One of the things that kept Dave going was his radio. “I’ve had it for years. I used to tape it to my bike so I could listen to the cricket on my way to school or work. I had the World Cup on it during the walk, but the vuvuzelas came out louder than the commentary, which ruined it for me. On one campsite, I was with a load of Welsh people when England were playing. Most people on the site were saying, ‘this is rubbish’, but we were all celebrating.


“I caught all of the Pakistan tests, and the Australian one day-ers.” He cites Stuart Broad as a favourite player. He also had his ipod for music, as well as games – although he only discovered it had games on it – including solitaire – 4,500 miles into the trip!


As a keen musician, if ever Dave stopped somewhere where there was a guitar handy, he’d play songs to the locals, such as at the Royal Oak in Barrow-upon-Humber, where he also witnessed a water fight between this pub and a rival pub! Dave could definitely do a good guide to coastal pubs, and I’m sure he could have made the TV programme Coast more interesting!


Dave is certain that not having a planned route was the right way to do it. Apparently, there’s someone doing the walk who left in January, and has every stretch of the walk mapped out, with her boyfriend following behind in a van. Eight months later, she’s still at it – so definitely the wrong approach in Dave’s view. He simply set off going west from Cardiff, and let things take their course.


As time went on, Dave got a lot fitter physically, but mentally, things got tougher, especially when he knew he was so close to home. He had a good reception when he got back, with family, friends, and Radio Cymru – who covered his walk regularly – all there. But after he completed the walk, Dave told me, “For the first week, I’d wake up and think – how far have I got to walk today?!” Well Dave, let me tell you now – it was a phenomenal achievement, it’s over, congratulations, and now it’s time for you to put your feet up!


If you would like to donate to Dave’s charity, please go to bowelcancerwales.com


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