The Way to Santiago Blog

Well I’m still not smoking which is great and I’m very pleased with myself. I have just started having painful sensations in a tooth or two which is really bad news as I leave for France in 10 days and I’m still stupidly registered at a private practise which I can’t afford and even if I could I doubt they’ll be able to get anything done before I leave….
On a more positive note I managed to get myself a reservation for the new iPad 2 which with any luck I should be picking up today… Exciting!!!
One last note, if anyone wants a cheap night out this Saturday come down to the Crown in Frome, it’s our last night and everything must go….!?!

Well I haven’t smoked now for nearly 6 days…. Woo hoo! I hope it lasts.
Monday I visited my parents who took me to a friend of theirs who makes beautiful canes, crooks and walking sticks. The gentleman’s name is Graham Wright and he has been very generous in making me a very special crook to accompany me on my 1000 mile walk. If you are interested in speaking to Graham with regards to his craft skills, have a look on my main website for further details.
Today I visited Ellis Brigham in Bristol, it was a close call between them and Cotswold outdoors, but Ellis seemed to have slightly better prices online. Euan who is the manager of the store was an excellent help and was kind enough to give me a reasonable discount… So that’s the majority of kit taken care of…

Well I had acupuncture yesterday to help me stop smoking again…! I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve tried… The most successful in the past was 2 years…! I hope this is the last time.
Today in my break I had to shoot into Bath quickly to pick up a new power lead for my Apple laptop, completely forgot they were releasing the iPad 2 today…. It was mayhem, I made it with 2 minutes to spare before the store closed for 2 hours in preparation for the 5pm launch…?! I just don’t understand why people can’t wait an extra day for it…..?

We all know these two things, time and money, are the biggest constrictions in modern society… If we didn’t have to worry about either, we would all achieve our dreams!
I have less than a month now before I begin my walk and to date I have raised £2417.13 for UNICEF. I would have liked to approach more business sponsors before my departure but running a busy bar and hotel takes it’s toll whether we’re coming to a close or not!
I still need to acquire some kit, and write my final press release before departure…

Zero customers, zero job satisfaction, zero fun right now…! Damn it can I start walking now…. We all know January is a bad month for the hospitality trade but this is beyond a joke….!

So the rumours around Frome are running thick regarding the future of the Crown, including ‘it’s being sold’ & ‘we’re going bankrupt’. There’s no point speculating, I just know that when I set off on the 20th April from le Puy en Velay, I don’t have any plans to return here. My plans are already in motion to apply for other employment on my return. This of course has sidetracked all my trip organisation temporarily…! I’m feeling very demoralised right now but I know this walk will do me good…!

I must apologise for the slow blogs… Since my assistant handed her notice in, we have not managed to find a replacement. Which means I’m working more than ever….

Since my last blog I’ve been to the Levellers festival ‘Beautiful Days’ down near Ottery St Mary, this year my good friend Rob & I managed to make £104 for UNICEF by selling Chupa Chup lollies. From what I can recall, Rob continued to raise money even after I had lost the ability to speak due to alcohol consumption. I don’t drink often but when I do I do it with style…. (I fell asleep in a portaloo)!

Our first charity event took place on Wednesday 1st of September, The Crown Hotel held a B’Boy Jam with great success. We raised nearly £250 for UNICEF and everyone who attended enjoyed themselves. Massive thanks to Kevin Corcoran Carpets & Vinyls for donating the flooring, DJ Bully for rushing back from Spain to mix for our dancers, and most importantly all the dancers who came from Bath, Bristol & even London. I will be writing an article to send to the papers to thank you all.

Unfortunately our second event, a car wash with local fire fighters, should be taking place as I write this but as the press release went to print in the Somerset Standard, the local Fire Brigade informed me that due to unforeseen circumstances they would have to postpone the event. So apologies to anyone who made an effort to get their cars up to Homebase this morning.