What have the Queen and an African vicar got in common? The answer? I met them both on the same day. Naturally, I slightly exaggerate. I met the African, I saw the Queen. The Queen and Prince Philip visited Ely Cathedral for the 900th celebration of the Ely Diocese. It was a great occasion.(For me another Forrest Gump moment!). I sat opposite them in the service, with lots of others. The African vicar, Gershom Muhanga, was staying with us. I'm aware that all this can seem an exercise in name dropping. The point is the amazing contrast between these two worlds and being there to witness them both; just like Forrest. There was the pomp, the protocol,the fleeting glance of royalty and the sense, "I was there." But to be there to encounter the Ugandan man was more amazing. A man who took a photograph of me lighting a domestic fire, who had never seen a piece of coal, who had no choice but to live a simple life. Here on a scholarship, he arrived at our house with one coat which had been given, a rolled umbrella we had bought him and a small brief case which was borrowed. He talked to our people about the suffering of the orphans, the terrible conditions of Rwandan Refugees in Mbarara and our need to be grateful for all we have in this country. When asked what he liked about England he said "everything,you should be grateful for everything." Of course someone has to buy the coat and the umbrella to give, but I learned from him that life can be simple and uncomplicated; we need so little to live. When I explained to him as I left for the Cathedral the complex arrangements he asked "are such people free?"

I was thinking about Mr Miagy. As I raked leaves I remembered his words to Daniel "wax on wax off." The Karate Kid was essential viewing in those halcyon days of the 80s when our boys were young. Watching it with the children was a great excuse for those of us who were 30 something. There is that part in the film where Daniel gets to wax the car and paint the fence, until he flipped and quit. Finally, the truth was revealed by the master. The strokes of the paint brush and the circular movements of polishing were the precise movements for karate. So what about my leaf raking? I should have been on my next long walk, but the thousands of leaves on the lawn had to be dealt with and this kept me at home. "Walk on, walk on," could I hear the rake on the leaves saying that? Perhaps not. Then the master revealed a truth, or at least the decorater told me of some advice on the radio that very morning. "You don't need to rake, no, put the lawn mower over them, make mulch and let the worms do the rest!" It came like a moment of enlightenment, not to mention relief!

Our garden is about an acre; an acre covered in leaves! It's a size of garden dating from the days when vicars were something and had a gardener! Pushing the mower over the acre, guiding it across the thick layers of fallen leaves, putting one foot in front of the other, I didn't need Mr Miyage to make the point!

Yesterday I was told that the Traditional Shotokan Karate Club in Ramsey have decided to support our walk to Norwich for the children in Uganda. I am very grateful to Graham Harding their instructor for his backing and that of his young students. Graham is himself something of an adventurer who took a parachute dive on his 60th birthday. I hope there will be other individuals and groups who might follow the lead of this club. There is certainly a lot of good will.

Meanwhile we have been shown a DVD of the school in Uganda for which the money is being raised. Andrew Cooper a theology student from Ridley Hall visited it in the summer and has brought the pictures back. It shows a school in the same complex as a church. The school is like most of the school buildings in Uganda; very poor by our standards. The dorm has been marked out but awaiting the finances to start building. The class rooms that have been erected are shell like and rough looking. There is the need for even the basic equipment and yet more than 200 students are already attending school. The challenge is great.

"What route will you be taking?" This is a question I've been asked several times,and I haven't had a very accurate answer. Every time we go to Norwich we drive, making our way across Fenland roads until we get to the A11. But walking the 60 or so miles to Norwich requires a very different route. The main roads are clearly too busy and dangerous for walkers. In spite of looking at the map time and again I wasn't sure how to find a reasonably direct way from Ely over the flat Fen landscape into Norfolk. A more detailed map has revealed the Hereward Way which goes from Ely Marina to places like Prickwillow, Shippea Hill and on towards Mildenhall. This path will then take us onto the Breckland to Brandon and through Thetford Forest all the way to Watton in Norfolk. It looks a winding way but it is a relief to know it is there. I've no idea yet how passable some of these pathways might be. "Why not get in touch with a Rambling Society?" It's so obvious isn't it? So that is my next job. June and I also intend to start walking parts of the route we will follow in March.

Again I want to mention the remarkable adventure it is to meet and get advice from such different types of people in the pursuit of this goal. It has brought together the most unlikely combinations all with their own insights, humour and practical sense- how colourful and textured this life becomes by just pursuing, listening and taking some moderate risks.

The purpose of this blog is to raise awareness of the needs of children in South West Uganda and to do a sponsored walk to Carrow Road to help The Bishop's School there (not a Church school) to build a dorm and other buildings and buy equipment. It is an investment in the future of these children in a very poor part of the world.

Last night I spoke by phone again with Bishop Edward in Uganda. A team of us will be going in August 2010. Last night's conversation meant we can arrange our trip from the 12th to 25th August. With the help of a local travel consultant we can now arrange our flights. So far five or six of us will be going. During that time we can visit the school and see the needs first hand. Some of the team will do practical work, including work at the Kisiizi Hospital. June and I will be taking services in the villages and preaching at a Convention during week two. However, it is unthinkable to go to such a poor part of the world empty hand.

Today June and I did our second 10 mile walk this time in the Wandlebury area of Cambridge. What a change in a week. The Beech trees especially looked beautiful as their leaves changed colour. We followed the Roman road and thought about the long history of it, beginning with the local garrison building it. We came back through Cambridge and bought some maps to try and find a route across the Fen to Norfolk.

I have been quiet for a few days but plenty has been going on behind the scenes. I wrote a piece for the Parish magazine about the walk to Norwich and as I have gone around the town several people have mentioned it to me. I have also some indication that there is now a seriousness about raising a significant amount of money for The Bishop's School in South West Uganda, to help further the children's education and well being. This morning I used Cheapest Calls to speak with Bishop Edward Muhima, Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese where the school is situated, who in turn is talking to the Headteacher about what might be achieved. It is thrilling to think of what might be accomplished because of the goodwill of people in this area.

I want to welcome Kathy-Ann and Ellen to the list of followers. I am delighted too to get the support from our lovely granddaughter Eden Grace. It was great to have a response from an old school mate, John Robinson (Robbo) who is now living in France. Thanks John for your words of support. We spent many happy hours together standing behind the goal at the Barclay End when we were kids. I remember vividly standing there during the kick-in before a match when Ron Davies shot the ball which went just over our heads and knocked a woman out who was standing immediately behind us. There's one piece of trivia (though not trivial to her)which has now been rescued from the obscurity of the universe!

I'm sure once the walk begins (on March 1st) it will not just be fitness that keeps me going, but the prospect of helping African children and the memories shared with so many old friends.