Day Twenty Two: Hereford to Monmouth

Enter the Dragon.

In Wales now, better today - huge nod to Sam at Muscle Mechanic (who I will forever call Lazarus) as he brought back to life two utterly trashed and battered legs. Much thanks also to a very feisty team of old chums and clients who kept up a constant and properly un-PC commentary full on detail and depravity - it really, really helps: Jenny (stupidly fit), Alen (sharp as ever mate), Jarrod (superb chatter my old friend) Joshua (proud of you my boy) and the fleet-footed Sarah and the magnificent back up from Graham: tea, Soreen and treats, just when we needed them. Oh and Sue who showed up with probably the best donuts I've ever tasted - more of the same please tomorrow boss (she was mine once).

Time to mention two of the team: Dawn and Trevor - for the first twelve days these two monstered everything asked of them. Trevor sorted out everything from broken down vans to urgent medical requests and always had the larder open and chilled - I won't forget this. Dawn somehow almost outdid him and walked some of the sections. She did it with ingenuity, drive, compassion and patience ... lots of patience - she needed it. It was like having a PA, Florence Nightingale and your favourite teacher rolled into one - thanks you two, shame you abandoned me to go off on holiday to North America - bit selfish I thought ....

One last thing, for those who keep messaging saying 'nearly there', 'on the run in' or 'you've got this' ... no I haven't not yet, almost 70 miles still to go - no bunting, no let up, no quarter ... see you tomorrow ...08.00 (I know a bit earlier, it's getting dark)