If you’re a regular reader you’ll know that two friends and I will be walking the Alfred Wainwright inspired Coast to Coast Walk in June - 192 miles. It was to be a party of four, but Neil dropped out for personal reasons so it’s just Clive Catton, Richard Poole and me.

Where I’d like your help is to suggest any local charities (local to Lincoln, that is) I might raise funds for. Obviously, I’ll need to approach them and find a charity willing to work with me on this. Secondly, I’ll be looking for sponsors and if you feel you could help in this way as well it’d be very much appreciated. You can contact me at richard [at] rkwinternet [dot] com.

Moving on, I needed a break after what’s been a very busy week so nipping over to the Peak District with Clive today made a very welcome break. And we’ve been lucky with the weather too! After all, rain had been predicted for mid-afternoon and it didn’t materialise.

We’d originally intended setting off from Edale to walk to the summit of Kinder Scout, but we missed the turning and ended up miles further on in the Snake Pass.

Undeterred, Clive got out his PDA complete with satellite enabled memory maps and promptly set a route from where the Pennine Way crosses the Snake Pass.

The ambient temperature was 8C when we set off and had a fierce, bitter following wind. At first I was disappointed at the flagstone path we were following; this was all too easy. But it soon became apparent this was a necessity because of the peat bogs surrounding us.

We made good progress keeping up a steady 3mph ‘til we reached the Kinder Scout escarpment after which we slowed to 1.5mph. I was very glad of my layers of clothing by now as the wind was persistent as ever.

Still, the sunshine made up for the cold and the scenery was further recompense. Once we reached the plateau we could see the famous Jodrell Bank, Manchester University’s Astrophysics Centre.

As we passed along the path towards the summit I caught sight of a waterfall where falling streams of water were being blown back up the waterfall as though they would never reach the ground. This was too good not to photograph so we stopped for lunch and attempted to catch the spectacle.

We stopped for half-an-hour and decided that rather than continue on to the summit we’d return the way we came.

The clouds seemed to be stacking up behind us, but the rain held off and we made it back to the car. 9 miles in 4 hours including our lunch break. We managed an average of 2.5mph, which is a speed we’re aiming to maintain, on average, on the Coast to Coast Walk.

Remember, if you can suggest any local charities, I’d love to raise some funds for a local good cause - thanks.

Originally uploaded by flickrkw

OK, this is an attempt to use flickr to blog straight to my Wordpress blog. Here goes…

After a week in the office I was really looking forward to stretching my legs from Branston to Woodhall Spa, last Sunday.

Not only that, I need the exercise to aclimatise my legs for the Coast to Coast walk Clive, Neal, another Richard and I are doing in mid June.

Only Clive and I could make it. We set off about 11:30 and round about Washingborough Clive just happened to mention the tea rooms we were aiming for in Woodhall Spa would close at 4pm, not the usual 5pm. From then on I really became focused on that cup of tea.

We stopped for a quick break at Bardney Lock, consumed some delicious oatmeal biscuits - thanks Clive - and pressed on round the back of Bardney sugar beet factory.

Before, when we’d done this walk in the summer we’d stayed on country tracks and passed through the village of Stixwould. But this time we decided to stick to the Sustrans route, which took us through, or should I say past, Southrey and Stixwould stations. Each time on passing through it reminded me that this part of the Sustrans route follows one of the many disused branch lines in Lincolnshire.

By now I could feel the blisters developing and I cursed the fact that I’d forgotten to buy/try a different pair of socks. Still, I focused on that cup of tea and put up with the pain, no choice really. We made good speed into the head on wind and before we knew it we’d reached Kirkstead Bridge.

I have to admit as we passed the Railway Hotel by the bridge I was very tempted by the warm glow of the interior. And since weren’t going to make it to Janet’s tea room by 4pm I would’ve stopped, but Clive insisted on pressing on as he now admitted he wasn’t totally sure it would close at 4pm.

Hobbling the rest of the way into Woodhall Spa we made it by 4.25pm - 5 minutes before closing time. Two cups of tea and a piece of chocolate gateaux and I was feeling almost human again!

17.1 miles in 5 hours. If I’m going to be fit by June I need to be doing that sort of mileage every week. Now where are those compedes.