We (Carol and David) are septuagenarians who love walking and are planning to walk LEJOG, setting off in April 2023. Some of our friends and family think we are mad, and some have cast doubt on our ability to complete the task! But if determination will get us there, then watch this space!

Approaching his 75th birthday, David decided that he wanted to undertake a challenge to celebrate retirement.  I waited, thinking:  Sky dive?  Bungee jumping?  But no.  He wants to walk from Lands End to John O Groats (LEJOG)  After much consideration, I decided that I couldn’t let him do this alone – would he get there in one piece without me?  And so the idea was born, and six months later the plans are reaching fruition. 

We have always been walkers, but have been gradually increasing the distances recently, including walking the South Downs Way in inclement weather with full gear!  

 Our planning has involved a lot of research in guide books and on websites, and we have finally decided an approximate route, aiming to walk an average of 12 miles a day, keeping as far as possible to national trails.

We start our walk from Lands End on 11th April, accompanied during the first week by our 8 year old grandson, who is delighted to be ‘walking with Grampy’!  We aim to take the SW coastal path north as far as Barnstaple, and then head across Exmoor, following the Tarka Trail, the Limestone Way, the Cotswold Way, the Heart of England Way, The Pennine Bridleway …………..

Our aim is not the destination, but enjoyment of the walk, and it will take as long as it takes!

About him:

• Age: 75 and a half years
• Colour: White
• Height: 5′-9″ (but currently decreasing)
• Weight: 11 Stones (but currently increasing)
• Occupation: Pencil pusher
• Hobby: Sharpening pencils
• Greatest Admirer: Ophelia Prentki (age 5)
• Person he admires most: His Wife
• Person who annoys him most: Ditto
• Religion: Loves Jesus – hates preaching
• Greatest fear: Parties
• Greatest ambition: To make it to 76 years
• Favourite group: Family – makes him feel proud
• Favourite book: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ by Lewis Carroll and ‘The book of Job’ (author unknown)
• Favourite film: ‘Stand by Me‘
• Favourite wine: Red
• Favourite food: Home cooked
• Favourite song: Female artist – “I will always Love You” (written by Dolly Parton, sung by Whitney Houston). Male artist – “Anthem” (written and sung by Leonard Cohen)
• Favourite Painting: ‘The Shrimp Girl’ by William Hogarth (in The National Gallery)
• Favourite One Liner: “The answer my friend is blowing in the wind” by Bob Dylan
• Why?: The greatest unsolved mystery known to mankind is why people walk from one end of the UK to the other. He intends to find out before he dies.