AUTUMN/WINTER NEWSLETTER 2010/11
LOCAL FUNDRAISING
ASHES/ BARMY ARMY WALK
for Prostate Cancer
PILGRIMAGE FUNDRAISING FOR SUE RYDER
Recently Robin launched the Oundle Pilgrimage project with friends Rick Murphy, Paul Coles and Claire and Nigel Crosby from Trek-Kits Outdoor Adventure Shop.
The project was created to help raise awareness and fundraising opportunity for the Sue Ryder Charity whose local base is at Thorpe Hall in
The public can sign up for The Pilgrimage at any time of the year and each passport sale provides £5 towards care at the hospice (see summer newsletter).
The actual launch day was a washout but we where still able to raise nearly £650 to mark its birth.
Next year we plan to hold events at all our Pilgrimage churches/inns and with careful marketing the walk is set to become a traditional annual fundraising weekend.
THE
Another great challenge, taking over a week, enabled Robin to originate a pilgrimage route from Launceston to St. Michael’s Mount and Land’s End making up a journey of over 200 miles in support of Cornwall Hospice Care.
His efforts were supported by the local community at The Fox and Hounds, Comford with Harvest Supper/ Auction and sponsorship totalling nearly a thousand pounds. Robin also delivered 200 donation envelopes throughout
THE ASHES BARMY ARMY WALK
‘THE LONGEST RUN IN ASHES HISTORY’
contact: 0404101362.
Beginning at The Gold Coast, Robin clad in cricket gear and carrying a bat (hopefully to be signed by the England Cricket Team for auction at the 5th test) hopes to make the longest run in cricket history by walking to Sydney Cricket Ground in time for the final test match on 3rd January 2011.
His aim will be to create awareness of Prostate Cancer, and hopefully provide fundraising opportunities within the Barmy Army Forum. We aim to auction the cricket bat at the test match and where permitted will endeavour to collect funds from the cricket-loving public. The cricket bat will also have a pink rubber in support of The Mcgrath Foundation which the Barmy Army have chosen as its main overseas charity.
Back in Oundle we will also be collecting funds for our local charity the Sue Ryder Care for Prostate Cancer. Forms will be posted at The King’s Arms Polebrook and some of our Pilgrimage Inns. We will also be doing an online donation page at The Thorpe Hall Website.
DIARY OF
STARTING ON 12TH DECEMBER
contact: 0404101362 for Robin in Australia
Diary - Gold Coast to Sydney
Day 1 Coolangatta to Cabarita Beach
Starting around 10am I had a quick tour of the town and visited the information centre to get a couple of Maps and advice from the officers, who were all Poms!!
Passing the road works I followed the cycle path and eventually joined the Pacific Highway where I endured a long hard slog in draining tropical heat. My pack was too heavy, incurring severe blisters on both feet rendering me almost lame. With all facilities now behind me and only the endless highway to pursue I felt depleted and helpless against the unrelenting torturous sun though I managed to get water at an RTA Depot.
To escape the highway to obtain facilities I took the coast road to a beach resort called Cabarita Beach. This narrow stretch of road was flanked by forest on both sides which were still heavily charred from last year’s fire. Nearby a large python lay crushed in the road. Usually snakes coil beside the road to bask in sunlight: they don’t need sunblock and have no fear of skin cancer but this creature had strayed too far - bloody idiot!
On reaching the village I asked a guy if there was anywhere to camp. His name was Kent Browne and without hesitation he invited me in, appreciating the fact that I was walking for cancer. His wife, Deanna, was awaiting treatment for a breast tumour and had the greatest respect for what I was putting myself through to help make a difference to a worthy cause. Although my donation page only covered prostate cancer I made it known that the Barmy Army were also supporting the Mcgrath Foundation and we would endeavour to raise awareness and encourage the public to support these charities. By chance, I was not the only visitor in back garden this week - the previous one entered by car! The guy, who was lucky to be alive, had completely destroyed the garden then cascaded into the river dislocating his shoulder. At least my arrival was less dramatic - in fact I could barely walk - falling victim to an overweight backpack and tortutous heat that was never welcome on long distance walks. He introduced me to his friends Darren and Vicky and provided a meal for us all. Later other friends arrived including a guy called Nigel Carsley from the RTA who had seen me earlier in the day at Tugun. They were lovely people and made me welcome, letting me stay in the spare room overnight. Boy I was tired and glad I didn't have to pitch that tent!
Day 2 Cabarita beach to Byron Bay
Starting early I made slow progress back on Highway 1. Where blisters took their toll in the heat, then there were the snakes curled up in the road not expecting pedestrians on such a busy frontier: there were long brown ones, black ones and others silver.
Then came an electric storm! Initially I sheltered at a roadhouse where the girls gave me water and tea. The rest of the day was a washout until Byron Bay where I finished at the Backpackers around 6.30pm. By chance I met some fine young maids -some from Cumbria and one from Essex- potential Barmy Army I thought! They offered to take some of my gear to Sydney and meet me for a day at the cricket. This would at least lighten my load a bit and perhaps on arrival they could meet Leafy, Jimmy, Jake and Co.
Day 3 Byron Bay to Ballina
Away from the highway I enjoyed a pleasant start on the coast road where I took a steady walk to Lennox Head taking a swim on arrival.
The next 10km to Ballina were hard and on arrival at the foot of the town I met a girl who had just finished walking The Camino de Santiago- an old favourite of mine: she then fetched some basic first aid remedies to bring relief to my war-torn feet. On arriving at the centre, the campsite were less than helpful telling me they would charge over $40 to pitch a tent - that’s more than the Backpackers I retorted and left in discust. Fortunately a young lady had seen me earlier along the road and helped find me a place to stay with her friends Christine and Greg. They were still partying hard but I was too tired to notice and after a hot bath and sunday roast I crashed out the minute my head hit the pillow.
Day 4 Ballina to Broadwater
Today started well as I chuckled at Christine nursing a serious hangover, adamant that her drink was spiked for her to feel this bad. Her day was destined to get better as mine was set on a collision course with chaos. Stopping for water at Pimlico I realised the cricket bat was missing and in a desperate attempt to find it I had to borrow a lady’s bicycle to scale the ground between Ballina and Pimlico. Despite retracing my footsteps I had no luck and so phoned the radio station for help. They sent out an S.O.S to try and retrieve it but sadly without any response - whoever had the bat probably saw it as a souvenir momento. It had no actual value as it had been sanded and could not be used but had logos and Barmy Army Australia walk printed along with my name and website so I guess that's the last I'll see of that. The person in possession of it now serves only to dilute my ego and destroy any hope of financial support for at least one of these worthy Barmy Army charities. It was a bitter pill to swallow and I had by now wasted the morning session cycling the highway to in an effort to retrieve it.
I spoke to Alex about P.R./media in Coffs - hopefully at the weekend. Resting at a park, I spoke with some holidaymakers and then nearly trod on a brown snake leaving the dunny! There are snakes everywhere: some barely the size of a slow worm: they bask by the roadside: in the bush it’s a case of looking for twigs that move!!
Struggling onto Broadwater where a couple, David and Alannah Howard put me up in their Church building - At least it was a good end to a difficult day. We enjoyed food and ale and told of many great journeys of yesteryear. They planned to take my pack to New Italy to give my feet a few hours' break from carrying the weight.
Day 5 Broadwater to Forest Campsite
Leaving the old Catholic Church early I arranged to meet Alannah at New Italy. First I stopped for breakfast at Woodburn. Later reaching the New Italy Museum around midday where I retrieved the rest of my kit from Alannah and spent a 2- hour break at the facility.
Having rested I set off again with Grafton showing 80km - hopefully be in that district around Thursday.
This was a long painful slog with nowhere to obtain refreshment or camp. As the evening drew near I startled a large brown snake near the roadside. Poised to strike I moved slowly round him and even as I took a picture he retained his position. He was a little lighter in colour than the others I have seen but very alert!
As the trucks continue to storm past the night fell and so did the rain! A guy stopped to see if I was okay explaining there was a rest stop about 5 km away. Thankfully I made it and bivvied up for a few hours sleeping on a bench.
Day 6 Forest location to Maclean
Leaving at around 6am I made steady progress away from the forest as the road sign indicated Grafton another 56km. As the heat kicked in I made a stop at Harwood Road House where I drank some milk. The garage attendant gave me a pie and advice on where to stay in Maclean.
It was a long and arduous affair reaching the place but finally I booked in at the ‘Bottom House’ around 3pm, at last an early finish!
Day 7 Maclean to Grafton
Starting at dawn I had the benefit of some cooler weather and later a shower helped to keep the temperature down. It was still an arduous affair and I did not stop until reaching Ulmarra at 3pm where I stopped for coffee. The young maid reassured me that there would be plenty of places to camp in Grafton. It was a better day for me and when I reached the town at the point of dusk the ladies at the road house let me camp on the paddock. I also had a lovely roast dinner and camped in the eye of a storm which raged through the night.
Day 8 Grafton to Half Way Creek
Continuing my journey I found solace in the fact that I had managed to obtain water and shelter more easily than the initial few days. I was still encompassed by forest for most of the journey broken by a few bridges that span the wide rivers here. Cattle looked on, bemused by my antics and cries of the wild echoed all around the land. Stopping at Halfway Roadhouse for some food I phoned Alex to confirm he would be able to put me up over the weekend and act as backup for my walk. He arranged to meet me beyond the Creek and on finishing at the signpost I had walked 40km.
Day 9 Halfway Creek to Coffs Harbour
Today I was able to walk without a rucksack and boy my feet were so grateful. Heather dropped me off at the marker and I continued steadily to a place called Woolgoolga. At the grocers shop in town the lady made me a cup of coffee whilst chatting about my walk. It was a lovely cool day for a change and I made good ground reaching the Green Tavern in Coffs by early evening. Alex collected me from the bar and later cooked a steak meal: he was a keen footballer having spent many years in Spain. The Australian way of life had appealled to both Alex and Heather who had set up in a beautiful location here at Coofs Harbour. We talked until late sharing views on cricket, and finally after a few glasses of wine I was out the game falling asleep with my feet in an ice bath of salt.
Day 10 Coffs to Urunga
Sunday saw a decline in the flow of trucks and with only 30km to walk I was in good form. A police officer stopped to enquire what I was doing and when I told him he was amazed. I also explained that I had obtained permission to walk the entire Pacific Highway/freeway to Sydney. Continuing in rain I progressed to the tourist centre at Urunga where I finished for the day. Alex then pitched up and took me to a pub and on returning home Heather had cooked an excellent roast followed up with Bread and Butter pudding- my favourite! They had looked after me so well I couldn’t have felt better and was indebted to them for helping me get through an awkward passage where pain and lack of sleep were taking their toll on my weary body. We had also planned to meet at Sydney Harbour Bridge on New Year's Eve and walk into the City and Barmy Army HQ on January 1st.
Day11 Urunga to Macksville
Starting back at the tourist office I made painfull progress along the highway stopping for a refill of water at a garden centre where our main discussion revolved around the 'Ashes'- all in good humour of course!
Reaching Nambucca Heads I enjoyed tea with the lady wardens at the tourist centre- one of whom hailed from England.The next few km saw me to Macksville where I set up camp in the Lions Park beside the river and a kind man from a takeaway gave me a free meal to reward my effort. It was a nice location here by the river and I spoke to other campers before retiring to a much cooler evening.
Day 12 Macksville to Fredrickton
I woke early after a surprisingly cool night and on crossing the bridge made my way towards Kempsey (52 km). Having difficulty in obtaining water I stopped at a private residence where the owners claimed they had seen me several times when passing between Queensland and home. They sorted me out with enough cold water for the day and from here it was a slow old grind. By the time I reached Fredrickton at early evening (still 4km from Kempsey) the landlord, Nathan, at the Macleay River Hotel offerd to give me a free night with a beer and pie: that was just the ticket!
Day 13 Fredrickton to Telegraph Point
Starting early I made good ground to Kempsey where for a while I was joined by a local guy called Mark who walked with me as far as the outskirts. Shortly after I was bitten by a Red Back Spider and retired somewhat quickly to a vetinary/Dog kennel establishment. They told me to rest while they googled the symptoms associated with the species; I seemed okay and decided to continue - in fact I was doing rather well today and reached my destination earlier than expected. Stopping briefly for advice I spoke with a philosopher called Ian who told of his misfortunes in life and the fact that we should where possible pursue our goals and fulfil ambitions. After a visit to the pub I made a bad decision to bivvy up by the river where during the night I was practically eaten alive by mosquitos.
Day 14 Telegraph Point to Kew
Having fed the mosquito population I was glad to set off amid a blast of rain which eased the discomfort. It started around 5am and continued until 10am when I stopped at a 'Reviver Surviver' point to enjoy a tea and good company. One guy called Jack Goldsmith, was a cattleman who had recently published his memoirs. one extract told how he swam across a croc river up north. Minutes later a full grown steer was taken and rolled up and down stream to its end by a 20 foot croc- this is intrepid stuff! Not perhaps for the bullock who had little say in the matter- but what a guy - he certainly had a tale to tell and his book is available at all post offices in Australia.
Leaving the point I walked on to Kew in sunny weather enjoying 'Gater fluid' donated by a family of holidaymakers heading north. Once in town the landlord let me camp in the yard and I enjoyed food and ale before retiring to a good rest.
Day 15 Kew to Coopernook
Leaving in darkness around 4am I got off to a good start reaching St John's River where it was still too early to get a meal and it was Christmas Eve.
Continuing with a rumbling stomach I made Moorland by noon where to my dismay found the garage closed. Luckilly a group of youngsters came to my aid, making me a peanut butter sandwich and replenishing my water supply.
On leaving here I felt comfortable in my task and on arriving at Coopernook I asked a lady called Michelle where I could get some more provisions she invited me in and after meeting the family they asked me if I'd like to stay the night. They also help me plan my route into Sydney and took me to the shop. We enjoyed a great evening: Glen was amazing - he had travelled all over the world: little Cameron was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa: I told him he was probably enjoying a beer at Port Macquarie and shouldn't be too long getting here! I retired before Santa arrived, and fact I never heard a thing until sunrise!
Day 15 Coopernook to Nabiac (Christmas Day)
Bidding Glen Happy Christmas and thanking him for the family's generous hospitality, I made my way back to a relatively quiet highway. This respite lasted until mid-morning when came the onslaught of holiday-makers in search of beach and sun. Not sure they'll get alot of that heading north with storms forecasted for Queensland.
My first break was at the Taree Roadhouse south east of the town itself. This was a busy affair though I enjoyed the break and made good progress beyond here. Crossing many bridges, I was able to enjoy some diversity that the riverside views offered. 7km from Nabiac I stopped at a Kennel facility where they owner gave me a ginger beer and wished me well in the festive season. After the break I continued into Nabiac where all was closed save the roadhouse: at least the hotelier let me camp on her grounds until sunrise so all was well given the time of year and lack of enterprise/facilities available to travellers.
Day 16 Nabiac to Balahdelah
Starting at 4am, I borrowed some scissors at the road house and made some insoles from my foam mat to help cushion my feet from the tarmac road. Yesterday I made dressings for my blisters from banana skins which gave some comfort to my sore feet.
Almost from sunrise the traffic was full on and I soldiered on amid humidity which had the look of a storm. The journey to Newcastle now registered 140km - Sydney over 300km. Walking at good pace I saw a black snake basking in the morning sun (Death Adder), moving him out of the way of the traffic with my stick enabled both of us to escape the dangers of the road and continue our day unscathed. The stick gave me some comfort whilst walking - taking the pressure of my blistered feet. Later Alex and Heather, en route to Sydney, pulled up to give me sandwiches and fluid plus an update on the cricket which was unbelievable as Australia had succumbed to a paltry 98 all out! The Ashes were as good as ours - Long Live England- Long Live the Barmy Army! Having expressed my thoughts and with mood elevated I strode off into the highway now clasped in the eye of a storm. Boy did it rain! Buckets full in fact and after some crazy lowlife drove straight at me in order to fire a missile at my head I decided to take shelter. The fact that some one driving at speed was prepared to risk the lives of others in these conditions just to pelt me, made me feel somewhat responsible (as I was the target). So to regain some eqaunimity I retreated to a picnic area where in fact I rested for an hour.
Departing from the shelter the rain began to peeter out and by early evening I reached the lovely town of Bulahdelah where I camped by the river enjoying a meal at the Plough Inn nearby before retiring. I spoke briefly to a chap who had travelled from Cairns and hoped to make his destination in South Australia within 3 months where he had ambition to restore his old ranch and farm the land. I hope it worked out for him as I wished he good night - feeling glad once again to have shelter for the night after a long enduring day.
Day 17 Bulahdelah to Karuah
Leaving around 6am, I crossed the bridge and walked a brisk 20km to the 'Reviver Cafe' where the attendants were kind enough to make me a brew and a pot noodle. It remained overcast and a good deal cooler than it had been previously, yet there was no respite from the oncoming traffic. Karuah was a good landmark with good facilities: I enjoyed a free camp at the park by the river and went to the local RSA Club for supper and a few beers: boy I was ready for that!
Day 18 Karuah to the State Freeway
Decamping at first light I enjoyed the cool air which almost warranted a coat on departure. Once more I was able to make good ground, stopping for lunch at Raymond's Terrace. I then faced a daunting bridge crossing onto the New England Highway which accommodates traffic using the freeway into Sydney. My original itinerary was planned along the old coast road which offered more stops and a chance to visit Newcastle and Gosford. Sadly because I had to condense the tour to reach Coogee Oval by January 1st to link up with the Barmy Army Charity game where I was required to do TV interviews, I had to obtain permission to walk the freeway. No One has done this before and I would require some police assistance/water as there were few facilities along this stretch of road running into the city environs. Stopping at a fish/chip cafe at Tarro, a kind lady gave me some free drinks and cooked the best fish supper I had eaten since arriving in Australia. She was a nice lady who had worked hard for everything in life and had staked her all on making this business work. Good on her and God Bless her! She made my day a happier one and from here I made it to the last Reviver Cafe on offer before hitting the freeway to Sydney. I was now on the home run - what a fierce one and I couldn't have imagined the difficulties that now lay before me. Not far from her I camped by the roadside where my only neighbour was a ten feet long python basking perilously close to the hardshoulder.
Day 19 Freeway to Wyong/Gosford District
Waking at dawn I packed my kit ready for what promised to be a hot day on the road. Worse still the python had been crushed by the roadside which did not bode well in a bid to survive this tumultuous journey. Wishing that I had took the longer scenic route I continued in the heat stopping to assist a young family who had broken down: before continuing they gave me some water which got me as far as the Morisset junction. Feeling hot and bewildered I now had to walk 2 km into the town to get supplies. Not happy about making such a long excursion I awarded myself a siesta in the local park where I enjoyed a 2 hour break. Resuming on the highway I appreciated slightly cooler conditions as I strode on passing numerous exit bridges accommodating the smaller landmarks along the way. My target was Wyong but after a meeting with the RTA , the guys suggetsed walking a further 10km to a free campsite near Gosford Bridge. They also warned there was no pedestrian crossing at the bridge and that the RTA would be responsible for ferrying me across the river to the next hard shoulder. I was to phone them on arrival at the crossing which we anticipated would be early morning.
I now had a hard shift in the dark which was frightening to say the least and on reaching the campsite I had walked 80km. It was late when I pitched my tent put I still joined other campers from the UK who were celebrating a birthday and as an honourary guest I was treated to a few warm beers- tasted like nectar!
Day 20 Freeway to Hornsby
Leaving in darkness, I was soon at the Gosford Crossing and within seconds the RTA were there to assist in ferrying me across the river. I rejoined the road on the Eastern bank where I was able to walk up the hard shoulder- I can tell you this was one of the most perilous road journeys I have ever made with the traffic coming from behind- I was terrified- not the sort of walking I readily choose in any event. On this occasion cricket and the Barmy Army come first and I would continue to strive for my goal of reaching first Sydney Bridge on New Year's Eve and then Coogee on 1st January. The heat was not just building up in a traffic sense: locked beetween the towering cliffs of the gorge it was like walking through an oven where at times I felt breathless. The scenery however was exemplorary and could only have been appreciated from this height as I looked down on Hawkes Nest. Linking with the old road I had to use the lower bridge to cross the river and although I was able to scale the scrub and return to the highway I wished I hadn't bothered! the last 15 km were so dangerous a traffic cop told me to leave the highway or die! He advised me to cross to the hard shoulder opposite and rejoin the coast road at the next ramp. It took half an hour to cross this highway to hell! Once safe, but slightly shellshocked, I continued to the ramp and rejoined the Hornsby Road which I followed to a set point where I was to meet Billy, my host for the night. Once back at Billy's I enjoyed a shower and later dined with his family. I discovered his wife Fi had been on the 'Pioneering Walk the Walk' with Nina Barough and myself in 1998. Nina set up the foundation with support from the Spice Girls and has been awarded acolades for her committment to the charity having suffered from Breast Cancer herself. It was a massive co-incidence reinforcing the time old adage: 'its a small world''.
Day 21 Hornsby to Sydney Harbour Bridge
Returning to yesterday's finish point I continued unimpeded by the heavy pack which had been a burden throughout the journey, though I still remained clad in some cricket gear - I certainly needed the hat! It was heart-warming making ground through the builtup areas, and the day passed rather quickly as I followed the Pacific Highway through City suburbs as far as the Harbour Bridge at Minion's Point. By now the New Year's celebrations were starting to build as fancy dressed patrons began to emerge. There were also a few die-hard Poms watching football in the nearby inn as bands played amid the bustle of the street. Tonight would be carnage - though I had the luxury of returning to Billy's and enjoying the display on TV - no wonder Sydney is the envy of the world as a new year is born - and hopefully a new era of cricket as England retain the Ashes and in the next few days strive for a series win away from home.
Day 22 Sydney Bridge to Coogee Oval
Billy and Alex came with me today as the journey commenced its last phase from Minions Point- the Bridge itself. Climbing the steps onto the bridge was an emotional moment having spent over 3 weeks on the road walking from dusk till dawn. Now the end was in sight and on crossing the bridge we all shook hands. Billy took some video footage of the walk as we made our way through Circular Quay and other tourist centres such as Hyde Park, Oxford Street, passing the SCG and finally our destination at the Coogee Oval where I spent a concluding hour doing 2 interviews with Sky and Breakfast TV. After, I enjoyed a rest though the game was short-lived as the Barmy Army won sensationally. The colts had also had a good tour here winning 7 out of their 8 games under the dedicated guidance of Mark Steer, who along with Paul Burnham founded the Colts. It is my belief that a true Barmy Army legacy lies within the colts - another Andy Flintoff perhaps - another great name waiting to rise to the test arena of cricket. The overall evidence points to an all out victory to the POMS! One, however, must not forget the good work the BA also do for charity: on this tour raising funds for two great causes: Movember: The Mcgrath Foundation. I was glad to be part of all this and still raise money back home for important charities like Sue Ryder Care (supported by inns of Oundle Region). I would have preferred to have walked at the start of the tour taking the longer journey from Sydney to Brisbane where the event would have been covered more substantially by the media and no doubt supported in ernest by the cricket-loving public. In the end, the improvised walk was bloody hard work, dangerous and less-productive: though the online donation page stays in place to support prostate cancer until my next walk (April). Also I had massively raised the profiles of these charities encouraging local people to respond to my campaign with positive ideas. All in all I found people proactive and hospitable during my time on the road.
My biggest dissappointment was losing the cricket bat during the walk: despite an SOS sent out by the radio stations nobody returned the bat, which was to be a symbol of cricket supporting cancer care. I had hoped to donate it to the England Cricket team to sign and auction for their chosen charity. This I guess is the low point in my walk and is one personal blow I won't get over in a hurry. Right now I'm just glad England have won the Ashes, money has been raised for cancer charities and I have completed my walk largely unscathed and still alive!! Thank God!
Please continue to support The Barmy Army and Robin's efforts by making a donation to his donation/just giving page on this website: To continue supporting his charities back home, enjoy a pint at one of his local pubs and donate via a sponsor form at the bar.
THANK YOU
Walk Completed 1st January 2011 at Coogee Bay
England win Ashes Series 3-1
To find out more log on: www.robin-moore.co.uk
Or to make a donation on behalf of Robin use the link below.
To sponsor Robin's local charities use forms available at the Oundle Pilgrimage inns or Trek-Kits at Eastwood Industrial Estate, Oundle.
Robin funds his charity work through casual work and book sales and has to manage on a very small income/savings. Having walked over 35,000 km on treks around the British Isles,
If any one wish to support Robin's local charities in the UK contact: The King's Arms at Polebrook or Claire at Trek-Kits on : 01832 272050. Claire Goldsmith at Goldsmith Estate Agents in Oundle will also take donations on Robin’s behalf.
Thank You For Your Interest.
