I wasn’t sure whether to use this walk as one of my 50 and I hesitated from writing up walks I’ve done since until I could be sure I would meet my target of 50 by the end of February.
In retrospect I decided to give it a little attention and I had already set a precedent of an extra half a walk in my first block.
My hesitation was over distance – only 5.5 km and the fact that it was a very familiar route. Some of the circumstances around it however do warrant its inclusion. On the 18th there was quite a fierce storm which had a detrimental affect on many trees and sadly, across the UK on several lives. A day indoors but also one of slight anxiety knowing my younger son was flying to Seville.
The day passed and I was due to walk at Symonds Yat on the Saturday. This was cancelled due to flooding and debris and still some quite strong winds. By Sunday having followed Alex’s marathon progress on the race app I was feeling more than ever the need to go out for a walk so set off on my familiar route down the lane.
Many sticks across the path and although still feeling very saddened by the lack of the horse chestnut trees, did inwardly feel quite glad that they hadn’t been further decimated by wind or caused any accidents.
It was very blowy but not too bad, only a few people out and all with dogs as if a walk was a necessity rather than a pleasure. Most looking not very happy walking towards me.
Undeterred I continued through Lockinge and along to the church, admiring the bank of snowdrops which were still holding on. All the way round there had been puddles and bits of branch etc in the road and on the path . So my usual route on the path above the artificial fishing lake and through the gate onto the field behind Barton house.
The going was quite hard, rather blustery and perhaps tiping over that balance of invigorating. As the field narrowed I could see a really big tree, quite possibly an Oak laying right across the path. I approached further and it became obvious that there was no way through. I certainly hadn’t got the will or the athleticism to clamber over the trunk. So turning round was the only option .
As I came out onto the road and down to the car park by the wood the force of the wind seemed to increase and I really had to concentrate as I went passed the Parkinson’s.me garden and into conker alley.
It very soon became apparent why everybody I’d met earlier looked so miserable. Just staying on my feet took real concentration, there was even once of twice where I wondered if I had enough strength to get home. Where the trees had been cut down there was no protection at all.
Hedgerows as I got into the lane did give some respite but what an incredibly hard couple of kilometres. Strangely exhilarating though,yourself against the elements – but glad to get home for a cup of tea!
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Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 