Villager and his collie dog over halfway in their epic fundraising UK trek
A villager and his beloved collie dog have reached more than halfway in their gruelling fundraising challenge to walk the length of the UK.
Paul Watson and Moss, who live in Pickwell, set out from John O’Groats at the tip of Scotland back in April and they are hoping to reach Land’s End, in Cornwall, in mid-June.
They’ve enjoyed seeing stunning countryside and locations en route during their 1,200-mile walk, averaging 15 to 20 miles a day.
The aim is to raise £2,000 for Rutland-based Corner Meadow Animal Rehabilitation (CMAR), which is dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals left behind, especially dogs who have been mistreated, by providing mental and physical rehabilitation.
They have explored some of Scotland’s most remote areas, crossing the Flow Country’s vast peat bog lands, descending the Great Glen Way past Loch Ness to Fort William and Ben Nevis, travelling down the West Highland Way and onto the Borders Drove Road, the historic route cattle drovers used for centuries to reach the south.
Past Hadrian’s Wall they joined the Pennine Way across the border, marking the beginning of their 268-mile journey south into England.
On the trek through the Scottish Flow Country, Paul commented: “In just three days, we only encountered people when we crossed a road.
"If you’re a fan of solitude, peat bogs and wildlife, that’s the perfect place.
"Golden eagles, snipe drumming, deer, pine martens, birdlife and no people – it’s a harsh but stunning landscape.”
They have been careful to avoid roads and made it to the halfway point, near Wensleydale in North Yorkshire, earlier this month.
Paul’s three-year-old collie has been a hit with everyone they meet – Moss loves playing with a ball as they make their way south.
After their Pennine Way adventure, Paul and Moss are planning to use the Midlands Canal network to head across to the Severn Valley and into the South West, passing through the Cotswolds Hills, Quantocks, Exmoor and finally a final stretch along the Cornwall Coastal Path.
Go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paulandmoss-cmar if you would like to sponsor Paul and Moss.
Follow their progress on the CMAR Facebook page, ‘Rescue Malis at Meadow View/Corner Meadow Animal Rehabilitation’ for regular updates.