- Castle 2 Castle 4 Charity 24 miles with Ali Humphreys
On Saturday 8th August, along with 6 members of Launceston Walking Group, I took on the challenge of walking 24 miles from Okehampton Castle to Launceston Castle, along the Two Castles Trail, raising funds for Cancer Research UK.
Thank you to those that came to the BBQ Bonfire at Trewoodloe on August 6th, to Mike for keeping up with demand from the grill and for your kind donations, plus the generosity of Tinhay Building Supplies and Countryside Furnishers, we have raised over £1200
We started off at Okehampton Castle at 7.40am in full sun, with plenty of enthusiasm and excitement, heading through the woods up onto and over the golf course, stopping to retrieve a lost ball (for a small donation) and over the A30, through more woods, before heading ever upwards to Sourton Moor. A quick breakfast stop to admire the views, not a cloud in the blue sky, we headed up onto Sourton Tor, enjoying the welcome breeze, breaking off just before the summit to head towards the church and Highwayman Inn.
Countless fields and stiles later took us to the village of Bridestowe, where we met our fabulous support team with supplies and fresh socks!
Off for the Lewdown stretch. This takes you alongside Dartmoor, with more spectacular scenery, through fields of horses and cows and up onto Galford Down. We had a break, checked our blisters and congratulated ourselves on reaching the halfway point.
Onwards to Lewtrenchard Manor, where we had kindly been offered refreshments and a civilised comfort break. Friends and family met me here, which was a great boost. Sitting on the lawn in front of such a beautiful place, we felt somewhat incongruous, but we were made very welcome, thank you to Sue the owner!
Onto Lewdown, stopping briefly, before heading onto Lifton, through fields, over more stiles, through Stowford and onto Dingles Fairground where we were welcomed by Paul at Dingles Café with cold water bottles, it was a hot day. By now, we were really feeling it. Everyone had started to quieten down and some were hurting, but we were determined to finish together.
After a team talk and stretching we set towards Lifton. Outside the Arundle Arms we sat on the wall, telling each other this wasn’t THE WALL, we could make it, next Strawberry Fields for a final pit stop (sort of gate crashing a wedding). Messages of encouragement were being texted, asking when we were expected at the Castle. Hard to gauge when you’re that hot and tired! The trail takes you around towards Heale and over farmland back towards Polson Bridge. We stopped to rescue a tangled up sheep then the home stretch from St Leonards, along Ridgegrove Lane, and up the final killer, Ridgegrove Hill.
Feeling tired and emotional, we linked arms up Angel Hill to be greeted by friends and family, before walking through town and into the castle grounds at 8:15pm.
We’re all so delighted to have finished the challenge and pleased with our achievement. Support of family and friends and knowing how generous people had been with their donations, kept us going. Thank you everyone! You can still donate to our page https://www.justgiving.com/Kirsty-Hamley
Castle2Castle4Charity team: Kirsty Hamley, Sarah Goodwin, Rebecca Harris, Glenn Harris, Heidi Forsdyke, Caroline Trueman, Ali Humphreys. Support Team: Jon Hairs, Fred Trueman.
