As the date got nearer, several friends got in touch to air their concerns regarding the up and coming weather forecast for our Arundel walk on the Saturday 2nd …It wasn’t looking too good…Mmmm…Being the type of person who hates to look into future weather predictions, I hesitated to make any changes. However, I felt that perhaps I should put it out to the 20 plus pals who had signed up for the event that we could go for the following day – Sunday 3rd as there appeared to be a sunnier forecast…Some had already jumped to the second proposed date which we have set for Sunday 17th October, but the balsy few remained, regardless of the stormy day we had coming…Hooray?!
The rain started softly – how kind….But it intensified and it blew the most outrageous gales as we strode along the SouthDowns Way section of the walk…Literally blowing us sideways…Invigorating to say the least!
The gorgeous friend of mine, Andy Bone, who had devised the walk two years ago, was with us which was such a treat for me as we didn’t get to complete it together in 2019 as Andy had to take the 5 mile version.
We had Sebby’s friend Iris (age 7!) with her family – she and her brother Ben were AMAZING…and they walked the ENTIRE 13.5 mile version…incredible…I did get to have a little moment to declare my admiration and love towards Iris for taking on board such a noble and courageous adventure on behalf of Sebby and his new, accessible home. Her very well timed and perfectly toned response, as we trudged up a steep hill was; “I had no choice”…BRILLIANT – That made quote of the day/year!
The whole day was actually really very special and we all agreed that the weather had made it so. It was very bonding …We especially loved arriving at the wonderful Black Rabbit pub for a hearty supper!
But my hugest thanks to all eleven, brave, resilient friends (and one pooch!) who took their time to support me and Sebby – and all their very generous friends and family who have been pouring money into the new Just Giving Pot…It means the world to us XX