THROUGHOUT May and June, kindhearted walker Ian Orrell (60) will take on the challenge of his life.

Ian Orrell, of Higher Lane, Whitefield, is walking 874 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats in a bid to raise £6,000 for the Emmaus homeslessness charity.

In this regular diary, the retired teacher tells of his adventure.

My Meindl boots are already completely worn through on the soles and I've only walked just over 200 miles.

My wife, Sue, has ordered me a new pair when I get to Manchester - I was told they would last 1000 miles!

My walk last week through Monmouthshire and Herefordshire was fairly uneventful except for one outstanding bed and breakdast at Pullastone Farm just south of Hereford.

The hosts were highly entertaining the en-suite was superb and I had my own lounge.

Because we were so far from other habitation I had ordered an evening meal.

Was there anything I didn't like? Would guinea fowl be OK?

I was invited to eat with them and a bottle of wine appeared and then another and a third and then pudding followed by brandy and, because I happened to mention an incident involving some malt whiskey, an 18-year-old bottle of malt appeared.

Conversation flowed until all natural light had long gone and we waited to see if the deer would come to the garden fence but it wasn't to be. The B&B prices for a single person was a bargain at £30.

Since Saturday, everything has been busy. Firstly I have had superb back-up from Chris and Sylvia Laithwaite from Hereford right through to Shrewsbury.

They have kept me fed and watered at regular intervals and most importantly have carried the bulk of my rucksack for those days.

On Saturday evening I was able to link up with an old teaching and trekking colleague as well as my two oldest cousins.

Even more reunions on Sunday where I had been booked in at The Feathers in Ludlow.

This was an amazing experience with its James I Residents Lounge and its own writing room.

The latter with its black lacquered wood and brown table and chairs created a strange and eery atmosphere.

My best man Tony turned up to walk with me the following day but for that night it was a chance just to reminisce.

The following day, we walked through rural Shropshire through villages like Stanton Lacy, Burley, Bache, The Dinchopes and Strefford.

The weather was ideal and the lanes very quiet indeed.

At Bache we came across a magnificently turretted house; straight from a child's story book with views all around and a magnificent.

To sponsor Ian, visit the link below.

Read parts one and two by clicking the links below.