22/06/2010

Today saw Meg and I undertake a longer training walk than usual. Up until now we had been walking around 5 miles, today we were going to do 8 (thats what it said on the route plan any way!!!).
Starting off early in the morning to avoid the heat that was forcast to come and to allow me to work after the walk we set off. My pack was only filled with blankets and my platapuss (donated by Amie Watts). Meg was attached to my leg using the new leg leader lead that I was trying out.

We managed to set a good pace with very little problem with navigation. I was walking some very familiar roots.The sun was out in all its glory and it was clear it was going to be a nice day. Meg was her usual energetic self and wanted to be in front. The new legleader lead does remove the feelin of ones arm being pulled out of its socket but it does not stop her pulling. THough this habit will soon be broken if the box the lead came in is to be believed (yea right).

A large part of the walk was along a cycle path along a disused railway. Here I could let Meg off and she could spend some time exploring where she wanted to and it gave my leg a bit of a rest too. THe cycle path was easy going and gave us a chance to up our average speed. It is important that we make the most of the easy going sections of the walk so that we are able to stop and sort out boots, water and other business along the route without worrying about time.

It becam aparent while walking along the cycle path that the boot I was wearing (ex army issue) where in a word rubbish, I have the blisters to prove it. But I had to carry on.

The second half of the walk involved us getting lost on two occasions, one a simple fix, the other meant having to cover some of the hardest going terrain yet to have been walked by me and Meg, followed by the crossing of a river at the best location I could find.

Amazed to find my feet still dry aftert the river crossing we pushed on and walked into Mells. Once again I managed to have issues with non-existant foot path signs or paths but soon had us heading home. The nly issue being walking through lots of summer stinging nettles with 3/4 length shorts on, mmmmmmmmmmmm owch.

We soon found our selves back home, Meg ready to sit under the shade of her conifers and my self looking for the vinegar to put on my bright red legs (how many stinging nettle stings before they are fatal?!!!).

So the hard work has began. From now on I plan to build up the weight of my pack I carry doing the sam esort of distances so that I can get used to the weight gradually. So keep tuned for more adventures as Meg and I trian for our Walk For Blood!!!!