Jauche to Jeneffe – walking with the Tumble Tot twins

Les Trois Clefs is the only hotel for miles but was almost empty at breakfast this morning. Perhaps it was because it is a public holiday in Belgium today – Ascension Day. As we drove back to the start point we noticed that all the petrol stations were closed and our tank was less than ¼ full.

Ted took the first leg and it started raining almost straight away – he has the touch that man. The first village we walked through had a huge boot fair with tables set up along all the streets and everyone was out promenading in the rain with their umbrellas. Walking at a steady 3.75 mile and hour pace, we followed the straight road towards Hannut and Dave took over from Ted as manager, Sandra made a substitution.

On the outskirts of Hannut, I rang Sandra to find that her and Ted had found a bar – what a surprise – and we joined them for a coffee break after only 6 miles walking. During the stop, we chatted to some Dutch motorcyclists, one of whom had suffered from Hodkins Lymphoma and they wished us well. We also checked out the map and agreed that Dave and I would take a short cut that the van couldn't make.

I'm beginning to realise that shortcuts don't always turn out as you expect and having found the first village on our route, we were faced with three options rather than the one shown on the map and must have veered off in slightly the wrong direction. Quickly realising our mistake, we found a nice man who answered our questions in German. Back on the right track, it still worked out to be a shorter route and we rejoined the van with Sandra taking over the walking.

The second stop for lunch was right next to a café that Sandra and I had stopped at when we did our recce and we almost made the same mistake as we had on that trip as we set off for the final leg of the day but found the right route and were soon at Faimes, our scheduled finishing point. Pushing on, I was joined for the last stretch by both Dave and Ted and the two of them waved gaily to all the passing motorists especially the lorry drivers. Very different in many respects, the two of them have become strangely attracted to each other as the walk has progressed and we have had some good laughs.

We finished for the day 5 miles ahead of plan, with me pretty shattered, my ankle very red and swollen but a rest day tomorrow. Only one problem, we were almost out of diesel. Finding a garage that took cards we realised we needed a code to fill up, so Ted stopped a passing vehicle and with his natural charm and command of the French language, persuaded the kind lady to use her code and we gave her cash for the diesel.

Then it was off to Wegimont, a splendid chateau where Gt. Totham Primary School , Year 6 were staying. We ate along with 60 children and their teachers and parent helpers and then watched the end-of-week concert – some talented performers. Sandra said a few words to the children about our walk and they listened intently - she is going back home with the school party tomorrow and I will miss her loads. Sandra and I are going to sleep in the camper van for the first time so that Ted and Dave could have one more night together alone.

Yellow jersey award – The Tumble Tot Twins – waving gaily at everyone who passed by

Distance covered – 21.4 miles Total covered – 331.7 miles