Oh my goodness - that was a challenge indeed!  112 lock miles in 3 days, over 9 hours of kayaking a day, resting only for one hour for lunch and in locks.  The rest was paddling, paddling, paddling.  The target was set high, and we made it.  Don and I are so proud of the children.  The endurance and tenacity they have shown would surpass many adults abilities.  We hadn’t realised really quite how solitary kayaking is, how emotionally self reliant one needs to be.  But we had laughs, songs and superb teamwork brought us through.  There were highs and lows, there was rain and sun (no lightening though, thank goodness), there was head wind and tail wind (finally).  And elation as Marlow loomed behind the tress at Bisham.  Delight, relief and sheer exhaustion met us at Longridge. Enjoyment?  We don’t think that’s how we’ll remember it.  Arduous, gruelling and exhausting both mentally and physically.  But for the children to do assemblies at school, ask friends and family to raise over £6,000 in aid of a charity so close to our hearts and to bring Ned and his memories nearer to us.  We will look back on this character building achievement and grounding experience with amazement and huge emotion....when it all sinks in. 

Since we lost Ned in July 2003, we have supported Child Bereavement UK.  Originally a local charity, they were wonderful to all our family in helping us not only to understand our grief but also to learn to live with our great loss.  Five years ago we raised £5,000 for them by cycling from Reading to Bath on two tandems with tag alongs.   In July this year, to mark Ned's 10th anniversary, we plan to kayak the southern part of the Oxford Canal, turning south into the Thames, arriving back in Marlow three days later.  Your support will mean that Child Bereavement UK can support more families when they suffer the life changing loss of a child, a sibling or a close relative.Thank you.