Robin Field-Smith

My Activity Tracking

119
mi

My target 90 mi

I've created this page because I want to make a difference

Mindful of the sacrifice of my great uncle in 1916 - killed on the Somme - I'm inspired by the work of the Army Benevolent Fund and wanted to support them by raising money as part of my participation in My Frontline Walk. Please help me help them by giving whatever you can use the 'Donate' button.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot.

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My Achievements

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My Updates

The final day

Put together a walk back from church with a walk with the dog to give me a final distance for the month. I was able to reflect that my great grandfather was deprived of such activity with his second son, Neville, who was killed too young in the First World War.

A day of contrasts

Walking along the Pacific shore at Malibu was a great pleasure, but the journey there took us through the Palisades ravaged by the fires last January. This was a stark reminder of the effects on communities of not only natural disasters but the destruction caused by war.

Walking the dog

Thanks to a dog needing exercise I was prompted to get up from my post Thanksgiving Day torpor and enjoy some exercise in the warmth and sunshine of California.

A day to give thanks

It is always good to join that part of the family living on another continent especially for Thanksgiving.

Amid the preparations and celebrations I was able to go out walking the dog, being thankful for good health, and a loving family, whilst enjoying the sunshine and the scenery.

Constrained day

Only managed a short distance today as needed to travel by car on family errands - such as are the distances in the USA!

Another flying day!

I covered nearly 2000 miles by air, so walking was restricted to moving around passenger terminals, including having to change boarding gates.

Of note in the USA are lounges for military personnel at major airports and a specific place for them when boarding aircraft. Perhaps these are provisions which could be provided in the UK?

A flag in the park

In Audubon Park in New Orleans there is the memorial to Louisiana people killed in WW1. Even though the USA was only in the war for 18 months the numbers from just one state are great, and remind us of the sacrifice

A day to explore and learn

We enjoyed time walking around New Orleans Central Park - especially the 11 acres devoted to a display of sculpture.

Then back on the street car to the bustling French Quarter before walking out through peaceful streets to visit the Confederate War Museum. Here one can see war in the raw with graphic photos and writings. Hundreds of thousands died in a four year conflict, but most from disease, malnutrition or hypothermia, and without the support enjoyed by today’s soldiers and service personnel.

Constraints on walking

Today we took the chance to use streetcars and ferries to reduce the time spent in the heat and cover greater distances than possible on two feet!

Battle of Chalmette

I took this photo today from the Missisippi steamboat taking us down river from New Orleans. It shows the main memorial on the battlefield of Chalmette fought on 8 January 1815. Here the Americans under General Andrew Jackson heavily defeated the British - the last time the two nations fought each other. Over 2000 British soldiers were wounded or killed, whereas the Americans only had 20 casualties.

The big journey

Not much distance covered on 18/11 as doing final preparations and packing for trip to USA.

Yesterday we flew almost 5000 miles but managed to walk 4 miles as a result of transfers between terminals and very long distances from planes to passport control and baggage return!

Bereavement

Fitness activity today involved walking to and from our church hosted bereavement cafe, where I am a trained listener. By chance one of our visitors was someone with Army service under his belt.

Time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon cycling along to Richmond Park and working out a route for me to lead our monthly “Parish Plod” next month. I covered 13 miles but that included extra distance from home to church and back, and a bit more to check out routes. Hoping that more of those I normally have on these walks will sponsor me as this month progresses,

The last few days

Not too many opportunities for long walks or rides in recent days, what with the weather and helping with a family house move on Remembrance day of all days! Even golf had to be confined to 9 holes with wind and mud in abundance.

Remembrance Sunday

I was asked to lay the wreath at our local memorial on behalf of our church - humbled and ready to do so, having walked down through the town from the church to the memorial beforehand. It was encouraging to see so many people, especially children and young adults surrounding the memorial.

A little more golf

Today was able to fit in 9 holes - sun was generally shining but conditions under foot were rather muddy after the rain.

Him Indoors!

Had to stay in waiting for a delivery, entertaining friends for lunch, and then keeping out of the rain. So exercise restricted to short outings to the shops.

Nov 6

A day of varied commitments so no chance for a long walk, rather going to and from church meetings locally and in London by bus and train

More golf

Enjoyed 18 holes with three club colleagues. Thankfully, It was dry if rather windy, so the scores won't be in the record books!

Not a lot today,

Walking today was concerned with delivering the parish newsletters. Important to get these out as they contain details of what we are doing as a church during the season of “Remembrance”, with our vicar chaplain to the local RBL branch, and leading the service at the town war memorial on Sunday.

Golf is a good walk spoiled!

Today's golf took a long time as the teams of three for the competition were perhaps timed to tee off too close together.

So it took four hours to cover not much more than 3 miles!

Sunday is a day of rest, perhaps

Not much distance covered today - collecting the newspapers gave me a bit of walking, but otherwise in church and at home

Day 1

Led a walk around Virginia Water with 13 members of my church - mostly sunny, lovely autumn leaves and really good company.

Preparing

This ABF project to raise funds ties in nicely with my contribution to health and community cohesion by leading our monthly Parish Plod. I should be able to cover 30 miles in November without too much trouble, though not all on one day!

Thank you to my Sponsors

£165