week four - feet

people have recommended that I get used to spending all day on my feet in preparation for the trek.

Well today was killer - not enough sleep from getting in late after a lovely dinner at my bro Tom's, out to my volunteering work at 7.30 till 12.30, then a nice long walk in Richmond.

Richmond is great, though - you can march up and down the beautiful terrace gardens, terrace field and Petersham Common which are all next to each other in front of the Star and Garter Home; 5 mins walk from Richmond station but for a minute you could be in the countryside.

The terrace gardens make you feel like you are gracefully wafting around in a Jane Austin novel. Even in hiking boots and a backpack. Glam.

and they are all really really steeeep!

Chloe

week four - threats

I have been thoroughly told off for dragging Dan's good name through the mud (or cow-pat perhaps). And to show his bravery, he suggested a 6 hour Box Hill excursion.

It sounds to me like a threat of punishment, rather than a kind offer to help me train... I need to get over this - the North Downs really can't be said to have anything on the Himalayas

MAN UP DICKINSON!

Chloe

week four - marching marching!

I was taken up Box Hill (which sounds like a euphamism, but isn't) by colleague Dan on Monday after work. Happily he had pals Ben and Laura (recent Kili explorer) to keep him entertained as I wheezed and pulled myself up the steep steep steps and slippery slopes across the North Downs.

Set at their long-leggy pace, we zoomed at breakneck speed up and down for a good two and a half hours - Dan chuckling mirthfully as the sun went down and it quickly became pitch black and not a little bit scary.

Suddenly, looming out of the black night, a sleepy cow came into focus and slowly stood up, snorting, to face our wild torch-beams. Dan froze. "it can sense my fear" he said as he stiffly backed away and we reassessed our options.

What a shame, we had to cut back and take a less steep route back to the car park, and I missed out on the potential asthma attack of my life. Oh well.

It all seemed rather marvellous after a quick half in the pub before training it home and amost immediately falling asleep - the cow still in my thoughts - no doubt plaguing Dan's nightmares.

Chloe