Read the latest blog from TVS Chair, Linda Primmer, who walked 88 miles through the Dordogne in 5 days: Figeac to Sarlat-la-Canéda via the Grande Randonnée 6 hiking trail (GR6)

A great big ‘Thank you‘ to all those who have donated to date. I am amazed at people’s generosity to ultimately prevent and help those with chronic wounds. Hope you are inspired to do a Just Giving challenge or fund raising event for the Tissue Viability Society charity.

Where it all began

Walking 88 miles, over 5 days, through a beautiful part of France was a great personal challenge for the Tissue Viability Society’s first Just Giving event. A supportive and fun group of 7 friends including my lovely partner, Alistair and my brother, have done walking holidays before such as the West Highland Way (Milngavie to Fort William), Great Glen Way (Fort William to Inverness) in Scotland and King Ludwig Way in Germany. The higher probability of lovely sunny weather attracted us to the Dordogne in September.

It was great to spend a couple of days in beautiful Bordeaux before taking a >4 hour train journey via Toulouse to the beautiful medieval town of Figeac.  In Figeac walking maps and directions were awaiting us at our first hotel provided by ‘World Walks’ holiday company.

The first leg of the journey

The GR6 is, for the most part, clearly marked with red and white signage displayed on trees, lamp posts, roads, fences etc and if you came across a red and white cross, this alerted you that you were going in the wrong direction! So we felt relieved that my brother had uploaded the route to his GPS gadget as this proved useful when the signs appeared to dwindle on the last day of walking and for the majority of time we were walking in the woods!

Walking 15 miles from Figeac to sleepy Lacapelle, with magnificent chateaux took us through countryside and  a couple quiet beautiful villages. Inspiration was gained for plant holders back home!

The highs and lows!

Day 2 we walked 17 miles from Lacapelle-Marival to Gramat. My TVN skills were called upon to help fellow walkers combat blisters!  Something, I thankfully did not get this time. (The dressings worked a treat, keeping in place for over 38 miles walking and 6 showers!).

A highlight of the walk came during Day 3 when we walked 11 miles from Gramat down, up and through a ravine taking us into breathtaking Rocamadour. Having thought we had arrived and finished for the day, we then found that we had to climb up the cliff and walk a further 50 minutes to our hotel! The pool was a welcome sight once we finally arrived at our base!

The following day we walked over 22 miles to Souillac. It seemed as though the aching, painful feet and legs would never be forgotten but after a hot shower, good food and laughs with friends recalling the day’s walking tales, washed down with a glass or 2 of quality vino which is plentiful in this area of France, we were soon ready for a good night’s rest before embarking on our final day of our walking adventure.

And finally… Mission accomplished!

With most of the footpaths comprising of cobble like stones which were incredibly hard on the feet and then walking through woodland, it seemed as though we would never complete the 23 miles to beautiful Sarlat. Six of us began the final day at 0930 however only four of us (including me) completed at 1830 and this was all done with just a 30 minute break for lunch!

88 miles walked! Reaching the highest point in Sarlat all in aid of the Tissue Viability Society!

Thank you for all your words of encouragement and your generosity, I really am overwhelmed.

If you would like to donate, there’s still time! Click here to be directed through to my Just Giving page.

Who’s doing the next challenge for the Tissue Viability Society via Just Giving?