Category: Uncategorized

Old sarum, magical ruins

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29 July 2015

We left Salisbury Catherdral with a plan but, as we walked through the town, I began to wonder if we’d done things the wrong way round. Order is everything and it seemed that we were putting the first last and had seen the last first. We passed the fourteenth century Poultry Cross, marking the site of the old markets and it seemed we were walking back in time. In a way we were because we were heading north, back to the beginnings of Salisbury, Old Sarum. Continue reading Old sarum, magical ruins

a Beaulieuful stroll – first published 7 April 2013

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Sometimes, I set off on a walk with a clear objective in mind, other times I just wander and see where the trails take me. One Sunday in early April 2013, I started out on the former and ended up on the latter. It may not have ended where I’d wanted, and more than two years on, I’ve still not managed to get there, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t interesting. Continue reading a Beaulieuful stroll – first published 7 April 2013

Aches and pains – first published 30 March 2013

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After my twenty two mile extravaganza on Good Friday 2013 I was worried about my right knee. It became really painful towards the end of the walk and, with so little time left until Moonwalk night, I was terrified it was going to turn into something bad that would scupper the whole thing. Another worry was the fund raising, or lack of it. The whole point of the Moonwalk is to raise money for breast Cancer research and, so far, I was doing far better at walking than collecting money.  Continue reading Aches and pains – first published 30 March 2013

Woods and rain

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7 July 2015

It was a disappointingly miserable morning, following a frustrating day where I’d spent precious hours sorting out an appointment that had been cancelled at the last minute instead of enjoying the sunshine. Originally I’d planned a walk along the river but the weather changed my mind. If I’ve learned anything in my years of walking it’s that the river is not the best place to be when the heavens open. Continue reading Woods and rain

grasses, guns and good news

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30 June 2015

Once I’d left the jetty behind it was back to the meandering trail Which led me through the dappled shade at the edge of Hamble Common to a sign that warned of erosion ahead. At first I was in two minds whether to risk the crumbling path but the bank seemed low, at least at first, and the alternative of walking on the shingle wasn’t very appealing. Ahead I could see the masts of boats and what I thought was Hamble Point. It didn’t look too far so I chose danger over slog. Continue reading grasses, guns and good news

A cygnet hunt and an accident

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25 May 2015

Once we’d been food shopping and had some lunch I thought I’d go for a little Bank Holiday walk along the river. Apparently the first cygnets have been spotted at Lakside and, although I didn’t have time to go that far, I wondered if there were any at my end of the river. Commando was busy in the garden cleaning things so I left him to it, although I’d half hoped he’d come along and maybe we could stop off for a coffee in the White Swan. Continue reading A cygnet hunt and an accident

Contrast, two sides to every story

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20 to 23 May 2015

After such a busy weekend it was almost a relief to go to work for a bit of a rest. Almost… Let’s face it I’d have rather spent a little more time getting acquainted with my new mattress maybe followed up by a gentle stroll somewhere interesting. In the end I had to content myself with a rather less leisurely walk to work on Wednesday morning. At least it wasn’t raining. In fact the sun was out although it still felt as if frost was just around the corner and I hurried along to keep warm. Continue reading Contrast, two sides to every story

Walking when you don’t really want to walk – first published 27 January 2013

Chalk Hill
Chalk Hill

The long walks of the Moonwalk training weren’t always easy. In fact there were times when I really didn’t feel like walking at all. Mostly though I overcame this obstacle and got out pounding the pavements despite the inner voice saying stay at home. Sometimes it took a supreme effort of will to get out and keep going. Training for a marathon, even if it’s a walking marathon, is a tough lonely business. The last walk of January 2013 was one of those times.

Continue reading Walking when you don’t really want to walk – first published 27 January 2013

Locks, bridges and water meadows

Mansbridge
Mansbridge

21 April 2015

Last week, walking to Lakeside, I was thinking about the Itchen Navigation. The urge to change my plans and go there instead was very strong, but I didn’t. If I had I wouldn’t have seen the swan’s nest so I’m glad I went with my original plan but this week the Navigation was top of my list. It was early when I left and chilly, despite the sun, so I wore my thin parka.  There were snacks and water in my rucksack. How far I’d go was anyone’s guess, weather, time and breached banks would tell. Continue reading Locks, bridges and water meadows

a wild swan chase?

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14 April 2015

After the very short walk on Sunday and a day spent desperatly trying to tame my jungle of a garden, I thought it was about time I clocked up a few miles for my April  total. As it happened, I knew just where to go without too much thought at all. A little bird told me the swans had begun nesting and I knew just the place to see if there was anything to see. It would also mean a ten mile round trip to add nicely to my mileage. Continue reading a wild swan chase?