Shona and Mike Take a Hike

  As we post this week's blog, the reality of what we have been planning and preparing, for over the last few months is finally upon us. There are feelings of excitement and anticipation, and not a few butterflies in our stomachs. These feelings intensified as we realised how much "stuff" we needed to pack. This past week has seen us reviewing the plan and asking, " is it robust"?  We have also asked ourselves, " have we prepared enough, both physically and mentally"?  Looking at our motorhome we asked ourselves whilst packing the van, " is there enough room in our motorhome for everything"?  As we seek to answer these questions, we simply bow our heads in prayer  and remember some words of Psalm 121:  We look up to the hills, but where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you be defeated. He who guards you never sleeps. The plan? Whilst it may be tweaked here and there, in essence ...

  As I write this blog, I realise that all too quickly, the start of our challenge looms large on the horizon. It feels a bit like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. (The photo on the right was taken in the tunnel where the Union Canal ends and meets the Falkirk Wheel).  Next Sunday morning, after the church service at Miller Hall, Shona and I will be setting off to make our way to Land's End. Hoping to arrive, at the caravan site we have booked, just before lunch time on Monday. That will be the end of our training tunnel and where our challenge begins in earnest.  There is no doubt we are full of excitement and anticipation, yes it will be a huge adventure, nevertheless we do confess to being not a little nervous. However, we have been very much encouraged by the messages of support. We are also extremely grateful for all the prayers, we know have been said, for our physical well-being and for our safety throughout our journey.  As mentioned in our last blo...

  From this week at the bottom of our blog we include a copy the QR code for our Cancer Research UK fundraising page, please feel free to share the details. They say an army marches on its stomach, well we think walkers are pretty much the same. So here is a wee photo of some of the goodies we will be packing into the van. All very healthy, (not) we're sure. Nevertheless, they are very tasty. The only thing missing at the moment are the "Jelly Babies", as most of our friends know they are a particular favourite of you know who. Only problem is they are viewed as very moreish, once the bag is opened, it produces a very similar reaction to that of another product, "once you pop, you cannot stop".  Another we have ready to pack is a very big box of something we received from one the ladies at Miller Hall. It's one of her specialities, home-made macaroon bars.  Now you're probably saying to yourselves, if we keep eating all this stuff, we will be rolling our...

We're running from the Paparazzi........ I think the news in Falkirk this week is perhaps a bit thin on the ground, but we are extremely grateful that the Falkirk Herald have very kindly drawn attention to the Shona and Mike Take a Hike challenge.   Not only has our story made the headlines, but also a two-page spread inside, (what a "BIG RIDDY" to get...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   In this very short blog, we post a copy of our Cancer Research UK QR Code, this can be used to follow our progress on the walk, which we plan, God willing, to start at the end of April in just over two weeks.  As this is our fundraising page there is also the opportunity to donate to Cancer Research UK. Alternatively, please feel free to copy and use the link below which will take you to the same fundraising page: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/shonaandmike-giving-page-2298439 We can also be found on our separate Facebook pages, simply type in Michael Hamilton or Shona Hamil...

  As we move into the last three weeks of our planning, we seem to be making lists! Lists for this, lists for that, lists for clothing required, lists for personal items, lists for food, oh aye, and a list to make sure we have all the lists for everything else......... Earlier in the week, on the only dry day we've had, we were up at Callander Park getting some photos taken that were sent into the Falkirk Herald. Here we are with our walking gear on in front of our mobile accommodation. We're trying to look, what do young folk say "cool", us cool I don't think so but believe me looking cool wasn't hard, we were actually frozen stiff. It may have been dry, but it was absolutely baltic.  Anyway, we are extremely grateful to Drew Watson for all his hard work in taking the photos and making us look presentable. Here is another one with us, sitting in the back of our mobile accommodation, wearing our specially printed  "Shona and Mike Take a Hike in AID of Can...