Sunday, April 5

LeJog - Charity Walk

Fellow UK Outdoor Blogger Litehiker has recently announced his plan to walk from Land's End to John o'Groats starting on Sunday 5 April in aid of Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund. Donations here.

If anyone wants to join him for odd bits (his words, not mine!), his schedule can be found on his blog. Whilst the route is fixed, the timetable will be flexible based on his progress, but he'll be posting as he goes so he can be tracked down.

If you want to join in, he can be emailed at
litehiker@pocketmail.com for further details.

Labels: ,


Tuesday, September 9

Cycling LeJoG - Charity begins before home.

If you've been following Trevor Woodford's Blog during recent months you'll be aware he's part of a small team intent on cycling LeJoG, reporting as he goes.

There is an reason behind this madness (Besides getting soaking wet, sores on unusual body parts & the chance to exchange expletives with speeding motorists!)

Their aim is to raise cash for the Dorset Kidney Fund as a personal thank-you for the charity's support of a team member.

Trevor, perhaps better known as Dorset Rep for the Backpackers Club, set off this morning. Meanwhile fundraising continues. So if you feel like chipping in you can via the ever increasingly popular Justgiving website.

Hmm - I wonder if anyone is running a sweep stake on the total number of punctures along the way?

A thought here.

Human nature being what it is, with our busy lifestyles it often takes a personal, maybe tragic, life event, affecting someone we know, before our support for a charity kicks in.

So to those of you currently filling out TGO Challenge entry forms, how about using the trip to raise some £££s to benefit someone else at the same time, even if its only in a small way?

I'm not a great fan of charities per se. After all there are some truly weird and wonderful ones about these days it seems to me. But on a personal basis I regularly donate a small monthly sum to a couple of organisations, one being Mountain Rescue.

The amount isn't large. However over the years the hope is that my regular drip feed of income leaves them free to get on with their work, rather than spending time fundraising.

And I don't even expect to get a preferential service in the event I should possibly call out the MRT. Not even if I do want to fly in a helicopter one of these days.

Labels: ,


Thursday, July 24

Podcast News

Now my Dartmoor trip write-up is complete (warts and all - but the whole truth whatever you may read elsewhere!) its time to catch up with other news, whilst I chew over a few of the thoughts that popped up over the weekend.

I've an anniversary, of sorts, coming up soon. So perhaps its time for one of my more reflective mumblings. But that's for later.

Today a bit of entertainment for the weekend. Podcast Bob has been at it again.

Firstly there's his exclusive interview with Mick & Gayle fresh from their successful LeJoG trip. I listened to it on my way to Dartmoor, and a few hours later had the good fortune to be speaking to them face to face. The interview is well worth listening to if you don't happen to have them in your living room.

Mick & Gayle LEJOG 2008

(or right click & 'Save Target As' using this link to download)

And hard on its heels Bob has started his reports from the 2008 Friedrichshafen Outdoor Trade Fair. If true to its usual reputation this show sets the trends for the UK outdoor market next year - so get in there first folks.

Friedrichshafen (Part One)
(or right click & 'Save Target As' using this link to download)

Labels: , ,


Tuesday, July 8

M&G LeJoG complete

M&G Go For A Walk? Well perhaps not for a few days now they've completed their Land's End to John O' Groats wander.

As one journey ends, I'm sure others will be calling out for the couple's attention.

As Alan Sloman found after his LEJOG meander back in 2007 just what else is there to do now, when waking up to face each new day?

What replaces that daily certainty? That steady movement towards the destination.

Things have changed. No going back to the way they used to be, or so it seems. The personality that started out on the journey all those months ago has been irrevocably altered.

OK, perhaps in Alan's case it seemed to involve pubs (lol), but I'm looking forward to Mick and Gayle's on-line deliberation as to what happens next.

Well done both.

Labels: , ,


Wednesday, March 19

M&G LeJog Walk for Charity

Gayle & Mick (or is it Mick & Gayle) of M&G Go For A Walk fame plan a little walk in Mid April - LeJog (never a very apt acronym for what is still a daunting undertaking, whatever the increasing numbers who have taken on the challenge over the years)

G&M at last weekend's Outdoors Show

In the best tradition of such ventures they intend to raise money and awareness for charity - MacMillan Cancer Support.

"Although there may appear to be a particular personal link here, with both of my parents having died of cancer in the last four years (aged 59 and 61) and two other members of my close family having been diagnosed with cancer in the last year (my sister aged just 36), the reality is that none of them has directly used the services of a cancer charity, although undoubtedly they have all benefited indirectly from their work"

Their target is £2,000. But I'm sure that we can help them do better than that folks, now can't we?

On-line donations can be made here

Labels: , ,


Sunday, January 20

Lands End to John o'Groats - A Helping Hand

I came across the website Walking Land's End to John o'Groats with Mark Moxon earlier today, and thought I'd pass it on:
"The most detailed website ever published on the classic End-to-End walk with over 100 stories and 900 photographs from the trip of a lifetime"

Not a lot more I can add as it does what it says on the tin. Mark seems to have it well covered with masses of stuff including Goggle Earth 2&3D route maps, photos and route advice. A useful addition to my links on the right.

And hopefully of help to those of you tempted by the LEJoG challenge.

I know there's at least one 2008 journey in the planning stage. Lucky beggars - lol

Labels: ,


Wednesday, June 27

Alan Sloman - LEJOG Completed

Today's a special event for walking out of things. Nope - nothing to do with politics, but in a way similar as one task ends and another begins. To quote directly from his site:

DAY 119: To John O'Groats and Duncansby Head
Wednesday 27th June 2007

Canisbay Youth Hostel to John O'Groats & Duncansby Head
Today: 5.4 miles
Total so far: 1687.0 miles
Percentage Completed: 100%

Yes -Alan Sloman has finished his LEJOG Challenge, with a little diversion along the way to complete the TGO Challenge as a bit of light relief. And to schedule.

Well done Alan -and don't forget the reason behind his little jaunt:

"If you have enjoyed my struggles and tales and have felt you would like to donate then do please visit the link to my Sue Ryder Care page and donate as much as you can afford, as right now the Sue Ryder team is caring for a critically ill patient, supporting them and their family when all hope for life has been lost"

Labels: ,


Monday, April 23

Alan Sloman - Media Star

As part of Alan's Big Walk Northwards I get to play on his blog. I always thought the temptation would get to me in the end.

So when Peter Lumley of the Backpackers Club contacted me with details of a successful press shoot tying in Alan's visit with the Clubs AGM/Outdoor event at Bellingham....





Well - it had to be done.

I'm awaiting the 'cease and desist' order any day now
;-)

Labels:


Thursday, March 22

LEJOG - Dave's done it

The final post from I'm So Dave as he finally reaches his goal - John 'O Groats. Well done Dave.

But as Ted Simon noted after his first trip around the world on a Triumph motorcycle back in the 70s. Once you stop moving - what to do each day? It's back to the mundane day to day decisions of every day life. And that can be the scariest thing of all making the trip itself seem so simple by comparison.

Best of luck Dave.

Labels:


Wednesday, March 21

LEJOG Project Walk Blog

This one comes courtesy of a posting from Stef over on Bearded Git. He's been contacted about a new blog site set up by Josh who is just about to hit his 17th birthday and has an ambition to fulfil.

"I am planning to walk from the Southern-most point (Lands End) to the Northern-most point (John O'Groats) of Britain over 6 Weeks next year. I want to find 2 people to accompany me on this great journey that is being recorded and posted on the 'Walk-Project' website that will be set up soon. It is all for charity....."

Looking at his plan to cover the distance in six weeks, it's a big ambition. Possibly a little over enthusiastic?
A video diary is on the cards as well. This boy has some interesting ideas.

Not too sure where this one is going to go, but if there's anyone out there who is interested please go and take a looksee.

Labels:


Thursday, February 22

Alan Sloman - Ready for the off

I've mentioned Alan Sloman's blog on here before, and indeed if you look to the right you'll see a link thru.

Alan is walking to raise as much financial support as he can for the Sue Ryder Hospice following his own personal loss.

His fund raising is already going pretty well but...............well Alan strikes me as as something of an underachiever.

Fair enough he's backpacking the route (in a BLUE tent - argh!) rather than use B&B.
But what! No mention of doing it in the nude!, or walking backwards, or hopping on one leg.

Err - on second thoughts that's probably for the better. The nudie bit has already been done a couple of times before and that walker ended up in trouble each time (only joking Alan - don't even start thinking about those options)

Dovetailing in with the recent debate on 'new media' the esteemed Podcast Bob has just released an interview with Alan who will be blogging as he goes. Alan's blog is also carrying the podcast feed.

Contrary to Bob's interview introduction Alan's not the first to do this route and blog at the same time as I'm So Dave has already started on his journey in January , blogging as he walks.

Sods law - two of them on the go at the same time after this wait. But I'm sure Dave (who's is really marching to the beat of a different drum there) won't begrudge sharing the limelight for Alan's admirable objective.

Most of us bloggers sit here in the warm wittering away about things remarkably inconsequential. On an average evening the most walking our legs do is along the path between pc, kettle, and bathroom.

These guys are out there doing it. All power to their feet.

So how can we help Alan out?

Well why not pop over to his fundraising site and chuck a couple of bob his way.

To quote that guru of Irish island walking Mrs. Joan Doyle ""Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, GO ON!!!!!"

No pressure though
;-)

Labels: ,


Sunday, February 4

I'm So Dave, nudity and DAB radio programmes

Spooky.
I finished reading I'm So Dave "Land's End to John O'Groats, without a clue" blog this afternoon - excellent fun and the comments are just as humorous. Well recommended.

I shot a quick 'thanks and like the site' note to Dave. Where ever in the south he currently is.

I commented in the mail "I don't suppose you'd consider doing the Scottish part in the nude? Maybe not - but the B&B is free of charge at HMP" and sent the note around 17:30.

Around 22:00 I spotted Atkoman's post on Dave's blog which mention Dave was on BBC Radio 6 (check Atkoman's blog for the details)

So just sat here and listened to Dave's bit broadcast around 16:15 earlier today.

It finished up with the radio presenter suggesting Steve starts walking with his todger out.

Now I know where my idea came from, a tongue in cheek (ahem) bid at publicity but based on the nude walker from 2005 & 2006 (to my astonishment currently interned in HMP Edinburgh, Saughton)

But a bit freaky that my comment, and that on the show was sort of in the same ballpark.

Is my brain now picking up DAB radio shows in the background like Billy from Radio K.A.O.S?

I've got to use that mobile phone less in future.

Labels:


Thursday, October 19

More UK Blogs

Blimey, more to read each day after a period of little happening on the UK Blog walking front

My thanks to London Backpacker for the tip off and a big welcome to Alan Sloman's Big Walk a Lands End to John O'Groats walker.

Labels: ,


All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch