North Downs episode 4

So a huge gang was out today for a very sunny new year walk around Box Hill today. We did 2 quick laps of the long walk and poor Dan was fighting a losing battle to convince us all to do another one as the cold and the dark drew in around 3.30.

great pic, mostly of my shadow. hoping Jess/Emma/Will's photos might be better...?

Best of luck to Chris, who is taking on Kilimanjaro in just a few weeks, and also all power to the boys' who are embarking on a 30 mile training hike next weekend in prep for their silly Derbyshire sore-knee-athon in March.

Speaking of Derbyshire - I can't wait to come up to walk with Anne and Ben this coming weekend - Rosie and I are going to see how its done ooop north!

I am also hoping my newly sore toes will go away magically... not a great sign for a two week walking challenge if it hurts when walking. What a fun new development.

Chloe

The day after the walk before

seriously this time. ouch.

Dan, Daz, Chris, Josh, Will and I kicked the Epsom Downs' ass yesterday. 20 miles of good size hills and some fantastic giant chalky mud puddles which tried to punish Dan for being chivalrous as he helped me across them...

Will complained at Daz's route which was gratutitously creating hills for the fun of it: going all the way down just to go all the way up again and pop out on the same trail just yards away from where we started.

Those fellas are really strong and fit, but we all eventually made it in amazing time - 6.25 hours later and enjoyed a well-deserved pint in the pub next to the racetrack.

Today, however, I am made out of stiff. Not in a good way.

This was us, half way - at Boxhill, taking our only 10 minute break all day.

Well done and thanks fellas, for route-marching me all that way - great training walk! Good luck to Chris, who is climbing Kilimanjaro in January; and good luck to Josh, Dan and Daz who are training for a crazy-ass difficult mud yomp - the Four Inns Walk (I think) in March http://www.fourinnswalk.org/

north downs way part 2

The North Downs Way is a huge ridge of hills which disrupts the south of England like a sleeping dragon from Farnham to Dover. It's also really close to London, and include some tall hills and some pubs - making it perfect for weekend training hikes.

Having already conquered part of the north downs way around Box Hill, I cleverly arranged for Will to cleverly arrange a day-long hike from Guildford to Dorking yesterday. Intrepid and fearless Jess, wonderful Harry (who was supposed to be in London for Vicki's birthday, but she had buggered off to the Brecon Beacons without us), and of course endlessly cheery yomp organiser Will and I set off at 9.30am. We set a good strong marching pace and didn't stop (except for that nice relaxed pub lunch, including some walk-incompatible pies and ale) until we limped quietly into Dorking at 4pm and made a beeline for the pub nearest the station.

We must have smashed 17 miles...? I am afraid to check in case it it less than we thought, as Dan (of cow fame, see post from ) has arranged a proper route-march for next Saturday across yet another part of the North Downs - longer and earlier and faster than yesterday. I am a little scared, but can't admit it to the other (except in this blog), but today has set a brilliant standard.

Thank you Will, Jess and Harry - you are fantastic walking company!!

Chloe