And we're off

Well the day got off to a good start when mum handed the I pad to dad so that he could read all the wonderful good wishes you have all sent us - thank you so much everybody. Can you turn the light on he said. It's already on says mum - why don't you take off your sunglasses and try your readers?!

We managed a relatively seamless start - breakfast on time, left on time, car back to Enterprise Hire (can't speak highly enough) on time, straight down to Lands End for our photo call at 10.00. Where's the photographer? Thought he'd start at 10.30 today. Grrrrr. Dad said he would go and find some coffee, but Lands End was shut (again) so mum suggested brewing up on the camping stove....which she had, and water, and gas, and mugs....but no coffee!

Not to worry its a beautiful day, wall to wall sunshine and once we'd left Lands End the wind dropped and made for perfect walking conditions. We did 15 miles, a bit longer than originally intended because we decided to walk on from Penzance to Marazion, rather than mess about getting a taxi for 2.5 miles. It'll give us a bit shorter day tomorrow, and hopefully we'll have time to have a look round St Michaels Mount. We have a wonderful view of it from our bedroom window - google it - fascinating building.

The walking today has been excellent apart from a couple of pieces. Cornwall plays lip service to walkers. When we started out, paths were well marked and clear. All of a sudden, the signs cease, and the paths become a quagmire of mud, covered with brambles - not aided when the friendly neighborhood farmers plough up the paths and completely obliterate them. But for the main part we have had a great day. - we've seen, castles, ancient villages, fields full of daffodils and spring in all it's glory. Not just daffodils, but azaleas, wild garlic, primroses, and lots more that mum just doesn't know the name of!

When we got back to the B&B, the nice gentleman had left me a pack of my favourite dental sticks, so whilst I set to with them, mum and dad went to the pub.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Keep spreading the word.

M
xx

Cornwall here we come

Having said goodbye to the family at home and left my sheep in their 'capable' hands I can now relax.

Here we are safely ensconced in Marazion. We had a good trip down, no hold ups, an excellent Sunday lunch at the Arundel Arms in Lifton, dropped a couple of boxes off for later in the walk, filled the hire car up with diesel ready for tomorrow, and took the parents for a walk on the beach.

They rose at 06.00 in order to finish off the last minute bits and pieces. Dad couldn't find his tablets....because mum had very kindly taken them for him!

Mum took me for a constitutional up the road. Having diverted the phone to dad's mobile, she was trying to ring him to see if it had worked and accidentally rang Uncle Alan and Auntie Di - they were thrilled - sorry guys!

Talk about coals to Newcastle. None of mum's daffodils (her favourite flower) have come out, so she, picked 3 - and brought them in, and then brought them with her to Cornwall where there are fields and fields, and acres and acres of them - ah well. In the scale of things I don't suppose 3 blonde moments in 1 day is too bad.

Well big day tomorrow. Hire car to return, then off down to Lands End for a photo call at 10.00, and then 2 years of planning comes to fruition and we're off.

Keep spreading the word

M
xx

1 day to go

He's still ôn about the weight of his rucksack and overnight, 2 facts have occurred to me. Firstly, mum moans about how quickly he walks. Secondly, the Green Goddess (car) is missing some balancing weights from her wheels.....hmmm, could somebody have out them in the rucksack?

Some of you have enquired about the weight of my rucksack. Well, it's about 1.5 to 2 Kg, which isn't bad, and I've only to look at dad and look pathetic, and he'll help me out. Soft touch? You bet!

A further crisis has arisen today. Dad can't find my portable bowl. He's been through every cupboard (yes, every cupboard) in the house and still not found it. You know those comedy's where the man is deep into the cupboard and items are flying out over his shoulder - well it's not so funny.

Last day at home tomorrow. Still plenty to do but it's looking manageable (at last). Mum is beginning to get quite giddy at the thought of no housework for 3 months.

- the Hoover has been SORNed and put on bricks
- the iron is snuggled up in a bed of silica gel bags (so old they've gone brown!)
- the washing machine and tumble dryer have had prayers and are tucked up in blankets
- and the oven "can go take a running jump!"

Each of these action was accompanied by a little jig.

I've stored all my bones, balls and other toys in a corner of my bedroom.

Keep spreading the word

M
xx

Packing

Today they have surpassed themselves.

It was pack the rucksack and weigh it day, then unpack it throw half the contents out and pack it again....and again....and again!

They started off by making 4 piles - one each with their personal stuff - a wear and a spare for them, a wash a wear and a spare for me. A pile for me. And a pile of immensely important stuff that belongs to no man.

So, mum had all her unctions, you know, soap, shampoo, moisturiser, etc,etc,etc. Dad had some old tractor rag to use in rivers and puddles. Mum had all her techy bits, dad had his maps (quaint). And so on

So they stowed all their own gear, and then they turned to no mans land. Dad took the tent - mum went for the toothpick. Dad selected the cooker, mum the matches. Dad the storm lantern, mum the wicks.

You will not be surprised that when it came to the weigh in mum's sack came in at 8Kg, dads at 11Kg. Then they started, let's put it this way, mum's still weighs 8Kg.

Me.......I just ate mine!

Keep spreading the word - your doing a great job

M
xx

Communications serious stuff

I thought it might be useful to repeat my lines of communication.

My e mail  address is 'madgesmusings@gmail.com'

Obviously you know the blog address or you wouldn't be reading this, even mum worked that one out! We would just love it if you made comments (so long as they're not horrid). Apparently, according to the techys, (which does not include mum) to do so you need to have a google account. It doesn't cost anything and you will then have access to the comments book.

The blog also has a long box at the top of each post and if you put your e mail address in it, I will automatically e mail you every time I put a new post on.

I also have my own Facebook page 'Madge Marsden'. It is really easy to access the blogs this way. And of course it's another way for you to comment if you don't want to go down the google route.

The details for donating to the charities are

HELP FOR HEROES

justgiving.com/madges-end-to-end

HELENS TRUST

justgiving.com/madgesmarch

SARDA (Search and Rescue Dogs Association)

everyclick.com/madge

Please keep spreading the word

M
xx

PS Do you think if I hide under the footstool with my ball they might forget about me?

It's getting close!

It's really hotting up now - they're like whirling dervishes! Five days to go and a final check of the itinerary and day sheets today - that was turgid!

There are clearly Red Indians in Bakewell. Anyway, mum went down this morning and came back scalped.

Apparently there was mayhem at the hairdresser's with staff and clientele fascinated at the prospect of our adventure and more particularly the state of mum's coiffure after 3 months without their tender ministrations. One 'young' man was convinced that the impact of 3 months walking 1100 miles would have such a severe impact on mum's hormones that as well as being able to stand on her hair, she will have grown a beard!!

My new coat arrived today, as you can see, it's high vis, waterproof and warm. Thank you to the very nice people at Burns Pet Foods who have sponsored me.

I also received some more fan mail this morning with a very nice card from the lovely folks at Helens Trust wishing me good luck.

Helens Trust do an absolutely fabulous job in the area, providing support to people and their families who have terminal illness, and who want to stay in their own homes. If you would like to support them, all the details and links are on the right hand side of the blog.

Bottled up

When your mum starts fantasizing about small, plastic bottles, you know you've got problems!

In order to keep weight down as much as possible, Mum had worked out that she needed 5 small plastic bottles for each week of the walk - 5 x 13 = 65 - shampoo, conditioner, radox (very important), all-purpose soap, moisturiser, and mouthwash.

Since they started planning 2 years ago, every time they went to a nice hotel, she defied the niceties of life and brought the bottles from the bathroom, home.

But where was she going to get the other 63?

The most economic buy in the principality of Bakewell, was £1.65 each!

You cannot imagine the euphoria when she found she could buy 20 x 60ml (perfect size) bottles for under a tenner. And as for the day they arrived...well words fail me.

Then she started filling them. Boots had to send for fresh supplies.

The observant ones amongst you, will have noticed that, even though she spent 40 years in banking, she still can't add up. Actually she needed 6 bottles every week, and needed 78 (ie 76). It was one thing compromising on 3 bottles of Radox, for after all, the incidence of a bath is not likely to be often, but not 16, that's asking too much. So... Back on the net for another pack... Disaster... Out of stock.

Do we save the empty bottles and carry them round with us (they're not going in MY rucksack, they're put enough in that already).

Essentially, it's do without, pay a fortune for more bottles, or hope that one of you has some inspiration................?!

Please keep spreading the word

M
xx