Apr 23, 2025 - Jul 23, 2025
EPIC JOURNEY
6519
Bill George
This Spring I am embarking on LEJOG, a solo, self-funded through-hike from Land’s End to John o’Groats utilising many of Britain’s most beautiful National Trails. Commencing in late April, it is likely to cover a distance of over 1250 miles and, if all goes to plan, I’ll arrive at John o’Groats by mid-July.
In April 2019 my youngest son James, just 17 at the time, was diagnosed with a rare form of Acute Leukaemia which led to him eventually having to undergo a stem cell transplant in August of the same year. Thanks to the expert care of Oxford’s Churchill Hospital and the Antony Nolan charity in sourcing a donor, James is now a healthy 23-year-old leading a normal life. The charity CLIC Sargent (now called Young Lives vs Cancer) was also a huge support throughout as their staff really seemed to understand his needs as a young person.
Through undertaking this walk I’m hoping to raise funds for all three of the above organisations and money will be split evenly between them. To facilitate this, I am using this GiveWheel fundraising platform with the option of donating using Gift Aid and I will also be posting weekly updates on it once the walk has commenced.
My aim is to help others benefit, as James did, from the remarkable work of these charities and hospital, as well as offer hope to anyone going through a similarly difficult and uncertain time. There can definitely be life after cancer. I also want to say a massive “thank you” to everyone who helped and supported us all during James’ recovery and to those who ultimately saved his life.
Minehead marked the end of the South West Coast path for me and I have now been following the English Coast Path through West and North Somerset. Today Wednesday the 4th June I’ve reached Clevedon which is 14 miles west of Bristol. The only drama in the past week was being charged by a herd of cows near Nether Stowey. I’ve never been so relieved to get back to the field gate but it was touch and go for a minute! I then had to go on a 30 minute detour not ideal at the end of a tiring day. Yesterday I was joined by a friend for the long beach walk between Burnham on Sea and Minehead. It was lovely to be able to talk to somebody all day! This Friday I should finally cross the Severn Bridge into Wales (Chepstow) where I am being met by my wife for a couple of days. This weekend will see the start of the Offa’s Dyke trail which I’m really looking forward to. Hopefully by next Wednesday’s update I’ll be making good progress along this border route. (NB Photo will follow once technical issue resolved)!
0 likesRoad walking isn’t a lot of fun (and frankly dangerous in parts) but was necessary to make up a bit of time to get up to Bideford from Bude. The Tarka Trail into Barnstaple was a bit more straight forward and safer! Like a lot of the country the weather was awful yesterday and on arrival into Lynton the evening was spent drying my footwear out. Waterproof clothing is only waterproof to a point! The weather was lovely again today and anybody who has done the coast path around Lynton and the Valley of the Rocks will know how spectacular the scenery is. Tomorrow I am hoping to reach the Somerset border by lunchtime and with a fair wind hope to have the Severn Estuary in my sights by this time next week.
0 likesMaking slow progress utilising the very challenging South West Coast Path. Had to make a diversion at Padstow, where most walkers take the ferry to Rock to ensure I continue walking ( and ferries are excluded). I utilised the Camel Trail as far as Wadebridge and then spent a day on a countryside walk up to Camelford before rejoining the Coast Path at the beautiful Boscastle harbour. A little bit of drama today when I lost my mobile phone briefly on the coast path miles from anywhere. Fortunately I was reunited with it when I retraced my footsteps but this added 90 minutes to an already very tired soul! It’s only in these situations you realise just how much you depend on your mobile phone. I’m now in Bude about 20 miles short of the Devon Border and hope to have Somerset in my sights when I file my next update.
0 likesFollowing on from the journey back down to Cornwall yesterday I’m glad to report no dramas today just warm sunshine and beautiful vistas capped off with a stunning sunset in Newquay. Heading up towards Padstow tomorrow and then onto Bude and Barnstaple in the coming week. Next update next Wednesday!
0 likesResuming the trail tomorrow from Perranporth to Newquay after a 17 day absence following the ankle injury. Further update at the end of tomorrow’s walk!
0 likesJust a brief note to say the ankle is healing well and I’m building up strength again by walking local to where I live. All being well I hope to be back on the trail next week!
0 likesI’ll cut to the chase……….I’m back at home recovering from a rolled ankle! It’s no more than that but until the swelling goes down rest and recovery is the order of the day. The incident happened on Day 5 of the South West Coast Path near Perranporth airdrome. Fortunately I was still able to hobble the 2 miles into Perranporth and then bus up to my bed and breakfast in Newquay. Lesson learnt that multitasking isn’t a good idea on a narrow and bolder strewn footpath. Ironically a few days earlier my attention to detail on where to plant my next step was rewarded by a crunching thud to my scalp from a low hanging branch. You can’t win. Naturally I’m desperate to get back on the trail but as I have many miles to cover I need to be right first! I’m glad to report that after the initial day with my son for company, the next three days flying solo did pass without incident and have taken in the beautiful sights from Zennor through to St Ives, Carbis Bay, Godrevy and St Agnes. I’ve met some interesting people along the way ranging from fellow intrepid explorers to locals just interested in the challenge one is doing. The weather on Day’s 3 and 4 necessitated donning the waterproofs but only until the sun broke through later in the morning. It was also lovely to catch up with an ex-work colleague over dinner at the end of day 5 overlooking a sunset on Fistral Bay in Newquay to distract me from my ankle woes. Fingers crossed that when I next provide an update there will have been improvement in my physical condition and possibly a resumption of my journey.
0 likesSo the journey has started! One foot in front of the other and just head north! Customary photos taken, hazy sunshine but most importantly it‘s dry and then Land‘s End left behind with a straggle of tourists and memories of famous people who have trodden the same trail. It was lovely to have my son James with me for this first day‘s walk and my wife Christine for the first hour and then for logistical support. At the beautiful Sennen Cove an early lunch was taken. Those of you who know these parts will recall the numerous relics of tin mines along the northern coast, including Geevor Tin Mine closed in 1990 and then the finishing point for the day at Pendeen Lighthouse still active today. Eleven tough miles described in the South West Coast Path Guide as a moderate walk. I dread to think what strenuous or severe sections look like! Tomorrow I’ll be walking solo continuing on to St.Ives, some 14 miles of challenging coastline so any early start required. Tune in the same time next week for a further update.
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