A Coast to Coaster

The alarm went off at 6.30am this morning as we had intended to set off on today's final stage at about 7am, to ensure that we reached Robin Hoods Bay by mid-afternoon (in time for the minibus back to Kirkby Stephen).

Unfortunately, Leonie's ankle ligament damage was too much for her to come today. I know that she will feel frustrated at not being able to walk those last 16 miles but, as I made reference to in yesterday's blog, her achievement to get this far has been absolutely phenomonal and it simply means that she has an excuse to come up to this lovely part of the country next year to complete it.

I set off at about 7.20am in a sombre but defiant mood and as I headed uphill out of Grosmont, I was determined to enjoy this last stage as much as posible.

I made good time, but as a result of walking on my own and trying to get to Robin Hoods Bay as soon as possible, my shins soon began to ache and I had to slow down. Thankfully, there was a stretch along some moorland which softened the pounding on my feet - pounding which was softened even further as I took a running jump and ploughed knee high into an area of bog.

I took the last 3 miles around the coastline at a leisurely pace, hoping that some philosophical thoughts would come into my head which would ultimately lead me to a life changing decision. As it was, I just kept thinking about whether Tony Pulis would play Tuncay against Bolton this afternoon!

I arrived in Robin Hoods Bay at 12.50pm and was happy to see Leonie and her boyfriend Andy sat outside Wainwrights Bar. Leonie had got a taxi from Grosmont and Andy had driven up from Stafford early that morning.

As I dipped my toe in the North Sea and Andy kindly took the required photo, I turned around to see my Dad and my Sister, Sharon, walking towards us. They had driven up from Stoke on Trent this morning to meet me. I was lost for words really, as it was a really lovely touch. Leonie and Andy headed back to Stafford and the remaining three of us enjoyed a chocolate milkshake before my Dad and Sharon headed back and I got the minibus back to Kirkby Stephen.

Luckily, Leonie had insured me on her car before we left so I was able to drive back to Stafford and made good time - especially after I discovered 'The Motown Show' on 100.4 Smooth FM!

And so ended my 15 day/192 mile walk from St Bees Head to Robin Hood's Bay. I'm really glad I did it and do have a great sense of achievement, dampened to a degree by the last couple of days. Nevertheless, the countryside that I have seen and the people that I have met made this experience more of a holiday than I thought it actually would be.

A big thank you to all of you who have wished me well throughout the Walk, to those who have helped me raise money for Douglas Macmillan Hospice and to all other Coast to Coasters who I met on my travels - especially Jill, Tim, Michael, Rob, Evita, Rich and Nicola. Also thank you to Martin and Neil for joining us for part of the C2C.

Finally, a big thank you to Leonie for agreeing to take up the challenge in the first place, for putting up with my snoring, teeth grinding, singing and dancing during the last two weeks. I'm surprised, given the pain she has been suffering with, that I didn't get a walking pole wrapped round my neck.

And before you ask, no, I won't be doing it again - not for a few years anyway!

Jon
The Bearded, Sunburnt, Hobbling but Happy Rambler