Wednesday, March 31, 2010

What did I get myself into?

I had spoken with Tesco at Bletchley on several occasions about fundraising for Willen Hospice. They were up for the challenge as they have chosen the Hospice as their local charity for the year.

After the last bag packing event, I wasn't overly keep to do another so I suggested to them that I could walk on a treadmill in their store for the day and they could collect with buckets. "Great idea" the charity coordinator said, "we'll get two and members of staff here can do a relay while you walk". Chuffed with that, I left it to them to organise their side of things while I contacted the hospice for buckets and T-shirts.



I spoke to the charity coordinator several times, having to delay our date once due to lack of treadmills. I then spent several days trying to get hold of her to confirm my walking date. When we did finally manage to talk she said "We're looking forward to seeing you Saturday", "thanks" said I unsuspectingly. "We couldn't get treadmills so we've got you an exercise bike" - aaaarrrghhhhhhhh. If there's one thing I absolutely loathe at the gym it's, yes you've guessed it, the exercise bike.


I promptly rushed out and bought myself the most unflattering pair of padded shorts you have ever seen - keen to protect my nether region from harm and proceeded to worry myself silly for the next 4 days. I was convinced that I would embarrass myself by not being able to complete an hour, let alone 6.

I arrived at the store to find that the charity ccoordinator was on a day off and there was a bit of confusion over the plan for the day but they soon had the bikes set up in the foyer and myself and a member of Tesco staff where off. They had also enlisted Virgin Active to give out free passes and goodie bags to people who donated - which was nice.

It was an extremely cold place to cycle and, not realising whee the bike would be, I had a short sleeve top so I kept having to put my jacket on. Only to warm off and take it off again 5 minutes later. It was a busy day and donations where steady throughout the day.

I can honestly say that my bum has never been so painful. I really had to will myself on and, as the hours progressed, it got harder and harder but i was able to maintain a steady (and reasonably fast) pace right to the end. It was lovely to have some friends come along to cheer me through the last half hour as I was really flagging.

It was certainly not the most enjoyable fundraising I've ever done but it netted me £530 towards my total and a couple of stonking bruises on my legs.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Snowdon Training Weekend

The weekend started well with a reasonable 4 hour journey to the youth hostel. As expected, it was pretty basic but clean and Jane and I checked in with haste as Rebecca and Nige were already at the pub!

Saturday

Started at Rhyd Ddu

Walked up Y Garn - 633m (to be fair, we actually dragged ourselves up here - it was a right slog)

Onto Mynydd Drws-y-coed – 695m

The weather was very changeable all day with bursts of sunshine followed by weeping mists and very fine rain.



Jim - one of the leaders who is a mountain guide in Snowdonia and freelances for Discover Adventure.

Onto Trum y Ddysgl – 709m

Total distance trekked approx 9km

Total height gain of 580m

Sunday

Started at Gelliago


Up to the summit of Cnicht – 689m

This bit was great fun - lots of scrambling one both solid and loose rock faces with easier routes for the less intrepid to go around the obstacles.

For Red Class - Mrs Ford on a mountain

Indescribably beautiful scenery.

This motley crew are Jane, Rebecca, Nige and Me - the 'Walkies' Team

Total distance trekked approx 6.5km

Total height gain of 550m

This weekend was such a great laugh - good company, good food and a nice comfy bed.

It was extremely hard work but what a sense of achievement. I am well and truly hooked!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain.....

What a beautiful day! I had pre-packed my rucksack with everything I need to cover any weather eventuality but the day dawned sunny and bright. Chris and Alex are away green-laning and 'truck camping' for the weekend and Shannon has elected to stay home and do her chores rather than join me in my 15 mile walk.



Jane and Rebecca - top of the class for map reading!

I met Jane and Rebecca at the car park in the centre of Woburn for a 9 a.m. start as we were not sure of the reliability of our map, and didn't want to still be walking at tea time.

The route we walked today is called the Woburn Millennium Circular walk, alternatively known as the 7 parish walk. We started out across Woburn Park near the front of Woburn Abbey and across the deer park to Eversholt. The route then takes you through fields to Ridgemont, Husband Crawly, Aspley Guise, Woburn Sands, Aspley Heath ending at Woburn. It is a fantastic walk with views across the lovely countryside which border the Woburn estate and across the counties to a spectacular side-on view of the Snow dome at Milton Keynes.

We opted to stop when we reached Aspley Guise for a wee and refreshment, partaking of some very nice sandwiches at The Anchor public house before heading off for the second leg of the walk. There was loads of wildlife along the way; particularly monk jack deer and squirrels. We hardly saw any other walkers which was quite surprising considering the beautiful weather.


The Home Straight!



Woburn Abbey

Miles walked: 15
Time walking: 5 hours