A small team of dedicated walkers took on the challenge of the Round the Island Walk last week to raise money and awareness for REMAP – a charity helping disabled people of all ages lead a more independent life.
REMAP has been active on the Island for over 30 years and have helped hundreds of people across the 3 decades.
Starting by the Floating Bridge in Cowes the first leg followed the coast to Yarmouth. Much of this part of the walk is actually inland through wooded valleys – although with all the recent rain much of the time was spent looking down at the muddy path and trying to avoid slipping.
From Yarmouth, the second leg took the walkers past The Needles and across Tennyson Down finishing up at Brighstone. Glorious sunny weather showed of the splendour of this southern part of the walk magnificently.
Day 3 saw the return of more inclement weather so back on with the waterproofs before setting off again from Brighstone, aiming for Ventnor. A day of sunshine and showers saw the group alternating between taking waterproofs off in the sunshine and then stopping a little later only to put them back on again as the rain returned. Much of this part of the coastline is badly eroded so vigilance was needed as in parts the path goes very close to the edge. Finishing the day by the Botanic Gardens in Ventnor, there were a few sore feet and the odd blister.
Day 4 was a day of the heaviest rains of the walk. Starting at Ventnor, the team aimed to finish at St Helens. Climbing up out of Ventnor the sky darkened further and the heavy rains started. The walkers descended into Shanklin and onwards to Sandown before climbing Culver Down for a well earned coffee. It was then on and around to St Helens, crossing the causeway at The Duver.
The final day saw another mixed bag of weather with sunshine and heavy showers as the fundraisers made their way through Ryde to the finishing point at East Cowes. Much of this final leg was inland again but through some pleasant wooded parts before entering East Cowes and down to the Floating Bridge where it all began at the start of the week.
Over £800 has been raised for REMAP to date. You can donate too at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eric-gussin1.
For more information visit www.isleofwight.remap.org.uk/.
