South West Coast Path - 630 Miles - She did it!

Back in May I blogged about the great day that I spent with Natalie Husk and my friend Brian walking a leg of the South West Coast Path. Natalie was walking the 630 miles in the small matter of 53 days with the odd rest day thrown in. I cannot imagine doing that kind of distance, according to the AA routeplanner this would be the equivalent of me setting off today from Somerset and finishing in Frankfurt. She did it to raise money and awareness of the work of the Leprosy Mission. What a woman!

And yesterday she finished! It was a pleasure to walk the final 8 miles from Swanage to Poole with her and a band of supporters yesterday and to take some pictures along the way.

No PP done on any of the pictures yet, just wanted to whack them up here.

Start of the last leg with her support crew.

The last temptation of Natalie? Inviting looking deckchairs on Swanage beach.

Striding out

Natalie walked alone for 9 days of the challenge.

For the last leg a dozen others joined her for the full eight miles.

The final few steps of a two mile finish across the sand of Studland beach.

Relief, elation, joy, who knows?

Natalie with the walkers who walked the final miles with her.

Now it's time for her and Toby the dog to get a well earned rest!

Woolacoombe to Braunton ~ 15.1 miles

Yesterday was the big day, I joined Natalie Husk on a leg of her 630 mile walk around the South West Coast Path for The Leprosy Mission. A beautiful walk along the coast in great walking conditions, dry, clear, warm but not hot. One of the congregation, a great old boy (early to mid-70s) joined me for it and all credit to him - he made it. Though he did worry me at one point after quite a few steps from beach to the road above us just as we left Croyde Bay.

Given the years I had on him I had to finish and I was surprised that it wasn't harder than it was. Having said that I had very heavy legs at the end of it. Probably longer than I have ever walked before. My favourite parishoner laughed at the way I got up off the floor last night but after a good sleep I was much refreshed this morning. I think I could possibly have done a stage today as well (as it was shorter and dead flat) and it makes me think I would like to do some more walking.

My overwhelming feeling at the end of it though (even more so than fatigue) was one of admiration for Natalie. It's all very well me doing a day and thinking I might have managed one today as well. But she did walk today - perhaps in rain. And she will walk again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. Each day chipping about a dozen miles off her target of completing the whole thing. So much respect is due! She was a pleasure to walk with and easy company and if you want to sponsor her, there's a link on the Leprosy Mission page.