Walking. The “gift” that keeps on giving. So we were told after the event.
So I have given up my Sunday lie-in (mandatory) and a Saturday drinking session (oh no, the woe!) and for what? To go for a walk. I have been kindly advised by our “leader” Henry that walking is simple and something we do every day; it’s just putting one foot in front of the other. Easy right?
We had a difficult start. Our group is called The Slow Group but our real name is “all the gear, no idea (ATGNI)” which may give you an inkling of our level of expertise. Early Sunday morning ATGNI were messaging. It was belting it down outside and we were feeling a little, shall we say…reluctant? This was my attitude to going…
Beth (I won’t say which one) sent a charming selfie to show she was up for it too.
We then collectively decided we should go for it….
Finally, we got our heads together and met the others, a mere half hour late due to the mandatory Tesco trip. At first the trail was ok. ATGNI brought up the rear. I would describe it as drizzly. Drizzly but scenic. Nature. Fields. Grass…yada yada. But then, oh then, we came to a field. We had to climb across a wall to access said field. So far so good until we found the rest of the group.
They were laughing and jovial. Rosy-cheeked and well-prepared. Not a scrap of make-up ruined their delicious out-doorsy skin and they were on the other side of a river! Yes they had crossed a river and now it appeared to be our turn. Good God! The trauma. We picked our way through brambles and twigs and reached the bank. The others had apparently leapt across in the manner of ballet dancers- gracefully and athletically bounding like gazelles. We were stuck. Cautiously we stood on the edge and did what became our MO for the whole day. We laughed. Calls of encouragement were beckoning us to jump and be caught.
Easier said than done. Eventually I thought “bugger this” and dropped straight into a river dislodging a hundred year stone which caused me to sink to thigh-height in cold water (see video). Splash!
Beth and Beth went round a higher path to get across and decided sod it they were walking through so now we were squelching around after the rest…This was only the beginning of our gift of walking.
Up hills, down dales, through mud so thick it would tear your boot off your foot as quick as Louis when he hears the buffet’s open at a wedding. Pheasants, sheep, sandwiches, we had them all. The panting of the group rang in my ears as we trudged up and up and up until our lungs were on fire and our thighs begged for forgiveness but then we were there! At the top of the world!
Bamford and Stannage Edge were beautiful, rolling hills softened with mist and shimmering in the distance. At one point there was a rainbow, just as we reached our highest peak. It was like a sign sent especially for us. As our heart-beats slowed and we began to breathe again, we relaxed into the walk.
No. No it is not easy, but yes it is fun and challenging and the euphoria that hits at the end when you fling your filthy backpack to the floor and tear off your boggy, mud-soaked shoes and grab that glass of wine now that’s the “gift”. When’s the next one?
Brilliant. Glad you've discovered the joy!
ReplyDelete