 Hi All - got back about an hour ago and having sorted out bits, washing, etc.. dinner is now cooking in the oven As K4T said, it's great to put faces to names. After K4T picked me up, we headed towards the meeting point. BST did warn about the roundabout and the carpark entrance and we did have to make 2 rounds to be sure that it was the right place. Finally we got to meet the legendary Barry! He looked a sorry state with his bald head turning rather black - hope he won't be turning into ashes any time soon under the southern sun (when it decides to come out!)  Bless him, he was still a happy chappy... Once everyone met up and had some photos taken Swampy Mat, Rowan and I headed off in the direction Tel pointed out to us. His instruction was - just aim for the Spinnaker Tower, you can see it in the distance! I needn't have worried though because Mat & Rowan being locals know their way around. We were making good progress towards the RNLI station. There were many people setting up stalls for their fund raising open day on the grounds as we ran passed them up to the edge of the water and turned back. Barry decided he wanted to have a go on the bouncy castle and we obliged. Then disaster happened. On the way out I tripped on some uneven tarmac and did a spread-eagle! Left knee and right elbow were grazed and some dirt had got in that wouldn't come off so we decided to go back to the RNLI where we'd spied a couple of ambulances earlier, to have the wounds seen to. Barry was real chuffed to be sitting in the ambulance with me while I was being treated. Rowan helpfully suggested that I would probably need to have my left leg and right arm amputated  - fortunately the ambulance was not equipped to carry out such procedures and they decided that I would be fine to get on with the run. The rest of the journey went smoothly, and were met at Spinnaker Tower by K4T & Big Tel. Mat's family joined us a little later and we also met Rowan's dad who'd run there to meet Rowan - he could have run with us on the leg! We parted company with Barry at Spinnaker Tower as Big Tel got on his way. He nearly run into a pillar as he turned back to wave K4T treated me to a nice big cup of tea at Gunwharf Quays before we made out way to Portchester Castle to welcome back Big Tel and cheer off Strag. It was here that we had our picnic, joined by Mat and his family, and Strag produced this fine champagne he'd promised. To be fair to Barry the champagne was forced on him.  He was more into ice creams and Strag knew that - he brought a big cornetto all the way from Kingston so that Barry is kept cool on the run. I'll shut up now and let the others tell you about their experiences... Quite a lot of photos taken by different people so hopefully we'll sort these soon and get them posted.
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16/08/10 13:02
 Hi Barry, I just wanted to say it was nice to meet and carry you from Hythe to Dungeness in Kent last wednesday. I was particularly impressed by the detailed carving of the welsh dragon on your belly and am pleased to report than you didn't smell sweaty as I had expected. Have fun on the remainder of your journey.
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 Barry’s Update from the South Coast DianaD and Sue took me on the ferry from Southampton to Hythe, then running to Beaulieu, where I met up with the New Forest pony, Mick and Off Roader. But who stole the sea? We then had a run to Bucklers Hard, where I met up with some old friends … from Tudor and Nelson’s shipyard times. Looks like they haven't aged so well. We then had a (relatively) boring 8 miles to Lymington**, not much sea, no pubs …. Just horses, cows and general New Forest stuff, till Off Roader took me round the marshes to real sea … (still no pubs & only water – not like the champers yesterday) Then Mick took me back for the final leg to Barton and handover to Running Lucy and Dave the Flower for the leg to Bournemouth** A few thoughts (from Mick) : 1) During the relatively ‘boring’ road section, Barry started chatting about the end … if this is a common theme, then apologies. How about ensuring the final legs are on a Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun and a few local hostelries sounded out for some co-ordinated final sections for some or all of us to join in. And maybe a beer or five? Barry was very keen for that. Even if it means a trip up north? 2) A common theme, but at least an answer : What sort of nutter does this? (apologies Dave ..)
‘I’m running 13 miles from Barton to Bournemouth … I know, I’ll run the 3 miles to get to Barton’
(I didn’t want to ask how he was getting back) But I guess this is typical of all of us. Now off to apply after-sun cream to the red patch. Hope all goes well in the next stages ...
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 Lovely report and pics Mick Glad to see you all had fun if anyone wants a thankyou card please leave proper name at coastersgb@hotmail.co.uk
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 Lovely pictures Mick, meeting up in Blackpool is definately a common theme, I reckon Barry has been whispering in everyone's ear because he wants a party!!
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meeting up in Blackpool is definately a common theme, I reckon Barry has been whispering in everyone's ear because he wants a party!! you too K4T? I was gonna book an appointment with my therapist thinking I'm hearing voices again
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Barry and i have just finished our leg, Poole to Dancing Ledge. We got a bit wet and Barry did ask, "where is the sun from yesterday" ? Barry had to fight with rain and offshore wind for our leg today. He did keep his eyes shut on the nudist beach, when we ran along studland beach. Frank did not just in case !!! But nothing to see anyway as it was raining and windy. Really enjoyed our leg, 11.2 miles in total. Pictures to follow. Thanks to Ian Noble for bringing him across the ferry, Frank
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 I'm up for a trip to Blackpool. How about organising the last leg so as many people who have seen Barry round the coast can all run the last leg together....and then have a party?? Sounds good to me!!
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I knew from the start that this was all an elaborate excuse to organise a pub crawl!!
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 Andy Ives and John Alford started at the Lands End sign post at 11 am on the 28th August, taking over Barry the baton from Rob (pies and salad). The weather was beautiful, clear and warm. As the run progressed the terrain became more difficult to the point where running was impossible, more like climbing. We had a mixture of run able paths to climb only paths and as the weather warmed up the pace slowed down. One serious problem was that we ran out of water and no where to refill as we had no support crew, my fault for not organising a drop off point. The views were stunning, it takes the mind off the pain! After 8 1/2 hours we reached the end of our leg and handed over Barry to Ali (Tiggers bouncing) at the RNLI station in St Ives. It was a fantastic day despite the small admin problems we had Andy
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 8 1/2 hrs, omg excellent effort,well done!
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I have my bath every night!
and then Runnaholic flew off the road and acquired some really great looking grazes on her knee and elbow
)
Thanks to Coasters who'd been updating our runs so everyone else knows what I've been up to....
