This first Sunday of the Challenge found me first driving to Hampshire to begin the walk. I think my body is starting to adjust as I wasn’t quite so sore this morning when I woke up. The weather, although chilly, was better than it has been all week, which was a positive start to the day. Today was a little different as none of the BRIT 2012 Challenge support team could be with me on the walk, but I knew even going solo, I’d meet some people along the way.
 |
| With the Under 10s Team at Winchester Rugby Club |
I started off my 10 miles today at the Winchester RFC, which is one of Hampshire’s largest and most successful amateur clubs and was founded in 1929. Winchester RFC welcome new members that want to play or are interested in being social members or volunteering. There is something for everyone. They are the first Rugby Club to support the BRIT 2012 Challenge and they gave me a fantastic welcome. I had the opportunity to meet with their under 10’s team this morning which was great fun and had the pleasure of meeting one of their volunteers, Julian Anderson, who joined me for the majority of my walk at the club. It was a pleasure to meet Julian, the Account Director at Virgin Media Business, who presented me with a Winchester Rugby Club hat and medal.
 |
| With my great friend Ghillie and his daughters, Isobel & Polly |
A super surprise today was to see my great friend Ghillie and his two daughters, Polly and Isobel, who joined me to walk the first 3 ½ miles. What a super time and opportunity to catch up with them. Those first few miles just flew by. I’m really glad they came out today to walk with me.
The Hampshire Fire Service came out to support the walk today and I was pleased to see them. It was great to have them join in on the walk. Not only do they risk their lives every day for us, but they are really modest and good fun to be around. The Fire Services have been absolutely brilliant and so supportive of the walk. I really appreciate it and am starting to feel like a baton being passed on to the next county fire service.
 |
| Greeted by this mornings watch from Winchester Fire Station at Winchester Rugby Club |
Around mile 8 I started getting rather sore and had to push through the pain. Around that time though, the walk was changing a bit as I was then on my way down to Winchester Cathedral. The Cathedral, which began as a small Saxon church 15 centuries ago, welcomes over 300,000 visitors a year. The Dean of Winchester, The Very Reverend James Atwell, was actually having Sunday Lunch with parishioners today from 1300 to 1430. Unfortunately my walk did not get me there in time to join in!
The Hampshire Fire Services though, kept me company on this part of the walk and turned out in force from Winchester Fire Station to give me moral support as I walked into Winchester and completed my 10 miles at the entrance to the Cathedral.
If you’ve been thinking about joining the challenge then please go on the website at www.britishinspirationtrust.org.uk and sign up. Identify a charity you want to support and raise funds for them. Keep your eye on the website for updates on where I’ll be and come join me when I’m in your area. Tomorrow I’ll be walking in Portsmouth with the Royal Navy and am looking forward to a super day at the Historic Dockyard.
1950 miles to go and counting!