In 1999 I started trekking with Teenage Cancer Trust to raise funds for young people like Paula who died in 1998 of leukaemia just before her 17h birthday.

This year Paula would have been 40.   It felt right to do something to commemorate her so I have planned a new walking route which I am delighted to be able to name Paula's Way.

The route starts in Abbotsbury and by following various water courses ends in Cropredy which was our home for many years and where I had the pleasure of knowing Paula and her family.  It is also the home of the Fairport Convention Annual Festival.

The reason for the start point is that the nationally acclaimed folk band Show of Hands have their festival in Abbotsbury in July.

I shall start walking on 4 July, the day after the Show of Hands festival and end on 12 August, the first day of the Annual Fairport Convention Festival.

The route is 226 miles and incorporates stretches of the Kennet & Avon Canal and The Oxford Canal as well as  The Thames and other rivers such as the Cerne, the Stour, the Frome and the Lambourne.

As is usual on these long walks, I shall be accompanied by one or both of my trusty Airedales - Holly through the fields and woods and Malham along the towpaths where there are no stiles (he doesn't do stiles).

Like most charities Teenage Cancer Trust has suffered financially from the pandemic so every little helps.  thank you inadvance for your generosity.