Monday, November 06, 2006

First solo walk

4.5 miles that felt like a million

I’ve added an additional feature to my rucksack. A personal alarm. A bit like a girlie hand grenade, pull the pin and it emits a deafeningly high pitched siren. I kind of figured if I ever had to use it, the best that can happen is any potential unpleasant sort would leg it or, at worst, they’d be deafened for a brief moment allowing me an opportunity to hobble off at great speed. I also figured it might be handy at deterring any unwanted attention from my least favourite animals – cows! I’ve already had a few close encounters with obviously niggly bovines in Somerset and can’t say I enjoyed the experience!

At the perimeter of Hadleigh Country Park (Essex) I had my first sense of anxiety. Suddenly, I had moved away from the open path, where I had passed fellow walkers, joggers, cyclists etc, to a wooded area where visibility was obstructed. I took a breath, focused and stepped over the hurdle into the country park. I felt like queen of the woods. All that stood between me and my target now was a field and…..cows! The notice pinned to the fence warned that not only were there cows, but a welcoming bull, who might just want to say hello. I could feel the blood drain from my face and my pulse quickened as I stared at the beasts that lay before me.

After a time I eased myself over the stile, and slowly began to edge my way along the path, trying to appear confident, alarm grasped firmly in my hands. The castle ruins were now within easy reach and I began to relax. With each step I took felt my confidence in my own ability growing. And then I was there, standing atop the hill, gazing down at the Essex coastline and enjoying a much needed drink of cool water. I felt…elated. It was only a small triumph, but I’d done it.

Walking back down I thought about the beautiful painting Constable made of Hadleigh Castle, my destination on this walk. Wonder what he would have made of the views today?

Motivated by this little venture I have upgraded some of my basic kit, to include a high visibility, light weight backpack and integral drinking system (being slightly overweight means drinking more which also, unfortunately, means having to find a few more bushes), and the staff at Blacks, Fenchurch Street must be thanked for their help and patience in choosing my pack. Greater thanks must also go to the helpful staff at Field and Trek in Covent Garden who took the time to explain different walking boots to me, measured me up, talked about my ankle and muscular injury and ensured I had suitable boots and insoles to fit my needs. I guess the old boots from Lidl’s can now be relegated to the bin (or the charity shop) and I can put my best foot forward (literally).

Posted by Admin @ 9:20 am