AFTER trekking a gruelling 800-plus miles, a Catton couple and their dog were on home soil this week – but only briefly.

For Bob and Jos Mahon and their eight-year-old flat-haired retriever Barney set off on the final leg of a 1,200 mile challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats yesterday.

On Monday, the trio arrived back on home turf in the Allen Valley for the first time in 70 days for a short break.

As well as celebrating making it over half way on their ambitious journey, the team were feeling like top dogs after raising more than £3,700 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Jos said: “It’s been an amazing journey so far.

“We’ve met so many people along the way who have stopped to talk to us because they see Barney with his panniers.

“They’ve done the trick because a few days later we look at our JustGiving page and see they have donated.”

The trio set off from Land’s End on Friday, March 27, starting with the challenging Cornwall coastal paths.

Camping almost every night, their route avoids main roads and cities for a journey expected to take around 100 days.

All three have been sharing a tent and Barney has been carrying his own food in panniers attached to a dog harness.

Along the way they have accumulated many supporters - with the help of Barney’s online blog and Facebook page – including guide dogs users who made have special journeys out to meet them along the route.

On Monday, the Mahons were met by family in Garrigill and walked back to Catton to be greeted by friends and fellow dog walkers, before heading to their own beds for a well earned rest.

As a result of the fantastic fund-raising support the team have received so far, they have increased their fund-raising target on the BarneysLongWalk JustGiving page to £5,500.

The next part of the journey will take them into Scotland, with hopes of reaching John O’Groats by the end of July.

“We are looking forward to the next leg through Scotland,” Jos added.

“I’m not sure about Barney though. He seems to be enjoying being back on the carpet again!”

To find out more visit barneyslongwalk.blogspot.co.uk