After pub

Hi all, well what a weekend, fantastic achievement for a wonderful cause, Sheila has been with us every step of the way and would have been so proud. It was wonderful to meet some of our friends along the causeway. Couldnt have done it without Team Cowen! Steve is already planning his next challenge, watch this space.....

In the Pub

Managed to walk to the pub when we got home. It was brilliant having family and friends waiting for me to walk the causeway.  Just like to thank everyone for their help and support, couldn't have done it without you all.

Lindisfarne Priory

At last, finished and have the team with me to celebrate.  Don't think it will sink in until the coming week.  Going to get a seat in the beer garden of The Ship to start celebrations and put my feet up.

Fenwick

Sitting on a bench looking down into Fenwick and across to the causeway.  Not long now and I will see you all for the last leg.

Team Cowen

We are leaving the cottage in the next 10 minutes. We have our t shirts on in support of the multiple sclerosis research and relief fund. Meet you at the causeway Steve, see you soon, keep going, you're doing great xxxx

Shiellow Woods

Got a glimpse of the causeway before entering the woods, not long now.  Cross country event on so there are horses and riders everywhere.

Swinhoe Farm

Mountains of grain in the open barns, smell is fantastic.

Team Cowen

Getting ready to go over to Holy Island to wait for Steve at the start of the causeway. He should be there by 2pm, what an achievement and for such a good cause.

Keep going Steve, you are doing great

Last breakfast

Hi all, just finishing breakfast and getting ready to go, last day today. Weather looks good.

Bamburgh

Met by my wonderful support team and took for a pint before doing the last leg of the day down to Waren Mill.  It was a wonderful night walking along the coast from the castle and down to Budle Bay.

Seahouses

Very busy here, quick stop. Grabbed my apple out of my pack and carried on.  I have a promise of a pint when I get to Bamburgh; just the one!!

Beadnell

Beach is packed, families, divers, kite surfers and a mad walker.  Heading for Seahouses and my last push to Bamburgh.

Low Newton

Beach very busy with families and why not on a day like this.  Sorely tempted to visit The Ship to sample the homegrown ales but its a bit too early in the day.

Embleton Beach

Just past Dunstanburgh Castle and now going along the beach and its absolutely gorgeous.  Dave, the waves are up to my knee; is that about 5ft to surfers.

Craster

Can't resist any longer, in the Shoreline cafe having a crab sandwich and a pot of tea.

Rumbling Kern

Sitting with a sandwich and cuppa in a little bay all to myself.  All I can hear is the sea and the sun is still shining.

This is better

Why would you want go abroad with beaches like this here.

Boulmer

Weather is perfect, sun getting blocked now and again and a little breeze blowing.  It's funny seeing people for change. Birdwatchers out in force here; they missed this one.  Farmer trying his hand at a little artwork.

Seaside at last

I've had my porridge and ready for day three. Get the chance to follow the wonderful Northumberland coastline today.

Support Team

Well feeling much better now, team have got me fed watered and beered.  However, not sure what we will do with my back from having a heavier pack than normal for the last 2 days.

Alnmouth

Here at last, need to take my feet off and get a new pair.  Have been promised fish & chips so, see you tomorrow.

Warkworth

What a fantastic county we live, feeling low but a sight like that always lifts you.  The castle, not my legs!

Felton...ish

Just passed through and having a coffee and snacks next to the river.  Smells nicer here, last two fields I came through they were muck spreading.

Elyhaugh near Felton

Top Walking Tip # 2
If you want the weather to change from Sunny to dull and cool.  Just try zipping the legs off your walking trousers and put some sun tan lotion on; it worked for me!!

Weldon Bridge

Slow going this morning legs heavy from yesterday.  Glorious sunshine now and wind not too bad.

Pauperhaugh

It's always lovely at this bridge, too early for a picnic today though.

Craghead

Just leaving the old railway line and heading across the fields. Suns out, but after yesterday not risking the sun cream yet.

Back on the trail

Weather a bit mixed this morning but at least its not raining.  Going to get a few supplies before setting off.  Not an easy start this morning quite a long climb out of Rothbury to get me warmed up.

Thank You

Just like to thank everyone who emailed, texted, posted the blog and most importantly donated today.  It all spurred me on and got me through the low points in the afternoon.  Thank you to all of you.

Rothbury

Well eventually got here at 6.30pm, bath running now.  First feet inspection looking favourable.  Going to check the menu while having a soak with a cup of tea; very rock n roll.

Coquet Cairn

I can see the back of Simonside from here so not too far go now.  Bit low so bringing out the secret weapon, teacake with peanut butter and jam. Instant hit.

Redpath Farm

Well into Harwood forest now, could see Simonside Hills in the distance before. For you wildlife enthusiasts, so far have seen 1 grey squirrel, several pheasants, 1 rabbit, an adder (big), 1 badger (dead) and finally at 2.15pm 2 human beings (first today).

Catcherside Farm

Very windy now but getting closer to the Gibbet Road.  Once I cross that I will feel more comfortable.

Kirkwhelpington

At last lunch stop.  My feet have been telling me its time for a stop.  Sun's out, nice bench next to the church so going to have a cuppa and some fruit cake.

Great Bavington

Across the moorland to Kirkwhelpington where I will stop for lunch.  All going well still dry.

Hallington

Top Walking Tip #1
If you want the weather to go dull, cold and windy.  Just liberally apply sun tan cream!

Great Whittington

Smell of Bacon butties in the village but nothing open, not even the pub. Suppose its early.

Halton Shields

This where I leave Hadrian's Wall and head North.  Next stop second breakfast. Just to the let the walkers I was with 2 weeks ago know, path very firm and dry, no mud wrestling yet.

Heavenfield.

Well here we go, it has soon come around. Just need to get a rubbing of the St. Oswalds Way badge to prove I was here before I set off.

Northumberlandia

Finally opened to the public so thought I would give my legs one last stretch in my lunch break.  Media have dubbed her the Fat Slag since the Angel of the North is Rusty Rita. Not sure I agree.

Holy Island Car Parks

For those of you who would like to walk the last part of the challenge (3 miles) across the causeway onto Holy Island and then onto the Priory there are two car parks to choose from.  There is a very small one at the start of the causeway where you can check the tide times (see Google Maps photo).  The other one is the main car park just as you reach the island side of the causeway not far from the Priory, the end of our challenge.

Week Ahead Forecast

Just looked at the Sunday papers, hope for once they've got the weather forecast right.  I've been soaked too many times this year.

Holy Island.

Thought we would check out what the causeway was like for walking.  Rain had been off and on all day but we also got thunder and lightning as we crossed the causeway.

Anyone wishing to join us on the last day of the challenge to cross the causeway please be aware that the road is barely wide enough for two-way traffic so a bit of hopping on off the road will be necessary. The sand is pretty firm in parts and makes for easy walking off the road in some places.  Crossing time for Sunday 9th September: 11.10am to 08.15pm.

So, the next time we take this photo we 'll have 97 miles under our belt.

Stanton Moor.

Training in the Peak District going well.   Have just visited the Nine Ladies (4000 year old Stone Circle to you and me) on top of Stanton Moor.  Beautiful scenery and weather is still blazing sunshine.  Staying in fantastic Holiday cottage near Winster called Blakelow Farm Cottages.

Training in the rain...

Good old English weather, started off fine but absolutely lashing down now.  It's not helping the already waterlogged marshy fell I'm trying to get across.  You can't book the weather!

Got the T-shirt..

T-shirts and sponsor forms arrived today, so now I've got the T-shirt I need to do the walk!

Also, Liam is now home from University for the Summer and can start his fitness regime for the walk.

MS Research & Relief Gala Dinner

We were very lucky to be invited to the MS Research & Relief Gala Dinner at Close House.  It was fantastic night and we got to meet people from the organisation and find out about the great work they are doing.

A good day to start.....

Well they say you should always begin something important on an auspicious day, May Day has been pretty significant through history so here we go.