Monday 15th September - Whoopee!!!!
This is the FINAL, final day!!!
A last 4.5 mile gasp from both Ali and myself in very stormy, windy conditions as the rain started to close in all around us again.
Today was not the route I'd originally planned as that would have been far too dangerous.
Instead we bimbled around the village where we are staying.
We were conscious of avoiding trees where we possibly could because of their falling branches.
We also did not want to get too bogged down on the very wet, marshy moorland.
We were kind of stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea!!
Trees gave us shelter from the howling wind but the moorland was devoid of trees!
So we strode out up a quiet lane with water streaming and tumbling down either side. On a couple of occasions we came across large, leafy fallen branches which we dragged to the side of the lane and heaved onto the grassy verge.
Before long the lane petered out and we were onto the moorland which forms the ridge along the spine of the Gower peninsula.
Of course ridges means pathways going up & water coming down! At the start we were walking along the lowest boundary of the march where all the heavy rainfall had collected.
We showed some nifty footwork keeping out of the worst of the water by leaping from reedy tussock to tussock or bounding over pools and rivulets.
We were on strict instructions from Denise to not come back with soggy boots!
The going underfoot was better with broad grassy pathways leading up to the Gower Way at the crest of the ridge.
We were buffeted by the ever increasing wind but it thankfully was pushing us ever upward along the ridge behind our home for the week, Reynoldson.
The rain clouds were gathering either side of us as we walked.
To our left and north of us was the Afon Llwchwr (River Loughor) but the rain clouds obliterated Llanelli on the opposite bank.
To our right and south should have been views of the sea off Port Eynon and Oxwich Bay. That too was hidden in a cloak of rain.
Either side the rain was creeping further up each side of the ridge towards us.
We quickened our pace, half marching, half jogging to try and out-run the inevitable all the while being assisted by the strengthening wind.
Eventually we decided that enough was enough and we found a pathway leading back down to the village.
We took shelter in St George's church, the last one we'd visited on the actual Pilgrimage part of our 100 Miles.
We found the CWG headstone to Lt Col Benson, East Yorkshire Regiment which we'd missed on our first visit.
We also went inside and found the carving of St George and the dragon on the front of the pulpit.
Once we decided it was safe to move again we quickly made it back safe & sound to the farmhouse!
There, to our surprise and delight, we were met by Denise who had collected petals from around the garden and threw them, confetti-like, to celebrate our completion of an enjoyable but grueling walking challenge.
My thanks to everyone who has supported & encouraged Ali and I as we've struggled through the week.
Massive thanks to all the many people who have donated to the fundraising pot; my two charities, The VC Gallery and WRAC Association, and I are extremely grateful and can assure you that the money will be well used serving the people they support.
My thanks goes to Ali Brown for firstly, suggesting this walk and secondly being brave enough to follow through and join me for the duration.
We've had some interesting, hairy scary moments and delightful laughs (some hysterical!) along the way.
We've seen some wonderful little churches and enjoyed learning their history.
We've ridden wobbly bikes, forded raging torrents and kept each other going with encouragement, Haribo's and chocolate.
We've started the week as friends and, surprise, surprise are still talking to each other!!
Final thanks, from both Ali & I, goes to my wonderful Denise who has been our doctor, housekeeper, cook and chauffeuse all week.
Thank you so much x
None of this would happen without your amazing support.
If you would like to donate to my two extremely worthy charities please click on the link below:
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