Praise INDEED!

A Letter from Buckingham Palace

"The Queen has asked me to thank you for your letter of 13th September.

Her Majesty was most interested to learn that your son recently completed a run of 873 miles from John O' Groats to Land's End in order to raise funds for the various charitable organisations which supported his friend, who had a serious motorcycle accident in 2009.

I would be grateful if you could convey to Mr. Matthew Harrison The Queen's warmest good wishes and congratulations for having successfully completed the run, and Her Majesty hopes that his friend recovers quickly from his injuries.

Your thoughtfulness in taking the time and trouble to write as you did is much apppreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Sonia Bonici

Senior Correspondence Officer"

And his certificate of completetion from the End To End Club:

Money is still trickling in but we are heading for around £5000.  If you have sponsored Matt or promised a donation, could you please get the money to him as soon as possible so we can present it to the charities.

THANK YOU

Fundraising

Thank you to everyone for their support and donations.  The big 'homecoming' event managed to raise £1076.30 on the night, and the grand total is still being added to.  Thank you to Colin for organising the event and Debs for the super food!  The auction for Matt's smelly, unusable size 9 trainers, raised £100!

Keep looking in from time to time for updates on the total raised..........

The FINISH!!!

12:20 approx.

Matty Hit the Finish Line at Land's End!!!!  YEEEEEE  HAAAAAAA

more later...we are in Bristol on the way home.....................

We finally got back around 10:30 ish in the evening....travel weary...........and very quiet....

It's a strange feeling when something that you've planned for for months, and Matt's trained for and gone through the pain of achieving, suddenly comes to an end.  Relief, certainly, HE'S DONE IT!!  But tinged, for me anyway, with a little sadness.....it's all over, no  more routine, no more getting MM breakfast in bed, easing his aching muscles (for that he will be eternally grateful I'm sure!)...hopping from one layby to the next...........hey but WHAT an acheivement.

Corinne and Jan and David (Matt's brothers' father-in-law, were there to see him get his final 'stamp' on his transit verification form......to prove he'd done it.  A proud moment. 

We've met many people along the way, from the cyclists, also doing the same journey (for all different reasons) to the people in lay-bys offering money .....to the people who have very kindly opened their homes to us......if I've forgotton to mention anyone's name, please forgive me.  Our heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of you.  For you too, have helped Matty on his way.  The baths and warm beds kept him going.  We can't thank you enough.  And also thank you to EVERYONE who has donated, or will donate, to the 'cause'.  A truly great achievement for Matt, but let's not forget why he went through this pain (and pain it certainly was).  Let's help him once more;  to raise lots of money for the three charities that helped Chris Taaffe and saved his life.

Our blog is at an end.....................but should Matt ever want to do anything like this again, wherever it may be.................count me in!

The last stamp!

Is he going to smile?

YES, he is!

Racing for the line...........

The last night's camp

Monday 13th September - Day's End - Land's End

09:35
We spent a nostalgic last night in the tent with Corinne and Jan.  somehow it seemed like home as we haven't camped since Preston.  MM had run just too far to make our last booked accommodation feasible, so we went for the camping option.  A dry and fairly warm night and not too much condensation.

Matt started his day in the 'traditional' camp way, with breakfast in bed...I do spoil him so !  Porridge and maple syrup. Then on the road and running by about 08:15.  Only 16 miles to go so he is taking it easy.  He's extremely tired now, and still won't relax until he's over that line......

The camp and tent is all packed away....for the final time..............and we are now all off to catch up with speedy and await his appearance at Land's End.  It all seems pretty surreal.  With any luck we should be home some time tonight......

As soon as I get a chance I will upload photos of the finish....YAY!!!!  Rock on Matty Moon...........Run Forest RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 12th September - The Penultimate Day!

09:30

MM was running at 08:30 this morning. The sun is shining and all bodes well for a good days running.  He had a good calf massage last night and an ice pack on his lower shins. Very stiff this morning, but usually once he starts running things settle down a bit.  Not long to go now..........46 miles to Land's End!

20:20
Sitting in tent with MM, Corrine and Jan drinking wine and having a good old chat about the run!!
Today Matt saw Nigel the one tooth wonder.......who was overwhelmed about what Matt was doing and kept shaking his hands.........Today Matt saw Land's End on the sign post.........Today...we saw the sea for the first time since Scotland............Tomorrow.............Matt will have reached his goal..............

~Ironically......................today there was a charity run by 1,400 bikers, an annual event.  Unfortunately the road was closed for a while because one of them came off and got hurt...................it just brought home the reason why Matt is doing this run..............he had to run past the guy in the road..............please give as much as you can............every little helps...........

Saturday 11th September- quote: "keep your feet dry and your spirits high" unquote........

12:37

My word...nearly lunchtime already!
A nice little quote from Dan (MM's Brother) to start the blog today!  It came out in conversation last night..........you had to be there..........but it does sum things up nicely....if Matt doesn't get rained on and his feet aren't wet, the day is a whole lot better.......naturally.

Well...had a visit from Fran and Jo today, on thier way home from hols in Polperro....probably spelt that wrong.....it was great to see them.  Fran ran for a couple of miles with Matt..............pictures to follow.

We've just passed the sign for Jamaica Inn on the top of Bodmin and MM's already reached the point where he should stop today (because he's been doing extra miles).  So...bonus miles from now on, and all is looking good for the finish on Monday.  It feels very strange......very strange indeed.  We've met some super people......only an hour or so ago I met up with a support vehicle for some chaps on bikes, that are doing a charity thing for soldiers...not the 'Heroes' thing....the cyclists came in, had a whip round and put some dosh in the bucket.....THANK YOU.  And again a great big THANKS to everyone who has offered and opened their homes to us two weary travellers, who nobody knows from Adam, and for making us so welcome.

More later....time to move on and catch up with speedy..............

17:34
Coming up to the end of another days running for MM. We had a later start today (9:30), so it's 'just' the 30 miles today!  However, because he's still got miles in hand, this still gives him a head start on tomorrow.We've finished up almost to Indian Queens I think.......MM's legs are feeling the hills a bit today, some very long climbs and slopes;......a good old sort out with the thumbs should get him moving again....and an ice pack or two......he's going to hate me for life!  He'll soon be running again...............in the opposite direction when he see me coming!

I'm not sure if I'll have WiFi tonight, but will upload the pictures of today if I do.  Another traveller in a layby gave some more money to the cause today too.  I think I forgot to mention.............Matt has taken to wearing my clothes!!!!!...A very nice little red number......he calls it PINK....but it's IS RED.....long sleeves......matches his ginger beard completely...NOT!  Don't worry......it was earlier on in the trip when we got cold and wet and he needed a long sleeved top..........he blatantly refused the high heels though......said they weren't good to run in or something....can't think why............

Well, strike a line through Saturday...only Sunday and Monday left.....Whoop, Whoop!

Friday 10th September- Okehampton here we come

11:00
Let's start with some Thanks
Thank you to Ellen at Selby House, Wellington, Taunton, for a lovely B+B and kind donation to the cause.......We recommend highly her B+B and friendly welcome, if you are ever in the area, this is the place to stay.

Thank you to Amanda, who booked and paid for the above B+B and ran with Matt yesterday.  She is thinking of doing the JOGLE challenge herself, we wish her a good trip.

Thank you to Dan and Kath (MM's brother and co) for a lovely night's sleep!  Haven't slept so well in ages......


Thank you to the man behind me in the same lay-by who just gave some money for the cause.....he is supporting a cyclist doing the same thing as us.....

Matt started running about 08:30 and has now covered approx 11 miles so far today. His leg is looking much better but the ups and downs of the hills are starting to play his knees up.  But...his head is down, his mind is focused and he's planning to finish on Monday evening.  We'll take a few pics then jump in the Landy and drive straight home......


21:30
Matt again did brilliantly today and covered 35 miles.  We are now on the A30.....the last road, and over the border into Cornwall, the last county. Just 77 miles to go...............just...Matt won't talk about 'getting closer' or 'nearly there now', until he crosses the line...then, and only then will he relax.

Dan, MM's brother joined him today after he'd been at work all day, and ran with him for 3 miles.....Well Done Dan.  Then he drove with us to our overnight stop to show us the way.  A good move, as I don't think we would have found it otherwise.  It's a beautiful old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, with lovely quirky walls and floors. The kind of place I've dreamed about for years, but is a nightmare to decorate......but that doesn't matter because it all adds to the charm.  Thank you Daphne and David  (Matt's brother's in-laws) for inviting us into your home..(well me in particular).....eternally grateful.

Well, it's time for bed now....and sleep....if only I could stop coughing......always gets worse at night.........tomorrow's weather is looking good......Run Forest Run!!!
But before I nod off, here's a selection of photos from the last couple of days...... 


The loneliness of the long distance runner....
Spot the Hi Viz...

Devon cows off to milking........and some Devon hills....

Chocolate box villages.......and moody skies........

MM's new mascot.....the Meerpup..

Sunset over Taunton.........

And a cheer for the man himself!!