Day 4 Thursday September 2nd

Left Eastbourne at 8.10 a.m. and reached the top of Beachy Head one hour later. Walked through Beachy Head country park to Birling Gap, then over the Seven Sisters. When I got to Cuckmere Haven, forded the river (12.10) and continued on to Newhaven. It was obvious by then that I had completely miscalculated the distances, so caught the bus to Brighton. Walked for 2 hours through Brighton and Hove and then got the bus to Worthing as it was obvious I wasn't going to get there any other way. Arrived at Worthing 6.15 p.m.

Walked 20.67 miles today.

Day 3 Wednesday September 1st

Left Rye at 8 a.m. after very nice breakfast. Took direct path to Winchelsea, rejoined the canal path, along to Cliff End and then up cliffs to Fairlight Cove, through Fairlight and into Fire Hills Nature Reserve, which extends all the way to Hastings and includes 3 glens, path very steep. Arrived in Hastings at 1.30 p.m. Walked along to Bexhill, between railway and the sea. Arrived Bexhill 3 p.m. and continued along the front, on to a road which is a cycle route, under the railway and then left the road and walked along the beach to Norman's Bay to find another coastal path. Arrived Pevensey Bay 5.45 p.m., had a meal and then walked to Eastbourne and arrived at B & B at 7.45 p.m. Total of 28.4 miles today.

Distance walked 28miles.

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Day2 Tuesday 31st August

Left at 8 a.m. after Alwyn jnr. cooked me an excellent fried breakfast. A most enjoyable day's walk starting at Seabrook, through Hythe and then along the Royal Military Canal all the way to Rye. Path hardly goes through a village. Beautiful countryside, but path not as easy as one might imagine as the grass was quite lumpy. Arrived in Rye 5.30 p.m.

Distance walked 22 miles

Day 1. Monday 30th August

Ralph and Terri picked us up and we left Christchurch at 8 a.m. Arrived in Dover 11.10 after coffee stop. After a quick look round Dover and lunch met up with David Stavely, an old school friend, at 1 p.m. on edge of Dover. Said farewells and David and I set off up very steep hill. Stopped for coffee at Capel-le-Ferne, saw the Battle of Britain Memorial and walked down into Folkestone. Would have missed the footpath down to Folkestone if David had not been with me, but he knew the way. Walked along the promenade as far as Seabrook, which is at the start of Royal Military Canal path. Finished at 5.45 p.m. Jenny's cousin Alwyn picked me up and took me to his son's for the night. Alwyn will pick me up tomorrow morning and take me back to Seabrook.

Distance walked 12miles

Saturday, August 28th.

Short walk this morning. Went around Stanpit Marsh and to Avon Beach and Steamer point and visited Howard Piper. Returned home by same route.
Distance walked about 6miles.

Almost ready for start on Monday. Today was the last walk before Monday's start.

Friday, August 27th

Today is penultimate practice walk.

Left home at 8.15am. Went to Stanpit Marsh, Avon beach, Clfifhanger cafe , Avon Beach.Arrived Avon Beach 10.15 Coffee at Avon Beach. Left at 10.25 for ferry a Mudefore Quay, arrived at Mudefor Spit at 10.45. Then to Hengisbury Head, sandunes and boardwalk to Southbourne., into Harbour road and then to Wick, Tuckton Bridge, Quomps and home. Then walked back into town to bank & building society and to do some shopping. Walked home.

Distance walked was 15.30 miles, Calories 1346, time taken 4 hours and 30 seconds. Steps 26935. Speed calculated during walking time [excludes coffee and other breaks] was 3.82m.p.h. - this was really encouraging as this was marginally faster than any previous walk prior to my being taken ill. Feel ready for walk. Iron tablets have already made a noticeable beneficial difference.

Tomorrow will my last training walk. Have also done a trial pack of rucksack - weighed 11.3kilos. Will consider ways of reducing this but this is pretty minimal. I will be able to make changes after the first two weeks when I am back home for five days from September 12th. By then I may need some warmer clothing.