16_Wed

We have been in communication hell the last few days, sorry about the lack of blog. Kevin's macbook died some days ago and I have totally lost one day's blog and images. All the web software was on it too, so we have been going mad trying to get it all sorted. I will try and remember what I said and do it today, but shame abut the pics. No internet or phone signal here either, and none of the local places that claim to have wifi actually work, but you only find out once you've ordered 4 coffees and sat down.

Today's walk was joined by lovely cousin number 2, Antony. The valiant man got up early and met us at a tiny village, high res jacket on and ready for action. We started on the big roads and did 5 miles as there was no real alternative for a bit, trying to chat amongst the juggernauts, Antony manning the verge which wasn't an easy task. At one point he very nearly got decapitated by a low branch mid conversation but I just saw it in time. So at the first opportunity we got off the road onto a parallel footpath; that we then worked out after about half a mile and seeing more cows so I stopped dead, that we were on the wrong path anyway, and went back to join the main road for a bit. Saw my first sign for Leicester. This was a monumental moment, so Antony got proper David Bailey to make sure I was actually pointing at the word. Hope you are impressed as this involved lying down on a grass verge inches from traffic.

Finally got off the road and onto some nice footpath, over fields and through a really pretty village of Combrook. Pic of Ant fording stream. I made him go back an do it again for a photo opportunity! We walked through someone's house virtually which I always hate on footpaths. Ant was sure it was right ( I had given him the maps by this point as it was probably safest) so I said I would point the Doberman at him. As if by magic, just as we approached a field of bullocks at the end of a lane and I was umming and ahing and shall we go back on the nice roading, Kevin turned up with Rebecca and Stefan an suggested lunch! Hurrah. Then Ant threw the maps all over the floor and they blew away towards the bullocks, so we had a quick scrabble to get them back! There should be a photo of Antony's panicked collecting.


	Walks for Matt Hampson < Main Training 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 >

Wed, 16th - Day 11 - Halford to Uppingham We have been in communication hell the last few days, sorry about the lack of blog. Kevin's macbook died some days ago and I have totally lost one day's blog and images. All the web software was on it too, so we have been going mad trying to get it all sorted. I will try and remember what I said and do it today, but shame abut the pics. No internet or phone signal here either, and none of the local places that claim to have wifi actually work, but you only find out once you've ordered 4 coffees and sat down. Today's walk was joined by lovely cousin number 2, Antony. The valiant man got up early and met us at a tiny village, high res jacket on and ready for action. We started on the big roads and did 5 miles as there was no real alternative for a bit, trying to chat amongst the juggernauts, Antony manning the verge which wasn't an easy task. At one point he very nearly got decapitated by a low branch mid conversation but I just saw it in time. So at the first opportunity we got off the road onto a parallel footpath; that we then worked out after about half a mile and seeing more cows so I stopped dead, that we were on the wrong path anyway, and went back to join the main road for a bit. Saw my first sign for Leicester. This was a monumental moment, so Antony got proper David Bailey to make sure I was actually pointing at the word. Hope you are impressed as this involved lying down on a grass verge inches from traffic. Finally got off the road and onto some nice footpath, over fields and through a really pretty village of Combrook. Pic of Ant fording stream. I made him go back an do it again for a photo opportunity! We walked through someone's house virtually which I always hate on footpaths. Ant was sure it was right ( I had given him the maps by this point as it was probably safest) so I said I would point the Doberman at him. As if by magic, just as we approached a field of bullocks at the end of a lane and I was umming and ahing and shall we go back on the nice roading, Kevin turned up with Rebecca and Stefan an suggested lunch! Hurrah. Then Ant threw the maps all over the floor and they blew away towards the bullocks, so we had a quick scrabble to get them back! There should be a photo of Antony's panicked collecting.
		Lunch at a nice pub, butterfly prawns to start and american chicken for mains. Great chat with Antony. Then Kevin took him back to his car and I carried on alone for a few miles until they caught m back up. Then Rebecca and Stefan were chomping at the bit to do more walking, so we found a good route that started along the nearby tow path and then headed up the cycle path at Offchurch. This was great, really pretty and in the right direction. Chatted away and played alphabet games and the like. It was all going really well until we came to the brige where we had to join the road, which we assumed would all be easy as it was a foot path...but it was actually a sheer sandy cliff face. Stefan made it to the top, Rebecca and I did a lot of squealing and slithering but made it too eventually. Hopefully I have a photo of Rebecca mid slither. Then another mile or so and we were met by Kevin which was great and we were pretty tired. Chsed around MacDonald trying to find a working wifi and failed. Went to a hotel for supper and finally found wifi, so left poor Kevin until God knows what time trying to get up to date on my computer which has none of the stuff.


Alix Wood ••• 01566 784065 ••• alix@alixwood.co.uk