Less than 3 weeks to go and I'm feeling pretty good. I've known that I am going to do this walk since the end of last year, so I have slowly built up my strength and ability to walk "long" distances.
This was tested out just a couple of weekends ago when I joined a group of obsessive walkers called The Cornwall and Devon Long Distance Walking Association. They are a nutty group of ramblers who like a challenge and for them this was a fairly easy stroll of 17 miles, taking in some steep climbs. There was one chap who liked to spend a short period at the front of the group until we came to a gate or stile and then he would hold open the gate or offer assistance at the stile, whilst dishing out encouraging words to all who passed through or over. This would result at him being at the back of the group - but not for long. Suddenly he would sprint past, regardless of whether we were walking on the flat, downward, or steeply uphill and I wouldn't see him again until I came to another obstacle. "That's the way". "Best foot forward". "Only another 14 miles to go".
I found the encouragements "helpful".
I completed the walk and was pleased that it didn't have any lasting effects, with the exception of damage to my wallet. I discovered that my trusty walking boots which I have had for a long time and took me across the country on The Coast to Coast walk some years ago, have lost a lot of their traction and leak a little. I have just about enough time to buy and break in a new pair of walking boots and I have done this. They are very comfortable and fit like a dream, so I suppose it was lucky that I discovered the need for some new boots before the walk started. I do have a very good pair of walking shoes also, so I am well catered for in the foot department.
Here is a photo of my "new" boots, which as you can see have already done a few miles in preparation. I wonder how they will look after some more training and their ration of the 630 miles of the coast path.
I would have liked to show you a photo of my old boots, but I've left them in my van which is having a bit of work done on it at this time. Maybe later.
Where I live I am lucky to have some tremendous countryside nearby. Just a five minute drive away is the Teign Valley and the circular walk from Fingle Bridge, following the River Teign upstream, then up to Castle Drogo. It is a regular walk for me. I've done it twice already this week - once in glorious Spring sunshine and once in a hail storm. There is a great hill which really gets the heart going and this hill has acted as a measure of my fitness during the last couple of years. When I was just getting back into training after my illness, I had to complete the climb in sections, stopping every 100 steps or so to catch my breath. These days I do it in one go and am just about able to have a conversation at the same time. Progress!
So, the training continues. Jennie and I are out walking with the Two Moors Way Association this weekend. (A short stroll of 8 miles across the moors).
This was tested out just a couple of weekends ago when I joined a group of obsessive walkers called The Cornwall and Devon Long Distance Walking Association. They are a nutty group of ramblers who like a challenge and for them this was a fairly easy stroll of 17 miles, taking in some steep climbs. There was one chap who liked to spend a short period at the front of the group until we came to a gate or stile and then he would hold open the gate or offer assistance at the stile, whilst dishing out encouraging words to all who passed through or over. This would result at him being at the back of the group - but not for long. Suddenly he would sprint past, regardless of whether we were walking on the flat, downward, or steeply uphill and I wouldn't see him again until I came to another obstacle. "That's the way". "Best foot forward". "Only another 14 miles to go".
I found the encouragements "helpful".
I completed the walk and was pleased that it didn't have any lasting effects, with the exception of damage to my wallet. I discovered that my trusty walking boots which I have had for a long time and took me across the country on The Coast to Coast walk some years ago, have lost a lot of their traction and leak a little. I have just about enough time to buy and break in a new pair of walking boots and I have done this. They are very comfortable and fit like a dream, so I suppose it was lucky that I discovered the need for some new boots before the walk started. I do have a very good pair of walking shoes also, so I am well catered for in the foot department.
 |
| New Boots |
I would have liked to show you a photo of my old boots, but I've left them in my van which is having a bit of work done on it at this time. Maybe later.
Where I live I am lucky to have some tremendous countryside nearby. Just a five minute drive away is the Teign Valley and the circular walk from Fingle Bridge, following the River Teign upstream, then up to Castle Drogo. It is a regular walk for me. I've done it twice already this week - once in glorious Spring sunshine and once in a hail storm. There is a great hill which really gets the heart going and this hill has acted as a measure of my fitness during the last couple of years. When I was just getting back into training after my illness, I had to complete the climb in sections, stopping every 100 steps or so to catch my breath. These days I do it in one go and am just about able to have a conversation at the same time. Progress!
 |
| Hail |
Oooops, The Archers is starting, so had better stop writing.
Take it easy.
Rob.
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