It was cool and cloudy, but dry when I set off and there were small pockets of mist sitting in each valley I crossed - it really did look like a scene from Tolkien's middle earth. And that pretty much accounted for the morning - breathtaking walking.
I arrived at the Offa's Dyke Centre in Knighton at about 11am and immediately bumped into Simon and Richard who had got a taxi from Newcastle on Clun. Bearing in mind that, as we left Prestatyn with a spring on our step, Richard only got 100 yards before saying, 'I think I've left my IPhone back there', I approached the counter to be asked, 'Any idea who's left this IPhone ?' I nodded, 'Yes' I said pointing at Richard who was approaching the counter with a worried expression. 'I think I've left my bloody hat in the taxi' he blurted, and then proceeded to snatch the IPhone from the woman and then push past her, behind the counter, where he'd left his kit. Her expression was priceless and didn't improve when Richard marched out of the storeroom wearing his hat and telling her not to worry!
So I left them to it and marched on to Kington. I stopped to eat my lunch near a village called Dolley Green and as I climbed up out of the village I pulled my left thigh muscle. I was devastated. Failure just isn't an option, so I spent the next 5 hours and 12 miles limping tentatively in an attempt to minimise the damage - this in turn has caused my feet to blister and the tops of my feet to bruise through abnormal impact- so by the time I reached Kington at 5pm I was thoroughly fed up and hobbling.
All is not lost though. I've patched the blisters, the pulled thigh feels better after an afternoon of limping and a hot shower and the bruised feet just ache. The good news is that tomorrow's stretch along Hergest Ridge is challenging but only 14 miles long, so my plan is to get up early and knock the thing off by lunchtime which will then essentially give me the afternoon off to recuperate.
On the upside, I've now completed 110 miles, with only 70 left to go. Tomorrow's forecast is for torrential rain again, but at least the wind has dropped!
Simon and Richard have already enquired into the bus service for tomorrow and it looks like they need to travel via Hereford. Anyway, that's it from me for tonight, I've cheered up now that I've had liver and bacon with mash followed by bread and butter pudding - you beauty!
Thanks again for all your supportive comments - they make the world of difference. I'll be back again tomorrow after the Hergest Ridge stomp!
Russ.
Location:Kingston
Homeward stretch..you can do it!!!!
ReplyDeleteNice massage of the boys tomorrow afternoon and you'll be sorted :)
Love Ali x
A tough day, but that has to make it even more rewarding that you have tackled it. Superhuman efforts from you all and fantastic team work! I hope Richard apologised to the lady lol! ;-) Keep the great work going gents.
ReplyDeleteHey you - thinking about you all the time. Here's hoping tomorrow goes well, take it steady. You're on the homeward stretch now, keep thinking of your own lovely bed - 'there's nothing like it.'
ReplyDeleteLynda turned up tonight with a bunch of tomato plants which she's sold for donations to the 'threemenonawalk fund', she raised £22.70.
Only one problem, Chris is listening to comments from his other customers and is considering barring her for selling 'stuff' in his pub!! :-)
Take care, love you loads.
Dawn xxx
Certainly an adventure from all perspectives.
ReplyDeleteAt least the weather was kinder to you today given the injury incurred. Hopefully a good nights rest will sort it out.
Every mile done now makes you a mile nearer to the finish rather than a mile further into the walk.
Simon and Richard should be able to erect tents within 5 minutes by now and must be more than familiar with the bus routes for Wales - or lack of them:)
Keep your spirits up and don't stay too long in the Oxfordshire Arms - Simon:)
Really sorry you've not had such a good day but fantastic that you managed to keep going. 'When the going gets tough the tough get going!' Bet you felt much better after your Liver & Bacon though - yum!
ReplyDeleteI have just got back with my tomato plants. We did get some funny looks from everyone in the pub I think they thought we were growing illegal substances!! But hey its for a good cause.
Hope the weather is better that forecast for tomorrow. Keep your chin up you're doing brilliantly.
Kate xx
Sorry to hear about your injury. Hopefully a good night's sleep will help with that and your blisters. Get yout compede plasters on them and that should help too :-) Here's hoping for fair weather and a good wind behind you tomorrow to blow you to your destination for a well earned rest!
ReplyDelete