Day 45 (May 17) Langton Matravers to South Haven Point (Poole)

Melv & I made a late start to our final day; we didn't get out of our beds until 6.30 but we knew that today's walk would be a short one because we had extended yesterday's walk.
We had just passed Swanage & as we approached "Old Harry's Rocks" we noticed this elderly gentleman almost collapsed on a bench. Being good Samaritans , like whot we is, we pushed him over the cliff - no we didn't, we took pity on him. Then I realised it was John P. Between us Melv & I managed to carry John to the nearest pub where a drink seemed to revive him. John was certainly revived by the time we passed through the nudist beach on Studland Heath. We dragged John on, screaming & shouting, to the finish at South Haven Point where we were met by thousands of well wishers, radio & t.v. reporters all demanding interviews, autographs, etc. In reality we were met by Lyn & Barbara. After a few photos we went back to the van which was decorated with balloons & bunting and had some champagne & nibbles (food).
Melv & I are sad at the thought of no more walking tomorrow - NOT. Our feet are blistered and sore and we are definitely going to celebrate tonight.
And now big thank you's to the following: Melv who walked with me for 10 days on the north coast of Devon & Cornwall early doors & then returned and walked 8 more days on the south coast of Devon & Dorset. Remember Melv lives in Norfolk so had a very long way to travel. I couldn't have completed the walk without his good-natured support - he kept my spirits up in trying weather conditions. Some of his jokes were terrible & the wind ......! but you can't have everything. Also thanks to Melv's wife Jacqui who was with us for the north coast bit; she helped Lyn a lot and ferried us from coast path to camp sites which meant no drinkies!
Thanks to John (and Barbara of course) for walking with me for 2 and a bit days - the 2 days were in horrid weather conditions and again he kept my spirits up with chat about how well Chelsea were playing & how poorly Blackburn were doing.
thanks to nephew Mark, Kerra, Kyle & Holly for walking with me on day 4. It was great to see a couple of youngsters enjoying themselves in the fresh air unlike so many overweight, pasty-faced kids who spend their lives in front of the t.v. and computers. Well done to the 4 of you.
Thanks to Steve who set up the blog site - brilliant. Also Steve walked with me twice on the north coast of Cornwall and wife Pat who walked with me at Hayle to Carbis Bay. Also thanks to you in advance for next Saturday - I shall be very hungry!
Thank you Vaughan for walking with me on day 38 and to Jacquie for her support. i used to wlk with Vaughan every Tuesday when I lived in devon and I miss his company.
Thank you to Terry & Sue for looking after our house (along with Pat & Steve) during the duration of the walk. I know you have drunk all my wine and sold off most of our treasured possessions but you are good friends.
Thank you Graham (& Melissa) for meeting up with us in Brixham ( a good evening) and for looking after Melv's car.
Thank you to Peter D. for meeting up with us in Porthtowan - a nice supportive gesture.
Thank you to all those people who have posted comments on the blog site. Some of you posted blogs every other day and very amusing ones they were too. These comments certainly helped me through lonely days in nasty weather conditions.
Thank you Jayne for walking with me on day 42. You were smashing company - sorry you got your hair wet.
Thank you to Cathie & John for meeting up with us at Crackington Haven. lovely to see you - a good evening.
Thank you to The West Briton for publicising my efforts to raise funds for the RNLI. Hopefully this will bear fruit.
Thank you to Chelstons for their support.
One negative - we approached all the T.V. and radio companies to get some coverage. They gave us none - you should be ashamed!
Many thanks to those who have made donations to the RNLI and if any of you have enjoyed reading this blog please support the RNLI by sending cheques made payable to the RNLI and send
to me :
Peter Crago, 35 Castle Drive, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4NF.

And of course the biggest thank you of all goes to my long suffering wife Lyn who drove the motorhome. Lyn had not driven the van before and she took all the narrow lanes in her stride. She supplied great meals, did essential washing, catered for drowned rats, etc. etc. without ever complaining. I love you sweetheart.