Ollie Watkins has completed his 48.1 mile walk around the Jersey Coastline to raise money for GTHC. Thank you Ollie! Theres still time to sponsor him, visit justgiving/Oliver-Watkins3. Heres a full report from the man himself... Good morning all, I am back at my desk this morning having taken apart in and completed the Collas Crill Island Walk, a 48.1 mile walk around the Jersey coastline, with my friends and walking companions Chris Price and Francis Lewis. Not counting a holiday my parents took me on at 9 months old, this was my first trip to Jersey and coming into land the weather ensured the island was as well presented as a budding walker could wish to see. The first obstacle we had to overcome was making it to the start line. Asking the hotel for a 2am alarm call raised an eyebrow behind reception; did we have the right weekend? Making sure that we had a decent amount of sleep was also going to be key and I am pleased to say that I got the right type of drunk that when my head hit the pillow at 9:30 I was away with the fairies in no time! There were around 1200 people taking part in the walk and the spirits at the start line were high. One or two Friday night revellers had made their way down, armed with kebabs and trays of curry and chips, to provide much needed moral support to friends and competitors. After checking in our bags there was time for a quick cup of coffee before we were off. At 7.8 miles the first leg was to be the longest of the entire route and in no way prepared us for what was to come later in the day. Leaving St Hellier and heading east our first check point was on the outskirts of the town of Gorey. Indeed it was a fairly easy stroll along the roads of the south coast with not really much to take in other than what we could see in the distance was France, Gurnsey or one of the other islands I was too ignorant to be able to recall the names of. Once we had made our way up the east coast, past Gorey Castle and been served up one of the best Bacon Butties I have ever eaten at St Catherines there was a change of terrain as we started to traverse the coastal path. The path would be our guide and companion all the way around to the North West corner of the island and we had been forewarned that these next 15 or so would be ‘slow miles.’ The field of competitors were stretching out all the time and the number of bags at each checkpoint were reducing all the time indicating that walkers were either already through the stage or starting to drop out. At this stage I should point out quite how superbly organised and supported this even was, every whim and requirement seemed to be catered for. Refreshments of water, juice, fruit, cakes and chocolate bars were plentiful at each of the checkpoints. Our bags were collected and delivered to each of the next checkpoints so that we did not have the burden of an extra load to carry. There were people giving massages to those needing a rub down and the general support of volunteers providing words of genuine encouragement was incredible. The two most sapping sections of the walk were arguably ones which would have appeared relatively simple; the 5 mile stretch along the beach which is to all intents and purposes the West Coast and the final walk around the bay from St Aubins to St Hellier. Both shared the torturous trait of being able to see the finish line from the start, a target that never seems to get any nearer! With our blisters full to capacity, legs aching from the hips down to our little toes, and weather beaten faces, we crossed the finishing line at a very credible 7:02pm, a total of 16 hours walking. I am not quite sure the magnitude of completing this challenge has set in yet and I am certain that I was ignorant to just what lay ahead of us before we actually started. Typically 40% of competitors do not make the finishing line and I got the sense that there would have been a similar fall out rate this year. It is so easy to pick up an injury, have a slip or a fall, the fittest could easily come unstuck. We were not the fittest but Frances and Chris are a determined and, dare I say it, stubborn, pair that getting all the way around was the only option on the day. As well as giving you a bit of an insight into our weekend, I am sending this email to thank you if you have already contributed and as a final nudge towards my Just Giving Page for those that haven’t. I appreciate that people get asked for contributions all the time and it is not reasonable to be expected to give on every occasion. Raising awareness is as important as money though and if you do have the means of circulating the page on Facebook or Twitter to try and drum up a few extra pennies, that would be fantastic. justgiving/Oliver-Watkins3 Thank you all once again, Ollie
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 06:00:01 +0000
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