A Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Walk

Hello bloggers!

Ed and I have done it! We've made it to John o' Groats!! Hurrah!!!!!!!

The past 4 days have been pretty tough mileage wise: 28, 27, 22, 17. Am feeling shattered now but so pleased that we've succeeded despite the injuries and mental strain.

I'd like to say thank you to Norma Ann Gaughan who very kindly sponsored us back in Drymen on the second day of the west highland way. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Secondly, I would like to thank Rhona Gwillim at Inver Caravan Park in Dunbeath for discounting our stay total and for her kindness and hospitality during our stay at her B&B. Had a wonderful sleep in a lovely warm bed which is just what Ed and myself needed after getting very soggy and cold throughout the day. Thank you!

Thank you also to Paula and Jeremy, who we met on several occassions doing the Great Glen Way, for their generous donations to both our charities. Hope you enjoyed your time with your friends!

Thank you to everyone for their supportive comments and sponsorship. We have been walking for two months and 4 days for two very worthwhile causes and now all the money we have raised can go towards helping so many people.

I can't believe we've finished. I can't believe we've walked the length of Britain. That sounds mental - but we've achieved that. Nuts.

Anyway, today Ed and I are heading back to Edinburgh for a couple of days to visit Ed's cousin Lissie and to have a rest AND the steak meal we promised ourselves as a reward! Then Sunday, we catch a flight back to Cardiff and I start my PhD on the Monday morning.

Well, it's been a tough, trying two months, but we've met some super people along the way and have been amazed by so much beautiful British scenery. What an adventure! Thank you everyone, and especially to my fiance Ed, who, without, I wouldn't have been able to achieve this. Ed has been my rock. He's been patient, understanding, encouraging and just wonderful. Thank you darling.

Carlie.

Hello bloggers!

Am very much enjoying my rest day - John and Antonia have been very good to Ed and I and I've been able to devour two books, wash all my clothes, have a heavenly bath and eat plenty of chocolate. Bliss - and we're only 5 walking days away from John O' Groats.

However, I must admit I'm feeling quite nervous about the next few days now that we're coming to the end. I hope I don't get shin splints again or go over on my knee again or acquire any injury. I am actually nervous about reaching the end. Maybe angst is a better description. I just don't know how I'm going to feel. Happy? Relieved? Sad that the adventure's over? Anti-climatic? Disappointed? Proud....? We've walked a hell of a long way but I still don't feel particularly proud of myself. I am pleased with all the money we've managed to raise though, very.

I think when what we've done finally hits me, I'll feel more happy with my achievement. Five days....

Carlie.

Hello bloggers!

Today, Ed and I are walking from Beauly to Alness in the highlands. I think Ed could have stayed at Beauly for several days and spent a lot of money there as there was a tweed shop with rolls and rolls of different tweeds all raring to be crafted into jackets etc.

We are currently about half way through the day at a town called Dingwall. The pressure is on now - only ~12 days until we are due to finish but there has been an unexpected twist in the tale. It's not compulsory for me BUT the introductory week to the PhD course begins on 22nd Sep, which is ten days earlier than we've been planning our walk for.  I would feel really awful missing this week out of principle so now Ed and I have decided to make some final changes to our walk. We have now planned to up our mileage as Ed is confident  we can get to JOG in 8 days from now. We can get to Edinburgh two days after that and catch an earlier flight home. Ed has admitted it will be pushing it, so it really will be pushing it! But I feel confident that we can make it too. Plus, I'd really like to get back to start my course, even if it is the introductory week. It would be  rubbish to begin the course feeling I've not attended everything - call me picky.

Spirits have been a bit lower the past few days as we're so close now yet so far. I'm starting to get a little homesick now too but am very excited about reaching the end! What a feeling it will be!

I shall lbe in touch as soon as we get to another library en route to let you know what we've finally decided on doing. In the meantime, wish us luck for the final push!

Hello bloggers,

Ed and I are currently sat in Fort William's library and are feeling extremely pleased with ourselves as we have just completed the west highland way. Eight days of beautiful breathtaking scenery and magnificent mountains. Wow wow wow. I highly recommend doing it as a holiday to anyone! The highlands really are a magical place to be.

We are both feeling happy and healthy - no injuries, no blisters. We are, however, both peppered in midge bites. We spent one night camping on Rannoch Moor and it was fine until the morning when we woke up to very still weather and our tent absolutely shrouded in a black mist of midges. Horrendous. To top it off as well I had a very bad stomach that morning and had to do my business on the moor asap that morning. Where we camped was quiet and out of view of passing walkers (which were bound to be few at that time in the morning) and so I whipped on my top, mosquito net, socks and boots and braved the midges. Now my bottom and nether regions are absolutely covered in bites and are rather itchy and sore. Nice. Nat, you would have absolutely hated it!

On the plus side of things we have some amazing pictures which we will put up on here eventually!

So...~2 more weeks of walking to go! How exciting! Am feeling on top of the world that we've made it so far. Looking forward to our day off tomorrow, will be good to rest the joints. Have definitely got fitter and stronger as the pack doesn't feel that heavy anymore!

Loch