Vicki and Zeke’s sponsored ten mile walk; Brixham to Torquay harbour via Paington harbour.

 

 

We really did it. I am now back at home listening to the contented snoring of Zeke and Penny, current and retired guide dog. Zeke did the whole distance with us, Brixham to Paignton to Torquay, while Penny joined us half way. Despite her eleven years, she stoically ploughed on tail always wagging; I think someone told her there was a free drink at the end of it.

 

The most wonderful thing for me, was having the support of my friends, six of us completed the walk. Even Ivan, my exercise shy husband decided to join us, this meant a slight change of plan, with Ivan on the walk we no longer had a return lift waiting for us at the end. John stepped into the breach, rather than sponsoring us to do the ten mile walk, John was willing to pay not to have to do it, and become our return chauffer.

 

Having started this walk at Brixham harbour I quickly remembered why I so love Devon. No gentle inclines for us.  Within three hundred yards we are climbing up steps and ascending hill sides, quickly followed by descending uneven, irregular rock hewn steps, down into Churston Cove. Tree routes, rolling stones under your feet some steps a shallow six inches while others two foot deep. I discovered two things:  What goes up must come down, high promontories followed by low lying beaches. Also, Sally and Pete my alternating guides, really can talk and walk.

 

Churston Cove, Elbery Cove, Broadsands and Goodrington beach. It was lovely to see   Arabella, a Brixham boat and crew I previously raced with, out on the water sailing in close to the coves as we looked out from the headland.

 

Paignton harbour was the halfway point and the beginning of the more level terrain. My guide dog Penny and good friend Nicola joined us at Preston. Zeke now had wide expanse of beach to charge around on, while Penny investigated whether crispy seaweed was just as tasty on the beach as it is in a Chinese restaurant.

 

I was wondering whether Preston was a good spot to sit and have a rest and possibly a bite to eat.  However Pete had different ideas.  I was given instructions on how to, while still walking, reach the water bottle in his ruck sack. Not only were we going to walk the distance, but he was determined we did it in a reasonable time. We walked past the fountains and pavilion on Torquay sea front, stepping onto the bridge across Torquay harbour. Brixham harbour to Torquay harbour via Paington harbour in three hours and fifty minutes. Finally I got my sit down and yes a very large glass of cold cider.

 

Massive thanks to the amazing generosity of those who have sponsored us.  Many thanks to those who supported us on route and again huge thanks to those who did the walk with Zeke and me, not only giving us their money but also their time and making it all possible.

 

Not too late, see us on Just Giving  

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Hello everyone

 

Sunday January 22, Zeke, my guide dog and I will be doing a ten mile sponsored walk to raise money for Blind Sailing. 

 

Blind Sailing is a small charity that organizes coaching and racing events for blind and partially sighted sailors, enabling them to compete in Blind fleet racing events as well as Blind match racing, the most recent  being the world championships in Perth last March (see below the photo of the GP team winning gold). 

 

Why I am raising money for Blind Sailing

Blind Sailing is a small charity that runs training weekends for visually impaired sailors of all abilities, from giving people their first taste of sailing to coaching more advanced sailors to sail competitively in international fleet and match racing regattas.  It has given me the opportunity to participate in an active and exciting sport and enjoy the camaraderie of sailing and racing with (and against) other enthusiastic sailors, some of whom, like me, happen to be blind or partially sighted.

For others, the training has improved their confidence, communication skills and teamwork as well as their sailing.  The charity's website can be found at www.blindsailing.net

 

Funds raised go towards the purchase of equipment, cost of professional coaches for training weekends, expenses of volunteer coaches, and subsidizing the cost for students or those on lower incomes.  The cost of a training weekend for 12 sailors is about £5,000, which includes boat charter and coaches.  The charity obtains sponsorship for some of these costs and then the rest of the cost is divided between the sailors.  . 

 

The current priorities for fundraising are:

*     maintenance and acquisition of additional audio buoys and other

equipment for race training;

*     raising over £12,000 to host a blind match racing world championship

in the UK in September 2012.

 

What we are going to do to raise money

Zeke my guide dog and I are going to walk along the coast of Torbay. This will be a special walk for me as; it links my favourite harbours, Brixham, Paignton, and Torquay.  I will be able to do it with Zeke my guide dog and lastly and most importantly, I will be able to be joined by friends who are keen to give their support to both me and Blind Sailing.

What training have I done?

My training has been yacht racing back and forth across the bay, possibly not the best training for a land walk.Zeke however has been putting in lots of training; charging around Berry Head, rolling other dogs over and stealing their balls, when not doing that then leaping after birds  in the hope he will one day catch one.

 

If you would like to sponsor us, you can do this by using the justgiving page that I have set up at http://www.justgiving.com/vicki-sheen

 

Or, if you would like to sponsor me but don't want to make an electronic payment, you can send a cheque to me made payable to Blind Sailing.

 

I know that money is a struggle for many of us now and you receive other requests for sponsorship, so thank you for taking the time to consider this one.

 

Wish us luck.

 

Vicki

 

 

For further information on Vicki and Zeke go to blindsailing.co.uk