking about walking the wall themselves - for any purpose - I hope these ramblings help to convince you to go for it. You won't regret it. Do your homework well, check your distances and timings, and most of all, make sure you have a damned good pair of boots! There’s so much to see and do in the Wall Country, that you’ll have a great time whatever the weather.
That’s about it from us. I doubt if there’ll be many more posts to follow, but in a couple of weeks when we’ve got something like an official total I shall post that. The just giving site will be active for a while yet, so if you haven’t donated yet you still can.
On behalf of the six of us I would like to say thanks for reading, I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing the story of our walk as much as we enjoyed doing it. Once again we’d like to thank you for your time, your best wishes and your encouragement. It meant a lot to us to know that others care for the cause of our wounded boys and girls as much as we do.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona,
Hadrian’s Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Obviously the main point was to raise as much cash as we could for a very worthy cause, and in this we succeeded beyond our expectations. Most of the money came in through the just giving website as we anticipated, but we still made over £400.00 in bucket collections over the five days of the Walk. It was therefore well worth the effort of carrying the collection tins as we marched. We also handed out cards with the just giving address on to people in places where we couldn't collect, so there could be some more to come in from that source before the end. In addition, both Kev and I have some outstanding sponsorships to collect, so there's definately more to come. Currently we have a total in the region of £1650.00, and it could well top £1700.00 in the end.
So, cash aside, how do we think it went?
Firstly it has to be said that the whole project was a team effort. Although the idea was hatched by Kev and I during a pub-break on a hill walk a couple of years ago, the others were all on board very soon after, offering their support and services. Dawn, Ed and Catriona were instrumental in getting the displays set up at each site, and Ed and Catriona did most of the donkey work of carting the stuff around. John was a brilliant stand in legionary, taking on the combat routines after Kev broke his hand, and also pitching in with about half of the walking, after poor old Kev's feet went the same was as his hand! Dawn, Ed and Catriona all did their own stints at walking so that there was always at least two of us walking at any time.
So everyone played their part, everyone did their bit, and as a team we kept each other going and got the job done.
Would we do it again? I think the answer has to be yes we would. Everybody enjoyed themselves and had a good laugh, and we all got a massive kick out of achieving something positive. I certainly intend to walk along the wall again sometime, but as a tourist so that I can take in more of the scenery and spend more time just looking at the archaeology.
Would we do anything different? Again the answer is yes. Personally I would not recommend doing 85 miles in only five days. Although 17 miles a day does not sound too taxing, the terrain is variable and very rugged in some places, and we were rarely able to march at the pace we had anticipated. I also would not have planned to do so many shows, as they each took a lot of time and meant that we were frequently running late or walking against the clock. The result was some long days and late finishes, and if we were to start again now, I'd plan to do fewer, longer stops at sites, and do the hole thing in maybe six or seven days. But then again, where's the challenge in that?!
Finally, was it worth doing? Hell yes. I'd have walked the wall just for fun. I'd even have walked the wall in kit just for fun. So to do it for Help for Heroes was a bonus, and the support and good comments we got from everyone we met was the icing on the cake.
If anyone is actually reading this blog, and is thinking about walking the wall themselves - for any purpose - I hope these ramblings help to convince you to go for it. You won't regret it. Do your homework well, check your distances and timings, and most of all, make sure you have a damned good pair of boots! There’s so much to see and do in the Wall Country, that you’ll have a great time whatever the weather.
That’s about it from us. I doubt if there’ll be many more posts to follow, but in a couple of weeks when we’ve got something like an official total I shall post that. The just giving site will be active for a while yet, so if you haven’t donated yet you still can.
On behalf of the six of us I would like to say thanks for reading, I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing the story of our walk as much as we enjoyed doing it. Once again we’d like to thank you for your time, your best wishes and your encouragement. It meant a lot to us to know that others care for the cause of our wounded boys and girls as much as we do.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona,
Hadrian’s Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Update.
Dear All,
Pictures from the last 2 days have just been posted, and after a day of rest it's time to see what we achieved.
After a preliminary count we've raised approximately £1650.00, which is fantastic. Once we've done a proper count I shall post the official total.
Thanks once again to all who sponsored us, who came to meet us and who sent theit best wishes. My feet are still killing me and I got away with it lightly, and without your support I doubt if any oif us would have seen it through to the end.
We're taking stock now, and I a day or so I shall post again with our reflections on what has been a hard challenge, but ultimately a great experience that we are all glad to have taken part in.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona
Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Pictures from the last 2 days have just been posted, and after a day of rest it's time to see what we achieved.
After a preliminary count we've raised approximately £1650.00, which is fantastic. Once we've done a proper count I shall post the official total.
Thanks once again to all who sponsored us, who came to meet us and who sent theit best wishes. My feet are still killing me and I got away with it lightly, and without your support I doubt if any oif us would have seen it through to the end.
We're taking stock now, and I a day or so I shall post again with our reflections on what has been a hard challenge, but ultimately a great experience that we are all glad to have taken part in.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona
Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Tuesday 3 August 2010
ROMA VICTORAE!!!!
DAY 5 - CARLISLE - BOWNESS ON SOLWAY.
We did it!
We started the day in Carlisle at Tullie House Museum, with the best show and the biggest crowd of the Walk. Tullie House had built an entire day's events around us being there, and that ensured there was plenty of interest. Oh yes, and my sword survived it's last test without exploding again, though I was nearly beaten to a pulp by the enthusiastic new recruits (children to you and me).
At 12.00 exactly Ed and I were back at the Sands Centre and began our treck to Burgh by Sands, 7 odd miles, and half way to Bowness. We arrived in double quick time at about 2.15 pm, and though my feet were feeling abused, we were both ok.
After a quick lunch and a pint in the Greyhound at Burgh, all six of us, joined by my Dad, two of my nieces (Heather and Erica) and my nephew (Ewan) set out on the last stage. It was mercifully uneventful, because I was feeling the strain more and more with every step. Considering Kev's feet were actually bleeding last night when he took his socks off, it was a miracle that he managed a step at all, let alone 8 miles.
As it was we all made it to Bowness about 6.00pm, and were greeted by my Mam, and Dawn's Mam and Dad. Dawn's Dad had thoughtfully brought a bottle of bubbly, which was triumphantly devoured in short order. Then we filed in to the packed King's Head Inn, for a well earned beer and congratulations - meeting several other groups who had just finished or were about to begin the hike.
John and Kev then set out home to Leeds, whilst the rest of us went back to my parents house for a splendid tea involving many pies, a shower and a rest.
I can't believe it's over - and that only 5 days ago were about to set out full of hope and enthusiasm. Now, we're all knackered but agree we wouldn't have changed anything, it's been a great experience, and we've raised well over £1000.00 now, I'll post a preliminary total tomorrow.
Photos of the last 2 days will follow tomorrow (I promise)!
The final Blister Count update:
Kev - Hardly any unblistered skin left on either foot - but he finished it with us all!
Stuart - Minor blistering to both feet - really can't complain.
Dawn - Just the one.
John - Ok.
Ed - Two but ok.
Catriona - Ok.
We must give our thanks to the following:
Ros Normandale and the staff at Tullie House, who treat us like royalty this morning.
EVERYONE WE'VE MET ALL WEEK - your good wishes and generosity made us keep going when even I though I'd been wildly optomistic, the sore knees, calves, feet and shoulders were worth it.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona
Hadrian's Help for Heroes (aka the Roamin' Romans at Tullie House)
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Monday 2 August 2010
Day 4 - Carvoran - Carlisle
Dear All,
Sorry once again for the delay in posting, but we had a late finish last night and we were too zonked to think of anything to say.
We began the day at the Roman Army Museum at Carvoran, and the lovely girls there looked after us really well for the hour we were there. There wasn't a large crowd so early on, but we did a show for a dozen or so people, including a group of Dutch bikers - who I rather believe thought they could have probably had us wussy Romans in a fight.
Then on to Birdoswald. The nearly 4 mile walk was really nice and picturesque, apart from the pull out of the river valley just below Birdoswald, which fealt like climbing a ladder. Ed joined Kev and I for this bit, and we were all glad to get to the end where were accosted by the local press.
Once again English Heritage made sure our brief stop at Birdoswald went smoothly, and John and I put on a good routine - although we managed to break another sword when the wooden handgrip of my spatha sheared. Fortunately we had wood glue, so with any luck it will survive tomorrow's last show!
Leaving Birdoswald we had a long hike ahead of 16 miles to get us into Carlisle. Dawn joined Kev and I for the first 6, after which Kev and I went on alone, intending to rendezvous with the others at Crosby on Eden, 4 miles out. Unfortunately with 4 miles to go, Kev's feet gave up and his blisters went bang. He needed to be rescued by car and I was left to do the 4 miles to Crosby alone. I got there about 7.30, and we had our teas in the Stag Inn - very good indeed.
After tea and a pint of Cumberland Ale, Ed, Dawn and I did the last 4 mile slog into Carlisle, arriving at the Sands Centre at last at about 9.40 pm. God was I glad to stop!
Then we drove to my parents to stay for the night, and we all collapsed in a heap and ate cake / drank coffee and went to bed.
We'll put photos of the day up later, and meanwhile - the blister count update:
Kev - both feet entirely blistered.
Me - three small blisters on toes.
Ed - No problems.
John - One little one.
Thanks to: EVERYONE WE MET YESTERDAY - you were all so kind and generous we didn't care that we're all starting to hurt.
Finally, we broke the £1000.00 mark on the website yesterday, and we've made a lot in the buckets - keep it doming folks!
Carlisle to Bowness on Solway today - 15 miles. COME ON!
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona
Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Sunday 1 August 2010
Day 3 - Tower Tye - Carvoran.
Dear All,
Day 3 is over and WE ARE PAST HALF WAY!
The weather has again been good today and John and I set out from Tower Tye after a very fine breakfast at the Twice Brewed.
The first leg was a straight 7.5 miles to Housesteads, which we reached at about 12.30. After a very good little show we pushed on to Steel Rigg. All six of us went on this 3.1 mile leg, and we were joined by Dawn's parents and my own. It was really nice but very rugged terrain, and we were a bit slow in getting to Steel Rigg where we jumped into the cars and shot off down to Vindolanda.
Unfortunately we arrived about an hour later than intended, and so only stayed for an hour. For anyone who was expecting us but had to leave before we got there, we apologise and plead sore feet as an excuse. Still, those who stayed were rewarded by a good scrap between John and I, and we thank you very much for hanging around to wait for us. After we left Vindolanda John and I went back to Steel Rigg to begin today's last leg - Steel Rigg to Carvoran, six miles.
If we thought the 3 miles between Housesteads and Steel Rigg had been rugged, this last leg was a beast. What made it worse was that we were against the clock, as we only had three hours to complete it before the Twice Brewed stopped serving dinner at 8.00pm. We left Steel Rigg at 5.20, and damn me we got to Carvoran at 7.45!
It was a hard last leg due to the pace, but we got back for dinner - to the victor the spoils!
After 3 days we're all feeling it, sore feet all round now, but the best bit was that Kev was up to doing some of the walking today, and should be ok to do some of tomorrow's legs.
Tomorrow we're starting at Carvoran and ending in Carlisle, with shows at Carvoran and Birdoswald.
Very nearly reached our £1000.00 target online - which makes the sore feet worth it after all!
Blister count update:
Kev - many but slowly improving.
Stuart - None but feet hurt tonight!
John - None yet.
Ed - Three but very mild.
List of people / places to thank today:
The Twice Brewed Inn for being brilliant and giving us excellent food - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Vindolanda Trust for letting us display there today.
The English Heritage staff at Housesteads for throwing themselves behind us and being very supportive.
The many people we met today who gave us donations as we walked by - thanks to you all.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona,
Hadrian's help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Day 2 – Harlow Hill – Tower Tye.
Sorry for the delay in posting, we suffered some connectivity issues at the Twice Brewed last night.
Today was a shorter day than yesterday – about 14 miles – but still a toughie. It began with a 6 mile hike from Harlow Hill to Portgate, and en-route we met a very nice gentleman who was once in the Coldstream Guards and was more than willing to force some money into our reluctant hands, and bought us a coffee at a roadside tea stop! At Portgate we were collected by Ed and taken to Corbridge for the first show of the day. It was a good fight, but the pommel of my sword sheared off under the stress and cut my hand. Not badly and the kids loved it – blood everywhere!
After the show we had a quick lunch and Kev set too sorting his feet out. They are blistered to hell and back and he had to sit out the afternoon session to let them heal a bit. His place on the march was taken by Powney the wonder legionary, and we were joined by Ed for a pleasant 6 miler to Chesters Fort. On the way we met some great folks, and picked up some more donations. Chesters was another good one, and this time we kept all our gear intact!
After leaving Chesters John and I, joined this time by Dawn, did the last 2 miles to Tower Tye where we ended the day, weary but triumphant.
Thanks to some fab donations we now have £970.00 on the Just Giving page, and we need to say thanks to a few people:
Everyone at English Heritage who helped us out at Corbridge and Chesters.
Betty and Henry from Haslingden for their generous offline donation.
Everyone else we met today who gave so generously.
Tomorrow promises to be a busy one – Housesteads and Vindolanda – two of the main sites of the whole Wall country – hope we’re up to it!
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed and Catriona:
Hadrian’s Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadianshelpforheroes
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