Blog
Day 72 - Freswick – John O’Groats The FINISH!
Sunday, 27 September 2009
The weather that had been so good to us for the last two weeks, finally gave out on us today. It was a little drizzly this morning as I tried to find just where I finished yesterday. It took a few up and down the road to find the ‘Westlands’ sign where I finished walking yesterday. We started filming and got some good shots of Rexie appearing over a ridge and passing me as I walked on. Sadly the weather took and turn for the worse and the rain got harder. Just half a mile from the finish, I jumped into the motor home and underwent a quick change into my smart ‘hunter’s ‘ outfit and then to my total surprise I was greeted by two pipers from the Wick RBLS Pipe Band and was piped the final couple of hundred yards to the famous John O’Groats landmark sign and the end of my 1,000 mile trip. During this time there was a tumult of emotions going through my head as I thought of the previous 70 days, the good times, the not so good times, the people we had met, the youngsters we were helping and the project overall. One of the most satisfying feelings I feel about my projects is turning the seemingly crazy ideas I have into reality when I start a project, not so much the finish – that’s my goal, that I have to achieve. On this occasion however I did feel like I had been on a real journey!
After the photographs at the finish, we travelled just 7 miles down the road to the Castle of Mey, where we had been invited to have a little reception and to stay the evening. A royal privilege indeed. A long stepladder was provided and I honoured my word by climbing up on to Rexie and sitting astride him. The pictures looked good, by my leg muscles and hips were so tight from walking, I felt a little like a chicken’s wishbone!
After spending the afternoon editing the footage and sending out some pictures to the press, we all went out for a meal with James and Edward from the Castle. I went to bed this evening with the knowledge that although I don’t have to walk tomorrow, there is still plenty to do in order to reach our fundraising targets!
