Day 18 of the Walk to the World Cup – MAY 27th

Jeneffe to Goffontaine - walking with Andy Ritchie’s, Belgium, Red and White Army

Breakfast didn’t start at Wegimont until 8 a.m. but we were the first in, decked out in our Barnsley shirts across the ages – even Anthony, a Ram, was an honorary Barnsley fan for the day. We had to drive back over to the west of Liege to pick up the walk from Thursday and it seemed a long way there

With my brother, Chris and his son, Tom, however, it was easy walking and talking; about the play –off final; the best Barnsley side of all times as well as 20 questions; and we covered the 10K into the outskirts of Liege in good time with my legs feeling fine after a day’s rest.

Coming into Leige from the North-West, I had my first experience of ‘run-down’ Belgium, a desolate few miles in stark contrast to the rest of the country we have seen and we were glad to reach the edge of the city centre and Aux Portes de Liege, a café where we had a coffee and biscuit after 9.0 miles.

Anthony had taken the van back round to the East to meet us as we left the city and with Tom in charge of navigating and a good street map, we found an easy route past Place de La Republique (compulsory in every French-speaking city) and the Theatre to the Meuse. Wearing our Barnsley shirts, the occasional shout of ‘You Reds’ was met with smiles or accepting looks as we headed onwards. Liege seems to be a city dominated by its 3 big rivers which join together in the city. We crossed the Pont JFK onto Ile de Jardin and then followed the Ourthe until it was joined by the Vesdre, which would be our companion for the next day’s walking.

My ankle was starting to hurt again and we speeded up a little as we headed towards Chaudfontaine and the van. Anthony had been joined by Peter and Elaine and the six of us walked the last ½ mile to the van and lunch break after 15.5 miles. We started for the third session just 30 minutes before kick-off at Cardiff and the game gradually dominated more and more of the remainder of the afternoon. The walk was interrupted by calls from Dan who rang with every score. We finished the walk after 21.3 miles just as Nardiello equalised and from there on the tension built.

Back at the chateau for our last evening, I ran a cold bath and then sat in a hot one, refusing to take off my Barnsley shirt until I knew the final result. Dan called as the 5th Swansea penalty was taken and the chateau erupted – not quite as much as the Millenium, I am sure.

Another good day’s walking. We are 6 miles ahead but tomorrow the serious stuff begins – up into the hills of the Ardennes and the Rhein Eiffel with climbs to over 3000 feet. I will look forward to my walk to Elland Road for the Barnsley game next season as I continue to Walk Strong.

Yellow jersey award – Andy Ritchie and the Tykes – well done lads.

Distance covered – 21.3 miles Total covered – 353.0 miles