We can’t remember whose idea it was now, I think it was Ray’s but he is sure it was mine. However, standing in the market square in Stow on the Wold on a cold Sunday morning with 150 miles to go over the next week it did not seem to be one of our best ideas whoever’s it was ! We had somehow volunteered to join the 2004 fund raising walk for the last week, joining Steve Dayman and Steve Fear who were walking from Peterhead to Lyme Regis through towns and villages whose initial letters spell out Pneumococcal, a total distance of 770 miles.

After meeting the team and being issued with the obligatory tee-shirt and collecting bucket we were given a send-off by the Mayor of Stow and we were on our way. It soon became clear that this was no leisurely stroll, and all the tales I had been told of long lunch breaks in the pub were pure fiction.

This team meant business and all focus was on collecting money, and getting to the destination on time which we did, arriving at Cirencester later that afternoon. Waking up early the next day the truth dawned that the sore feet and aching muscles would have to go into action again to reach Avebury, and the same the next day to reach Upavon, then Salisbury, Shaftesbury, Yeovil, and finally Lyme Regis.

To try to get out of it Ray had come up with a feeble excuse of a 50th birthday celebration (plus recovery time !) so he joined the walk at Avebury and from then on the Bognor contingent steadily grew as the week progressed until it became a major force to be reckoned with. Roger, Dave, and Liz joined us at Shaftesbury, and last but by no means least Jackie, Laura, Fran, Gemma and Ann on the last day at Yeovil.

Having had the privilege of walking with the two Steve’s , and supporting team, over the period of a week you gain some insight into their dedication and professionalism. As well as walking from A to B each day, no mean feat in itself, there are numerous schools to visit en-route, receptions to attend, talks to give, interviews, permits to be arranged, collecting boxes to be issued and collected, and money to be counted. All this makes for a very long day for the team, 7 days a week, but always with good humour and brilliant teamwork.

Our overnight accommodation varied somewhat in quality in the various towns visited. Some who had looked forward to soaking their aching limbs in a hot bath found no hot water, or no bath ! , or no heating in their room.

For my part I had agreed to share a room with Ray for a couple of nights but wasn’t sure when I found out he carries a handbag ! The last day from Yeovil to Lyme Regis was the big one. 26 miles and growing to about 60 walkers during the day meant an early start. We had stayed overnight at Sherbourne so a 6:30am breakfast (too early for the kitchen staff to organise anything cooked) before travelling to Yeovil for a 7:30am send-off by the mayor (still dark). After a very wet morning lunch at the Bottle Inn was eagerly anticipated. Our spirits were raised ordering meals from the excellent menu only to find that we had to set off again before most had been delivered ! A beer and a packet of nuts had to suffice. After a very wet afternoon we finally descended the steep hill into Lyme Regis to be rewarded with a superb buffet provided by the Pilot Boat Inn, the first real meal of the day.

During the reception at the Pilot Boat Inn Steve Dayman announced that the walk had raised a magnificent total of £90,000 for Meningitis Research which instantly made everyone forget their aches and pains and made all the effort really worthwhile.

Would I do it again ? I am sure everyone who participated found it hard, whether walking for 1 day or a week. Everyone ended up fighting their own little battles at some stage once the initial energy burst was over, be it blisters, aches and pains, or just getting soaked to the skin on the last day. Having had a couple of days to recover I definitely would do it again but the question is 1 day ? 2 days ? a week ? 2 weeks ? ........

Review By Peter Higgs