MISSION
Added by David 16th April 2008:
Don't hesitate if you are thinking of doing something similar. I had a brilliant time, made lots of friends and last but not least the miracle did happen for me, albeit a bit late. Bloodsugars have been edging lower lately and are close to normal now.Heres hoping they keep that way, thanks all, David
Please note:Change of plan:I will be walking south along the Paris Meridian and then make a path to Lourdes.
I have set this web site up to promote my
planned walk 'down the meridian' from South Warwickshire
to Peacehaven nr Brighton, and then from Le Havre SE picking up the Paris Meridian just south of Paris
heading Southwards, and then SW to Lourdes in S. France this year (2007). Several factors have
combined to motivate me into at least giving it a try.
1. I recently got type 2 diabetes, so I have changed from
being a Sunday afternoon sofa snoozer to a man determined to face
the beast 'head on' and do anything to avert its
progress. I.e. I have to 'Exercise' (mainly
walking).
2. I decided it would be good to do something out of the
ordinary and different that maybe my family might be proud
of.
3. In this life there are people that 'make a
difference', in a positive way, for example back in the early
50's an eye surgeon who saved my eye, I never thanked him,
now it's too late. I just thought that I might be able to
make a positive difference to someone.
I chose the meridian as a guideline
when I went down to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, and I have
not heard of anyone else doing it. I chose Lourdes as my
destination because I like France and it's where miracles
might happen, and its close to the meridian. Also I have not been
to that particular part.
In July 2004 I found myself back in France after a 40 year
lapse, having only visited once before as very young men in 1964,
a hot summer.
Four of us were walking through the quiet streets of Tonniens,
which is about 60 Miles SE of Bordeaux. It was a nice warm and
sunny day, but the streets were almost empty of people, except I
recall a lone figure in a motorised wheelchair heading towards us
on the other side of the road, then cutting diagonally across to
meet us.
Well it turned out to be a young French girl in her late teens
that had been motivated to come over to see us, or more
specifically our 'companions'.
We all had a nice talk and she expressed an interest in visiting
England and then that was that.
As we walked away I felt she wanted to tell us why she was in a
wheelchair, I thought she had a strong motivation to cut
diagonally across the street to total strangers.
I also would have liked to help her visit England and stay with
people of her own age, but I was in no position to offer any
help.It also made me think that we were lucky, just to be
walking.
Strange as it may seem that memory seems to persist with
increasing importance.
I dont know your name or if you want to be found, but
Mademoiselle in a wheelchair this walk is partly because of
you.
It is a long way and I have to cross a 100 miles of sea, I dont
think I will be able to walk on water so I will walk the distance
up and down the beach,or Brighton Pier, which could take a week
or more. I then hope to sail down the meridian; anyone with a
sailing boat who can give me a lift, then that would be a great
help and something for me to look foreword to.
The main part of my walk, if I get south of London and to the
coast, will be in France, a Country that I have always liked
since our first visit in the hot summer of 1964.However I will be
on my own, with little knowledge of the language or customs.I
will be needing all the help I can get, so if you are close to
the Paris Meridian and would be able to let me camp out in a field,
or maybe walk for a short while with me, to help me 'make a
difference', that would be very much appreciated.
I will consider myself as an honoured guest in your country, and
will conduct my actions accordingly, maintaining a clean and tidy
appearance at all times.I will endeavour to be polite and will
not be a hazard to traffic.
I have set up my web site as www.meridianman.org; org and not
com or co.uk as I do not intend to profit financially, however I
will be looking for sponsors and will be continuing to develop my
ability to communicate far and wide via the web.
Much has to be done before the summer of 2007, but rest
assured
'The meridianman is coming'.
Click here to watch my progress My Walk
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