The Walk4Matt!

The launch party at Clifton Cruisers on the 7th May got things off to a great start and with the band 'Locked Out' it couldn't have been more apt.

Friday came around too soon after the great party, but who should appear but Martin Johnson, this really got all the walkers excited and gave the start of the walk real impetus.


Day 1 - Friday - 08-05-09 This turned out to be an epic day with all the walkers completing the miles with ease. Martin Johnson joined the walk from Rugby to Braunston, this is where Matt left his boat and it was a good photo opportunity for showing off the Guinness Premiership cup with Martin.
The support boats were left behind some what and they had a 12 hour shift to pull in. The Heart of England pub (our overnight mooring) eased the pain with great food and a few pints.

Day 2 - Saturday - 09-05-09
Although we had 18 miles to cover today the boats gained some much needed support from some of the walkers from each club, and passage through the locks was much improved. We were honored that Sir Digby Jones could join the walk today and he provided some great entertainment at the evening stop. The Barley Mow pub were absolutely fantastic they had laid on some great entertainment and a terrific BBQ.

Update! - The Guinness Premiership is Leicester Tigers v London Irish - Come Irish get some of your boys down on the walk and be a part of this great event.

Day 3 - Sunday - 10-05-09 - Costock to Grove Lock at Leighton Buzzard
The day started well with all boats ready for 8am, there was a bit of a log jam around the first bend where there was a lock and a boat coming our way, and 11 of us heading for it, needless to say this took some sorting out. Once sorted the day ran pretty well. Matt joined us for lunch at the Three Locks pub. Fortunately the last leg was only a 2 hour run from the Three Locks pub and the scenery was fantastic, Heron's, to many to count and all other sorts of wildlife.

Jason Leonard made a walking appearance today and his company was appreciated by everyone.

Day four should be an epic with the walkers not having many miles to do but the narrow boats have 27 lock to endure....mmmmmm.

A few of the walkers are feeling the pace with more than 50 miles completed now, but will go through the pain barrier for these great causes.


Day 4 - Monday - 11-05-09 - Grove Lock to The Old Mill Berkhamsted
Another early start (7am) with the prospect of 27 locks and 18 miles for the walkers it wasn't a case of how long but when. The day started off overcast but by the time we had reached our lunchtime stop at the White Lion it was blue skies all the way. As the locks were quite evenly spaced the walkers were helping the lead boats get through the locks, the boats behind are like well oiled machines now and made light work of filling with water, pumping the poop and dealing with the locks.

An evening meal was laid on for paying guests and 2 stars, Graham Rowntree and James Haskell hels a Q&A session

Day 5 - Tuesday - 12-05-09 - The Old Mill Berkhamsted - Lock 71
What a fantastic day, the weather gods did their bit again and the sun shone all day. The morning seemed to pass without any hitches and the walkers soon reached the lunchtime stop. The lunch provided by the Fishery Inn was superb. We were joined at the lunchtime stop by Roger Uttley, Rory Underwood, Tom Ryder and Hughton fron Saracens.

The concensus was to stay at the pub until around 4pm as it was a short hop to the evening mooring - as it happens people left soon after lunch and a good job to, as it was a good 4 hour trip. The evening was a quiet affair with a few people going for a meal and others stopping for Pizza supplied by Dominoes Pizza.


Day 6 - Wednesday - 13-05-09 - Lock 71 - The Swan and Bottle
The day started with staggered departures for the boats, the walkers left when they were ready. This wasn't a huge walking day and the finishing line isn't too far away. The boats had 17 locks to endure over the day and lunchtime for everyone wasn't until around 2pm. We finally moored from times of 4.30 -5.30.

The swan and Bottle laid on a great BBQ and Roy and Barney entertained us in their own inimitable way..watch this space.


Day 7 - Thursday -14-05-09 - The Swan and Bottle - Brentford Lock
The final push for Brentford Lock started today and for the majority of narrowboats this will be the end of the journey. Again we were blessed with good weather. The walkers were in good spirits knowing full well that this would be the last long day to endure the tow path.

A few casulties along the way today with 2 boats falling fowl with low oil pressure and over heating and some running repairs had to be quickly done. Another of the boats inadvertently picked up a mattress and pallet as trauled through the not so pleasent looking canal.



We all arrived at Brentford around 4.30 and made the turnaround manouvre for the return trippers. It was then a case of get ready for an evening of curry and beer at the Sun Inn, Richmond. Will Greenwood, Shaun Edwards and Paul Rendall (The Judge) all made an appearence and a good time was had by all.

Day 8 - Friday -15-05-09 - Brentford Lock - Twickenham
Time to relax and reflect on a great weeks walking and narrow boating. Today was about getting many of the boats sorted and cleaned for their return trip. Many took the opportunity to get a good shower and generally scrubbed from the weeks exertions. Lunchtime was a fantastic selection of Ginsters sandwiches which all tucked into with great gusto.

Around 2.30pm Sky News had a live feed to Brentford Lock where Matt and Dusty Hare were interviewd about this epic adventure. The rest of the walkers and drivers added background cheering along side the arranged Premiership Club banners.

The two boats that were to travel up the Thames River were prepared and everyone else grabbed collection tins and buckets and made their way by foot and pub, the race was on to see who could get to the Barmy Arms pub first. As the Thames is tidal the walkers had an unfare advantage, the boats couldn't get on to the Thames until 5pm. We all cheered and waved as we finally saw the Leicester Tigers and London Irish boats coming up the river.

The Barmy Arms suppplied a fantastic end of tour BBQ and as a surprise there were awards for the drivers and walkers who had taken part, it was all quite emotional and there were a few tears. Another surprise in the guise of Martin Corry who turned up to add his support.....What a fantastic week.

Day 9 -Saturday -16-05-09 - Match Day
The thought of a comfy bed Saturday night made the last night on the boats more bearable. This was the big day and everyone was getting very excited not by just the match but by being allowed to place the Premiership trophy onto the pitch before the game started.

The match was a terrific battle from the best two sides in the Premiership this year and although Irish played their hearts out I think the result was just about fare, as Leicester Tigers had played the most consistently over the whole season.

What an Event! What a Match!
Will I do it next year - YES!....and you should too!
Get involved - Get your clubs involved - Get your fans involved and and enter the spirt that is Walk4Matt
Thank You everyone that as supported the Walk4Matt