The rain comes

Sam did 17 miles today and I had my rest day, bringing the total mileage to a momentous 108 miles so we are completely back on track with the extra miles done today. I have to say after yesterdays walk I feel completely exhausted and I hope that I have more energy tomorrow.

I spend the morning collecting in Wexford town centre, but could only get a good hour in before the rain came. I had an interview scheduled at South Coast radio at lunch time which will be broadcast tomorrow. The rain meant I couldn't really do any collecting as there were very few people around and so it wasn't worthwhile persevering.

Sam walked from Wexford to Wellingtonbridge in the pouring rain and got totally drenched but fortunately he's feeling back to his best. Staying tonight at Marsh Mere Lodge in Arthurstown, had a very nice seafood meal in "The Hollow" and an early night is planned.

On schedule now and moving onto Waterford county tomorrow, it's positive when you see the map and see how far we've walked already.

Jane

21 miles and nearing our first 100!

Sam had his rest day and now does feel better. I walked a total of 21 miles -I am so pleased with myself. The walking was really enjoyable in Wexford town and all (and I mean all) the surrounding areas. It does help when you have interesting things to look at. The countryside suddenly appears as you leave the town. I walked along the banks of the River Slaney and crossed over the other side. A few pics capturing the scenes, the first one rather unexpected, I bet you never knew Wexford was so exotic!!

Met some really nice people en route, some offering a donation. Kept going really all day. I hadn't realised I was so tired until I starting talking (or trying to) to a lady who started up a conversation on my way back to the hotel. My voice sounded really weird, all jittery as if there was no energy to produce the sounds. She must have thought what a weirdo, had the attractive walking hat on(in normal circumstances wouldn't be seen dead in), sunglasses, several layers of suncream and luminous covering on my rucksack.

After a shower and bath went to the hotel bar for early diner. I was starving but could only manage a tiny amount, body has done enough today - bodes well for the weight loss. Spent evening emailing and preparing for tomorrow. An early night calls. Feel tired but very pleased with myself. Feet rather blistered and there is Compeed covering large areas but all else seems ok, at this stage.

We have now covered 91 miles in 5 days. Sam will walk the 100th tomorrow on his way out of Wexford to Wellington Bridge. He is going to walk an extra 4 miles since we are 4 miles behind schedule.
Jane

Wexford

A few pics from our hotel window stunning view - I will return to Whites one day

Bit overwhelmed

Monday 4th July -Jane 10 Sam 15 Total 25
Not  the best day yesterday. One of those days I wondered whether we had taken on a bit too much. Started reasonably well, Sam drove me north of Arklow where we had finished the day before and I walked in quite fast. Had  a radio interview en route with South Coast radio - tried to find a quite spot since by the time they called me back I was in Arklow. I found a very nice little spot by a brook, forgot about the wretched mossies and now consequently have a load more bites!! After the interview on the way to the hotel tooted by a someone who had heard me on the radio and they wished me luck. I think I will definitely push the local stations. Met up with Jean, Amy and Pat and we set off for the town centre to do some collecting. Was rather slow and quite but met some nice people, a few of whom had heard the radio interview so that was nice.

How can Amy make this outfit look stylish?

In the afternoon got call from Sam who was walking south of Arklow that he had got lost, the maps are not good and sat nav doesn't always pick up the small roads. He was feeling decidedly unwell too. He hadn't yet reached his destination but with all the back doubling he had done reckoned he had done his quota of mileage. Decided to drive straight to Wexford where we booked into the beautiful Whites hotel -thank you Mr McCann of Maldron Hotels for being so generous. It really is a wonderful place with fabulous views from the window. Journey interrupted by sick stops for poor Sam. As soon as we got to the room he fell asleep for a few hours. I spent this time counting the money  -took me hours which is a good sign.

Sam asleep with a great view of Wexford

Had lots of emailing to catch up with but felt so much to do. Getting publicity is hard and time consuming. Felt a bit overwhelmed with everything. Sam has obviously got the most awful hayfever, combined with some virus and the effects of the heat(never thought I would be saying that!). In the evening I walked around the town and so boosted my mileage.

Sam woke up feeling better but I have suggested he rest today. We have made the decision instead of driving all the way back to our last destination and then him having to collect me, I will set off from the hotel and do a circular walk around Wexford. The mileage will be the same but the route slightly changed better that than him not resting.

Early Tuesday morning now and feeling bit more positive. Not sure I will make the full 25 miles but I will do my best,
Jane

Unexpected nuisances

Miles -9 each so total 18 today
Many years ago I was a Girl Guide -for a short period only. I joined because I rather liked the blue uniform. Realising the outdoors was not for me I didn't stay long! If I only knew all these years later I would be marching up hills with my rucksack - but it hopefully taught me to be prepared. I thought I was. All those problems walking and Ireland would throw at me -
rain- water proof jacket and trousers tick
athletes foot - enough foot spray and powder that I could pack tick
cold -sweatshirts, fleeces and camping stove (could provide warm drinks and soup) tick
trench foot (yes I am prepared!!)-  waterproof and breathable socks and shoes tick
However today a few things I had not thought about -insect repellant (both Sam and me got attacked by several swarms of insects), tarmac remover (it was warm enough for parts of the road to melt and I stepped in melting tarmac twice -my poor expensive trainers), rehydration sachets (it was so hot I was craving salt - a packet of peanuts did the trick!).
We walked about 9 miles each today. Sam walked from the point we finished yesterday to Blainroe where I left the car. He then picked me up on the coast road north of Arklow. We had a 20 minute rest on a very picturesque beach, shame it was full of rubbish and difficult to get to through a mini swamp! Now lying down in  a room in The Arklow Bay Hotel (thanks for the complimentary night) watching the mens's Wimbledon final. Sam has been fast asleep for about two hours!! It was he who also fell asleep in the car on the way home yesterday - these youngsters have no stamina!!!
Will upload all our photos and add some to the blog but Djokovic calls!
Jane

 Some typical views en route of the beautiful countryside

Sunburn again!

Total miles: Sam and Jane : 18

Feel very happy the second day was successful and far less stressful than yesterday.

After breakfast Eugene kindly drove us to Bray where we finished the walk yesterday. Spent a few hours collecting -thank you Bray community. Met some really nice people and had enough Irish luck wished on me that will mean the trip will be great!!

Met up with John, who we emt through getting on Steve Allen's  early morning show on LBC radio. John and Eileen listen in Letterkenny via the internet and heard our story and asked if they could help. What lovely, kind people. John spent the whole day collecting and the he and Eileen drove all the way to find where we had walked and met us with the collecting buckets. We really look forward to meeting up again in Donegal.

After a snack of fruit Sam and I headed south and left Bray. First mile or so was all uphill and I did start to worry. My backpack is quite heavy and haven't been training with one. My lovely son did take a few heavy bits out of mine and carried them for me - it was either that or me moaning! Walked to Greystones, a really pleasant community. Found a little path that took us down to the railway line that runs by the coast. There is a "path" that you can walk down, right by the sea. Really lovely if a little uneven. After a few miles left coast path and walked through Kilcoole and then Newcastle. Eugene collected us after successfully walking planned route in good time. Did not really have any stops except to but a very nice fresh bagel in Kilcoole. Were entertained by a stream of vintage cars hooting at us at one point.

Eugene had prepared some more wonderful food despite he and Anne going out. Sam and I have the baby sitting job. However Laura and Eoin are really good sleepers so all quiet at moment - I do keep listening at their doors just to make sure! Sam planning to go to local to watch Haye fight later. I'm feeling tired but not exhausted but will be ready for my bed!

Very exciting what the next days, weeks and months will bring. Nice to know have two days under our belt now. Been blessed with weather so far. In fact some parts of the day were hot. Sam got a bit of sunburn -again! Sam doing a video diary and you can look at it on you tube. Will do one daily.

Bed here I come -when Sam comes home from fight -lets hope it's an early knockout,
Jane

Survived first day -just!

Miles today: Sam and Jane 9

The day arrived! Breakfast enjoying Peppa Pig.
Went to LauraLynn House in the morning (after loosing car key -found later!)and had a tour of the facilities -wonderful. Attention to detail is brilliant and was really impressed. It is truly a special place. Few hiccups with permits but some problems resolved. Met up with Philomena Dunn CEO and met a few of the staff. We were then waved off by some of the kids at the neighbouring Sunshine Home which was really special.

Walked from Foxrock to Bray -about 9 miles. En route realised I had now lost my phone. I needed to let Claire know when and where to collect us from Bray. Managed to get message communicated to her via Paul at home.

Bray must have the poshest Golden Arches in the world!!

Phone later also found - I must be getting old I will tie them around my neck in future.
When we arrived in Bray we collected on the Main Street for about two hours and got a positive response after a slow start.
Claire collected us and all went smoothly after all. All family came over in the evening - Claire and little Tom, Aunt Kathleen and Paul, Ciara and little Miabh. Lovely to see such lovely kids. Kathleen is very lucky to have such lovely grand children. We spent the evening in the garden enjoying the evening sun.
Eugene cooked another superb meal... and so to bed.
Would you have thought it possible on our first day of the walk Sam and I both got sun burn  --yes sun burn ( and I was wearing SPF 50!!!!). Long may the sun shine.

The day has arrived

After many months of preparations the day has arrived.
We stayed at Eugene and Ann's in Dundrum in their wonderful family home. We met the delightful little Laura age 3 and Eion age 18 months for the first time. They produced a great meal to get us on our way today. Thank you to you all for making us feel so welcome and at home.
I hope the next two months makes lots of money and many happy memories. I hope all my anxieties melt away so that I can savour every moment of this adventure.
We managed to get the skype working and in the background in our study at home I spied one of the boxes that should have been in the car - with all our leaflets and fundraising bits from Little Havens -oh well.
To the next two months....
Jane