On Saturday afternoon Walsall Football Club supporter Graeme Brookes began the first leg of his 138 mile walk from Walsall's Banks's Stadium to Wembley Stadium in memory of his Grandfather Ronald, and in aid of the Walsall Society for the Blind.Graeme has now made it to his third destination, and shares the latest of his regular progress reports below.
Apologies, I skipped a day. This will NOT happen again. Sunday was my longest day so after I finished – I was bluntly just too knackered. Thought I’d give you a big old double bill tonight. Sunday – I woke up buzzing at 6am to find a good old blister on my heel. That was worst case scenario! Then got to Salford Jn to find my water pouch had leaked in my bag! Then I started walking with great trepidation (due to my fear of the phantom stone thrower!) I walked about 3/4 of a mile the wrong bloody way! Award for worst walker of the day went to yours truly. It was a peculiar thing walking through Brum at 8 in the morning. Some of it was so nice, other parts were so rank! Fridges floating in the canal – all sorts. People say it’s like Venice – people also thought the world was flat. To go a bit Fred Dibnah on you but I was shocked to see the state of the building that obviously relied on ‘the cut’ for trade. All smashed and dilapidated. Shame as they were lovely buildings and clearly full of history. Then you hit Solihull & Catherine De Barnes and everything becomes beautiful – the Daily Mail was growing on trees. I waved David Cameron came down the canal doing a swift backstroke. I jest!! It was very beautiful. Very idealistic however – it’s towpath was poo! Gone was the Tarmac – in its place was mud, mud and mud. This led to an impromptu blister stop to establish I now had another new one! Not even 20 miles in and I had two blisters. What is that about?! I really feel it’s due to the uneven and soft surfaces. Anyway to the walk, cracked on and hit 18 miles ok. I’ve never walked more than 17 in a day so that was good but then suddenly my mind started playing tricks on me. My legs were heavy, got quite grumpy, started slowing down then I hit Hatton Station! Unbeknownst to you but my original plan was to stop there but weeks ago I changed my mind and said Id stop at Warwick Parkway. Well hitting Hatton knowing I had a few miles left – well that was it! My feet turned to lead, every muscle hurt and twitched. It was mental and very painful! Either way – got to the end. Not as if I can turn back now can I? Can I? No seriously - can I?
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I got home and one of my BFF’s and documentary maker: Rob, decides an ice bath is good for recovery. I sat in this bath for 10 minutes, losing feeling in my feet, losing feeling in my calves and completely losing my ‘man-ness’ (lads, you know exactly what I am saying!). It was positive though if not agonising – I didn’t ache as much on . . . .
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Monday. Picking back up at Warwick all the way to Braunston (by Daventry). It should’ve taken 18.5 miles, I didn’t. It took longer and I wanted to cry. Again – the mind said: we are walking 18.5, I said – we aren’t, we are walking further. The mind said – Nope, sorry chunk! Your mistake, your problem! Then same as yesterday my boots filled with lead and everything hurt! That sucked big time! Was not a fan at all! Though you can beat it by playing some . . . . . *now it’s time for a regular feature* . . . . tuuuuuuuuuunes of the week, tunes of the week, tuuuuuuuuuunes of the week, tunes of the week:
Guns’n’Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
Rage against the Machine – Know your enemy
30 Seconds to Mars – This is War
Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith
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Look I love you all but because of a few changes in plan, I am on my own tonight and have no laptop so all of this was done on an iPhone. I will explain more about today’s walk tomorrow when I have my laptop back and I have wifi from my bed. Right now I am in the nicest house and bed I may have ever been too so I am taking advantage!!
Sunday: Distance: 25.5 miles. Time: 8 hours, 21 mins. MPH – ?
Monday: Distance: 21.3 miles. Time: 7 hours, 27 minutes. MPH – ?
84.3 miles remaining. 5 days to Wembley.