Day 4 Forest of Bowland to Darwen

A long day. This always looked to be a real challenge – lots of ground to cover and hills to climb. We were walking for 12½ hours, the last 2 in the rain & dark.

We didn’t get round to taking a video so here are a few images.

A few of highlights:

• Sarla. Andy’s friend from Morland has been staying with her family in Lancashire and was today’s road support, popping up along the route with coffee, cake, teabread (Tim’s favourite), sandwiches, sausages rolls (made by her sister Margaret) and…more cake.    

• Harry Biggs-Davison. Chair of PAPYRUS intercepted us to inform us that #3dadswalking had raised over £300,000 so far (this included direct donations, text donations, gift aid as well as JustGiving)

• Helen Taylor from Coventry. Helen emailed a poem to us. Mike spotted it and read it out as we walked along…we all ended up in tears. We think it’s superb so thought we had better share it with you.

Our Girls

We can still hear all the giggles,

See the smiles and feel the love

For our gorgeous girls who left us

Yet have given us a shove

To step out into all weathers

As the road ahead uncurls.

We're out walking,

We're out talking,

We're out walking with our girls.

We three know the depths of sorrow.

We've lost count of all the tears

But we've found our hearts and legs again

And hope to crush the fears

Of the lonely, frightened, helpless

As their turmoil twists and swirls.

We're out walking,

We're out talking,

We're out walking with our girls.

So, we're striding down the country.

If you see us, give a wave.

Even better, find your wallet

Or look up our 'giving' page.

If we help a few and save them

As these scenes of life unfurl.

Now you're talking!

We're out walking.

We're out walking for our girls.

For Beth, Emily and Sophie

Every good wish,

Helen Taylor