Day 6 and I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get the details posted but finally, here they are. I made it... on time and with only a couple of blisters!!!

I left T & H's at about 9 ish with H walking with me and Peter waiting to meet Emma David and Izzy who were coming to the parade. Great effort guys, it's a long way to come with a small baby but it was lovely to have you there.

H took me on a route which avoided the town centre and we passed the ruins of a monastery hidden away near the banks of the Swale. We had time to stop and explore and I was struck by the peace which still emanates from there centuries later, with only birdsong breaking the silence. It was a good place to pause and remember not only those who have suffered life- changing injury in Iraq and Afghanistan but also those who have lost their lives.

We carried on along a newly constructed cycle path until we came to the Garrison, where a loud hooting of car horns indicated that Peter, Emma, David and Izzy had caught us up. They went on to RV with Colonel C and H and I arrived at Garrison Radio and I did an interview with Hal which then went out straight away - scary stuff to have to have to listen to yourself!!! Of course we were far to early - so we dawdled through the outskirts of the camp and stopped for a coffee before heading to Helles Barracks where we were met at the main gate and escorted in.

All went to plan, H and I had to wait at the side of the parade ground ready to walk on before the start of the parade itself. Two days ago, a hint was dropped about a bugler being there to play as H & I walked on, what I didn't know was that there were another eleven as well. When they marched round to where we were standing, I got quite a shock to say the least.

An announcement was made about my walk, the buglers marched out and lined up, and H and I escorted by Cpl T walked on to the parade ground and across to our seats to the sound of lots of clapping ..... very embarrassing. Thanks for being there H, it would have been pretty scary on my own. Pity I couldn't manage to walk in step with you and Cpl T!!!!

The Passing Out Parade followed, it was very impressive, and the three companies of young infantrymen who had just completed their basic training were watched by a large crowd of parents, relatives and friends. I felt very privilaged to be there but it was not lost on me that some of them will be deploying to Afghanistan shortly.

After the parade we were able to have a collection which raised just over £500, many thanks to the soldiers who helped collect and to everyone who helped to make it such a great end to the walk.

So there it is, Judy's Journey the Extra Mile is finished and now I just have to collect the sponsorship money. At the time of writing I have already passed my original target of £5,000, and the revised target of £6,000 and am now well over £7,000 with still more to come in. That is a fantastic result and I will post the final figure achieved, here on this blog, when the fund closes on 1st August.

Finally, thanks to all the people who have helped, supported and encouraged me when things didn't always go to plan, all the generous people who have sponsored me and especially my family who have always been behind me through all the planning, training and the walk itself, we make a good team - thanks for everything.

Day 4 - I walked with a soldier, Day 5 - it was a member of Mountain Rescue to see me safely through Swaledale, haven't I been well looked after. Again a glorious day, although like yesterday, we awoke to a heavy frost and everything looking glittery in the morning sunlight as the early morning mist burned off.

We met Geoff as arranged at The Obelisk in Richmond - no it is not a pub, it is a well known landmark, and Peter then drove us back to the start in Reeth, narrowly avoiding a deer which jumped out in front of us on the way back, that certainly wasn't in the risk assessment!!!!

We had arranged the first RV at Marrick Priory, but between the time that Geoff and I walked down to the Marrick turn and Peter, having collected our luggage and the bear from the Inn in Low Row returned, some workmen had closed the road off and Peter couldn't get through to meet us. We tried to phone him to warn him but as you already know, mobile phones don't work in Swaledale. We pressed on and P assessed the situation and relocated to the next RV at Marske, where we met him and had a sandwich.

Fabulous views everywhere and Geoff was a mine of information about Mountain Rescue. It was all very interesting and I think that anyone who volunteers to go out in all weathers to rescue people off the hills, do the fundraising to buy the kit and then put in hours of free time to keep their training up to date is another type of hero.....or heroine. Good job you are prepared to do it guys, I take my hat off to you all.

Arrived in Richmond earlier than expected and after a cup of tea in the town centre, and phone calls from 1) the army with final details for tomorrow, 2) a local newspaper wanting to know how I was getting on and 3) Garrison Radio wanting an interview tomorrow on the way in to camp, we returned to T & H's where nephew Ben was waiting for us. He had been detailed to look after us until his parents returned home - a noble effort Ben and thank you. Great to see everyone and to think there are only four and a half miles to go. Feet still pretty good and great meal out with T & H in Richmond this evening and a lot of catching up done. Almost there.

Day four, the first of the two days walking in Swaledale was bright and sunny but with a cold wind and the occasional hail shower.

As you will remember if you have been reading this blog, my original road route was changed in February to an "off road" route for reasons of safety - too much fast moving traffic I was told!!! I have to admit that I was slightly worried about this. Comments like "this will be a hard day for you" and "there will be a lot of going up and down - this is Swaledale," whilst realistic ,did make me a bit anxious. I needn't have worried - well not much anyway.

I met my guide for the day at Keld and we set off having checked the first RV ( rendevous) point with Peter. Colin who was walking with me, probably wondered what he had let himself in for. The walk started with a quite steep flight of steps down to a bridge and then a long drawn out ascent which soon had me puffing - knew I shouldn't have had the porridge for breakfast!!

Seriously though, I soon got into my stride and started to enjoy the magnificent scenery looking down on the Swale winding its way through the dale, with little clusters of cottages well dug into the hillsides. It must be really cold up here in the winter though.

We met Peter with the back up car as arranged, first at Gunnerside, then south of Isles Bridge where we had to dry off after a sharp sleety shower ( see photo) and finally at Browna Gill Bridge before walking into Reeth just after 2.15. Not even an ice cream waiting for us after all that effort, it's just not good enough - even the pie shop was closed.

Thank you ver much Colin for "volunteering" to walk with me, and for gamely having your photo taken with "Hero" the bear. I now know a lot more about the history of Drums and Bugles in the British Army and about the Coldstream Guards, it was all fascinating. It was a good job that you didn't let on what was going to happen on Friday at Catterick, I might have turned tail and retreated........the rest of you will have to wait until the report for Day 6 to find out what happened.

As you will have guessed I am now home and catching up with the blog over the next day or so. Thanks to Emma for posting a temporary message when I couldn't get a mobile phone signal in Swaledale to report in.

Day 3 began at Willow Farm Longton, lovely weather again, just right for walking. All went as planned through Preston to Fulwood Barracks where I was given tea and biscuits and a cheque. This time I met a group of medics and no, I didn't need them - but I did learn more of the history of the barracks which was very interesting before setting off again.

Emma and Izzy had met me at Fulwood, in fact they walked the last mile with me, at least Emma walked, Izzy was pushed in the pram. She may be a very advanced baby but even she can't walk at 16 weeks!!! She has however been asked to leave her first pub.... we arranged to meet further up the A6 for a sandwich and a coffee and by the time I caught up with them, Peter, Emma and baby had had to relocate to a different venue as Izzy was asked to leave the pub where we had agreed to meet.What will her father say when he finds out that we tried to take her in her first pub!!!

After lunch I continued up the A6 to the meeting point and then Peter drove me up to Swaledale where I discovered that neither of us had any mobile signal, hence the reason for Emma's post. Tim arrived later with details for the next three days.... has he forgotten how old I am ....phew!! Feet not too bad, a few blisters but nothing I can't cope with and I wouldn't like you to think I was having it too easy. More later when I have downloaded some more photos. Thanks for the message Karen, I did get it.

What a change. Yesterday bright sunshine but this morning it was cold and overcast with a strong headwind and squally showers - winter is definitely back worse luck!!!

I left from the Town Hall in Southport but before I had gone very far I had to stop and put a jacket on as it was really cold and starting to rain.

By the time I got to Churchtown there was the first of several really heavy showers with the wind gusting and making walking much harder. Once I was out in the open countryside with very little to shelter you from the wind I was really having to put my head down and plough into it.

Met Peter at lunchtime at Dunscar, he looked at the plants while I checked out the Musto, well I wasn't going to loose an opportunity was I,and then after a quick snack I carried on up the A59 towards Longton.

After lunch the wind dropped a little and the sun came out so it was a lot more pleasant. Met Emma as arranged at Willow Farm and then back home for a soak. I have now walked the first twenty eight miles, so more than I had originally planned to do but the forecast for tomorrow is not good. Feet holding up well so far. More tomorrow.

A really great start to "Judys Journey - the Extra Mile"

We arrived at Altcar just before 9.00am so that I could do a circuit of the camp and get "focused" before I set off.

Considering that I didn't get to bed until early this morning as I had been speaking about H4H at an event in Liverpool last night, I felt really good and ready to go. It was great to have all the family there, even Izzy and of course I was given a good send off. Pity I forgot the H4H flag but Dave came to the rescue and produced a Union flag for me. Jill then kindly volunteered to collect the H4H flag and take it to the next stop at Woodvale.

Negotiating all the roadworks between the start and the Formby by-pass wasthe first challenge but I made it and reached Woodvale exactly on time at 11.15 to be met by the Mayor and Mayoress of Sefton and Sqn Ldr Norman. After a quick cup of coffee and more photos ( with flag - thanks Jill) I set off again with the Mayor and Mayoress who had kindly offered to walk the next five miles to Southport Town Hall with me.

As we walked into Southport I had a lot of support and encouragement from passers by and we arrived at the Town Hall just after 1.30pm.

So the day finished with the family meeting up with me again. So far so good and I am off to have good sleep to make up for last night. More tomorrow, but will it stay fine?

Well this is it folks, the moment when you suddenly think that this was probably the worst idea you have ever had!!! Then reality takes hold - I have done the training and more, the feet are covered in zinc oxide plaster so hopefully I will remain blister free, my brothers have both told me to stay focused, in fact the whole family has been really supportive and of course it is for a really fantastic cause so here goes.
Final thanks before I set off, to Gel and Sue for keeping the aches and pains at bay, to Netty for keeping me training and to Peter for everything. Jill, Emma, David and Izzy will be there to see me off in about an hours time - thanks guys, and hopefully when I get to Catterick, Izzy will be waiting for Granny J. or so I have been told - could this be a bribe to keep me going?
More tonight after Day 1 and pictures will be posted later - at least Hero ( the H4H bear) is photogenic.
Guess what the sun is shining.