7th July

Of necessity, this is going to have to be a retrospective blog. We have just come to the end of a delicious bbq organised by members of Alcester 41 Club and their wives and I am trying to add pictures that I can't really see - as well as add comments that will make some kind of sense of the thousands of experiences that we have had since we started the walk.

The blistered foot is almost better - thanks to the dressings that Yvonne has been putting on every couple of days. I have to add that she has been taking impish delight in pouring the surgical spirit over the wound - but apart from that it's much easier.

We have had richly varied days. Days when few of us have walked.....when we have stood in the midst of the English countryside in mid-summer and listened to the silence - no traffic - no sirens - no aircraft overhead - no radio or conversation....simply the sound of our 'food growing in the field' as one of our companions said.

The silence of England can be deafening: and it is possible to find that depth of silence when you take the time and trouble to walk away from the noise.

The music of birdsong to rival any music anywhere. New life - a day of infant animals and birds in the field and on the river. The companionship of fellow walkers each of whom has been a member of Round Table - all of us united by that one common bond - talking of achievments...asking why it should all have stopped when we reached the age of 40 - acknowledging that we still have creative energy and vision and accepting that we might possibly do more.

Walking through towns and villages - coffee in the park at Royal Leamington Spa - or in a canal side pub as we felt a drop of rain even in the sunshine. Club meetings and an induction where members admitted to being moved by the new words of the revised induction ceremony. Debate at a regional forum where again it was agreed that we needed a renewed sense of purpose. The companionship of walking and talking.....getting to know one another....making new friends....'it's just like the old times' said someone this evening.

There is so much to record and report but of necessity it will have to emerge like the photographs in a developing tray in the darkroom. Time will bring the images into sharper focus and more and more of the rich experience of walking through the heart fo England will be revealed.

Tomorrow - lunch at the 'Bull' in Ambridge when we shall be joined by friends from the very beginning of the walk along with our National Secretary and others who want to share in this very special journey of fellowship.

We are almost there - just 20 miles or so to go. What will we do next week? Saturday will see the end of a journey almost a year in the planning and made possible only through the efforts of so many people.

I shall enjoy reflecting and recording in coming days and I would value the insights of those who have walked with us and looked after us: their thoughts should be part of this unfolding story.

Tonight we sleep in a thatched cottage where the door into our room is perhaps only 4' high. When I find a way of reviewing the pictures I want to post I'll show it to you.

Till then I'll bid you good night.