wearing my waterproof hat - highly visible - and carrying my lightweight poles
We walked 17 miles and I carried 11.5 kg.
The weather consisted of driving wind, sporadic heavy rain showers and a variety of muddy surfaces. We were both suprisingly tired by the end of the journey and put this down to a number of possible reasons:
1) Walking too fast without enough breaks. Our average walking speed was 3.5 mph and we had 2 proper 5 minute breaks where we took our packs off and sat down
2) The ground was really muddy and slippery, so despite using poles throughout the walk, we slipped a bit and had to over-compensate for this using all the muscles in our legs throughout the walk
3) I didn't drink enough water (only half a liter a day), although I didn't feel thirsty at any point.
Anyway the training continues and we are having a good time, even though I am pretty exhausted right now.
I have been telling the pupils at school about my intended adventure and how I hope to raise some money for the school, to buy some playgound furniture and possibly a tree in memory of Julie Christopher.
Most of the children think I am mad to attempt such a strange task (but they thought that already because I don't have a television). Many of them are afraid I will meet bears, wolves, paedophiles and perverts in the NW Highlands of Scotland. Well O.K. that is just lack of life experience.
A refreshing number of children would rather like to come with me, or would set of camping themselves if they knew how, and that really restores my faith in humanity, which has been taking a battering at work recently.
I have always liked this line from Tolkein, which has been taken and loved by many walkers. I claim it too.
No comments:
Post a Comment