David and Helen Clamp

Day 6 - Avebury!!!

Day 6: Avebury! Back on the trail, round Ogbourne St George to Badbury Castle, and a final long trek along the ridge down to Avebury, met by great chum and colleague Pam for a celebratory drink - and thank you so much Pam for driving us up to Swindon for our train home. And of course, what can you see from the train from Swindon? A decent view of the White Horse at Uffington! Thank you for all the donations and helping us get over £1000. We haven’t finished yet - the pub quiz is next and then the big trek in Italy!

Day 5: Daleks and White Horses

First stop was the (very important) front cover of the 1982 XTC magnum opus - also known as the Uffington White Horse. We had to have two visits as it was sheeting it down for the first so when it briefly stopped we popped back up the massive hill. Onwards to Waylands Smithy, a uniquely atmospheric long barrow, and then we were walking through a farm and I pointed to a hill ahead and said to Helen “oh look that’s where Oxfordshire ends and Wiltshire starts.“ And as if on cue, a farmer who spoke as if he was in the opening scenes of the Lord of the Rings, popped out and said “Wiltshire? Ooh, you don’t wanna go there. It’s a dangerous place. Full of nasty thieving folk. You want to turn right round now.” We carried on, reluctantly. It was a bit of a slog as we’re both feeling slightly tired, but the sun came out, and we made to Aldbourne, as it turns out not just a Dr Who 1971 location much locally celebrated , but also the village where Easy Company trained (see Band of Brothers) And lovely to catch up with old Gambia chums Sarah and Nick Hackett at the end of the walk!

Day 4 - when it all hung on a thread

After some slightly more basic accommodation at the YHA (Hels slightly worryingly said it was like being back in prison), we’re off again. Calamity today when one of Helen’s bootlaces broke in the middle of nowhere! Eek! That’s an important piece of kit! We managed to fashion a fix temporarily. Also a distinct change of scenery as we transitioned to the Wessex Downs. And finally made it to the remotest campsite we’ve yet seen, 2 miles from the White Horse of Uffington which we’ll get to tomorrow, rescued at the end of 20 miles by our estimable friend and colleague Andrew Eckert who not only took us the last mile in his car but also cooked us dinner and he and Johanna let us play with their kids. AND he brought us more bootlaces. It’s about to chuck it down so we’ve abandoned our own little tent for a glamping upgrade!

Day 3 - the wet one

Though, like the curate’s egg, parts of it were excellent. Under the M40 near Lewknor where we had many happy memories of meeting Stephen and Maggi Cull to hand over our children, then back up into the hills. St Botolph’s Church in Swyncombe was our favourite church of the day as they left flapjacks, tea and a kettle for weary passersby, and then, after a soaking in the oilseed rape fields we walked the length of the Grims Ditch- 5km of straight line earthwork all the way to the Thames. And that was where we met the fabulous Lisa and Nigel and headed south down the Thames to Goring and Streatley. Now in the YHA Streatley - basic but effective - and sloped out for a posh meal at the Swan at Streatley. 21 miles today- knackered!

Day 2 - longer than expected!

Day 2 took us down through the Chilterns through Wendover and Princes Risborough, past Chequers. We ended up covering 25 miles rather than 18, which I’m maintaining was because by carrying on an extra 5 miles in the sunshine yesterday, we might be able to walk 5 miles less in the rain today! And I just happened to have booked a hotel based on that eventuality 😂. Anyway, we ended up stopping just by the M40 - progress! To the Thames and a Youth Hostel (apparently we’re still welcome!) tonight…

End of Day 1 and we found a great pub!

Thanks so much to everyone who has sponsored us so far!  We’ve now started our training walk - a 5 day hike along the Ridgeway; met this afternoon in Tring by old Raleigh colleague Andy Luton who took us to the start of the trail at Ivinghoe Beacon; then a beautiful hike through the squally weather to Wigginton where we are firmly installed in The Greyhound pub for the night. 18 miles tomorrow!  

Where's the Ridgeway?

This afternoon we'll be heading on a train up to Tring, the north western end of the 137km Ridgeway and starting the long walk to Avebury.  It now turns out we have many chums along to the route who we'll be meeting along the way, and we'll be staying in a range of accommodation - carrying a tent but also in a YHA and a couple of pubs.  We'll share more as it happens!

And before we go, an update on our next event...

The Pub Quiz!

Setting off on the training hike - the Ridgeway!

Just back from Karen and Adrian's amazing wedding (with half of the flowers!) and we're now collecting our kit ready for a 137 km trek along the Ridgeway from Tring to Avebury in preparation for the big one in September!  More updates to follow (and thanks everyone for looking after the house while we're away!)

Gatton Hall

And we’re off!

Helen and I are starting our next fundraising (and walking) challenge today! We’re taking part in the September ABF Monte Cassino trek - as are our good friends Ian and Peter Mills