The First Day - Thursday 26th March 2026

The team set off in good spirits from the square at Jugon and followed a very pretty route which took us through woods, across fields and, of course, round the lake at Jugon. “Les Giboulets de Mars” (April showers) were much in evidence and seemed to time their arrival with each time we emerged on to high exposed ground!

However, the sun also shone and we arrived at Dolo for an excellent lunch provided free of charge by Paul Killeen the owner of Les Burons bar and restaurant at Dolo. Many thanks to him for his generosity. We were joined there by a number of others who had walked up from Jugon, accompanying Jim whose wheelchair left many of them standing as it took the hills with significant speed. We were able to walk back to home base together and it was wonderful to have Jim as one of the walkers.

Day 2 – Saturday 28 March

Another excellent day of walking with Jim accompanying us for most of the morning session. We were also pleased to be joined by Christine Edan, a paediatric cancer specialist doctor from Rennes who is a good friend of HAF and who previously was a member of the Conseil d’Administration.

Bridget and David provided an excellent lunch and we were then joined by Sue Delves for the afternoon walk. Although slightly shorter than the morning, it was hard work as we were walking into a strong and very cold wind for much of the time, arriving triumphant in Jugon just before 5.00 pm. We then enjoyed a most pleasant hour or so in the bar, celebrating the 80th birthday of a good friend, Chris Derry. This was a relaxing way to round off the day and prepare ourselves for tomorrow.

Day 3 -Sunday 29 March

One of the really nice things about the three days of walking has been to talk to other people who have joined for part of the time. Today we were accompanied this morning around the lovely lake at Betineuc by Steve Tipping and in the afternoon by Jonathan Rowell on the walk back from Lehon to Betineuc.

Lunch was provided at Lehon by the super-efficient Cobbetts complete with generator to power the air fryer and kettle! So hot drinks and cheese toasties all round. The walk along the Rance canal was beautiful and often reminiscent of last year’s walk along the Nantes-Brest canal.

We were passed by numerous cyclists, a few hardy runners and some truly beautiful horses. This was probably the longest day of walking but easy going as it was flat and the weather was good. Now over half way through the challenge, we are all fit and well and looking forward to the next two days.

Day 4 - Monday 30 March

Today’s walk was rather shorter than yesterday’s but made up for that by being very undulating with some sharp climbs and tricky going underfoot. It was, however, extremely beautiful as it followed a complete circuit around the lake near Bobital.

We were joined today by Richard Barnes from AXA and his daughter Abigail, as well as Marie Lise Philippo from Jugon. These three lowered the average age significantly. Garry and Les, our intrepid leaders for this walk, led us almost unerringly though Les managed a graceful descent into the mud at one point. Happily he was unhurt but distinctly muddy thereafter. No other mishaps occurred and we emerged triumphant into the car park at Bobital sports ground where Pete Batley was awaiting us with lunch – sausage and onions in a baguette, delicious leek and chicken soup and cake for afters. Certainly any pounds we may shed in walking are rapidly replaced by the quantities of food that the catering team have produced! The variety of the walks so far has been excellent and tomorrow’s should be different again.

Day 5 – Tuesday 31 March

The final day was successfully completed though a number of us were looking a bit weary by the end. The walk was very varied and attractive as it passed by the lake at Lamballe, through woods and over fields. We were accompanied all day by Trystan Street from AXA who also very generously paid for our lunch at “Entre Nous” in

Lamballe. In the morning also we were joined by one of the shop volunteers, Christiane, who kept us all entertained. After lunch we did the same circuit but in reverse and were accompanied by Genevieve, a volunteer at the shop and secretary of the Conseil d’Administration of HAF.

There were slight delays caused by some members’ desire to play “Pooh sticks”, the need for men of a certain age to take comfort breaks and the necessity of taking photos as a record of our achievement. However, as with the entire week, the timing was impeccable and we made our triumphant entry into the Canotier bar in Jugon as the church clock was striking 5.00.

The week was enjoyable for all the participants and we much appreciated the company of the additional walkers. We are also extremely grateful for the generosity of so many donors. There isn’t yet a final figure as donations are still coming in but we are close to 3000 euros without counting donations made through Paypal. I very

much hope we will reach our 5000 euro target.