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Blog
The Walk
Preparation
June, 2009
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Day 6 -all on my own
6/7/2009 12:27:09 PM
Not looking for any sympathy since I quite enjoy the joys of solo walking. However I got off to a bad start by following a rogue sign in Chigwell Wood and getting completely lost in Hainault Forest -to such an extent that I was one hour behind schedule after only six miles. However the countryside in this part of Essex is lovely and some -if not all - of the settlements are charming. No lunch on Saturday at the pub in Harold Wood was a blow easily solved by the chippy a few doors down and the section in Havering Country park was great -never seen so many ducks . The end of the walk is not too uplifting since the delights of Rainham and Purfleet are well hidden however the estuary itself is impressive in a bleak, windswept, RSPB sort of way. The last few miles did drag but like on a long run you perk up at the thought that you don't have to do it again . Will post some overall relections tomorrow but the best part of the day was Jane picking me up at Purfleet . That, said my feet, is that done.7.48 pm the end of the Loop.
Day5 ...even longer
6/6/2009 9:30:22 AM
Today was the longest of the walk and the weather turned making it gloomy and drizzly.Scenery mixed from some grime to very pretty countryside around Enfield.
An impressive set of walkers today though. Geoff (couldn't find him a High Court), Justin (sorry the pub lunch wasn't at a Greene King), Amy (sorry, but lightweight at half a day), good friends Jill and Nick and wife Jane all did really well with pretty much no complaining even though we walked from 9am to 8.25 pm with just one stop for lunch. Good to see Chris at lunchtime, showing solidarity by drinking a couple of pints with us in the pub!
Day 4 Prettier and shorter
6/4/2009 8:57:54 PM
After the slog of Wed this was a much prettier section although rather uneven in terms of split with 6 and a quarter hours in the morning and two and a half in the afternoon. Uxbridge to Harefield along a lovely section of the Grand Union Canal was in fact grand in contrast to the industrial dereliction of the previous evening. After that Moor Park was manicured and posh whilst Stanmore ponds and village were a little gem I was unaware of (having lived less than six miles away for over twenty years). Hannah and Amy were delightful company all day and Simon Ward from the old Saracens days joined us in the afternoon for a gentle stroll which was great .Spoilt only  by some rubbish map reading by me in the last mile putting another twenty minutes on the walk at just the wrong time. Tomorrow there is quite a crowd and the small matter of twenty seven miles-piece of cake for a man whose body is starting to collapse a little bit (knee,hip and calf today but heh)
Day 3 - The longest day
6/3/2009 9:53:37 PM
It was meant to be 27 miles but we clocked it at 28.5 miles finishing at 8.15pm. The afternoon stretch took 6 hours and it wasn't that pretty today with the exception of Bushey Park, Hounslow Heath and the early bit on the Hogsmill river.

The last eight miles were tough but ex-Para Hugh Andree and Laura Oakes were made of stern stuff and kept a good pace and excellent banter. Julian Gent was with us for the first gentle 11 miles to the Amida Health Spa where he bade us farewell - lightweight!

Halfway through though - getting there!
Day 2
6/2/2009 9:57:55 PM

DAY 2 the walking today was much more demanding with an awful lot of walking down steep-ish chalk valleys and then up the other side. Early in the day Gareth's witterings concerning his ascent of Kilimanjaro were frankly more than a little tedious, given I was really struggling.  In all honesty, both he and Mike were stoical all day and at least superficially sympathetic to my consistent grumblings about tiredeness and leg pain.  I would also like to know ewhy nobody has ever told me about how wonderful are the Happy Valley and Farthing's Downs.  Really quite exquisite - and all in the London borough of Croydon!!!  If you have never been - go!  You won't be disappointed.  Physically feel much better tonight after a bit of treatment at the club from Andy and dodgy hospitality from Stuart in Sunbury - only 4 packs of ice for the bath.
 

Day One - Erith to Hayes
6/1/2009 9:21:41 PM
I am sitting at my friend Jen's house and can best be decsribed as completely shagged. That was a very long way.

Highlights would be Cray Meadows: absolutely gorgeous riverside scene, Petts Wood and finishing. Richard was a great walking companion but conversation died in the last 2 - 3 hours as we both struggled with very sore feet and wooden legs. 

If  I am honest I am not exactly  sure what sort of state I will be in tomorow morning.

Got the feeling it could be a long day!
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