Can’t believe how quickly it’s all come about, and I seem to have run out of time for a calm preparation… never mind, it is what it is. Took a stroll up the Thames at Kelmscott this afternoon and wore in a pair of comfy boot liners – they may or may not make the trip. Still, we raised a bit more sponsorship from the kind patrons at The Plough and left a Cancer Research UK collection box on the bar for the week – I hope to find it full when we pick it up on Sunday 14th. Finalised the Sunday 14th buffet with the team at the Plough – all welcome to join us at around 3.30pm after the final days walk from Newbridge to Kelmscott. The more the merrier … the more the less buffet for everyone still, it’ll be a sandwich or two for all!

I felt in awesome form last week – this week I got a cold. Not blaming anyone for it but I can identify a few suspects. The fresh air should have it sorted though.

The generosity for sponsorship I’ve experienced this past week from all quarters has been quite overwhelming and today over all fundraising channels we topped £2000 – it’s not over yet and I feel confident we can get up to £3k, fingers crossed.

I am touched by the number of friends who want to join me for some of the stages and those who want to join for the last stretch. A few have said they’ll meet for a beer on route too. I think that the support will be quite inspiring for the trip and on the last few days will be an absolute necessity.

On the surface this looks like an easy trip, 100 miles over 8 days on a relatively flat terrain on the Thames Path, with a cruiser for over night stays, Captain Colin and Penny the Purser looking after me for breakfast and other sustenance. But, I’m old … nearly 60, ok just 57, but being old, fat, grey and balding with some rickety old bones (particularly knees and hips), I don’t think this will be as easy as I think, or you think – I’ll let you know in a weeks time!

I haven’t even packed yet and I haven’t told Henny that we’re heading off for a long one – gonna put my feet up for the evening and pack in the morning. Tomorrow is just another day … but I wonder what the next week will have in store for me as I walk a path that my life has crossed on an almost daily basis, without me realising it or appreciating it.