MeridianMan Walking with Diabetes



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with David

David leaves for Lourdes, France

My name is David Henderson and I am planning "A Walk with Diabetes" in July. Please visit my MeridianMan Main Page to learn more about why I am doing this walk.

I will be starting my walk on July 9th, 2007, walking south from Moreton in Marsh, through Greenwich to the South Coast. Then from Le Havre I will take a train to just south of Paris picking up the Paris Meridian, where I will continue walking southwards through France.The final leg will cut SW on a course to Lourdes, my destination.

For the latest progress Jump to Todays Entry

David has arrived in Lourdes

David has arrived at his destination and making his way into the centre of Lourdes
Follow his progress by clicking this link:- Arriving at Lourdes

August 16th - 4:00 pm - David leaves Lourdes for HOME!

David will take a train to Toulouse. From Toulouse he will board a plane for flight to Birmingham, England.
He should arrive in Birmingham at 1:30 on 08/17 where Jenny, his wife, will meet him.

August 17, 5:27PM
The Meridianman arrived safely home

DAILY BLOOD SUGAR READINGS

As I walk I will be checking my blood sugar level. If you like to see the comparison, it is available here: BLOOD SUGAR READINGS :

We would appreciate your support

"Those of us that are helping David, via the Internet, on his walk are aware of the enormous physical effort that he is making and the pain that he is going through after walking 1,200 Kilometres. He is walking on his own, unaided, in France so it would be a great boost to his moral if you could give a donation, no matter how small, to his chosen charity ORBIS Every little helps. Our sincerest thanks"
David's support team

Meridianman's Map
Watch David's progress!

David has walked as of
Aug 15, 2007:
From England to Lourdes, France -
853.3 miles
His Goal will be completed -
at around 04:00pm

Bordeaux Weather Forecast, France

Meridianman Fundraiser

A year ago a young man asked me how much money I hoped to raise walking from Moreton to Lourdes in S. France. “I don’t know, probably about 20 quid” I said.
I had never consciously thought of myself as being a “fundraiser” but one thing leads to another, and here I am writing this letter.
It all started when I found myself walking round in circles on the country lanes in an effort to rid myself of high blood sugar readings. I began to remember back in my youth “Dr Barbara Moore” walking from Lands End to John O’Groates, and I thought I would like to do that, or something like it.
I was also asked, “What was I raising money for?”
Well, I said, probably not Diabetes.
When I was a very young boy a surgeon did an operation on my eye, which was to save it. This was at Cheltenham and I was soon back in Moreton Hospital, to be back home in no time.
I remember going to the eye clinic at Moreton with my mum for many years after, and the surgeon would come over from Cheltenham and say “well done young man” as he examined my eye and re-prescribed a new pair of glasses.
The sister in charge was a “Mrs Yoxhall”, some of you may have known her.
The thing is, I never thanked them, and if I was to go back to the Hospital today they would not be there.
So I thought maybe if I was going to be a fundraiser, and I had to be specific, I would raise money so that other young people have a chance to see, like I did.
It was then I heard of the “Flying Eye Hospital”.
This is what I hope to be fundraising for then, it is known as “Orbis”. They don’t know about me, and it’s my way of saying thanks to those great people of yester year.
I will be on my way in July. Please spread the word and help me get that 20 quid, thanks.

David Henderson

To Donate to David's Charity:

ORBIS - A nonprofit humanitarian organization

Orbis strives to eliminate avoidable blindness and restore sight in the developing world. Orbis works closely with local communities, governments and hospitals to design programmes that increase local skills, improve health care facilities and foster awareness of eye health.
Since 1982, when ORBIS's Flying Eye Hospital took off on its first sight-saving mission, more than 154,000 doctors, nurses and other essential health care workers have enhanced their skills through ORBIS training programs. This translates into more than 226,000 eye surgeries and more than 4.4 million individuals treated thanks to ORBIS and ORBIS-supported programmes.

Please donate now to help me with this great cause: ORBIS
"Thank you", Meridianman

Watch Meridianman's walk by video!
(Select a video from the 'Play list" on the Player)

More Meridianman Videos:
My Time in Brighton
I am in France!

BREAKING NEWS!!

Paul Vernon meets David

On July 28th, Paul Vernon met David in a supermarket in Le Blanc, France. David did not realize that this generous and kind man would soon play an important role in David's Walk with Diabetes. Paul had emailed Darce Jean and Jim to let them know that David was well, so we could pass on the information. Paul wanted to help David and contacted Jim Cantrell and Darce Jean Hoover again on July 30th to find where David was after he left Le Blanc. He, and his friends, Paul and Mary set out to find David. --- Read more

Donations

Prior to David starting his walk, he gratefully received two cheques for £500 from Great Wolford Village Fund and Harper Adams Agricultural College.

Meridianman Meets First Objective!
July 13, 2007

On July 13th, David achieved his first goal of this journey which is the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

At 11:30 a.m. on July 14th, David stood astride the World's Prime Meridian in the Courtyard of the Royal Observatory. At this time he was presented with this Certificate:

Click here to see larger view: Prime Meridian

Meridianman's Photo Gallery

Meridianman is documenting his walk with videos, as well as great photos!
Click here to view his MERIDIANMAN PHOTO GALLERY

Organizations Supporters, Friends, Family:

FARMER'S Weely Interactive
DIGG for David
Le Chenes Vert
Angloinfo
Wolfords's Village News
CNAAG
Harper-Times.co.uk
FREEBITS
DARCE JEAN's
Bike Mike World
WhiteDog.ca
CloArt

David sent this email message during the evening hours from Selles sur Cher, to family and friends
July 25th

"I have to say thanks for the text messages, it makes such a difference to know you are "with me". I have never been able to receive any emails, and am only able to send them when there is a strong signal.
Thanks to Darce Jean and Jim for keeping the website updated. Inger, I hope you have a nice holiday.
I miss home more than I thought I would, and mum, I tell myself that with each step I take south thats one step closer to home. Jenny Kate, Sarah, and Alec, remember those Norfolk holidays, we should go there again sometime. Sherringham fish and chips Cromer Pier and Hapisburgh lighthouse fete.
John and James, I will send this hot weather your way to dry up those cornfields. John Deeres rule.
David

David sent this email message during the evening hours from Le Blanc, France to family and friends
July-28th

"Just wanted to say thanks for all the suport everyone. I have been pushing on hard for most of the time I have been down here, I have had some good quiet roads but most of all cool conditions. I have been telling myself go while the going is good.
its 8.30 saturday evening and here i am sitting in a hotel room in Le Blance, France. I have spent the last 2 hours trying to get everything packed/tidied for a quick start tomorrow. I am feeling more apprehensive as I know my luck with the cool breezes will soon run out.
I have tried to stop and take more photographs, but I am feeling like Jim Lovell in the film Apollo 13. During their journey behind the moon the other 2 astronauts were overcome with the beauty of it and were distracted from their responsibilities, Jim had to remind them of the reality of the situation, saying simply "gentlemen, I want to go home". In a way I know how that must have felt. Still, as you know, they did get home.
Last night was a beautiful evening and after resting for some 2 hours I decided to continue walking as it had cooled off. I was walking towards Le Blance, which was at that point 30 km to the south, the evening soon vanished but the moon was bright and I had been on the lookout for a barn to sleep in. Trouble was I was in the middle of heathland and massive expanses of water with the very occasionial reversion to farmed land. I finaly came to a little cross roads and I saw a barn to the right. As I approached the barn a house became evident and a couple were just in the process of finishing their supper, in the garden. I gingerly approached them saying "pardon moi" but luckily they spoke English. To cut a long story short I was found a place to set up camp (Still no tent) in their bike shed, also I was given some food and a cup of cool milk. Nothing ever tasted so good.
And 17 kms later here I am.
Heres hoping for more evenings like that. Speak soon"
David

A update from David
July 31st

Dear all, i have had a good day today. I have been rescued by nights in shining armour, or to be more specific a chance meeting in a supermarket in Le Blanc with some Brits living over here led to me being provided with a tent. Even more of a boost for me was for them to scout ahead for me and find me a superb place to stay taking all that heavy baggage with them. I could comfotably do the 25 to 30 km without having all that . I have blisters from pulling the shopping trolly on my right hand and it was good to be able to rest it. The people I have to thank for all this are Peter, Paul and Mary . And of course my hosts now, John and Pam who have volunteered to take my luggage down to my next rest point, On top of all that L met a group of French people that gave me provisions when all I was trying to do was ask if there was a shop in the village where I could buy some milk. Their kindness and friendship was unexpected and welcome. I finaly left them having shook every one of their hands. In all, a great experience. David (Breaking News page)

CONTACT: DARCE JEAN, Jim Cantrell, Fe Pixie - 3 Rings or Inger Eik