Now that the dust has settled on our walk and our aching limbs have started to recover, we wanted to take this opportunity to look back at some of our vital statistics!
So here goes...
Number of miles walked: 186 (not 18, as was published in local paper 'The County Echo)
Number of gates and stiles encountered: 593 (we didn't count...this is what it said on the internet!)
Number of blisters: 1 (a small one, on Dan's toe!)
Number of pubs visited: 25 (thanks to Steve and Tim Wise who have each sponsored us an extra £1 for each pub that we visited!)
Number of pints drunk each: 65 (approximately!)
Number of times we went in the sea between us: 3 (2-1 to Dan on this front!)
Number of people who joined us on the walk: 18 (thank you to you all for the company!)
Number of dogs who joined us on the walk: 3 (Cindie, Archie and Mims - all very well behaved!)
Number of times emergency toilet roll had to be used in conjunction with a large bush: 1 (we are not telling you which one of us it was!)
Number of old ladies in bed accidentally walked in on whilst looking for some milk: 1 (don't ask!!)
And most importantly...amount of money raised so far: £4918.61 (£5847.11 with gift aid)
With money still to come in, we are confident we will reach our £5000 target. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated or help us raise money-we really do appreciate it.
And finally a big thank you to our families and friends, and to everyone who has supported us along the way!
Tight (but slowly recovering) calves!
Dan and James
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Day 15: We made it!!
Day 15: Newport to St Dogmaels
Well, we did it! Finished on schedule and without too much trouble in the end. Our eagerness to reach the end was growing and when we woke this morning, after once again having a couple of beers to many, we were ready to put this to bed.
Heading North, the final stretch, as people keep repeating, is the most arduous. We had been quietly confident however that it wouldn't pose us too many problems (we can say this now we have done it!) as it is coming at the end of the walk when, all being well, we should be at our fittest.
After checking out from Mrs. Breeze's B&B in Newport and meeting up with Ben, Dan's brother who was to join us for the last day's walking, we made our way to Newport Beach and joined the path proper again.
Ben, as has been alluded to into previous posts, is fit. He goes to the gym and eats well. He understands the phrase "moderation". We on the other hand don't, at least not to his high standards.
We warned Ben not to rush ahead or beat us to the finish line. We've enjoyed his company, but there was no way, having come this far, he was going to be allowed to waltz in here all nimble footed and slender calved, making a show of us.
As it turned out, he was patient with us. The path was hard and some of the more remote we have walked. In places it rises and falls quite regularly and along this stretch you also come to the highest point on the path - about 175m. Facing some of those hills, which rise to this height from sea level and take about 15 minutes to climb (water breaks included here!) was daunting, but a great sense of achievement all around once the summit had been reached. This sense of achievement was heightened with a quick glance at Ben, sweating slightly and breathing heavily!
We passed through some beautiful landscape, including up and around the Witches' Cauldron, and also some of the most treacherous, without wanting to sound dramatic. As the path rises higher and higher, the cliff edges are more threatening; nature hiding these deadly drops under a blankets of green, lush bracken. We weren't to be fooled however, and had long ago developed an unwritten code of conduct for the lead walker (most of the Coast Path does need to be walked in single file), which includes the task of warning about the thousands of snails, slugs and bumble bees littering the path (this may sound wet, but it would have been carnage otherwise) and also warning of emerging sheer edges. A system that worked also as a form of pace setting. "To the back please Ben!".
As this stretch is more remote, there are warning signs explaining that there are no escape points along the vast majority of the route, and that there are no places to eat, drink or use the loo. There was however one familiar face that we saw-James' dad Nigel, who passed by in his fishing boat and shouted words of encouragement (at least we think that is what they were!)
Being hardened walkers of course, this tough landscape was not a problem (arrogance creeping in), but the closer we came to the finish line, the more the feet hurt and muscles ached. This has to be a purely psychological condition; dreaming of beer and warm beds does nothing for the next 1/2 mile that needs negotiating.
As we arrived at Poppit Sands, we were met by Jody and Shelia (Dan's sister and mum respectively), and Cindy the dog, that latter two both regulars on the walk of course.
We walked to Poppit where there was some debate over where the path officially ends, and so another couple of miles to St. Dogmaels and the reassuringly inconspicuous sign, confirming the finish and the milage travelled.
We had not expected much from the finish line, no parties or bunting and with swollen feet and sun burnt faces, we drank some well deserved medicinal pints at a local pub.
So, as we come to the end of the last post, it is worth reflecting that despite the time away and the aches and pains, along every bit of the route, the views, scenery and people you meet force you to keep your head up and to appreciate the experience, no matter how trying it can occasionally be.
And of course having made our small contribution with your help to the Lifeboats and Ty-Hafan, having met so many lovely and generous people along the way and spent time with old friends and family, it really is true that it is the journey that matters, not the destination.
Tight Calves!
James & Dan
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Well, we did it! Finished on schedule and without too much trouble in the end. Our eagerness to reach the end was growing and when we woke this morning, after once again having a couple of beers to many, we were ready to put this to bed.
Heading North, the final stretch, as people keep repeating, is the most arduous. We had been quietly confident however that it wouldn't pose us too many problems (we can say this now we have done it!) as it is coming at the end of the walk when, all being well, we should be at our fittest.
After checking out from Mrs. Breeze's B&B in Newport and meeting up with Ben, Dan's brother who was to join us for the last day's walking, we made our way to Newport Beach and joined the path proper again.
Ben, as has been alluded to into previous posts, is fit. He goes to the gym and eats well. He understands the phrase "moderation". We on the other hand don't, at least not to his high standards.
We warned Ben not to rush ahead or beat us to the finish line. We've enjoyed his company, but there was no way, having come this far, he was going to be allowed to waltz in here all nimble footed and slender calved, making a show of us.
As it turned out, he was patient with us. The path was hard and some of the more remote we have walked. In places it rises and falls quite regularly and along this stretch you also come to the highest point on the path - about 175m. Facing some of those hills, which rise to this height from sea level and take about 15 minutes to climb (water breaks included here!) was daunting, but a great sense of achievement all around once the summit had been reached. This sense of achievement was heightened with a quick glance at Ben, sweating slightly and breathing heavily!
We passed through some beautiful landscape, including up and around the Witches' Cauldron, and also some of the most treacherous, without wanting to sound dramatic. As the path rises higher and higher, the cliff edges are more threatening; nature hiding these deadly drops under a blankets of green, lush bracken. We weren't to be fooled however, and had long ago developed an unwritten code of conduct for the lead walker (most of the Coast Path does need to be walked in single file), which includes the task of warning about the thousands of snails, slugs and bumble bees littering the path (this may sound wet, but it would have been carnage otherwise) and also warning of emerging sheer edges. A system that worked also as a form of pace setting. "To the back please Ben!".
As this stretch is more remote, there are warning signs explaining that there are no escape points along the vast majority of the route, and that there are no places to eat, drink or use the loo. There was however one familiar face that we saw-James' dad Nigel, who passed by in his fishing boat and shouted words of encouragement (at least we think that is what they were!)
Being hardened walkers of course, this tough landscape was not a problem (arrogance creeping in), but the closer we came to the finish line, the more the feet hurt and muscles ached. This has to be a purely psychological condition; dreaming of beer and warm beds does nothing for the next 1/2 mile that needs negotiating.
As we arrived at Poppit Sands, we were met by Jody and Shelia (Dan's sister and mum respectively), and Cindy the dog, that latter two both regulars on the walk of course.
We walked to Poppit where there was some debate over where the path officially ends, and so another couple of miles to St. Dogmaels and the reassuringly inconspicuous sign, confirming the finish and the milage travelled.
We had not expected much from the finish line, no parties or bunting and with swollen feet and sun burnt faces, we drank some well deserved medicinal pints at a local pub.
So, as we come to the end of the last post, it is worth reflecting that despite the time away and the aches and pains, along every bit of the route, the views, scenery and people you meet force you to keep your head up and to appreciate the experience, no matter how trying it can occasionally be.
And of course having made our small contribution with your help to the Lifeboats and Ty-Hafan, having met so many lovely and generous people along the way and spent time with old friends and family, it really is true that it is the journey that matters, not the destination.
Tight Calves!
James & Dan
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Days 13 & 14: Almost there!
Day 13: Pwllderi to Fishguard
Day 14: Fishguard to Newport
Two days for the price of one in this entry. What good value!
Days 13 and 14 continued through some stretches of the path that are relatively familiar to us both, taking us around the lighthouse at Strumble Head, past Goodwick and Fishguard, and on further north towards Newport.
The two days were very contrasting in terms of weather-hot sunshine on Thursday, followed by rain (quite heavy at times) on Friday. Strangely enough, it was the rain that we both found more enjoyable to walk in - far more refreshing!
We were dropped off at Pwllderi on Thursday morning by Maggie and Jonathan, who, along with Lorna, then drove onto Strumble Head and walked back to meet us.
We had lunch with them on a grassy slope overlooking the lighthouse, and they continued walking on with us for a short while, before turning back. They did however leave us with a mission, to find the stone that marks the place of the last invasion of the UK, close to Fishguard. We succeeded - photographic evidence below!
We soon dropped down into Goodwick, where we stopped for a quick drink at the Glendower (pub number 17), before making our way up the hill to Fishguard, and to James' parents Nicola and Nigel's house, where we were staying tonight. After a brief visit into town to The Royal Oak (number 18) to catch up with The Bear (Matthew Griffiths), along with his mum Breda and his two little cubs Joseph and Grace, we returned to a lovely meal cooked by Nic (in the same way that we have found with Dan's mum Sheila, you can't beat a bit of home cooking!), and took the opportunity to bore her and Nige, along with James' brother Josh and his girlfriend Jo, with some of the inane videos that we have taken during the walk.
The next morning, after bacon and eggs prepared by James, we set out in overcast and drizzly conditions towards Lower Fishguard, where Dan spotted 'Sanity', his Dad's old sailing boat, sitting in the harbour. With its mast up, it looked like it was being well used and well looked after by the new owners, which was great to see - he would have wanted it to go to a good home, and for someone to get as much enjoyment out of it as he always did.
We followed the road up the hill and past the fort, as the weather really started to close in and the rain became heavier. We had our waterproofs on though (both on us and our bags!), and as we mentioned earlier, it was actually quite nice. We don't think that the groups of people huddled in small caravans at the cliff top holiday park we passed just after Fishguard would agree with this observation however!
We stopped off for a quick pint and to dry off at The Sailors Safety in Pwllgwaelod (number 19!) where we bumped into Dean Drummond, an old school friend that we hadn't seen for a few years, and when we came out, the rain had stopped. We continued to the pretty village of Cwm-yr-Eglwys, where we enjoyed a lunch of meat pie and ham rolls prepared by Nic.
At this stage, our destination of Newport was already in sight across the bay, but it was a little deceptive and it was about another 3 or 4 miles (complete with lots more of these ups and downs that we are getting accustomed to!) over the headland and past the seafront and yacht club into the town.
Whilst Dan enjoyed a long soak in a hot bath, James took the opportunity to go and visit his Nan, who lives in the town.
We ended the day with a few drinks in The Castle and The Royal Oak (numbers 20 and 21!), where we also had a curry. The Oak has a good reputation for specialising in Indian food, but we found it overpriced and not brilliant - average food that took over an hour to arrive, and then they had to refund our money for the naan breads we had ordered as they had run out.
Also in the Oak were a couple that are also walking the path, and who we had bumped into a number of times before over the last few days. It was nice to have a chance to sit down and have a chat with them properly and compare stories and experiences from the walk, although it did mean that we went to bed a little later than planned given the long day tomorrow.
Well, we are definitely on the final straight now, and contrary to what a few doubters (who will remain nameless!) may have thought, it looks like the bodies are going to carry us through and that we are going to make it. Having said that however, we have found throughout the walk that quite often the toughest part of a day's walking is the final few miles when we have the day's destination in sight and seemingly within reach. With this in mind, and with a 16 mile stretch to St Dogmaels (that everyone says is the toughest day of all) still to go, we don't want to count our chickens just yet...
Tight calves!
Dan and James
Day 14: Fishguard to Newport
Two days for the price of one in this entry. What good value!
Days 13 and 14 continued through some stretches of the path that are relatively familiar to us both, taking us around the lighthouse at Strumble Head, past Goodwick and Fishguard, and on further north towards Newport.
The two days were very contrasting in terms of weather-hot sunshine on Thursday, followed by rain (quite heavy at times) on Friday. Strangely enough, it was the rain that we both found more enjoyable to walk in - far more refreshing!
We were dropped off at Pwllderi on Thursday morning by Maggie and Jonathan, who, along with Lorna, then drove onto Strumble Head and walked back to meet us.
We had lunch with them on a grassy slope overlooking the lighthouse, and they continued walking on with us for a short while, before turning back. They did however leave us with a mission, to find the stone that marks the place of the last invasion of the UK, close to Fishguard. We succeeded - photographic evidence below!
We soon dropped down into Goodwick, where we stopped for a quick drink at the Glendower (pub number 17), before making our way up the hill to Fishguard, and to James' parents Nicola and Nigel's house, where we were staying tonight. After a brief visit into town to The Royal Oak (number 18) to catch up with The Bear (Matthew Griffiths), along with his mum Breda and his two little cubs Joseph and Grace, we returned to a lovely meal cooked by Nic (in the same way that we have found with Dan's mum Sheila, you can't beat a bit of home cooking!), and took the opportunity to bore her and Nige, along with James' brother Josh and his girlfriend Jo, with some of the inane videos that we have taken during the walk.
The next morning, after bacon and eggs prepared by James, we set out in overcast and drizzly conditions towards Lower Fishguard, where Dan spotted 'Sanity', his Dad's old sailing boat, sitting in the harbour. With its mast up, it looked like it was being well used and well looked after by the new owners, which was great to see - he would have wanted it to go to a good home, and for someone to get as much enjoyment out of it as he always did.
We followed the road up the hill and past the fort, as the weather really started to close in and the rain became heavier. We had our waterproofs on though (both on us and our bags!), and as we mentioned earlier, it was actually quite nice. We don't think that the groups of people huddled in small caravans at the cliff top holiday park we passed just after Fishguard would agree with this observation however!
We stopped off for a quick pint and to dry off at The Sailors Safety in Pwllgwaelod (number 19!) where we bumped into Dean Drummond, an old school friend that we hadn't seen for a few years, and when we came out, the rain had stopped. We continued to the pretty village of Cwm-yr-Eglwys, where we enjoyed a lunch of meat pie and ham rolls prepared by Nic.
At this stage, our destination of Newport was already in sight across the bay, but it was a little deceptive and it was about another 3 or 4 miles (complete with lots more of these ups and downs that we are getting accustomed to!) over the headland and past the seafront and yacht club into the town.
Whilst Dan enjoyed a long soak in a hot bath, James took the opportunity to go and visit his Nan, who lives in the town.
We ended the day with a few drinks in The Castle and The Royal Oak (numbers 20 and 21!), where we also had a curry. The Oak has a good reputation for specialising in Indian food, but we found it overpriced and not brilliant - average food that took over an hour to arrive, and then they had to refund our money for the naan breads we had ordered as they had run out.
Also in the Oak were a couple that are also walking the path, and who we had bumped into a number of times before over the last few days. It was nice to have a chance to sit down and have a chat with them properly and compare stories and experiences from the walk, although it did mean that we went to bed a little later than planned given the long day tomorrow.
Well, we are definitely on the final straight now, and contrary to what a few doubters (who will remain nameless!) may have thought, it looks like the bodies are going to carry us through and that we are going to make it. Having said that however, we have found throughout the walk that quite often the toughest part of a day's walking is the final few miles when we have the day's destination in sight and seemingly within reach. With this in mind, and with a 16 mile stretch to St Dogmaels (that everyone says is the toughest day of all) still to go, we don't want to count our chickens just yet...
Tight calves!
Dan and James
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