Today marks the first week of my “walking in memory of my Great Uncle Michael” challenge. During my first week of walks, I have been contemplating what you might like to hear in this first of many updates. Today I decided that there was no better place to start, than at the start. I think I first became interested in my Great Uncle Michael’s story when studying history in primary school. However, I didn’t have the knowledge or experience to understand the full extent of his accomplishments. Fast forward to today and I feel like I have uncovered more information than I thought I’d ever be able to find. Some of which I hope to share with you over the next 50 weeks.  Michael’s entry on the Losses Database can be seen here

For my first week of walks the weather has been taxing, I have faced rain, wind and cold and some of that was just in one day! I have just seen the weather forecast for Countryfile and the next week ahead looks to be more of the same. I’ll be donning the thermals!

So if you’re wondering why 1071 miles, I’ll explain… one night over the Christmas period I came up with the idea that it would be fitting to do something to mark the 80th year of Michael’s passing. I also thought (as many do) that I need a New Year’s resolution to up my fitness, as well as thinking that I’d really like to find a way to raise funds for the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, which is so close to my heart.

In order to come up with the total miles to walk, I worked out the distance to drive from Skellingthorpe to each of his sortie missions and back again, I then divided this number (29,988) by the number of sorties he was a part of (28).

During my walks I will be taking a photo along the route and here are the first 7 with a little explanation as to where I am:

1 – Walk 1 was completed at Legoland Windsor with my wife Becca (01.01.24)

2 – Walk 2 was completed in Fairford, Gloucestershire and here I am with the Christmas tree in the Market Square (02.01.24) 

3 – Walk 3 was completed in Lechlade on Thames and my photo was taken on the Halfpenny Bridge with the flooded fields as a backdrop (03.01.24)

4 – Walk 4 was a very wet one (notice the sodden beard) and the photo was taken at the Fairford Library which was the former Primary School that Michael attended (04.01.24)

5 – Walk 5 was completed in Fairford once again and a photo was taken in front of the Community Centre which was Michael’s Secondary School (05.01.24)

6 – Walk 6 was around Fairford with a stop at “Fairford Beach” which resembled more of a lake due to the ongoing flooding (06.01.24)

7 – Walk 7 was completed in Cirencester around the town and Abbey Grounds and the picture was taken with the Parish church in the background (07.01.24)

I am looking forward to having you along for my walking journey and hope you enjoy the updates, as much as I am enjoying this challenge.

Thank you for any donations given, they are going to a fantastic cause and are appreciated immensely. Until next time… George

You can donate here