Two days to go: Any chance of a heat wave?

What do Grace House and The Wey Navigation tow path have in common? Well, it's not the weather, that's for sure. Forecasts for Friday, aka D-Day (Daft Day? as that's what is seems like right now…): Woking, Surrey: mostly sunny, top temperature of -2C. Siem Reap, Cambodia: sunny, top temperature of 32C.  Now mad we may be, but I even I wouldn't choose to walk 13.5 miles in 32C and 90% humidity, but a few degrees warmer in Surrey might be nice. Still, as long as we wear plenty of layers we should survive, even if we do largely resemble a group of toddlers in over padded romper suits.

Just a few degrees warmer.. please?

Of course the main hazard will actually be sliding into the canal, or more likely onto the canal. After the forecast low of -8C on Thursday night the Wey could be completely frozen over, which might just prevent is from falling into the water. I can picture it now, legs going at 20 to the dozen in a vain attempt to resist the inevitable crashing down onto the proverbial arras.

Whilst walking on the towpath does usually provide a little shelter from precipitation by way of overhanging trees, like city pavements, the council doesn't grit or salt them. And having walked to and form the station twice now on the Olympic standard skating rinks that Woking's pavements have become, I am afeared that the current weather conditions could seriously hamper our progress on friday. We had thought 4-5 hours would be enough, but unless I can find some studs to screw into the soles of my boots - rather like they do to horses (any suggestions work colleagues?), I think we could be looking at 6-8 hours. Hypothermia does seem a real possibility.

Despite the weather, training did continue this last weekend in deepest darkest East Sussex. We set off from our cosy holiday cottage and headed for Pevensey Beach. As we left, no snow. As we arrived at aforementioned beach? Tons of the stuff.

Not white coral sand, but a lovely snow covered beach

Notwithstanding the extreme cold and treacherous car park, it was in fact quite a pleasant walk.

A very plesasant walk really

I have never been on a snow covered beach before, so this was a whole new experience. The sun came out, the pebbles snuggled under a thick cloak of virgin snow. Everything looked magical. It's funny how a liberal dusting of white powder can turn even the most prosaic of objects into on something much more alluring. Mind you I find the same happens with a few pints of lager.

Magical: Snow can make even a tired old groyne look attractive

Unfortunately we walked for way too long, without sufficient layers and back at the cosy cottage I had to take to my bed, fully clothed and wrapped tightly in a many-togged duvet, in order to stave off the worst case of rapid onset hypothermia ever seen by man. I recovered in time for The Strictly Results Show. Which also caused me to have a relapse again. What is it with Anne Widdecombe?

Even as Dorothy, she's no friend of ours

Until now we really thought the most serious barriers to our completing our walk would be a recurrence of plantar fasciitis (Simon), a worsening of our lateral Epicondylitis (both of us), or anything to do with Colin's feet. And of course a nasty drop of rain. BTW that’s policeman’s heel and tennis elbow. It’s amazing how much you use your arms when hiking at ramming speed.

Surely no one in their right mind would choose to go walking in such arctic conditions? In fact, if this was some professionally organised event, the Health and Safety people would probably have called the whole thing off.

Well we won't be calling it off as it's all in a great cause and there are plenty of warm pubs en route where we can take a nice hot drink if we get desperate.

Which reminds me. There is something that the Wey navigation has in common with Grace House. This Friday they will both play host to some slightly unhinged people doing slightly crazy things all for the sake of those who are much less privileged than we are.

Two days to go, so here's hoping for a last big fund-raising push. If you would like to sponsor us on our hazardous, nay life-threatening walk, please go to www.justgiving.com/simonandcolin2

And here's latest news from Bridget at Grace House:

"It’s been an emotional rollercoaster of a week.

Last weekend we watched the traditional boat teams racing down the Siem Reap River as Part of the water festival celebrations. Then we lit an offering which we also sent down the river. Unlike Phnom Penh, The races only last 2 days in Siem Reap but, just like Phnom Penh, the town was packed with people from the surrounding countryside.

Grace House closed Monday and Tuesday for public holidays, but Monday was a special day for Piseth, our welfare co coordinator. His mother died 100 days ago so he invited us all to his village to celebrate her life. All the staff and volunteers donned their best clothes and drove 60 km in a hired mini bus to Piseth’s home village. We paid our respects, were blessed by monks and visited the local pagoda (temple) and Angkor era bridge. We all had a really great day and felt very honoured to be invited.

I was woken early Tuesday morning by my daughter phoning from the UK asking if we were ok. That was the first we had heard of the terrible events at the water festival in Phnom Penh. The pictures on Khmer TV were horrific. Luckily everyone we knew wad OK.

Back to work on Wednesday. The staff were all in a state of shock but put on brave faces for the children.  A young mum came into the office with her own 3 month old baby and a 10 yr old girl. The family have just moved into our village and brought the young girl with them.

The girl’s mother had died and the couple felt the father was not caring for her, so they just brought her 100 kms to their new home to look after the baby while they grow vegetables!  She could not understand that what she has done is illegal, even in Cambodia. We will meet with the village elder next week and try and sort things – watch this space.

Second visitor was another young mum, obviously very poor with 2 children, malnourished and under size for their age. She lives in a neighbouring village but not one we serve so we had to turn her away. This was a very difficult decision but I know if we help her 20 – 30 more families will come and we just cannot help everyone.

Thursday – National Day of Mourning – Grace House closed – time to reflect

Friday – 26 Australian students came for the day to help us work on our football pitch and volleyball court. With them were two Aboriginal lads who gave the children an impromptu musical demo on a didgeridoo. Actually it was a piece of metal pipe, but it did the trick just as well. This was followed by a game of football which is always enjoyed by everyone.  It was a great finish to a very difficult week"

If you'd like to help make every week a little bit easier, please sponsor us on our 13.5 mile arctic hike this friday at www.justgiving.com/simonandcolin2