Non walk stuff

On the day the walk started our dear friends Shellie and Kit arrived for 5 days, they are such lovely people but live in Hereford so we only get to see them maybe once or twice a year! We all get on so well and they totally adore and spoil the hounds and us! I knew they would come armed with gifts so made them this little wall hanging, sadly it's a terrible photo.

The Monday temperatures soared to over 30 degrees and everyone retired for a siesta, Eric found me crashed out with Ruby one side and Gangley the other. Just what you need two fur coats LOl unusual though because it's normally Aflie and Mojo who join me for a nap LOL.

 

Photo of Shellie Kit and hounds (have edited out faces)

Alfie looking very regal

Mojo trying for cute

Their visits always pass so quickly and on Wednesday it was time to say goodbye.

Jim has had a funny incident, started Saturday evening, he was huffing and puffing and salivating so much his muzzle was soaked. We ended up taking him to the vets Sunday as he had gotten worse over night, vets weren't sure what wa going on but gave him a steroid injection and anti inflammatory injection and he seems a bit better.

In my opinion Ruby has been unwell for a few weeks, dropping weight and condition but each visit to vets found nothing wrong, yesterday she went for yearly jabs and the vet finally heard this wheeze/crackle I kept on hearing, he wasn't happy with it and took some bloods and gave ab's, so now we have to wait for results and see if they indicate what could be wrong. Ruby has dropped another 2.4kg in 3 weeks, feeling sick with worry for her! Ruby has ried very hard to be friends with Lucky but the ducks is a loner so now she's decided to attach herself to Jim and seems happier to have a special friend.

Going to crop Saturday and have loads of projects on the go, so might even have something to show soon LOL.

The end!

The boys finished the walk at 19.11 last night in glorious sunshine

and in true Wainwright tradition walked out to the sea to dip there toes and take a few minutes to reflect on the last 9 days. Marc said it was a mixture of exhaustion, surrealism and total euphoria!

and then it was time to meet up with the family

have a pint and fish and chips and then start the long ride home!

This morning the just giving and gift aid come to just under £2,400 which will go the he kennel fund for Greyhound Gap.

Marc. Steve, Greyhound Gap and myself would like to thank everyone who has supported the walk and given so generously! we're hoping there will be a few more pennies at the end of the month to add to the total.


So for now walk co-ordinator (that's me LOl) is signing off and putting her crafting hat back on LOL.....

THE FINAL DAY

3rd July    - Day 9 Blakey Ridge to Robin Hoods Bay

THE FINAL DAY

The boys started out before 7am and as they left before brekkie the landlord left them out packed lunches. So off they set in high spirits. They had decided to split the day into three 9 and a half mile stretches .

9 and a half done and first pit stop!

Pushing on and another 9 and a half done!

 The North Sea views are fabulous and just a few miles left to finish the walk.

Spirits are high as the news reaches the boys that the 2k target has been reached.

Marc's wife will be waiting for them at the finishing point armed with camera, so come back tomorrow for the

final chapter!

Day 8

2nd July   - Day 8 Ingleby Cross to Blakey Ridge

Both boys stayed off their feet quite literally for 12 hours after completing yesterdays 33 miles and by morning had recovered, so after a hearty breakfast set off in high spirits for the penultimate day!

They managed to average 2 and a half mph over the Cleveland Hills 

and 5 miles in came across a drink station that was for a long distance 33-mile race. They tried to make out they were part of it but the t-shirts or the backpacks gave it away, they still got drinks and encouragement and were very grateful! 

First view of the North Sea

So tomorrow is the final day !!!!! and it's going to be a long long day but hopefully the thought of it being the last part will make a bit easier, that and the ride home that will be waiting at the end for them!

Day 7

1st July    - Day 7 Grinton to Ingleby Cross

Not a good day for Marc and Steve. The walk was a long (33 miles) boring one through field after field with lots of pain due to Marc’s blisters and Steve’s sore ankle. Each step felt like their feet were on fire and they said it’s not fun anymore!

Seasoned walkers have told them that 9 days is impossible and even 10 would be hard going but the plan is still to try and finish on day 9, as they need to be on duty Monday!

21 and a half miles tomorrow climbing the Cleveland Hills and Sunday the final day looks set to be at least 16 hours of walking/crawling the final 28.

Time to grit teeth and get heads down and push through!

All messages of support are being gratefully received. I have to admit to feeling quite low on their behalf, it's a rotten feeling being so far away and not being able to help! I quite literally had to talk to Marc tonight as he and Steve struggled through the last mile and waffled on about anything just to keep them moving. Hope tomorrow is a better day for them.

On a lighter note Just giving page has reached 84%.

Day 6

 

30th June - Day 6 Kirkby Stephen to Grinton

An early start for the boys today setting out at  6.50am temperature a chilly 4 degrees.

The road was steep to the top of Hartley Quarries with good views of Kirkby Stephen. And then on to Nine Standards as this was the first objective of the day at 2,170 ft this was the last time they will be over 2,000ft on the walk. The Cairns are massive! 

The boys were lucky to see the views as shortly after low level clouds descended and they only just found the path down in time.

 They then travelled through the peat bogs, the bogs entailed them wading shin deep for 2 miles descending…. Energy sapping!

They then headed past some of the waterfalls Keld is famous for, Keld village is officially the half way stage of the walk! From there they then enjoyed walking alongside the River Swale and into Reeth Village and then onto the hostel at Grinton.

 

Feet starting to feel the effects now

115 miles now completed

Tomorrow will be 33 miles but is the flattest part of the walk.

Day 5

29th June - Day 5 Sharp to Kirkby Stephen

Short update today no mobile signal, had to make do with a very short email LOL......

I'm told the hat is the wrong way not for posing but to prevent sunburn LOL.

Photo take on Marc as they departed Smardale.

92 miles completed

Thursday is a 7am start and 25 miles
Now we will find out how their feet can cope with the longer miles each day