With the help of my friend Simon the website is coming along nicely. Furthermore, the route is planned, the charities are
‘on-board’, I am getting good responses from sponsors and everything is on schedule. I even managed to enjoy a winter walking
weekend in Snowdonia in December, organised by Neil of The Outcasts (www.the-outcasts.hampshire.org.uk).
The hostel was in Besthesda, which was perfectly placed for a stroll up the
snow-bound summits of Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn and Yr Elen. All good
practice for the JOGLE, although I don’t expect to meet much snow then - but
you can never be sure?
The reality and enormity of the commitment I have made is beginning to
dawn on me. However, any feelings of trepidation are dwarfed by those of
excitement. I am actually beginning to look forward to the complete
disruption of my regular routines. Three months of lone walking will
give me plenty of time to ponder, but I expect also to meet some
interesting people along my way. I always have on previous, albeit much
shorter, walks. Add to this the opportunity to enjoy a rugged existence
and experience some of the more wild and rural parts of Britain, and I
don’t think I will find much time to be bored.
