2 days to Go...

I don't know about you but this weather is getting me very excited. 

I've been obsessively checking the weather forecast ( I don't know why because there there's nowt I can do about it) and it's looking pretty alright for next week. Just to set off in decent weather will be a real bonus.  

I've had my hair lopped off in anticipation of a heat-wave we're almost certain to have while I'm away. People who know me will realise just how long I've been growing my hair for, so please take a minute to admire my commitment....

My eyebrows (too blonde to see) + childs haircut it's not a winning combination but now's not the time for vanity. 

I also had massage while I was there... yeah alright chill out I'm allowed a few hours of luxury before I spend two months with dog breath in my face. What's that I hear you say... I get that every night with Harry?... boom boom tish. Sorry.

Ok that's it, don't worry I'll be back tomorrow with more inane ramblings (happy Melze?) before the real McCoy on Monday.

V x

Three Days to Go...

The Countdown has begun, I'm off in three days.

I've been doing some last-minute panic buying, including but not exclusive to... talcum powder (don't ask), a platypus (makes me gag) and thermals (early frost?).

I packed my rucksack and the weight seemed O.K... so fingers crossed it stays that way---->>>>

We got a massive boost this week from hitting the halfway mark in my donations target, currently at £2,668 which is incredible. In fact I've just put a fiver on there from Harry's hairdresser, whose name he doesn't know, which is so ace seeing as she hasn't never even met me. Still a long way to go to reach £5,000 so please keep donating if possible, but it's starting to look more realistic at last!

I'm going to have Harry & Melzie with the first day which is going to be great. Melzie is going to do a bit of filming so there should be some amusing video doing the rounds at some point.

I've also bought Rudy a coat to keep her warm at night, which as you can see she was really happy about ---->>>

My caped companion.

Vx

www.justgiving.com/Verity-Stokes1

Extra £1,000 raised!

We had a very successful party on Saturday night, where we raised £400 from the BBQ and raffle. Together with the ticket auction we've raised another £1,000 which puts me on target for the £5,000 I originally set out to raise. AMAZING.

It was a great night, special thanks to Chewton Farm who gave us all the meat for the barbie, which was delicious & made it possible to raise even more money. Also to Mum and Melzie who baked a loooad of cakes which were yummy & just what we needed after a shed load of meat. Also to Karen & Neil who helped me cook 40+ burgers & 50 + sausages as let's be honest.... I'm not a natural barbequer.

Thanks to all the companies who donated raffle prizes... especially The Chocolate Society, we had some very happy women (sexist?... sorry!) who went away very happy. And the New Manor Farm Shop for the hamper. Awesome.

Anyway a lot of you came a good few hours to come to the party so thank you ALL!

Right, off in a few days so just doing some last minute preparations. I have just been persuaded to buy a Kindle by Melzie & Col, so we'll see how that goes, but I'm already thinking it's a great idea.

Still time to donate before I go if you fancy??

V xx

www.justgiving.com/Verity-Stokes1

Two Weeks To Go!!!

Two weeks today I will starting my (quite short) first day from Minehead to Porlock, it will only be nine miles but it will start me off on my mega-walk around the coast.

We've been busy planning for the party on Saturday by writing loads of emails and letters to local companies to try and get prizes donated to the raffle and for the party itself. There's been a pretty good response, the best being a barrel (72 pints!) of Ale from Butcombe (worth nearly £100 so really generous of them), which is amazing. We've got some other great raffle prizes & we'll be having a deluxe BBQ so we'll have a fabulous time, although the weather is looking a bit tricky for the weekend however so it may turn into a house party...

Still feeling a bit underprepared kit-wise for the walk, having not got my rucksack or sleeping matt yet, I'll have to buy them this week. However, I've got boots and I've got a tent (what more do you need?!) so I'll be alright. New tent was looking good in the garden when I was practicing putting it up. --->>


I've been on the couchsurfing website to try and find some coastal dwellers willing to put me and Rudy up for the night along the way, and I've managed to find people in St. Ives & Falmouth so far which will be interesting! Hopefully staying with some local people along the path will make the experience even better. And I'll probably be desperate for some human interaction to prevent me going loopy & start speaking "dog".

That's it really, apart from to say, hope to see you at the party- It's going to be a cracker!

V x

www.justgiving.com/Verity-Stokes1