Alan and I arrived back in Wantage on Friday and it seems very strange to be back home. Almost immediately the phone started to ring and I was quickly dragged back to the realities of everyday life after being away for so long.
Before I write anything else about the trip I must begin by thanking everyone who has helped me in completing this journey.
One of the first people I spoke to about the plan was Roger Wiltshire, an old friend and an expreienced kayaker and canoeist, whose reaction was one of encouragement and then practical help in lending me a canoe. Thanks also to Liz Alistair Wilson, the other owner of the canoe,and his wife Liz who kindly offered cakes.
Without the support and help of Wyn and Win Roberts the journey would not have taken place. Their offer to look after Thai when I needed to go off for weeks at a time training was invaluable. It was marvellous that Wyn was able to join me for a few days on the Pennine Way. Thanks also for the cakes which kept us going.
My biggest challenge in completing the journey was always going to be the sea kayaking. Although I was happy to do the rest on my own I did not want to sea kayak alone. Simon Osbourne of Seakayakingcornwall was always the first to encourage me to keep the sea kayaking in the trip and then took 3 days out of his holiday to paddle with me around Cornwall. Thanks also to Simon’s partner Jeff Allen who had to work so could not join us. Kayaking with such experienced and capable instructors made the last few days very special. Simon and Jeff also kindly raised funds for the charities.
It was through Simon that I got in touch with Barbara and Ian. Although we were in the end unable to paddle for more than a day together it was great to make some new friends and we are hoping to get out together later in the year. It was very good of Barbara and Ian to walk with me in the inclement devon weather and I enjoyed their company.
Carl , my climbing buddy, helped by inviting me to Scotland last year. This trip convinced me that the walking would be within my abilities. It also reignited my love of the mountains at a time when everythig was quite dark. The medicinal scotch which Carl gave me on the night before we left survived most of the trip but I am sure that we will be able to polish it off together.
Katy my sister has been keeping the blog up to date and has done a marvellous job in designing the blog and acting as “mission control”.
Susan, my sister in law, did a great job with the publicity and we were featured in several local papers during the trip. Susan also provided delicious cakes.
Finally I have to pay tribute to my brother Alan, definitely the unsung hero of the whole trip. Whilst I was out enjoying myself every day, well at least on most days, Alan was ensuring that all the logistics ran smoothly. Towing a caravan for the first time, often on his own, was not easy. Caravan sites often seem to be situated down little narrow roads with tiny entrances. Once on the pitch the caravan has to be connected up and then there is the washing, the shopping and the cooking to do. In between all of that he also had to pick me up. We never had a day when we did not meet up and normally he was there waiting for me with a word of encouragement. It would have been impossible to do the trip without him and I am very grateful to have a brother who was prepared to take 3 months to follow me around the country.
