I made it! Walked 163 miles in all in the end and made it back to Hollybush as the photo shows. Blessed with amazing weather all the way, but even more blessed by your kindness and generosity which have blown me away and kept me going when the going got tough. Full details of every day of the walk are here; https://amble.eightoaks.com/blog/ and apologies that I wasn't able to keep this page up-to-date as well as the blog. Thank you, thank you, thank you all but the biggest thanks go to Mike without whom none of it would have been possible.

Today's walk was the hottest yet, but through more stunningly beautiful countryside. I was waved off by my Aunty Pat from Monkland Church and she brought along a photo of my Uncle Mike, whose life was cut short by cancer in 2013. This leg of the walk is dedicated to him as I'm sure he would have walked at least part of it with me if he'd still been around - he was a very fit and active chap, a real rugby nut, and an all round wonderful man. Week one unbelievably done, now to rest, recuperate and prepare for week two - to Hay and beyond!

The fab weather continued, but as temperatures rose, all was good tempered and harmonious as our team of two from yesterday became a team of three as Ruth joined us for the Pudlestone - Monkland leg. She brought with her an uncanny knack of being able to spot the next stile across the width of a field which was to prove invaluable. Meanwhile Dave stepped in to save us when the path network between Leominster and Monkland proved tricky. Lovely to end the day at All Saints Monkland, it had been a hot but very happy journey to the ancestors.