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Could You Walk To FRANCE? Maybe AFRICA, or even further….
Watch the video below on how to get involved in our Supported Employment West Sussex Lockdown Challenge. The challenge started on Monday 11th January and everyone is welcome to take part at any point throughout the 6 weeks! |
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Our Journey So Far....
Week 15:
1,288,544 steps = 601.11 miles. We were 39 miles from Phoenix Arizona. So:
We walked quickly down to Phoenix where some of us played a bit of golf while others relaxed in the sun and rested. We then headed off across the Sonoran desert to the city of Hermosillo in Mexico, where due to the continuing heat we all brought ourselves spectacular sombreros to protect us from the scorching sun! Looking quite a sight we continued and now are 1083 miles form Mexico city.
1,288,544 steps = 601.11 miles. We were 39 miles from Phoenix Arizona. So:
We walked quickly down to Phoenix where some of us played a bit of golf while others relaxed in the sun and rested. We then headed off across the Sonoran desert to the city of Hermosillo in Mexico, where due to the continuing heat we all brought ourselves spectacular sombreros to protect us from the scorching sun! Looking quite a sight we continued and now are 1083 miles form Mexico city.
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Phoenix An average of 100 days a year the temperature is 37.7C and the average rainfall is 8 inches! There are 200 golf courses and nearly 500 hotels and more than 40 resorts properties with over 62,000 guest rooms. 22+ million people a year visit. In the state of Arizona it is illegal for a Donkey to sleep in a bath tub! |
Hermosillo City Is the capitol of the state of Sonora at an elevation of 700 feet and located near the confluence of the Sonora and San Miguel rivers. The Spanish Colonial Government founded the town in 1700 on the former site of an indigenous settlement.. The town was renamed in 1828 to honour Jose Maria Gonzalez de Hermosillo a Mexican general who led an uprising against the Spanish. |
Week 14:
2,103,696 steps = 996.07 miles. Previously we were 205.44 miles from San Francisco. So we waltzed through San Francisco with unfortunately no time to stop and enjoy it's delights and on to Los Angeles where again we were unable to stop to enjoy all it has to offer. We are now 39 miles from Phoenix Arizona where we are hoping to have time to play some golf on it's famous courses in the well advertised Phoenix sunshine.
2,103,696 steps = 996.07 miles. Previously we were 205.44 miles from San Francisco. So we waltzed through San Francisco with unfortunately no time to stop and enjoy it's delights and on to Los Angeles where again we were unable to stop to enjoy all it has to offer. We are now 39 miles from Phoenix Arizona where we are hoping to have time to play some golf on it's famous courses in the well advertised Phoenix sunshine.
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San Francisco The United Nations Charter was drafted and ratified in San Francisco in 1945. The Beatles gave their last full concert in Candlestick Park San Francisco on August 29 1966. 25,000 tickets were sold although the park had a capacity for 42,000. They played 11 songs and made a loss on the concert. San Francisco resident Joshua Abraham Norton declared himself the Emperor of The United States. 10,000 people turned up for his funeral! Levi jeans were invented in San Francisco to meet the needs of gold rush miners. |
Los Angeles When LA was founded it's full name was El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora Reina de los Angles sobre el Rio Porciuncula" which translates as "The town of our lady queen of the angles on the porciuncula river"! When it rains it LA it pours. On the 5th April 1926 a gauge in the San Gabriel mountains collected an inch of water in one minute. And inFebruary 1978 almost a foot of rain fell in 24 hours. An Oil derrick on the property of Beverly Hill High Scholl, produces around 400 barrels a day and the school earns around $300,000 a year in royalties. |
Week 13:
1,549,695 steps = 733,76 miles.
We were 80.20 miles from Seattle. We breezed through Seattle early last week with some nostalgia for this being the birth place of Grunge and the band Nirvana. We then walked on to Portland which everybody who likes a beer were very much looking forward to. We are now 205.44 miles from San Francisco.
1,549,695 steps = 733,76 miles.
We were 80.20 miles from Seattle. We breezed through Seattle early last week with some nostalgia for this being the birth place of Grunge and the band Nirvana. We then walked on to Portland which everybody who likes a beer were very much looking forward to. We are now 205.44 miles from San Francisco.
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Portland Mills End Park is the smallest city park in the world and has a total area of 0.29 square metres. Originally intended to be the location for a light pole. When this failed to appear Portland journal columnist Dick Fagan planted the hole with flowers and it was recognised as an official city park in 1976. Portland has the largest independently owned book store in the world. Founded in 1971 Powell's Books has more than four million books between new, used, rare and out of print editions. The bookstore buys over 3,000 books a day! Portland has more microbreweries per capital than any other city in the world and it is often referred to as "Beertown" or "Beervana"! |
Seattle Seattle has a market called Pike Place which is the oldest farming market in the USA founded in 1907. In the middle of Pike Place Market there is a bronze piggy bank called Rachel. The bronze pig weighs 550 pounds and is named after a real 750 pound pig that won the 1985 country fair! The people of Seattle buy more sunglasses per capita than any other US city. |
Week 12:
1,264,222 steps works out at 598.59 miles. We were 261.24 miles from Wellington, which leaves 337.35 miles. Christchurch are next stop was 270.29 miles. Which left 67.06 miles.
When we arrived at Wellington we had a glorious few hours on the beach while waiting for our ferry to cross the Tasman sea to South Island. Much refreshed form time on the beach and putting our feet up on the ferry we walked quickly south to Christchurch where we caught a flight to Vancouver. we have walked just over 67 miles south and are now 80.20 miles from Seattle.
1,264,222 steps works out at 598.59 miles. We were 261.24 miles from Wellington, which leaves 337.35 miles. Christchurch are next stop was 270.29 miles. Which left 67.06 miles.
When we arrived at Wellington we had a glorious few hours on the beach while waiting for our ferry to cross the Tasman sea to South Island. Much refreshed form time on the beach and putting our feet up on the ferry we walked quickly south to Christchurch where we caught a flight to Vancouver. we have walked just over 67 miles south and are now 80.20 miles from Seattle.
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Wellington: Wellington replaced Auckland as the capitol of New Zealand in 1865 and is the southernmost capitol in the world. Wellington has over 400 cafes and restaurants which rivals on a per person basis that of New Almost all residents of wellington live within 3km of the coast. |
Christchurch: Hagley Park is the 3rd largest city park in the world behind Central Park NY and Hyde Park London. Christchurch was the first city of New Zealand. Christchurch has been the departure point for the Antarctic for 100 years. Interesting facts |
Vancouver: The cosmetic treatment Botox was invented in Vancouver. Greenpeace was founded in Vancouver in 1971 in a café called the Luna Café which is now known as "The Smart Mouth Café"! 40% of Vancouver's residents are immigrants. |
Week 11:
1,660,805 steps! This converts to 786.37 miles. We were 508.31 miles rom Sydney. So we have now flown to Aukland (New Zealand) and are 261.24 miles from Wellington.
Despite the wild excitement of visiting Ivanhoe Library we manged a very early start and so were in good time arriving in Sydney to catch our flight to Auckland, New Zealand. we then walked south 278.06 miles and are now 261.06 miles from Wellington. we are all hoping to get a little R & R in Wellington before catching the boat from North to South Island as we have heard that there are some wonderful beaches.
1,660,805 steps! This converts to 786.37 miles. We were 508.31 miles rom Sydney. So we have now flown to Aukland (New Zealand) and are 261.24 miles from Wellington.
Despite the wild excitement of visiting Ivanhoe Library we manged a very early start and so were in good time arriving in Sydney to catch our flight to Auckland, New Zealand. we then walked south 278.06 miles and are now 261.06 miles from Wellington. we are all hoping to get a little R & R in Wellington before catching the boat from North to South Island as we have heard that there are some wonderful beaches.
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The Australia Day Regatta held every year in Sydney Harbour is the longest continuously running sailing regatta in the world. The first took place in 1837. |
You can walk from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman sea in four hours. It is 16km and a very popular walk. |
Auckland has the largest Polynesian population in the world and number around 28% of the inhabitants. |
Week 10:
1,982,275 steps! We are now 508.31 miles from Sydney. We have left Southern Australia and are now in New South Wales.
1,982,275 steps! We are now 508.31 miles from Sydney. We have left Southern Australia and are now in New South Wales.
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We walked through Broken Hill. This is Australia’s longest living mining city and was founded in 1883 by Charles Rasp who thought he had discovered Tin. However it turned out he had not. Instead it turned out he had discovered the biggest and richest Silver and Lead deposits in the world! |
Next we walked through Menidee which was the first town to be established on the River Darling The surrounding Menidee lakes which are needed for the towns water supply and agriculture have been badly affected by recent droughts. The sign post advertises a population of 980 however the 2016 census recorded a population of only 551. |
We are now approaching the small outback town of Ivanhoe. The 2016 census lists a population of 196. One of the top things recommended for visitors to do in Ivanhoe is visit the Library, so we are all in a state of great excitement and anticipation to get there and live it up! |
Week 9:
This works out at 722.41 miles which means we are still 1,446.89 miles from Sydney.
We have been slightly slowed down on this leg of the trip due to the fact we are travelling through old Gold rush country and people have been diverted by the temptation of finding more. Many hours have been lost with people fruitlessly searching for that big find that makes their fortune. Especially when we passed through the old mining town of Norseman.
This works out at 722.41 miles which means we are still 1,446.89 miles from Sydney.
We have been slightly slowed down on this leg of the trip due to the fact we are travelling through old Gold rush country and people have been diverted by the temptation of finding more. Many hours have been lost with people fruitlessly searching for that big find that makes their fortune. Especially when we passed through the old mining town of Norseman.
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Norseman is named after the horse “Hardy Norseman” who reputedly found a large nugget of gold when kicking at a rock. |
There are also life size sculptures of camels wandering around the centre of town made out of corrugated Iron. These are in tribute to the camel trains that supplied the town in the early days. |
There is a life size statue of the horse “Hardy Norseman” in the town. |
Week 8:
This works out as 1,664.93 miles! We were 634.85 miles from Hanoi at the end of last week.
We remained dressed as travelling Buddhist monks during our walk through the northern tips of both Thailand and then Laos. When we arrived in Hanoi we changed back to ordinary dress. We then walked down south 914.66 miles to Hoi Chi Minh City following the route of the Reunification express and only going at a slightly slower pace than this, given how slowly it goes comically named train!
From Ho Chi Minh City we flew to Singapore where we then caught a ferry to Jakarta. This gave us a chance to rest our weary legs and sore feet. From Jakarta we flew to Perth and our now walking towards Sydney which we are a daunting 2,169.36 miles from
This works out as 1,664.93 miles! We were 634.85 miles from Hanoi at the end of last week.
We remained dressed as travelling Buddhist monks during our walk through the northern tips of both Thailand and then Laos. When we arrived in Hanoi we changed back to ordinary dress. We then walked down south 914.66 miles to Hoi Chi Minh City following the route of the Reunification express and only going at a slightly slower pace than this, given how slowly it goes comically named train!
From Ho Chi Minh City we flew to Singapore where we then caught a ferry to Jakarta. This gave us a chance to rest our weary legs and sore feet. From Jakarta we flew to Perth and our now walking towards Sydney which we are a daunting 2,169.36 miles from
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Hanoi Traffic is really mad in Hanoi and the 7 million citizens own 5 million motorbikes! Research shows the area has been inhabited since 3,000 BC. Hanoi which means 2city inside rivers2 used to be called Thang Long which translates as “Ascending Dragon”. |
Ho Chi Minh City A yellow traffic light means go faster! The city has about 25 motorbikes for every car. Ho Chi Minh City has about 80 universities and colleges and around 4,600 five star hotel rooms. |
Singapore: Singapore is one of only three remaining city states the other two being Monaco and the Vatican City. Singapore’s Bukit Timah nature reserve holds more species of tree than the entire North American continent. In addition to the main island Singapore includes 63 additional islands most of which are uninhabited. |
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Jakarta: It is rude to pat someone on the head. Jakarta has in the region of 132 shopping Malls and 74 museums. |
Perth: Perth has the biggest inner city park in the world. Perth gets more sunshine than any other Australian city. Pert is the 2nd most isolated city in the world the nearest city to it being 2,200 km away. Honolulu in Hawaii is the most isolated. |
Week 7:
1,832,886 steps = 867.84 miles. Previously we were 376.76 miles from Mandalay. We are now 634.85 miles from Hanoi.
Due to the present unrest in Myanmar we all had to disguise ourselves as traveling Buddhist monks!
1,832,886 steps = 867.84 miles. Previously we were 376.76 miles from Mandalay. We are now 634.85 miles from Hanoi.
Due to the present unrest in Myanmar we all had to disguise ourselves as traveling Buddhist monks!
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Mandalay is the 2nd city of Myanmar and is relatively modern being created by King Mindon Min in 1857. |
Throughout Myanmar thousands take to the streets in April for The Water festival (Thingyan) celebrating the Burmese New Year which is basically a huge water fight! |
To attract waiter’s attention in Myanmar you make two or three kissing sounds towards the waiter. |
Week 6:
3,091,407 steps = 1,463.73 miles! We were 594.65 miles from Kathmandu. So when we got to Kathmandu we still had 869.08 miles. Next stop Dhaka which was 546.18 so we have passed there too. We are now 376.76 miles from Mandalay.
3,091,407 steps = 1,463.73 miles! We were 594.65 miles from Kathmandu. So when we got to Kathmandu we still had 869.08 miles. Next stop Dhaka which was 546.18 so we have passed there too. We are now 376.76 miles from Mandalay.
Arriving at Kathmandu we all took a walk down freak Street (Named referring to the hippie trail of the 60’s) and all got decked out in some really far out clothing!
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Kathmandu used to be called Kantipus which means “City of Gold”. |
In previous times Kathmandu was the site of a large lake with Lotus flowers in it. |
Kathmandu has never been invaded. |
When we arrived at Dhaka it was night and we passed silently through the sleeping city.
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Dhaka is reckoned to have 800, 000 Rickshaw pullers and seen as the Rickshaw capital of the World. |
The traffic congestion is so bad in Dhaka that even in non – peak times the traffic lights act as little more than decoration. |
You can design your own shoes and then pay a cobbler to make a pair. |
Week 5:
We have now walked through Delhi and were cheered by huge crowds of adoring fans who threw flowers. We are now 264.04 miles from Kathmandu.
We have now walked through Delhi and were cheered by huge crowds of adoring fans who threw flowers. We are now 264.04 miles from Kathmandu.
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Delhi is the 2nd most bird rich capitol in the world, Nairobi of Kenya is the first most bird rich. |
Delhi is the largest city in India and the 2nd most populated in the world. |
The famous red fort used to be white! It is made of limestone and the British painted it Red when it started to deteriorate. |
Week 4:
We walked 1847770 steps which has breezed us through Karachi and are now 526.31 miles from Delhi!
We walked 1847770 steps which has breezed us through Karachi and are now 526.31 miles from Delhi!
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In 2016 Karachi was the world’s 5th most populous city today it is the 2nd most populous. |
In most cities when a Typhoon is forecast people might evacuate or stock up on groceries etc. In Karachi they are likely to ignore any ban at gathering on the beach and instead do just that to enjoy watching the approaching waves that might or might not wash them away! |
Don’t drink the tap water I Karachi it is barely fit to bathe in and is reported to be contaminated with a brain eating amoeba! |
Week 3:
We walked 1982762 steps which has breezed us through Tehran and are now 637.3 miles from Karachi!
We walked 1982762 steps which has breezed us through Tehran and are now 637.3 miles from Karachi!
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In Tehran there are four mice for every person. |
The history of life in Tehran dates back to 5,000 BC. In 2014 a human skeleton was found which would have lived around 7,000 years ago. |
Football is the first sport in Tehran. |
Week 2:
We walked an even BIGGER 3,716,314 steps which has taken us from Paris to Rome to Istanbul to Baghdad and were nearly at Tehran!
We walked an even BIGGER 3,716,314 steps which has taken us from Paris to Rome to Istanbul to Baghdad and were nearly at Tehran!
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Istanbul is the only Pan-continental city in the world being situated on both the continents of Europe and Asia. |
Under the Ottoman Empire Istanbul had 1,400 public toilets |
Istanbul has the world’s 3rd oldest subway built in 1875 and it is 573 metres long. |
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The world record for riding on a motorcycle while standing on the seat was set in Bagdad on 06/08/2019. It was st by Imad Hardan Al Delaimi at 25.97 miles. He completed the stunt in 30 mins at a speed of 54.7mph! |
Baghdad is the 2nd largest city in the Arab world |
Baghdad was once the centre of the Arab world. It is reputed that it was where the wheel was invented, the first accurate calendar produced, the 60 second minute and 60 minute hour devised as well as having the world’s first schools and sailboats! |
Week 1:
We walked a HUGE 1,435,895 steps which has taken us from the Aldingbourne Country Centre, to London, to Paris and on way to Rome! See below where we have passed:
We walked a HUGE 1,435,895 steps which has taken us from the Aldingbourne Country Centre, to London, to Paris and on way to Rome! See below where we have passed:
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Bignor Roman Villa Bignor Roman Villa is a large Roman courtyard villa which has been excavated and put on public display on the Bignor estate in the English county of West Sussex. It is well known for its high quality mosaic floors, which are some of the most complete and intricate in the country. |
Box Hill, Surrey Box Hill is a summit of the North Downs in Surrey, approximately 31 km south-west of London. The hill gets its name from the ancient box woodland found on the steepest west-facing chalk slopes overlooking the River Mole. The western part of the hill is owned and managed by the National Trust. |
Battersea Park Battersea Park is a 200-acre green space at Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth in London. It is situated on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Chelsea and was opened in 1858. |
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Newhaven When Lord Lucan vanished in 1974, his car was found in Newhaven, in Norman Road, with two types of blood in it. |
Seine Crossing to Dieppe then walking to Paris we cross the Seine 3 times. The length of the Seine is 775 kilometres. |
Eiffel Tower Paris the Eiffel Tower took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days to build. The first digging work started on 28th January 1887 and was completed on the 31st March 1889. |
