Hi people - 28/07/01

Bob Hayward & Nick Baldock have now run 7 consecutive marathons out of the 34 it will take to get to John O'Groats.  This is all in aid of Podge the 13 year old boy who was so badly burnt in an attack last May.



Today we had a visitor, Ian Tredaway Director of People Track came across from Putney in London to run a marathon with Nick and Bob.  This is another way we are raising money, people can run with us provided they donate £10 a mile! And for their trouble they get, a signed photograph and a "Give the lad a chance!" t-shirt (one of only two hundred).

Ian has run a number of marathons himself and is in training for this years New York marathon in November, he was a great inspiration for both the lads who were on their seventh consecutive run.  With a fresh pair of legs, boundless energy and the gift of the gab he brought the day to live.

Nick did a number of radio interviews on route as we ran through Taunton and Bridgwater and this led to some locals actually stoping us to donate money - don't tell our partners but one young lady insisted on giving each of us a hug and a kiss!  Brave lady considering the three lads were drenched in sweat from the heat and toil of the day and could not be described as delicately perfumed (!!!) The heart of the West Country is alive and well and has laid down a challange to the rest of the UK.

The Somerset scenery offering us plenty of distractions from the aches and pains.  Nick knee ligament and Bob's right achilles were both playing up today and with no massage available any such distraction is most welcome.  We've surcumbed to telling Tommy Cooper jokes and Monty Python scetches to keep our spirits up, ooops showing our age there.

Today is also a sad day as it is our first driver's (Brian Hislop from Swindon) last day.  Brian has been a tireless member of the team, kicking us out of bed in the morning, keeping us feed and watered, doing the washing, the shopping, oh yeah and the driving!  Only once has he had enough time between chores to get his deck chair and book out - and he thought he was going to have a holiday while with us.  Brian has certainly set a high standard for the other drivers to follow and leaves with best wishes and deep thanks.