I wanted to thank you for your support for my recent 100 Mile Walking Challenge which I completed on 12th May 2018. This year I was walking in Norfolk to commemorate and thank the women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (A.T.S.) I finished in Great Yarmouth at the site where 26 A.T.S. women lost their lives on 11th May 1943. I was raising money for my two charities the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven and the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association and yet again I have been astounded by the generosity and support that I have received.
It took me six days to walk the 103 miles starting at Swaffham on the Peddars Way and then turning east at the coast to follow the Norfolk Coastal Path to finish at Great Yarmouth. It was a part of Britain that I didn’t know at all and it was a real eye-opener and pleasure to find out how varied and beautiful it was. From the rolling farmland (who said Norfolk was flat?) of the Peddars Way; past the dunes, shingle, marshland and wildlife of the North Norfolk Coast; and culminating in the battered and ravaged cliffs & dunes of the coast bordering the Broads – each area with its own beauty and highlights.
As well as the scenery and wildlife I will remember the kindness and generosity of people who donated & supported me; those who knew me and total strangers; people who gave me beautiful things to raffle as well as those who I seemed to be constantly “mugging”!!
The best moments of my walk? On Day 1, the hottest May Bank Holiday since records began, the shady patch of lush grass where I stopped for lunch. My lobster ‘snack’ on Day 2 eaten in the shade overlooking the tidal creeks and accompanied by the calls of flocks of seabirds. The stunning TakeAway crab salad from the car park wagon at Blakeney on Day 3. Meeting the volunteers of the National Coastwatch Charity who keep watch over the North Norfolk coastline. The carpet of bluebells at Cromer on Day 4. The stunning weather that, for the 5th year running, I enjoyed for the whole week.
The least favourite moments of my walk? Having a car “aimed” at me whilst walking the Peddars Way. Walking on eroding cliffs where the marked path was less than a metre from the edge when the official notices said “ Keep at least 6 metres from the edge”!!.
I normally have at least one “Ooops!” moment during my walks, often bordering on the ridiculous, but this year it all was a bit serious!! There was the time on Day 5 when I was battling against sand, wind, time & tide when I realised that I was the wrong side of the wooden sea-defence with the tide coming in. The only sensible way out was to re-trace my steps over a quarter of a mile to climb the steps and then continue the walk back and onwards on the correct side. Sensible . . . . but longer . . . . over half a mile longer . . . and time was ticking. So I chose the least sensible route . . . . . . climbing the eight-foot slippery, wooden banked barrier to its apex, then scrambling over and jumping/dropping the eight feet onto the beach behind!! OK – maybe not the best decision – but I survived!!
As I write this my fundraising has reached an amazing £3,507 (£4,014 including Gift Aid) and still rising, Thank you again for your kindness and support. It almost makes the sore feet worthwhile! If you’d like to know more about my walk please read my Online Blog at:
https://margdavieswalks.blogspot.co.uk
