Agony of the long-distance campaigner as he falls on dark coast path

X marks the spot where Andrew John Teague fell… in his own words…

A devastating blow…

Start of the walk across the Gower Peninsula,  good spirits and good weather.

All started well but  hard trekking at points. Definitely something I’m used to.

Around most of the coast, all was going swimmingly, past many of the coves, along many cliff tops.

But then disaster struck.

I slipped and fell on a root of a tree protruding in the mud.

In a effort to save the cross I ended up injuring my knee and, I think, twisted a  muscle in my side.

But worse, the cross was damaged.

Unfortunately, the coastal walk has no vehicle pick-up points, so I was left to limp approx three and half miles carrying the damaged cross.

Normally three and half miles would take me just over an hour.

But this time far more and the further I limped the harder it got.

So hard at times I stopped then struggled to motivate myself to get on with it again.

The usual pain in my feet had subsided due to the pain in my knee. It was overwhelming me.

A stream I normally spring over this time I simply had to wade through.

The marshland walk was full of sludgy mud and normally I spend time looking for the best route. Not this time, just sludged through it and it felt more like dragging myself than walking.

But the cross in hand motivated me along willing the destination point for pick up to appear.

The most difficult part was not being able to see the destination, just  field after field, gate after gate and bog after bog.

It almost felt like a survival course.

This time I was almost beaten, feeling at a very low ebb, disappointed with myself for not completing. Willing myself to get through my  plight.

Normally just over an hour leading at this point to more like 3 hours.

But, by God, I was going to get back with that cross.

Then a village by Coyty in sight and finally  a signal on my phone. It was time to get me out of here.

Rescue mission!

Thank you to Ceri Williams for meeting me at Coyty and picking me up.

Feeling deflated and beaten. A simple slippery root of a tree had  taken me out.

I remembered Ben Nevis a couple of years ago, then it was a mere little stone coming down the mountains that caused me to twist my knee.

It shows that when going up against the elements and nature sometimes you come second.

That’s why it is import to respect the elements and nature. They have been around a lot longer than us.

Home. Bath. Bed.

I will certainly attempt the walk again at some point in the future …

Walking for children’s future …

Climbing for children’s future …

Standing up for parents grandparents and family going through contact denial.

Dedicate to educate.

Raising awareness.

Lyrics

I’m walkin’, yes indeed, and I’m talkin’ ’bout you and me
I’m hopin’ that you’ll come back to me (yes)
I’m lonely as I can be, I’m waitin’ for your company
I’m hopin’ that you’ll come back to me
What ‘ya gonna do when the well runs dry?
You’re gonna run away and hide
I’m gonna run right by your side, for you pretty baby I’ll even die
I’m walkin’, yes indeed, I’m talkin’ ’bout you and me
I’m hopin’ that you’ll come back to me

I’m walkin’, yes indeed, and I’m talkin’ ’bout you and me
I’m hopin’ that you’ll come back to me (yes)
I’m lonely as I can be, I’m waitin’ for your company
I’m hopin’ that you’ll come back to me
What ‘ya gonna do when the well runs dry?
You’re gonna sit right down and cry
What ‘ya gonna do when I say bye-bye?
All you’re gonna do is dry your eye
I’m walkin’, yes indeed, I’m talkin’ ’bout you and me
I’m hopin’ that you’ll come back to me

#parentalalienation #AndrewJohnTeague #NAAP #DADS #Familycourts #grandparents #mothers