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Walking Home ... |
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... the Log Monday, June 23, 2003... 11:36 A short video of the Walking Home project is now available by clicking here. Also, to view more background of the Walking Home project, click here.... Monday, June 16, 2003 ... 18:34 So. It all happened very quickly in the end. Here's me arriving at the homeoffice in Croydon yesterday at 15:00.  Walking from Dover, I brought with me a piece from it's white cliffs, wich I used to promote the Leave to Remain exhibition once more on the pavement outside.  THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S SUPPORT. I LOVED IT AND WOULD DO IT AGAIN ANYTIME. MAY BE YOU WANT TO JOIN ME NEXT TIME?... Sunday, June 15, 2003 ... 07:05 Today is my fourth and last walking day. I got up at 05:45 and went down to the communal room of the Youth Hostel Kemsing to record an interview for BBC videonation. In a minute I'm setting off to another beatiful day. Today, I won't be able to blog much, because of all the filming that I'll be doing. Plus Margareta has worked all through the night to put the final touches on the exhibition.... Saturday, June 14, 2003 ... 13:10 The remainder of the day all turned out to be quite pleasant. There were more beautiful downs to look at  and half way through
the journey I crossed the Medway river:  Due to popular demand I have engaged another horse in the pictures: 
These ones were free roaming in a field t at the trail goes through.At around 4:30pm I arrived at Kemsing Youth Hostel  only to find
that it doesn't open til 5! So I joined a group of senior citizens from
the local heritage
centre (no joke!) for a cup uf tea to kill some time. When I told
one of the dames the story of the Leave
to Remain exhibition, she responded with a big smile, fumbled in her
purse and put 2 pounds in my hand. I'm getting so many incredible resposes
about Leave to Remain that gives me a lot of hope and confidence that
british people are able to see through the fog
of mis-information, if only given the chance.So in the evening, I had an atrocious youth hostel meal folowed by another amazing conversation with two guys from up north. Both of them supported the cause in spirit and one even gave another fiver!... ... 13:09 Another fine night in a brilliant B&B, Barn Cottage near Maidstone. The owner John Munson sponsored a tenner for Walking Home! This morning the going is great and I'm already half way, currently stopping in Trottiscliffe. Given the fact that Rubi is just now taking part in the 3 peaks walk herself and that Margareta is busy setting up the Leave to Remain exhibition I won't be able to put pictures on for a while. However, we try as best as we can to get them to you by Sunday night. I got lots of nice messages from everyone, KEEP THEM COMING! The below post is an email excerpt of one of them. Please either text me on 07764473562 or email to marcus@leavetoremain.org... ... 11:39 Good luck with your walk. Three years ago I went on a walk alone to Rome and I know the feelings that are generated by such an experience. I appreciate the plight of genuine refugees and the disappointment they must feel on being treated like criminals on arrival in England. e-mail from Chris Lambert, Thursday 12th June 2003 ... Friday, June 13, 2003 ... 21:52 Today was another solid day of walking. Sorry I couldn't do an earlier post, but the place I aimed at for pub lunch was shut and instead I had a sandwich and more Bananas (great when walking) on the go. With the sun out blasting the scenery continued to be spectacular  although
I got a bit bored of field after field. At 1pm I reached Lenham  where I got more
of the said bananas. Somewhat later I came across this three-house village
called Broad Street, which has everything but a street wider then your
average living room sofa.  .Finally towards the end, I crossed the motorway once more 
which makes me think how far we've come that one can do a 3 day pilgrimage
in a mere 2 hours at break-neck speed. Early night for me tonight, I need to recharge my walking batteries. To some up my current state I resort to the biblical saying The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.... ... 08:21 After a good night's sleep, I enjoyed a FULL english breakfast (with all the trimmings). Geoff Chapman and his wife Sheila run this Mistral B&B, and I can only say that I was amazed by their care and attention to detail. Geoff even sponsored WALKING HOME with a fiver this morning! ... Thursday, June 12, 2003 ... 22:20 (Go Marcus Go!! keep on walkin' - rubi) ... ... 21:52 This afternoon was as much psychologically challenging as it was physically. Shortly after leaving Etchinghill I got completely lost near Brabourne, doing a circle for 90 minutes :( Nevermind, 'keep walking' I kept on mumbling. The weather was marvelous as you can tell by the pictures. At one point I met this friendly horse here  and although
I'm not a big horse fan, it was kind of cute. The views kept on being amazing like this rolling downs picture here shows.  I finally made it to the B&B in Wye at 7:30, a cute little establishment with all necessary mod cons including the Fire bell  With the sun out all day, I'm a little sun burned, but that's the least of my worries. ... ... 14:12 Once I left Dover, I woke up to the fact that there were far more climbs enroute then I expected. However once on top you're rewarded with magnificent views. Here's a shot from the white cliffs  and you can even
see france! . Actually if you zoom in,
you can even make out the old Sangatte refugee camp. Moving west to Folkestone
the path leeds beatifully above the city  .Now I finally made it to Etchinghill  where
I'm having lunch before I press on to Wye. I'm already way behind schedule,
but hope to reach my B&B still in daylight.... ... 09:19 Here we go, I'm on Dover "Beach" .  A few technical probs
with the camera, but all sorted now. Light drizzle, but mild temperature.
Rubi has kindly agreed to upload the pics here, so BIG THANKS Rubi! I
already had a few texts coming in, thanks, keep them coming !...... 06:30 Right, I'm off to Dover now by train, where I'll start my walk to the Home Office in Croydon around 9am. If you don't already know about the background of this WALKING HOME project and would like to know more about the 'Why' and 'How' of this walk go to leavetoremain.org.... Wednesday, June 11, 2003 ... 19:23 13 hours to go before I start walking! Watch this space.... ... Monday, June 02, 2003 ... 13:07 Last night's walk ended in Paddington after a zick zack walk all across Regent's Park and Marleybone. 
The picture is taken again at one of these strange intersections in London,
where the great union canal meets the motorway. As you can tell by my
look, I was feeling pretty exhausted, but glad at the same time. I feel
confident now that I'll be able to do this walk albeit it still being
a tough challenge. What keeps me going is the thought how little this
challenge is compared to what many fellow earth citicens go through to
look for sanctury and a normal life....Sunday, June 01, 2003 ... 17:51 Well, I'm past the half-time mark and have walked all along Hide Park, West End to Farringdon and am currently on my way back. Not much to see really. Well apart from all the normal touristy things. Also: IT'S RAINING! So the one picture I felt that summs up the situation in wealthy west end suitably is this one:  The only other thing I noticed is this interestingly excentric looking dress made from recycled drinks cans:  ...... 12:33 Today's walk will be just about endurance. I'm planning to be up on my feet walking through central London without any particulat aim, as long as I'm moving. 1st stop Chiswick, then off to Kensington and on to the West End. Weather is good so far.... Monday, May 26, 2003 ... 09:40 I eventually reached Uxbridge and then Ruislip at 19:30 last night. Pretty exhausted, but gleefully happy. 
I made 42km/26 miles and I'm now off to do a bit more, to see how the
"morning after feels". Oh, also: I found this arty pic here from yesterday
taken somewhere south of Uxbridge, at the time when it eventually started
to rain.  ...Sunday, May 25, 2003 ... 17:03 Water, water, water...I'm a bit bored now of that canal. The great union canal runs along a lot of warehouses and industry. Not excatly clean either, as you can see here: 
It's in fact a shopping bag looking like a swan (well a bit at least).
My feet and back are a little sore. Right now, I just reached West Drayton.
...... 13:37 So, today my third big walk in preparation for Walking Home. I set off at 12 (I know, I know, a bit late) walked past the FunkyCoffee shop 
and made it to the great union canal by 12:45. Now I've just got to this
strange place where the canal crosses the north circular 50 feet ABOVE
Yes, you read right it's ABOVE the motorway. This place also reminded
me on all that marathon training I did along the canal four years ago.
If you start from regent's park, this is the point where you have to turn
round; so when you're back at the park, you've made 18 miles, - the acid
test 3 weeks before the big run.This time I'm walking. And I'm aiming to make 26 miles ending up somewhere in Uxbridge by tonight. Weather is great so far.... Sunday, May 11, 2003 ... 23:09 Today I did my second test walk. 21km in 3 hours and 20 minutes. I'm feeling pretty sore and am a bit scared if I can make the target of 40 km a day for three and a half days :$ I guess the worst about the walk was the 45 minutes pouring rain all through Richmond park. On the good side was seeing the Teddington lock glitzing in beautiful sunshine. During the walk a few essentials became clear, like a hat (douh!) and a camera, so I can upload some of the pretty things I'm seeing during the walk. Right, off to bed, recovering...... Monday, May 05, 2003 ... 15:47 On 12th June I'll start my 140km walk from Dover to the Home Office in Croydon.... |
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