Day 59: Meriden to Henley-in-Arden
📍Distance: 19.83 miles (31.91 km)
☀️ Weather: Warm, with strong gusty winds
🕤 Start: 09:40 | 🕡 Finish: 18:30
I left the lovely village of Meriden this morning after a peaceful night at a campsite that kindly donated our pitch fee to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The route followed the Heart of England Way all day, though the way itself was anything but straightforward. Just after passing through Berkswell, I encountered a major challenge: the HS2 construction site. Unfortunately, the official footpath cuts right through the site, and poor signage meant I walked nearly half a mile in the wrong direction before having to double back. Eventually, I found a way across, but the disruption didn’t stop there. Later in the day, the footpath had been closed due to work by Severn Trent Water, requiring yet another detour.
What should have been a 17-mile walk turned into nearly 20 miles—but I made it, eventually, to Henley-in-Arden.
The plan was for Adam to meet me at the train station and head to our "campsite" for the night—a local pub car park. But Henley had a surprise in store. The old station building had been transformed into a busy, welcoming community pub. While I took in the unexpected hustle and bustle, Adam struck up a conversation with a couple at the bar—Bob and Jo—who would end up being our heroes for the evening.
Run entirely by and for the community, this pub and its people epitomised generosity. Sally, behind the bar, made us feel instantly at home. Not only did Bob and Jo offer us an electric hook-up beside the building for the night, they also invited me use their own private bathroom and shower facilities. As if that wasn’t enough, Bob arranged for the all of us to have a meal at the local Indian restaurant.
We were able to leave some fundraising flyers in the pub, and many promised to donate. Once again, I was left completely astounded by the kindness of strangers. It’s incredible how many people we meet who truly understand the importance of Alzheimer’s and dementia research—and just as baffling that the press have not published my story.
Still, these word-of-mouth stories and community connections matter just as much, if not more. Many have already said they’ll share my story on Facebook, and I hope this sparks further awareness and support.
Tomorrow, thankfully, is a shorter day—just 15 miles to a spot just outside Bidford-on-Avon. I might be feeling the effects of a late night, but I’m looking forward to a gentler day across the rolling Warwickshire countryside.
