In a few days the walk will begin. It seems impossible that a mad idea in October has produced this reality. Not only so but we now have at least 15 people doing parts of the walk; four of us walking the whole way to Norwich. We have a Bishop and a famous TV Chef on board. We have people providing back up, taking shifts ferrying people to pick up points, bringing us food and generally being on stand by. We have old friends participating in an activity after not meeeting until recently for nearly forty years. We have new friendships forming. I wonder how these might be tested over the course of the week?
Day one will see us setting off from the historic Ely Cathedral towards Farthing Drove; 12.1 miles. We will be ferried home the first night. Day Two; back to Farthing Drove and head for Brandon where we will stay the night at a B&B. Day Three we will cross Thetford Forest and end up at Larling and stay at The Angel Pub. Day Four we will make for Wymondham before setting out for Norwich on day five. We will stay at the Annesley Hotel on Friday night. We are eating at the Annesley with some friends and family. We will all walk to Carrow Road for our date with Delia at 12.15pm.
Work has been so hectic of late that preparation has gone out of the window, but sights have been set and there's now no turning back. "Listen to this " said June as she read me an article tonight "there are these blokes in their 50s walking 900 miles for charity! Let's not go there! (Yet?).
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Encouragement must be the operative word. Tonight June and I visited Ramsey Scouts. They based their Global Awareness Badge on our work with Uganda. The young people found out about the practical care done within the North Kigezi Diocese. Then they held a cake stall at St Thomas a Becket Church and earned £70.70 for our Uganda Fund. We were able to attend their group meeting and receive the cheque and present their badges after showing pictures of the school project in Uganda.
Another encouragement today was a phone call from the Bishop of Norwich's Office. I wrote to him as a matter of courtesy to say I would be walking for Uganda within his Diocese in March. He sent his best wishes and promised to send a small cheque as a token of his support. This is a kind response and it lifts the spirits.
On another note, we were very saddened to hear today about the premature death of a dear friend in Uganda John Muhumuza who is the Diocesan Secretary of the North Kigezi Diocese. The last time we saw John he had a shining, smiling face. We were looking forward to seeing him in August, it is hard to realize he won't be there. Our love and prayers are for his wife, Jolly, and their children. "Forever with the Lord."
Another encouragement today was a phone call from the Bishop of Norwich's Office. I wrote to him as a matter of courtesy to say I would be walking for Uganda within his Diocese in March. He sent his best wishes and promised to send a small cheque as a token of his support. This is a kind response and it lifts the spirits.
On another note, we were very saddened to hear today about the premature death of a dear friend in Uganda John Muhumuza who is the Diocesan Secretary of the North Kigezi Diocese. The last time we saw John he had a shining, smiling face. We were looking forward to seeing him in August, it is hard to realize he won't be there. Our love and prayers are for his wife, Jolly, and their children. "Forever with the Lord."
Friday, 5 February 2010
The first breath of Spring. June and I walked to Upwood today. What a contrast to a couple of weeks ago when we battled the elements and felt the cold as we walked. Today it must have been about eight degrees, the sun shone and the gentle breeze was a promise of spring. Of course next week might prove me a liar. We paused for a light pub lunch before the return journey.
This week there has been a sense of momentum. There was a meeting earlier in the week with members of the PCC to discuss how money raised already should be given to Uganda. We took advice from a Bishop who has had dealings with Uganda. We felt it important to raise funds independent of sponsorship money to send someone to Uganda to visit the school site, to discuss plans with the people on the ground and to find out first hand the time schedule. We will then release money in stages as schedules are met.
There has also been a lot of good will shown by members of the public who are willing to give their financial support. Alan Howard is also proposing a route to Norwich which looks very sensible and manageable. The first day's walk of 12.1 miles to Farthing Drove is the farthest, the other days are in the region of 11 miles. This will be an encouragement not least to those who can walk with us for a day or even two.
I have just noticed that Captain David Waters our Diocesan Youth Officer has signed up as a follower. It's great to have you on board David!
This week there has been a sense of momentum. There was a meeting earlier in the week with members of the PCC to discuss how money raised already should be given to Uganda. We took advice from a Bishop who has had dealings with Uganda. We felt it important to raise funds independent of sponsorship money to send someone to Uganda to visit the school site, to discuss plans with the people on the ground and to find out first hand the time schedule. We will then release money in stages as schedules are met.
There has also been a lot of good will shown by members of the public who are willing to give their financial support. Alan Howard is also proposing a route to Norwich which looks very sensible and manageable. The first day's walk of 12.1 miles to Farthing Drove is the farthest, the other days are in the region of 11 miles. This will be an encouragement not least to those who can walk with us for a day or even two.
I have just noticed that Captain David Waters our Diocesan Youth Officer has signed up as a follower. It's great to have you on board David!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
