Monday, January 22, 2007
IT'S JUST A GENTLE STROLL....HONEST..!
Are we there yet.....are we there yet......are we??????
So, my best friend Pat came to stay at the weekend. First visit since I had to move back from Somerset. I promised to introduce her to my 'usual' walk. You know, the one I keep moaning about due to its lack of hills and promised her it was a gentle stroll, no more than 3 hours and flat, no, really. Erm, four hours after we set off, treading through thick mud, up an occasional small hill or two, detouring around the castle ruins so I could show off the stunning estuary views, then down via my favorite trees, through marsh land, over to Benfleet and back along the sea path, we finally ended up back in Leigh On Sea, just another 40 minute walk or so back to my flat! Poor Pat, tired, covered in mud and having had a rapid introduction to the hedgerow at one point all she wanted was a nice lunch and a pint. So I introduced her to the delights of fresh seafood, something the town is famous for. Sorry mate - I guess cockles and whelks aren't everyone's cup of tea - must be an East End thing. Kidding aside, we had a great walk and I've finally realised the value of this route. It's increasing my stamina and general fitness, if not my ascent tactics and my pacing is improving no end. Had to mangle the boots a bit to stop them from pressing in and have discovered that if I lace them differently and mush the tongue up a bit more to break down the fibres they are actually O.K. And the grip is excellent.
Really longing to be amongst some big, rugged mountain type things at the moment and in need of a bit of fun after the rocky (yes, pun intended) start to the year. So I've just taken the plunge and booked myself on a short walking holiday in Poland. Hopefully snowshoeing in the High Tatras. More likely to be avoiding grumpy brown bears who aren't hibernating due to global warming. I'm flying off on Thursday so best go pack. All being well, will update you on my adventure next week!
All for now.
Sturdy Girl
So, my best friend Pat came to stay at the weekend. First visit since I had to move back from Somerset. I promised to introduce her to my 'usual' walk. You know, the one I keep moaning about due to its lack of hills and promised her it was a gentle stroll, no more than 3 hours and flat, no, really. Erm, four hours after we set off, treading through thick mud, up an occasional small hill or two, detouring around the castle ruins so I could show off the stunning estuary views, then down via my favorite trees, through marsh land, over to Benfleet and back along the sea path, we finally ended up back in Leigh On Sea, just another 40 minute walk or so back to my flat! Poor Pat, tired, covered in mud and having had a rapid introduction to the hedgerow at one point all she wanted was a nice lunch and a pint. So I introduced her to the delights of fresh seafood, something the town is famous for. Sorry mate - I guess cockles and whelks aren't everyone's cup of tea - must be an East End thing. Kidding aside, we had a great walk and I've finally realised the value of this route. It's increasing my stamina and general fitness, if not my ascent tactics and my pacing is improving no end. Had to mangle the boots a bit to stop them from pressing in and have discovered that if I lace them differently and mush the tongue up a bit more to break down the fibres they are actually O.K. And the grip is excellent.
Really longing to be amongst some big, rugged mountain type things at the moment and in need of a bit of fun after the rocky (yes, pun intended) start to the year. So I've just taken the plunge and booked myself on a short walking holiday in Poland. Hopefully snowshoeing in the High Tatras. More likely to be avoiding grumpy brown bears who aren't hibernating due to global warming. I'm flying off on Thursday so best go pack. All being well, will update you on my adventure next week!
All for now.
Sturdy Girl
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