quirky little stories.

In the days when the walk began at Dockyard, among the many participants was a lady who strode out with the best of them, her eyes firmly focused on reaching St. George's.

Over Watford Bridge and Somerset Bridge she went, no problem. On and on through the countryside she went. Southampton, Warwick, Devonshire, Hamilton Parish, she traversed them all.

Down past Swizzle Inn she walked, and on over the Causeway. Was that St.

George's over the horizon? She could be forgiven for thinking the worst was over, but was she wrong! Suddenly, like a skittish race horse, she balked at Longird Bridge. Apparently terrified at the sight of the gridwork and water beneath, she flatly refused to cross it.

No amount of persuasion from her fellow walkers or even her devoted boyfriend could change her mind.

"No, that's it,'' she said. "I am not crossing that bridge. I'm going home.'' So saying, she hailed a taxi and was gone.

How she managed to cross two West End bridges without difficulty remains, to this day, Unsolved Mystery, Bermuda style.

*** Then there is the case of the undiplomatic husband and his chagrined wife whose names, in the interests of domestic harmony, cannot be divulged. It seems the lady has been an avid participant in End to Ends for the past seven years, and is among the event's top fund raisers. Yet not once, in all the years of walking, has it ever occurred to her husband to sponsor her.

Imagine her surprise, therefore, when this year she bumped into him in Hamilton on her way to turn in her pledges, and he asked for a word in her shell-like ear.

"You wouldn't happen to have any cash on you, would you?'' he enquired.

"Yes, I have,'' came the reply. "What do you want it for?'' "Well,'' he said, putting both feet in, "there are some ladies at work who are going on the End to End and I want to sponsor them.'' No, there's no divorce pending, but in true female fashion, she has no plans to forget his insensitivity.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE -- The importance of remaining "hydrated'' during the walk cannot be over-emphasised. Many of the water stops are manned by members of the charities benefiting from the walk. Shown is the PRIDE stand.

GOOD FOR YOU ! -- Simone Johns, from Northlands Primary, joined the Youth Invasion for this year's Middle-to-End Walk.