Philip's Blog

The Final Day !!!!!

We were all aware that the final day was a long walk with five climbs and an overall descent of well over 5,000 feet, so we set off at a racing pace with Sharon in front. Pacemakers changed from time to time, but we maintained a cracking speed and enjoyed a picnic lunch looking down on the Med from the Pic de Sailfort. On the way down from the rocky crag we met up with Sally Shrimpton who had come up to meet us. The long walk down to Banyuls through the famous vineyards was in blazing sunshine. We reached the outskirts of the town at 3.30 and changed from walking boots to sandals so that we could walk straight into the sea. The pebbled beach was packed with late-season sunbathers who were bewildered to see us walkers arrive. Ruth and the welcoming committee of Julia, Jon, Lola, Steve and Nicola, Brenda and John and Caroline, had set up a finishing tape which I walked through before plunging into the refreshing waters of Banyuls Bay. Champagne was sprayed and drunk, cups presented and two hours of shoreline merriment ensued. We all patted ourselves on the backs and basked in the glory of our individual achievements. It will take a long time for it all to sink in, but the initial reaction is one of amazement that one's mind can bully one's body into to doing something that should be well beyond its capabilities.