Royal British Legion Cornwall

Woke up this morning – definitely the calm after the storm! We could actually see the Orkneys today and set off on the most wonderful tour of the northern highlands of Scotland, which included the Queen Mothers retreat at Castle Mey. On the downside comms were down for most the way and so here I am at Kinlochbervie (now find that on yer map) tapping my “Thank you” piece. “Where do I start” said the Oscar winner, well that’s very difficult indeed and so if I miss anyone out please forgive me, you will make my manuscript. Here goes though:

First, foremost and just in case the obvious I must thank the planner, programmer, chef, journalist, healer, cleaner, driver, banker and key encourager (well that’s if you call “get on with it you wimp”) that is my wife Gillian. I thought I owed her enough after all the years she supported me in the RN but now its much much more. Just utterly fabulous and I am privileged, proud and just down right lucky. Equally fabulous has been that incredible daughter of ours Collette, who I know has walked every step of the way albeit in a virtual capacity!

Thanks to all elements of the RBL in Cornwall specifically. Keith Naylor, Annie Binding at head office in Truro who have been a constant encouragement and my old friend Bill Pearce and the Ludgvan branch deserve a special mention.

Some of the many people at Culdrose have been extraordinary. To name but a few who have kept in contact and pushed me on: Jas Phillips (CO 820 NAS), Richard Blackwell, Claire Banazol and the outer office, the Logs Dept, the Chaplaincy/Charities team and those special people at the MT Section who gave me such an emotional last round of cakes. Oh and must not forget Lucy Ottley for ecouraging other pussers outside Culdrose.

Many have raised money for this particular appeal. Still coming in from all sides, I am truly humbled at the efforts made – just be aware if you are an RN Air Traffic Controller that those annual dinners you have can get quite expensive? Cheers and what a crowd.

Onto family and friends. Respective parents found us along the way which great and did many others. Kelli Wise appearing from no where at Middleton in Teesdale was complemented by the inspirational family Jevons and all for 9-up Fish and Chips that same night. Brother Stu and his “Tune for 2day” kept me going but equally seeing him and nephew Jack at Litchfield cathedral was brilliant. He and Cheryl also recovered us to Holmfirth for a great meal from a very grim Standedge – huge gratitude. Will not forget the weekly calls from Uncles Jack and Adrian, contacts with the Lloyd’s and Pearson’s; and Uncle Been was always superbly encouraging.

Walking with Steve, Brian (Culdrose MT) with Collette and then Pete Darlington (on bike him) was followed by Graham Miles, Uncle Bernie, Steve Dixon (together with his wife June and her fab flapjack and cherry jumblies), the Clan Novelle and Steve Deeney.

Phil and Pat ‘the Pat’ Harvey, Aunty Sylvia, Sally and Sheila, the Millers all met us along the way, and we had great stops with other old friends and new notably Ian and Kim Denham at Huntley plus Jimmy and Margeret Strachan at Dornoch – plus respective dogs.

Other walkers, cyclists and people like George Aitken whom I met at Kinross reminded just how many unsung heroes there are doing this sort of thing up and down the country. Fabulous one and all.

Thanks have to go to various shoe, sandal and blisterkit manufacturer – literal lifesavers as has been the radio on occasion.

My final thanks must go to this great country of ours, which has offered the most inspiring views, thoughts and moments – even the bridges?

That’s that then and as I say I do apologise if I have missed anyone out – a fuller version will follow for those who can cope with more in due course………. complete with accompanying phots. For now though, just thanks to one and all for contributing to what has been a wonderful and some may say life changing experience. Nearly 5K in the pot now and aim to gather more on trip home. Rob and Gillian xx

In the words of Del Boy Trigger (well sort of) “they’ve only gone and dun it ain’t they”. Today’s final leg walk from Wick to John O’Groats was undertaken in perhaps the worst weather we’ve experienced in the entire trip. Arrived at our destination at 1340, at which point Gillian struck open a bottle of champers by way of celebration – not having had all that much to eat this morning meant the legs went on an immediate wobble. Tremendous experience, if you don’t I will type one last blog entry in the morning entitled “Thank you” because to be honest it’s all a bit emotional right now and I need time to get that right. Rgds Rob and Gillian

It rained, rained and rained some more. I sit here at Wick quite late on the penultimate day of this walk under blue sky wondering why it had come out so very late? 21 miles along from Dunbeath, I left the A9 at Latheron continuing along the coast road via the A99. A bit of odd drain clearance required along the way (much to the amusement of one or two passers by) and gratefully met at the 17 mile point by Gillian and ‘Poppy’ for some sarnies and tea. Otherwise a pretty uneventful walk really. I am sure the coastline would have been glorious if only I could have seen it? On my way into Wick I received a phone call from my Uncle Bernie who is currently walking a very blustery North Devon coastal area with some. Seemed somehow very apt as he and his friends have been some of the many truly exceptional supporters both in terms of fundraising, and he also walked a significant chunk of the Cotswold Way with me. Always keen to find out how things have gone, he has been a constant inspiration and so I think deserves a separate mention here. Other thank you’s to follow over the next two days because that would only be right – and as Gillian keeps reminding me, “all you’ve had to do is walk 20 miles or so each day” – she is currently giving my feet a real going over by the way. Love her and love hurts! So here’s looking forward to 0730 tomorrow and about 1400 in the afternoon and a hopefully successful Endex.

Possibly the shortest walking stretch of the entire trek, having pressed on yesterday with a view to avoiding the much anticipated storms, I actually made the 10 miles from south of Berriedale to just north of Dunbeath before Gillian had secured the van. Coffee taken next to an old and very interesting Croft museum before setting up camp. Despite shortness of distance, the drizzle, wind and mist allowed time to reflect on just a few things. The thank you’d will come later, these are just some observations as follows:

The War Memorial at Berriedale reminded me once again why it was that I chose the RBL as the charity on behalf of which I am doing this for. A very impressive monument, and I have seen many, this one makes specific mention of all who have and still do serve their country, which I thought was most poignant. Further, as Mr Jimmy Strachan said on departing Dornoch on Sunday “without our Armed Services we would not enjoy the freedom we have today”.

Changing tac slightly I think I have enjoyed the early Monday morning walks more than most. Why? Because it has enabled me to see just how some areas and their people start the working week. Looking from quite a distance today the lengths to which our refuse collectors go to help others was I have to say most noteworthy and dare I say it inspiring in such a remote area.

The local authorities up here clearly know how important it is to keep drains clear, now that’s something that we could from south of the border. That one’s for Steve Dixon by the way because he knows the personal beef I have on the subject.

Linked to the above, if I had one abiding wish it would be that people would think more about what they do with their rubbish both now and in future because they are progressively ruining our countryside.

Mobile Libraries and Banks are common place up here and the lorry/bus drivers in particular are much more aware of the walker than I have seen hitherto (got the word in there for Steve Grayson) – shame that some car drivers do not show the same vision on occasion!

I have been fascinated by the number of houses in remote areas named the “Old School” – just where did those children actually come from in years past, goodness it must have been tough.

Finally, a slight change of plan for tomorrow and Wednesday as we have decided to get to JOG via Wick instead of the B road and wild camping at Watton. So about 40 miles to go and 1430 ish on Wed 14th October still looks good – bring on that sun!! Good night.