Day 17

From Tyne to Thames, from Newcastle to London, after 16 Days, 3 hours and 48 minutes and over 300 miles, Sam made it to the centre of Tower bridge (it’s ok, it was down)!

Having had the weekend off back in his home town, Sam had been feeling quite elated, so much so in fact that on Saturday night he foolishly agreed with a group of girls, to a full body wax if they could raise £500, I for one feel that this should be very easy for the group to achieve. The bigger question is what they are going to do with all the hair? It should also be noted that this waxing is from the neck down, as we are going to be taking bids for people to shave Sam (Forest Gump) on Saturday night at his party.

After the weekend off, and in the knowledge that this was now is final week, Sam started day 17 from Richmond where he left off on Friday. Feeling very positive after such a great end to last week with the boys at London Irish and Harlequins, Sam pressed on along the Richmond Road and down to Putney and the banks of the river Thames with the end well and truly in sight.

From Putney he picked up the river and decided to stroll aimlessly along its banks into the city and to the famous landmark that is Tower Bridge. At this point I would like to mention that Sam has been very keen to know the exact mileage of his travels, and so far it has been easy to track as he meandered along A and B roads (with a little jog down the motorway every now and again), however, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Sam for mucking it all up and making it incredibly difficult to calculate the latest part of his journey as he walked the footpaths along the riverbank. Thanks Sam!

Still, he arrived at Tower Bridge and with a great big smile on his face and a Kit Kat Chunky in his hand; he breathed a sigh of relief. This has been quite a journey for Sam (understatement I know), and the eminence realisation of what he has actually done became clear to him as he stood on the bridge and gazed at the city of London. I think we can all agree that what Sam has done is a monumental achievement, for one, who else could spend 8 hours a day talking to Sam! But in all seriousness, walking the equivalent of a marathon a day for the last 3 weeks, by yourself, carrying your pack, in some of the worst weather the country has seen, without a map, and for some of it without a phone (muppet), is an incredible thing, and I’d like to say well bloody to done Sam, I never doubted you could do it (honest).

From Tower bridge, Sam strode through the streets of the city of London and up to Moorgate. Now strangely heading North for the first time in 3 weeks (except the little bit when he got lost), and met up with some of his supporters for a spot of lunch.

Tuesday will be Sam’s last main day of walking, when he continues to head north from the City and walks into North London, past White Hart Lane home to Sam’s football team (Tottingham Hotspur!!!) and up to the finish line and the Bramley Road home of Southgate RFC.

If you haven’t sponsored Sam yet, don’t worry, the lines are still open, take all the money you would spend on voting in Big Brother and stick it to a good cause instead, alternatively, come along on Saturday to the Fishmongers Arms in Southgate, for Sam’s welcome home party (beer, bbq, and lots of dancing to “Show me the way to Amarillo” with Sam doing the funny walk thing). Here you will be able to either give money directly to Sam, or bid for some of the items in the charity auction, including: Premiership rugby tickets, signed items including rugby balls, shirts, footballs etc. free gym membership for a year, 3 hours at the City Golf virtual golf course (for 6 people), or 2 return flights on the business class only Silverjet service to New York (wooo I hear you say, and wooo indeed).