In July of 2010 we’re going to do another charity walk in aid of the Joseph Salmon Trust. The Trust supports parents who have lost a child by providing financial assistance to those who need it most. This may be to help with funeral costs or to allow the self employed a break from work while they come to terms with their loss.
This time we’re hiking 84 miles across the entire width of England. We’ll be following Hadrian’s Wall, the ancient Roman fortified wall built in AD 122 in order to keep the Scottish out of England. It’s the UK’s finest Roman archeological site and a designated World Heratage area. It’s no boring set of foundations in the dirt either, the wall and it’s forts are still very prominent for large stretches of the walk. And just think, 122AD. You don’t get much more historical than this.
So why another walk? You’d have thought I would have had enough of it last time.
I’d be the first to admit that I’ve never been what you call a natural athlete, or even an outdoorsy type of person. I’m sweaty enough as it is without having to make things worse by running about getting all hot and bothered. I generally leave all that sort of stuff to my mountain climbing brother and tennis playing sister. The freaks.
But there is something about long distance hiking which gives a lift to even my exercise-phobic soul. It’s not just the walking through beautiful countryside, although that’s definitely a part of it. It’s the feeling of escape and liberation. The freedom of emptying your mind of day to day minutia and stresses, and then refilling it with peaceful serenity and the easy companionship of your fellow walkers .
It’s also the sense of achievement that comes with drawing a long line on a map and saying “I walked that”. And of course if you walk in aid of a charity there’s the additional satisfaction that comes with seeing all your efforts translated into a force for good and having a real and positive impact on the the lives of others.
It’s a great feeling. in fact it’s a really great feeling.
And I want you to have it too.
This time I want to open the walk to as many people as possible. You, me, them, everybody. The more people that walk the more fun we’ll have and the more money we’ll raise for a very worthy cause.
And this invitation isn’t just to those in the UK. I’d love it if we could get some international walkers too. We start off in Newcastle, which has both excellent rail connections and a nearby airport. We finish near Carlisle, which, again, has great rail connections. We’ll be walking the border between England and Scotland giving plenty of opportunities for pre or post walk forays into either territories. And mainland Europe is only a short plane or ferry ride away as well.
How much does it cost these days for a return flight over to the UK? Not much really. Plus the accommodation costs for the entire walk probably won’t total much more than £120. It’s peanuts when you consider what a great adventure you’ll have and how long the memories of it will last.
And for those of you who live closer to home, well quite frankly you have no excuse. You’re coming, and I don’t want to hear another single word about it.
I’m not looking for definite answers here, just expressions of interest. I will need to know one way or the other by mid to late August though, as I need to get moving on booking the accommodation as there are only a few places that can cope with large groups of people.
At the very least have a serious think about it. This won’t be a crappy blogger meetup or a tea and cakes event set up by some PR company. This’ll be an adventure to remember for the rest of your life and a real opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people who’s whole world has collapsed.
Join us!
Here are the details. Oh, and make sure you look at the brand new sparkly website I made for the walk too: www.hadrianswalk.org.
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This is the proposed itinerary for the Hadrian’s Wall walk. Nothing has been confirmed as yet, and nowhere has been booked; but this is how I currently imagine it will go.
Both men and women are more than welcome to come along. There is a possibility that we might have to have mixed sex shared rooms on occasion, but I’m sure we’re all adult enough to cope with that (as long as I don’t get any smelly girl germs that is).
There will be two separate groups of walkers. Team Bandicoot, made up of my brother Sam and his friends who will walk from the West coast of England to the East coast. And Team Ocelot made up of myself and my friends who will walk from the East coast to the West coast. Both groups will set off at the same time and meet up in the middle on the evening of day three. There then will most probably have to be some form of Dance Off or “Your Momma” contest to determine which team is superior (Team Ocelot obviously) and then part ways to continue with their journeys.
It’s important for us to get a vague idea of numbers as soon as possible so we know on what kind of scale we need to plan things. I also want to start booking and paying for accommodation by the middle of August 2009 in order to reduce the chances of our plans being foiled by places being booked up.
This will mean people would have to finalize their participation and pay at least a deposit within a couple of months. I know this seems early, but with as many people walking as we’re hoping for it’s a logistical necessary.
It’s not going to break the bank anyway, I’m anticipating that the accommodation for the whole six day walk is going to cost somewhere between £100 and £120.
We won’t start fundraising in earnest until around Easter next year, so once it’s booked and sorted we can all forget about it for a bit. The charity is a worthy one however. Take a look here to see how some of the money raised during our walk of the Dales Way was used.
So here’s the plan for the Hadrian’s Wall hike. Come on, walk with us; you know you want to.
Team Ocelot (Dan’s group)
Monday July 5th, 2010: Wallsend, Newcastle to Heddon-on-the-Wall (15 miles)
Stay at Houghton North Farm Bunkhouse
Tuesday July 6th, 2010: Heddon-on-the-Wall to Walwick (16 miles)
Stay at Greencarts Bunkhouse
Wednesday July 7th, 2010: Walwick to Once Brewed (10 miles)
Stay at Once Brewed youth hostel (this is where Team Ocelot and Team Bandicoot would cross over).
Thursday July 8th, 2010: Once Brewed to Birdoswald Fort (10 miles)
Stay at Birdoswald Youth Hostel
Friday July 9th, 2010: Birdoswald Fort to Carlisle (18 miles – alright 19/20)
Stay at Carlisle Youth Hostel
Saturday July 10th, 2010: Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway (15 miles)
Team Bandicoot (Sam’s group)
Monday July 5th, 2010: Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle (15 miles)
Stay at Carlisle Youth Hostel
Tuesday July 6th, 2010: Carlisle to Birdoswald Fort (18 miles)
Stay at Birdoswald Youth Hostel
Wednesday July 7th, 2010: Birdoswald Fort to Once Brewed (10 miles)
Stay at Once Brewed youth hostel (this is where Team Ocelot and Team Bandicoot would cross over).
Thursday July 8th, 2010: Once Brewed to Walwick (10 miles)
Stay at Greencarts Bunkhouse
Friday July 9th, 2010: Walwick to Heddon-on-the-Wall (16 miles)
Stay at Houghton North Farm Bunkhouse
Saturday July 10th, 2010: Heddon-on-the-Wall to Wallsend, Newcastle (15 miles)
Related posts:
Registering serious interest.
Need to evaluate timing, and weigh up spending a whole week away from child. May actually be a good thing for him, and me. And for much more noble reasons than going on the lash in foreign climbs.
Let me ponder.
SingleParentDad´s last blog ..My Son is a Compost Heap
Ah what the hell, I’m riding a bike that distance in four weeks time, might as well pencil in a walk for next year too.
Its a nice walk too, my feet are throbbing just thinking about it, and its not in anticipation either.
Gary´s last blog ..The House Sale…
That’s awfully tempting. I’m going to give it some serious thought.
VegasDad´s last blog ..school, vacation and buffness
Also registering serious interest but need to look at childcare options. There’s a whole year to plan so I think I can sort it. I may need some help with a fitness plan but blimey it would be a good reason to go for it. Yep, definitely serious interest. :D (Sh*t)
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..Biiiiiiicycle, BIIIIIIICYCLE
But can I drive alongside and throw things at you?
Avitable´s last blog ..Haiku: The ConFab version
I’m in, obviously. You’ve got Team Ocelot going the wrong way, but I guess I can cope with that ;)
Tony and I are both registering interest, but will have to have a proper think about it, but count us in for now.
Sorry, new baby will still be too new to be left and don’t think I could cope with carrying in a sling all that way. Maybe 2011?! Good luck though. Sounds like it will be great.
Coding Mamma (Tasha)´s last blog ..Don’t talk to strangers
Hmm. Significant other (after a brief burst of “How come you never want to do anything like that with me?” or worse, “Can we come and watch?”) is not entirely against this. Though I’m not sure what supermum means by “It’ll be good for you to interact with some other people.”
That’s an “expression of interest”, by the way. I suppose I’d better start training.
dadwhowrites´s last blog ..It’s time I wrote something about music
I thought there might be a post up today…
Team bandicoot is filling up already, though lucy thinks it should be team Baldy-Coot. I think that name could indicate either team however.
Pingback: I Can’t Fail — Jo Beaufoix
Oi Dan, you’re tagged. It’s the least you can do. ;D
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..I Can’t Fail
Sounds good, but I can’t skive off school during term-time.
Kirsty´s last blog ..fire
Hmmmm…
Let me talk it over with The Man. Tempted. The question is what to with The Boy.
Nat´s last blog ..Little people
I’m going to have to think about this one, I hope that by néxt summer (2010) money won’t be too big of a problem, but I’m not a trained walker…and 84 miles in non-flat areas would need some serious training.
I can see how this will be a bigger and bigger event.
Wow. This sounds…amazing. I’ve been needing a definite reason to get to the UK for a few years now, and was planning on trying to take a trip to visit family in England/Northern Ireland next year. Perhaps I have found the perfect opportunity. Definitely keep me in the loop, and let me know when commitments are necessary. It’d be me and the husband.
I’ve already registered interest – my knees ought to be sorted by then, and it’s far enough in advance so getting time off work shouldn’t be an issue.
Woohoo!
@Oli, you’ll still forget to book the leave ;P
Ooo…I’m interested. I’ll have to think about it and run it by the wife, but I think it might be fun, challenging and important reason to get to England.
Brandon´s last blog ..A Snap Judgement Snap Judgement
I’m so very close to saying yes I’ll be there, have to confirm a few things first because would hate to commit and then not be able to make it, but I really want to!
Lee´s last blog ..Five Robocop artist trading cards
Wow.
This has the potential to be something really fantastic.
I’m going to send an email in a few days to everyone who’s expressed an interest outlining what to expect in the walk (type of accommodation, terrain, facilities, that sort of thing), just so people know what they are thinking about signing up for.
Then in mid August I’ll start chasing people up and asking for definite commitments and cold hard cash for deposits. So you’ve got a little while to think about it yet.
Anyone else want their name down on the definitely interested list?
This is a fantastic idea. I’d love to get involved but don’t think I can commit at this stage given I have 6 months in South America starting in October and don’t know what my situation will be when I come home (ie if I’ll have a job or not!).
Will it be too late to join up post April 2010?
LBB x
LBB´s last blog ..Soooooo…..
Is it something you could drag a 5 month old along on?
Xbox4NappyRash´s last blog ..Rear view mirrors
If only I could think that far ahead. Sounds and looks like a blast.
DCUrbanDad´s last blog ..You think you can handle the truth dads?
hmmmmm…. definite interest here, although planning a year + in advance is not my forte… it does fall in a pretty good zone, schedule-wise, since that’s right around the time we all over here take time off to celebrate throwing off the yoke of colonial oppression.
My main problems might be a) explaining to my baby-momma that I am taking a week or so in the UK without her (can they all stay with Kerry while we’re out hking?) and b) finding some hills to train on. (Savannah is flat as a pancake, there are no hills for nearly 60 miles in any direction). But definitely interested, all-in-all.
JJ Daddy-O’s baby momma here. I think this is a fantastic idea, a great cause, and I’m registering approval and serious intent on behalf of JJ Daddy-O.
Don’t let him fool you about colonial oppression. What he means is meteorological oppression, as it’s usually in around 100 degrees in July, and even a grueling walking trip in England sounds a lot more attractive when it’s only 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
@JJ Daddy Baby Momma, 60 and raining, don’t forget the rain.
Ah, but for genetically British Isles folks like us, rain is God’s Sunscreen!
My dermatologist recently told me I had no business living in Savannah, and needed to find the closest moor to move to.
If it wasn’t for the fact that I now live across the pond, I’d join you in a heartbeat mate.
Kevin Spencer´s last blog ..Creepy Crawlers
As has been expressed, this is very tempting. Of course, the stars would have to align to make it happen for me but I will be analyzing the possibilites over the next few weeks.
James (Seattledad)´s last blog ..On Travel With Friends
Hi Dan- It’s me.. Peggy from Arizona. My husband Dave sent you an email last night stating our interest in the 84 mile hike. I have a pitiful blog site, no followers, just a place for me to walk in circles and talk to myself. **crickets**
http://life-in-biscuit.blogspot.com/
I will send you our pictures and some info about us tonight from home. I’m at work right now.
Wow, that sounds fantastic. Whenever I have walked for charity they designate a football field where everyone walks until they are dizzy. Amazing idea to do something so peaceful in nature considering the cause and the necessity of beauty after such a loss. Wonderful.
Not So Glamorous Housewife´s last blog ..Bean curd with broccoli
Looks like I’m doing this. Just got the wife’s permission, and researched the airfare (around $900). Count me in!
Hope nobody minds my window-rattling snores at night.
I’ve told Sam I’m maybe up for it once I’ve badgered the other half but I thought I’d register an oficial interest with you too.
Please count me tentatively in!
This is something I would love to experience.. one day in the distant future. Hopefully around July sometime next year we will have or will be expecting a second child, so I won’t be joining the trip. I am envious of those going. A great adenture, for a very good cause.
Amanda Jane´s last blog ..My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
If My Love has to be in the UK on business that week, it’s a possibility. But is the timing after July 4 some sort of anti-American ruse by you Brits?
always home and uncool´s last blog ..Payback is a Not a Bitch — It’s a Fairy
I am allergic to organised activities and break out with a major case of “I don’t wanna”, so we probably won’t be walking. However, I will be happy, thrilled, overjoyed and honored to be a sponsor and help channel some cash your way.
What a fantastic idea!
Honestly, I was quite jealous of your last walk, and wished I could join the fun.
But I’ve already booked a month-long vacation for (all of) August 2010 (Maui), and I’m pretty sure I’d get fired if I turned a 4-week vacation into 6 or 7. BUT…if I get fired before then, I’m in. :-)
Rattling the Kettle´s last blog ..3.14159