Sleep overs, Snow and Sunflower Seeds!

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Well everyone, it has been a really mixed week.
I am still not feeling 100% (only one more week to the holidays though) and had a very busy week at work including a space day complete with astronaut costumes followed by a sleep over in the hall with 90 children! Sleep over is an inaccurate title I feel. All of this meant I did not have opportunity this week to get walks in.

Yesterday I really wanted to get organised so tidied the garden and house and got on with a load of odd jobs, very satisfying, then organised with a friend to go walking in the afternoon. Of course, being Dartmoor, the heavens opened and it pelted down so our walk consisted of religiously walking along every aisle in tesco and trying the new banana cooler in Costa (not so nice). It was a nice afternoon but didn't do much to overcome the distance deficit.

Today, I did not want to be defeated so packed my bag with snacks, coffee and water and went off on a longer walk. I was aiming for 10k in the hope that would get me to a 60k weekly total. I opted for the Granite Way for a number of reasons: It is fairly flat so shouldn't tire me out too much; it is fenced - great today as it was extremely foggy; it is local - I didn't want to drive too far. I set off dressed in waterproofs but soon had to add hat, necker and gloves. It was freezing. There was snow on the higher moors.Unfortunately it was grey and misty all the way but, as seems to be the way with grey walks, the wildlife was out. As soon as I got on the route I spotted a fox wandering along the path. There were loads of birds and the streams were full of frog spawn. I wonder what it will be like in a few weeks! After 5km I stopped and had some of Bethany's home made sunflower seed cookies and a coffee which was much needed. Then I marched back. 10k in just under two hours. So now, I'm a bit chilled and quite achey but it is all for a great cause.

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Week 3 Final Total

It's not as much as the previous two weeks as I've been struggling with a rather nasty cold but it's still exceeded the target.

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Chinese New Year

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Happy Chinese New Year!

I decided at Christmas that I wanted to spend this weekend at home in Gloucestershire so, on Friday, I left work and travelled up on the M5 in absolutely atrocious weather. No matter, made it home OK. It's always great to be home. I get so incredibly well looked after and never want to leave.

My Dad and Sister both had to work on Saturday but my brilliant Mum agreed to come out with me for a walk at Croome, a National Trust property in Worcestershire. It was a little chilly but it turned out to be a gorgeous day. Having someone to chat to all the way round was great and we very quickly achieved 8k - exceeding my daily target and we got some great photos as souvenirs. It was a little muddy so I need to thank Mum for getting all our clothes washed and our boots dried and cleaned as well as for her company on the walk. Thanks Mum!

Unfortunately, the cold I had been desperately fighting all week really took a hold on Saturday night which meant I couldn't taste the Chinese food I had been so looking forward to. It also meant that I didn't really get a good walk in on Sunday. I had to drive back to Devon so decided to stop at Gloucester services to see what the hype was all about and made sure I had a good wander. It was more like a French service area but it was nice to see our local produce showcased. The weather was awful so I had a further two stops, each time ensuring I had a good walk to get closer to my target. I didn't arrive back till dark but, in spite of the pouring rain, I still went out and walked till I met the target. I didn't achieve as great a distance but I hope people will recognise the effort it took whilst feeling pretty under the weather.

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Week 2 Final Total

Pleased to say the total at 6pm on Sunday 22nd January is 66km.

Added to Week 1, I have now walked 128km of my 893km total.

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Chilly Caching!

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It's been another glorious weekend in Devon and I've made the most of it by getting out and about and getting my distances up.

This week, walking to work has been nicer. It's almost daylight when I leave now and hasn't been too cold. Unfortunately, it's still dark and cold walking home but I know that will soon get better. I've managed to top last week's total so it's all good.

On Saturday, I decided to get my distance and steps in before anything else so set off on a long walk going round and through town. Apart from being slightly overdressed it was all going well with lots of hills and drops to keep me busy. Stupidly though, I decided to do my weekly food shop towards the end of the walk and anyone who knows the area will know that hill I have to climb to get home is a killer at the best of times but with a week's worth of food...never again!

Today, Sunday, a friend had asked if I fancied a walk. Of course! Anything to make this target as quickly as possible. She's really in to Geocaching - I'd only ever done it in France but agreed to go along anyway and I'm so glad I did. It was a beaut of a day. Sunny, bit of a breeze and surprisingly warm for January. We decided to head to Exmouth as it was a definite winter beach day and there were loads of Geocaches there. We started well, finding quite a few and it was a brilliant way to build up distance and steps without really noticing. We found a secret little cove and loads of places with glorious views both at the top, the bottom and half-way up the cliffs. I even got a quick paddle in - it was pretty fresh!

 Yes we got lost a few times (and looked a bit silly looking at a wall for a good twenty minutes) but it was an absolutely lush day and once again I have exceeded the distance target.

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Week 1 Final total - 61km

Are rainy walks actually better?

This weekend has been one for catching up with friends. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to spend time with two great friends and their families. Today, I got to catch up with a uni friend and finally meet his lovely new wife.

To make the most of these opportunities, I have researched lots of new walks so I can keep working towards my goal. Today, I tried a new route along Tiverton canal (which I was only vaguely aware existed) and it was brilliant! The rain was pelting down and I gritted my teeth, determined to get my distance target and get home. But, as I left Tavistock and got out into the countryside, the walk got better and better.

The rain didn't stop but the trees offered some shelter and barely anyone else was walking so I had space and time to myself. The air was so clean and refreshing. I started to relax into the walk and actually began to enjoy it in spite of the rain and the muddy towpath. The further from town I went, the prettier the walk was. I saw and heard a range of birds including a Robin who I'm sure followed me along my route. On my return, I was privileged to see and follow a kingfisher as it darted along the canal, the electric blue flash initially catching my eye.

When I got back to my car, 5 miles later, I'd made my distance target and had a good, hard walk and I felt great. OK my boots were soggy and muddy and my legs were a little stiff from the cold but it was definitely worth the effort. 

But now I'm undecided. Yesterday's walk in the sun was gorgeous but today's in the rain was just as nice, although very different. Are rainy walks actually better?