The Coast to Coast 2007 - St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay

My partner and I lost our son Bailey in July of 2005. It's something you never really think about until it happens to you.

Joanne was 27 weeks when things started to go wrong, and a week later we had lost him. Since then we have been through two miscarriages, which occurred at a much earlier stage.

It's something that no expectant parents would have to cope with, luckily Jo and I are stronger than ever, and are to be wed in the July of 2007.

So, on to the walk!

The Coast to Coast is always something I wanted to do. Never in any serious way, just something I thought might be worth doing, "later on".

I am not a serious or very experience walker, but always enjoyed ambling through the countryside.

The idea got the better of me last autumn, and the map buying started. A few weeks in, and I thought, "hang on I'm missing the main point here" yes I want to do this for myself but why not raise money for Sands.

We had only heard of Sands, because of what we been through, and after looking on the web, it seemed like the only charity that focused on stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

I didn't fancy the whole trek on my own, so I asked around. Up came the challengers in my dad, (who was 50 the week we got back), and a long-term friend, Peter.

After a winter full of planning, and buying equipment the start date was set for the 13th May.

We caught the train the previous day, we had decided to carry everything, and camp, but we treated ourselves to a B&B the first night so we had a good start that Sunday morning. On the first couple of days we had already acquainted ourselves with some fantastic people, and spirits were high.

Now, the Lake District is stunningly beautiful, but when you are walking through it, in all weathers, every day, it's a real challenge.

Days 2-4 were long, up to 11hrs. You can climb for 7 of them, and you still have to put the majority of the daily miles, in after that, and then set up camp!

Unfortunately, at the end of Day 4, in Shap, Pete had to call it a day. Coming off Kidsty Pike, a few hours earlier, he had torn his Cruciate ligament, and could not carry on.

We took the luxury of a B&B that night to regroup.

The next morning was very emotional, Pete's girlfriend managed to come and pick him up, and my dad and I carried on, (we had 21 miles to do that day!)

Ironically the landscape changes after that, you have the desolate but beautiful Westmoreland, which is a lot flatter, before you cross the wild (and very wet) Pennine hills, and back into Yorkshire.

After what had happened to Pete back in the Lakes, my dad and I promised ourselves we would roll with every new challenge, and enjoy ourselves more, and we certainly did with some brilliant nights our through the Yorkshire countryside.

The best thing on this walk for me was the amount of fantastic people we met along the way, whether they were fellow 'Coast to Coasters' or the locals and publicans, each and every on contributed their kindness in some way.

After leaving the dales, you soon hit the North York Moors, (what more hills?), this was probably my favourite part, the weather changed for the better, we had the erection of the tent off to a tee and the end was within sight.

Over the last couple of days you get a great chance to reflect on what you have achieved. And prepare yourself for the ever nearing end.

It does get quite emotional again, and thoughts turn to home and your loved ones. We arrived in Robin Hoods Bay on the lunchtime of the 26th May, 13 days and 190 miles later to a quite overwhelming reception, from our friends and family, where we had the obligatory celebration and photos.

In case you're wondering, Pete got off the crutches (eventually), my dad had a great 50th Birthday, and Jo and I are now happily married, and who knows, maybe the patter of tiny feet will come our way soon.

This was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget, and best of all we managed to raise £1,908 for Sands.

Thanks to all that sponsored us and to Sands for their support.