Sponsored Walk, August 2008

The White Horse, Kilburn

The White Horse pub, York

With the generous donations of friends and family, I was able to raise £207 for the Lollipop (York & District) charity. This is a local charity which helps deaf/hearing-impaired children/young people and their families. For more information, please visit their website at www.lollipopyork.org.uk.

Thank you very much to everyone who helped me reach my target.

I had not walked 23 miles before in a single day. My previous best was the 31 miles I walked over two days during my 24 Peaks in 24 Hours challenge in September 2005. (You can read all about that here.) Since this walk was a lot less hilly, I was optimistic that I would make it. I did... just!

Upon leaving Coxwold we went off-road and also up-hill towards Husthwaite.

We were rewarded with wonderful views from the top, back to the White Horse from where we had set off 1.5 hours earlier.

Just after 11am we arrived at the market town of Easingwold and had an early lunch. We didn't want to sit around for long because we didn't want to risk stiffening up or getting cold so we were quickly on our way south east towards Huby.

We passed some friendly horses and some not-so welcoming Dalmatians. Most of us also got to sample the smells of a pig yard before those with more sensitive noses found a short-cut through an airy and cool barn.

By the time we reached Huby, most of us were starting to get a bit tired. We had a little rest at the end of the Main Street. Questions about the distance left to go became more common. We figured we had about 7.5 miles left.

As we headed south, dark clouds began to appear from the west and soon it was raining. On with the waterproofs and we kept going. The rain stopped before we reached Skelton and had another short break. Then we joined the A19 and started walking into York. It rained the rest of the way. We were drenched, tired and thirsty by the time we reached the White Horse pub at about 5.15pm. We had all made it in under 8 hours walking time.

It was amazing how quickly we felt better after a drink or two at the pub. This managed to revive us enough to be able to start our journeys home and no-doubt an early night for all.

Click here to view my sponsored walk photo album.