The Challenge of a Lifetime

It's taken a little while for me to complete the 2013 Trailwalker story for Trekker-r-Us. Why? Well, I can't really be sure. It certainly hasn't left my mind - there's just too much of a buzz around on Twitter and Facebook from all the stories of success and overcoming challenges. Was it just to mentally overcome the challenge itself...perhaps! The memories remain though, whether it's a sunset, the rain or the fact that they have just played 500 Miles on the radio (Thanks to the guys at Checkpoint 8 for that memory!).

It's about 9 months since the persuading took place and Trekkers-r-Us were formed. 2 teams would enter, with Clara, Hannah, Phil and Alan making CHAP, and Kaila, Jam, Shaz and Gaz making KaiJamShazGaz (we were nothing but inventive back then)!!!! Training started in January in the depths of winter and continued through the spring months - and as you will have read, we were incredibly lucky with the majority of our walks! In the lead up to the day itself, we met with the support crew and made list after list to ensure we had everything.

After work on Friday 26th, we jumped in the cars for registration. On arrival we could not believe the number of people that had decided to camp the night before. We certainly agreed that our own beds would be far better than under canvas being woken at 5am! Ultimately though, 5am the following morning was still awake time and very little sleep was had due to anticipation and dreams of what was to come.

6am came and we met in the car park at work. Shaz & Jam made it eventually despite their trouble with their front door and keys! The van was packed (to the rafters) with our boxes of food and clothes...you might recognise it as a 9-seater (and there were 12 of us!) - just one of the issues we faced in the run up! Our support crew were too young to drive the right type of minibus! Thankfully we had lifts to the start point and some very kind supporters to pick up from the finish (otherwise it was back on the train for some of us!).

And so off we trundled to the start of the event at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. We met the others and then wandered down to the start for some wonderful Gurkha brekkie to start us on our way. What could be more simple - a gentle stroll of 100km up and down some 2500m of hills in the summertime. Actually, there are probably millions of things that were more simple! Weather forecasts had been analysed and, despite weeks of fabulous weather, it looks liked it was to break overnight! Oh joys...did we have enough clothes to see us through?

We gathered at the start just before 8am and were entertained by some of the Gurkhas, but nothing could take away those nerves that were setting in. We were ushered to the start line, motivated by the Commanding Officer and then piped across the line. And so it began....

L to R: Jam, Gaz, Shaz, Phil, Clara, Me, Kai & Hannah (Oh and Nige lurking in the background)

We'd already done the first 2 stages in training and so were prepared for all eventualities (sadly no ice creams on leaving the Park - perhaps he'd got all the Lego he'd wanted...see previous blogs!). We did really well for the firs couple of legs and the time passed quite quickly. At the pace we were walking, we were looking for 24 hours in total. It was fab meeting the guys at the checkpoints and we knew we had the routine down to a T...and they made their packing and unpacking of the van an art-form!

On arrival at CP2

CP2 onwards to CP4 were a little of an unknown for most of us. Kaila had undertaken it last year in vastly different weather, so it was lovely to be able to do it in the sunshine! And so, 8h 30m after leaving QECP we arrived at CP4, ahead of time but sadly were to leave one man down as well. Gary had the mother of all blisters on the bottom of his foot and bowed out, much to all of our disappointment, but we vowed to move on and succeed for him.

Tiredness and soreness was certainly kicking in and our pace dropped off as we walked into the evening (and the thunderstorms). Over the next 2 stages, the weather closed in and, as we approached CP6 at Botolphs, it was with relief that we saw our support team and the lights of the camp. Sadly we then lost Phil to a foot injury too. It was very emotional all round leaving the guys behind, but they did what they could do and even getting to the start is one hell of a challenge. It was now 2330...and 15 1/2 hours after we set out. The last 2 stages had taken almost as long as the first 4. My biggest mistake (and regret to this day) is that I didn't look after my feet at that stage. My one HUGE HINT to all undertaking the walk is to look after them...they'll see you through if you do. I decided to change socks and boots at that stage from my faithful Hagelofs to some cheaper ones I'd started training in months before. They were less comfortable and gave less support I now realise - still, reflection is good if you want to improve in the future!

Now, with just 2 guys and 4 girls in the team, it was highly important we stuck together - but that was challenged as we walked through Steyning after leaving CP6. A few idiots who had been on the lash decided to hide in the bushes and spook us all as we left the village. This threw some of the girls completely and really challenged us to get our heads and selves together. I sincerely hope the Police did in fact pick them up after we phoned...if not for our benefit for some of those that were following us out of Botolphs.

We soldiered on and gradually got our heads together as we moved towards Devil's Dyke and CP7. However, by this time, my feet were playing silly buggers with me...the old boots weren't supporting as they should have and I was relying heavily on my poles to get me along as well as up. In the mist, the lights of CP7 were clear to be seen up on the hill, but were deceptively far away as well. That leg took us over 3 1/2 hours, but we were so glad to see it when we arrived, with a welcoming warm pasta meal supplied by the Gurkhas.

I very rarely don't finish what I start (particularly in the food dept) but those 30 minutes that we rested were the worst of my life. I went through SO many emotions and just couldn't find the energy to eat everything on my plate. In fact, I was ready to drop at that stage and let the team go off on their own....what stopped me? Two things...firstly, pride. I'd done all the training and with all the support from everyone across the globe with sponsorship, I just knew I couldn't pull out. Secondly, CP8. I knew I just had to make it there after all the Facebook banter with the Oxfam volunteers.

And so, with very sore feet, I decided to at least make CP8. We set off and, despite being the shortest of the legs, it felt like a hell of a long way. Still, as it had done on my solo walk, the sun started to rise as we walked through the golf course and on towards Jack and Jill. We hadn't requested any music to arrive into the CP with, and I know the team wouldn't have chosen what was blasting out as we walked down the path...."I would walk 500 Miles, and I would walk 500 more" - Oh god no...I've just done 50!!!! However, David Morley and the team at CP8 were amazing! High Fives all the way in - they'd been doing it for the best part of 18 hours and were STILL looking alive and up for it! If you need any proof of this - check out this clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lw_pLQ_Cno&list=UUgzL9vfQA-w3xHmGOFO6hGQ

And so, 21 1/2 hours in, we were just 20 km away from the endpoint - Brighton racecourse. A mere 20km and most of that downhill too! We're going to make it...lots of tears and emotions came out at CP8 with doubts and fears all around, but we were ready to go. I was definitely on my last legs but thought I could make it. We left to more rousing encouragement from the volunteers and made our way up and over Ditchling Beacon to the downhill route to Lewes and CP9.

Now, having already walked this part alone, I knew exactly what was to come...and with my feet in the state that they were, it wasn't the best thing to have to do. Although it is downhill, the path from the top of the Downs into Lewes is narrow and pitted with flint...nothing flat at all and a HUGE challenge to everyone. It took 3 1/2 hours just to get to the bottom of the hill and Lewes...and I was struggling big time. With just over a km to the checkpoint (and another big hill to negotiate) it took another 45 mins but we were greeted by the support crew with beaming smiles knowing that this was the last time we would see them until the end.

At this point I was ready to change back into my proper walking shoes and some dry socks...but they were still soaked from overnight. I decided not to...and regretted it almost immediately. As we left the checkpoint, my feet started to feel as if they were floating. The guys stopped to use the facilities and, at that point, I made up my mind. 90km in with just 10km to go, I just wasn't going to make it in time. I just had to pull out and let the guys walk on (again, having walked the leg to Brighton I knew what I was in for and my feet just didn't feel that they would take me).

So with heavy heart and wet eyes, I said to the guys that I wasn't going to make it. So hugs given, we waved them off and I retired to registration to sign out and then the first aid tent just for a quick check up. No blisters, just some very weary toes and feet. I was hugely disappointed in myself and couldn't really express it, but post-walk everyone was SO supportive of my decision. On the walk back to the van, I managed to catch Laura and the guys from Boulders Bumblers, along with Catherine and the Downhill Walkers team. They were hugely supportive as well - so nice to meet such lovely people and to finally put faces to names!

As we were about to leave the van gave up the ghost! Too many phones charging we think! Quick thinking from Nige meant a portable battery and jump leads were commandeered and we were on our way...with a slightly fuller van than before!

And so we moved onto Brighton racecourse to await the guys and their completion of the 100km. With every speck on the horizon, we waited with baited breath for the guys to appear. And so it was, at just after 1230 on Sunday 28th July, 5 of the remaining Trekkers-r-Us team walked hand-in-hand towards the finish. We ALL had tears of joy in our eyes...showing both relief that they had made it, as well as HUGE pride in their achievement.

L to R: Clare, Hannah, Jam, Shaz & Kaila - having just walked 99950m...just 50 to go!

The remainder of Trekkers-r-Us receiving their finishers medals!

Personally, I would like to say a HUGE WELL DONE to each and every one of you that trained for, started or completed the walk. We all had our challenges along the way and, whether we finished or not, we did what we could and then some.

As a trainer, there always are learning points from our experiences, and these were mine...

1) Trailwalker is advertised as THE UK'S NO.1 TEAM CHALLENGE...you'd better believe it. You will need to be a team from way before the start to the finish. And you're not a team of 4...your support crew and your family will also be part of that. Be a team, start as a team, walk as a team and try to finish as a team. Although we didn't all complete the walk, we finished as a team.

2) DO NOT underestimate the weather. If it's looking like it's going to be wet, be prepared for it. Make sure you take all the precautions as well - plenty of socks, dry clothes to change into...and LOOK AFTER THOSE FEET!

3) Training walks really help. It doesn't matter if you walk on the SDW or not, just make sure you put in the distance and the hills. If you can walk on the Downs you know what to expect - which can be great but can also play on your mind! However, a training walk will be NOTHING like the real thing!

4) Make sure you eat at each checkpoint whether you're hungry or not. There will be plenty of food for you...if what we had leftover is anything to go by. Make sure it's little and often to keep you going.

5) The supporters and volunteers are there to support you - give them a high five as you pass.

6) Check out the video and give it a go yourself next year!

What's next? Well, I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be a year of challenges. I've already applied for the Virgin London Marathon, the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Triathlon and the Virgin RideLondon100 and I have said that I am willing to volunteer or support in next year's Trailwalker (and David Morley knows that CP8 is my preference!!!).

Will I be back? ABSOLUTELY - 2015 is the 200th anniversary of the Gurkha regiment - a celebration I cannot miss. So if anyone fancies a short walk from the park in July 2015...let me know!!!

Finally, thanks to EVERYONE for their donations and support leading up to the walk. We made our target the night before we started and then smashed through it during the walk. You're all stars!

Signing off for the time being......Al & Trekkers-r-Us

Climbing Snowdon - a walk in all seasons!

Following on from our earlier walk in the month on the SDW, we had decided that we needed to undertake an overnight walk too. No matter what time we start the real thing, part of the real walk in July will be at night, and we wanted to make sure we experienced this.

Plans were made and we decided to walk the legs from Amberley (closer to CP4) through to Hassocks (close to CP8). The journey would take us over 40km in length and up almost 1000m (the same height as Snowdon!)...and would mean walking throughout the night without any support crew - we needed to take clothes for all weather (def needed as you'll see) as well as food and water! No little boys selling ice lollies at 2am in the morning on this walk!

The team on the hill away from Amberley

The sunset over Amberley

As the sun set, we set off up the first of the many hills we were to encounter on our walk that night. A pretty tough one and we know that at CP4 we'll need to refuel and replenish before tackling it. As one of the many Trailwalkers that have experienced it said 'It's one that goes on giving!'.

Amberley Mount 'It keeps on giving'

We're on our way!

A beautiful Full Moon on the shortest night

We were blessed with fabulous weather and a great full moon as we hit the heights and trekked across the top of the downs. Now, our first encounter that evening other than fellow Trailwalkers was with a couple of cyclists who passed us going east. A swift 'hello and thanks' and they passed off into the distance - although they didn't have lights which struck us as odd. 10mins later and in the distance we saw flashes and thought there must be fellow walkers ahead.


However, as we approached there were a couple of other flashes, and then the individuals concerned disappeared into a car - all FOUR of them, and dressed in questionable clothing. We had 2 schools of thought - 1 innocent (the cyclists had been picked up and were on their way home) and 1 not-so (we'd stumbled and rumbled some dogging!). Needless to say, every car park, innocent person and light source from there on invoked lighthearted banter and theories!

Onwards to the first CP of the night...close to Windlesham House on the A24. A quick, but safe, crossing of the road and we decided to settle down for our first break of the evening. Some of the additional Trailwalkers decided to have a quicker break and wandered on as we checked in with loved ones via Facebook, Twitter & text and filled up on goodies ready for the next leg...and the next challenge up to Chanctonbury Rings.

And so stage 2 began, and what a tough old start...although the route taken was slightly different to the one we'll take in July (which is longer, but shallower). Passing Chanctonbury Rings we had a lovely long amble downhill towards CP6 near Botolphs. Or it would have been lovely had it not been SO dark (we'd lost the full moon by then) that I actually made a fatal error in map reading! Now it's strange how things change in the dark, but having written instructions as well as a map didn't help much!

So what went wrong? A miss of a junction of paths, and enjoying the walk/company, meant an extra 2.5 km plus a head-scratching 10 minutes in the middle of a field used by the Steyning Flying Club (at 1.30 in the morning!)...thankfully (and thanks to Clara) we managed to find the right path and headed onward towards CP6, where we had our second break and a sock change. We were 20km and just over 4 hours in (about 2am) and were half-way. However, by now, the wind had started to increase and the rain was threatening.

Off to tackle our stage 3 (stage 7 of the real walk) and yet another climb from a valley floor to the top of the Downs...no wonder we were climbing Snowdon! We climbed up Beeding Hill and were thankful for the steady downhill to relax afterwards...although this was short-lived as the track climbed steeply and then dropped sharply a couple of times. Now around 4am the wind was blowing hard and the rain started to fall (well, fall is a little bit of a lie...more like streak horizontally) so we sought a little shelter to change into wet weather gear and prepare ourselves for the final climb up to CP7.

Wandering up towards a pub in the middle of the downs at 430am in the morning is a strange experience. The lights were on but evidently nobody was home. Oh how we longed to wander into it's warmth, switch on the kettle and cook up some bacon sarnies! At this point, we again lost our way a little. Although this was a bit of a disappointment, in the end it turned out for the best. We trekked a little to the north of where we needed to be and wandered down from that 'Devil's Place' through a wood (which kept out most of the wind and rain) towards Poynings. If we'd have carried on with our plan to CP8 we'd have gone over West Hill and Cow Down...which wouldn't have been the most pleasant of experiences in the weather that was now upon us.

Entering Poynings

Devil's Dyke from below

Sheltering in Poynings

However hard the walk might have been, the flat walk along to Hassocks was still a little challenge. Particularly as it hadn't been planned so, at 6 in the morning we were now wandering around somewhere we didn't know very well!

Thankfully there weren't too many complicated moves and only one occasion called for help from an up-early local (which was a god-send as we'd hit the road into Hassocks without knowing it and were about to set off in the wrong direction!). One little experience though...as we wandered along the bridleway running next to the A23, something fell from a tree and landed next to my head on a branch. Lo and behold, a little chick had fallen from it's nest and was struggling to get off a leaf that it had embedded it's claw. So with a little manhandling, we managed to free it...and then all we had to do was to leave it on a branch...easier said than done...that little critter hung on for dear life and needed a lot of encouragement to let go!

And so it was that, at a little after 7 in the morning, the gang rolled into Hassocks tired, wet but elated that we'd walked through the night (and worked through the day too). 25 hours awake and very few wrong decisions/turns made - the feet and legs might have felt weary, but we were happy that we had negotiated the night section. OK, 40km down - that's almost half-way and, judging by the profiles, we'd tackled 3 of the 4 major inclines...yay!

So...this may be the last blog before the big day! We'll keep you up to date with anything else that is happening with us, but hope to see everyone on the 26th July fit and healthy! We hope you've enjoyed what's been written in our blogs and we'll be sure to write up our experiences on the day!

First time on the route - a (brief) account

June 1st saw the whole team meet up early in the QECP car park to tackle the South Downs Way to just past CP1 on the route...a walk of around 20km.

Having trained for the first few months around the hills and moors of the New Forest and eastern trails of the South Downs Way, today was our first opportunity to get together on the real route. A gorgeous start to the day heading off up the path from the car park with a few other hardy souls on foot and on bikes. A fairly gentle, but long, climb out of the Park led to a fairly steep climb down (one for later in reverse)!

Lumps and bumps led us on towards CP1 just before Harting Down and Beacon Hill - plenty of hardened cyclists were out trying their damndest to negotiate the flint and chalk of the uphills (we found out there was a cycling event on our return). We made it with no problems to CP1 and then onwards to the top of Harting for our half-way picnic and rest.

The view was absolutely beautiful from the top and we had lovely sunshine on which to feast (as well as our pork pies, peanut butter sarnies, pizza and bananas!). We were also entertained by the remote controlled gliders being flown from the ridge (I use the term entertained loosely I hasten to add!!).

We had to leave to return to QECP after about 20 mins as we had afternoon appointments to make. So with a full belly and the sun on our backs, we headed back downhill towards CP1 and home.

We can't leave this blog without the mention of our encounter with a serial entrepreneur. Readers of other Trailwalker blogs and any trekkers of the SDW out there will know of him. An Alan Sugar in the making? I am sure of that. Half-way between CP1 and the start, you'll find a little shack across from a house at a cross-road in the paths. Every weekend day from about 11am, you'll find a young lad selling ice lollies from the pack at a very reasonable price! I can only imagine come Trailwalker day, he (and his supplier parents) will be praying for a beautiful day and hundreds of participants looking for a sneaky early treat. He's saving up for Star Wars lego pieces we believe, so why not stop and help this young lad realise his dream!?

Back to QECP in good time...a relaxed 20km in 4 hours...and an enjoyable first experience. The next blog will be our second outing on the SDW - and our first overnight experience!

Quarter Distance & the Great British Summer

There's been a lot of talk lately on Trailwalker forums on Twitter and Facebook about feet taping, surgical spirit, compeed, stride oil and poles. Up until now there's been sore feet and a few blisters on the team but nothing that's stopped us from walking (touch wood!). Just recently I managed to acquire a set of poles and was planning to use them on the walk planned for Saturday 27th, but in the end, they remain unused!

We met up at the car park for the Royal Armouries Museum opposite Fort Nelson on Portsdown hill, overlooking Portsmouth & the Isle of Wight. The photo doesn't do it justice as it was actually a lovely day with a bit of a chilly wind at times.

The team were slightly depleted this weekend due to birthdays and foreign trips, but the rest of us met in the deserted car park and set off just after 9am. The route had been pre-planned and, we hoped, avoided any of the nightmares we had in February with flooded paths and mud!

The route took us around Fort Nelson (which although local, none of us had ever visited) and then across an empty field (thankfully there was a well-trodden path through the middle), down towards Boarhunt (pronounced Borunt).

We came across one other fellow walker (of only 4 out on the route), before turning west and heading downhill towards the Wallington River. At this point, I'd wish I had a camera recording everything we encounter (plus a memory to recall things), but as we passed a farm heading to the river, we had to bypass a couple of guys by walking on their field...'Gerrof my wheat' one old guy said, to which we wanted to respond, 'Well, don't bloody block the path by mixing cement on it!'. Thought better of it, farmers & guns!

We hoped that we'd avoid any puddles, mud etc, but were left struggling at one point where the path (and stile) were located in the middle of a huge puddle. No way around...all we needed to do was hop over the barbed wire fence. Easy when you've the leg length of Phil, or the elfish body of Clara, but you can imagine the comedic sight of me straddling the wire with the crown jewels threatened! Thankfully we came through virtually unscathed, poor Shaz managed to catch her knee on a barb.

Chance for a group shot just after that episode crossing a bridge over the Wallington.

So 6km in just over the hour was good going - we're aiming for a 27 hour finish overall in Trailwalker, so to actually be ahead of the plan means we're on track.

Pretty uneventful next few kms to be honest as the path wound through fields, past farms and skirting forests...until we emerged from a wood to find ourselves in a field of hay attached to a farm, but with no path in sight. Despite a 5 minute wander through the farm (and manure covered paths) we only came upon locked gates! So, eventually we grabbed the bull by the horns (not literally) and made our own path out of the farm. We all then questioned...who 'polices' when farmers block these paths?

Onwards and downwards, we decided on a slight detour from the original plan, which would have taken us along a fairly busy road. So after 10.5km we headed back west again through copses and forests to our rest stop, which was supposed to be halfway, but in the end we walked a little further to the picnic stop at Bere Forest West Walk - 14.5 km in 2h 35 mins, just under 6km/h average!

After a good 20 minute stop, which consisted mainly of cups of tea/coffee from the little store, peanut butter sarnies and a bit of sock/boot re-arrangements, we headed off through the forest on the Pilgrim's Way down towards the West Meon Trail. Having spent 20 mins around lots of people at the rest stop, it was great to get off the beaten track and into the real forest.

The West Meon Trail is a cycle & walking trail that follows the old railway line from Alton to Fareham, and runs from West Meon down to Wickham. A lovely walk (being flat of course and following a nice cuppa!)...and we were still walking at 6km/h after 4 hours - definitely the rest stops are a help, so thank god for the checkpoints along the way!

Now, I guess we're all ones for checking the weather before (and on) our training walks! We're no different and had been expecting rain at 1pm...but it had held off! HAD...being the operative word. As we made our way south and east back towards Fort Nelson, ominous clouds behind us threatened. Did we get wet? Well, actually not really! Why? Well, it DID throw a bit of hail at us for about 5 minutes, but that was it! Always better to have hard rain than wet rain! When the sun was out, it was actually rather warm (and it looks like we all got some good colour on our faces!).

As we headed further south, we came across the biggest group of walkers in our path. They'd obviously had a good day and were ready for bed!

We ambled behind them for about 5 minutes when we were able to sneak past and head back east towards Fort Nelson. We chose to follow the road back up the hill and retraced our steps around the Fort, arriving at the cafe (always a good finishing point) for a cuppa and a slice of cake! A great walk and it looks as though we're on track with our training...26.4km in 4h 41m at an average speed of 5.6 km/h. OK, there will be more hills on the South Downs Way, we'll throw a bit of hill training in soon!

Nope - we're not in Trafalgar Square! Who knew there were two of them?

Thanks to all of our sponsors so far in helping get us to £1250 (still a little way to go though until we hit £3000) and to all those that have provided us with raffle prizes for our planned Charity Quiz (date to be confirmed). If you sponsor us, either visit our justgiving site or text TRUS99 to 70070 to donate £5 to the charities (Oxfam & the Gurkha Welfare Trust).

Keep Trailwalking all!

Let's Get Ready To Ramble - Good Friday 2013

I was thinking that I might be the lucky charm for our treks having had a lovely day for No. 2...then again, I was due out on the failed adventure a few weeks back (see below!). Thankfully, our 4th training walk promised far better weather this time for the New Forest on Good Friday.

Sadly being Good Friday we were a little down on numbers this time round, but nevertheless, 4 of the extended team (we've got 2 teams entered for July) plus one of our support team turned up on a cold, but clear, Friday morning at Bolton's Bench car park near Lyndhurst.

Kai, Dan, Shaz & Jam - Getting Ready to Ramble!

The route had only been planned a few days beforehand (I had the luxury of a few days off to do this...NOT that it took me a few days!)...and having led the last one across bogs and flooded valleys, I decided we should stick as much as we could to some of the great paths across the New Forest for both walkers and cyclists (the benefit of being a MAMIL as well!!!).

Here's the route we took...

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=206968503313066408789.0004d9111880aa4c62952

And so it was, at 9am the 5 of us left the car park and wandered through Lyndhurst south towards our Forest track and the start of the our circle route. Very uneventful start and a nice easy wander across paths that we actually walked along rather than sank into! Through the first gate and our first encounter with the public that day...it was early on a Bank Holiday. Say our 'Hellos' as we pass - looks like it's going to be a great day. Not 2 minutes has passed and the couple come bounding up behind us and fly by in the direction they had come saying they were looking for a black glove! Well, it must have been a very important black glove...but no, 5 minutes later, and with sheer relief on their faces, they waved the said glove (nothing remarkable at all - but no doubt missed on a cold morning).

Hooray - Solid paths!

Very few people were encountered in our first hour of walking, with the exception of what must have been twin runners...it seemed that the guy running past us appeared not 20 minutes later as we walked on...I mean, who'd be out at that time of the morning? As we progressed, we found ANOTHER black glove pointing the way (or was it trying to point us elsewhere!?). Our minds turned to scaring ourselves...creating storylines for movies that we could create, based in the forest and resembling The Village! The stories became a little more inventive as we walked on...walking trees, evil spirits, haunted gloves...I'm thinking we're onto something....working title of Lord of the Gloves!? 

A minor diversion from the planned route due to a boggy path meant a little more distance than planned but nevertheless, we enjoyed wandering the paths and encountering the odd dog walker or two. Oh, and if you refer back to Walk No. 2 you'll remember the little Jack Russell that greeted us on the way to Old Winchester Hill and that scared the bejesus out of Kaila. Well, it looks as though she has attractive ankles!!! Once again, as we emerged from the forest towards Brockenhurst, once again her ankles were nipped! Just over 9 miles and 2 hours down, we'd made it into Brockenhurst where I had promised the gang a great place for a cuppa and a well deserved bacon sarnie...we weren't disappointed either. The Buttery, at the head of the High Street, is a great little cafe with some great offerings....I had been before with a group who were on a Treasure Hunt round the Forest and thought it would do us all good to put our feet up, our bums down and quench thirst and hunger.

The Buttery, Brockenhurst - they DON'T DO ROLLS!

And so the entertainment started! Walking in (we weren't that bedraggled) we were greeted by a rather interesting gentleman serving behind the counter. Jam was first to order and it went downhill from there. 'Do you do bacon roll?'...menu thrust in his direction...'Baguettes and sandwiches'...'So no rolls?'...'No rolls'....'Do you do takeaway drinks?'...Huff 'How many?' and grabs a couple of takeaway cups. The baguettes were good (although Dan didn't rate the sausages), the tea was hot, but more importantly the rest was welcome!

So, nicely fed, watered and rested, we set off through Brockenhurst to catch the track up through the Forest again to Lyndhurst.

More good paths - a little boggy to the sides!

Our path through the moorland was again nice and solid (a few puddles at the start, but easily negotiated)...and a few more people about as it moved towards midday. And guess what...the New Forest Easter Glove Hunt continued as we found our 3rd of the day hung on a bush!

Yet another abandoned glove!

And so we trekked further north through the forest with just a few more Hi's and Hello's to fellow walkers and cyclists, before meandering into Lyndhurst again. Overall, 14.4 miles in just under 4 hours...a little ahead of our planned timings, so looks like we can ease back!

Next time out will be the morning of 7th April when we are looking forward to meeting some of our fellow Trailwalkers at the QE Country Park. Oxfam are laying on an introduction event and we'll hopefully put faces to names and wander across a couple of the Checkpoints of the actual walk together.

We'll blog again after next weekend's event and, in the meantime, if we could encourage you to help us raise money for Oxfam by texting TRUS99 to 70700 (to donate £5) or go online to www.justgiving.com/Trekkers-R-Us.

Keep Trekking!

Trailwalker Practice 3 (that wasn't!) - March 2013

   

The plan was to get out and up our distance to 25 miles this weekend, despite being a couple of our team missing. I say the plan, that was up until 0730 this very morning!

Up at 0630 myself to get everything ready for the trip to the New Forest...it would have to be the train today as those local to me couldn't make it. All ready for the leave until I discovered water pouring out of my new camelbak that I bought specifically for Trailwalker. OK, I'm a guy...I don't read instructions really and thought I knew everything about it! Typical schoolboy errors of a) not tightening the screw and b) laying the pack down! So, panic time spent mopping water from the kitchen and rescuing all the food in the pack! Eventually, having sorted all of that and ensuring the second bag (with a change of clothes and towel) was picked up, I started my mile long hike to the station.

 

Uneventful walk/stride/march although I did say to myself "Do NOT look at your phone to check the time!"...I was very disciplined, but might have been better doing so. As I arrived at the top of the station road, there was the train pulling in. I thought "Run or not" and decided I didn't want to be one of those runners and missers of a train - making myself look foolish in the process! As I got into the station, the guard on the train shouted to me to come to his door as he had held the train for me! Bless him - what a star! I sat down for the 5 minutes it takes to get to Eastleigh (where I was to change) and gathered myself for the next leg!

Off at Eastleigh and another schoolboy error - check everything before you go! If I HAD checked my phone I would have been a little more clued up. Sent Phil a text to say all on track and I then bought my ticket for the journey from the ticket office (as a good boy that I am!).

There was the reply from Phil saying everyone else had dropped out! Ah, decisions...just spent money on the ticket, but the weather had been closing in and, currently, the rain was coming in horizontal and the wind whipping up. Gave Phil a quick call, had a chat and decided to follow the rest in postponing today...ultimately a VERY good idea.

I'm sat here now watching the rugby and sipping on a cuppa (beer for the game later) having walked back from Hedge End station and getting incredibly soaked. The rain (and sleet even) cut through me and soaked me to the skin - that was just one mile...what would 24 others have done to me?

OK, I now feel guilty as I have friends competing in the Reading or Kerry Half Marathons, some of you are walking the South Downs Way AND it's even turned sunny outside. I could get out and do a little walk, but the good news is I am off just before Easter for a few days, so I will just have to make up for it then. I might even test out the next planned walk....have a look at it here.

So...any learning to share from this experience? Well, if you're walking with pals, make sure you give them your mobile number, make sure you look at your mobile before setting off and always read the instructions!!!!

Trailwalker Practice 3 (Part II) will be live once we've completed! In the meantime, once again, could we encourage you to donate to our cause on Trekkers-R-Us JustGiving Site.

Keep Trekking everyone!!! :)

Training Walk 2 - 16th Feb 2013

Trailwalker Practice 2 - Saturday 16th February

A Saturday this time round for our second walk and a new route for us all to follow - February route

An early start meant (well, was supposed to mean) that we would be finished by just after lunchtime...and so it was our two teams ended up outside the Shoe Inn in Exton around 9am on a cold, but thankfully dry Saturday morning in February.

On the South Downs Way - half-way up Beacon Hill

Our route was to take us along the Western path of the South Downs Way and the first steps off of the road in the village was the indicator of what was to come...a short slope covered in mud! A trek up Beacon Hill ensued, but thankfully a hill means little boggy ground! 

View from the top of Beacon Hill

The view from the top was great and reminded us why we're doing this!






Walking along the ridgeway we made good time thanks to good farm tracks before we headed off from the South Downs Way onto the Wayfarers Way north towards Kilmeston and Hinton Ampner. Dropping down into the valley meant a return to the muddy footpath and, on reaching Kilmeston, the boggy field filled with horned cows! Onwards and along the path towards Hinton Ampner House was again boggy and considerably muddy, our first break was to be at the house for a deserved rest, relief and food! We were a little behind time but keen to make up the time again on the ridge.

On reflection, I definitely needed more liquid...on reading the literature now a few days after, it states that around 400-600ml per hour...I had that for the full walk! Note to self...trawl ebay for a good camelbak!

However, rested we pushed eastwards out of Hinton and along more sodden tracks and bridleways...oh for a horse! We changed the route slightly to get onto the road a little earlier and help our tired feet on the way to West Meon. Another boggy forest track led to  another road, but not before we had the surprise of our life. Whilst walking past a little farmhouse, we were spooked by something flying at us through the hedge! Lo and behold, there was a tiny puppy who had found his way through a hole...eager to greet us, he made his way sniffing muddy trousers and boots, before disappearing back through the hole again! Hearts were pounding a little quicker for a few minutes!

On down the hill into West Meon and, after a brief stop at the Post Office so I could stock up on a quick flavoured drink and some flapjacks (yummy by the way) then we broke  a little further down the road in the bus stop. Boots off for some, a nice seat to rest weary bones and plenty of snacks consumed (bananas and peanut butter sandwiches for me) and a time to reflect where we were in the walk (about 3 1/2 hours in...a little further behind than planned!).

After a good rest, we headed off towards East Meon before turning south up towards Meon Springs Fishery, situated on the South Downs Way below Old Winchester Hill. A long slog up hill eventually gave us a view over the valley down to the Fishery and to our next goal, the radio mast on top of the Downs. A steady wander down the road and across a farm road brought us back to the South Downs Way and the uphill challenge. And what a challenge it was...thankfully mainly chalk meant it wasn't boggy at all, but still it was hard on the legs...more fool the cyclists going the other way...at least they had gravity on their side though! More bog at the top but we'd made it and were back on top of the Downs!

We'd been walking for about 5 1/2 hours now and fatigue still hadn't set in (although there was a lack of water and certainly my feet were very sore!). Still, onwards and upwards to the Nature Reserve at Old Winchester Hill meant we only had downhill to Exton left. After a brisk 30 minutes we made it to the top and then wandered round the old hill fort and started our descent (and what a descent it was!). Finally we had made it to level ground and we knew (or thought we did) that we were on the easiest leg! With a little over 5km to go, we encountered some walkers coming the other way saying that the lower path was flooded and we might need to take a detour! Flooded...that's nothing to what we had been through in the last 6 hours! 

Kaila hitting the deck with her bum!

Oh how wrong were we! Having descended to the valley floor, we spent a good half hour wading, slipping and sliding (and at one stage falling on backsides) across around 100m of path. The best thing about making it through was the boot wash in the stream at the end (not that it mattered!!!).

Again, thinking that was the last of it, we wandered on with a little over 2km to go...to be thrown a final problem. The river had flooded the path and there was no way round...except for escaping across country and dicing with a small river crossing on logs (sounds more dramatic than it was). A great effort from all concerned (particularly in Barbed Wire holding) meant we finally reached the A32 and the road into Exton!

Back to the cars and a final celebration of the 7 1/2 hours walking together (and a great pic of the boots caked in mud!). A quick pint at the pub before the journey home allowed us to reflect on the day (long & tiring but rewarding nonetheless). 34km in 7 1/2 hours meant we averaged just under 5km an hour...translated to the full Trailwalker 100km means a time of about 24 hours...right on track!

Well done to all of us and looking forward to stepping up the extra 5 miles again...although let's hope for less boggy tracks!

To make the pain a little easier for us, we'd be grateful if you would sponsor us at the following website...http://www.justgiving.com/Trekkers-R-Us