Day 31 - Central Line (Part 6) and Finished!

I can scarcely believe it myself, but today, on time and as planned, I finished my tube walking.

I'm still a tad speechless, but I'll quickly run through today's events before adding a few thanks.

TFL tried their best to hold up/prevent the walking throughout, doubtless desperate to prove that walking in London was impossible. But despite their efforts, we persevered, setting off from Ealing Broadway and heading into central London.

A good group of walkers joined me today, and I must name them all: Messrs Jonathon Caunt (of course), Kevin Touhey, and Neel Acharya; Misses Lynsesy Edgar, Emma Danforth and (from East Acton) Alexandra Simmons. As with every other day, the company made the walking, which was pretty dull until Notting Hill, not just bearable but enjoyable.

Having dragged the girls past Westfield shopping centre (as well as other stunning sights of London... Wormwood Scrubs for example), and stopped for a much needed Subway sandwich, the party ploughed through Oxford Street. It says much that, of all my walking, traversing the busy street between Bond Street and Oxford Circus tubes was just about the most challenging part of all. Having finally made it through the other side, we carried on through Holborn, stopped off to admire St. Paul's Cathedral, and finally arrived in Bank on schedule. As might be expected, this preciptated a well deserved trip to the pub (albeit a pub in London Bridge) with others who had kindly waited at Bank to greet us.

On the subject of this project as a whole, now completed... A massive thanks to all those who have walked with me over the past few weeks, and also to those who have donated. Both have made this far more rewarding both personally and for the charity, who I'm sure will also be enormously grateful. I will pass on anything I get from them and post it here. Particular thanks to Jonathon Caunt, who has been a legend throughout, walking a truly ridiculous amount of the track with me, providing advice and updating the daily map, a job which doubtless took up far too much of his time.

I'm at something of a loss for what to do both to celebrate, and to fill my time in the days ahead. Luckily LPC elective exams should certainly help with the latter. However, I have very much enjoyed walking London, learning a vast amount about the geography and social make up of the city in general. Five key things I have noted:

i )It is absolutely massive, and spectacularly diverse;
ii) there are more Subways than McDonalds (thankfully);
iii) the painted elephants really brighten up central London, and there are a LOT of them;
iv) localities in London can easily be judged by what services local solicitors specialise in, from personal injury claims/criminal defence to very expensive property law and finally;
v) walking that far every day makes feet very sore. This is not so much about London, but I think it is certainly worth mentioning.

I could go on, but everyone knows a lot about London generally and I don't want to bore more than I already have.

Before I go any further, I must post up the final walking league, as I know it is VERY competitive. So, without further ado....

With one week to go...

1st Mr J Caunt (82 miles)
2nd Miss L Edgar (25 miles)
3rd Mr R Day (12.5 miles)
4th Miss E Lowe (12 miles)
5th Miss F Ward (11.5 miles)
= Mr K Touhey (11.5 miles)
= Mr N Acharya (11.5 miles)
= Miss E Danforth (11.5 miles)
9th Mr T Wood (11 miles)
= Miss L Hassan (11 miles [in the pouring rain])
= Mr R McNicoll (11 miles [in the pouring rain])
12th Mr R Sinclair (10.5 miles)
13th Miss C Hartley (9 miles)
14th Miss A Simmons (8 miles)
15th Mr A Chartres (7 miles)
16th Mr M Michalski (6 miles)

Thrilling. A close result, but JC shades it.

I hope people have enjoyed reading this blog and following my progress. It has been tremendously rewarding, and I know Jersey Hospice will be thrilled. The justgiving page is still open for those who have not yet donated, and I would love it if you could spare a few pounds for people who really need it.

www.justgiving.com/alexrenouf

On that note, fare thee well! I may post again if any more developments occur (there has been talk of me walking the DLR. We shall see...), there is any more coverage, or I get a final figure for donations.

Thanks, and good night.

Alex