Kat's 2016 Diamond Challenge

[jelv]

As many of you know Kathryn succeeded in completing her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and visited St James's Palace last year to receive her award. This was through the Andover Mencap DofE Centre.

This year is the Diamond Jubilee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and they are asking people to take challenges to support the scheme and offer more young people the opportunity to take part in the scheme. Link

Kathryn has decided her challenge is to walk from near where she lives (Bath) to near where the Duke of Edinburgh lives (Windsor) along the Kennet and Avon canal and the Thames footpath. We are doing this in stages. So far we've done Bath to Devizes.

Kathryn's fundraising page is at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kats2016challenge. Donations can also be made by texting KEDC60 and the amount (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070.

If any of you would be generous enough to support her efforts it would be most appreciated.

[jelv]

Kathryn is pretty whacked but we've done well this weekend. Saturday Kathyrn and Janet walked from Devizes to Pewsey Wharf (about 12 miles) and today Kathryn and I walked from Pewsey Wharf to Crofton Engines and she then (while I looked round the engines) went on to Great Bedwyn with Janet (about 9 miles).

Near Honey Street Janet and Kathryn met some people obviously there for the music (one going by the name Ding Dong), who on hearing what she was doing emptied their pockets of all their change. Obviously some very good types frequent that place as another visitor to there and a member on here has also been incredibly generous with their support.

[greenman]

Well done Kathryn.
Glad the guys and girls at Honey street are still down there and making sure their world is a good place.
Its a beautiful part of the world to walk and enjoy, with lots of interesting folk to meet along the way.
Good luck with the rest of your walk.
See you soon.
All our love,
D,T& R.

[jelv]

It spite of the weather forecast we did the next section on Saturday and got much further than we planned - Great Bedwyn to Newbury which is about 14 miles.

At the start:


Highlight of the walk (not a very good photo as it was absolutely chucking it down at the time):

[jelv]

Many thanks to those who have supported Kathryn.

Tomorrow we are setting off to spend the week doing the last 50 miles. Checking the weather forecasts it looks like we will be lucky!

[jelv]

About 11am, all hitched up and ready to roll and noticed the rear tyre on the car was nearly flat. A quick inspection found a nail.

Of course all the car has is a skinny emergency spare which you can't tow with. Had a heck of a job finding somewhere open to repair it - ended up having to drive to Yeovil.

As a result we arrived at the Caravan Club site about 4 hours later than planned and ended up putting the awning up in the dark.

[jelv]

Excellent progress today - Newbury to Theale - about 13.5 miles.

It was absolutely perfect weather for walking (bright and dry but not too warm) which helped considerably.

[jelv]

Janet took a day off today so it was just Kathryn and I with Janet being the taxi. From Theale, through the centre of Reading to the end of the Kennet and on to the Thames path. We finished at Lower Shiplake - about 12.5 miles in total.

[jelv]

Another good day which we all walked - Lower Shiplake through Henley to Marlow. Tomorrow it's Maidenhead leaving a shorter day on Friday to the finish in Windsor.

[greenman]

Well done Kathryn, keep going, the finish line will soon be in sight.

[cycliststeve]

Well done to all of you, especially Kathryn who came up with the idea.
Best Wishes
Steve and Sue