It’s been a couple of months since our last blog. Holidays have taken precedence over training and fund raising, but we haven’t stopped altogether. Regular walking into Lichfield rather than using the car has kept the joints moving on a regular basis, together with walking on Cannock Chase with friends but as our trek in Vietnam gets ever closer (two weeks to go) we wanted to test our capability to walk a reasonable distance day after day, hence the challenge of the Isle of Wight.
We decided to walk the coastline of the Isle of Wight, 65 to 70 miles depending on the exact route taken. Staying with friends based in East Cowes we walked for 5 days, returning to East Cowes by bus at the end of each day and bussing back to our finish point at the start of the next day, giving us walks of between 11 and 17 miles a day. The walking was surprisingly varied, from on road walking through more urban areas to miles of fantastic cliff top walking along the South West coast. Apart from day 2, when strong head winds and driving rain nearly defeated us, we were treated to excellent walking conditions, often with enough sun to be walking in shorts and polo shirts. Not quite the hot, humid conditions we will get in Vietnam but at least we now know that our feet and legs are up to the distance.
We walked, by our reckoning , 67 miles, and would recommend it as a challenge. “The complete Isle of Wight Coastal Footpath” by Brian Smailes is an excellent little handbook for anyone planning the walk but if you do it the way we did, the daily start and finish points need adjusting to suit routes and times of the local buses.
On the fundraising front donations have been steadily coming in. By the time you read this we will have had one of Debbie’s open days, with Hospice Christmas cards, Jewellery by Silver Sentiments and Aloe Vera products on sale. Our thanks especially to local businesses, Golunski leathers, The Plant Plot and Niche fashion and accessories for donating prizes.
We will be continuing to fund raise after the trek until the end of the year so if you missed the open day tea and cakes why not put the 3rd of November in your diary and book yourself in to our Pamper day. Half hour treatments from 2 beauticians and a holistic therapist will be available for £10 a session with half of the money going to St Giles. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available as usual, starting at 11.00am and finishing at 5.00pm. Contact deb.s.phillips@btinternet.com for more information or to book your slot.
We have raised over £7,000 so far. To help us reach our target of raising £10,000 for St Giles Hospice please visit our website www.justgiving.com/Debbie-and-David-Phillips
