And so the days have come and gone, it was back in August 2012 that I decided to do the Coast to Coast, and it all begins tomorrow! I feel like I still have loads to do before we set off in the morning so I can't spend all day blogging. Thanks to Kath at work I was in touch with Don, a keen walker who lives in Sleights. Sympathetic to our cause he had offered to let us camp in his garden in on the last night of the walk. Having spoken to him for a second time last night he very kindly 'upgraded' us for free and is allowing is to spend the night in his vacant flat. Very generous! I agreed I would pick the keys up from him so, along with Dad and Ged, we paid a visit to Sleights. It was a lot bigger than we thought, and it wasn't too hard to find Don's garage, with flat above. We stuck our heads into the garage and knocked on the office door. Out came Don, in his overalls, to show us around. I'm guessing he was in his 70s, but still a keen walker and working 6 days a week, what a hero! We had the tour and then thanked him, told him we would see him in nearly a fortnight!

We had parked in the pub car park over the road (how convenient?) and so thought it be rude not to check it out. It was a typical poky little country pub, but the barmaid was very welcoming. We had told her of our exploits and that we would certainly be making an appearance a week on Friday. We asked if there was anything on that night to which she replied "as long as you're drinking you can do whatever you like". What an invitation! So, if you're in Sleights next Friday, come to the Plough Inn for their ukulele onesie night. Sleights won't know what's hit it. I can see it now - a dinosaur, monkey and parrot walk into a bar.... Not quite sure if we will be in a ukulele onesie frame of mind by then but we will certainly call in for a drink!

Must dash now - stuff to sort out! Don't forget to keep an eye on this blog for next two weeks, and if you haven't made your donation yet (we're not doing this for fun!), you can do so at www.justgiving.com/danwoodgate.

Ta very much, see you in 12 days!

A few months ago we went to North Tees Hospital to do an article about the Coast to Coast Walk, and whilst there we called in to see the staff of Ward 24. We don't normally make a habit of dropping in on wards, but this was not just any ward - it was the ward on which Granda was cared for in the last few weeks of his life.

This time last year we had spent some time in and out of the ward visiting Granda, and every time we were there we were made to feel welcome by the staff on Ward 24. They couldn't do enough. Despite the constantly busy conditions, they were always very helpful and friendly.

At Granda's funeral a number of the staff attended in their own time and we were delighted they got involved with the bidding prayers, and included their own tribute.

Which all comes back to why we were there - when we last spoke to the staff we asked if they needed anything for the ward, and they suggested that music was a source of comfort for some of their patients. "Leave it with us" we said, and set about helping them out. Thanks to the raffle at the ukulele night we were able to deliver 6 brand new CD players and a number of CD's to them on Friday night.

We were lucky enough to see some of the staff who were there last year and had a little reunion of sorts before presenting them with all of the goods. We were delighted that they were delighted!

Just as Granda loved his music, we hope many more can now feel the benefit of music, and thanks once again to all of the staff of Ward 24 - a real credit to North Tees Hospital!

Monday was predicted to be a gorgeous day so I had a visit to Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay with Mam and Dad. We had set off at 9 and missed most of the morning traffic, though it seemed like everybody was in Whitby that day! It stayed glorious giving me chance to try out my new sunglasses (sponsored by Specsavers).

We strolled around doing the type of seasidey things you should do on days like this - basically eating fish and chips followed by a 99 ice cream. The only thing we didn't do was spend an hour in the amusements! We had a good mooch round though and fetched some all important ocean sticks back for Nat. 

After a few hours we decided to go into Robin Hood's Bay, which was the first time for me. It was a whole lot bigger than I imagined, with several pubs and plenty of places to buy the Coast to Coast paraphenalia. It was also the finish line for the C2C, and we walked right down into the bay to the spot where we would, in 25 days, dip our toes into the North Sea, followed by a celebratory drink or two in Wainwright's Bar, The Bay Hotel.

We chose to stop for a drink in The Bay Hotel. We saw the famous 'Coast to Coast Book' and thought to ourselves how we would be signing that in just under a month. Outside the pub was rife with punters, pint in hand, soaking up the sun. Maybe some of these were fellow Coast to Coasters. I assumed that as none of them were particularly red in the face, huffing and puffing, cursing Alfred Wainwright that they weren't, but who knows, maybe we won't be like that on day 12...... 

There was definitely a feel good atmosphere in Robin Hood's Bay and I can't wait to go back there (mainly because I will have walked about 200 miles before I go next!). Reality is kicking in, but with the kitting out and training I have done over the last 8 months, and the enthusiasm and generosity of all around me, all I can say is BRING IT ON!

The walk starts in two weeks from today!  

Friday was upon us and it meant only one thing, the Stockton to Darlington Ukulele Express (SDUE) was hurtling into town, and us, the passengers, were ready to get on board!

A few of us had gathered in the hall in good time to arrange the tables and chairs. We had completely sold out earlier in the week and even had to scrounge some extra chairs for the band! After plenty of arranging, rearranging and even more rearranging we settled on a layout, people would only move their chairs anyway! Things were all starting to come together on what would be one of the greatest party nights ever.

Despite the music not starting until 7:30, it didn't stop people arriving in their droves, from 6! Chris was doorman for the night so waifs and strays didn't wander in. It wasn't long before all seats were taken. In fact, I noticed at one point Macaulay and Foster sharing a seat, although I suspect that was by choice and not out of necessity! We had managed to borrow some chairs from the primary school, and although smaller than normal with bright colours, they fit in well with the band as they all appeared with what I can only describe as 'funky' shirts.

Matthew was the 'King of Kazoos' as he undertook to sell, on behalf of the SDUE, kazoos at £1 for a big 'un and 50p for a little 'un. Could he beat the previous world record of kazoo selling of £76? Could he? Could he?? I bought the first one and very quickly everyone else followed. It took Matthew a little while to perfect the art of kazooing but once he got it he was away. Although he did ask me to check his kazoo as it wasn't 'working', only it wasn't the kazoo.....

Pleased to say that although Kriss Akabusi never burst in, he did set a new world record of £89.50! Hurrah!

Now everybody was armed with a kazoo, it was time to begin. They kicked off with 'King of the Swingers' which immediately got the crowd on board. Shibbitybopbopdooday indeed! This was then followed up with 'Hello Mary Lou', 'Bad Moon Rising' and 'Stuck In The Middle With You'. Graham, to whom we owe thanks for arranging the night, then took to the mic with his own version of Johnny Cash's 'Folsom Prison Blues'. Lindisfane, The Turtles, Status Quo were then followed with 'Enjoy Yourself'. It was Roz's solo next and she absolutely smashed it with her version of 'Upside Down' by Paloma Faith. The first half was finished off with two numbers with big audience participation - 'At The Hop' and 'The Lumberjack Song'. A cracking first half!

It was all hands on deck at half time, with a top team dishing out the pie and peas (which seemed to go down very well), we even catered for the vegetarians! Dad was in charge of bingo selling, while Kath, forever a willing helper, raked in the raffle money. We had 13 raffle prizes (which was unlucky for me - I never won a thing!) including a £20 voucher for The Roundel, a ferrero rocher sweet tree and a nappy cake (both made by Jackie & Kim). 

We had taken in quite a bit on the bingo so were able to pay out £90 in total. In the battle of the checkers it ended up with a victory to Team Chris by 3 wins to 1. After giving a (rhyming of course) speech we were almost ready for the second half. That was until Chris took to the mic and announced, unbeknown to me, that he had collected £350 in sponsorship from his colleagues off shore. Unbelievable! This was money from guys who I had never met and were never likely to, from countries all over the world including Norway, Russia and Canada! With that surprise sending a buzz around the hall, we were ready for the second half.

At Graham's request our family took to the stage to sing 'Fields of Athenry'. I took the lead on the harmonica with the uke's backing up. In my head it sounded brilliant, and you know what? It probably did! We were back on track with the set list then, launching into 'Ghost Riders' and 'Rawhide'. It was a 'bring your own booze' night so the next song was quite appropriate - 'Little Old Wine Drinker Me'! 'Putting on the Style' and 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' followed (oh yes it did!), and then Lol performed an excellent version of Louis Armstrong's 'What A Wonderful World', never had a ukulele solo provided so much emotion. It was a fantastic tribute to Granda.

After the tears we had Kaiser Chiefs' (yes you read that right) 'I Predict a Riot', 'Maggie May' and 'Ain't No Pleasin' You'. Brendan, who had done an excellent job keeping the show going, asked us to all get involved with the kazoos for the next song 'Delilah' and do the duddleuddleuddleuddleooooo bit. Fortunately no knickers were thrown at him! We then had 'Crocodile Rock', 'Hot Love' and a lovely solo of 'The Last Waltz', before finishing on 'See You In My Dreams'.

We then sorted the raffle, with all prizes being claimed, and Mark took to the mic. As part of our fundraising project we want to help local places which fall under the umbrella of the work of the Brain Research Trust. To this end, Mark presented Kath with CD players to be distributed in homes she visits, on behalf of St Patrick's Church, who deal with dementia patients. In another emotional part of the night, Kath, clearly moved by the gesture, accepted the gifts and will distribute them accordingly. We had undertook to use the raffle money from tonight to buy more CD players, some of which will be going to Ward 24 at North Tees Hospital.

And so that was it, the night over! I must say once again how appreciative I am to Graham and the rest of the SDUE for their efforts last night, it was truly one of the greatest nights of my life and would love them to return again some time. Thanks also, as always, to the great team we have who make these nights a success, both friends and family. Far too many to name individually, so I won't, but you know who you are. It was also great to have Peter Deaton and Uncle Peter over in Thornaby.

I've bigged up the night, I've enthused, I've gushed, I've been reading a thesaurus by the looks of it, but I must say my blog cannot stress how well the night went and how good it was. Everybody there last night will never forget the night they had. I fully believe a little bit of magic happened. The irony of the night is that Granda would have absolutely bloody loved it! Anyway, with ticket sales/raffle/bingo, we raised £690.05 (although some of this will be used for CD players), and that is without the £350 Chris had brought and the other sponsorships we picked up on the night.

I'm off now to nurse my hangover...