2017 Last Post

Saturday 25th March - Thank You All

This is (!?possibly?!) the final post of my 2017 Solo Walking Challenge

To date I have raised an amazing £4,227 (£4,858.75 including Gift Aid) via my Virgin Money Giving Site. I intend to deactivate the site sometime around June 2017 so hopefully everyone can get any outstanding donations in by then.

The link to my Virgin Money Giving Site is:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

Or search for me under "Make a donation" - "What's your friend's name" and type my name - Margaret Davies

It has been an amazing week when I have met and been supported by some fantastic, inspiring people. It has been a challenge, and rightly so. Maybe I 'shared' a bit too much information at times!! I guess quite a few people now realise that my life revolves around walking, food and real ale!! (Of course family goes without saying!!) They also may know that I get 'a bit' crabby when not fed and that I don't like heights . . . . . or mud!!

I have walked through some wonderfully 'English' Pastoral scenery, marvelled at the ingenuity and skill of the canal engineers and navigators and enjoyed the best weather I could have hoped for. I consider myself privileged and, not for the first time in my life, extremely lucky. Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey and donated their time and money to support this crazy adventure.

 

Saturday 11 March 2017 - National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffs 

A Week of Walking 

Arriving at Stratford upon Avon Saturday 18 March 2017  

 

Women's Royal Army Corps Association on Parade 

Day 8 - Sunday 19th March

 Day 8 - Sunday 19th March - "Get on Parade"

Yesterday's welcoming committee of a Phalanx of WRAC Association members plus the wonderful Jazz Band was videoed - I'm still working on my technical skills to post it on here!!  Watch this space!!

👀  THIS SPACE  👀

 

Last nights dinner was a most convivial evening - around 250 ladies of the WRAC Association (including ladies of the Auxiliary Territorial Service) enjoyed a delicious meal accompanied by the Yorkshire Band of the Royal British Legion under their Director of Music, Louise Lingard-Snape (Ex WRAC Staff Band). After the meal Brigadier Fiona Gardner CBE gave an entertaining and very informative speech celebrating the strides that women had made and the barriers they had broken through over 100 years of service with the British Army. 

This morning the weather was kind as around 60 women, led by Lt Col Rowena Griffiths MBE and accompanied by the Yorkshire Band of the Royal British Legion, paraded near the Royal Shakespeare Company building. The salute was taken by Brigadier Fiona Gardner CBE. I think that we gave a creditable show to the people of Stratford upon Avon

  

Day 7 Sat 18 March Finish

Day 7 - Saturday 18 March Stratford upon Avon

Arrived to a massive welcome of WRAC Association Members and an (almost) local Jazz Band.

I'd love to write a proper Blog but I don't have any pictures . . . . . YET!!

Off to celebrate with over 100 Women's Royal Army Corps veterans and then a parade tomorrow at 10am.

I will finish my Blog tomorrow - if I've got some pictures to show!!

Thanks for all the support and the massive donations. Reached over £4,000 and rising,

THANK YOU ALL

Edit - Tuesday 21 March 2017

Here are some photos of my arrival at Crown Plaza, Stratford upon Avon and some of the celebrations. Thanks in particular to Heather Gaughran, Birmingham Branch W.R.A.C. Association, for most of the photos. Some of the others I have 'nicked' from other W.R.A.C. Association ladies - thank you!

Clockwise from top right-hand:

1) Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Here she comes . .

2) . . . Just a'walking down the . . . Car Park!!

3) . . . And the Band played on . .& on . . & on . . .

4) I'll get you back Heather Gaughran!!

 

100 Year Celebratory Dinner, Clockwise from top:

1) Left to right :Col (Retd) Ali Brown, Me, Lt Col Rowena Griffiths MBE, Maj (Retd) Sue Hatton, Brig Fiona Gardner CBE, Maj (Retd) Mack Maskyns-McIntyre

2) Table 12 - just in ear-shot of the Yorkshire Band of the Royal British Legion

3) Octogenarian In-Pensioner Charmaine (Bimbo) Coleman swaps caps with the teenage Drum-Major of the Yorkshire Band of the RBL

 

 

Day 6 Friday 17 March

Day 6 - Friday 17th March - Lapworth Junction to Stratford upon Avon

It was an easy day for me today as it was ONLY just over 12 miles!!


I started with a will as it was the final day of "proper" walking. I got to Lowensford and decided to look at my SATNAG! I had switched it on but it had failed to register!! It is a bit temperamental sometimes (wonder who it takes after??). I switched it off and back on again and this time it decided to pay nicely. I mainly use it to tell me where I am rather than as a pre-planned route pointer or distance marker! Its useful when I take a wrong turn - its easy to see where I went wrong. . . . . . . . And . . . . . . . . . . . As I'm sure someone will be saying . . . . . . . Don't give the officer a map!!








Anyway, the Stratford Canal has to be one of the prettiest canals I've ever walked. It runs through countryside that is quintessentially "English" Well manicured grassy fields, beautifully trimmed hedgerows, rolling countryside and the sound of sheep and horses. Even the bridges were delicate and pretty.








As well as being one of the first derelict canals in UK to be renovated The Stratford Canal is famous for its aqueducts. There are three of them - wrought iron troughs of varying length transporting the canal and its narrowboats over roads, railways and streams. They are amazing feats of engineering. The third one I came across was the longest . . . and highest!! Did I mention about me and heights?? There was a trough at about shoulder height - fine!! Then a narrow walkway to walk on and an open railing about waist high. Aghh!!

Spring was still Sprung and the weather held up - no rain - I was a lucky girl. I've added a better picture of Pussy Willows because a towpath closure diverted me to the opposite bank!! I had to hold it still because it was blowing a hooley at the time. I also saw my first lambs - I was on the aqueduct at the time so its probably a bit blurred from the shaking!!

 

Finally I arrived at Stratford. Not the finishing line yet - that's tomorrow morning but it was lovely to be so close to the end - 99.5 miles done!! I was met by my wonderful Denise who has been supporting me for the many months before, during and after all this is over. A huge thank you to her. . . . and she takes quite good pictures!!

 



Day 5 Thur 16th March

Day 5 - Thursday 16th March - Long Itchington to Kingswood

Today was spent solely on the Grand Union Canal. Phyl had served me a cooked breakfast and gave me another, in a roll, "To Go"!! She didn't want anyone to think that she and Elaine couldn't feed me as well as June and Den had the previous day!! Both households were amazing and fed & watered me "right Royally" My grateful thanks to all four of you. I ate my second breakfast near aptly named "Welsh Road Lock" before continuing down towards Royal Leamington Spa.


As you walk through these conurbations you don't ever get to see the town or city 'proper'. You either get to see the backside of it, the industrial estates and rubbish heaps; the 'rather nice' properties with manicured lawns and decking areas backing onto the picturesque canal.; or sometimes lush woodland sunk below town level. Often it is difficult to work out if you have reached your destination. Today I had time to photograph the spring flowers that had burst into life over this week of surprising weather.

I stopped for lunch after nearly 11 miles at the Cape of Good Hope!! Yes! I was surprised that I had travelled so far too!! It's a pub near the lowest part of the canal before it started to climb away from Warwick. The pub was on the opposite side of the canal and could only be reached via the lock-gate. I think I've mentioned before that I don't like heights!! It was scary going over . . . but even scarier coming back with a pint of  Shropshire Ale on board!!!


After lunch all that remained was a mere 8 more miles. Shorter but it did involve a bit of minor mountaineering, canal style, climbing the ladder of 21 locks of Hatton Flight. It started near the wonderfully named 'Ugly Bridge' and rose in a series of ladders. Climbing to the top one is rewarded with a tiny Tea Shop. I partook of a mug of Earl Grey tea and a rather delicious Apricot Drizzle Cake! Yummy!

Another 4 miles and I'd reached my pick-up point at Kingswood with quarter of an hour to spare! Denise and I decided to forgo the pint and head straight back home as I had a load of washing needing doing and had to pick-up all my "Stuff" for the weekend in Stratford. No, I will not be carrying it with me as I walk tomorrow. The journey, which normally takes 45mins took over an hour and a half thanks to rush-hour traffic. Never mind - last day of serious walking tomorrow then ready to party on Saturday!! Thank you to everyone who has supported me and cheered me on. Nearly there!!

Day 4 - Wed 15 March

Day 4 - Wed 15 March - Rugby to Long Itchington

June dropped me off a little later than we'd originally hoped (thanks to the non-event, my BBC H&W interview) back at the canal near where wed had our Walk Stop dinner last night. It was a cool and misty morning but I soon warmed up once I'd started. The going was much better than yesterday, soft but not a mud-bath.

Just before I reached Braunston I met a lovely group of narrow - boaters including an ex-submariner and Colin an ex-RCT/AG Corps Recruiter who had been the first person who'd remarked on the WRAC T-shirt! They kindly sponsored my walk. 

Braunston Junction was quite busy with narrow boats and barges. I decided to miss out the pubs at Braunston (had not been recommended) & Flecknoe (too far away from the canal - & up a long hill!!) and carried on along the Grand Union Canal towards Napton Junction. The weather was brilliant so I had lunch sitting by the canal in the sun. Should have brought my suntan lotion I thought!!

At Napton I met  Michael & Leslie who's 13 year old grandson was just about to start Chemo for cancer. We chatted & I wished them and their grandson well.

The walk down (via a staircase of locks) to Long Itchington where Phyl met me - almost with pint in hand. We drove back to the house & I did a live radio interview, via my phone, sitting in the car outside the house! I have had a superb meal and been well watered (which is probably why this is late!!) Thank you to Phyl and Elaine for your superb hosting. No pressure for tomorrows breakfast!!

Day 3 Tue 14 March

Day 3 - Tue 14 March - from Griff to Rugby

This morning I was feeling a tad lazy so started a little later than I ought to have. 

I did quite well up till my lunchtime stop at Ansty. The going was muddier underfoot than I would have liked. I past the junction to the Ashby de la Zouche canal and onto the Hawkesbury Junction where the Oxford Canal branched off. So keen was I to make up time that I forgot to take any photos! Once off the Coventry Canal and onto the North Oxford Canal I knew the difference. Fairly rapidly the going became tougher. Much more mud and slipping and sliding. It was a bit like trying to walk on soft sand - energy sapping. 

I had made up the time and arrived at the road bridge over the canal in Ansty at midday. All I needed to do was find the pub. Not too difficult for me you might think. Could I find it? Could I heck!! I was supposed to be meeting Elaine for lunch but had no wifi connection and no phone number for Elaine to ring her. Again I called on the all-knowing Babs who contacted Elaine who phoned me & then came & found me. The 'canalside' pub was up a hill & tound a corner!! Thanks Elaine for lunch and rescuing me!!

This made lunch a little later so I left for the afternoon walk to Rugby a bit later than I would have liked. . . . . . and the problems began! Mud, mud and more mud. I knew it was not going to be a well kept path but I wasn't expecting SUCH a mudbath. 

Just when I was at my lowest ebb there was a glimmer of brightness. A couple of daffodils struggling to survive in the mud. It was just un-ending. Just when you thought it was getting better it suddenly got deeper, muddier and more horrid. 

At last I reached Rugby - only a few more miles to my pub stop. June, who was putting me up for the night, rang me to say that the canal towpath was closed!! Just what I needed. I found the White Board cutting off the path and followed the diversion . . . which then petered out & I was left in the middle of nowhere not knowing whether to turn left or right!! Fortunately June & Den came & rescued me & took me to the Old Royal Oak for a very nice meal. Thanks both for putting up with me for the night.

Day 2 Monday 13 March

Day 2 - Monday 13th March - Amington to Nuneaton SE


Carping out of my system so now a bit more about the actual walking!!




Today I started where I left off last night at Amington near Tamworth. It was a beautiful morning with bright sunshine. I was soon able to take off my fleece. The canal was quite busy all day with a host of narrowboats plying back and forth. I saw the first of my spring blooms, gorse. There seem to be fewer flowers along the canal towpaths than along country lanes or coastal paths.


A little while into the walk and I came across the picturesque Pooley Hall. I wondered if there was or had been a water feature (gravity-fed fountain?) This part of the canal system is blessed with poetry plaques. Some of them are even out of reach of the local graffiti artists!

I walked past the obelisk on Hoo Hill (what a lovely name) near Polesworth and further on saw the evidence of this part of the worlds industrial past in the form of "Jee's" or spoil heaps.

Again the worst and most dangerous part of the day was the quarter mile road walk from the canal to the hotel at the end of the day along a 'country lane' with cars being driven by maniacs. Never mind, I survived!! It was lovely to meet up with Elaine and Phyl at our hotel for a drink and a chat.




Can I say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who is following my antics for all your lovely comments and support. Makes it all worthwhile. I'm sorry that this BLOG (well, my use of it!!) seems unable to accept comments.

I've attached my walk lunch and end of day stops for anyone who's interested.

DAY 1 Sunday 11th

DAY 1 Sunday 11th March

The day got off to a shaky start with an "interesting" cooked breakfast at the hotel a bit later than I would have liked but eventually I managed to get to the NMA for the start of my walk.


The worst (and most dangerous) part of today's walk was taking my life in my hands crossing the A38 dual carriage-way between the NMA and Alrewas village.
I found the canal eventually only to realise that the path was on the other side so I had to retrace my steps a bit!!



I had set off with my thick jacket on as I was expecting cold & rain. Within quarter of an hour it was off and replaced with a thin fleece. Another few miles on and the fleece was off & tied round my waist. The sun shone and it was pretty warm. The going was fairly good, a bit muddy in places and I was glad I had my walking poles with me to steady my footing. I saw and heard plenty of birds most of which I can safely term as LBJs (little brown jobs!!) I keep saying I'm going to learn about birds, particularly by their calls - so far to no avail. Its times like this I wish I had my brother-in-law Lewis or my friend Sharon with me - they know about these things!!

Lunch was at a rather pretentious pub, The Plough at Huddlesford. Very popular going by the number of cars in the car park. Everything was rather gourmet (including the price) so I chose the soup. When it eventually arrived (I arrived at 11.30, they didn't serve 'Lunch' till 12, I went and enquired where my soup was at 12.15) it was milk (or possibly thin cream) infused with garlic and saffron (Why? Kinda got lost apart from the colour) with a cheese crisp floating on it all served with 1 slice of sourdough toast. All reasonably ok but not 'hearty' for a walk after an iffy breakfast!!



I set off again and the path was much easier and less muddy (apart from a couple of patches) It was still quite warm but I had plenty of water. The afternoon walk was longer than the morning so between Hopwas (my stop on my first walk in 2014) and Tamworth I stopped at a suitable bench to nibble on my cake bar and/or chocolate bar. To my horror I discovered that I hadn't packed them! I had packed all the things I didn't need but not the food!! Kind of a theme going on here?!! I munched an apple and drank some water and then made very good time to the end of todays walk at The Gate Inn, Amington where I was hoping to meet up with Vee and her husband Derek. I made such good time that I was there half an hour before I'd planned. When Vee and Derek arrived at 5pm they said they'd just eaten so I went to order some food for myself only to find that they stopped serving at 5pm - it was now 5.15!! Never mind, I could get something back at our new hotel as Denise was picking me up at 6pm and she's as punctual and reliable as an atomic clock!! Vee and Derek left and I waited for Denise. . . . . and waited. . . . . and waited. . . . . . and panicked!!
She arrived (not until after I had "Phoned a friend!") - she had been caught up in horrendous traffic between Nuneaton and Tamworth.


All's well that ends well. I had delicious steak and chips with a nice glass of Merlot. Order is restored. All is well with the world. Now for a bath and a good nights sleep ready for another, hopefully trouble-free day tomorrow.

Start Day -1

 

Start Day Minus 1

National Memorial Arboretum,
      Alrewas, Staffordshire




After a hearty breakfast at Papa's we made our way up to Arlewas by car. 







There was an amazing turnout of WRAC Association ladies, well over forty. I was especially honoured to have so many ex-ATS ladies present, thank you so much.
It was very humbling to see you all - thank you all so much for coming to the Photo-shoot/Send-off. It did seem a little chaotic at times but our "B-Leaders" took control as can be seen from the photo! Well she did try.

I am sure there are many more photos on other people's Facebook pages as there were pics taken with the wonderful ATS ladies, the six Standard Bearers (amazing to see so many in one place!) and the various Branches. This one was taken with Hereford Branch.

A particularly massive thank-you goes to Alison M Inglis of Hucknall and "Alison's Bakery" fame for the amazing cake that she made and presented to me - the "Davies" character looked fitter than me!! If you want to find out more about this fantastic cake-maker please check out her Facebook Page "Alison's Bakery" The cake was delicious!! 

Marg Davies’ Walk Stops 

Day 1 – Sunday 12th March 2017

Lunchtime – 12 midday to 1pm
The Plough, Huddlesford Ln, Whittington, Lichfield WS13 8PY

End of Walk 5pm
The Gate Inn, Tamworth Rd, Amington, Tamworth B77 3BY

Start Day -2

Start Day Minus 2

Early start at BBC Hereford & Worcester Radio studio with Elliot & Toni at Breakfast. Nerve-wracking but hopefully went ok - I don't know how they do it!! Give me a hundred mile walk any day!! Check out my Facebook Page for a link to the broadcast.
(Unfortunately this Blog will only let me post pictures and videos)
   
Last minute checking of kit and car-packing on the cards for the remainder of the day. 

Today is going to be a rest day before the excitement of tomorrow's lunchtime photo-shoot at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffs. It will be great to honour all those pioneering women of WW1 in the presence of some of the ladies of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) who served during WW2.

Start Day -3

Start Day Minus 3

Another beautiful sunny day to walk into Worcester city centre for breakfast and coffee at the wonderful Papa's Caffe on New Street.

After breakfast I then took a leisurely walk through Cripplegate Park and on into St John's (The village within the city)

I do hope I am as lucky with the weather on my actual walk!

Post Script
I'm hoping that BBC Hereford & Worcester will be interviewing me re my walk tomorrow, Friday 10th March, on the morning Breakfast Show, around 8.15am

Start Day -4

Start Day Minus 4

Today was another gentle walk into Worcester and back but this time the weather was dry but not as sunny.



My reward for walking in was breakfast with possibly the best coffee in Worcester at Papa's Caffe.




My reward for walking back home again was the arrival of my new T-Shirt c/o the Women's Royal Army Corps Association. Excellent timing for International Women's Day. The shirts are fantastic - really techie material. Thanks WRAC Association.

Start Day -5

Start Day Minus 5

Quiet day.
Had my hair cut by Gemma at "Hair by Rich and Gemma, Worcester" Hope I'm not like Sampson! I need all my strength for the walk.
After coffee I had a beautiful walk home beside the River Severn in the sunshine. It will be wonderful if the weather is as kind during my walk week!!

Start Day -6

Start Day -6  Monday 6th March
Today was the last of my Training Walks up Malvern Hills (stamina training!) with a couple of blondes!!!

Jo (the human) & Tam (the non-human) have been my training partners for a couple of years. Thank you to both of them and to all the other wonderful folk (& their 4 legged friends) who have helped me get vaguely fit!!

They have a hard job because my favourite start to a walk is a good breakfast!! Today's was at the little kiosk, Sally's Place, at British Camp, Malvern Hills. They serve delicious bacon & egg baps with coffee. The picture is of 'Sally' with another of her customers, Wayne.

We had a cracking walk in wonderful sunshine. We skirted the Herefordshire Beacon and climbed to the top of the Worcestershire Beacon.

We then descended to the Wyche Inn for lunch. Great food and always an excellent selection of Ales. Our route back to the cars was along the lower level route on the Herefordshire side of the hill.  Thanks girls for an excellent day 😀

About Me and My Walks

About Me and My Walks    

Who am I?

 

My name is Margaret Davies and I was born and raised in Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire attending Albion Square Junior School and Pembroke Grammar School before joining the Women’s Royal Army Corps in 1971. After my officer cadet training at Camberley I served as a Recruit Training Platoon Officer at the WRAC Centre, Guildford; Platoon Commander of HQ BAOR Platoon, 29 Coy WRAC in Germany and finally as Assistant Adjutant with 12 Light Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery and 22 Light Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery (The Welsh Gunners) After serving a five year Short Service Commission I re-trained as a primary school teacher and taught in Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire. I now live in St John’s, Worcester (The village within the city).

 

Why Charity Walks?

 

In 2007 I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. I went through a couple of operations & 5 years of treatment for cancer. I have many friends who have had or are dealing with cancer. In 2016 I lost an inspirational mentor and teaching colleague to cancer.

In 2008 when I suffered panic attacks and a crisis of confidence some members of the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association with whom I had served 'found' me. The comradeship and support that they and the Association gave helped (and still helps) me fight the demons that a life-threatening illness can produce.

 

After I was given the all-clear in 2013 I realised a number of things. Firstly, I had put on a large amount of weight. Secondly that life was too precious to waste or to put things off. I have always loved walking and had often thought I would like to do a Long Distance Walk at some time. Now seemed as good a time as any and it might even help me loose some weight. It struck me that if I was walking a long way then maybe I could raise a little money for Cancer Research and the WRAC Association to say a small 'Thank-you'

And so my Solo 100 Mile Charity Walks began. . . .