Day 13: A Not-So-Secret Surprise!

Day 13's blog got a little bit lost in the internet ether so apologies for the delay! Here's what I can remember from what I wrote in a semi-sleepy state last night!

Day 13 over and out and where to start on retelling the events of today?!

We had 7 staff members from the lovely St. Martin's join us for the walk today, a not-so secret surprise for Jon and Jac. After meeting at a soggy and somewhat bleak car park, we made our way through wind and rain to today's start point - Soar Mill Cove. From here, the walkers battled soggy and blowy conditions for most of the day. Although (we were surprised to learn) that this morning's weather came as a welcomed treat for the boys, its persistence throughout the day did leave them soaked and hoping for better conditions tomorrow.

That pretty much sums up today for the walkers really! In fact, when asked, the boys succinctly described today as:

• wet,

• windy, and

• longer and hillier than expected

The pleasant and steady terrain made for a fairly straightforward day (even with the 2 extra miles and few meters of ascent the route didn't account for!), made more enjoyable by the company the boys shared throughout today's walk. We are so grateful for the support St. Martin's have given us in joining for the walk today and also in praying for us while we've been away!

The support crew had more of a chaotic day compared to yesterday's relative uneventfulness! Joined by the wonderful Jude (win!) and having secured free roadside parking in Salcombe (double win!) the caffeine-and-catch-up-deprived crew sought the comfort of a warm and cosy coffee stop while the walkers tackled the first 5 miles of the day. It wasn't until the walkers had been topped up with flapjack and brownies ahead of their short ferry ride at Aid Station 1 that the support crew discovered their collective lack of observance... and 40 minutes later, we found the cars! We can only apologise for the delay in attending today's lunch stop. At least today it wasn't because we'd fallen asleep... actually, I'm not sure which is worse!

We've driven some ridiculously narrow lanes today and manoeuvred our cars over potholes they definitely were not designed to face, but all worth it for the smiling faces of the walkers at today's end point!

Thank you so much again to all of those who have support this adventure in some way, shape or form. Whether you have donated, walked, spread the word to your family and friends, volunteered, driven, baked or prayed, it all makes a big difference!

Let's get Jac and Jon over that finish line!

www.cranbrookchurch.org/jon

Day 13: Soar Mill Cove to Lannacombe Beach, 14.18 miles, 984m ascent and 36,912 steps.

There was no questioning whether waterproofs were needed today!

Day 13's morning update

Today's conditions were...

... wet and windy!

Soggy but smiling at Day 13's end point: Lannacombe Beach

Selfie or it didn't happen!

Thank you so much, Jude!