Catching Up

Saturday 13th

I haven't been very good at keeping up this whole training blog thing. To be honest, it's been a bit of a struggle to fit in training, organising fundraising and day to day life without all the other bits and pieces.

So, this is a catch-up which brings us up to Valentines Day.

No walking was done the weekend before last as we had visitors and Chris and Shannon were going to a gig with their friends so I resigned myself to just using the gym.

During the week I had a text message from my youngest sister Ed asking if she could join us on Saturday for a walk. We did wonder whether she would be able to force herself out of bed for an early start, and whether she would have walking gear but thought it would be nice to meet up with her. We picked her up at her friends early Saturday and headed to Fenny Stratford to start our walk from our finish point of a couple of weeks ago (the mad dog day!).

We were expecting this section of the canal to be a bit 'scummy' (for want of a better word) as the Simpson to Fenny stretch was covered in rubbish and graffiti. We were pleasantly surprised that it was the opposite and the majority of the stretch between Fenny and the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard are very scenic and quiet.

We hardly saw any other walkers but, nearing Leighton, there were loads of canoists. There is obviously a club nearby. The walk was very pleasant with reasonable weather and we were back at Fenny at 1pm, in time to drop Ed off at Raymond Blancs for a meal with her friends - Thanks Ed, it was fun.

Miles walked: 11.5
Time walked: 4 hours
Blister: 0 - but my boot has rubbed my right ankle due to me not doing it up properly.

Sunday 14th

Jane (from the Snowdon Team) had arranged tickets to the zoo so that we could walk circuits and build up our walking hours. We met at the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral at 9.30 in the snow and hail. It was freezing. I had planned to take my sticks with me to practice using them but realised as soon as I arrived that they were still propped up by the front door at home. Bugger!

Jane had kindly bought us all tickets using her Tesco vouchers so as soon as it opened, we went in to begin our circuits. We had all looked at the web and couldn't find anywhere which told you the distance around the zoo so Nige had borrowed a Garmin GPS device.

We started with a full circuit around the perimeter and then decided to do figure of eight type circuits ensuring we used every path possible though the zoo to make it more interesting. As we walked we were amazed by the inappropriate footwear that some people had on. It was freezing cold, extremely muddy and very wet but this didn't stop the parade of sandals, ballet slippers and incredibly high heels - weird!

Sadly, my boot lacing error of the day before gradually crept up on me and, by mid afternoon I was in a lot of pain. That, coupled wit the fact that Nige had to drive to Bournemouth, bought our walk to an end. It was great fun so thanks to Jane, Rebecca and Nige - hopefully we can fit in more walks before Snowdon.

Miles walked: 11.5
Time walked: 4.5 hours
Blisters: 0 - but one very, very painful ankle. No boots for at least a few days I think.