2000 mile walk/4million hugs for children living in poverty in the UK

08/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CkrBCoTDF/

Crazy 72 year old walker! He's off (without) his trolley! Helping children who need it.

07/04/2026

Hi everyone, thank you all for following me. This page is about to become dormant but if you'd like to share in my next adventure go to my other FB page titled A short walk for The Glowsticks Project.

There I will be sharing my journey as I walk to the Lake District and back to climb the ten highest peaks and hopefully help a local charity who are working with neuro-divergent children.

03/02/2026

13th April 2026 is the next installment. A walk to the Lakes to do (quite a few) mountains and a walk back. No buses, trains or cars involved. Hopefully it'll be a bit warmer than this! 😂

17/02/2025

If you've enjoyed my previous walks and blogs keep an eye open for the next installment coming up towards the end of May. I'll be setting up a new blog page so that you can access the ongoing daily traumas! 🤣

17/05/2024

At 600 feet above sea level we're high enough to poke our heads through the fog off the North Sea and into the sunshine. This curious but familiar half light gives us conditions which at one minute are warm and humid yet at others is cold and damp. The North Yorkshire coast at its May time best.

15/05/2024

Day 26 - 29 - Santiago to Home and recovery. 1700km

Having made it to Santiago de Compostela without injury or illness my luck ran out overnight.

I woke at around 3am feeling distinctly unwell. Overindulgence, I thought, but actually I hadn't overindulged at all. So I put it down to bad food, but Karsten and I had eaten and drunk exactly the same and he was fine.

I'd already booked my flight home, having decided not to go to Finisterre but now my problem was whether I would make it to the airport and whether they would let me onto the flight.

Having spent most of the morning within dashing distance of the loo I was not hopeful.

I made it to the airport by bus and passed security whereupon I was ill again. I'd had a can of orange drink in an attempt to settle my stomach; it failed miserably.

My flight was called and I made my way dubiously to the departure gate feeling distinctly unwell. I was just pleased that the old COVID temperature testing wasn't being done because I would have failed miserably.

I was fairly certain that what I had was not infectious as no-one else at the hostel had been ill, but I still expected to be refused to board.

I did make it on board, though and my seat was at the rear of the plane, the last row, in fact. Thankfully, the toilet was immediately behind my seat.

The flight attendant kindly allowed me to put my bag in the overhead locker rather than under the seat. I sat down feeling unwell, closed my eyes and hoped I could catch some sleep.

About ten minutes after takeoff I felt unwell again and went to the toilet. As I stood up I could feel myself getting extremely hot and I started to sweat. I recognised the symptoms; if I didn't lie down soon I would collapse.

I spoke to the flight attendant who recognised my plight immediately. The last three seats on the plane are kept free for such an occasion (I didn't know this before) and they laid me down, held up my legs and looked after me for the rest of the flight.

I even managed to sleep which helped.

Back on terra firma Gatwick I dragged myself off the plane. They'd ordered me a wheelchair to get me to passport control which I politely declined. That was before I found that it was a ten minute walk to get there!

Oh, well!

All I had to do now was to catch the train to Victoria, catch the tube to King's Cross and make my connection to Darlington!

Getting to Victoria was ok and my insides behaved themselves. I was beginning to think I was past the worst.

I got to the tube, got onto the one I needed and waited for the doors to close and be whisked away to King's Cross. Ten minutes later the doors were still open (it was stiflingly hot) and I was starting to feel unwell again.

Then an announcement was made that there was a points failure near to King's Cross and that passengers should take an alternative route; they didn't suggest one.

So, with my meagre knowledge of the tube system I chose to ask a stranger and a very polite and helpful young man suggested a route which was infinitely better than my chosen solution.

So, with a delay of around 30 minutes I made it to King's Cross in plenty of time for my connection. I located the toilet and made another emergency stop just past the huge queue waiting to go onto platform 9 3/4, which I'm sure all Harry Potter fans will know.

Once on the train I sat back and slept without further incident to Darlington. There I caught the train to Saltburn where Vicky picked me up.

At home I threw myself into bed and finally surfaced two days later.

I'm now feeling well and back to my old self. Thanks for supporting me. Love you all. God is great. X

10/05/2024

Day 25 - Padron to Santiago de Compostela - 25.6km

We were all in bed by 9pm in order to have enough sleep for our 4am wakening. It was a very noisy hostel with people arriving late and with some talking loudly and excitedly about the final leg.

Nevertheless, I fell asleep and was not woken by the crash that apparently happened just after midnight! I did wake up at 2pm again, though, and it was strikingly hot and humid. I went to the toilet but I immediately knew I wasn't getting back to sleep, so I thought about the day ahead, dozing occasionally and waiting for time to pass.

At 3.51am I couldn't wait any longer and got up. Karsten soon followed and a few minutes later Andy.

We'd bought some food for breakfast last night which was quickly despatched and we were away by 4.45am.

It was still dark but at first the street lights illuminated the way. We walked through the town, which appeared very drab but as we walked to the far side of town it was quite pretty.

It was also quite dark and the head torches were needed.

We walked in isolation for some time, which was a little surprising, as it is very busy now and pilgrims often leave early on their last day in order to make it to the cathedral in time for the pilgrim mass.

We'd walked for about 6 kilometres before we found a cafe but it was closed. We walked on hoping to find one soon.

Andy warned us off an impending toilet crisis but there was nothing to do but carry on.

From memory I was aware of hills and woodland surrounding Santiago de Compostela and this was also true for our direction of approach. Andy spurned all suggestions of a repeat of yesterday's toilet adventure, but I was more in need!

All the cafes we came across were still closed so it was a long drag, particularly for Andy, who was having foot problems. At one point I noticed that we had reached the 10km to go point and there were some convenient benches to sit on, so we had a few minutes rest before walking on.

Shortly after this however, as we walked uphill along a road, a man came up to us with a menu saying it was the last stop before the cathedral and pointed to a cafe about 100m away.

We didn't need a second thought as this was our first proper stop in 17km. Karsten and I had a coffee and sandwich. Andy had hot chocolate and half of my tortilla bocadillo; Karsten ate a complete one!

Time was pressing; we weren't walking as quickly as we were at first as Andy had hurt his foot when he missed a step in the woods in the dark, but he was still smiling and singing so we knew his mood was good.

We now had a straight road up to the cathedral about 4 kilometres away but we needed to go slowly. About two kilometres from the cathedral another cafe appeared and it was definitely beer (and cider) time. We stopped along with several other pilgrims to enjoy the feeling of (almost) success.

From here we walked up to the cathedral together, arriving in plenty of time to take photos and then joining the queue for the mass.

There was a lot of handshaking and hugs among all the pilgrims there which was a joy to see.

Inside the cathedral it was standing room only for the mass. We found a convenient spot at the back to see the beautiful altar which depicts angels guarding the gates to heaven at which St James and St Peter stand.

I was moved to tears by the artistry and the singing.

Even though we'd been asked not to take pictures and not to move around during the mass many people were doing so. I don't know if they were pilgrims but they all seemed to have seats!

Andy had to sit down at the base of a pillar to listen to the service as he was pretty exhausted by his efforts over the last ten days.

After 40 minutes of standing my feet ached horribly and I either needed to sit down or take my boots off. I chose the latter and was almost immediately told to put them back on.

Really, I thought; yes, he said. No-one taking photos had been challenged and no-one wandering around during the service had been challenged either. At this point I'd had enough; we'd got up at 4am to walk nearly 26 kilometres. After days of trudging we were pilgrims attending the Pilgrim Mass and I was being challenged about my boots while irreverent tourists were snapping happily from their comfy chairs.

I told Andy and Karsten I was leaving and went outside to sit at a cafe and have an irreverent beer!

I sort of understand how Jesus felt when he was so disparaging about the Pharisees disregard for ordinary folk. The cathedral mass has become a media event more aligned to tourists than the actual people who literally sweat blood and tears to get there.

This is the second time I've been to this mass. In the first I felt put out because I wasn't allowed to take communion because I wasn't a Catholic. What difference does it make if you've followed the trail praying as you go.

I don't think I will be coming back.

Meanwhile Andy and Karsten also left early and joined me for beer. We then went to the Credencil office to pick up our certificates and then walked to the hostel which is just round the corner from the cathedral.

The hostel is run a bit like Ryanair, the up front cost is ok for the bed, but if you want to take a shower it's 5€ extra, a towel costs 2€. If you want to wash clothes that's extra too. I haven't found out yet if there's a charge for the loo!

Andy is staying for dinner but then he's off to the airport for his early morning flight. Mine doesn't leave until 11am tomorrow so I'm staying overnight.

Karsten can't get a flight to Dusseldorf by any means so he's going to catch the train home and drink wine to soften the experience.

Oh, Andy has fully completed his Camino experience. He developed Camino cough in the last couple of days, that helps to keep you awake. He's also popped his first blister on the road and lived to tell the tail.

He's a new man, Helen! He's aged 20 years, he's developed a limp and his new favorite saying is, "ohhh!" Which he uses frequently when any kind of effort is needed.

We love him! See you soon everyone.

God is good. X

P.S. Helen, we've shown Andy where the bus stop is for the airport. Our responsibilities as tour guides are now at an end. Let us know if he fails to arrive home!

P.P.S. Gandalf didn't give Sam his staff in Lord of the Rings but in the remake he snatched it!

09/05/2024

Day 24 - Valbon to Padron - 29.7km

Well, last night's meal was interesting. It consisted of lentil stew with lots of wine and alcoholic beverages. It also included had boiled eggs. It was filling, if somewhat unusual, to the eyes of an Englishman (and a German).

For me the meal was marred somewhat by the host's talk about what pilgrimage was about. The swearing was unnecessary, and suggesting that it wasn't about faith but people, had me wanting to enter into a very long discussion but he seemed like a man with a closed mind so I didn't bother.

Andy thought it was a good speech, but then he admitted he hadn't heard a lot of it because he couldn't hear it.

We had another long day coming up; not quite as long as today, but at almost 30km it was long enough.

Sleep came quickly but at some stage in the night all the shutters were closed and the atmosphere in the dormitory became unbearable.

Andy slept soundly and reckoned he'd had the best sleep of the trip. Karsten and I were both awake very early.

I woke at 2am and decided to go to the toilet. When I climbed down the ladder (I was on the top bunk) I heard an exclamation from the bed below and something was thrust at me.

At first I didn't know what this was but it was hard and metallic. I took it with me to the toilet to find that it was the guard at the side of the bed which stops you rolling off. It just slots into holes but it had somehow come out and hit the lady below.

As it was dark I didn't wish to try to put it back so I lay in bed trying not to move or roll, whilst holding the offending piece of metal so that it didn't fall off and hit the lady again.

It seemed to take forever to reach 5.30am when we'd agreed to get up.

Breakfast was quick as was the packing and we set off before 6.30am wearing our head torches in order to see the way ahead.

It was lovely to walk in the cool air after such a hot day yesterday. The forecast for today was to reach 28 degrees so every kilometre we did before afternoon was valuable.

We were treated to some lovely countryside after an initial road walk and at this time of day we had the journey to ourselves.

After only three kilometres we found a cafe which was open early and had breakfast (should that be second breakfast). Karsten and I had a toasted sandwich and coffee, Andy had a croissant and hot chocolate. He really likes his sugar! Honestly, Helen, we are not leading him astray.

Andy was feeling confident about finding the route so he walked on ahead and invited us to catch him up.

This was only 1.5 kilometres before Caldas de Reis which is a lovely town but having stopped so recently we walked straight through. We found Andy at an intersection walking back along the trail because he wasn't sure whether he was on the correct route.

We love Andy and we call him our innocent abroad which is a fond nod to Hannah Hauxley (and Andy).

Shortly afterwards Andy had a sudden urge for the toilet, probably brought about by last night's lentils, but there was no cafe in sight. Eventually, he couldn't wait any longer and had to go. His toilet paper was in the bottom of his bag so he took mine and we found a spot (as long as he was quick) and he completed his Camino experience after being warned by Karsten and I not to take a backwards step!

This was to be our last stop for a while and as the daylight grew pilgrims appeared on the trail from Albergues along the way until it became something of a procession.

We all settled into our respective walking rhythms. At first we walked together, Andy Sang worship songs and I prayed, but after a while we separated as our paces were different.

Andy's foot was sore but we needed to try to maintain a decent pace so I gave him my stick. Andy described this as Gandalf giving his stick to Sam.

So for the next five kilometres we walked through woodland, going steadily uphill. I maintained my pace until I came to a point which indicated that the distance to Santiago had reduced to under 40km and I stopped to wait for the others.

Surprisingly, they were not far behind so after a few minutes rest we continued. Actually, Andy took off without us because we'd indicated there was a cafe not too far ahead. Karsten and I raced after him to make sure he didn't take a wrong turn!

The day was now heating up and the cafe was full of pilgrims but we found a seat inside and had lunch. Karsten and I had tortilla but Andy, much to our surprise, had a bocadillo. It was huge but he managed to eat it all.

The next section of the walk was pretty much the same as the last with a long section of track going steadily uphill through woodland. Once again we separated as we walked at our own respective speeds.

This was a long section of track and as I passed the 30km to go point two cafes appeared. The first looked very busy as pilgrims just went into the first one they saw so I chose the second, which was busy but not too bad.

I sent a message to the others and went inside to buy a drink each, then went outside to wait. It wasn't long and we sat in the sunshine enjoying the beer and talking to other pilgrims.

It was very much a day of chatting as there were so many people about. All shapes and sizes are now on the road and it's a joy to see how many nationalities from all walks of life are doing the trail. It doesn't matter if some are having their baggage carried or they are using a taxi when they are tired, the point is that they are here and enjoying the experience.

As for ourselves we are a happy bunch of travellers, enjoying each others company, laughing, talking and enjoying the pain with Good grace.

Before we knew it we were in Padron. It's a strange place with aspects of industry and countryside but we're now very close to Santiago de Compostela and we're having our last pilgrim meal of the journey.

We've been to the shop and bought breakfast. The problem is that Karsten ate half of it before we reached the restaurant!

We still have 25km to walk tomorrow and we're setting off at 5am so our next meal will be as successful travellers. May it be filled with joy and love.

God bless to you all. See you soon.

Addendum: Andy said that on this trip every day has been an adventure.

08/05/2024

Day 23 - Redondela to Portela - 31.2km

Today was the longest day of the trip for Andy. We'd slowly built up the miles and now it was time to test his fitness.

Andy came out to Portugal with a pre-existing foot problem so he's done really well. Maybe the cakes really help!

The weather forecast was for this to be the hottest day of the week so we needed an early start.

At 6.35am we left. It wasn't cold but it was still dark. We were in the city for a while so we didn't need head torches and within half an hour it was light enough to see everything we needed to see.

Our first coffee stop came within the first three kilometres which was a relief as we all needed breakfast. Andy went for a croissant again and Kardten and I had a bocadillo with ham and cheese.

A bocadillo is the Spanish equivalent of a breakfast sandwich and they are invariably huge. These were no exception and once again Andy's love of sugar and pastry left him feeling underfed.

I felt stuffed by the time I'd finished mine. Andy resolved to have one at the next stop.

We reached Arcade quite soon after our first stop so we resolved to carry on, however Andy needed the loo and went into a convenient Albergue. I walked on slowly and then Karsten needed the loo, too! He carried on and I waited for Andy. Now we were a split group and we didn't see Karsten again for some time.

Andy and I walked out of town slowly assuming Karsten would catch up but when he didn't we carried on at normal pace assuming we'd see him at the end of the day.

We were now following roads which went through the hills and forests. Now that we were inside the magic 100km to go point the number of pilgrims had increased significantly. There were many others on the route with us, many with very white skin and some with very red skin!

All along the route street vendors sold drinks and trinkets. Some people busked. It is a very different Camino now.

The paths through the woods were lovely and they occasionally connected with the roads but the heat of the day was beginning to tell.

Andy was beginning to have problems with his feet again and I was conscious that Karsten had been struggling a little, too.

I was now looking for a cafe. Anywhere we could sit so that Andy could take the weight off. Nothing came!

My phone rang and it was a call from Karsten; he was actually ahead of us at a small chapel. We soon caught up with him and carried on, hopefully to a cafe.

We found one just before Pontevedra. It was 250 metres off route but we really needed to rest. It was quite quiet inside but the chef was very accommodating. We decided to have beers (Andy had cider) and I asked if they did tortilla, which they did. The chef asked if we wanted large or small and before I knew it Andy and Karsten had ordered a large one each. I, like a sheep, followed suit.

The tortillas were huge and freshly made! We were given fresh bread too. This became an epic stop because we needed to wash all this food down and more beer and cider were ordered.

Andy brandished his foot to ask what he should do with a blister he had. It looked like a second toe (see photo).

I suggested he resist the temptation to pop it while still walking and I'm hoping he's had a look at it since we stopped.

From here to the end of the walk was very hot and tiring but we made it. The Albergue is very cheap and they do an evening meal which we are just about to start.

Thanks for keeping up with it journey everyone. We love you all and miss you. Nearly there!

God bless all.

08/05/2024

Day 22 - Orbenlle – Redondela – 26.9km

Addendum to yesterday: I forgot to mention that Andy went for a swim in the pool last night. After dipping his toes in he made the plunge and emerged with a gasp that made everyone look around. He survived but he needed sugar to overcome the shock! ..... More to follow!

So, we were pretty much tied into a late start because sunrise was an hour later and breakfast would not be ready until 7.30am. With that in mind we didn't got to bed very early.

Andy and I talked a little before settling down so it was probably 10-o-clock before we settled down. Nevertheless, I was awake at 5.10am; losing an hour made no difference to my body clock.

I re-wrote yesterday's blog (sorry if you already read it) and added comments to the photos. By 6.30am I couldn't wait any longer. Fortunately, Andy was awake, too, so we switched on the light and started to pack.

By 7.15am we were ready and took our packs outside. Karsten had joined us so all that was necessary was to pay our way eat breakfast and go.

We were now going to take an alternativo to get to Pontevedra. The original route ran for miles along an industrial park so a new path had been adopted which ran close to the river.

This was a much better route if a little longer than the original but it ran through some lovely countryside. Among the trees with birds singing Andy burst into song with 'How Great Thou Art'. It was a fitting song for the occasion and he sang it with gusto.

I'd been looking at these hills as we approached Galicia and now to be among them was great. They aren't high, often no more than 200 metres high but there are lots of them, all linking into each other, and the climbs are usually steep.

The predominant rock of the area is granite and it dominates all aspects of building and sculpting. It's this rock which gives the area it's characteristic nature and it's wonderful woodland.

All too soon the alternativo came to an end and we walked through the outskirts of Porrino and into Porrino itself. We stopped for coffee and a tortilla in the city while Andy chose a croissant. He looked very envious of the tortilla so I gave him a bite and he immediately regretted his sweet tooth.

We momentarily took the wrong turn out of town but quickly discovered our error so we only added about 250 metres to the walk.

The walk out of town followed the busy N550, not at the side of the motorway, but on a parallel road. Eventually we walked through another area of lovely woodland which followed the river but for a long time the sound of traffic followed us.

There now came a long section of road which climbed up and over another 'hill' and we were very ready for our next coffee stop.

This duly arrived and Andy surprised us all by ordering a cider. This was effectively our lunch stop so Karsten and I had the obligatory two beers. Andy again surprised us by having another cider!

Suitably fortified we walked relatively quickly to our Albergue in the city of Redondela. By now we were ready for our stop. Andy drew the short straw and had a top bunk! This proved to be a challenge particularly in the night when he got up to go to the toilet and almost fell out of bed!

Dinner was a rather disappointing affair in an Irish bar which resembled a Wetherspoons but the beer was good and Andy, believe it or not, had more cider. Spaghetti bolognese for Karsten and I and Carbonara for Andy. It was calories!

Before you think Andy is becoming alcoholic, it's the heat; beer and cider when served ice cold just cut straight through the thirst.

When we left the bar we were surprised to find that the city had come alive and in a tiny side street we couldn't resist the temptation to have another beer. There was also an excellent tapas.

Back at the Albergue we quickly dropped into our beds having resolved to get up at 5.30am for a 6.30am start.

God is good. Love you all.

06/05/2024

Day 21 - Rubiaes to Orbenlle - 28.6km

It was probably longer but who's counting.

Last night we had a great meal at the hostel. It was a Donativo which basically means "put in what you think the meal is worth"

We started with pancakes and salad followed by chicken curry with rice and a dessert of panecotta with cinnamon. It was all delicious and washed down with a never ending supply of green wine which is a specialty of the area

After the meal I spied a guitar and the lady owner encouraged me to play it. I needed no second offer and before I knew it we had a party. The wine kept coming and I played a range of worship songs, blues, jazz, folk and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Andy had been applauding from his bed but eventually he got up to enjoy the throng.

But all good things come to an end and despite being shown where the wine was if we wanted more we went to bed at 10pm having pledged not to leave before 7pam!

I retired to the Heidi loft without banging my head and slept soundly from the moment my head touched the pillow. Andy and Karsten went to their room and as far as I am aware they did the same.

I woke at exactly 5.30pm and heard a movement upstairs; it had to be Karsten and Andy, so I leapt out of bed and started the process of getting ready.

At 6.45am we left, quite an effort considering how late we'd gone to bed.

The morning was beautiful. We had been assured by the weather forecast of a good day and the start of it was certainly magnificent. I wore my fleece top as it was quite cold, but the sky was blue and the mountains looked resplendent.

A quite awesome temperature inversion filled the valley below us with cloud and the newly rising sun bounced off the top causing whisps of cloud to peel off into the sky.

The path went steadily downhill and entered the forest. We thought that there might be a lot of mud after all the rain we've been having but surprisingly it had drained really well.

The streams and channels were still swollen by the volume of water and the noise of rushing water filled the air. It was truly beautiful, something to appreciate and thank the Lord for.

There wasn't a lot of climbing today but it was really pleasant to walk through the mountain scenery on soft paths that just begged to be walked.

Our first objective of the day was to reach Valenca but along the way we stopped for coffee (twice) and breakfast.

At Valenca we decided to walk into the old city and it was really worth it. Our route didn't go that way so by going into the city we extended our walk but we made good time so it didn't matter.

It was amazing. The old city was a huge fortified area with high castellated walls, a moat and fortified entrances. The old city was inside the walls, now very modern with many cafes, restaurants and shops. It was remarkable just how big the area inside the walls was. It was easy to envisage a community living inside here while potential threats existed outside.

Eventually we left having decided to have our last beer in Portugal at a cafe just before the bridge.

Unfortunately, the cafe was closed so now we headed across the bridge, stopping at an appropriate point where the border between Portugal and Spain meet in the middle of the river. A man called Raymond, who couldn't speak any English pointed out the appropriate point and Kathryn took the obligatory photograph of feet in Spain and Portugal.

It was a little disappointing to leave Portugal without a final beer but an appropriate hostelry appeared just over the bridge. It was an Irish bar so we decided to have one beer for Portugal and another for Spain. Andy had cider, but also one for Portugal and one for Spain. (I think Karsten and I may be a bad influence) 🤣

But now we were in Spain and the food came with tapas so we had olives, and chorizo on bread with our first beer. With our second beer we had sardines on bread. There was no need to order lunch.

Karsten had discovered a new drink! Basically it consisted of coffee with spirit and he decided we needed to have some now that we were in Spain. Andy sensibly declined but I'm weak! It was very pleasant and the local spirit, which seemed to be very similar to vodka was added to the coffee.

What had been intended as a short lunch stop now became an epic and it was then that we remembered that the time difference between Spain and Portugal was one hour. It was now 2.30pm and we still had 8.5 kilometres to go! We hadn't even been to Tui cathedral yet!

Tui is the sister city to Valenca, standing proud on a hill overlooking it's neighbor opposite. The cathedral is at the top of the hill!

I decided that we needed to move quickly so I set a fast pace. I can only apologise to my companions at this point as their puffs and pants receded behind me as I spit up the cobbled streets.

The cathedral was excellent ..... but it was closed so we passed by at 90mph having taken the obligatory photos but missing the opportunity for a stamp on our Credencil!

The walk now followed a road for some distance so it allowed for speed and I could hear a few groans as I stepped out. Sorry Karsten but you wanted the extra drink!

Poor Andy just hung on hoping the pain would end soon!

The path now followed a delightful bit of woodland, crossing swollen streams via lovely stone bridges.

The Camino signs now indicate not only the kilometres to go but the fractions of kilometres too. The last one we saw indicated that there was now less than 110 kilometres to Santiago de Compostela. Within the last 100km we need to get two stamps minimum per day to qualify for our certificate. I have just enough space!

In our haste to get the day finished we overshot our hostel by 150 metres and had to back track. More groaning!

But now we're booked in. We've had another lovely meal with wine (and beer). I've played the guitar and the world is good.

We had some good conversation with people around the table at our al fresco dinner.

Showering was interesting as I chose the outside shower but it was great, and very hot! I washed some clothes which didn't completely dry but tomorrow is another sunny day so it'll dry on my bag as I walk.

What a difference a day makes. Today was sunny all day, the countryside was beautiful and we're all in really good humour.

Thank you God for everything you give to us.

Addendum - Andy found a walking pole today but the hostel dog just ate it!