2019 Walk - 100 Miles for 100 Years of the WRAC Association

100 Miles for 100 Years

Women’s Royal Army Corps Association 1919 – 2019

On Friday 15^th March 2019 I will start my latest 100 Mile Solo Walking Challenge at RMA Sandhurst to finish six days and 100 miles later at Southampton in time to attend the 100^th Anniversary AGM of the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association (incorporating the Q.M.A.A.C. & A.T.S. Old Comrades)

    This year I am walking for two charities the main one being the WRAC Association which celebrates its 100^th Anniversary at its AGM on Saturday 23^rd March. Women have served in the army with distinction in both World Wars and in 1949 their growing role was recognised with the formation of the WRAC. Women served in over 40 different trades in 20 different Arms and Corps. Since World War II members of the WRAC have been deployed in many worldwide conflicts and emergency situations. Since its disbandment in 1992 women continue to serve in the different Arms and Corps of the British Army according to their speciality. 

WRAC Association Reun

In 2008 when I was post-cancer diagnosis and treatment 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 and helped  me. The comradeship and support that they and the Association gave me helped (and still helps) fight the demons that a life-threatening illness can produce. 

Sadly, in early 2018, I lost my very good friend Shirley Berry (ex WRAC/RMP) who was instrumental to my joining and getting support from the Association. This year’s walk is dedicated to her memory. I also recently discovered that my mother’s first cousin, Diane Vaughan James, had served in the A.T.S. for the duration of World War 2. 

WRAC Association veterans, now in their 40’s to their 90’s, join together to share memories of times when they served, many of them having put their lives on the line to protect others. It is to thank and honour all these ladies that I undertake this walk.

WRAC Association, Hereford Branch Walking Buddies

     My other charity is the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven a small, local charity that

provides a tranquil setting within the grounds of Worcestershire Royal Hospital for the traumatic process of diagnosing and supporting breast cancer sufferers and making their lives a little more manageable. In 2007 I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. I had a couple of operations & 5 years of treatment. In 2013 I was given the “all-clear” and started my 100 mile annual walking challenges to raise funds for charity. I have since realised that I am not ‘battling’ cancer but ‘living with’ cancer. In August 2017 my breast cancer returned, again aggressive but still localised. I had another series of operations and 20 sessions of radiotherapy which have been very successful. I am grateful for the care & treatment that is organised through the Breast Care Unit.

     To mark the contribution of all women of the ATS, WRAC & those women still serving I will be walking in South East England in mid-March 2019.

I will start on Friday 15^th March at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; I will walk via the WRAC College site at Camberley where I did my own training, then via the former WRAC Training Centre & Guildford Cathedral, past former ATS/WRAC training sites at Hindhead & Liphook and on to the WRAC Association HQ in Winchester to finish on Wednesday 20^th March in Southampton where the WRAC Association AGM will take place.    

You can donate to my Virgin Money Giving page at:  

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

The WRAC spirit lives on in the WRAC Association through its national and international branch network.

Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re (Gentle in manner, resolute in deed)

Day 6 Final Day

Day 6 Saturday 12 May

Wahoo!! Last day! Happy days😀

My day began well when the lady on the next table at breakfast generously donated to my fundraising - I am yet again amazed by the generosity and kindness of people that I meet on my walks.

I chose the alternative route again today due to cliff erosion, tide coming in . . .but mainly coz its so bloomin’ hard on the legs!!!! I kept resisting the temptation to sneak a view of the sea until I came to a signpost saying "Seal Colony viewing platform" I climbed the steps up to the top of the dunes & made my way the short distance to the platform. Nothing! Nowt! Nada!! - Saturday must be seals day off!! Disappointed I made my way back down the steps & returned to the path.

Whilst I was walking on Days 2 & 3 I kept hearing a strange sounding bird-call, like a Swanny-Whistle call? DAH, DIT DIT, -- DAH
Love to know what it is. Heard it on the marshland behind the dunes again today.

I arrived at Winterton a little early but decided to press on & forego the pub stop. This is becoming a habit!! Must try harder on this glorified pub crawl! Instead I ate my sandwich sitting in the sun, cwtched down in a hollow, in Winterton Dunes. I think my feet enjoyed the rest as much as I did!!

Onward past Hemsby, Newport (scene of much devastation of cliffside bungalows this winter), Scratby (Oh goody!! Sand again!!)

Suddenly there was California!! Didn’t think I’d walked THAT far! The final bit of the journey was past Caister-on-Sea and finally the prom at Great Yarmouth.

As I wandered along the prom I espied a familiar figure, camera poised to record the scene!!

My lovely wife Denise without whom this years challenge might well have foundered. It’s my challenge and I accept the hours of planning & training that go into making it happen. Denise, bless her, is always there to support and help me even though she would rather just walk to the nearest coffee shop. My grateful thanks to her in particular and to all the wonderful people who have supported me and donated so generously.

Now then . . . . where to next year? . . . .

Day 5 Friday 11 May

Day 5 Friday 11th May

Today was a mixed bag. It started with scarey cliffs and a howling gale full in the face!! The cliffs were being severely eroded and the pathway had been diverted in places and I took the opportunity to add my own diversions onto the farmers fields when my fear of heights & knowledge of cliff erosion took hold.

Some of the official diversions were lovely, through peaceful woodland with dappled sunlight. Others were dire, onto the busy road (on pavements) because just one of the many caravan parks wouldn't give new access for the path after the cliff had collapsed!

At Mundesley I came off the cliffs (& roads!!) & paused by the Coastguard Station and remembered the 26 ATS ladies who died at Great Yarmouth in 1943.

After that the 'fun' began! Miles of sand, much of it soft, an incoming tide & a VERY stiff breeze blowing me back the way I’d come!! Deep joy! The other thing that made today interesting was the added time constraint. I was due to meet Annette Jackson & Pam Malcolm (or Oliver!!!) at Bacton and then Pepi Simpson was due to pick me up at Sea Palling at 4.30. I had to be there in time!!

But enough of this. As I had met Sharon & Melody Baker-Joyce in Great Yarmouth (thanks to Pepi) I was a bit later back at the hotel & eating. Too tired to do much tonight so I’ll finish my Blog tomorrow . . . . or Sunday!!

Night night!!

Edited on Saturday
My thanks to Annette for a lovely lunch at the Poachers Pocket at Bacton, it was great meeting up & I'm sorry that Pam had to work. 
Thank you Pepi for picking me up ( & buying me a drink!) at Sea Palling and driving me to meet Sharon & Mel at the Palm Court Burlington at Great Yarmouth.

I apologise for the lack of photos but put it down to fear of cliff falls & occupation with speed marching!!

Day 4 Thurs 10 May

Day 4 Thursday 10 May 

Today started with an energy sapping waddle along miles of shingle bank. Well I did say I wanted to be by the sea!!! I managed to avoid most of the rain and the brisk breeze was sort of behind me.

I climbed up & down Gramborough Hill near Salthouse to get some respite from the shingle.

I had reverted to my very old, British made (on a British last!) boots today. Much more room for my bandaged feet. Although the shingle was killing my calf & thigh muscles it seemed to ease the pounding on the ball of my feet a bit.

At one point on my waddle I  came across a strange collection of objects that someone had arranged!!

It was great to see the guns at Kelling Hard. We're as safe as houses!! The Royal Artillery are on the job!! At this point I was off & on the shingle & grassy/stony path for a while with the last bit of shingle near Weybourne.

From there until Sheringham it was grassy clifftop paths with vegetation & land formed into waves by the wind!! Flutters of sand martins & the constant chirrup of skylarks accompanied me most of the way.

At Skelding Hill, just before Sheringham, I spied another Coastwatch lookout right next to the path. I introduced myself and chatted for a while to Paul Clarke. (I'm afraid that, though he told me I should introduce myself to the lookout at West Runton, it was a step too far down a steep slipway!)

The Two Lifeboats was my pub stop - right on the pathway. I did a running repair on my feet whilst drinking my pint - no mean FEAT!!! I passed on the crab sandwich as too expensive. I set off along the prom and stopped for lunch (a sandwich made at breakfast!!) I sat in the sun & out of the wind on the sea defence rocks with my back against the sea wall listening to the calming sound of the waves.

After lunch there was a steep climb up Beeston Bump (site of an old WW2 ‘Y’ Station listening post sending info back to Bletchley Park)  & back down the other side. Then golf courses & caravan parks until near Cromer when the path diverted to the main road thanks to coastal erosion (& the inability of caravan park owners to allow a pathway across their land!)

One would have thought that Cromer would have been the one place in Norfolk where one could purchase an abundance of crab in all its delicious forms. Not so - I found one tiny stall selling seafood - no prices on display which makes me nervous!! There were loads of pubs/restaurants advertising crab dishes (no doubt at equally inflated prices) I think I was spoilt by yesterday's offering. Cromer seemed to be more a fish & chip & amusement arcade place than further up the coast.
Last haul began with another steep climb up towards the old Cromer Lighthouse. The parkland in front of it was awash with a haze of bluebells. Then onto Royal Cromer Golf Course towards Overstrand.

Day 4 done & dusted - around seventy miles completed - 2 slightly sore feet (but not as bad a yesterday thanks to Dr Denise!!) - but I'm raring to go tomorrow.
May 11th 1943 was when 26 ATS soldiers lost their lives in a single bombing raid when their billet received a direct hit. The girls had not long come off night shift. Tomorrow there will be a short remembrance at the site of the bombing. The WRAC Standard will be paraded and ladies from Norfolk Branch WRAC Association (incorporating the QMAAC & ATS Old Comrades Associations) will be attending. Unfortunately I will still be walking but I'm hoping to meet up with some of them later. RIP to those who made the ultimate sacrifice & "Thank-you" to all the brave women of the ATS for lighting the way for us all to follow.

Day 3 Weds 9th May

Day 3 Weds

I started not far from the pub that Denise picked me up at last night!! Another fine, sunny day but with a cool breeze so walking was not so sweaty. (Yuck!!) The first part was walking through a mixed woodland and sand dunes - another of my least favourite walking surfaces!! I was still miles from the sea!!

At Holkham Gap the path switched to the land side of the woodland and the path became a grassy track - much kinder.

I soon reached the Coastguard Station at Wells-Next-The-Sea. I couldn’t resist the temptation to have a look at the sea. I climbed up to the coast guard lookout station, knocked on the door and was greeted by Phillip and Andy. We chatted, I signed their visitors book & gave them my card, I took their photo with “The SEA” in the background. Phillip kindly offered me a coffee which I had to decline (too diuretic!!) I thanked them & wished them a quiet day and made my way along the mile long sea wall to Wells itself.

From Wells the path hugged the edge of the marshes with its teeming wildlife. I find the call of some ‘sea birds’ beautifully haunting.

Today I was reminded of home (Pembrokeshire) with the cry of whirling oystercatchers as tide washed in. As I walked near one of the creeks I saw a curtseying sailboat - I didn’t think I was that important!!

It was about here that I wished I could walk on water. In the distance you can just make out the orange Lifeboat Station: 1.5 miles away as the crow flies - nearer 3.5 to walk!!!

I was buzzed by a few fighter jets as I walked between Stiffkey and Blakeney.
I decided not to stop off at Stiffkey as it was a bit off the path and my feet were complaining. I knew I had about 8 miles to go before the end of day stop so I thought I'd be sensible - again!! Blimey! Twice in a week!! I was sorely tempted by the Coasthopper bus though.

I found a large old wooden beam as my seat for lunch of sandwiches, lettuce & fruit washed down with a glug or two of water! The view and the ability to listen to and watch the flocks of birds that squabbled (& bonked!) as the incoming tide crept into the creeks more than made up for the lack of beer!

I still had a way to go so on I plodded. The walking was either on top of the sea defences, usually a gravel/sand surface or skirting the marsh itself on grassy worn paths. On the dykes it was good to see the saltwater habitat on one side and the freshwater habitat on the other. 

I past Morston with its small marina and continued on across the dykes to Blakeney. I decided to be sensible (AGAIN!!) and cut the day’s walk here, a mile before Cley next the Sea. My feet had been playing up so I rang for Dr Denise to pick me up early! Whilst I waited for her to arrive I decided to walk (hobble) along the river front towards the path to Blakeney Point. 

There was a car park and . . . Happy days . . . A hut selling . . . CRAB!! I purchased an amazing crab salad with a whole dressed local crab, mixed salad & crisps together with an elderflower pressé - all for the same price that I paid yesterday for just a small half lobster!! The lady running the stall & I chatted and I told her about my walk & gave her my card. As I turned to head to the car (Dr Denise had just arrived) there was a couple behind me. The lady said “Wow! Well done” I loaded my stuff & got into the car & tried to juggle with my takeaway crab salad & drink. The lady who had overheard my conversation came over and very kindly gave me a donation. She said she was a dog walker and thought walking 100 miles was amazing! Sadly I didn’t ask her name. It was very kind of her to donate - thank you 


As I write this Dr Denise is “operating” on my tootsies!! I can’t self-medicate them coz I can’t see them!!
Tomorrow is another day - I’ve done over half the distance now so it's all downhill from here!! Isn’t it??