End of Chemo Again and Rebuilding Health!

18th December 2012: I have had trouble getting on line, so this blog is way behind now!

My very last cycle of chemo was 1st and 8th October! Hooray! But how awful I felt with the side effects, as it is accumulative. My cough was exhausting and even after another course of anti-fungal pills (in case it was thrush again), within a few days it had returned. I read the small print in the literature and it said I should have a minimum of 14 days course for throat or internal thrush. I had only had 7 days at a time. So I left a message with my gp, and got another 7 days prescription. I was too busy for this, and had lots of events I had been invited to!

15th - 18th October spent a lovely few days in Selsey with my midwife friends. Jo's newly built Skandihaus (on the footprint of the old bungalow) is amazing! I did not walk as far as I had hoped because I had not done any exercise since finishing my 100 mile walk, due to the chemo side effects. However, the little walks I did, the sea air and the company of friends was very invigorating. I returned home quite refreshed.

Got back in time on 18th Oct. for Marie's 50th birthday lunch - I watched the end of their tennis tournament but I had not planned to play in that as I was fit enough yet. It was great to be with all my tennis friends together (known as The Mad Racquets).

The following week I had my check up scan (the results not for two weeks) then on Sunday 28th October I went to the NTC Music Band Contest at Burgess Hill, where I had been invited in order to show off my Olympic Torch, and hopefully raise some money for GRACE. It was a huge and brilliant event, with boys from younger than 10 and up to 18, performing their marching and musical playing skills at the same time! Wonderful to see.

My cough was worse and very tiresome. I needed to see a gp again. I think, with my low immunity, I had picked up some winter nasal and throat infection on top of what I had already. I had a week to wait before that appointment and had to make do with home remedies.

I was invited to the GRACE Autumn Fair, with my Torch to raise money again, on 7th November. A very cold and wet day, but hot coffee revived me, as well as the joy of meeting so many good and important people: my Consultant, Simon, his secretary(also the GRACE secretary), the lovely Betsy, who is so kind to me, Amanda Burton (yes of tv fame!), the Mayor and his wife and many more. It was extremely busy and quite packed out, so I hope they managed to raise a lot of money for GRACE. We had our photos taken for the press, and for ourselves, together with the dignitaries and celebrities!

The only blot for me was having to go outside, or to the ladies, to have a good cough every now and then! I hoped my gp could do something for me. It was nearly a year and I was tired of it. Thank goodness, a few days later, I saw my gp, who was very accommodating. Realising my low immunity from the chemo, and my problems with thrush and antibiotics, she prescribed amoxycillin for 7 days, along with the anti-fungal pills for 14 days! Job done! I still have a cough, but this is the clearing up process after having suffered it for so long! It is minor compared to what I had before.

13 November 2012: My scan result appointment! Very nervous about this one. I felt no symptoms so hoping for the best. I saw the expert Sophie, one of the Research Doctors in St Luke's. She was very good and explained everything in detail, answering all my questions. I was reassured, even though there are still some metastases in the liver, they are much reduced in size, and the liver is now normal size. Also, there are other treatments now, from all the research, so that when it returns, I still have hope.

27 November 2012: Rockchoir at Denbies Vineyard in Dorking. Since I have not been able to sing, with all of this coughing and laryngitis, Helen - a good friend who was also in Rockchoir with me - and myself went to watch this time. It was amazingly good! Did we really sound like that when we were in the choir? ! Very enjoyable.

December has been even more busy than November! I also started playing tennis again - I need to now because I have not had any real exercise since early June and began to feel very unfit and overweight! It does not really help that after each tennis game (a short one for me at the moment), we indulge in cakes, biscuits and chocolates with our coffee!

This is the season to be jolly, and eat mince pies and drink mulled wine, so why not! I have had several invites to friends' and events leading up to Christmas, so nearly every day there is a good reason to keep celebrating! Cheers!

Have a very Merry Christmas and here's wishing us all a Happy and Healthier New Year 2013! 

Not a good month for me...

30th September 2012:  I have not enjoyed this month at all!  My laryngitis and very bad cough returned within a few days of stopping the antibiotics a few weeks ago. I was getting headaches when I coughed, as well as some liver pain again. My gp sent me to be investigated at East Surrey Hospital, where they seemed quite concerned that I had had this cough for 9 months!

They were very thorough. I had lots of tests - bloods etc., ecg, chest x-ray, brain scan (at least I know that I do have a normal one!). I had some intravenous antibiotics as my temperature was slightly elevated.  I also had my PICC line flushed and the dressing changed. What a long day!

Eventually the consultant doctor came to see me with all the results. First, she thought my cough was caused by 'thrush' on the vocal cords from taking too many antibiotics over the 9 months! Never heard of it there before! Then the Good news or bad news. Good, that my brain scan and x-ray were normal. Bad, that my Hb was low, so I would need a blood transfusion. I had to wait for a bed to be available and bloods to be got ready (another sample!). I waited until about 6pm and then asked the consultant if I could go home, as I had been there since 8.15am! I had to return the next morning for the transfusion.

My cough started to clear within 24 hours of taking the treatment for thrush! Amazing!

The blood transfusion gave me a new lease of life - no wonder I was so tired!

The sputum samples were apparently tested for TB - obviously clear because I could not have been a nurse and midwife if I was not immune to that bacillus! So, clean bill of health. Now I just have to wait for the end of my chemo to feel healthy! My 6th and last cycle starts this week, so not now long until I finish treatment.

As you can gather from this lengthy medical report (!) I have not been out and about, nor particularly active this month at all.

The best evening was at a friend's 60's night, which I managed to get to, despite being only 3 days post chemo (dosed up with my steroids, anti-emetics and paracetamol!). We all dressed in 60's fashion, played 60's music, and ate some food recipes from that era - do you remember long frilly flowery frocks, lots of long beads, beatles music etc., prawn cocktail and tinned peaches and evaporated milk for cream?  Black Forest Gateau was not on the menu because some did not like it! However, the Babychamp went down well. It was a great evening, culminating in us dancing outside by the 'fire-pit'. See photos below.

Jo, Me, June Liz, Marie, Dolly, Ann and Helen

Liz looking very flower power!

Me by the fire-pit pretending to smoke a joint!

Spooky fire-pit dance!

The wind was blowing the smoke in our eyes and getting colder. It was probably the right time for everyone to go home, but we warmed up first with 60's style floater (liqueur!) coffees and chocolate mints! Brilliant!

August has gone in a blur of Olympics, chemo, heatwave and rain!

2nd September 2012: The Olympics, Start of Paralympics, Chemo and changeable weather - that was August! 

Apart from my sister, my son Philip, or my good friend Helen, I have hardly seen my friends or family - they have nearly all been too busy travelling on holiday, doing their gardens, watching the Olympics, watching grandchildren, or playing tennis! I have managed to watch some of the Olympics!

Unfortunately, as well as chemotherapy, I have still had with my chest infection, until I saw an emergency gp and started yet another course of antibiotics (Clarithromycin), which seemed to do the trick - after 8 months and four antibiotic courses!

I have just completed my 4th cycle of Carbo-Gemcitabine, which lucky for me seems to be working! My ca 125 (cancer marker) is down to 34, which is within the normal range. It was very busy on Tuesday (Monday was a Bank Holiday, so it was a double clinic), but Simon, my surgeon, was very happy to break away for a couple of minutes, to see my Olympic Torch and have a photo taken with me!

My bloods were normal, so my chemo prescription was ready early.  I had my infusion at 1.30 instead of 3pm and we were home by 3.30pm!

However, my liver does not like the treatment, as it has, for the last two days, been giving me some pain. Saw my gp, who gave me very strong pain killers and anti-inflammatories, which sent me to the moon and back! I have been really spaced out and feeling dreadful, but the cancer is being killed off and the pain has gone! I have resorted to safe paracetamol and ibuprofen, which are now controlling the pain without making me feel 'high'! Some people would pay a lot of money to feel like that!

Today, it is drizzling and cool, which is a shame, because I have a choice of two BBQ's to go to. I might not go to either of them if the weather continues like this! Ah well, there is always the Paralympics to watch on TV!

Yet another Torch Photograph Opportunity!

7th August 2012:-  My consultant Aggie Michael was not in clinic last week, so she did not see my Olympic Torch! Consequently, I decided to take it in to St. Luke's again today, when I have my appointment at 10am. My day 8 chemo, if bloods are ok, is due at 2pm.

My sister took me again, and luckily she took her I-pad, because the Torch Photos were in demand again! First, I took it to show to Dr Michael, and both she and Dr Saleh were delighted to see it and hold the Olympic Torch! Dr Michael took photos with her 'phone.

On return to the Reception area, I became gradually surrounded with patients, visitors and staff wanting to see and touch the Torch. They were impressed and delighted to get a chance to actually see it live, and even hold it for a photo.

I made a joke to a few people there, about what the man last week said about being my 'agent' and that I should charge £1 per photo for GRACE! People laughed and quite a few had their photos taken, with Val emailing them their photos from her I-pad. Then, gradually, one or two came up to me and pressed notes into my hand for my charity! I looked in my hand, and found two £20 notes and a £10 note! Thanking them very much, I then thought I had better ask whether they would mind filling in a sponsorship form and whether they paid tax for the extra 25% gift aid! More notes were put into my envelope for GRACE, and the forms I had were completely filled up! I made a short trip to the GRACE secretary's office, to tell her of this extraordinary generosity, and asked for GRACE leaflets and more sponsor forms.

Photos and donations continued until after my clinic appointment (when my sister took over as chief photographer and collector!), then through the lunch period when we were all watching the Olympics (coincidentally) on the television in Reception! I was called for my chemotherapy about 1.30pm, and some nurses then also wanted their photo taken holding the Torch, as they had missed it last week.

At the end of my time there, all these very kind and generous people had donated £85! More of course with the gift aid.

This has now brought my grand total, so far, including gift aid worked out just for the off-line donations, to £1,608, or 107% of my goal! Thank you everyone. GRACE and myself appreciate it very much.

Another Day of Fame!

31st July 2012:-  Took my Olympic Torch to Guildford to show to staff in the clinic. But  right from the time I went into Reception, I was surrounded by everyone, from patients, to visitors, to staff, wishing to touch the torch, hold it and be photographed holding it!

Luckily my sister, Val, had brought her I-pad so was able to oblige with photos for those who had no camera or 'phone. After taking their photo, she emailed it to them instantly! I also showed some my copy of the Sussex Gazette, which had  me on the front page, with 12yr old Sam lighting my torch, 'the kiss', as well as the same, but larger, photo across a middle spread! Many people wanted a photo of me and the torch with them, and one man also wanted a picture of the press photo for his children, who had studied it all at school. Another man said he would be my agent, because I could be collecting at least £1 per photo for my charity! I felt uncomfortable doing that, and carried on being 'famous'! Obviously, I explained how and why I was nominated by GRACE.

Good news re my treatment - my ca 125 (cancer marker) has more than halved down to 48, so even though I only had one complete cycle (day 1 and day 8) and day 1 of my second cycle! My third cycle starts today, and if my bloods are normal next week, they will re-instate day 8.
That should get rid of the problem a bit quicker!

The Most Amazing Day of My Life!

17th July 2012:-  I still cannot utter more than a forced whisper, but feel excited and elated, so that will carry me through this long day! 

I live in Copthorne, West Sussex, and the Olympic Torch came through the Village this morning at 9.45 am. As I did not have to be in Crowborough until just before midday, I had time to watch the parade and the Torch being carried along Borers Arm Road. I had to be ready in my white outfit 'uniform' so that we could leave in good time to get to my meeting place in Crowborough. This created a huge stir whilst I was waiting, so my 'Moment to Shine' actually started early in Copthorne, with many people and their children wanting photos with me in the uniform, even without my torch yet! The local nuns also got in on a photo! Amazing start to my day!

CROWBOROUGH:  We made good time to the Beacon Community College, so early in fact that there was no one there to meet us. However, whilst we had a flask of our own coffee (no cafe here) standing by the car, we were approached by a BBC journalist, who was looking for worthwhile stories to air on the radio.  I managed to make myself understood with my whisper, with the help of my friend Helen. The journalist was very interested to record us, and went off to find her producer, to whom she introduced us. They had to go off and set up their equipment, and we had to find our own meeting place. We agreed to meet them later. They were sure they could find a way of recording my 'whisper'.

First, we waited to be signed in and have our id checked. My friend Helen was to be my escort, which I had requested, what with having only had chemo several days before, and my laryngitis and chest infection, I was not sure I could manage without assistance, in case I felt dizzy. It was a hot day too and my breathing was not easy, even after using my ventolin inhaler, plus my dreadful cough. Close friends and family thought I should not be doing this, but how could I NOT do it! A once in a lifetime experience! An honour! One of only 8000 in the country! Part of an historic event that will never happen again in most of our lifetimes! I would dose up anything I have to get through this day! Plus an important cough lozenge as I set off - after all it was only 300 metres! I had walked 100 miles two months ago - I could walk this short distance surely!

It neared the time for the torch to arrive at the College to be shown off, with speeches, to all the children waiting in the huge playground area. We were ushered to the 'show' area along a double row of smartly uniformed sixth-formers and given a good place to watch the children do their show before the torch arrived.
This was the last torch of the morning session. There were several of us doing the afternoon session, and after this show parade in the College, we all had to go for our briefing, whilst the police escorts and drivers had their lunch. (There was nothing for the Torch Bearers, except water).

After our briefing, we were shown to the team shuttle bus. It was so hot, and the bus was stifling. The others all stood outside, but by now I was flagging. (We had been here two hours already, mostly standing). I had to climb in the bus to sit down. Helen was allowed to accompany me thank goodness, as she understood my condition, without me having to force a painful whisper to others. The nylon uniform was too warm, with its long sleeves, and I had put on a t-shirt underneath first thing in the morning, as if it had been cool, we could not wear anything on the top of it. I discreetly removed the t-shirt, as no one else was in the bus!

1pm - Almost time to move off - the police escort and our Lloydstsb team leader arrived, she briefed us in the order we had to move up the bus ready to get off at our designated spot (my number was 69, following young 12 yr old Sam who was 68, who followed our first torch bearer of the afternoon, who very bravely decided to give up her wheelchair and walk her 300 metres). We were handed our torches as we were waiting to alight, and had already been given a gold wristband if we had bought ours, to retrieve later once decomissioned of the gas canister.

 Our shuttlebus is moving, following the escorting police motorcyclists, the parade of open topped coaches with bands and waving and dancing corporate sponsors, plus the Media Bus with the photographers sitting on the back of it to be in front of the Olympic Torch Flame and Bearer, videoing us as we went along!

Nearing my drop-off point, we were all waving at the lined streets, and I spotted two familiar faces waving like crazy, as I stood in the front with my torch ready to alight! One was a fellow chemo patient and her friend who always accompanied her to the hospital - how wonderful that they came! All too soon, it was my stop - it was difficult to get off because it was so crowded, and people surged around. Luckily I was met by one of the police escorts who showed me where to stand and wait for my flame, from young Sam, to arrive.

 In the meantime, I had ten to fifteen minutes to meet, greet and be photographed with family and friends, but where were they? There were so many people, it was just overwhelming! Suddenly, I saw my sister Val with her I-pad at the ready as a camera and video in one! Big hugs, lots of photos, my niece Karen and her daughter Amelia, my great niece, her granddad and grandma, (my brother Alan and his wife Sue).

Once photos had started, I was surrounded by total strangers, one after the other, thrusting children and babies forward for photos with me and my (as yet unlit) torch! I was just smiling and posing this way and that, bending down for little ones to get in on it, standing for grownups pointing cameras at me, with a brief request 'this one is going to America' ' this one is for Australia' 'New Zealand'  'South Africa' 'India' - I think the whole world was represented in my little corner! I could not stop smiling - what an unexpected joy! (and I was worried the street would be almost empty because no one knew me in Crowborough!)

My son, Philip, appeared, camera already working. He had such a huge proud smile and we hugged. I was surrounded again! Other friends tried to get close to me, and I made room for them, and their children to have some photos taken. Suddenly, I had no time to tell anyone where to meet me - I think I managed to whisper to Helen, tell them to meet us at the Beacon Community College afterwards, because all too soon my police escort steered me to my spot on the road, where Sam was running up the hill to greet me and 'kiss' my torch with his flame! We had to turn and smile at the cameras for a last picture before I set off, and Sam's flame was extinguished after mine was lit. What a feeling! 

Lighting of my torch from Sam's flame!

I started walking a bit shakily down the High Street, which was thronged with cheering and a sea of waving flags and banners! 

The beginning of my 300 metres - huge cheering crowds!

I turned to make sure Helen was near me, but they had ushered her to the edge of the street with the other police escorts, and I had a very tall policeman alongside me (the one who turns the key in each torch to open the gas or switch it off, and points at the cameras for us to pose), He could not hear anything I whispered to him up there on high!

 Nevertheless, I was soon enjoying my 'Moment', waving to the cheering crowds, with the Torch held high in the other hand. It was quite heavy (and top-heavy from the gas canister in the top), so it had to be held a third of the way up. I had to keep swapping the Torch to both hands, then one then the other. I got the hand of it, waving my right arm to the crowd on the right whilst holding the flame in my left, then switching to wave to the other side! It was sheer joy!

Trying to jog a bit whilst holding torch and waving!
Great fun!

I was aware that my police escort was telling me I should run now. RUN! HE HAS TO BE JOKING! I whispered, I can't run. So he said well trot, or walk a bit faster! Was he trying to ruin my day? I wanted to tell him to trot off, but I saved my breath! I complied with a little trot, but my legs were not there, so I walked again, and tried to speed it up. Still smiling and waving, spotting friends in the crowd, Valerie ran out of the crow to hug me, Jo stayed back waving, and seeing my son trying to run backwards while photographing me! Wow! Such enjoyment everywhere!

The whole thing was surreal! The waving and cheering followed us all the way, and as we got to the traffic lights at the A26, it turned left and went uphill a little. Oh, it's nearly over already! Still trying to trot a bit or walk faster, I started to seriously get out of breath, so I slowed right down and gesticulated for Helen to come over - I wanted her to tell this policeman to stop telling me to speed up. He asked 'what do you want her for', and I could not respond, so I carried on walking slowly, smiling and waving at the huge cheering crowds, acknowledging another few good friends along the way,  until I reached my 'kiss' point for the next runner.

Out of breath and calling for Helen, but not far now

It had been incredible, but I could not wait to sit down in the bus - my legs were giving out as well as my breath, and I was quite lightheaded! My police escort actually then asked me if I was alright, as I was panting. Of course I was! I had just taken part in the most beautiful and memorable event that I would ever achieve in my life!  Then our torches were held together and we turned  for my last picture from the Media and crowds as our torches 'kissed'! My flame was extinguished! My 'Moment to Shine' over! I happily, but sadly too, got on the shuttlebus, which then followed the relay and picked up the other runners as they finished, along the circuitous route back to the College.

With our decomissioned Torches back at the College!

My family and friends met me afterwards at the Community College - wondering where we were, because it took so long for us to return there. After watching some of the  BBC Video in their viewing room, and being given our torches, with more photographs with everyone, we looked for our BBC Sussex Radio journalists, but they had left by then, so we followed each other to a pub for something to eat - Helen and me had not eaten a meal since breakfast, and it was now about 3pm! No wonder we were flagging! The pub was so crowded with all the spectators as well as some of the runners, that we had to wait about two hours to get served! We could have driven home in that time, but at least I got to celebrate with my family and friends! We had some cool drinks and snacks whilst waiting for the food. Scampi and chips never tasted so good!

20th July 2012:- I have been in bed most of the time for more than two days! Antibiotics are working now, and my voice has become a squeak rather than a whisper, but it is still not easy to talk. 

My sister emailed me her photos and videos - good quality from her i-pad! I have sent some to friends, and to GRACE secretaries, but although they received the photos, they could not open the video stills - too large for the hospital computers and probably blocked. Shame, because it gave the atmosphere exactly, and Val had got shots of people jumping in the way to have their photos taken with me!  I have also sent the BBC video to anyone who wants it - here it is if you do not have it:- 

www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day60  Click on the Afternoon Crowborough to Hastings, click the play arrow on the picture, open to full screen, then take the time bar along the bottom to my start time of 1.37/38, when Sam runs up to light my torch with the 'kiss', then I am carrying it at 1.39. Very precise! It is a bit blurred in places, and in others there are so many people surrounding me it is difficult to see anything at all! But turn up the volume to hear the cheers!

Photo opportunity before the 'kiss' of flames:

Amelia and me with the Torch!

My little sister Val, so proud!

Natasha holding the Torch with me!

Natash'a mum Marie with me and as yet unlit Torch!

12 yr old Sam lighting my Torch - the 'kiss'

Taken after arriving back at the College:-

Suzanne(+1), me and Philip after the relay

Val, Keith, Me, Alan and Jim after the relay

17JULY 2012 - OLYMPIC TORCH!

17th July 2012: Today is the day I carry the Olympic Torch along Crowborough Hill, Crowborough, Sussex,  from Croft Road junction to the A26.


I hope it goes well, because it has not been a good week since my chemotherapy last Tuesday. The side effects were minimal really, but my persistent cough worsened, developing by yesterday into a chest infection and laryngitis. The gp had to visit me, as well as the nurse at a different time to do my PICC line dressing. I am on antibiotics yet again, and feel a bit better this morning, but have no voice at all - some would say this is a good thing!


I am looking forward to my 'moment to shine', with so many well-wishers, family and friends who will be there to cheer me on. Thanks to everyone for all your unfailing support. YOU deserve the honour too!

CHEMO 7 DAYS BEFORE CARRYING THE TORCH!

10th July 2012:  Blood result was ok for having my 2nd chemo cycle today, thank goodness, or I might have had to drop out of carrying the Olympic Torch next week!


A much easier day - parked in the 'oncology' car park for £1.50 for the day, thanks to my sister who came last week and procured a permit for me! Also, I was seen in clinic fairly promptly by my oncologist, Aggie Michael and Fiona, my Macmillan nurse. We were all pleased that I can go ahead today.  My doseage of the 'new to me' Gemcitabine chemo has been reduced because of all the side effects after the first cycle. Plus, I will not be having the day 8 session, so that gives me another week to recover before the next one. They wished me luck for my 300 metre carrying the torch next Tuesday, and would look out for me on the news!
There was plenty of time to relax, read a paper, have lunch, before my chemo appointment at 1pm.

Breezed through the chemotherapy in the afternoon, with it dripping painlessly through my fixed line, and no needles!

11th July 2012: Woke at about 4 am and the room started spinning when I got up - remembered I had some dissolving (on the gum) anti-vertigo tabs. This time it worked! Slept again for a couple of hours before getting up to make some tea. Not a bad day, compared to last month's cycle when I had to stay in bed for nearly a week. I suppose thanks to the reduced dose of chemo.

My newly altered London 2012 track suit was returned this morning. The legs had to have several inches taken off and hemmed up, and also the sleeves! It looks pretty good, but I have to tuck in the long top, or it comes almost to my knees - which is what happens if it is not a petite size! This LOCOG organisation only send out 'standard' size!

Not a good week!

3rd July 2012:  I saw my oncology consultant, Aggie Michael, who was quite concerned that I had been having nose bleeds for two weeks after my chemo, as well as headaches and very painful mouth ulcers, which are still there and preventing me from eating properly. Aggie decided I had probably had too high a dose of the Gemcitabine, so has reduced it, and also cut out the day 8 chemo.

My blood results from yesterday were not good enough for me to have chemo today, so I had to have a repeat blood test this morning. The queue for the nurse clinic (so that I could have blood taken from the PICC line) was so long, that I decided to join the normal path lab queue which was shorter! I don't mind a needle in the vein they always use, as it has never had chemo directly through it and therefore is not so tender.

I had to wait 3 hours for the result, and, unfortunately, my white cell count (neutraphils) for immunity was still too low, so I could not have my chemotherapy today. No wonder I am so tired, and still have mouth ulcers. It is difficult to eat as they are so sore. I am now using Anbesol Liquid (2% lignocaine) which helps to numb it slightly before I eat, but it soon wears off. The 'gel' should last longer, but is difficult to apply to the tongue, because it just slides off!

Disappointed that I was not having my chemo this week, because it means, if I have chemo next week, on the 10th, that only gives me a week to recover before carrying the Olympic Torch on 17th July! My friends have offered to accompany me, even if they have to push me in a wheelchair! However, it will not come to that, because I will definitely be walking my 300 metres, and if necessary, I will be allowed to ask a family member, or a close friend, to walk with me.

7th July 2012: One good thing about not feeling like doing very much is that I can enjoy watching Wimbledon without feeling guilty! Another good thing is that I am eating better now that my last tongue ulcer has subsided. So, tomorrow, on men's final day, I will be able to (painlessly) eat my strawberries and cream whilst watching Andy Murray v Roger Federer on TV!  But, whom will I cheer on - obviously I want Andy to win his first Grand Slam final, but I also want Roger to achieve yet another record! Go Andy! Go Roger!

Another chapter

2nd July 2012: Had my PICC Line fitted. I was somewhat nervous of having this peripheral insertion of a catheter into a deeper vein. It was with a local anaesthetic into my upper arm, over the area where the ultra-sound showed the vein into which they wish to insert the tube. So, not really painful after the L.A. but a very uncomfortable feeling as they pushed the catheter along the vein, until it reached the larger vein into the heart!

The good news is that I do not have to have any more probing of surface veins, which had become very sore, and of course it was difficult for the nurses to find a vein for my chemotherapy. I now have a ready-made connection for the duration of this treatment. Having a dressing over the insertion once a week will be no problem, but having a shower without wetting it might be!

Today is my consultant clinic in the morning, and off to have lunch with my sister, who is taking me, then return for the afternoon when I have my chemotherapy, attached through my new PICC line! Hooray! No more needles!

There could be a a slight problem in that my white cell count is slightly down, and usually they delay giving the chemo until it gets back to normal. However, this is crucially timed to allow me to carry the torch on 17th July in my chemo-free week, so if possible I do not wish to defer it, or I will be walking my 300 metres attached to the chemo drip!

A beautiful day and feeling fine after chemo yesterday!

20th June 2012: What a wonderful day! I thought I would feel terrible after last week's episode, and was pleased and surprised to wake up feeling ok. 

If I had known this, I might have gone with my midwife friends to Selsey, where we planned to spend a few days in Jo's new-build bungalow on the Beach! They have gone without me (aahh), but we will work out another time to go! It was wishful thinking this week though, because this afternoon I was back to bed and sleeping off too much exertion this morning (I have not really done much - had breakfast, back to bed for an hour, showered and dressed, lain down again, had lunch, lain down again, had tea, gone to bed!).

I have been replying to an email from the West Sussex Ahead of Game team who are promoting the local Olympic Torch Relay. They want to use my story to publish in their E-bulletin. I was also asked to send some photos, so that took up an hour or so, as I searched, then had to figure out how to download and then upload, and attach a choice of photos to her email. It can be so slow when you are not really sure! I have also heard from the East Sussex team (to cover Crowborough), so hopefully they will have heard about me too, and will not line up saying 'who on earth is this'! A silence would be embarrassing!

I will not go into how awful yesterday was with the needle-probing to find a non-existent vein! They have all been used up! I have now opted to have a PICC line inserted at my next visit in two weeks' time! It is a permanent venous line, into a deeper vein, done under local anaesthetic, then left in, held by a dressing, until I do not need it anymore (16 weeks). I will have to figure out a way of showering without getting it wet, but I am sure there are ways, because a lot of people have them. It will save me any more needles for the duration!

Called in to see my friend Helen for cup of tea on way home from chemo, and my sister Val took these photos with her new ipad - she loves it and takes it everywhere with her, now using it and emailing the photos instead of using a camera - so instant!

Me and my 'little' sister Val

Me and Helen

Chemotherapy commenced 12th June 2012

15th June 2012: Have had a fragile few days following chemotherapy, but feel a bit more human since yesterday, when I managed to feel just about ok to go to our Mad Racquets Farewell Lunch for Carolin, who is moving to Somerset!


We will all miss her very much, for her kindness and generosity and genteel manner - hence we called her Lady C! We sincerely hope she will come back to see us all for any major events, such as big birthdays! We will certainly descend upon the quiet shires and stir them up with a good Mad Racquets get together once they are all settled in! Farewell Carolin, until we all meet again.

Marie, Liz, Dolly, Lady C, June, Lynn and Helen

The lunch was very enjoyable, but unfortunately I had to miss the tennis morning!

Helen, Carolin, Dolly, Lynn, Me, Marie, Liz and June
in Helen's amazing garden!

Jane added on right, Lynn now taking photo

Carolin took this one - guess why Marie, June and Liz
had their eyes shut - yup a great time at Queens yesterday!

Lady C in her new farewell gift of Queens T-shirt
Very Glam!

Altogether worth drugging and dragging myself up for the occasion - I thought I scrubbed up quite well really! I went home shortly after this, as the party atmosphere and sitting up for so long was beginning to tire me. Jane gave me a lift home, whilst everyone else helped Helen to clear up! What a good way to get out of the washing up! Thanks Helen for a lovely lunch, buzzing atmosphere, amazing food and beautiful garden!

To start chemotherapy soon...

6th June 2012: I managed to get seen as an urgent 'extra' at a busy clinic yesterday because of the abdominal pains I have been having since last Thursday. As a result, instead of having a month to relax after my walk, or to catch up in the garden and house, I am to start chemotherapy next week! I have also had to take hefty doses of anti-inflammatories and analgesics, which have helped the pain.

In the meantime, this awful cough I have had since last December, has turned into a chest infection, so I now have a course of strong antibiotics to clear it up before my chemotherapy starts. It never rains but it pours!


This is the end of the medical bulletin! Hopefully it will be better news next time!

Irony of Health After My 100 Mile Walk!

31st May 2012: What a relief to have arrived in Eastbourne, fit and well, with only one blister, after hobbling into Winchester last year! However, this relief was short-lived, because on Tuesday, at my consultant appointment, I received my scan and blood results, which showed that the cancer has returned, in a very small way, in my liver.

To me, at this time, it is unbelievable, because I feel, and look so well - tanned from walking up on the South Downs, and still energetic enough to have gone straight into catching up with my gardening, and playing tennis with some friends yesterday.

My lovely oncologist, Aggie Michael, would like to commence chemotherapy again, but has agreed to let me have another month of feeling well, seeing as the spots in the liver are so tiny at the moment. Obviously, I will return to see her sooner if I get any symptoms. She will also work out the timing of my chemotherapy so that I am still able to Carry the Olympic Torch on 17th July! I will let everyone know when and where I do my 300 metres in Crowborough as soon as I am informed.

2012 WALK FROM WINCHESTER TO EASTBOURNE THIS TIME!

Photos of last walk from Jevington to Eastbourne: 100 miles walked from Winchester!

Helen pouring my celebratory Pimms! Cheers!

Picnic in 'helen's garden' on seafront

Rousing welcoming party!

Here at last - what a long journey!

On the home straight: Philip and Suzanne ahead and
Jo and me 

Eastbourne and the sea from the Downs

Me, Lynn, Philip, Jo and Suzanne above Eastbourne

Lovely girls from Essex having a holiday in Sussex
with their horses

Lynn and Michelle on SDW above Eastbourne

Having a deserved break at top of hill -
Me, Philip Suzanne in front
Lynn and Michelle behind
(Jo took photo)

Jo on the hilly track up from Jevington

Suzanne walking up the shady track - cool!

On the first steep hill out of Jevington

Sat 26th May 2012: Very last walk, from Jevington to Eastbourne! Collected Philip and Suzanne from Three Bridges station at 9am, then home to meet Jo, Lynn and Michelle. We all set off for Jevington. I had to ring everyone yesterday to ensure enough cars and spare seats would be in Eastbourne, so that we walkers could just go directly to Jevington and start walking.


Everything worked out very well, except when we got to Jevington, the small car park was already full, mainly because of bad parking, over more than one space! We drove around looking for somewhere else, and I asked the postman, who said it was ok to park by The Hungry Monk Pub because it was closed down for renovation. Perfect! Off we set, up the very steep hill out of Jevington towards the top hills above Eastbourne and Beachy Head. It was quite warm and there was a refreshing breeze, but I still had to stop several times whilst going up the long hill. Jo or Suzanne kept me company at times until I could catch up. I think my legs and sore feet were definitely feeling yesterday's efforts! I had to stretch my hamstrings and calves a few times and drink some water..

We almost reached the top of the hill before we sat down, on a mound by a signpost, and ate some lunch and had a good drink of water. We took some photos, before moving on. The view from the top was beautiful, of the sea, Eastbourne, Beachy Head, and a stretch of Downs, as well as the golf course that we were skirting. We encountered three lovely young girls on horses riding down to Beachy head area. They asked if we would take their photograph - they had come down from Essex for a holiday with their horses and horseboxes. It was a lovely sight to see them galloping off down the hill.

Before long we were also going blissfully downhill, crossing the A259 and making our way towards the end of our walk! We had a couple of texts and 'phone calls from our welcoming party, now waiting down the bottom of the hill, by the Kiosk Cafe on Sea front road! As we arrived, down the last part of the trail, there was a lot of noise, trumpets sounding, and flag waving! Helen walked up the trail to greet me, whilst my sister Val and Keith got the other walkers, who arrived just before me, to wave flags too! It was a wonderfully rousing reception! We were also joined by another two good friends, Fiona and Paul, arriving on their Harley! An amazing sight!

We ended the perfect day by having a Pimms and smoked salmon sandwiches picnic in 'helen's garden' on the seafront - very appropriate as my friend Helen brought the picnic!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED ME MAKE THIS POSSIBLE, AND I PROMISE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT  I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN! 


However, I have not yet reached my sponsorship target, so please help me to help GRACE by donating on: www.justgiving.co.uk/elsena-marsden0  or, alternatively if you do not like on-line payments, you could always send me a cheque made out to GRACE. 

_________________________________

Photos of walk from Cocking to Whiteways:-

At last! Here we are - but the leather clad biker took two
photos of all of us that did not come out, so here I am
saying press the button all the way down! Thank you!

A long shady walk to end the day hopefully!
We have been walking through here for 45 minutes - where
is Whiteways?

Mum soon came along to protect her lambs!

Two lambs looking lost

Beautiful views all round - the sea and
Chichester Harbour behind me

At the very top - the beacon masts behind Jane and Toni

Still going up! We aim for lunch in the shade of those trees!
Jane is now carrying my backpack!

We have walked from beyond the top of the far hill
through all that rapeseed track, and down, then up this side!

Me, Jane and Toni, photo is taken by a fit looking runner!
I am sheltering my back from the sun and only took off
my hat and sunglasses for the photo! So hot!

We go all the way down between the crop, up that track
the other side, over the beacons at the top, for another 3.5 miles! 

Another lovely picture, and there is the tiny trail beside me!

It's a lovely picture but please find the track!

Is this really the SDW track in the middle of rapeseed?
We just have to stand in the crop if we meet anyone!

Oh to be laying under the shade there! but it is on the other side
 of the barbed wire - we have no trees on our hot path

Myself and Jane with Cocking down the hill -
 we look hot already!

Just up the hill from Cocking Car Park at the start today
Myself and Toni (Jane took photo)

Fri 25th May 2012: Cocking to Whiteways. Jane and Toni came to my house as arranged, and followed me to Whiteways, where we left one car. Then we drove to Cocking to start today's walk - the last one in the backlog of cancelled walks! It was another very hot day, but with a nice breeze.


We set off reasonably well, but as this hill went up a long way, I soon slowed my pace, taking time out to take a couple of photographs and catch my breath. I had forgotten how steep the hills were on this walk! It was only about 11.15 am and the heat from the sun was getting unbearable already. I was trying to walk in any little amount of shade I could find along the sides of the track where there might be a tree or a hedge. In the open of course there was no shade at all. It was necessary to keep stopping to have some water and this gave me some respite. Toni and Jane were not having the same problem, and were very encouraging to keep me going.

We reached the top of that hill after about an hour, only to find it was only a small plateau, and continued its way upwards! If it was not so hot, we would have been more comfortable climbing. Eventually it did go over the brow, and we started to go downhill, through a Rapeseed field! The crop had been grown right across the South Downs Way track, and walkers and cyclists had forced a small gap between the rows of the crops! It seemed to go on forever, with no view to the right or left, as the rapeseed had grown so high. We could not see the end in sight even in front of us down the narrow track.

It was quite fun, meeting people, or a cyclist, coming the other way, and having to stand to the side, in the middle of the crop, to let them past! As we neared the steep hill at the bottom, I recognised Littleton Farm from last year, and knew we had gone more than half way, at 5 miles and it had taken us about 3 hours. Only another 3 miles to go, and over similar hilly terrain. We thought it would take about another 2 hours.

In fact, it took us much longer than we anticipated, because I could not walk fast up the hills now, my legs were stiffening and my head was very hot. I was drinking enough water, but needed some over my head! Toni sprayed me with an atomiser which helped, and both Toni and Jane offered to take it in turns to carry my backpack for me, thus lightening my load! By now, I also had a troublesome left foot - the double-blister on that little toe was painful and the ball of the foot felt sore, so I was glad of my hikers pole. We met a few nice people, a couple of runners, and cyclists, as well as walkers, some of whom took our photos for us and we discussed what we were all doing there!

When we passed a flock of sheep laying under the shade of a huge tree, I wanted to lay there as well, but the tree was on the other side of  the barbed wire fence, so we just went on climbing upwards, and eventually came to the Beacons - Ah ha! at the very the top!

We started to walk down and reached a shaded walk through the forest path, it was such a relief to be out of the sun! Unfortunately for us, some of the paths were not well sign-posted, and towards the end, we took a slight detour on the wrong track. Luckily we could see an isolated house further down the track, so we made our way there, and a man re-directed us back up the track to a junction, where we turned right and got back onto the right route. It delayed us by about half an hour, but it was still a very long walk through the woods until we finally reached Whiteways cafe, and Jane's car. What an enormous relief - everything was aching from our hips down to our feet and toes - we were in automaton mode until we stopped, then the stiffness immediately kicked in. We were at least an hour behind schedule, and Jane had wanted to be home by 5pm! It was nearly that now, and we still had to get my car from Cocking! This, without doubt, was my hardest walk! 8.5 miles, but such difficult walking, because of the heat, especially uphill.

I will upload the photos tomorrow, because I am too tired now and it is 11 pm.


My last day tomorrow, 95.5 miles walked, leaving just 4.5 miles from Jevington to Eastbourne! I will pick up my son Philip from Three Bridges about 9am, meet Jo at my house, along with Lynn and Michelle at 9.15, who will follow us down to Jevington to start walking to EASTBOURNE!






Photos of walk from Whiteways to Washington:-

Cool refreshing drink at The Frankland Arms
Washington

In delicious shade on the home straight!

We stood still as the herd were walking towards us
but they stopped at the drinking trough!

Another hill! Still so far upwards to climb!

Very elegant Jo looking cool but feeling HOT!

Having a breather before climbing up the track again

It looks cool under that tree too!

I'd like to be under the shady tree too

The calves were feeding too

We had to tarry here where it was feeding time

Corner of field where we saw calf born last year

I couldn't wait to get cool too - head under - lovely!

Thank you to the Rotary Club for this refreshing tap!

At the River Arun bridge with winding track behind
where we walked down from the top

Jo - looking cool and ready to start the big climb!

Whiteways cafe - Jo and me - ready to start walking

Thurs 24th May 2012: Promises to be another hot day, but maybe with a slight breeze. Jo came to my house, and followed me in her car down to Washington, keeping behind me very well most of the time! We drove in Jo's car to Whiteways cafe on A29 roundabout and left it in their car park. After refreshing ourselves, we set off on the 10 miles to Washington.

First walking up a cycle track from the cafe, up through the middle of the crops, to join the SDW, then very carefully had to cross the busy A29 to get to the SDW going down to Amberley. As we descended the track, it opened out into the most amazing panoramic view of the Arun Valley below. The far hills and down to the sea were obscured by a heat mist, so we could not see as clearly as it deserved. It was 3 miles going downhill, quite steeply, to get to the river, and Amberley beyond the bridge. As it got hotter and hotter, we suddenly found a drinking tap and trough by the side of the track. We certainly made good use of it to cool down, not just drinking the ice cold water, but putting our heads under the tap! Wonderfully refreshing!

We came to the end of that track and had to cross the main road to continue onwards and upwards for a few miles, until we were very high, and looking down at the river and the valley below, and across to the hills the other side of the valley up to the A29, from where we had walked not an hour before - what a long way we had walked.

We eventually reached the farm where we midwives had seen a calf born last year. There are no pregnant cows that we could see - all the calves are born already now, and many were suckling. We took some photos, and decided we needed to continue climbing, even though there was no shade around anywhere and we were just getting too hot. If we needed shade, we would have to climb our of this and go look for it! We had a drink of water, then carried on going up this very dry, white, hot and dusty track.I had to stop several times, and Jo came back a couple of times. I was ok, but my head was pounding with the heat and the effort. We really needed some shade. I think the climb might not have seemed so hard if it was cooler.

After a while, we reached the summit, and could look around for a tree - they were quite sparse and not very large so did not give much shade, but we managed to sit on the ground in a shady patch, have a snack and another drink, and just try to stay cool for a few minutes - I poured some precious water over my head which I needed! Did I say it was the summit? Well, I thought it was, but after a while on the flat track, it started to rise again, and again, then in the distance we saw a track snaking around and up a long way. We hoped it would not be our track, but it was! We had been climbing for about two hours by now and I had never stopped on any journey as much as we needed to stop on this uphill slog.

This 10 miles is a beautiful scenic journey, and last year we found it very enjoyable, but then I guess a lot of it must have been downhill, whereas we are doing it the opposite way! Also, last year, it was not as hot as this, and the humidity is very high, and there is quite a heat mist over all the high horizons around us. But, what views we were able to see were spectacular, we were so high above the valleys. Suddenly, the terrain levelled out and as we rested easy in our walking for a while, we came across a dead baby owl stuck in the barbed wire fence by its neck - did it just fly into it at night? Never seen anything like that before. About half an hour later, we found a dead small deer, laying on the ground beside the fence on our track - it looked a fairly fresh beast, so probably not dead long, but how? Not a mark on it, just laying there with head back and eyes open. So sad to see that.

The South Downs Way was marked quite well along this route, but we had to check our map occasionally when we came to a crossroads of paths and roads. We were about to go through one gate to the field beyond, and checked the map, that our SDW was the left fork up the hill, when we saw a bunch of cows walking fairly fast towards us, as it seemed. We hovered by the gate, unsure if it was ok -  but they were making for the water trough, and queueing for a drink, and the trough was right beside our track! We carefully and quietly walked passed, and got plenty of stares. I took a couple of photos from a distance, this time making sure the flash was off!

We could see in the distance that there was a wood, and the SDW looked as though it went through it - the shade would be very welcome we thought, and so it was when we got there. However, it was short and sweet, for it soon came out into the open again! Jo asked me how much further had we to go, but in truth I did not know, because none of the signposts gave any indication of mileage at all. All I could work out was an average of 2 miles an hour, taking into account the many uphills, and the situation on the map of some of the intersections. So I thought we had gone over half way. At last we reached the true last summit, before our downhill into the woods at Washington! We sat on the handmade wooden log seat provided just there, and enjoyed the rest, the view, drinking the last of our water (we had been a bit conservative til now) and finishing off some apple danish pastry. We looked forward to reaching The Frankland Arms (where I had left my car) and to having a refreshing cold drink. It tasted like nectar - the amber nectar as it is called, but with lemonade, as we are driving! 10 more miles clocked up. Now done 87!


Tomorrow is the last stage of my catching up! Jane and Toni are coming to my house, for them to follow me to Whiteways, to leave one car, and drive together to Cocking and walk 8.5 miles back to Whiteways. I hope it is cooler tomorrow! My boots felt so tight today in the heat and for the first time this year I have a sore blistered toe!







Photos of walk from Harting Downs to Cocking:

A welcome cool drink for hot, dusty and tired walkers!

I'm incognito in bedouin outfit - only a mile to go today,
but the path up the hill behind is where I still have to walk!

Enjoying the shady woods - Tina and Pam ahead
have found a lunch spot!

The path we walked from the woods and beyond!

Herd at the drinking trough

Still walking up the white and hot track - is that a herd -
the first time today to see livestock!

Tina and me - so hot -  I just had to put cold water
on my head and neck!

Pam and Tina about to go downhill for a change!

Amazing view from top of Harting Downs

Me, Tina and Pam - the 'madwives' - ready to go!

Wed 23rd May 2012:  Harting Downs to Cocking - 7 miles. It was warm and sunny from first thing in the morning, so we thought it would be a good day. Tina drove Pam, and they met me in Cocking Car Park, right beside the South Downs Way (where we would end today). I drove us to Harting Downs, where we began the walk. It is high up there, so has an amazing view. 


It was pleasant to walk along the ridge and downwards. I had forgotten quite how it undulated, and at times got quite steep, climbing up, or down. I began to find the heat uncomfortable, especially when climbing up a steep hill with no shade. We were looking for scrappy trees to shelter under when we stopped for a drink of water! The chalk and flint track reflected back the white heat - very desert-like in its intensity. I enjoyed the wooded sections for the coolness of the shade, but one of them was also a difficult climb, which rather nullified the pleasure! We sat and had lunch half way up through this area, and after our break, we all had difficulty getting our stiff legs to stand up again, especially as we were sitting on the ground, and there were no raised areas, or logs to sit on here. My boots suddenly felt very tight as I put my feet to the ground - the heat had swollen them. We would all be ok once we got moving again. No more sitting down until the end!

The path opened out again after the woods, and for a while it went downhill. But the hot sun bore down on us and we were not finding any shade along this track at all. We looked at the map, and found we were over half-way, so that cheered us a bit. This white chalky hot footpath seemed to go on and up forever, and when I turned to look back, you could see it snaking up behind us until it disappeared into those woods, whose shade we so enjoyed. Shortly, for the first time today, there were fields with animals grazing - we must be getting close to civilisation! The heffers and young cows were queueing in orderly fashion for drinking at the troughs by the fence to the path. I think that must have been the only reason to be in the open, in the heat. Some were laying down too, but there were none over the other side of the field, where there were plenty of trees.

It was fairly quiet as far as other walkers - we met a few people, two of whom had also walked the SDW - twice, once each way, so they understood and discussed some of the difficulties and some of the pleasures. Today, they were just walking a circular route. Some cyclists came past, not altogether, but straggled, so we had to listen and look behind us many times, and step aside when they got near. I commented to one that it would be helpful if they had a bell. Later, we came across them resting on the grass verge, and one took our photo for us, and we chatted about the reasons for walking, and to where - a friendly bunch. We were on the last mile downhill, when they passed us again, and the one to whom I mentioned not having a bell, showed me his broken bell on the handlebars, as he went passed and he laughed that had lost part of it in Winchester! Oops!

As we were on the home straight, we heard some low flying planes, and realised they were spitfires, two of them, doing large circuits high above us. Twice I tried, and failed, to take a photo of them - what a magnificent sight and sound!

We reached the car park about 15 minutes later, and drove to South Harting, where we had a cool drink before going to Harting Downs for my car. We were all exhausted - my legs and head felt in another place. I think I had too much sun, so I hope the next few days are sunny but with less heat and more breeze! Not much to ask, after so much of May has been washed out. I was mostly following Tina and Pam on the A272, but after Petworth, I just had to stop in a layby, as I was closing my eyes at the wheel! I dozed in the shade of some trees for about 15 minutes. Refreshed, I was able to drive safely home, have a cool shower, have about an hour's sleep, and then had dinner that my husband had prepared. A perfect end to the day, I would say.7 more miles done - 77 in total.


Tomorrow, Jo will come to my house about 9.15 and follow me to Washington, where we leave a car, and then drive to Whiteways to start our walk back to Washington - 10 miles.




Photos of walk from Ditchling to Newmarket Inn:

At our own drinking trough - cheers!

A quick rest - nearly there!

Heffers drinking at the trough in the shade

Half-way and feeling warm in the sun

Shorn ewe bleating for her lamb in the pen

Sheep Shearing Station

Well-behaved Rex in front of the Sheep Shearing station!

Our beautiful South Downs!

My saviours of today! Yvonne, Rex and Doreen.

Ditchling is now behind me!

Mon 21st May 2012:  Ditchling to Newmarket Inn - 5 miles.  This could have been a no-walking day, as I had to have my windscreen replaced this morning and therefore the walk was not planned. However, the Autoglass repair man was quick and efficient, and it was all done by 9am. I could drive the car after 10 am. After only doing 3 miles yesterday instead of 8, I knew I had to catch up again if I could.

 Most people were obviously doing something else today, but my good neighbours, Yvonne and her sister Doreen, walk their dog Rex two or three times a day, so I asked them at the last minute if they would like to do this longer, but very pretty, walk on the Downs, and they were happy to come! I was delighted. It was only 5 miles, and a lot of it was going to be downhill, or flat, with a few ups, so it would not take longer than 3 hours at the most. We set off in convoy down the A23 and along A27 to the parking area opposite the Newmarket Inn - the South Downs Way would come down the hill to this point. We then drove in my car to Ditchling Beacon to start the walk.

What a lovely warm and sunny day - the warmest for a couple of months. We set off in good heart, including Rex, who could not wait to get out of the car and nearly dragged Yvonne out with him as she tried to climb from the back seat! We all soon got into our stride, and Rex was very well-behaved with his lead on and muzzled, and was very quiet, especially when we came across a fairly large herd of cows mostly laying down, alongside the SDW track! I was quite relieved that we walked through without more than being stared at by these lovely animals, even with a dog in tow!

It was such a beautiful clear view around us, but slightly hazy over the highest distant South and North Downs Hills. There were several walkers, but not as many as over the weekend. Three people that we met, one of whom seemed elderly, were walking to Eastbourne from Winchester, in 7 days! They were walking about 15 to 20 miles a day! I struggle with 12 miles in one go!  I am probably doing between 5 and 10 with one or two longer. Also, I get very tired and I miss my siesta in the afternoon, which I got used to when I was on chemotherapy. Walking in the fresh air, in our beautiful countryside is very rewarding, and well worth any pain or discomfort, especially if I manage to raise some funds for GRACE at St. Luke's Cancer Centre in Guildford, where I am still being treated and looked after! 


We stopped now and then for a snack, or a drink, and had to follow my map when the signposts were missing on a couple of crossings of path.We were distracted by watching some sheep shearing,which involved separating the ewes and lambs. We stopped to watch and take some photographs. One shorn ewe was running about bleating and looking for her lamb! We carried straight on down the path, instead of turning left through another gate (no SDW sign on this one). We had to backtrack once I realised I did not recognise the track from last year's walk.

However, there were no real incidents or mishaps, just enjoyment at the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the scenery and animals. On the last path along the fields, before the woods, we passed very close to two heffers drinking from a trough on the other side of the wire fence. They were interested enough in us to look up from drinking, and I managed a photo close up - not zoomed!

The wooded section was the only really steep hill that we had today, and we stopped twice on the way up it, but it was in the shade as well, so quite pleasant. Then we came out again into the sunshine and another field, with crops. The path alongside it was the last section all the way downhill to the A27 and to the layby where we parked the car. Rex was given a dish of water - still thirsty even though he drank from puddles on the walk! We drove down to the roundabout and back up the other side of the dual carriageway to stop at the Newmarket Inn for shandies and for an 'end of walk'  photo call. Then Doreen drove me back up to Ditchling to get my car, before they followed me home back to Copthorne. Another 5 miles done - 70 so far - only 30 to go!

It was a satisfying end to this part of Sussex walks - now I only have to catch up on the other three cancelled walks, from Harting Downs to Cocking, to Whiteways, to Washington, on Wed, Thurs and Friday, before successfully walking into Eastbourne from Jevington on Saturday morning! 



Photos of walk from Pyecombe to Ditchling:

Ray and Mike walking passed as even more come to drink!

Beautiful natural sight

Gabrielle, Mike and Ray

A rest and photo opportunity before next hill

Not enough room for cyclists and walkers!

Peaceful grazing half way to Ditchling

After a mile up the first hill from Pyecombe

Sunday 20th May 2012:  Pyecombe to Ditchling. It was drizzling early morning, so not quite sure what today would bring. We all decided to meet anyway, at Ditchling Beacon car park, at 10am. It was very windy at Ditchling, and it was a very cold wind. On went the layers of wind and waterproofs! I drove Gabrielle, Ray and Mike to Pyecombe, where I parked in a lane, and we started walking towards Ditchling. Cool and cloudy, but not raining, it was perfect weather for climbing a steep hill.

We had to stand aside many times for cyclists coming up the narrow track - there was a club rally going on, so the amount of cyclists was a lot more than usual! It is either good to keep stopping to have a quick rest, or troubling to keep breaking one's rhythm! Either way, we were actually making good time, and reached the open areas and grazing fields after about an hour. We stopped just before going through the gate to have a drink and snack, as we could see the path leading upwards again. The sun was very warm when it came out, and the cool wind was refreshing. I stopped near the pond, where some of the herd were making their way to drink. It made a beautiful photograph. Before long we were walking up the ridge towards Ditchling Beacon, and the wind became fierce and cold - had to stop to put my fleece back on.

We did the journey in about an hour and a half! It gave us time to seek out a nice pub in Ditchling, where we refreshed ourselves before making our way back to Pyecombe for my car.  It is unfortunate that we could not continue the walk to Newmarket Inn today, but once I had got home I realised how stiff and tired I was, and after some lunch, went to bed and slept for a two hour siesta! I have now done 65 miles! Only 35 to go! I will try to do to Newmarket tomorrow afternoon - I have to get my chipped windscreen replaced in the morning. Continue to watch this space!






Photos of Firle to Alfriston and Jevington:

Cream Tea at last -  at Jevington!

We have walked so far and this last hill is so steep!

Jo and Barbara still not at the top!

Taking a rest - nearly at the top!

Zoom of ewe and lamb who looked at us for ages!

Looking across to Firle in the distance!

Looking back on Alfriston on way up to Jevington

Alfriston below at last!

Panoramic view from Firle

Calm cows and calves asleep!

Barbara, Tash and Jo at top of Firle Beacon Hill

Top of Firle at last and what a view!

Still climbing up to Firle Beacon

Tash, Barbara, Me and Jo - ready to leave Firle for Alfriston

Written up Sun 20th May:

Sat 19th May 2012: Firle to Alfriston, then to Jevington! 

 A lovely sunny and warm day. I drove Jo down to Alfriston where we met Barbara and Tash, then we set off in Barbara's car to Firle, where we set off on our walk back to Alfriston.  It was amazingly clear and the views were fantastic. It was not too taxing either, although there were more uphills than I remembered from last year! The climb up to Firle Beacon was probably the worst on this stretch of the walk, made up for by the beautiful panoramic views below, of patchwork yellow and green fields, right across to the North Downs in the distance, and the South Downs in front and behind us, and the sea the other side, seen inbetween the hills.

On our route we had the usual herds of cows across our path - I was a bit nervous when one herd had a magnificent bull in the middle of the cows and calves, roaming his harem and occasionally deciding to try and mount one! I was especially on edge when a man came towards us walking his lively collie - although on a lead, it was a long 'reel in' type - we gave him a wide berth in case he upset the cows! The other herd was calmly sitting down or chewing the cud.  A beautiful sight, further up the hill, was a young lass riding a handsome horse, who walked passed us down the hill, then turned and made a fast gallop back up the hill. It sounded, and looked, very powerful.

We made good time to Alfriston, where we had lunch in the beer garden of a very ancient pub. We discussed whether we should end the beautiful day here, or continue to Jevington. The sunny day won us over, and we decided to walk on after lunch and the usual moving of the goalposts of our cars! It was a very hard climb upwards from Alfriston, firstly through a wood, on a steep, flinty and muddy track  - similar to the one encountered on Monday near Harting Downs - then it opened out into a chalky lane that continued upwards as far as the eye could see! If we had not gone so far, I would have been tempted to leave this until another 'fresh' day! However, we continued upwards, and were rewarded by the most incredible views. We climbed so high that everything below seemed like specs - the sheep, the cars, even the train in the distance seemed like a toy train! We were passed by struggling cyclists, who, when we reached the top, were still there, laying on the ground exhausted, and I heard two of them discussing that this was the longest and steepest hill that they had ever climbed - and we had just walked up it!

The track continued level for a while, then slightly curving up before descending down into Jevington. We were looking forward to their famous cream teas, but unfortunately it was now 5pm, and the tea room was shut! Barbara remembered that she had been to a pretty tea room and garden further up the road, which we arrived at soon afterwards, and was open until 5.30pm so we made it just in time to enjoy our cream tea reward, sitting in their beautiful country garden.

I drove us back to Alfriston to get Barbara's car, before we all made our way, wearily, home after a long and tiring, but ultimately satisfying and rewarding day! We had walked 9 and a half miles, mostly uphill. In total 62. 

Today, I meet Gabrielle and Ray at Ditchling Beacon, when we drive one car to Pyecombe, to start walking back to Ditchling. The aim is to end this walk at Newmarket Inn (but maybe not today), thus completing the Sussex stretch of SDW, except that last part down to Eastbourne!



Sat 19th May 2012: 23.12hrs - Firle to Alfriston, to Jevington. Just completed my blog for today and was about to upload the photos when the whole thing vanished without warning! Too tired now to redo it.


Photos of walk Rodmell to Firle. If weather improves, will walk to Alfriston tomorrow:

Jane, Jeff and Natalie walking in 'scotch mist' drizzle at Firle!
The sheep are all around us but the camera did not see them!

Magnificent bull in the mist!

Natalie Jeff, me and Jane about to start walk to Firle

Helen, Natalie, Jeff (Jane behind them) at Southease Saxon Church

Fri 18th May 2012: Day started out well. Longish drive to Alfriston taking Jane in my car, with Helen following with Natalie and Jeff. We left my car in the car park there, and Helen drove us to Rodmell. We all had a look around Southease, the ancient Saxon church, the chocolate box thatched roof cottages, and the River Ouse, took some photos, had some coffee, then Helen drove off to amuse herself somewhere, whilst the rest of us started the long climb up to Firle. We would meet Helen there, and all together walk down to Alfriston, all being well.

As we climbed higher and higher, the views were of the winding River Ouse, down to Newhaven, but the sea was not easy to spot, as it merged with the grey sky. As we neared the top of the hill, the mist descended, and it became impossible to see anything beyond about 30 yards. The drizzle got heavier and the wind became quite chilly. We could see sheep and lambs around us, running out of our path. The sheep had been shorn and looked very sad and cold.

It became too cold, wet and windy to stop for sustenance, so we ate chocolate and sweets, and drank some water as we continued to walk at a fairly good pace. Before long, we realised we were passing the huge signal mast at the top of Firle, so telephoned Helen to say we would be at the car park in about 20 to 30 minutes. Unfortunately for us, we arrived there even sooner than that, but of course Helen was not expected for another 10 minutes, so we squatted on the lea side of a parked car, out of the wind and rain, and had a snack and some water whilst we waited. We had to move from our shelter as a man and his dog had returned from their walk, and this was their car! Now fully exposed, we walked down the hill on the road, looking for some shelter. We found a large bush, and stood on the lea side of it out of the rain and wind, watching the activity in the cow herd opposite us.Helen, our cavalry, arrived at last, bringing warmth, tea and food! We saw a cow appear suddenly, near the car, but we could not see how she escaped from behind the wire fence, but there she was, walking down the road! As we sat there, warm and content, and dry, we discussed whether we should give up on the walk, or continue.

It became obvious, after a while, that this bad weather, at the top here, was set in for the afternoon, and the remaining 4 miles of the walk would have continued along the exposed ridge for a couple of miles, before gradually descending downhill towards Alfriston. We decided to abandon the walk for today, having only done 3.5 miles of 8. That makes 52.5 in all so far. 47.5 to go! Some sunshine should do it!

We will see what tomorrow brings, and try to catch up on one of the other cancelled walks.





Photos of Walk from Newmarket Inn to Rodmell:

Me, Dolly and Liz in Abergavenny Arms
after walking -  tasty lunch and lager shandies!

Dolly and me - good photographer Liz!

Harmless, just keeping their spot dry!(It actually started
spitting with rain shortly after this photo!)

Happy Walkers, Dolly and Liz!

Amazing view all the way to Firle Beacon

Liz and me above Newmarket Inn

Thurs 17th May 2012:  Dolly and Liz followed me to Rodmell Village, and we got permission from Abergavenny Arms to leave my car in their car park, as we would have lunch on our return! Liz then took us in her car to Newmarket Inn, where we got similar permission, and we would have a drink on our return! Difficult to park in either place otherwise.

After Dolly's fresh coffee and Liz's chocolate cake, we started upwards on our climb away from the A27. It was a very long climb, but not too steep and we got to the level at the top in an hour, The views were spectacular. We stopped for some water and a snack, then continued, up a small hill, down another, then level again, all the while with panoramic scenery. We reached the long concrete track through some fields, as I remember last year, the fields were covered in bright yellow rape seed crops, but this year it was a cereal crop. I also remember that the upward climb the other way last year seemed to go on forever, and was very tiring! Of course, this time it was downhill, and took a long time to get to the bottom of it! We could see the gap in the Downs for Newhaven, and the sea, as well as, panoramically, a clear sight of Lewes, the white cliffs behind, and the green and yellow coloured fields stretched out below us in the Weald. In the distance we could see the North Downs. Sussex is quite beautiful.

We headed for the gate to the next field, but had to stop to put on windproof jackets, as it became cooler in the breeze. The field had a large herd of cows and calves, which after yesterday's incident began to worry me slightly. However, we saw some walkers coming towards us past the cows, and the animals seemed calm, and not jittery like yesterday's herd! So we ventured forth, and made our way slowly, ensuring my flash was off before taking a few photos! Some calves were feeding, some mothers grazing, some laying down, so we felt more secure.

As we reached the top of the field, I recognised the next track as being very near the lane that leads to Rodmell - surely not there already? We had been walking for just over 2 hours by this time. Our pace had been fairly reasonable, because none of the hills were too steep. We got to the Abergavenny by 12.45, about 2hours 30 mins since we started from Newmarket Inn! 7 miles walked! To celebrate, we had lunch and a shandy, then set off back to Liz's car off the A27, where we went into Newmarket Inn and had our promised drink - cups of coffee this time! It was a lovely walk, and great company, but seemed to end too quickly - time passes when you are enjoying it. This was one of my favourite walks last year too. So, now it is 49 miles done, 51 to go!

Tomorrow, Helen will drive her grand-daughter Natalie, with Jeff, and I will take Jane in my car, to walk from Rodmell to Alfriston - 8 miles.



Photos of Walk from Upper Beeding to Pyecombe:

Jackie and me at The Plough at journey's end

Beautiful views of patchwork fields

They went so high!

Colourful paraglider at Devil's Dyke

A perspective on how far we had walked from beyond top of hill,
 being followed, and where the herd turned for home

Some of the cows on our track - the black one in front without her calf!

Jackie at top of Truleigh Hill

Wed 16th May 2012: After being rained off again yesterday, this promised to be a fine day! Sunny, blue sky and with a slight breeze - perfect!

I met Jackie, as planned, by The Plough Inn at Pyecombe at 9.30am. I left my car, whilst Jackie drove us to Upper Beeding, to start our walk at around 10am. It was a fairly gentle, but continuous uphill walk, for about an hour. We stopped for some water half way up and to admire the scenery behind us, looking back up across the hills above the River Adur, where Pippa and I had walked down on Sunday. When we got to the top, by the the masts on Truleigh Hill, what an amazing sight - the blue sea over one side of the hill, and the whole Sussex Weald stretched below on the other side, with a view as far as the North Downs. The fields of bright yellow rapeseed contrasted with the bright fresh green, of crops and trees making a beautiful patchwork. We had some lunch, then moved downwards towards another gate, where the next track went uphill again.

However, even from the distance, we could see a very large herd of cows and their calves standing, running, or walking, all over our intended SDW track as well as the lush field running alongside it! We stood by the gate, wondering whether to open it. We were both somewhat nervous because of the protective nature of cows to their calves, and knowing that in this maternal state, cows can be very unpredictable. As we were debating what to do - should we climb a gate into the next field (obviously not a public route) and follow the track from the safe side of the fence, or brave it,  we spotted a tractor, driving fairly fast down the track towards us, scattering running cows and calves to either side of it! What a lovely sight - it made us laugh and took some fear away. We thought he had come to rescue us, and thought also that he might give us a life back up the hill past this huge herd that had no obvious way through it. Wrong! Tractor man was driving to another field, and said this herd had nothing to do with him, but assured us that we would come to no harm, because we had no dog with us, and we had a walking stick. Reassured very slightly, we opened the gate, let tractor and man out, and tentatively walked into the field. We were looking all around us for any slight sudden movement of the cows, but most seemed to be chewing the cud, or the calves trying to nuzzle their mothers. We got a few stares, but tried to act calmly and kept walking - the man had said 'you've got your walking stick to use if you need it'! When half way up this hill, we had noticed that a cow and calf had stayed ahead of us, and the rest of the herd were behind us - surrounded! One of the cows, apparently without her calf, started bellowing very loudly! We were a little alarmed, but we decided she was looking for her calf. We carried on, aware of the continued bellowing and that the herd were still following us, at a distance now, but we were gaining on the cow and calf ahead of us. Just over the brow of the hill, as we started to go downhill, the bellowing cow started to run towards us - I have never seen a cow run so fast! I jumped up on the verge of the track, urging Jackie to watch out, but the cow ran right on past us - phew! She was bellowing and running all the way until she caught up with the cow and calf ahead of us, but then they were out of sight in the undulations of the hill. We wondered whether the calf had followed the wrong mother! We watched as gradually all the cows and calves walked down the hill, round a bend and through an open gate, continuing downwards, presumably to their farm for lunch!

We could now concentrate on the next hill in safety, and enjoy the sight of paragliders above us by Devil's Dyke - a favourite place for them with the breezes and thermal currents. We sat and enjoyed the spectacle for a while, and took a few photos, before moving on, past the Inn - we decided we would walk down the hill to have tea at Saddlescomb Farm. Unluckily, we found that the cafe is closed on Wednesdays! Ah, no cup of tea! After climbing up again to the brow of the next hill, we could see that we were near the end of our day's walk, with the A23 running below us and the Plough Inn now visible alongside the road. 6 more miles achieved, a cool drink, a drive along some beautiful scenery to Upper Beeding to get Jackie's car, and looking above us at the top of the Downs, marvelling where we had walked the distance!
Tomorrow I meet Dolly and Liz, leaving one car at Rodmell, drive to and start the walk from Newmarket Inn on the A27 back to Rodmell - about 7 miles.


Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Harting Downs photos:

Celebrating in S.Harting





Martin incognito in Harting Downs!




Yes Liz, we have arrived!

Harting Downs at last!

Yup, here we are! 

Walking down a rain-soaked but beautiful tree lined road of Copper Beeches

Liz and Martin enjoying a break

A brief stop with a view in the rain!

Martin and Liz in QECP

Worth the climb for this view

Martin getting down to my size - to see the signpost!

Monday 14th May 2012:  Beautiful sunny day and blue sky at 7 am, and I left home at 8 am feeling hopeful of a good day.  By the time I got to Harting Downs it was overcast and cool. The weather forecast said rain was expected to sweep south later in the day - it looked as though it could be sooner than that! Martin and Liz arrived just after 10 am, and, leaving my car there, we made our way to Queen Elizabeth Country Park to start our walk back to Harting Downs.

Not easy to find the correct footpath from the car park for the South Downs Way, but eventually we found it, and made our way upwards, and upwards, and upwards! It also started to drizzle shortly after 11 am - much earlier than the forecast as we thought.

On our way up through the wooded Park, we came across an interesting spectacle. There was a film crew and presenters/actors demonstrating an ancient war machine - a trebuchet, but we had missed the re-enactment of firing it - with huge watermelons, a huge stock of which were piled up at the side of the footpath, along with other mediaval war equipment, shields, helmets etc. We joked with two guys who seemed desperate for a lunch break, as they had been there since early morning!

 In good spirits, we carried on climbing up out of Queen Elizabeth Country Park, until we reached the top end near Buriton. This was not the end of climbing though, as it continued for some time, with only an occasional flat path, or downhill path, before climbing again. I had to stop quite a few times, to catch my breath, stretch my aching legs, have a drink or snack, or adjust clothing for the rain as it got heavier! Liz and Martin kept to my pace, or waited for me.

There were some lovely views that we could see through the gaps in the trees, and where benches were strategically placed - we had lunch sitting on one of them, and took a couple of photos. When we had been walking for a couple of hours, we reached a wide bend at a road junction, but it was not obvious which way to turn - we could not see the next signpost for the SDW. The map looked as though it was a left and then right turn for the footpath. As we were looking around for clues, a local man, in his car, pulled up and asked us if we were looking for the South Downs Way - he was obviously used to people getting a bit lost at this junction!  I wonder why the NT do not renew the signposts if they fall down, or become so old they are not clear?

This helpful man explained that we should go across the road, and sharply up to the left through the woods, and to go uphill for as far as you could see, before eventually reaching a road. Across that road was the South Downs Way (I thought we were on it already!) and we would find a big Car Park (hooray, it must be Harting Downs, where we had left my car!) Had we really walked almost 6 miles, most of it uphill? It passed fairly quickly, and we had done it in under three hours - not bad for uphill walking in the rain. Martin and Liz were good company and I am grateful they came up from Dorset to join me, spending a rare day off from work walking in the rain! A big thank you, for that effort and for bringing sponsorship with them.  6 miles today, making 36, so only 64 to go!

Tomorrow looks like rain all day, except for about one hour in the afternoon - have called it off unless things change in the morning. Will be too slippery on the chalky Sussex Downs. Wednesday looks brighter.


Washington to Upper Beeding photos:

Pippa and me, top of Downs and Sea behind us

Sheep looking at us from centre of Cissingbury Ring

Enjoying cool drink at Bramber Castle Hotel at the End!

Cissingbury Ring

Me and Pippa - Bridge over River Adur

Sunday 13th May 2012: Sun is shining, it is warm, and I cannot wait to get going!
Met Pippa as planned by the River Adur, just south of Upper Beeding, where we left one car, and drove to Washington to start the day's walk. Quite a long uphill track at the beginning, but once at the top, it was an amazing view! We could see the sea to the south, and the valleys all around, as well as the South Downs in front and behind us. We had to dodge a few cyclists along the route - why is it that cyclists do not have a bicycle bell to warn you anymore? They sometimes shouted a warning, but coming from behind us, it was not easy to be aware they were coming, unless we walked backwards! It did not seem long before we came across Cissingbury Ring. Some sheep had taken up residence in the middle, chewing on the new lush grass between the trees, and just stared at us as we walked past - a photo opportunity if there ever was one! We had a drink of water and took a couple of photos before moving on, downhill this time - what a relief. It was such a pleasure to be on the top of the South Downs, in lovely weather, as it was last year. We sat a while a bit further on, and enjoyed a snack whilst taking in all the beauty around us.

On our way to the the last downhill before the end stretch of our days journey, two horses galloped past us, one on either side. Little did we know that a bit further on, these horses would take fright, rear up, unseat their riders and bolt away! We saw this happen about 100 metres ahead of us, when I said to Pippa that the horses that passed us seemed to be spooked for some reason. Then we saw one rider fall off and the other rider stayed on for a little while, with the horse bolting under her, then she came off also. We watched, too far away to help, and willed the rider on the ground to get up. One rider seemed ok and was tending to her friend on the ground. Then we saw the rider on the ground get up, and walk with difficulty. She seemed to be holding her body with one arm and limping. We almost reached them after about 5 minutes, but they were by then walking ahead again looking for their horses. We caught up with the injured lady near a gate to another field and asked if she was ok. She said that one of the horses had trampled her on her ribs when it was spooked and bolted. They were frightened of the pigs in the next field that they were passing at the time - apparently horses do not like pigs, or the smell of them.  I offered her some ibuprofen and water, which she gladly took. The good outcome was, that just as this lady was calling the police to tell them there had been an accident and two horses had bolted, a Range Rover turned up at the gate to say they had found two horses and stabled them at their yard, and had come looking for the riders. The police were cancelled, but I suggested that the injured lady should phone an ambulance, as by then she was quite breathless and had difficulty breathing deeply, and was in obvious pain, with possibly broken ribs, or worse.

We reached the River Adur, and my car parked nearby, without further incident! We drove to Bramber for a cool drink in the Bramber Castle Hotel, before driving back to Washington for Pippa's car. Altogether a lovely day and an enjoyable and interesting walk. It certainly helped me get 'back into the saddle' if you will excuse the pun under the circumstances! 7 miles today - 30 achieved since Winchester

Tomorrow, I am catching up on one of the walks that was cancelled - meeting Martin and Liz at Harting Downs, to drive one car to Queen Elizabeth Country Park to start the walk back to Harting Downs (6 miles). Rain is forecast for the afternoon, so we had better walk fast in the morning to get finished by lunchtime!


Written up Wednesday 9th May 2012:
Photos from Sunday and Monday:  Last one is first which is where this new blogger page put them!

The end - just how I feel too after a wet, muddy long day!

Going down the last bit - Philip ahead with QECP visible,
 just across the A3

Almost at top of Butser Hill - strenuous but nearly there..

Me, muddy but still going, up last and highest Butser Hill!

A more pleasant sight in the incessant rain!

One of the hilly boggy tracks with Philip ahead of me!

End of day at The Shoe Inn Exton

Exton is down there at last!

A welcome break at The Millbury

Barbara Philip Me and Mick
at the start

7th May 2012:  Exton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park 11 miles done - 77 to go! It started off well from Exton, walking with Philip, whilst the other walkers started from QECP to meet us half way hopefully, when we would walk together back to their car at QECP. Then the rain started, drizzly at first, so, manageable. By the time we were in the open going up a steepish hill, the wind got up and the heavier rain was incessant and being blown horizontally into our faces! No turning back though because we had come too far. Everything was dripping, even trying to take a photo was not easy, but I managed a few, some of which I will try and upload onto this new Google Blogger!  The hilly tracks (going up or down) became seas of mud, made worse by horses and cyclists. It became very difficult to get a foothold, especially uphill! Some areas there was no choice but to walk in the deep muddy holes and risk slipping over. More than one cyclist fell into the quagmire! Philip slipped over once, but although I did slip and slide, I managed to not fall!

We eventually reached a safe haven at the Meon Springs Fisheries, where I had a hot drink(pay in the honesty box),  had our snacks, and attempted to dry off a bit. We had no contact with the other walkers - no signal in the valley. I had to walk part way in the rain up a hill to text them to say where we were. They had lost the SDW and were in East Meon village! Oh, this day cannot end quickly enough! We waited a while, but realised we had better move on as we were wet and chilled, so again walked up the hill a little way for a signal, to text and say we were leaving Meon Springs and they should turn back to QECP. After another uphill walk, but on a dry road, there was a sign saying 4 and 1/2 miles to Butser Hill, so that sounded good.

On route, another cafe appeared, luckily, as we reached a road and the sun came out - wonderful warmth as we sat outside. Before long we were climbing Butser Hill - the highest point of the Downs, and joy of joys, we were going down the other side to reach Queen Elizabeth Country Park, our destination! The rain held off, and the sun shone as we approached the Visitors' Centre and Cafe. We sat a while, enjoying a cool drink and the rest, until the other walkers eventually joined us, having not managed to meet up along the way!

 Chris dropped Philip off at Petersfield station to return to London, and then drove the rest of us back to Exton to collect my car. However, I was feeling a bit car sick, so I asked to sit in the front. Unfortunately, it made no difference, for by the time we reached Exton I had extreme motion sickness and vertigo, and could not stop vomiting! We went to the Shoe Inn so that they could have a drink, whilst I disappeared to the Ladies. It became obvious that I could not drive my car back to the hotel, so they rang Mick, who called our friends, Rod and Elaine, who live on Hayling Island. They kindly relieved Jean and Chris at about 11pm so that they could drive home after our long day, and took me to Hayling Island for the night! This is not the whole story, but enough said here! The next day's arrangements were cancelled, and when I felt ok that afternoon, I managed to drive home, still very tired but ok. However, I decided the weather forecast for this week was so bad that I contacted everyone on the schedule for the next few days, and cancelled up to Saturday 12th. Only 23 miles completed but 31 and 1/2 deferred - a lot of catching up to do!

Hopefully the weather, and me, will be fine and I can start walking again on Sunday 13th, from Washington to Upper Beeding - 7 miles. Meeting in Upper Beeding at 9.30 am.

6th May 2012:  Winchester to Exton 12 miles done - 88 to go! Not a bad day really, and it did not pour with rain as the forecast said it would - only occasional drizzle. I got so hot at times with the effort of walking up the hills that I kept peeling off the layers of waterproof clothing, then getting cool and putting them back on again! It was a beautiful walk - the fields were full of blossoming yellow rape seed, and in the woodlands were some bluebells - not all open yet though. I remembered some of the 'downhills' today as being very painful 'uphills' when walking the other way last year on my final day! I am so glad I started in Winchester this time, as it was more enjoyable. We had a welcome and lunch in The Millbury and a lovely cool drink. What a great watering place! We walked for about another hour and a half before getting to The Shoe Inn in Exton, where we had another required cool drink, before ferrying Barbara and Mick back to their car in Winchester, then returning to our B & B near Liss. Bliss!

I have left my camera in the car, and it is now late, and I need to sleep. So no photographs until my next blog! We are walking from Exton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park tomorrow - 11 miles.

If you have not got my fundraising page address and wish to see it/and/or donate, please go to: www.justgiving.co.uk/elsena-marsden0. Thanks.


5th May 2012:  It's starting tomorrow! Leaving early to get to Winchester by 10am. On route I am meeting my sister-in-law Barbara and her husband Mick in Exton at 9.30am, leaving one car outside the Ship Inn, drive the other one to meet my son Philip in Winchester, where he is arriving by train at about 9.45 am. Then we walk 12 miles back to Exton, hopefully stopping at a country pub for lunch half way!

3rd May 2012:  I joined my neighbours, Sandra and Ken, on a wet and muddy 5 mile walk, with a walking group, around Wych Cross and Forest Row, from around a golf course, through woods, up hill and down dale! What good practice at last, and my boots are still comfortable and steadfast. That was a satisfying morning, particularly because I found out what I can do.

2nd May 2012:  I excelled my energy by playing three sets of tennis this morning. I had to stretch a bit to loosen the muscles, but all went well. Afterwards we enjoyed the club lunch, and I was able to tell everyone about my pending walk for GRACE, thanking everyone for their support last year when I managed to raise £3,400 in total and for which I was nominated, and then selected, to carry the Olympic Torch, in Crowborough, on 17th July! The Sponsor form for my 100 mile walk for GRACE was willingly and quickly filled in with everyone's best wishes, so I feel blessed that I have met such kind and good people.

1st May 2012:  Quite concerned now! Apart from the rain and wind, I still have a few days on my walking schedule with no backup!  I have some offers coming in, but not all confirmed. Also, I have not walked enough with the constant rain over the past couple of weeks. I am trying to be hopeful and I am very grateful to those who have already committed to supporting this mammoth effort again. A Big Thanks!

24th April 2012:  Instead of the planned 6 mile walk which was cancelled, I climbed up Truleigh Hill from Henfield. It was very hard but, with stopping several times, I managed it! Then last Sunday, 22nd, I managed a few miles walking around London, following my son who ran the London Marathon!  The planning is going fairly well now, and I should have all walkers in place by 6th May, hopefully!

13th April 2012:  I have been selected to Carry the Olympic Torch in Crowborough on 17th July! I will be notified of the exact place and time about three weeks beforehand. What an honour - very exciting!
I have decided to do some long walks in training for my 100 miles. Yesterday, I walked with my midwife friends in Selsey, about three miles, although it felt much longer! Tomorrow, I hope to do about 6 miles, on a planned group walk. Striding out is a lot harder than playing tennis, which I still manage about twice a week.


2nd April 2012:  I am way behind in setting up this walk and the websites! I blame the virus that laid me low for three months whilst still suffering chemotherapy side effects!

Having recovered once more under the excellent care of my consultants and staff at St. Luke's Cancer Centre in Guildford, I am planning to walk 100 miles for GRACE (Gynae-oncology Research and Clinical Excellence), but this time, I will be walking from Winchester to Eastbourne.

I have also decided to do this over two weeks rather than 10 days, as this not only gives me a day off in each week to mend my sore feet and aching legs, but I plan to do less mileage over a couple of the most difficult and longer stages. I really hope that all my walking companions last year will come again, and enjoy it even more, as some of the walks will end at a pub lunch, instead of having to struggle to our feet to continue in the afternoon!

Hopefully, we will start on weekend 5th/6th May and be in Eastbourne on weekend 19th/20th May. Watch this space for more information. 

Sheep watching us from middle of Cissingbury Ring