Ready -Steady- Go!

It seems a very long time and on another planet that we enjoyed the Fun and Fitness day. The following two weeks became increasingly fraught, as the time until setting-off day approached with increasing rapidity. Julia was busily making lists, dashing around on shopping trips and spending a lot of time traipsing up and down the front garden steps to load the motorhome. Tony was laboriously printing out my maps, frequently breaking away to generate more fundraising. One of these was a little unusual to say the least

“You’ve got to be at HSBC bank for a fundraiser” Tony said. “One of the young male employees has had a good idea. He and his friend are going to have their legs waxed for Granny Trek!”
“My eyebrows shot up and my jaw dropped.
“I can’t watch that!” I wailed – horrified. “It will hurt them dreadfully. I shall faint.”
However, we did watch it and we didn’t faint. Our two heroes were incredibly brave. It might probably have been far worse for them without the deftness of Nicki of the Trimwise Health and Fitness Club, and the knowledge that they raised £700 for Children’s Hospice SW made it extremely worthwhile.

Barclays has also done magnificently with the Mini Granny Trek, raising £600 that was matched £ for £ by the bank.

Before we knew it the days had run out and, with money still flowing in, we made the long journey to the Suffolk coast. Saturday morning dawned fine and warm, and at last we met Penny and The Jumping Jax, a colourful and exuberant group who were to perform some lively songs, watched by the Mayor and his wife, plus a large group of family who had made the extensive trip to give us a good send-off.

“You must take your boots off and paddle properly,” they said, as I prepared to dip one finger in the sea! I steeled myself to suffer frozen feet, but the water was surprisingly warm.

There followed a happy half hour, during which we located Lionel Hardy – who has been so helpful in organising the first two or three days of walking and walkers. Glenys was there too, who had volunteered to walk my first day with me, and suddenly the crowds were behind us and we were walking through Lowestoft to meet the first group of Mini Granny Trekkers. It was a strange feeling, to be acting out the imaginings and plans of so many months and as the first donations were handed to me by smiling, friendly strangers I found it difficult to believe I wasn’t dreaming.

Glenys and I walked the bank of the Waveney for several quite difficult hours, as at first we were shoulder-high in nettles, but then had to negotiate the slippery, dry vegetation that had been strimmed. The dogs gradually became hot and tired – as we all did – and it was a relief to reach Beccles Quay, where the family were waiting to welcome us and I parted with Glenys, who had swiftly become a friend.

Lionel had decided to walk with me for the second day, which followed the mini Granny Trek pattern of the first, and with well over £100 taken over the first couple of days he and I enjoyed a good walk through the Suffolk countryside, which is pretty and intimate despite the large fields.

Returning to the motorhome, having taken a fond farewell of Lionel and his wife Kathy at the church in Earsham, I enjoyed the luxury of being pampered by Julia – a new experience in my long-distance walking. The empty space next to us where some of the family had camped emphasised the feeling of being just the two of us in this great adventure. We know that back at home the fundraising goes on and that ahead of us there are walkers waiting to join in with the Mini Granny Treks but for now we are settling ourselves into the routines that will carry us through the sometimes difficult days ahead.

Meanwhile, two very tired dogs are too whacked out to bother to say “Good morning”! Fritz will be rested today (Monday 8am) and Rudi and I will set out in the steady rain to tackle the next 10 miles from Earsham to Harleston.