Dastardly Splinter....

My normal 4 mile trot around the village today was nearly done, and I was IN DANGER of feeling smug because I barely notice doing 4 miles any more when, as hubris would have it, I suddenly felt an "Ow". I lifted my foot to brush off the thorn/gravel/glass/whatever I might have just trodden on but couldn't see anything (except a very dirty foot- difficult to spot alien objects when the whole sole of your foot is tar-coloured and sticky with dirt).
Anyway I walked the rest of the way pretending to myself that it was fine, and then got seriously stuck into the Dettol, the tweezers, the bright lamps etc as soon as I got through the door. To no avail. The little thingy- which I had now identified as a small blackish brown splinter/thorn, was very happy thankyou and not coming out for anyone. Several hours later, after a proper soaking in Magnesium Sulphate paste, and some serious digging with a needle, and it is finally out. Hurray! I shall be humbler on my walk tomorrow. Came home to find another cheque for £100 in the post. So, all's well.

I believe in miracles

This morning I went to meet the Parish administrator of a church I'll be going through at lunchtime on the last day of my walk.
They've offered me lunch
and an opportunity to meet their congregation-
and a brief service after lunch-
and a donation of £500.
The vicar said as he waved to me on his way out of the building "I love it when people do crazy things for the Gospel". I feel as though it's all out of my hands though- most of it just seems to be "happening" its not a question of me "doing" it.
This donation will (on today's reckoning) take me to £4700. It suddenly seems as though the donations are beginning to gather some momentum.
The last couple of days I haven't got out to walk- a very busy weekend, and various other odds and ends needed finishing today. So its been mostly admin which I don't really enjoy- I have yet ANOTHER local paper I have to go and try to sell my tale to. Still- onwards and upwards.

A good day

I had a good day yesterday- walked about 7 miles and came home to find £150 had been donated on my justgiving page. I am now, tantalisingly, just £9 away from £4000- which, though nowhere near what I want to raise, does seem like a good milestone!
Its been odd that as I walk more, and my feet hurt less, I think about what I am doing less too. When I started, there were days when I only carried on footfall by footfall because I was focussing on those women, and though my soles were screeching at me, I carried on. Now that my feet are tougher, I find I can make shopping lists in my head, and even look up to the horizon occasionally without fear of what I may tread on next.

Sunny morning

7 miles this morning in lovely sunshine- my feet feeling surprisingly fine- though creaking a little- and I've come home to find another £50 donation on the justgiving page from someone I've never heard of- these donations are obviously the ones I need- as I have to reach beyond my own circle- they're also slightly frustrating- as I'm wanting to contact and thank people personally- or at least to know who they are if I bump into them...
Dry fields and a few less hedge- clippings have made the fields a bit easier than they were a month ago- fewer great big globs of mud stuck between my toes!

Glorious

The last couple of days have been lovely- so sunny and WARM- my feet think they've gone to heaven. I dawdled round 4 miles yesterday, enjoying the spring brightness, the daffodils, the blossom, the dear little baa lambs- you could cut it out and put it on a chocloate box.
Also I am feeling greatly encouraged by two very generous donations made in the last 3 days- which total £500. It seems as though £10K might be an achievable target on days like these!

The joy of....nettles

Now that the spring has sprung and the daffodils/ bunnies/ Easter eggs are popping up all over the place, I find there is a new hazard on the barefoot trail. Nettles- lots of them, and so low to the ground that you can't really avoid them no matter how hard you try. Actually, it's just not really worth trying, so I came home today with nettle stings like ceremonial anklets round both legs. Also had to walk across a very wet (up to my ankles)field- which would have been fine if the water hadn't also been extremely cold. Which it was.
A short walk- 3.7 miles- but it took ages as so much mud and so many thorns and bits of mud to teeter over.
Still, had my excellent sister-in-law in tow to laugh at me; and at least her dog was- for once- less well behaved than mine.