Diary of a long-distance walker - Bernie sets off
Update from Bernie at 8pm, Sunday May 19:
Well, I’m up and running... or at least walking.
The day dawned beautifully warm and fine – as I knew it would. This first day was to be the easy one and so it turned out to be.
It was more symbolic than anything else, as I just walked the six miles home after 10.30am Mass at St Camillus Nursing Centre.
At the end of Mass, Fr Monks wished me well from the altar and I got a round of applause from the congregation.
This threw me a bit, as it was totally unexpected.
Some people actually came there to see me off: so with the warmth of good wishes ringing in my ears (not to mention the sponsorship money given to Pamela and I before I left), it felt so good I believed I could fly if I’d wanted to!
The serious walking starts from tomorrow when I leave in the morning for Rathowen and the overnight hospitality of John Feerick and the nice people at Feerick’s Hotel.
Watch this space!
Westmeath Examiner columnist started his walk to Croagh Patrick this morning.
Best of luck tomorrow (and the rest of the week), Bernie.
Read about it here