The Adventure Begins

May 1st - Day 1

Having spent 2 days travelling up to John O'Groats by car, Will and Alastair take their first steps along their epic adventure. Not having a support team for the first leg to Edinburgh, they have to leapfrog each other, whereby one of them drives down the road, parks the car and starts walking, and the other sets off and walks to the car.

Will set off from the John O'Groat's start point and apart from his last four miles, where his legs started to strain a bit, enjoyed a nice journey of good weather and generally flat roads.

Al had it slightly tougher and had to tackle some pretty hairy hills and blind corners, what with the road being so narrow at times, but he kept his smile throughout.

They pitched their tent at a campsite in Inver Dunbeath, and enjoyed a stamina-building pasta supper. It started to drizzle a bit, but nothing major and both sat under the hatchback of the car soaking their feet in Savlon!

Day's mileage: Will 21.9 miles / Alastair - 19.9 miles

Cold Porridge and Shin Splints

May 2nd - Day 2

The boys awake to a very cold morning, and it took several layers of clothing before they got warm. Their first breakfast of porridge filled them up, but because of the low temperature it went cold almost as soon as it had left the saucepan!

After one very steep hill right at the beginning of the day, Will had a long period of downhill, whilst Al ploughed ahead further down the road. After 4 hours of walking Al got to his stop point and enjoyed a pot of tea and some flirting with some waitresses, firmly in the belief he had just managed 7 miles an hour to reach his finish line so soon.

A couple of hours later, Will was still walking and starting to suspect the car had been stolen, as he had been through the town where it was supposed to have been parked....an hour later he was really beginning to worry!

On close inspection of the map Al realised what had happened. He had parked the car further down the road from where he was supposed to. Thirty-seven miles from his start point, Will got to the car a broken man!

Al treated him to a B&B, feeling a hot bath would do him good, and when they got there, Will was offered a rub-down by the manageress. Sadly she wasn't Cindy Crawford, so he politely declined and opted for a cold beer instead.

Day's mileage: Will - 37 miles / Alastair - 14 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 58.9 miles / Alastair – 33.9 miles

The Morning After

May 3rd - Day 3

Will is suffering from his mammoth walk yesterday, his legs are very stiff and he has mild shin splint. He also has a heat rash around his ankles from wearing his boots. All in all he's in pretty bad shape. Al on the other hand is the picture of health, but then most people would be after the light stride of 14 miles he did yesterday!

Al sets off, whilst Will goes ahead and sets up basecamp. Because of his ailments he only does a small distance just to keep his legs from completely packing in on him. Al walks further than originally planned in order to make up some of the distance lost by Will not walking the full complement. He puts in a strong performance of 28-odd miles, but he's definitely not the picture of health he was this morning by the end of it, walking with a slight limp and groaning every time he moves.

The boys enjoy another pasta supper, but the temperature has dropped this evening and by their tenth cup of tea they decide they'd be warmer getting in the tent and going to bed. They have separate sleeping bags by the way!

Day's mileage: Will - 10.7 miles / Alastair - 28.2 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 69.6 / Alastair – 62.1 miles

Why Does it Always Rain on Me?

May 4th - Day 4

They awake to heavy rain, so through no choice of their own manage to have a lie in. Well, they do have to let the tents dry out! They seize the break in rain, thankfully the tent dries out in seconds, and are on the road by noon. They've not been walking long when it starts raining again, and it doesn't stop all day!

Both encounter particularly unsavoury mountain goats, boy can they move! If we could domesticate them, they'd be our best shot at winning the gymnastics at the Olympics! But they turn out to be all mouth and no trousers, and the boys escape to tell the tale.

They've both got to walk further than originally planned, due to Will taking it easier yesterday, but despite the downpour they both put in very strong performances.

It's still raining when they finish for the day, and their best bet is to find a B&B for the night. They land upon a lovely one in Kingussie, with plenty of hot water and big double beds....well, Will gets a big double bed, Al has to make do with a single, 'but them's the breaks!'

Day's mileage: Will - 26.2 miles / Alastair - 26.4 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will - 95.8 miles / Alastair – 88.5 miles

We've Found Bambi's Mother

May 5th - Day 5

The rain has finally stopped and after a cooked breakfast involving black pudding, which Al was forced to eat, despite his protests of not being a vampire, the boys were back on the road early and making their way through the hills of Aviemore. All the mountain peaks are covered in snow and it really is a very picturesque walk throughout the day.

Al sees his first deer, skipping through the fields, and he can't help but think of Bambi. Will also has a Bambi moment, but it involves his mother, and she's certainly not skipping, due to being the victim of roadkill! By the end of the day, the Bambi family death count is six, all in various states of decomposition. It's almost like witnessing the Quentin Tarantino version of a Disney classic!

They get to the stop point and then drive to Edinburgh because Will has to get a train to London to get to a read-through of an episode of Dalziel and Pascoe that he's in. Al stays the night with some friends of Will's Mum who welcome him with enormous hospitality.

Day's mileage: Wi ll - 23.3 miles / Alastair - 24 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 119.1 miles / Alastair – 112.5 miles

Timing is Everything

May 6th - Day 6

Will and Alastair have been planning this walk for nearly 5 months. Everything from their training, to their route, to how many miles they walk a day, to what campsites they stay in, has been mapped out to the letter.

It all had to be changed suddenly when 2 days before setting off Will was offered a role in an episode of Dalziel and Pascoe . Certainly not ungrateful, far from it in fact, Will was delighted to be working on the long-running drama and was particularly looking forward to filming a scene with Warren Clarke. But it didn't half bugger up the schedule!

Nonetheless, the read-through went well, the director, David Thacker, was particularly interested in the walk, although when he told Will he didn't have to have come to the read-through, Will did find himself having to smile a little too politely!

Al meanwhile, spent the afternoon at the cinema resting his limbs.

I Don't do Mornings!

May 7th - Day 7

Will, not known for being good in the mornings at the best of times, was in a right old mood as he had to get up at 04.30 to get the first train back to Edinburgh. His mood did not improve when he got to the station and saw his train pulling away 3 minutes early! Apparently if they're not busy they can go before their stated time. Tony, stop hanging with Bush, and sort this country out!

He got to Edinburgh for 11 am, where Al met him and the pair drove back up north to where they had finished the day before. It was the first day of really hot weather, and both wore only their T-shirts and shorts.

Al continued to see the wildlife of the highlands skipping and jumping around the fields, whilst Will's dead deer count went up to nine!

They stopped for the night in a campsite in a place called Dollar, where their tent was next door, so to speak, to a Dutch couple who were rather enthusiastic, shall we say. So despite going to bed early, our boys didn't actually manage to fall asleep till around midnight!

Day's mileage: Will - 19.2 miles (+400 on the train) / Alastair - 22.9 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 138.3 miles / Alastair – 135.4 miles

To the Castle!

May 8th - Day 8

The weather is good when they awake, bright and sunny, but it's not long before it becomes overcast and starts to pour. The Dutch couple certainly have a smile on their face, though!

It's the last day of the first leg today, and the boys are pushing through to Edinburgh, where they will be met by CPP council members Pepe Balderrama and Charlotte Phillips, who are joining them for the second leg to Newcastle.

Soaking, the boys get to the Castle early evening and go to the Forbes' house, where Al stayed the other night. They have prepared cold beers and hot showers for the boys' arrival. Will ends up getting the room with the double bed, that's the second time now, but neither can complain at the wonderful hospitality of Andrew and Jane and the rest of the Forbes family.

They meet Pepe and Charlotte and their friend Fraser in a nice little Italian in Edinburgh centre, and go to a few bars after. But what had been planned as a big night out, ends earlier than expected, as Will and Al's stamina begins to fade and it's not long before the boys are heading off to bed. Their heads don't even touch the pillow before they're sound asleep!

Day's mileage: Will - 23 miles / Alastair - 20.3 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 161.3 miles / Alastair – 155.7 miles

1st leg complete - John O'Groats to Edinburgh = 317 miles

A Sleep in and Yorkshire Puddings

May 9th - Day 9

After a very long, and deserved sleep in, Will and Al cook a roast dinner for the Forbeses as a thank you for their kind hospitality. The Yorkshire puddings are Will's best ever and after lots of chat and wine, it's bedtime again, and another chance to recharge the batteries a little more, before the second leg.

Total mileage: None, but some damn fine Yorkshire Puddings!

The Royal Lyceum Theatre

May 10th - Day 10

Will and Alastair go to the first of the theatres along their journey, visiting the Royal Lyceum, which is a magnificent theatre, and are given a tour by their head of education, Steve Small.

After another lovely dinner, more wine and chat with the Forbeses, the boys pack up their stuff and get an early night.

The Second Leg

May 11th - Day 11

Originally, Pepe and Charlotte were going to walk with the boys today, but Charlotte isn't feeling too well, so they opt for being the support team instead.

Will sets off from Edinburgh Castle and Pepe and Charlotte drive Al ahead and drop him off before going on and setting up basecamp. Charlotte claims she's been camping before, but judging by the way she's put the tents up it's highly in doubt!

The A1 is particularly hairy, so Will has to change his route and go slightly round the houses. Al gets accosted by the police early on, who have been phoned to say a strange man is walking alone down the dual carriageway. When he informed them he's doing John O'Groats to Lands End, they tell him he's mad, before waving him on his way.

Further back, Will doesn't get the same treatment, as having got back on the dual carriageway at a less hairy point, Will is asked to get off the road by the Police, because it's a no walk area. Luckily the road parallel is the old A1 and goes in the direction he needs.

Pepe and Charlotte, whilst not very good at erecting tents, have prepared a lovely meal of Butchers burgers. They all feel slightly guilty being right next to a field of cows, but when you've walked a long way, hurting a cow's feelings is the least of your worries!

There is a pub inside the campsite so they all go for a night cap, before heading off to bed in their separate tents. Which is a good thing really, because boy, can Pepe snore!

Day's mileage: Will - 27 miles / Alastair - 21 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 188.3 miles / Alastair – 176.7 miles

Alastair's Birthday

May 12 - Day 12

Al is allowed a lie-in this morning, because it's his 27th Birthday. Pepe and Will prepare a birthday breakfast of bacon and eggs, bucks fizz and birthday cards. When Al does surface he gets lots of jokes thrown at him about being old and it all going downhill from here. Will even suggested he doesn't eat his bacon, now that he has to watch the cholesterol he intakes!

Charlotte's feeling better today so the pair of them are going to walk. Pepe walks with Will and Charlotte with Al.

Charlotte gives the kind of performance that suggest she's been walking the whole way! Her legs are fine, and she keeps up with Al all day. Pepe does a great job for the first 4 miles, where, taking a break, he confesses to wanting to walk the whole week with the boys. But a couple of miles down the road the legs are starting to ache a bit and by the time Will and Pepe get to the car, you can almost hear the cries of Hallelujah reverberate in his head! But still he doesn't grumble and doing a 20-odd mile walking with no training is still very impressive.

They camp for the night in the oddest of places. Alnwick Rugby Club, out on the 2nd team pitch, which apparently doubles as a campsite during the summer. They have a BBQ to celebrate Al's birthday and treat him to a couple of nice bottles of wine, which is ironic because if you could see the four of them huddled round the dying fire left on the BBQ, with woolly hats and hooded tops on, they do all look like winos!

Day's mileage: Will and Pepe - 21 miles / Alastair and Charlotte - 21.2 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 209.3 miles / Alastair – 197.9 miles

Pepe's Pain

May 13th - Day 13

Everyone is woken by some activity on the rugby pitch this morning, excuse me, don't you know this is a campsite!

Pepe is feeling considerably sore this morning; not only does he have the more obvious ailment of stiff legs, but he's also got a shooting pain in his hamstring. Charlotte, meanwhile, is skipping like someone who's been resting for a week. But because Pepe is unable to walk, the pair become the support team again, and it's back to walking alone for out intrepid adventurers!

Al hasn't taken on Will's cholesterol advice at all, as his breakfast consists of 2 mixed grills, not eaten at last night's BBQ. Mind you, it can't be that bad for you, as Al puts in an almost Superman performance today, knocking out 23.3 miles in just over 5 hours! Maybe he's trying to scare off old age!

They've arrived in Newcastle and have a whole area of the campsite to themselves, which includes their own private picnic table. Pepe and Charlotte have managed to put the tents up correctly today, and have also gone and got some ice to chill the left-over beers from Al's party. All in all a good day!

Day's mileage: Will - 16 miles / Alastair - 23.3 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 225.3 miles / Alastair - 221.2 miles

2nd Leg Complete - Edinburgh to Newcastle = 129.5 miles

Total cumulative distance walked = 446.5 miles

Fog on the Tyne

May 14th - Day 14

Pepe is still feeling it this morning, but a quiet word with Will, when he tells him if he doesn't walk but Charlotte does, he'll never hear the end of it, spurs him on enough to get back on the road.

They made it to Newcastle yesterday, but so they can make up the day lost by Will going to his read-through, walk to Middlesbrough, before going back to Newcastle to see friends.

After walking down the coastline for a good 4 or 5 miles, Pepe and Will were then faced with the urban wasteland that is Sunderland and its hordes of young teenagers smoking and drinking White Lightning - oh, to be young again! They survived to tell the tale, and despite still feeling stiff, Pepe puts in a strong performance.

Charlotte, who felt no pain the other day, hits a barrier at about 10 miles, and despite her second wind later on, gets to the stop point to discover her foot is bleeding! She's still smiling however, but don't anyone say that these guys aren't dying for their art!

They stop for the night at Alicia's in Newcastle, who is an absolute star and has a fridge stocked with cold beers and a pizza on the way! A night out in Newcastle later, the team retire for the day, on schedule and feeling good, apart from Charlotte's feet which are screaming bloody murder!

Day's mileage: Will & Pepe - 18.6 miles / Alastair & Charlotte - 17 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 243.9 miles / Alastair – 238.2 miles

Weddings and Rest

May 15th & 16th - Day 15 & 16

Will has a wedding to go to on Saturday, an old school friend's, where he really shouldn't be able to dance like that considering the number of miles he's just walked! Al takes the weekend off to see friends and recuperate, and Pepe and Charlotte head home to London.

This Evening's Performance Begins at 7.30'

May 17th - Day 17

The boys drive to Middlesborough, drop Al off and Will sets off further down the road. They've got to get to Scarborough by 7.30 because they're going to see a performance at the Stephen Joseph Theatre of Neil Simon's I Ought to be in Pictures .

Time does get a little tight as Will gets caught up on the coastal footpath, not taking into account its terrain, but he gets back on the main road and makes a strong push to the finish point.

They are very kindly given the use of a great flat belonging to a member of Scarborough Yacht Club [thanks, Wayne!]. A rushed shower later, the sort where you jump in, jump out, don't even bother to turn on the water type, and the boys head off to the theatre to see the show.

It's very good indeed and the boys get to meet the show's director, Laurie Sansum, and the cast afterwards. It's only when they get back to the car they realise that it has been broken into earlier in the day! The thieves have taken Al's camera, an in-car phone charger, a torch and a lantern that doesn't work, so there is some justice. It's not the end of the world, but Al's camera was the last one in which we had a photo of the boys at the John O'Groat's start point, as Will's camera got smashed on Day 1. Oh well, life, as they say, goes on, not for the Bambi family however, as the dead deer count has now gone up to 14!

Day's mileage: Will – 21.9 miles / Alastair – 24 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 265.8 miles / Alastair – 262.2 miles

York Here We Come!

May 18th - Day 18

The boys start the day by walking across the stage of the Stephen Joseph Theatre with Laurie Sansum and the cast of I Ought to be in Pictures , before setting off to York.

It's another scorching day, and Al has started to use factor 60 sun block. Being a quarter Somalian, he goes very dark in the sun, and so that he can play his role in our forthcoming production of Biloxi Blues , he can't catch any more sun than he already has!

Will on the other hand is lapping up the rays and enjoying having a sun tan for the first time in years!

They get to York in good time. Al drives through to Harrogate to stay at Will's mum's, whilst Will gets a train down to Birmingham to film his first day on Dalziel and Pascoe .

Day's mileage: Will - 19.3 miles / Alastair - 22.3 miles

 

Individual distance so far: 285.1 miles / Alastair – 284.5 miles

3rd Leg Completed - Newcastle to York = 123.1 miles

Total cumulative distance walked = 569.6 miles

Dalziel and Pascoe

May 19th - Day 19

Will films his first day on Dalziel and Pascoe , which goes well. He doesn't forget his lines and the director makes an announcement at the beginning of the day, telling people they must sponsor him! It's certainly one way of introducing yourself!

Al has a day of rest in Harrogate, and Will makes it back from Birmingham in the evening.

A Change of Plan

May 20th - Day 20

The boys had originally planned to walk across the stage of the York Theatre Royal today, and then walk from York to Harrogate. But because of the theatre teching their forthcoming show they're not able to do it until tomorrow.

So today the boys walk from Harrogate to Leeds together. Along the way they add a Badger to their menagerie of roadkill. They nick-name the animal Baloo, because he's massive and looks like the Bear in the Jungle Book . It doesn't look as if he's been run over, and it's more likely that he's had a heart attack and just fallen over on to his back. Despite being dead, he does look very cute. Aahh!

They arrive at Leeds in good time, and get the very exclusive 36 bus back to Harrogate, that has leather seats and plasma screens. Well, Harrogate is the Chelsea of the North!

Day's mileage: Together - 17 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 302.1 miles / Alastair – 301.5 miles

York Theatre Royal

May 21st - Day 21

The boys get to York, and walk across the studio space with the cast of The Cello and Nightingale , and then have a photo taken outside the theatre, before heading off from York back to Harrogate.

It's raining on and off today, but it's a beautiful walk through the countryside and the boys get to Harrogate in good time, to be greeted by Will's Mum who's prepared a lovely supper for our walkers.

Day's mileage: Together - 23 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 325.1 miles / Alastair – 324.5 miles

Harrogate Theatre

May 22nd - Day 22

The boys walk across the stage of the Harrogate theatre with Artistic Director Hannah Chissick and The Reduced Shakespeare Company who are in town as part of their tour of All the Great Books . [See 'Press' page]. The show is sold out, but they offer them free tickets if they don't mind sitting on fold-out chairs at the back of the theatre.

The show is great, very funny, and they have a drink with the cast afterwards, before going out in Harrogate with some old school friends of Will's.

BBQ and Pimms

May 23rd - Day 23

Our intrepid adventurers enjoy the afternoon sun sat in the garden having a BBQ and sipping Pimm's. It's hard, this walking lark!

Blackpool Here We Come!

May 24th - Day 24

The boys set off in the direction of Blackpool. There are some particularly hairy stretches, but generally the Pennines are not as hilly as you might expect. Mind you, on the way back over them to Sheffield it might be another story!

It's another glorious day, but Will has a run-in with the Police, where when walking past an American Army base near Menwith Hill, he is pulled over and asked a series of questions just to make sure he's not a terrorist. The irony is completely lost on the Police Officer when Will asked if he's been stopped for speeding!

They finish for the day just past Clitheroe and drive across to Blackpool to stay with Al's Mum. She's prepared a lovely supper of Lamb Chops and the boys spend the evening telling stories of Road Kill and humourless Police Officers!

Day's mileage: Will - 21.3 miles / Alastair - 23.3 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 346.4 miles / Alastair – 347.8 miles

The Tower's in Sight

May 25th - Day 25

The boys start the day with a fry up, which puts them on the road raring to go! It's a pretty easy day today, as the roads are all flat, and there's pavement to walk on all the way. They get to Al's Mum's where Al's cousins are waiting to take them out on the town in Blackpool.

It's quite an experience! The first pub has a line-dancing night on, and they're there long enough to see a quick-draw contest between grown men dressed up as cowboys. Who says England's seaside resorts can't compete with the rest of the World?!

Al's grown up here, but the rest of the night leaves a lasting effect on Will, who's never seen anything quite like it! Good fun though!

Day's mileage: Will - 16 miles / Alastair - 16 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 362.4 miles / Alastair – 363.8 miles

4th Leg Completed - York to Blackpool = 116.6

Total cumulative distance Walked = 686.2 miles

Ice Cream and Rollercoasters

May 26th - Day 26

The boys walk from Cleveleys back to Preston along the coastal route, stopping off at the Pleasure Beach for a simply amazing Ice Cream and a ride on the Big One, Europe's longest rollercoaster. They try to film it but the G-Force is too strong and they have to put the camera away. They while the evening away watching Love Actually and trying to recharge the batteries a little for the walk to Manchester tomorrow.

Day's mileage: Together - 22.3 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 384.4 miles / Alastair – 386.1 miles

Cold Feet Country

May 27th - Day 27

The boys walk from Preston to Manchester today, back to leapfrogging each other. The suspicions of whether the Pennines would be hillier going back across are confirmed...they are!

The boys arrive in fine form, however, and stay for the evening at a friend of Al's called Jo Day in Didsbury. She's thinking of calling her baby Christmas!

No sign of Adam, Karen, David or Pete, we're obviously not going to see Rachel 'cause she's dead! For those of you who don't know what we mean by this, we are of course talking about the characters from Cold Feet . The walking's really starting to affect the lads' sense of reality!

Day's mileage: Will - 16 miles / Alastair - 14.3 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 400.4 / Alastair – 400.4 miles

The Barnsley Lamproom

May 28th - Day 28

It's off to Barnsley today, to walk across the stage at the Lamproom Theatre, where CPP staged their inaugural production of Bill Manhoff's, The Owl and the Pussycat , last year.

They've got to set off early in order to get to the theatre in time to meet the press, but despite the roads being very hilly, they get there with minutes to spare.

In the evening they go and see Sparkies , which is a new play written by John Kelly, who is the Chairman of the Barnsley Theatre Trust and the founder of the Lamproom. It is a story about a young apprentice working in an electricians' workshop of a 1960s' mine in Barnsley. It was exceptionally well written, and the performances, from Barnsley amateurs, were all top notch. It's finished now, but look out for both the title and the author's name in the future.

We spend the rest of the evening with a couple of pints of Tetley's and hearing John's old stories of working down the pits. It's all good, not necessarily clean, but all good fun!

Day's mileage: Will - 18 miles / Alastair 18 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 418.4 miles / Alastair – 418.4 miles

A Week's Rest Awaits

May 29th - Day 29

Feeling a little worse for wear after last night's Tetley's invasion, the lads set off from Barnsley to Sheffield, where they arrive a little dehydrated, but feeling better for having walked last night's excess off.

They now have a week off, so Will can go and complete his filming on Dalziel and Pascoe , but we'll be back on line soon!

Day's mileage: Together 14 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 432.4 miles / Alastair – 432.4 miles

Leg 5 Completed - Blackpool to Sheffield = 102.3 miles

Total cumulative distance walked = 788.5 miles

The Royal Exchange Theatre

June 4th - Day 35

After a week's filming for Will, and well-earned rest in Al's case, the boys meet up again in Manchester, where they walk across the stage at the Royal Exchange Theatre with some of the cast of Major Barbara .

They spend the evening with their friend Jo Day, she's the one who's calling her son Christmas, and Will bumps into an old mate from a pub he used to work in 7 years ago! The things you see on the road!

Game Plan

June 5th - Day 36

Will's friend from RADA, Katherine Heath, is performing at the Library Theatre in the Alan Aykbourne comedy Game Plan , so the boys go and see it in the evening.

They had been promised nudity, but they'd been brought there under misrepresentation. Nonetheless, Katie does have a series of interesting costumes, so it's not a complete let down! It's another great play, and the boys get to meet the cast after and pass on their praise.

Back to Harrogate

June 6th - Day 37

One thing's for sure, the boys are doing this the hard way! They go back to Harrogate, so they can walk across the stage at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, who couldn't fit them in back when they passed through Leeds.

It's not far, and there's plenty of hot water and beds waiting for them back at Will's house in Harrogate.

The West Yorkshire Playhouse

June 7th - Day 38

It's across the stage at the West Yorkshire Playhouse today, where the boys are met by an Arts Critic for The Yorkshire Post.

The boys set off from Sheffield, where they finished walking last and head off in the direction of Newcastle Under Lyme.

They finish for the day, and get a train back to Harrogate where, a shower and some good old Yorkshire fish and chips later, the boys drive back to the WYP to see the evening's performance of Voodoo Nation .

Well, their good run of theatre had to come to end at some point. The production was a strange piece and Will and Al will spend much of the remaining part of the walk trying to work out what the hell it was about!

The director seemed to like it mind you, he actually went on stage at the end for his own bow!

Ah, the things you see when you don't have a gun!

Day's mileage - Together 26 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 458.4 miles / Alastair – 458.4 miles

On the Road Again

June 8th - Day 39

The boys carry on in the direction of Newcastle Under Lyme again today, and it's not long before Will sees more of Bambi's family, and other assorted roadkill! It's the first dead deer Al's seen, and it takes him a moment to recover.

The weather's fine, and the boys make good time, even enough to stop for a pint of shandy to refresh in the afternoon sun.

They make their distance, and it's back in the tent, for a good supper of pasta and stir-in before nightfall.

They're both a little stiff after having had the week off, but a solid night's sleep cures all.

Day's mileage - Together 26 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 484.4 miles / Alastair – 484.4 miles

The New Vic Theatre

June 9th - Day 40

The boys start the day by walking across the stage of The New Vic Theatre with Artistic Director Gwenda Hughes and the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest . Will worked with Gwenda at the National Youth Theatre, where he played Friar Lawrence, very much in the mould of Batman, in her production of Romeo and Juliet .

It's another fine day, and another fine performance from our intrepid adventurers!

Not much happened of any note today, but the boys make their destination of Lichfield in good time, where they are shown the most amazing hospitality by Jane and Handel, who are the parents of a friend of theirs.

Smoked salmon starter, followed by a lovely chicken main and finished off with a chocolate tart and cheese board! A lovely bottle of wine and some chat, and then a night's sleep in two of the comfiest of beds, tops off a fantastic evening of luxury!

Day's mileage - Will - 14 miles / Alastair - 12.8 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 498.4 miles / Alastair – 497.2 miles

The Run of Hospitality Continues

June 10th - Day 41

The smell of a full English wakes our intrepid adventures, and the fine service and hospitality continues care of Handel and Jane.

Handel very kindly drives our boys to Birmingham, to drop the car off, and then back to Lichfield, so that the boys can walk together.

It's a beautiful day today, full of sunshine, and the boys, fresh from great food and rest make exceptional progress, getting to Birmingham in no time.

They're staying at Will's Aunt and Uncle's tonight and their run of luck continues, as Uncle Mick is doing a BBQ. He does a fine job, and the wine flows all evening, as it tends to in Will's family!

Day's mileage: Together - 22 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 520.4 miles / Alastair – 519.2 miles

Stratford Here we Come

June 11th - Day 42

The boys wake to what they both agree is the best shower they have ever had. In many respects it's not really a shower, rather a transporter to heaven, and both struggle to pull themselves away from such luxury!

The day starts with Will getting lost around Birmingham, but he's back on track soon enough. Al makes great progress today, getting to Stratford with plenty of time to spare before Will arrives.

When Will does get there, he picks Al up, and then the pair drive back to their flat in London, as they have a week off from the walk in order to cast their upcoming production of Biloxi Blues.

But, they'll be back with us, and back on the road again soon!

Day's mileage: Will - l 5.4 miles / Alastair - 13.2 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 535.8 miles / Alastair – 532.4 miles

Leg 6 Completed: Sheffield to Stratford = 129.4 Miles

Total cumulative distance walked = 917.9 miles

On the Road Again....Again

June 21st - Day 52

After a week of casting, the boys arrived in Stratford last night to carry on their journey to Lands End. They stay with Sian and Caolan who are both in the RSC's productions of Romeo and Juliet and King Lear . Having stayed with Sian's parents, the boys were eager to find out if Hospitality ran in the family, and were pleased to find it did, having got a curry in and a good flick out on video.

However, today, having a curry the night before walking doesn't seem like such a good idea! It's not long before the boys begin to suffer, what they will forever affectionately call, the walker's trots! Luckily there's a pub on every corner out here in the country and the problem is sorted without fuss....so to speak!

It's another great day, weather wise for Will, and for the first time he finally sees a live deer, skipping playfully on the grass. The said act being the general reason it's on it's way to becoming roadkill, but skipping nonetheless!

Al, on the other hand, has very different time weather wise, finding himself in torrential rain for most of the day, but luckily it clears up late afternoon.

England are playing their final qualify in the European Championship tonight and the boys are able to get back to Sian and Coalan's just in time.

We win and are through to the quarter finals! It's not often we can say that!

Sian and Caolan get back after their show and we all watch the final fight scene in Rocky . 'Adrian!'

Brilliant!

Day's mileage: Will - 25.1 miles / Alastair - 24.3 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 560.9 miles / Alastair – 556.7 miles

We had better weather up North!

June 22nd - Day 53

Having woken to another fine cooked breakfast at the hands of Caolan, the boys head of to the point where Ali finished the day before. It's threatening to rain the whole way there in the car, and within seconds of getting out onto the tarmac the heavens open and stay that way for the rest of the day!

Will feels the effects of the weather and for the first time along this journey is within moments of surrendering and getting on a bus! Sitting in a bus stop waiting for said vehicle the jolt of guilt is so extreme that Will forces himself to carry on, not before the bus driver who has stop for him says a far less friendly version of; 'I shouldn't have bothered!'

When Will gets to the car, wetter than an otter's pocket, he drives to the boys flat in London, where he expects to find Al. But even after a hot shower and a cold beer, there's still no sign of him, and he's not answering his phone. Perhaps the weather has got to him to, and he's sat on a warm district and Hammersmith tube?

But finally at 11.13pm, Al emerges from the wet. It seems that his journey involved walking down the A40 into London, which had slowed him down due to fact he feared his own death the whole way. He's in need of a hot shower, and not just to warm up!

Day's mileage: Will - 25.3 miles / Al - 28.9 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 586.2 miles / Alastair – 585.6 miles

The Wrong Way Round

June 23rd - Day 54

Never ones for doing it the easy way, the boys get up and drive from London to Bath, because of their appointment at the Bath Theatre Royal, to walk across the stage there with Lesley Joseph and the cast of the Ginger Bread Man . They find their way through the maze of one-way streets that is Bath, and when they arrive at the theatre, they're no longer walking across the stage with Lesley Joseph, they're carrying her across, cause the photographer from the local paper feels that will be a more impressive photo. It's all very well for her, she hasn't just walked the best part of 1000 miles!

Lesley proves game for the laugh however, and judging by the way she looks longingly into Al's dark eyes, we imagines she's game for other things as well! Only teasing, we don't wish to be sued.

Instead of driving back to London only to the walk back to Bath, we decide to do it the other way round, walking from Bath to London.

Will sets off, once again with the heavens opening on him, but Al is delayed due to the exhaust of the support vehicle falling off! It's some of the worst roadkill on record today, and the planned production of Bambi the Musical has been cancelled due to the cast being wiped out by the front of a mysterious Ford Anglia!

Al's done pretty good progress today, considering he spent 2 hours sorting out a new exhaust.

Day's mileage: Will - 24.3 miles / Al - 18.4 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 610.5 miles / Alastair – 604 miles

Crisis in Casting!

June 24th - Day 55

The actress that the boys offered the role of Daisy to in their upcoming production of Biloxi Blues , has regretfully turned them down, due to being offered another job from Sir Peter Hall. It's better money, with better opportunities, but she went to university with the knight and feels she should support him! To add to this Gari Jones, the shows director is unsure of who he wants for some of the other roles, and requests another round of auditions for those in contention. It puts the boys back a couple of days, but since they are only doing this stupid walk to raise money for their show, it seems stupid not to find the best cast they can. But they'll be back on line soon.

Bloody Stratford Again!

June 28th - Day 59

The boys have to drive back up to Stratford today to walk across the stage at the RSC, which hadn't been convenient for the company last time they were up. But unfortunately the boys get caught in traffic on their way, and miss their appointment!

Luckily all involved are very understanding, and we reschedule the event for the next day. In the evening we go and see the RSC's production of King Lear , and top class theatre is back on the menu.

Let's All do the Conga!

June 29th - Day 60

The boys finally get to walk across the stage at the RSC today, alongside the cast of King Lear and their Patron Corin Redgrave. It's by far the funniest of all their walks across the stages of Britain, with Corin leading the line doing the Conga! And they've got it all on video!

Job Offer!

June 30th - Day 61

The boys continue the journey where their last finished, somewhere between Bath and London. The day starts off with rain, but the clouds are blown away early afternoon and it stays sunny for the remainder of the day.

At some point in the afternoon, just as Will was feeling particularly fatigued, he is perked up from a phone call from his agent, saying that he has been offered a role in Heartbeat ! Not too shabby!

Day's mileage: Will - 16.4 / Al - 17.9 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 626.9 miles / Alastair – 621.9 miles

Back from Bath, for a long hot Shower

July 1st - Day 62

The boys finally finish off the distance between Bath and London, walking through the suburban jungles of Staines and Heathrow. It really is as bad as The Office paints it!

But luckily for Will, there's no road kill here in the outer suburbs and he's delighted to return home to the flat in need of a hot shower to warm him up, only to find Al already back having got the beers in, cooking them a Pasta dinner. Bless!

Day's mileage: Will - 24 miles/ Al - 23.8 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 650.9 miles / Alastair – 645.7 miles

Leg 7 Completed: Stratford Upon Avon to Bath = 228.4 miles

Total cumulative distance walked = 1146.3 miles

The Final Push

July 2nd - Day 63

The boys are almost there as they set off from Bath on the Final leg to Lands End.....and they're not alone!

Council Members Pepe Balderrama, who we already know from the Edinburgh to Newcastle leg, and Lawrence Penry Jones are along for the ride to act as their support team. How effective they'll be, time will tell!

Will sets off from Bath Theatre Royal on what is a sunny, albeit windy, summer's day, and puts in one of his most convincing performances of the journey so far, chalking up the first 20 miles in just over 4 hours! He gets to the support vehicle and on his way to the campsite overtakes Al, gives him a cheer of encouragement before going to check up on the Pecker Twins.

They've actually managed to put one of the tents up, and correctly, and they've also been shopping for supplies. Along with some good old trusty Pasta, they've got a full fry up for the morning and 2 cases of beers, of which Will notices quite a few cans have already been tampered with! But the biggest surprise is that they have bought a cooler that runs off the car battery, so that this mass of yeast and hops can be cold...they're not just reasonable faces!

Al makes it to the campsite, just as the boys have finished setting up the second tent and Will is getting back from the shower. He goes to freshen up and returns just in time for dinner, which Laurie has prepared.

The evening is spent drinking, chatting, philosophizing, all the usual sort of things that cultured gentlemen do! The rain comes in little showers throughout the evening, but nothing that will put these die hard walkers off, although Pepe and Laurie aren't quite at home with nature yet.

Out of nowhere Laurie produces Champagne, saying that the next few days should be a constant celebration. It's alright for him, he doesn't have to walk tomorrow! However, it's a lovely gift, and the perfect end to the perfect evening!

Day's mileage: Will - 26 miles / Alastair - 28.1 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 676.9 miles / Alastair – 673.8 miles

Champagne Hangover

July 3rd - Day 64

Anyone can have a hangover, but a champagne hangover really says something about a man! Our intrepid adventurers awake to the sound of the Chuckle Brothers trying to figure out how to work the calor gas cookers so they can begin making breakfast. Their dulcet tones banging against the swollen roofs of the boys champagne damaged heads!

Nonetheless, when the (In-Need of) support team finally work out outdoor cooking, they make a great breakfast of dead pig and unborn chickens that sorts out the boys hangovers and sets them up for a big day of walking.

Weather wise, there are a few showers on and off today, but generally speaking it's ok.

Because of wanting to finish the walk earlier than planned in order to get back to London and start work on their production of Biloxi Blues the boys put in a big performance, and by the time they call it a day, so is the sun.

They arrive at the campsite to find the ever improving support team have found a field all to themselves. This may have something to do with campsite being predominantly occupied by families, and the management not wanting them to be disturbed. The team aren't complaining though, and enjoy the private area with a BBQ and several rounds of the Weakest Link.....and of course with Laurie around, a magnitude of alcohol! Champagne two nights in a row? Aren't we classy!

Day's mileage: Will - 30.7 miles/ Alastair - 30.9 miles

Individual distance so far: Will – 707.6 miles / Alastair – 704.7 miles

The Penultimate Day

July 4th - Day 65

Laurie has to go back to London today, which he's not happy about, but it is for some filming work, so at least it's a genuine excuse. Before he leaves the team have another fry up, care of Pepe, and enjoy the morning sunshine reading the Sunday Papers.

It requires a massive effort from both Will and Ali today, and they have been pre-warned that it's going to be hilly. To add to that it is also a boiling day, weather wise.

There's not much of interest to report walking wise today, the roadkill seems to have dried up down South and the roads don't present too much trauma. That said, by the end of the day the boys both had to walk on a busy dual carriage way in the dark, which wasn't an enormous amount of fun, but didn't offer any real drama.

In the meantime Pepe went looking for a campsite only to discover that political correctness has not found a place down here in Cornwall. Three separate campsites would not let him pitch up due to the fact that we were three men and not a mixed sex couple! Pepe did try and point out that we weren't a couple at all, but that only seemed to put the camp managers off further.

In the end the team had to settle for a night in a youth hostel.....Youth being the operative word!

After braving the bar for a pint at the end of the day, the smell of sick and sounds of pre-pubescent sex was enough to tell the boys it was time for bed!

Day's mileage: Will - 36 miles/ Alastair - 34.6 miles

 

Individual distance so far: Will – 743.6 miles / Alastair – 739.3 miles

The End!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 5th - Day 66

All good things come to an end, as they say, and after 66 days, so to does this epic adventure!

The weather fits the mood, with today arguably being the finest and hottest day of the whole trip.

There's not a cloud in the sky, and oh, how blue it is!

The boys have lived to tell the tale of the Youth Hostal, and set off at around 8.30am so that they can at least enjoy some of the afternoon at Lands End. Along the last few miles of the journey both of them meet several people coming the other way, who cheer them on for their achievment. The boys say their thanks whilst secretly pitying them, knowing they are at the beginning of a very long journey!

Will gets to the support vechile and drives ahead to Lands End to drop off the car, to then be taken back to meet Ali so they can walk the last mile together. Irony of ironies Ali is suffering from his first blisters of the trip and is struggling somewhat. But as the boys round the final corner and see the finish line, the pain evaporates and the pair break into a sprint and cross the line in style, being met by Pepe with a chilled bottle of Champagne and for once a genuine reason to break open the bubbly!

What a feeling!

Over a stone and a half lighter, with better tans and longer hair, Will Norris and Alastair Sims sat drinking champagne, toasting their achievment whilst watching the sun go down on what looked like the edge of the World! They had done it, and how good that felt!

Day's mileage: Will - 30.3 miles / Alastair - 32.1 miles

 

Final individual distance walk: Will – 773.9 miles / Alastair – 771.4 miles

Leg 8 Completed: Bath to Lands End = 248.7 miles

The total cumulative distance walked between John O'Groats and Lands End = 1395 miles