Lindi Sprenger

Day 30 (my 70th Birthday!) of RMCC September Fundraiser

Hello everyone

After some welcome rain this morning the weather cleared and we experienced another glorious sunny, blue sky September day,

So today is the last day of the 50K Walking challenge, when I celebrate (?!) my 70^th Birthday.  Spent in the beautiful village of Shere in Surrey, much used for films and TV programmes (including the Holiday with Cameron Diaz). Far too busy with traffic though. I feel for the residents!  Today we also had a film crew out on the Streets steering pedestrians and traffic alike through the chaos. Lunch at the Dabbling Duck cafe a must do, with an amazing choice of light refreshments and great coffee! Beautiful St James Church at the centre of village life and a fascinating part of Shere’s history.

I’ve so enjoyed the focus and commitment of the RMCC Fundraising Walk throughout September and am determined to carry on with my walking through the Autumn and Winter months. Congratulations to all of my fellow walkers on their incredible efforts.

My initial target of 50k has now reached 109kms and my fund-raising targe of £500 has  reached £1630.00 . So a huge thank you to everyone who has donated.

Thanks again to all my amazing sponsors and to anyone else out there who wishes to donate to such a fantastic cause, it’s not too late!

Days 26 & 27 – Polesden Lacey and Nork Park

Beautiful walks yesterday and today. Yesterday so calm and mild, today slightly windy and wild (how I do love the English weather!).

So, as I “hurtle” towards my 70^th Birthday at the end of this month (and the end of my RMCC walking challenge) it has given me good cause to reflect on the more important things in life, namely family and friends, and good health.

I will be forever grateful for all the amazing people I know and love and who have supported me through thick and thin. Something to cherish and hold on to at all costs.

My Mum, Irene, at 92 and still going strong, is my biggest inspiration, as are my wonderful friends of every mixture.

Passed a Park tennis court today on my morning walk and thought “do I miss it?” Not sure to be honest but may well give it a go this week after 6 months off (not willingly). Any exercise has to be good for the soul, endorphin rush and all.

So to all my amazing friends and family out there, if you haven’t already donated to the wider cause that is the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, please do if you can. It has been an amazing focus for me during my Birthday month and I hope I can continue on with the challenge on other RMCC fund-raising projects. If you have already donated, huge thanks from me for such an amazing cause. 

Day 17 – Ewell Village guided walk, Surrey

Today’s walk included a fascinating tour of historic Ewell Village, near Epsom in Surrey, which is centred around the natural springs at the head of the Hogsmill River.

Archaeological finds here have revealed human activity dating back to Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages, with the local springs used as a sacred site for ritual offerings.

The Romans built the major road Stane Street straight through Ewell, connecting London to Chichester. By 150 AD, Ewell had grown into one of the largest settlements in Surrey.

The Hogsmill River powered various local industries, including prominent 18th-century gunpowder mills that operated for over a century, alongside flour and pottery works.

Our walk took us past local landmarks including St Mary’s Church, Ewell Castle School (Ewell Castle was built in 1814 on land that once formed part of Henry VIII’s old Nonsuch Palace estate). Mill Lane features some delightful 17^th century cottages and the Hogsmill river nearby is where John Edward Millais painted the realistic riverbank in his famous “Ophelia” painting outdoors along the Hogsmill River.

The jail, which can be found just off the High Street, is known as The Watch House. This small building appears to date from around 1777, and served a dual purpose as the store for the local hand-operated fire engine, and the local jail.

A guided walk is a wonderful way to properly explore this fascinating (and often busy) village and the Bourne Hall Museum (in a wonderful setting with a delightful lake) has a wonderful collection of antiquities dating back to Roman times so is also well worth a visit if you are in the area!

Day 11 – a Walk in the Park amidst my Miner Bees!

Lovely day again today, after last week’s raging rain. Our bees are back in the front garden, the most amazing creatures. They are Miner bees and do not sting (quite a relief) and dig down into the earth to create their nesting places. In fact they are so comfortable here they have invaded many of the neighbours’ gardens as well and appear to reproduce at the drop of a hat! Quite something to behold and another reason to properly engage with nature. It is so good for the soul.

I would also like to add a very, very special thank you to all my wonderful sponsors for your generous donations. I am truly grateful. Now at 43kms on day 11 and £640.00 to exceed my £500.00 target – amazing, thank you again so much!

So today’s choice of walk was the very popular and local Nork Park. On a wonderfully calm and sunny morning I was particularly reminded of the devastating events on 9/11 exactly 25 years ago today. I was living in New Zealand at the time and remembered watching the tragic aftermath unfold on television. Everyone was utterly shocked, some even imagining it was some kind of movie because the reality was impossible to accept.

This whole Fund Raising campaign with the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has given me a renewed focus and purpose. I can’t wait to join up for other events in future.

Walk 50k September - Day 5 - Polesden Lacey, Bookham, Surrey

Two walks today, one earlier on around the local Nork area and the other, and today’s highlight was a walk around the beautiful National Trust property at Polesden Lacey in Dorking. Mum has volunteered here for 27 years and for the last year or so I’ve been her chauffeur and escort ensuring she gets to enjoy her Stewarding duties and catching up with some wonderful friends.

I’m lucky enough to also have a wonderful friend in Margaret (who works for the Royal Marsden as it happens). So we venture off every Saturday to do a different walk at Polesden which never ever disappoints (we’ve only been rained off once in the last 2 years and that was last weekend!)

If you ever get the chance please visit. The views are spectacular and the house and history fascinating - Polesden Lacey | Surrey | National Trust. And the Volunteers do an amazing job!

Walk 50k September - Day 1 - Nork Park, Banstead, Surrey

My Story

It is with great regret that I have lost many wonderful friends and family members to Cancer over the last few years.  This is my chance to do something to remember them especially while supporting the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and its incredible research into the prevention and cure of this horrible disease.

My biggest inspiration for doing this is my wonderful Mum, Irene, who is still going incredibly strong at 92 (a little cantankerous but there you go!), still volunteering at Polesden Lacey in Dorking after 27 years.  She survived Cancer in her 40’s thanks to the Royal Marsden’s incredible care and support. My dear Uncle Frank, Mum’s brother, who is now 95 continues to battle on. My brave sister-in-law Jeanne who passed away this year after a long battle. And last, but in no way least, I am also doing the walk for my darling Dad, John Henry Morgan, who passed away 40 years ago at the age of just 55. He is my greatest loss.

Thank you so much to all my amazing friends and family who have sent in donations. I am truly grateful.

And to all you Cancer survivors out there may you always remain free and healthy.