Day 121 (23 May) of the BRIT 2012 Mile Walk was back down in West Sussex where I met with Chichester College http://www.chichester.ac.uk/ , Sally and Clare to go through the locations for June and July. It was also a good opportunity to meet the 5 interns from the University of Chichester http://www.chi.ac.uk/ who are keen to give their time over the summer to support Sally and Clare with researching information on the locations chosen by Chichester College where we would like the walk to take place.
Following the meeting I still had
miles to walk and finished the day with 1134 miles to go.
Day 122 (24 May) and Day 123 (25
May) were an opportunity to walk in West Sussex, however the increase in heat
on both days had a big effect on my body. Regulating temperature due to
nerve damage is hard at the best of times, but more so on such hot sunny days,
so I am drinking well over two litres of water each day. Being outside
for long hours each day has all sorts of challenges. I’m prepared for most
things with equipment and medication; however wind-burn, sun-burn and
sun-stroke can easily catch me out so after walking 6 miles each day in the
heat I started to catch the sun on my face and neck.
Windburn is really a drying effect and results from a combination of cold
wind and low humidity, which depletes the oil layer on your skin. I’ve been out
walking for four months and I’m trying to look after every part of my body
including my skin. The condition is most likely to affect those who spend time
outside in cold, dry, windy weather. A windburn can hurt just as much as sunburn,
but fortunately it is far less serious. It will usually fade away on its own in
a couple of days, provided you take proper care of the affected skin.
For more information on sunburn prevention, this is a great website; http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sunburn/page8_em.htm
and for more information on rehydration drinks, please click here; http://www.emedicinehealth.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=134087&ref=132765.
I finished Day 123 with 1122 miles to go and a list of lotions and creams
to ensure I carry around with me wherever I go.
The heat had really taken things out on me and I struggled on Day 124 (26 May) and Day 125 (27 May) and reduced my miles to 4 each day to allow me to keep walking, rehydrate as much as possible and build up my energy levels. I also needed to prepare for the next part of my journey to Ipswich, Peterborough and Cambridge so finished Day 125 with 1114 miles to go.
Day 126 took me from West Sussex
up to Ipswich where I was hosted for the day by Suffolk New College. I received
a super welcome from the students and staff who accompanied me on circuits
around the campus. It was a pleasure to talk with many of the students
about their aspirations and to hear about the many part-time and full-time courses
available at the college. For more information on Suffolk New College and the
courses available, please click here; http://www.suffolk.ac.uk/
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| Walking with young people and staff from Suffolk New College |
Once again the Fire Fighters
turned up to join me and it was a pleasure to meet members of Suffolk Fire
& Rescue Service. I’m sincerely grateful for their support and if you are
interested in working for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, then please click
here; http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/emergency-and-safety/fire-and-rescue-service/.
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| With members of the Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service |
It was my first time in Ipswich
and on our final circuit of the campus we made a detour where the staff took me
down to the waterfront to show me some of the history of the town. It was a
beautiful day and fascinating to see and listen to the history of Ipswich and
the docks. For more information on visiting Ipswich, please click here; http://www.visit-ipswich.com/.
My thanks to everyone at Suffolk New College and the people of Ipswich for
making my visit so enjoyable. I finished Day 126 with 1108 miles to go.
Day 127 (29 May) of my BRIT 2012
mile walk took place in Peterborough and I was delighted to be hosted by
Peterborough Regional College http://www.peterborough.ac.uk/.
Once again, the welcome I
received from the students and staff was tremendous and I was accompanied on
each circuit of the campus by students on a variety of courses.
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| Students and staff from Peterborough Regional College |
Their website has very good
information and guidance on choosing the right course; http://www.peterborough.ac.uk/courses/school_leavers/right_course.html
and I was educated by the staff and students on the wide variety of courses
available and how the qualifications will help them in the future.
I was also introduced to the
University Centre Peterborough http://www.peterborough.ac.uk/UCP .The University Centre
Peterborough represents the single most important development in providing
Higher Education in Peterborough's history. The University Centre offers a
broad portfolio of courses covering a range of subject areas and they are
rapidly developing specialisms in a number of key areas. It has been a very
positive step forward in Higher Education for Peterborough and I am grateful to
both the Regional College and the University Centre for the opportunity to walk
on their campus and meet the students. At the end of Day 127, I finished with
1096 miles to go.
Best wishes,
Phil