Week 1

Well after all the planning Saturday 21st July saw the boys start this mammoth task The information that we are getting is minimal because we are having to rely on text messages and they are not getting a signal everyday so we just have to be patient. For those of you who want to follow there progress myself Jackie (stewart's wife) and Ian will do our best. I have asked Stewart to send me better texts than normal as he is very good at one word messages and then I usually have to mind read so he has excelled himself this week I expect his fingers hurt as well as his feet!
Day 1 saw them start in a thunderstorm and the weather wasn't great the first 3 days. They managed to stay in a hotel day 2 and an auberge day 4 which enabled them to dry their clothes, have a good meal and a decent nights sleep. Day 4 it rained until 230pm and it was misty and cold but then sun came out that afternoon.
Day 6 and although they still on target they feel the timings in the book are a joke as they are walking 10 hour days and feel if they are to finish on time will have to walk on planned days off.
Derrick spoke to his family today and they said he is in good spirits but obviously missing his family.
Day 7 mist is closing in today. It had been scorching hot and they were drinking 5 litres of water each filling their camel backs from rivers, animal troughs and wells. Eating pasta and soup but managed a lunch in a restaurant. Day 8 the weather really bad today and they had to turn back and use a variant route described in book( their bible). Very tough going and walked for 11 hours. They met Bernard who has taken them to a refuge for the night with a few other walkers and they will all try again in the morning to reach Lescun.

First Sighting

Being away for such a long time we expected Dad and Stew to meet people on their trek, and here is a message from a very kind couple who they met on their very first day. 'Hello, We met Stewart and Derrick on Saturday evening when they arrived at Col de Lizuniaga from Hendaye at the end of their first day. They were tired but in good spirits after a hard 1360m of ascent and 1130m of descent with heavy packs which made for a tough first day! We were just finishing the penultimate day of our walk from Perpignan and had seen the blog before we left the UK on 6th June. We have a picture of them breaking camp in preparation for the walk to Arizkun on Sunday morning which will send on. Good luck to them.' It's absolutely amazing to hear from someone who has seen them since we have. Many thanks to David and Carole Whitten.

Departure Day

Well, here it is, Friday 20th July. As Derrick (my dad) and Stewart have started their awesome trek I will be regularly updating their blog to keep you all up to date. We were up early to make sure everything was in order and when we were certain we left for Newport train station. The 11.40am to London Paddington, platform 3! Stewart had a job to walk the steps to platform 3, by the time he had got there he was huffing and puffing! lol. Here we had a small fairwell gathering of family and friends. Liz and Jackie (the wives) Ian and Scott (two of derricks sons, Liam his other son is in Auz but i know he was there in spirit wishing our dad the very of luck!) Sheryl our neighbour also turned up with Naomi and Cassie and so did Mr V and his wife Val. We of derricks sons, we were also joined by Coleen and Liz from Cancer Research Wales. After a few photos, the train arrived and this was the time to say our farewells and good lucks. It was a bit emotional to say the least, lots of hugs and kisses. They will both be missed, but when the guys got on the train you could see they just couldn't wait to meet the Pyrenees and start walking, they were in their element. Hanging out of the train window like a couple of kids as it pulled out of the station they waved their last goodbyes as we waved back.

Getting Close!

No I'm not talking about Derrick and I. The date for departure looms. It's only a week to go and we still have so much to do. Our second dance is on Saturday 14th July 2007, with music from the Attic Band. We have sold all 120 tickets so the night promises to be a humdinger. Watch out next week for pics and a report.

I've starting getting my gear together and things like a first aid kit. There is no panic, just a lot to do. Seven weeks is a long time and we would like to think that we won't be forgotten whilst on the trek and that some money was still rolling in.

Monday 16th July 2007 sees us live on BBC Radio Wales being interviewed by Jamie Owen if you care to tune in or go online to http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/jamieowen/

We will update this site ourselves before we go and then during the trek we hope to find a volunteer to keep you all posted as to how we are doing.

Take care all.