There had been a storm during the night, and the odd rumble of thunder was still echoing around Newbury as we left to collect SS at 6.55am.
We headed to Overton Hill in Avebury for our 8am check-in and start, and the rain got heavier, and heavier, the wind got stronger and stronger..for some reason Chris wouldn't even get out of the car to say goodbye.
For the first time in 4 years, our check cards were ready on time and we were able to set straight off, which when it is pouring with rain is the best thing to do, and headed to the first check point, 7 miles away at Barbury Castle. This is mostly uphill the whole way, culminating in a very steep hill right before the check point. This is hill number 1 that I have been training for - did it!. The rain was horrendous for the full 7 miles, seeming to come downwards and sidewards, and somehow upwards too, we were soaked!
The couple manning the check point were surpised to see us, not expecting to see 'anyone so soon in this weather', so feeling sufficiently smug we set off for the next check point which was 2.5 miles later at Whitefield Hill. The rain started to ease a little, but the wind picked up, blowing right at us..grrrrrr.
Whitefield Hill check point worried us a little, as it wasn't were it normally is....for safety they decided to put it the other side of the busy A346 as they couldn't really be doing with the hassle of having any one killed on a busy country road....and as it was so windy, they tucked it away behind a hedge......so now people are walking up and down said busy road trying to find it...grrrr!
Coming out of check point 2 is the the other hill that I have been training for - Whitefield Hill, or Killer Hill. I usually need oxygen, or resuscitaion when I have done this in the past, I have had to stop halfway up to die a little, be sick, cry...you get the picture...but this year I was ready! As SS said, I went up it like a "maniacal whippet" - piece of cake! OK, I couldn't have blown a balloon up, but boy the sense of acheivement when I got to the top....plus the fact that it stopped raining!
Next checkpoint (3) used to be called 'Shepherds Rest', as it was in a pub car park of the same name, but the pub has since gone and it's now an Indian, and calling it the 'Burj' just doesn't have the same ring...we call it check point 3 and it appears after 14.5 miles, with a portaloo, and a lady handing out bags of dates and dried apricots..I like this checkpoint as I love dried fruit..SS doesn't as the dried fruit means she would need the portaloo about 3 miles further along!!
Checkpoint 4 is at 19.5 miles and is where SS and I usually grab a sandwich. We phoned Jim and gave instructions that he HAD to be there with the coolbag, but then we had to ring and give an ammended time as we were really steaming ahead time wise.
After stuffing as much carbohydrate and full-fat coke down as humanely possible, we set off for Eastmanton Down at 23 miles, and Yew Down at 28 miles which was where we met Jim, Cass and Jamie at check point 6, or the 'cake stop' as SS and I know it.
Check point 6 is the best EVER!! They have lovely ladies (I'm sure they are WI) here who have a large teapot constantly on the go, and boxes and boxes of homemade cakes. As you approach the check point, they utter the words, 'help yourself to cakes, have as much as you want' - heaven!
After a slice of lemon drizzle, and a treacle flapjack, and a tuna mayo sandwich for me, and a cheese ploughmans for SS...we did remember we still had 12 miles to go, so, onwards and, unfortunately, upwards...
Checkpoint 7 was at Bury Down (32 miles), here we said goodbye to Jim, Cass and Jamie, we wouldn't now see them until the end..
Checkpoint 8 was at Compton Downs Cross Tracks and two lovely surprises here...first we saw an incredibly beautiful red kite hovering above us, and then we found that the lady manning the check point had made some bread pudding...well, it would be rude not to....
Checkpoint 9, at 36.5 miles, was at Starveall Turn, and we were on the last push now.
We were trying to enjoy the surroundings, but to be honest, the haze from the weather wasn't giving us good visibility up on the Ridgeway, so we couldn't appreciate the views as we had done in previous years. The only thing which really stood out was the deep yellow of the rapeseed fields, and as both SS and I are allergic to the stuff, we weren't too impressed at how much there was about...
6.25pm saw us enter the Youth Hostel at Streatley which was the finish at 40 miles. We were nearly 20 mins quicker than last year, we were also the first women power walkers back so felt incredibly proud of our achievement.
So, steak and chips in the pub to celebrate!!!
Personally I can't believe I did the hills as well as I did, training really does pay off, so does being 3 stone lighter in weight than last year!
I also wouldn't have done this without the support of Jim, Cass, Jamie and Chris at the begining, end and various checkpoints in between, thanks guys!
I definately wouldn't have done it without SS...you have a lot to answer for!! But seriously....thanks mate x
THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE SPONSORED US, IF YOU HAVEN'T, WHY NOT??!!
www.justgiving.com/teaandblisters
Yay, big clapses xx
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