Ive finished! Ive walked 1200 miles in 7 weeks and 4 days! Ive walked along roads, through fields, along rivers, over moors and over mountains. Ive had all sorts of weather from scortching hot to bitterly cold, gale winds, fog, thunder and lightening, but on the whole I think Ive been very lucky with the weather! Its been very hard mentally and physically at times but also very enjoyable and life enhancing. The wildlife and scenery have been amazing and I was even lucky enough to see an otter and just yesterday a seal. I will continue with the blog during my recovery time in Orkney as I know some people are interested to see the amazing sights of these islands. My thanks to everyone that has followed my blog for your encouragement and your generous donations to Naomis House Childrens Hopsice. It gives me great pleasure to know my efforts will help to support such a worthy cause.


LEJOG - Lands End John O Groats

Thanks for visiting my blog... This expedition has been two months in the planning and training and will hopefully be two months in the execution. I will endeavour to entertain you with a few tales and interesting pictures of my trip as I travel the length of Great Britain in my Lejog challenge... so please call back and send me messages of support to boost my tired legs!

I am collecting sponsorship for Naomi's House childrens hospice. Naomis house provides support and respite care to people under the age of 18 who are unlikely to live in to adulthood. They have two facilities in Hampshire costing 45 million per year to run, serving sick children in seven counties. They are 93% funded by charitable donations.

You can sponsor my trek at http://www.justgiving.com/Malcolm-Woodford

Monday 14 June 2010

Yesterday I passed the Scottish border and broke my distance record
for the trip so far covering more than 33 miles. After writing my last
blog yesterday lunch time I ascended out of Byrness and Redesdale on
the north side of the valley and quickly made the 2 miles over open
moor to the border with Scotland. There were no signs to mark the
border just a muddy ditch that would become the river coquet further
down the valley. It didn't matter, I had made it to Scotland at last.
A few miles further on I left the Penine Way and joined Dere Street,
an old Roman road heading north west. Dere Street lives up to the
Roman reputation of heading straight and made for very good walking.
The scenery in the borders was beautiful particularly along the edge
of the Cheviot Hills, the colours very fresh and vivid. Gradually
tiredness caught up with me and at 8pm when walking past a mossy grass
verge that looked liked it would make a comfy surface under the tent I
decided it was time to stop, cook some noodles and turn in for the
night.

I woke this morning to howling wind and rain. So much for the
forecast. There's nothing else to do when it's like that than to get
the waterproofs on and get on with it. I decided that after four
nights in the tent and with over a week since I'd done any laundry it
was time to stay in a hostel for a night. Melrose was only 17 miles
along the road and leaving at half six I would be there for lunch!

I've now cooked a nice big pasta dinner and done all my laundry. It
feels great to be clean, warm and well fed!