How to Prove You've Done It - Walking Land's End to John o'Groats with Mark Moxon

You might have the scars to prove it, but any number of tall stories and battle scars won't convince the sceptical that you've just walked across the weather map. Luckily there is a way to prove that you've walked from one end of the country to the other, as long as you get your act together at the start of your walk.

Both the Land's End John o'Groats Association and the Land's End and John o'Groats Club issue certificates to those who can prove that they have indeed made it across Britain, and they can provide you with a verification form at before you set off. Their forms are similar, and consist of a blank square for each day of your walk, which you can get stamped at Post Offices, signed by B&B hosts or scribbed on by campsite owners at the end of each day. It's actually rather fun getting the form signed, and I looked forward to it each day.

When you've finished your walk, you can hand in your form to the relevant body, along with a small fee, and you'll soon be issued with an official certificate confirming that, yes, you are quite bonkers. You'll also get a year's membership for your trouble, so you can share your experience with other LEJOG aficionados.

If all this seems a bit too much trouble, the Scottish Youth Hostel at John o'Groats is only too happy to issue its own certificate. For this you just have to look like you've come all the way from Land's End; the SYHA are a trusting bunch, which is no bad thing. This certificate is also free, which is an added bonus.

Here are my various verification forms and certificates, just for completeness. They might not look like much, but to me, they're like old friends...