Have decided that I am banging my head against a brick wall with my efforts of collecting any more donations to the RNLI.
As some of you know I have written many letters/emails to various clubs, organisations and firms (probably about 150) but without much success. It is interesting to note that I had only 1 donation (from Starcross Fishing & Cruising Club) from all the sailing clubs (54) that I contacted. Only a handful even replied. I know times are hard, etc. and also many clubs support their own local branch of the RNLI but I would have thought that considering their membership is made up of comparatively wealthy people thay could have been more generous!
Almost all of the donations has come from friends, and I thank all of you for being supportive. From all of the letters/emails that I sent I received only 5 donations. The total raised was £630. However as some of the campsites that we stayed at gave us reductions Lyn and myself have made up the total to £750. I will now send off the cheques to the RNLI 's head office in Poole. If anyone reading this blog still wishes to make a donation please make cheques payable to the RNLI, send to me and then I will update on this blog site accordingly.
Thank you for reading.
Pete.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Update 22nd May
I've been neglecting all my millions of blog readers; sorry about that.
After spending last Thursday night at the brilliant Wareham Forest Tourist Park we drove back to Bovey Tracey to reunite Melv with his banger (no silly comments please!). We met up with John P., Graham, Jacqui and Vaughan, and after coffee and choccies said our farewells - Melv roared off back to Norfolk (in reality more of a phut, phut), Lyn and myself home to Falmouth.
Besides the washing, ironing, cleaning, etc. (the endearing little jobs for which you girlies were put on this planet) we are replying to emails and sending out reminders to people who might make donations to the RNLI. I have to say that the response so far has been very disappointing - perhaps if the radio and T.V. stations had taken just a little interest and given the walk some publicity the fund-raising would have been better. As some of you know I intend to publish, on this blog, the sum raised, however this won't be possible for a few weeks until all the monies (hopefully) have been collected.
A couple of facts before I log off (going on holiday on Thursday so I won't be posting anything on this site for a while):
SWCP Walk
Commenced Minehead April 3
Finished Poole May 17
Duration 44 days incl. 5 rest days
Distance 630 miles
Height climbed 111,500 ft (35,030m) just short of climbing Mt. Everest 4 times from sea-level
Would I do it again? Not the right moment to answer that but it was much tougher than I anticipated, and certainly not helped by the adverse weather conditions; slipping and sliding, and plodding on through, at times, gluttonous muck, being battered by high winds and driving rain is not my idea of fun. Conversely when the sun was shining and the path was dry(ish) it felt good to be alive; what better place to be. I don't think I could have completed the walk without be accompanied by some good friends, Melv in particular. Certainly I would have given up without the encouragement of Lyn.
After spending last Thursday night at the brilliant Wareham Forest Tourist Park we drove back to Bovey Tracey to reunite Melv with his banger (no silly comments please!). We met up with John P., Graham, Jacqui and Vaughan, and after coffee and choccies said our farewells - Melv roared off back to Norfolk (in reality more of a phut, phut), Lyn and myself home to Falmouth.
Besides the washing, ironing, cleaning, etc. (the endearing little jobs for which you girlies were put on this planet) we are replying to emails and sending out reminders to people who might make donations to the RNLI. I have to say that the response so far has been very disappointing - perhaps if the radio and T.V. stations had taken just a little interest and given the walk some publicity the fund-raising would have been better. As some of you know I intend to publish, on this blog, the sum raised, however this won't be possible for a few weeks until all the monies (hopefully) have been collected.
A couple of facts before I log off (going on holiday on Thursday so I won't be posting anything on this site for a while):
SWCP Walk
Commenced Minehead April 3
Finished Poole May 17
Duration 44 days incl. 5 rest days
Distance 630 miles
Height climbed 111,500 ft (35,030m) just short of climbing Mt. Everest 4 times from sea-level
Would I do it again? Not the right moment to answer that but it was much tougher than I anticipated, and certainly not helped by the adverse weather conditions; slipping and sliding, and plodding on through, at times, gluttonous muck, being battered by high winds and driving rain is not my idea of fun. Conversely when the sun was shining and the path was dry(ish) it felt good to be alive; what better place to be. I don't think I could have completed the walk without be accompanied by some good friends, Melv in particular. Certainly I would have given up without the encouragement of Lyn.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Day 44 (May 16) Durdle Door to Langton Matravers
Except for a couple of hours around midday we had sunny weather throughout the day - quite chilly at times though.
From our camp site at Durdle Door we walked to Lulworth Cove. From there we had to leave the coast path & detour (12 miles) around Lulworth Range cos the Army was playing at soldiers.
Outside the entrance to Lulworth Camp there was this tank, obviously placed there for 2 lads like Melv & me to play with! So I climb aboard & this nasty soldier boy tells me to get off. Well, he didn't frighten me; I am an ATC veteran! I said " you make me camel face". Then he says "I've got a big gun here pal". Melv steps in as my protector and says "leave my mate alone, sweetie or I will tickle you with my feather". That showed soldier boy who started to blub & ran off saying he would tell his sergeant about us.
We covered 24 miles in the day & some of the route was described in the SWCP handbook as 'severe'. Arrived at Langton Matravers knackered with very sore feet (more blisters).
From our camp site at Durdle Door we walked to Lulworth Cove. From there we had to leave the coast path & detour (12 miles) around Lulworth Range cos the Army was playing at soldiers.
Outside the entrance to Lulworth Camp there was this tank, obviously placed there for 2 lads like Melv & me to play with! So I climb aboard & this nasty soldier boy tells me to get off. Well, he didn't frighten me; I am an ATC veteran! I said " you make me camel face". Then he says "I've got a big gun here pal". Melv steps in as my protector and says "leave my mate alone, sweetie or I will tickle you with my feather". That showed soldier boy who started to blub & ran off saying he would tell his sergeant about us.
We covered 24 miles in the day & some of the route was described in the SWCP handbook as 'severe'. Arrived at Langton Matravers knackered with very sore feet (more blisters).
Day 43 (May 15) Portland to Durdle Door
Sunny and breezy most of the day except for a period in Weymouth when we had a really heavy squall. Melv and I were very impressed with Weymouth - lovely harbour and a prom that stretched for ever, and it's pretty obvious that a lot of money has been spent on tarting things up for The Olympics.
Today I just had Melv's back to focus upon unlike yesterday when I got quite excited looking at Jayne's bum - she asked me to - it was something to do with her 'lastic' being loose. 'Lastic' is a funny thing; normally you don't want to know women with loose 'lastic' - the women you fancy usually have very tight 'lastic'!
Today we went through several "kissing gates" - Melv's lips are quite chapped now, & just in case any of you are wondering we have become quite good friends on this walk!
Today I just had Melv's back to focus upon unlike yesterday when I got quite excited looking at Jayne's bum - she asked me to - it was something to do with her 'lastic' being loose. 'Lastic' is a funny thing; normally you don't want to know women with loose 'lastic' - the women you fancy usually have very tight 'lastic'!
Monday, 14 May 2012
Day 42 (May 14) Abbotsbury to Portland
I knew yesterday was too good to be true; the weather today was horrid, blustery wind & rain. However the day was brightened up with the presence of Jayne. Jayne is a serious outdoors athlete having competed in the Iron Man in Hawaii. So Jayne and Melv had plenty of things in common to natter about cos Melv has competed in endless triathlons. He has also run loads of marathons including the London marathon 13 times. He once ran 80 miles in 12 hours - the nutter!
After the 21 miles we were glad to get back to the van out of the weather and met up with Jayne's husband Andrew. Big Andrew, 6 feet 5 inches, ex policeman. Imagine him with his helmet on - he must have been 7 feet 14 inches - few criminals would want to accost this giant. If they did Portland would be their next hotel.
Day 41 (May 13) Charmouth to Abbotsbury
Nothing much to blog about really.
Lots of people out walking today in ideal walking conditions - cool breeze and sunny. Melv delayed us all day with his incessant chatter with these walkers. I am far too reserved & shy to engage in conversation with strangers.
Lovely scenery all day - sandy & shingly beaches. We did encounter quite a row whilst walking alongside some marshes - it was frogs or bullfrogs to be exact. Melv thought the noise was caused by grasshopper warblers but then he's not very bright.
Lots of people out walking today in ideal walking conditions - cool breeze and sunny. Melv delayed us all day with his incessant chatter with these walkers. I am far too reserved & shy to engage in conversation with strangers.
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Day 40 (May 12) Rest Day at Wood Farm
After our late meal last night we immediately took to our beds. I reckon I was asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.
So we slept in this morning & didn't get up until 8a.m. After wonderful shower we had a big fry up - just the ticket although I'm sure Melv had one more sausage than me - the porker!
Have spent the day cleaning waterproofs, boots etc. but also enjoying the wonderful SUNSHINE.
Only 5 more days to go - let's hope the weather is kind cos there are still some tough sections to complete.
So we slept in this morning & didn't get up until 8a.m. After wonderful shower we had a big fry up - just the ticket although I'm sure Melv had one more sausage than me - the porker!
Have spent the day cleaning waterproofs, boots etc. but also enjoying the wonderful SUNSHINE.
Only 5 more days to go - let's hope the weather is kind cos there are still some tough sections to complete.
Day 39 (May 11) Ladram to Charmouth
Today's walk was probably the most exhausting walk I have ever done. Although it was only just over 22 miles the terrain, especially from Seaton to Lyme Regis, was awful; the normal ups and downs but due to the amount of recent rainfall the path was a quagmire - just very slippery. Our boots felt so heavy with the accumulation of mud. Melv managed to have a tumble down some steps but luckily he didn't splash me with mud! We started out from Ladram at 7.30a.m. and arrived, absolutely shattered, at Charmouth at 7.45p.m. and we barely stopped walking all day. (We did have an ice cream at Lyme Regis but don't tell Lyn! We also had a beer at Beer - we felt obliged).
To compensate we are now staying at Wood Farm Caravan & Camping Park. The facilities are excellent and the owners have been very generous with their sponsorship for the RNLI. Thank you.
During the day Lyn was able to buy me a new stick as a replacement for the one Melv left behind in Budleigh Salterton. I hope he won't be so careless with this one!
"Twister" (whoever he/she is) has made a reappearance on the blog site and we thought he/she had expired!
To compensate we are now staying at Wood Farm Caravan & Camping Park. The facilities are excellent and the owners have been very generous with their sponsorship for the RNLI. Thank you.
During the day Lyn was able to buy me a new stick as a replacement for the one Melv left behind in Budleigh Salterton. I hope he won't be so careless with this one!
Friday, 11 May 2012
Day 38 (May 10) Shaldon to Ladram
Last night we celebrated Bab's birthday at this Italian restaurant in Teignmouth called The Coliseum; the food & the service (owner's wife) was lively & brill ... so if anyone fancies a great evening out in Teignmouth The Coliseum is the place.
Forgot to mention yesterday, besides the slow worm that John nearly stepped on, it was so cold we even saw Chinstrap Penguina!
This morning Melv & I hurried down to Shaldon beach to catch the 8 o'clock ferry across to Teignmouth. The ferryman made an appearance at 8.15. He said "I'm never late" - daft bugger; he was 15 minutes late! Then he said "I've never seen anybody waiting for the ferry at 8 o'clock". How stupid was this man - if he turns out at 8.15 how could he know if there was anybody there at 8 o'clock. Anyway we joined John and trudged along in persistent rain all the way to Starcross where we missed the ferry to Exmouth by 5 minutes. Next one not for another hour. We retraced our steps and went to have a pint in The Atmospheric Railway Inn, but not open until 12 o'clock. We ended up in a charity shop that doubled as a cafe where Melv frightened a couple of old dears by threatening to take off his trousers!
Ferry to Exmouth where we met up with Jacqui & Vaughan. Then Vaughan joined John, Melv & myself to continue in the p ...... rain to ladram. Just to make matters worse Melv lost my walking pole.
Forgot to mention yesterday, besides the slow worm that John nearly stepped on, it was so cold we even saw Chinstrap Penguina!
This morning Melv & I hurried down to Shaldon beach to catch the 8 o'clock ferry across to Teignmouth. The ferryman made an appearance at 8.15. He said "I'm never late" - daft bugger; he was 15 minutes late! Then he said "I've never seen anybody waiting for the ferry at 8 o'clock". How stupid was this man - if he turns out at 8.15 how could he know if there was anybody there at 8 o'clock. Anyway we joined John and trudged along in persistent rain all the way to Starcross where we missed the ferry to Exmouth by 5 minutes. Next one not for another hour. We retraced our steps and went to have a pint in The Atmospheric Railway Inn, but not open until 12 o'clock. We ended up in a charity shop that doubled as a cafe where Melv frightened a couple of old dears by threatening to take off his trousers!
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