When Wazzas walk was first mentioned and Wazza and Mark and various other dodgy characters were seen walking around the town at all hours of the day.I thought they are only walking so why all the fuss ?. So when Andy Walker,Brian Hall and I suprised the boys on Saturday and said we would do a stretch with them,and give them some support,the thought of walking 10 to 15 miles or more and having a nice banter, seemed a great way to spend a warm sunny Saturday. We had arranged to meet their support man for the first week Alan Kerr, (now Mama Kerr )as the boys were already out walking. We were greeted by the smell of bacon butties as Alan had prepared a few extra for our arrival.He said the boys were on the way,so we quickly had the butties and headed off to meet them.The boys were in good spirits,looking fit and strong and were suprised and delighted to see us. It bacame quite obvious from the next few hours of chat that although this was called Wazzas Walk a team of people had been formed to help and support these guys along the way. Both Warren and Mark said that Mama Kerr had been a godsend and that the frilly pinny he wore when cooking had been such a turn on!!!. But we were there to do some of this walking and give Warren a break from Marks scintillating banter . We were to stay with them for the rest of the walk for that day and as they had already done 9 miles before breakfast only 16 to do what could be easier. The lads had been following the highland way which kept them off the main roads and through some superb countryside. After the guys had had their sarnies we set off, the first leg would be about 3 miles followed by a 7 then a 6.(doddle) After the 3 and the 7 the only concern was the heat from the sun as there was a severe lack of hats and in some cases hair for protection.Although Warren with his Carlisle City woolen hat did look like Benny from crossroads. With the 10 miles with only 6 miles to go we were seated outside a bar with 4 ice cold lagers,the sun beaming down life was good.We awaited the arrival of Mama Kerr as he had parked up at the Hostel they were to stay at that night and he was walking the 6 miles we were due to do. When after several calls he had not arrived we should have sensed there was something amiss,then we had a call to say he had stopped half an hour away for food, and we were to go to him. No problem just 6 to do,we met up with Mama Kerr about a mile and half away which again was a very pleasant walk.he had started the walk with Brian but Brian turned back after half a mile as the terain was too rough (great decision Brian) Alan as hes known to normal people!said we had a walk to a road over fields then crossed the road and entered woods were we had 2 miles uphill and 1 down. What followed has basically wrecked my body for the next fortnight,the only comparison I can make to all you boys who have done a run or walk through Gelt Woods is that it is very similar in terrain but about 10 times as hard.There were times when all I could do was follow Warrens shoes as you could not get your head up to see where you were going as hill followed hill followed hill. What I must add at this point is that Warren and Mark do not hang about when they are walking and this was no exception as they powered their way up the hillside. Just about every turn was greeted with expletives as more hills appeared from the forrest,there were more stops on this leg as the group took on board water and food as they gathered themselves for another climb. When we eventually reached the Hostel I was walking like Douglas Barder My ankles were gone my thighs felt like they had been beaten with sticks and you do not want to know about the chaffing. I finish this tale in awe, in awe of Warren and Mark, when that day had finished they had walked 239miles and would be up early again on Sunday to add another 26. Warrens feet are covered in blisters and he has had a few bites which have needed medical attention,Fortunately Mark has been ok and has been nicknamed Ironman!!!. Whatever they encounter they have overcome they are truly inspirational and I hope everyone does as much as they can to support their call for sponsorship for our heroes.
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