Run Dobie Run :: London to Scotland - August 2009

Day 7

Waking fresh from party action and a decent nights sleep at 11:30, made a lovely change to waking up in an awkward and uncomfortabke position at 6am. After I got out of my place of slumber, I set about finding some breakfast. Aggie offered to cook us breakfast, but on inspecting the fridge decided that we needed to go and buy some more food. On returning, Aggie cooked us up scrambled eggs (Poland style - central not eastern Europe, if you are in her company) sausages, toats and tomatoes along with a couple of cups of tea. She can definately come again. Something like that.

After breakfast, Chris made some additions to the van; adding a few posters around so people can see what I am doing more easily. Since putting them on on Sunday, lots of people have commented and knocked on the van to talk and find out more, good work Chris.

After this, we went to Mansfield to pick up mother. Mansfield itself was a bit odd and the station design must have been commissioned by a man who only ever wanted to use one side of the station. It took us ages to meet up with mother/Janet once we had got to the station. Sort it out Mansfield. You may have seen me refer to my mother as ‘Big Jan’. Now whilst she wouldn’t argue she was Elle MacPherson I do not use that term in a derogatory way. Big simply refers to her personaility and status in my world! she has  done sterling service so far and Chris is going to have a lot to live up to when he gets back!

Matthew may have a go at me for mentioning this as he does not want anyone to think he is a softy (Most of us know he is hard almost all of the time) but I must draw attention to the gifts my mother brought with her. Matthew kindly baked me a Victoria Sponge and some flapjacks, and wrote me a charming letter detailing how amazing I was. Well, alright he wrote me a letter basically wishing me luck and encouragin me to keep going. It really was very moving.

If anyone else wishes to send me gifts of the cake variety, please do. Anyone in Nottingham can take them to Chris’s house for his return and HArpenden folk can drop them off at Ian’s who will be joining me very soon. Wishful thinking on my behalf I think!

Day 8

Today, I arrived in Robin Hood terrority; a little town called Edwinstowe. Flags were out to welcome us and also to celebrate this place being where Robind Hood and Marian got  married. We started fundraising immediately. Well I say we, my mum started fundraising immediately and I sat down to have some tea and cake!

It turns out that everyone else I have asked knew that there was a spikey thing on the end of lids to pierce metal caps. I now pronounce myself officially stupid and ask how  it is I never knew?

In other, more interesting news; a girl liked me. This would have been fabulous news, although when I saw her I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. So I did both. As I stated  in my video; it’s a start. The queue of model like girls will be forming shortly and I need to be ready!

In sadder news; my body is starting to fall apart a bit. My left foot is about as effective at supporting the leg above as a chocolate teapot is at holding a couple of pints of  hot tea. Still, in classic Dobie style, it has not failed me yet. My calves - whilst pretty sexy - are almost always sore.  But without sounding like the line that didn’t make it  in to a Rocky film for being too cheesey, I have no doubts i’ll finish and will carry on regardless - my heart is still strong! RAR!

Depending on where you stand on my bear, this will be good or bad news: My beard will not be removed until I finish my run. Yes, I am copying the great man himself; Forest Gump. But thats no bad thing. It’ll also make me like a tree. You can tell the age of a tree by the number of rings in the bark, with me you can tell how long and far I have run by the  length of my beard. Admittedly this is not an exact science, but at least you’ll know if you are watching the wrong video!

My next radio appearance is definately this friday. Many apologies for my false propoganda on this! I did not think of bringing the dates with me (Watch day 9’s video for self  deprication on this very point!) which meant I was guessing when my  appearances were. Having spoken to the Beeb, I can confirm it is THIS FRIDAY AT 4:03! I’m afraid I could not  get them to be any more precise than that…

When Chris and Dave were here, all I really had to do was run. Now they are not here, I am in charge of all the internet/video stuff! Whilst I am enjoying doing it and learning along the way, it does make my days even more ridiculously long and hard. Although some of the videos have been so good that it does not matter - apologies to Lucy for putting her on the other day, I couldn’t resist!

Last message is to Chris. I stayed at your house the other day and got made a beauty of a breakfast by your girlfriend. Dave had cooked a few times last week and my mum turns up with a home made Chilli. I challenge you sir - suprise me!!

Ciao for now, brown cows.