Last day and a big push!
( Apologies this is a day late, I was exhausted, emotional and eventually, very, very drunk )
Last day and time for a big push! Only 26 miles to go, the mind is willing but the body/feet/blisters aren't quite so able. However with the idea of the pub at the end, it will be!! Everyone in fact is plagued with blisters, aches and pains. One of the gang has blisters all over her feet, not just between the toes, literally all over. The feet look like road kill.
The day was the flattest of all four, so thankfully as we meandered our way to Newcastle, it felt easier psychologically and physically. We walked through quiet affluent urban areas to some less salubrious, through to the frenetic city and unfortunately beyond. What an amazing city, overflowing with life, it promises a great night out.
The big night out involved wearing slippers or just socks and filling the bar in the hotel, till the wee small hours. Laughing and endless conversation, the feeling of accomplishment weighed heavy. All proving emotional for even the biggest and toughest amongst us. In poignant and heart warming disbelief that the journey had finally finished. I can only imagine what 'Bilbo Baggins' must have felt on his quest, but our feet looked the same at the end of mine.
A few comedy moments have got us through and kept us laughing. An eclectic mix of issues have tackled each of the team. Ablutions in cold showers, the most common for group, however not for 'The Windsors' as we'd booked B&Bs and had en suites.......we were nicknamed the 'The Windsors' as we didn't slum it at all. Coupled with the obligatory royal wave every time you said it.
I just couldn't face the camping/tent and thankfully on night three, when one of the girls had a backy from a local on a quad bike driving through the camp, I realised I made the right choice.
Two of the group had to unfortunately relieve themselves in the middle of nowhere, that's easy I hear you say, but not really when it's a no2 in fairly open ground.
One of the group added a new word to their vocabulary, a word they certainly wished not to know, the word 'Shart'....used in context "Dear god, I just sharted". Oh how we laughed.
Arriving into Newcastle was an absolute tonic, walking along the Tyne until we arrived at the hotel, a quick beer stop and then onwards to Wallsend. A few of us also went on the extra six plus miles ( why, oh why did I say challenge accepted....idiot ! ) It was like walking on broken glass the whole way, thankfully three bottles of prosecco helped on our arrival, to make it a distant memory.
In reflection....
We’ve just completed our challenge, for Macmillan nurses, we walked Hadrian's wall, over 84 miles in four days, a few also the coast to coast…..I’ll do anything for a dare!
Macmillan nurses have touched the lives of most of us that took part in the walk, from my personal experience they were above and beyond the call of duty, for Colin and his recuperation from stage 4 cancer. They tirelessly support people affected by cancer, nearly six million people so far in the UK. With nearly sixteen million people accessing the services just last year.
We have raised nearly twenty five thousand pounds from fund raisers, collections, online blogging and social media. The team have been pulled out all the stops to boost as much as possible, our final tally. This is the last few weeks before the fund is finalised, so dig deep, for any extra pennies.
The walk was a resounding and great success, incredible challenging and impossibly tough, but we did it! I had the great pleasure to walk with this awesome team, sharing their company once more, it reminded me of the incredible spirit in our united selves. It was a privilege to walk amongst such a stoic, dedicated and august team, they will forever be in my heart for the hell that they endured and the spirit they displayed. Thank you to everyone of of you that has sponsored, shared, promoted and put up with our worthy cause, making it possible and a great success.
On another funny note, when one of the team, who is an ex Italian airforce, was asked " Are you all military ? " he replied in his strong Italian accent and manly voice " Nah, we trolly dolly ! "
Finally, this picture sums it all up for me. The endless mountains, hills and undulations ( If I hear that word again ! )
p.s. If I hear one more person say " I've done that walk ! "....did you, really, 84 miles in four days?
Here's the link again, please share and promote this great and worthy cause #macmillan
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Philwareing1&isTeam=truehttp://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-
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