Little did we realise this time last year what 2020 would bring us. The year had started off much the same as any other January, resolutions broken within the first few days or returning goods that were either duplicated or totally inappropriate, all the normal stuff.

My partner Lin and I flew out to Portugal for a week of golf in early March and returned to the UK on the 8th. By 24th March, the first day of lockdown was upon us and normality went out of the window. Pretty much since then, things have been anything like normal.

We have all missed so much in the last twelve months, not seeing loved ones, milestone birthdays and anniversaries have come and gone and engagements and weddings have been very low key or simply postponed to a later date. Of course, the loss of life for so many who have fallen to this deadly virus is the hardest cross to bear. Christmas 2020 was like no other any of us have ever experienced and hopefully will never have to again.

So, here we are at the beginning of 2021. I have read more books than I care to shake a stick at, answered more quiz questions than The Beast on The Chase and a garden shed so perfectly refurbished I could comfortably move into. Our ‘Dry January’ barely got off the ground so what else is there for me to do? Golf courses are closed (don’t even ask!) and as a good percentage of my time is spent on our green and pleasant land, I really am at a loose end.

On 3rd January I noticed a post on Facebook – ‘Walk 100km in January for Dorothy House Hospice Care’, so in a moment of madness I applied and 48 hours later I’m enrolled! Now I really do have to go ahead with it. I had a new pair of walking boots for Christmas, so this was the perfect opportunity to break them in!

I decided to keep the fundraising fairly low key, so just emailed and sent text messages to family and friends, a few golfers at Farrington Park and some members of the Mendip Male Voice Choir that I belong to.

I have kept my walks all local and have only jumped into the car on a couple of occasions to drive into Kilmersdon then walk the National Cycle Network alongside the old railway track towards Frome or in the opposite direction into Radstock. Other walks have taken me through Stratton-on- the Fosse and Holcombe, into Midsomer Norton along the old railway line and a number of walks into Clapton.

In fact, I had competed the 100km by 18th January but decided to keep up the challenge until the 31st to see if I could reach 100 miles instead of kilometres. All in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed my strolls around our beautiful countryside. Fellow walkers are very friendly and some even stop for a chat! On a couple of walks I have armed myself with litter pickers and plastic sacks as some of our lovely lanes are well littered with cans and bottles. It is always a good idea to take a carrier bag when you walk as every little helps.

So, my final walk today and it’s my 69th birthday! It has been a pleasure to support Dorothy House and a huge thank you to all of you who have supported this extremely worthwhile cause. With your help, I have raised more than £770 and walked 171 kilometres. If you feel inspired, why not look them up online!

Rob Thain