Delia walks 100 miles for the Barn Owl Trust!
A note from Delia
We are looking forward to walking 100 miles in 2025 to raise funds for the Barn Owl Trust.
For the last three years I have been walking 1000+ miles a year locally – the equivalent distance of Land’s End to John O’Groats. Last year the heading was ‘Now I am in my 80th year’ – now, however, it will have to be – ‘Now I am 80!’ – and again, we are looking forward to walking 100 miles locally and car free in 2025 to raise funds.
My name is Delia and having reached this new milestone ‘TTT’ and I would really like to ‘celebrate’ our many blessings and walk 100 miles locally to support the vital work of the Barn Owl Trust.
To let you know who the ‘We’ might be, let me introduce you to my little companion who rides in the pouch on my backpack. He is a very well-travelled little bear particularly in Scotland and around this local (Devon) area. His main claim to fame however is when he accompanied a trio of cyclists who rode from London to Glasgow to attend COP 26 summit in Glasgow in November 2021.
I had read the book ‘Cold Hands, Warm Heart’ by Tess Burrows and was so amazed by her story of courage and adventurous determination that I contacted her. Since then we have kept in touch and I wondered if she would take my little companion with her to Glasgow on the back of her bike! What a story he would have to tell! I was delighted when she said she would take him and indeed it was she who named him TTT – Team Together Ted! Hence, I feel very honoured to have him as a little companion on my various fund-raising travels.
We hope to start walking in October – weather permitting – and we will keep you updated about our progress with a ‘diary’ and a photo or two.
Delia & TTT 🤡
Delia’s Diary
Catch-up diary (1) for 100 mile walk for Barn Own Trust
Wednesday 1st October – 10(.47) miles; Thursday 2nd – 10(.45);
After the customary coffee and cake with our good friends, TTT and I started off on this very pleasant autumnal morning. It was warm and the deep blue sky was decorated with the lovely white patchwork clouds gently floating along – I love this ethereal artistry.
This favourable weather is a bonus especially as we are into autumn and we can enjoy and appreciate the changing colours in the hedgerows and woodlands. The Virginia Creeper this year looks more dramatic than usual bringing the hedges alive with its scarlet and maroon foliage.
Everyone is talking about ‘acorns’! This year the Oak trees have produced tons of acorns and they are all falling right now. Coincidentally there was a very, very interesting programme on television the other evening which is well worth watching if you are able to view it. Nature is so incredible.
Sunday 28th September, 8.30 pm, BBC4, Oak Tree – Nature’s Greatest Survivor with George McGavin.
Catch-up diary (2) for 100 mile walk for Barn Own Trust
Friday 3rd October – 10(.39) miles; Monday 6th – 11(.37); Tuesday 7th – 10(.19); Wednesday 8th – 7(.39)
We have been taking advantage of the spring-like weather and this morning (Tuesday) decided to walk further afield so caught a bus to our local town. We are fortunate to have a wonderful canal nearby so began walking a stretch there before making our way to the local National Trust property, which at this time of year is magnificent with all the autumn colours. What joy.
Having now reached over halfway (58 miles), we are hoping the weather might just be kind enough for us to continue and enjoy all the delights of the natural world around us. It helps us through the winter months particularly when the days and weeks are dark, wet and short.
I hope most of you have been able to see the spectacular moon this week which has been another vision of perfection.
Will be in touch again soon.
Delia & TTT 🤡
Catch-up diary (3) for 100 mile walk for Barn Own Trust
Mission accomplished!
Thursday 9th October – 10(.20) miles; Friday 10th – 9(.24); Tuesday 14th – 12(.35); Wednesday 15th – 13(.33) miles:
Arriving home at the end of the last few miles today (Wednesday) it doesn’t seem possible that the October 100 is finished! TTT🤡 and I have enjoyed walking for the Owls and we have once again been blessed with dry days – alright, a few days when the dull grey canopy hasn’t helped the glorious countryside to look it’s best, but there have been glimpses of the sun at times and after all it is October. We still enjoy looking for the many different gifts in the natural world and you really never know what you may see or find when you are receptive to your surroundings.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank people very much for their kind donations to the Barn Owl Trust. Our wildlife is so important and the work you do to ensure their survival is very much needed in this day and age. Thankfully people are beginning to realise and value our natural world through more education and organisations like yourselves.
Thank you for you all do.
Best wishes
Delia and TTT 🤡
