Highlights of the week....

 

Monday Week 3:

Another week of walking lies ahead, today, Jane, who is an honorary member of the "Shona and Mike Take a Hike" team. Hmm when Jane joins us it seems to rain lol. We set off from Welcombe Cross, which is just inside the Devon border. Our morning's walk was very pleasant and we made excellent time, and had a break at a garden centre cafe' called the "Merry Harriers".

Then things started to get tough, we joined the Coastal Path at Bucks Mills to make our way along to  Abotsham, oh dearie, dearie dear!!!  Due to the underfoot conditions it took us 3 hours to walk approximately 3.5 miles.

Our way may have been physically and mentally arduous however, considering the reason we are walking, we realised that any discomfort we may have endured is absolutely nothing compared to anyone suffering from and undergoing treatment for cancer.

There is no doubt we were tired, as can be seen from this very complimentary photo (NOT) of me, taken by Andrew, Shona's brother, after I had showered and polished off a rather large fish supper.

Ah well, I was extremely comfortable, and the TV and conversation just drifted into the distance as I closed my eyes. I think I became a bit annoying when I started snoring. I think they were just a tad peeved that I could nod off so easily, quite honestly it is a practised art.

Tuesday: 

Today we had another honorary member join us, Lila, Andrew and Janes black Labrador. Look closely and you can see Lila even managed a smile for the camera. After which we set off to enjoy an easy 12 mile walk to Barnstaple.

Wednesday: 

Left the Devon Weirs and travelled to Barnstaple, parked up and walked to South Molton, a distance of 15.5 miles, only to miss the bus and had to wait. However, there was a blessing in store for us, which, the more I thought about it, reminded me of a few words from a Bible verse that can be found in the Book of Romans Chapter 8 and verse 28: "For we know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him".

What was this blessing? Well! I went into the Post Office and there was a little old lady in front of me, her name was Rose, she reminded me of my Nanny Pentecost and Shona's Nana Faulds.

Anyway, she turned round and saw my "Shona and Mike Take a Hike" T-shirt. Oh, she said you are doing this for Cancer Research, let me give you something towards it. Into her purse she went and scrabbled about a bit took out two £1 coins and gave them to me. I don't mind saying that I had a rather large lump in my throat. I thanked her, I tried to tell Shona, but I could feel myself feeling quite emotional, even as I type this, the lump in my throat returns.

Yes, the large gifts are very welcome, but there was just something about this gift that touched my heart. It reminded me very much of the Bible story about the "widows' mite" we read about it in two of the New Testament Gospels: Mark chapter 12 verses 41-44 and Luke Chapter 21 verses 1-4. Jesus said that the poor widow gave all she had. 

Now I don't know Roses' story, or if she will ever read this, but there was something in the way she spoke about cancer that seemed to me that she knew more than her happy disposition suggested.

Of course, Rose has not been the only person who has donated towards the 'Shona and Mike Take a Hike" challenge, as we have continued our walk towards John O'Groats and we are extremely grateful for all the donations we have received, if we have given you a card and are reading this blog, please, please, please accept our heartfelt thanks.

Thursday:

Some foot trouble for Mike, so no walking done, you don't want to see they photo.......

Friday and Saturday:

We left Devon and crossed over into Somerset, hopefully not so many hills and broke the 200 mile barrier.

That's all for week 3, we really look forward to a day of rest tomorrow, Sunday. 

Thank you again for reading our blog, and once again please feel free to visit and share the "Shona and Mike Take a Hike" fundraising page at:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/shonaandmike-giving-page-2298439   


You can also visit our page using the QR Code below:









Comments

  1. Janet Gilfillan18 May 2024 at 09:41

    Have a good day of resting tomorrow. You are both in my prayers. You are both very brave God keep you safe in your travels. Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shona and Mike Take a Hike18 May 2024 at 11:02

      Thanks Janet, looking forward to it, hope to go to a Evangelical Church in a place called Weviliscombe.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous18 May 2024 at 10:27

    Thanks for the update - take care and continue to look after each other.
    Jack

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous18 May 2024 at 10:29

    You are both doing fantastic, keep those feet healthy. I am so proud of you both. Susan Pentecost

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shona and Mike Take a Hike18 May 2024 at 11:04

      Thanks Susan, out of Devon and Cornwall now so hopefully hills not as steep.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous18 May 2024 at 10:49

    Super photos! We had a good chuckle at the snoozing one!?! Great to see you’re still keeping cheerful and meeting nice people along the way. Have a good week!
    Fiona & Donald

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous18 May 2024 at 10:57

    The encounter with Rose is special. I find in these days, perhaps it is ageing, but so often the folks who touch us most are the unexpected - sometimes very ordinary people and I do not mean that in any derogatory way. I encountered a young man from the village recently, I do not know his name or who he is but he clearly knew me and my circumstances - such a special encounter, I too, can get emotional thinking about or the local fisherman who not wanting to intrude said he wanted to visit -"come anytime" I said. He was there the next night. A tonic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shona and Mike Take a Hike18 May 2024 at 11:11

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Shona and Mike Take a Hike18 May 2024 at 11:28

      Thanks for that, I really understand what you mean, ordinary people and things that God uses. We were in a Church two weeks ago and the preacher was speaking about Moses, and God asked him, "what is that in your hand?" he replied, "a staff" a simple, ordinary stick. But in Gods hand it is a very powerful thing, we often entertain Angels unaware.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous18 May 2024 at 10:59

    Trust you are both well and up for the next battle. By the way, that fish supper must have been huge - it gave you a double chin like mine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shona and Mike Take a Hike18 May 2024 at 11:14

      LOL it was, and extremely tasty. Double chin has been there a few years no, lol.

      Delete

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