Claire B is in real panic mode, firstly worrying about her hydration bladder which she has lost. Now not being au fait with the world of walking gadgetry, I can only assume that this is effectively some kind of water vessel - (a quick google has confirmed this). Then we had a moment where she thought that the WHW required climbing Ben Nevis!
Last year Claire complete the three peaks challenge ("the worst 24 hours of my life") so the thought of climbing Ben Nevis was not high on the list of must do activities after that for Claire.
Just to set the record straight for Claire, no, the West Highland Way does not involve climbing Ben Nevis and bottles of water would work perfectly fine, as they can be carried in your hand,
Lists of items to take have also been a talking point,
Hats
Gloves
Crash hats to protect against the cricket ball sized hail stones
Anti "Midgee" solutions
Ear Defenders
"A snake skin knotted at one end" questions to Neil Bancroft as I have no idea!
6 new pairs of socks
Flip Flops for the evening to totally relax your feet which need air, air and more air after 20 miles- according to Neil, although Clare C is worried about her feet "Splaying" too much so is opting for running trainers to relax in.
Finally not only is Clare C going to treat the others to her singing, she is also taking a whistle to really annoy them with! So sad I will miss that!
My training for my solo efforts in the south west have been progressing, last weekend I did a 13 mile walk, to the pub! I walked from Kingsteignton to the Cromwell Arms in Bovey Tracey sadly without the dogs, as it was hot and mainly on roads and as they like to zigzag from one side to the other, it seemed a little dangerous to take them along.
Walking alone and without beagles is a little dull, but I managed to do the 6.5 miles there in around 1 hour 40 mins. My arrival was met by a couple of friends and a lovely cool pint of Thatchers Cider, which went down a treat.
The return journey was a little more fraught as I probably should not have drunk a whole pint. No facilities on the way apart from bushes and I just couldn't bring myself to do that, the relief when I reached the facilities at the bottom of the village!
Will have to invest in one of the gadgets on the market to assist in that task, as I don't want to experience that again,
Overall last Saturday I walked around 18 miles in all, and Sunday apart from being a little stiff first thing, I was fine, so am confident I can get through my five days unscathed especially as I will be able to recuperate in the hot tub in my garden!
This weekend was not so fruitful, I was planning with beagles to walk around 5 miles in Salcombe a circular walk suggested by my trusty South West Coast path book, however as usual parking was a nightmare in Salcombe and I ended up not doing the circular walk I had planned and parked by the North Sands, which I thought was the South Sands and the bridle path that I started to go up was not the path I thought I was on according to the book!
Anyway, at least it was not too hot, although the trek was pretty steep.
When we finally reached daylight, I could just about see the beach!
We eventually turned back due to only having paid two hours of parking time and hit the beautiful beach where the tide was out the beagles had a good scout around and a paddle in the rock pools,
We are all looking forward to the challenge but now just want to be getting on with it!
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