Summary
Day 9 Gravel Pit to Dingwall
Date: Wed 15 July
Distance: 25.4 km (15.8 Miles)
Distance covered: 241.8 Km (150.2 Miles)
Distance to go: 1386.5 Km (861.5 Miles)
Day 9 Report
I set off to Dingwall. Had a snack at a bakery in Alness and then headed off to Evanton on a walking/cycling track. I was passed by 3 cyclists heading south and two heading north. They photographed my legs which are creating quite a bit of interest. The midge bites are impressive angry looking purplish weals!
I climbed up to a view point overlooking Cromarty Firth where I met Jill, whose sister had died of leukaemia. I was also passed by another cyclist Steve, who stopped to have a chat.
In Evanton I stopped at a cafe wondering if I dared take off my boots. I need not have worried. Henk and Di, from Brisbane were there with boots off! They have spent the last 3 months making their way up from Lands End.
It rained on and off all day, but at Dingwall I was able to pitch my tent in sunlight and the tent dried. However while doing my washing, we had a terrific downpour, thunder and lightning too. Parts of the camp site are flooded; by sheer chance my tent is in a dry spot. While waiting for my clothes to dry I chatted to someone from York. One branch of his wife's family had emigrated from the highlands to New Zealand several generations ago so they have travelled all over NZ visiting relations.
About my blog
CLL is the acronym for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. CLL is the most common cancer of the blood. However, unlike many other leukaemias, CLL is incurable. Innovative research is desperately needed to provide treatments which are more effective than the derivatives of chemical warfare agents currently in use. Research however costs money.
In 2009 I walked from John o'Groats in the north east of Scotland to Land's End in the south west of England. Hence the acronym JOGLE. The purpose of my walk was to make more people aware of this insidious disease and to encourage them to sponsor me by donating to the research groups I was supporting. It was a most enjoyable experience and I met some wonderful people. Together we raised over 2000 pounds for the cause. Thank you everyone!
In, 2010, the blog was being continued for those who may have be interested in following my walking holiday in Wales. This was not a charity walk.
Sadly this year, 2013, Alan Frost, a senior member of the Wednesday Loafers, our cancer support group, passed away. Many medics will tell you that CLL can be cured by a bone marrow transplant. Alan had battled with the cure for many years. More research is needed, but significant progress has been made since I started this blog.
CLL is still killing my friends. The organizations listed at the side of this blog would welcome any contributions you would like to make towards their research.
CLL is the acronym for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. CLL is the most common cancer of the blood. However, unlike many other leukaemias, CLL is incurable. Innovative research is desperately needed to provide treatments which are more effective than the derivatives of chemical warfare agents currently in use. Research however costs money.
In 2009 I walked from John o'Groats in the north east of Scotland to Land's End in the south west of England. Hence the acronym JOGLE. The purpose of my walk was to make more people aware of this insidious disease and to encourage them to sponsor me by donating to the research groups I was supporting. It was a most enjoyable experience and I met some wonderful people. Together we raised over 2000 pounds for the cause. Thank you everyone!
In, 2010, the blog was being continued for those who may have be interested in following my walking holiday in Wales. This was not a charity walk.
Sadly this year, 2013, Alan Frost, a senior member of the Wednesday Loafers, our cancer support group, passed away. Many medics will tell you that CLL can be cured by a bone marrow transplant. Alan had battled with the cure for many years. More research is needed, but significant progress has been made since I started this blog.
CLL is still killing my friends. The organizations listed at the side of this blog would welcome any contributions you would like to make towards their research.
Please feel free to pass on the details of this site to anyone you think may be interested. The link is www.cancerwalker.com
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Well done Richard,
ReplyDeleteFrom day 50 to day 52 you are closer to me, but I am having a secluded life after my CLL Stem Cell Transplant.
It is very exiting to read all your adventures, and I wish I was a bird and could join you.
It is wonderful what you are doing and I hope every body wil know about CLL by the time you finish your walk.
Maybe if I made 65 (only one year to go)and find myself with no more CLL I should consider walking long distances as well.
My daugther spent three weeks trekking in Nepal and a weekend in Wales, as a break from caring for me after my transplant, she loved it.
Thanks for posting photos, it is really nice to see where you are going each day.
good luch
Chonette
dx 2002 with CLL
doing well 3 months post transplant