Tom Goodman – In Memory of Grandad: His Tour of Wales

From June 5^th to June 12^th 2015 I (Tom Goodman) will be cycling/walking 1,000km in memory of my Grandad. My Grandad suffered from Parkinson’s and passed away in March 2014, therefore I will be raising money for Parkinson’s UK. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s and we don’t yet know why people get the condition. For more information please visit www.parkinsons.org.uk.

I am doing this as my Grandad was my best friend, meant the world to me and played a huge part in my upbringing. The memories that we shared together were amazing and will never be forgotten. The 1,000km tour is extremely special as it covers all the areas that truly meant something to my Grandad including places he lived, loved, worked and had cherished memories at.

The tour is spread out over 8 days (7 days cycling 1,000 km & 1 day walking Cadair Idris).

 

–          Day 1: June 5^th – Blaina – Blaina (180km)

–          Day 2: June 6^th – Blaina – Swansea (140km)

–          Day 3: June 7^th – Swansea – Tenby (125km)

–          Day 4: June 8^th – Tenby – Newport (135km)

–          Day 5: June 9^th – Newport – Machynlleth (155km)

–          Day 6: June 10^th – Machynlleth – Minffordd (110km)

–          Day 7: June 11^th – Walking Cadair Idris (12km)

–          Day 8: June 12^th – Minffordd – Aberhafesp (135km)

The tour starts in Blaina outside the house where Grandad grew up as a boy.

The 1^st day is extremely special as it covers a route that Grandad often talked about completing as a young man (over 100 miles), it also passes through Nantyglo where Grandad went to school and taught, Gilwern where Grandad talked about taking Granny on romantic walks, The Forest of Dean where Granny & Grandad lived and Grandad taught, the day finishes back in Blaina outside Granny & Grandads 1^st house together.

The 2^nd day follows a route that Grandad would’ve taken to University. We also complete a loop of The Mumbles and Gower (which Grandad loved visiting whilst in University) before finishing in Swansea. Grandad, my cousin Lizzie and I all went to Swansea University.

The 3^rd day takes us to Tenby where the family had several holidays together. Before we reach Tenby though we pass through Llangennech (Grandad witnessed his eldest Granddaughter get married), we then pass through Llanelli where his eldest daughter, eldest granddaughter & his first and only great-granddaughter all live. Before we reach Tenby we stop at Laugharne to pay respect to Grandads love of poetry at the Dylan Thomas Museum.

 

The 4^th day takes us to Newport – travelling along the coast and passing castles and beaches that Grandad loved visiting.

The 5^th day takes us to Machynlleth passing through Newcastle Emlyn (where Grandad took his daughters to antique fayres), Aberystwyth (where Grandad & I had several trips to hospital together) and before we reach Machynlleth we pass Glandyfi (the start of the Cross Wales Walk – Grandad was the person who came up with the idea & on his 50^th Birthday walked across Britain from Glandyfi to The Wash)

The 6^th day takes us to the foot of Cadair Idris passing through Aberdovey (Granny & Grandad would take us all to the beach and we would play pitch & putt), Dolgoch falls and the Mawddach trail where the family have spent several summers days.

Day 7 sees us walk up Cadair Idris. This was Grandads favourite mountain and one that he always wanted to do one more time. This will be the first time I have walked up Cadair Idris since Grandad passed away.

The 8^th and final day of Grandads Tour of Wales and what would’ve been Grandads 85^th birthday takes us back to the family home in Aberhafesp. But on our way back we pass through Caersws (where Grandad walked with Titch to pick up the daily paper & took my sister & I to primary school), Newtown (where Grandad was Principle of Coleg Powys, he became the youngest Principle in the whole of Britain when he took over at the age of 37), The Anchor (where the Cross Wales Walk finishes), Gregynog (where we would go walking on Boxing day) and finally we finish at the place that he loved most the Family Home.

I really want to pay respect to my Grandad, he was a truly wonderful human being who gave anyone & everyone the time of day. He loved getting the best out of people and getting people together in order to succeed.

I will be joined along the way by family and friends. Any other support/volunteers who wish to join en-route would be extremely appreciated. If so please e-mail goodman90@hotmail.co.uk

 

If you wish to see further information please visit my Just Giving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/Thomas-Goodman

Thank you ever so much, you are supporting a cause that needs far more attention and one that is very, very close to my heart.

Tom Goodman.