Walk blog
Day 1 - Sunday 28th June
The launch of the Prayer 12 walk was great! The press showed up as did supporters from as far afield as Hampshire and Dorset, and everybody was dazzled by Emma Rigby who is so nice. Some of us got to be filmed walking with her, especially Steve Finney who later admitted he's probably a bit too old now.
Then she cut the purple ribbon and the purple shirted walkers were off, Steve Bell, Andy Whittingham and Steve Finney, guided through the city centre by some keen Interserve supporters. After a hot sunny walk Steve Bell caught the train back and Steve Finney and Andy were hosted by a lovely family from St Helens, the Dennos. First day, brilliant and we pray Day 2 will be as good; Warrington here we come.
Day 2 - Monday 29th June
After an excellent stay with a brilliant family it was time to venture out into the hot sun, the 13 miles from Huyton to Warrington. Navigation was a bit iffy today (sun in our eyes) and we had some confusing moments, but we didn't go far astray and reached Wycliffe URC more or less on time.
A reasonable and very varied group turned out to our prayer event and it seemend to go okay, but Andy will be asked for a 'no-holds-barred' critique tomorrow. Andy's blisters were prayed for tonight and he was treated to a foot spa, but tomorrow I'm going to try to persuade him to buy some good running shoes as we set off for Manchester. Overnight hosts Bill and Jane Burgess very kind.
Day 3 - Tuesday 30th June
We took Andy to a shoeshop for good running shoes and the only ones, a size too big, fitted perfectly. Starting late we mastered the Warrington escape route, endured a whole range of different weather, and progressed 14 miles. Realising we weren't going to get to Manchester on time and with Andy crippled with more blisters, we took a taxi, enjoyed a delicious meal with Malcolm and Beryl Cowen, set up in church and had a successful event. Approx 25 attended and 2 ladies asked to join the walk tomorrow. Then, at last, time for bed!
Day 4 - Wednesday 1st July
Much more prayer today as Home Partners Anne Cooper and Pat Bryant joined Steve Finney heading through South Manchester. Anne persevered for an impressive 2 miles before returning with driver Joe Whetham; amazing for an octogenarian. Pat Bryant walked whole way to Knutsford and her local knowledge saved us from navigational errors!
Altrincham Evangelical Church gave warm welcome although many were away on an outing. The small group were appreciative and took literature. Visitors there included Gordon and Evelyn who ran the Compassion cafe at New Wine.
Day 5 - Thursday 2nd July
What a day! Multimap sent me on a 1st exit instead of a 3rd exit costing me extra 2 miles on top of the 20 mile walk. Also much of the route unsuitable for pedestrians; narrow and busy so leaping on and off the verge if there was one. Then I walked from town centre to hosts' house, another mile.
Day off tomorrow is coming just in time, but I have been invited to an 0800 church service so can talk about Interserve and the walk even on day off!
Day 6 - Friday 3rd July
Day off
Day 7 - Saturday 4th July
The excellent support driver had brought brought chilled food and drink! The route courtesy of multimap had quirks (to avoid dodgy bits) that would have defeated me, but Liz the driver set off to investigate so that by the time I reached the key areas she had it all sussed.
Much of the walk again involved leaping onto the bank to avoid oncoming vehicles, so again I was relieved to be alone, but for the final 5 miles I had welcome company - the return of Andy, plus Jan Butterworth of Christ Church Stone. She led us into the town, almost 25 miles, I was assured, after I left Nantwich.
And it felt like it!
Day 8 - Sunday 5th July
We received a friendly welcome at Christ Church, Stone, which supports some Interserve Partners, and Steve was interviewed about Interserve and the reason for the walk. We met Catherine Murray and Dorothy Wilson, guest walkers, and 4 was a good number given the pavement which allowed side-by-side walking for a change.
The guests left at Stafford for a lift home whilst Andy and Steve met with hosts for a meal and then Rising Brook Baptist where our presence and situation was announced. A good day - 115 miles now covered but Steve has a blister on one toe and a cut on another. Andy is going home, so alone again tomorrow, but there will be a support driver, Janie Hugall.
Day 9 - Monday 6th July
Well, jubilations, YEEHAR! WOOHOO! Hoorah! etc etc! Break out the Tesco Value fizzy water and chop up the bite-size Toblerone!
Why? Because...............
This evening I have reached the HALF WAY point! 135 miles trudged and 135 to trudge!
Yes, this is exotic West Bromwich, home to West Bromwich Community Church headed up by the venerable (and hospitable) Iain Hesketh with superwife Rachel and puppy Rusty (Shiny until today's downpours...)(That's a joke...)
Lone Ranger again today, I was warned about the forecast and wore my trusty boots and my new shorts with the middle-aged waist measurement that fits me. Talk about monsoon...my boots filled with water but at least the kag was waterproof. Last night in Stafford our knowledgeable hosts discussed my route at length so it was with some foreknowledge that I negotiated the last 5 miles, PTL.
Pastor Iain would be outside the church in the car. So I shook hands with the man getting out of the car, who was puzzled because he was the wrong man!!
Tonight's service, it has been admitted, wil actually be next week but I'm going to a Ministers Prayer meeting tomorrow a.m.
Serious bit; West Brom really needs prayer with the schools filled with pupils who will be the 3rd generation unemployed; this place has an air of hopelessness that needs challenging with huge sustained prayer.
After the meeting, a mercifully short walk to B'hamn and hopefully a dry one.
Day 10 - Tuesday 7th July
This was to have been a 15 mile walk from Wolverhampton but circumstances dictated. An 8 miler fom West Bromwich, over the M5 and through Handsworth with its hugely Asian feel. I dodged the downpours in Birmingham and met up with my hosts from the City Church. There was a lightly attended but pleasant evening event at which I delivered the presentation in this, Rachel Smith's home church.
Day 11 - Wednesday 8th July
Another lone walk (but possibly for the last time) I set off from Birmingham New Street and headed down the A34 through Sparkbrook, Sparkhill and Shirley to the M42. Then on the A3400 to the B4430 Old Warwick Road. Due to stop at Hatton Locks (20 miles)but continued to Warwick (a futher 3)m. Excellent meal with the Warwick Interserve Prayer Support Group then a good event at Saltisford where ther were at least 30 people including Martin Lee of Global Connections and his housegroup. Phil and Flo James came from Cardiff as Flo is walking to Banbury. Not a good day blister-wise I'm afraid, but will bash on!
Day 12 - Thursday 9th July
What a day! Waving to hospitable hosts and delightful 2 year-old identical twins at Warwick, there was just the 20 mile stretch to Banbury to contend with. Hugh Bradby and Florence James were my fellow walkers and the weather was ideal. My feet were sore and aching before we started and that set the tone for a day in which Steve Finney had his come-uppance! They didn't hurry, but left me a struggling straggler, striving to stride but stripped of strength. Reaching Banbury at 4.45, my friends departed and I awaited the evening event at Grimsbury Baptist.
I was very encouraged by the good, keen attendance including folk from other churches, and the friendly welcome. The presentation went well, literature was taken and I received a generous cheque from the church plus some cash. This is a small church prevously unknown to me but I'll be back!
I'm now a guest in an 18thC cottage for a 2 night rest courtesy of Christopher and Lucia Turner. Please pray my feet make a good recovery today. I really can't see how I will make it to Oxford on Saturday.
Day 13 - Friday 10th July
Day off
Day 14 - Saturday 11th July
A wet morning dictated boots, shorts and kagoule as the Turners drove Steve into Banbury. There we quickly met Arthur Pont (driver), Tim and Monique Baynes-Clarke and Stuart Finney (brother) who already knew Arthur, Tim and Monique from times past. Four walkers set off (Christopher Turner, Tim, Stuart and Steve) as to our surprise the rain stopped, never to return till after the end of the walk. Arthur was a most attentive driver, spending time walking with us despite his bad ankle and appearing in a layby with coffee, biscuits and camping chairs! Plus, later, Magnums - yum!!
At the 10 mile point 3 of us lunched whilst Arthur took Chris home to his responsibilities at a fete. Next to leave was Stu (14 miles) then Tim (16 miles) - valiant efforts! After staggering on through Kidlington Steve was feeling very sore and als concerned he would miss the Smalls' supporters event, so he hopped on a bus at 18 miles. The bus driver thought he was a wimp but offered not to tell anyone!
The visit to the Smalls' event was achieved thanks to Tim Green, and unsurprisingly the Greens proved to be superb hosts.
Day 15 - Sunday 12th July
With a dry day forecast, 0930 approached and walker Dave Taylor and driver Peter Magner duly arrived outside in the pouring rain. After a short positioning run in the car to the start of a good walking route we set off, weaving round the large puddles and extolling the virtues of a fresh morning! Soon the sun emerged and the weather became ideal for the rest of the day.
The 2 walkers decided to get cracking and set an ambitious pace, meeting Peter for breaks and for a late but welcome pub lunch, the best hostelry having been painstakingly researched and selected by the aforementioned escort. We were almost disappointed when, after a stiff climb up the Chilterns through woodland, Stokenchurch appeared in the distance.
Our host Donald Sainsbury collected us and he and Megan made us welcome as we awaited the arrival of the Pastor and 20 of the congregation of The King's Church. They listened patiently to our presentation despite some delays caused by incompatibility of memory sick, CDRom and laptop. We were pleased to catch up with recently returned OT (and Partnership applicant) Shirley Weston.
With only 3 days left now Steve was beginning to realise that the end of the walk will leave rather a void in his life...
Day 16 - Monday 13th July
Donald kindly drove us back to Stokenchurch where we met Jyoti and also a local Christian, Sue Jarrett, who is Director of Wycliffe Associates and a former Bible translator in Niger. Sue walked with us 2 miles.
Dave, Jyoti, Phil and Steve strode to High Wycombe at a fast pace, where Steve had to buy a new day bag owing to the disintegration of the one borrowed from his wife Sue. En route we congratulated ourselves that, National Green Day having passed, we at least were still as green as the Centre Court on the day before Wimbledon. Jyoti treated us to our pub lunch (TY,J) and we were joined by Alastair.
The afternoon seemed futher than it should have done for Steve, who lags behind like an old convict's posterior and had to be waited for in Beaconsfield by Dave whilst Alastair, Jyoti and P stormed into the finish at Gerrards Cross (at a 5 star hotel wangled by Dave Taylor at Sally Army Hostel prices!). 19 miles.
We then met our new walker, Roy Wilson of Nottingham. Leaving Dave Taylor and PJ to their sumptuous surroundings, pink gins and chambermaids etc, Steve and Roy were chauffeured to Uxbridge by host Dave Race (friend of Joe & Denny) and treated to a tasty meal by Jenny Race.
One more day of slog, now, and then......half a day of slog! Yippee!
Day 17 - Tuesday 14th July
Dave and Phil awoke to corporate luxury and no doubt took a few lengths of the pool before breakfast! Steve and Roy awoke to a homely situation with Jenny Race coping with umpteen kids and budgies and husband already departed for work. She took us to join the privileged pair. Also present was James, a Christian solicitor who prayed at the start, and another Phil who is a friend of Dave Taylor's from Northwood. Soon we were striding along the A4 again.
A mix-up with luggage transport was resolved when Steve's daughter, Laura, called to say she would be joining the walk; as well as that she collected and delivered the bags. She brought Jack and his pushchair, enabling Phil to practice for his imminent grandfatherhood.
Southall was a fascinating section of the walk, not unlike Handswoth a week earlier, with spicy smells and beautiful saris, etc. It did seem a long way and towards the end the remaining walkers, Phil, Roy and Steve, were feeling their feet and legs. Phil asked directions from a man who turned out to be blind drunk and apparently only able to communicate by bellowing in rage.
Our team eascaped by running twice round a bus shelter, by which time our new friend was dazed and confused. Also dazed and confused was Steve, who nevertheless managed to navigate to our accommodation and hostess MaryJean Bartlett. After a lovely meal a good group of Interserve supporters arrived and depite the usual Interserve IT problems appeared to enjoy the presentation. Finally, with rain gently falliing outside, time was called on the penultimate day of the Prayer 12 Walk.
Day 18 - Wednesday 15th July
Still reading? You're amazing!
Well, Phil James, Roy Wilson and Steve F all had a good night's sleep at MaryJean Bartlett's in Ealing. Moreover we chilled all morning in her comfy lounge, joined by Andy Whittingham (he said he'd be back!)
The walk was 8 miles with a lunch at a Morrisons cafe, and all went well until Lancaster Gate where we planned a short cut to Hyde Park Corner across the park. It felt right to Steve but he was disoriented, and the sun had gone in so which way was south? Roy and Phil, on the other hand, could see we were hurrying in the opposite direction and this was confirmed by a passer-by (Steve has a sense of humour failure at this point).
Too late, now, to go to No 1 Pall Mall, we rushed instead down Park Lane and along Piccadilly, Steve almost running to get to Barclays Bank on time; we made it, just. The function was excellent. There were 25 or so guests some of whom had travelled a considerable distance. It was an immaculate venue, with generous refreshments, and very good speeches by Andy Reed and Gary Streeter, Tim Baynes-Clarke and Dave Taylor. Nishi took lots of pics. Afterwards a small group hurried in the rain to No 1 Pall Mall (Kinnaird House) for more photos. And then, that really was..THE END