Go like the Clappers…

Date: Sunday 4th May/ Monday 5th May
Distance: 26km and 25km, respectively
Location: Reed, Sharpenhoe Clappers, Barton Le Clay
Conditions: Rolling hills
Weather: Dry and hot
Participants: Nik, Phil

The bank holiday weekend was the first of our double walking training days. I was still feeling a bit groggy after picking up a virus and Phil has a head cold so we decided to have Saturday off to collect Phil’s new toy and relax on the beach for a few hours. It was a perfect day until his new toy decided to break down on the way home. A not so perfect ending spent waiting for the tow truck. We finally got home just after midnight. Not before waking up Lurchio and probably his very unhappy neighbours!

We were planning on an early start on Sunday morning but due to the late night this didn’t happen. After prizing ourselves off the sofa we donned our boots and made our way to the up’s and down’s of Reed, completing the reverse loop we did with Gee last week. Not too much to report about the walk as Gee did a good job in the previous blog entry, apart from seeing a few dead rats, which is always a bit unnerving. I think we will definitely be back to this area again for some longer walks. On a sunny day the views are great and there’s an excellent pub at the end of the walk! What more could you ask for?

Up and at ‘em again on Monday. Lurchio was meant to be joining us but he cried off due to a dodgy tum. Maybe it was all that lager at the quiz night? And on that note I think I need to blow the trumpet on behalf of the depleted shame academy team, coming 5th in the quiz on Sunday night was a great effort seeing as there was only 3 of us. Some inspired guesses by all and a great new team name which shall remain unblogged!

Anyway, after brushing off the cobwebs of the quiz night, Phil and I made our way round a 25km loop of the Sharpenhoe Clappers (chalk escarpment with iron-age Hillfort), Streatley and Barton Le Clay. The first section of the walk on National Trust land was very pretty and a couple of steep slippery hill sections took some effort. The second half of the walk was not great due to road noise and my body starting to show signs of old age. My left ankle decided to play up so I spent the last 2 hours in pain but with the help of a support bandage I made it to the end. 4 and ½ hours later we were back to the car park. It was unseasonably hot which made walking tougher than normal; I’m not great in the heat. Let’s hope July isn’t scorchio! But then again, I’m no good in the cold and rain…no pleasing some people!
Next time some spare clean dry socks will help as we both picked up a couple of blisters. A busy but enjoyable weekend spent outdoors and looking forward to the trip to the South Downs next weekend to finally see what we’ve let ourselves in for.

Nik