Walk 20 -11.9 miles - Total 260.4 miles - To Go 739.6 miles

Boscombe Pier, Hengistbury Head, Mudeford Quay, Christchurch, Boscombe Pier








Before walking today we decided to discover The Fish Stall at Mudeford Quay to get provisions for tonights meal. What a wonderful place. Sun shining and warm before 9am the world sparkles and there can be no better place to be on the planet at this moment in time. We meet Rebecca and her team in the stall with its mouthwatering fresh fish selection. We have a couple of oysters each and fresh anchovies in garlic and olive oil for breakfast. For tonight we buy dressed crab, sea bass (to roast in fennel, garlic, onion, thyme and orange sauce) and mussels and prawns for tomorrows penne marinara. The oysters are plump and delicious and we think we might walk back here for lunch. We stop off at Waitrose on the way back which I only mention as we met Caroline Beaucroft at the check out. Caroline is cycling 1000 miles from Lands End to John O Grote in 14 days to raise money for a Foundation School. She is so complimentary about our efforts and gives us both a big hug of encouragement before leaving us. Another example of the friendliness of people in this part of the world. We wish you well with your charity effort Caroline.

We start along the front in shorts and t shirts for the first time on our walking. The beaches are packed with Easter holiday makers. Families setting up in their beach huts for a day in the sun. Amazing places with cookers, cupboards, seats and tables. A home from home. After 1.5 miles walking today we have completed 250 miles and are a quarter of the way to our 1000 mile target. It seems a perfect moment to stop and celebrate this acheivement and we meet locals Tara, Emma and Steven who give up their seats and celebrate with us. Rob asks if we can stay for the day and although tempted I say we must walk on.

A little further on we meet beach ranger Annie who has the dream job. Annie looks after 1 mile of beach and her job is to make sure everyone is happy. She has a lovely smile and gives us great encouragement for our efforts.



The walk is stunning as we rise to the top of Hengistbury Head and at the top and look out to the Isle of Wight and Christchurch. At the top I ask Mariaka and Bruce Hemming for advice on the best walks on the Christchurch side. They ask who we are walking for and are then amazed at coincidences as Mariaka works at the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre. I also now notice that Bruce is wearing a top with MS Therapy logo on the front. Amazing coincidence and they wish us well. We are finding almost everyone we meet does know someone close to them who does have MS and the horrors this disease metes out to people.

As we descend to Mudeford we talk about creativity and who has it and who does not. We try to agree that everyone is creative and it is a matter of releasing your own creativity that is the key. Rob wants to release more creativity for his photography
interest.



As we are discussing this we come upon Lyn Cope who appears to be photographing a bush close up. . When we ask what she is doing we find she is taking a shot of some rocks in the distance framed with branches from the bush. Being very creative indeed. Lyn is impressed with our quest and offers great advice I like on making your feet recover and last longer after walks. The secret is peppermint essential oils and cream which should be applied to feet after a long soak in a relaxing bath. Sounds great and we must give it a go.



We catch the ferry over to Mudeford Quay and are given free passage for the charity so we donate the fare to our collections. Back at the Fish Stall Rebecca is pleased to see us and we order a dozen oysters and more anchovies this time in chilli oil and sit by the quay with a lunch feast set for kings. As we do so a crowd in their boat 'Soggy Pants' ask if we are the famous walkers. They have read about us in the Bournemouth Echo yesterday and recognise us! Dan, Dave, Chris, Sol and Sophie give us great encouragement and support for our cause.
Sol is a professional photographer so he and Rob are soon in to comparing their kit and technique.


We notice how quiet we are for the last couple of miles of our walk and sense this is tiredness building up. A few stretches and flop in front of FA Cup football before settling down to our feast for kings tonight. Life doesn't get better than this.