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Dyke? Done it mate

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 Hello Everyone,  It's been a while and I think it's time I finally update this blog before I start the other. I am very proud to say, that we have officially completed the whole stretch of Offas dyke. Over the course of many weekends the Trekkers set out to complete segment by segment of this great journey.  Our final stretch took us up over from Hay on Wye down to Pandy. And what a brilliant stretch it was. We were graced with the presence of several familiar faces as well as several new ones, all joining in to raise great effort and awareness of testicular cancer as well as our initial goal for the betterment of St Albans school.  This day was set a bit of a wild one, with rain from the days before turning the trail to a slip and slide. Bit would be a challenging initial incline up. Dredging through the tough mud, we continued to climb up and up where the set path changed from soil to stone. This was it, the final peak, several miles along sheer ledges, and an open cliff bro

Day 6 - a journey's end

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Today's the day. The final few miles of our desired goals and ambitions. And today we would be conquering some of the toughest conditions that we have had to face. From start to the very bitter end we marched on climbing hill after hill, rising up and sliding down some of the steepest slopes we have had to face so far. these challenges were enhanced by the horrid weather and the state of our bodies having walked for the past 5 days. With the rain hammering down and not letting up, we trudged across from millington and our journey ended up in the quite village of Newcastle-on-clun. having reached over 100 total miles traveled over the past week and with feet and shoes soaked through we retired from this stretch of the challenge, and the end of our extreme endeavour. Through the mist and rain we stumbled on till we reached halfway along the trek where we found shelter form the sky's above at the entrance of a nearby church. We huckered down, had some snacks then set off again aft

Day 5 - An inspiring stretch

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Today's walk would be the start of the second most challenging segment of our 112 mile journey. Our trek would start us just on the outskirts of Welshpool and we would arrive in at a beautiful manor house along side the pathway in Mellington. The hardest part of today's Trek was ultimately the start of the journey. Facing yet another vertical climb up the steep hillsides, we clampered up the slope and proceeded to make our way along the brows of the following hills, rolling up and down the trail, determined to make a great distances and reduce the challenge of tomorrow's final stretch. We were all thankful for the prior day's walk as it allowed us to ease in the new recruits and help rest our sore feet. With the shallow rises and falls of the following hills and the light wading through the fields, the only real excitement we seemed to find was on our great assent upward and having to save a sheep from a fence However that being said, we still kept our spirits high, nev

Day 4 - marching in the rain

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Day 4 started out as most great days should. A full English breakfast and a moral boosting interview which reminds us of what we're doing what we have set out to do. And from that we were off too the races. Today's walk was set to be one of the easiest which would be a blessing for those who have walked the whole way and an easing in for the new trekkers. The day started off brilliantly, sun was shining through the clouds, and the hardest part of the walk would be the start. A steep uphill climb of a height 400 meters followed by a few rolling hills down to a hight of 50m. From there the walk was long and flat there after. What made today special was the incredible views. Disspite the occasional shower, we stayed in high spirits, however the assent and rolling hills had taken it's toll. If it wasn't for the support of our 2 new Trekkers Divan and Rob the last few miles would have been unbearable but their support and guidance really pulled us together and showed us the

Day 3 - Castle to Castle

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Day 3 woke us in the comfortable confines of Ruthin castle, where a quick breakfast bap and a bus ride later we were on our way to our last end point. With the wonderful weather on our side we made great haste as we set off from Llandegla towards our 20 mile end goal of Craignant.  After a start just like most others, a steady incline to the brows of the nearby hills, we were faced with a fairly flat climb, which was a blessing for the longest time, allowing our torn tattered feet to recover and not suffer much more injury. Walking along a slabbed path through with the crisp cool air flowing through our lungs we marched on towards world's end, crossing the ford and facing the first real challenge of the day. A 6.5 mile non stop trek to Trefor, our half way point and eating place for lunch. Walking along a slim goat path along the beautiful slate mountains, sharp stone chippings under our feet delt se more damage. After a quick pitstop to heal the wounds we were off again then follo

Day 2 - conquest continues

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It was a brilliant day today. Beautiful weather, high spirits and after a great nights rest the night before, full of energy. After a quick stop at the local Morrisons to pick up breakfast sandwiches and meal deals for lunch we set off from Bodfari once more, this time heading in the opposite direction towards Llandegla. Nothing could have prepared us for the challenges ahead. We started our travel at 7:40 AM where we engage our first ascent, traveling upwards of 1500 feet over the first peak. That was only the initial first 4 miles of the trip.  The trail took us back down to the valley only to then send us up again another 1000+ feet. We followed along the brows of the nearby hills where we came across a bronze age dig site 2 miles later which was followed up by a straight decline all the way back down the other side. Then the biggest challenge came to face. A 1818 foot climb up the steepest portion of our journey and a continuous 4 mile climb to the Jubilee tower. We made great pace