Having found myself a bit glum and fat feeling on Saturday morning, I ended up having a pretty good day. I limited the booze and snacks and we had a really good trip. lots of laughs and getting friendlier with the core group from the coach.
They've mostly known each other for decades so it takes a while for a couple from the sticks to infiltrate. You get to "friendly" quick enough but from there to being included in plans etc takes a while.
I had one Brucie Bonus out of the day too - a flying visit from my sister, her husband and son! When I found out we were going to be drinking in Abingdon, I got on the phone to see if they could join us. My sister and her family are not speedy, however so, although I messaged her at crack of dawn and we were there by 10.50am, they didn't get to us until 1.35pm when we were leaving at 2pm! Gah!!
The football itself was disappointing. After a great first half where we were in control, we capitulated in the second and slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Oxford. So annoying!!
Still, it was a new ground to me and a pokey one at that. They haven't even built the 4th stand behind one of the goals!! Behold, the missing stand!!
On Sunday I felt even fatter. However help was at hand. I'd arranged a proper walk out with my pal Monica for Sunday morning and we planned on doing a decent hike. Sadly, despite the lovely week before, the weather did not cooperate fully. It was unremittingly grey and overcast.
Undeterred, we headed up to a little spot called Toad's Mouth just past Surprise View car park. From there it was into the Burbage Valley and up to the Iron Age hillfort of Carl Wark. We have no idea what this giant stone bowl is - currently used as a fire pit. I bet those parties are fun!!
Monica brought her neighbour's old dog along for the ride. Bounty is a former working dog so, despite her age, she loves a good long tramp.
I have never been right into this part of this valley and it is completely gorgeous. So mysterious and private which you just don't appreciate from the road or surrounding paths.
There was a stunning old stone footbridge at the very bottom...small, but perfectly formed
I love old pieces like this one, such character.
Then a steep and muddy climb up to the fort and a scramble through the rocks at the top. At one point Monica stepped into a bog and sank boot deep into black, sucking mud. I thought I'd just give her a hand to get out without falling but I had to physically haul her out by her arm and shoulder! Phew.
Monica's dog, the gorgeous Olive, is a feisty border terrier with no self confidence. Every now and then, when faced with a weird bridge or trick rock scramble, she decides she can't do it and retreats, barking. She is then a nightmare to catch, even with cheese!! You have to pretend to give in and go another way until you can get close enough to scoop her up. We got good at anticipating these problem spots and getting her on the lead early! Gary is not impressed by all the delay and backtracking though.
"What is the hold up here women??!"
From Carl Wark along the well trodden path to Higger Tor.
And the over to the top end of Stanage Edge. I've not seen paragliders there before but they added to the atmosphere, and the crowd! That section of the walk is always crowded at weekends - walkers, climbers, boulderers, mountain bikers and now paragliders.
We walked back via an an adventurous bit of off piste walking through Burbage which was brilliant. Avoiding the crowds and getting us back JUST in time for panto rehearsal! All in we did over 13km on hill and dale.
Rehearsal was great but I was shattered. I put it down to the big walk but actually it was yet another bastard cough and cold, this time accompanied by a sore throat. This is winding me up now, I haven't felt fully well for months now. It subsides for a few days, even a week then flares back up but never quite goes away.
Today I have looked after myself but resisted the urge to self medicate with food and drink. I did have to cancel swimming though after a rotten, sleepless night which is really annoying as I love it!! I'm going tomorrow even if it hurts me.
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