The Inquest....

A full 6 weeks after the event, I can finally put the metaphorical pen to paper and complete the last blog.  Why has it taken so long?  Well, other more mundane things have got in the way like work, holidays etc etc but perhaps it has taken this long because it took us a while to actually come to terms with what we went through and what we have achieved.  I also wanted to wait to do the final blog until we had 99% of our fundraising money paid in so that I could announce the final total, but more of that later.

So how did the walk go, you ask?  Bloody hard work we would all immediately reply.  Quotes such as "the worst conditions EVER" from the Oxfam team just don't come close to describing what we had to contend with.  I have never experienced mud like it and never want to again, however, that said, the whole experience was definitely one to remember and not just because of the horrendous conditions.

We still find ourselves now in work reminiscing about what happened at various stages, the funny moments, the desolate moments, the moments of sheer, unbelievable denial that there were still many more kms to do!

To a woman we would all say that it was a very emotional experience.  Some of us would recommend it, others wouldn't but having taken part and (for 3 out of 4) completed the challenge, it is almost certainly an achievement that will be talked about for many years to come.

And so the fundraising total.....having pledged £1500 as a team, our current total stands at a phenomenal £2680.00 !!!!!!   It has been heart-warming to see how so many friends, family and colleagues have got behind us and given their hard-earned cash towards the cause.  There is still the small matter of how much matched funding we can get from M&S but unfortunately the decision will come too late for the official fundraising leadership board, but what the hell, we will know what we raised and Oxfam will benefit from it and that was the whole point of doing this mad thing in the first place.

The final word has to go to our AMAZING support crew - the 4 husbands - who were there through thick & thin, rain & more rain to keep us going to the end.  They, no doubt, endured more than their fair share of grumpiness, they tended to our feet, helped us change our clothes, fed & watered us and more than anything else gave us their open arms and warm hugs just when we needed it most.  Roger, Brian, Billy & Keith, we couldn't have done it without you - thanks xxxx

And so, just to prove we were all there, here is the picture of  Trailwalker Team M&S Coliseum and Support Crew, quite rightly all together on the winners podium.  Here's to the next challenge.....