Climb every mountain

I climbed Box Hill. Now I know just how Jack and Jill felt. I got lost in the woods at the top but apparently everyone does that. At least I went in the right direction not just a great big circle.
Would I do it again? Mmm maybe but with a better map of the woods. I took my backpack with me but ended up unloading alot of the stuff in the car before I set out - it was just too heavy. I am going to have to be very very frugal on my holiday packing when I do the Big Walk; maybe a picnic rug isn't absolutely essential.

Don't drink and dive

Change of plan. I am now dragging myself up Box Hill instead of going to the seaside. I'll get Mr Smith to come with me to the coast on Saturday. I have to go to Dorking today so I may as well use my legs and get sand in my shoes at the weekend. I have got out a walk from my 1001 walks book and it looks mighty steep - never mind I'll just have to take my time. The big question is: with pack or without pack? I could take a lightly filled pack and a bottle of water. I will sing "Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream" and be a big fat Reverend Mother all the way up the hill - well it'll make a change from One Man Went to Mow.

Yesterday I swam and it was lovely. I swam outside in the glorious sunshine and had the pool to myself. I had had a glass of wine at the bar with the Lovely Claudia (I was showing off the Club of which I am a member but hardly ever attend) and then got terrible hiccups during my swim.

Fat and Lazy

The She wee arrived. I am too embarrassed to even try it out.

Due to the static state of my being over the past two days I have put on 2lbs. Doesn't take long does it? Anyway, today looks too busy for a big walk so I think it will have to be a big swim followed by a small dog walk - sorry dogs.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to plan these walks as I am always a bit too busy with more fun activities like making cupcakes with my friend the Lovely Claudia or sipping tea and putting the world to rights with Arty Antonia in Bognor. However, when I get to the seaside tomorrow I will walk lots and lots dragging a sandy dog along behind me.

Walking on hot coals

My feet are now agony. The tops of them are red and itchy, very very itchy - on fire. I have bathed them in cold water and applied everything I could find in our medicine cupboard from pile cream to lyclear. I even considered bonjella but the tube was dry; I really must clear out the medicine chest. Having read up on symptoms on the internet I definitely have lyme disease or nappy rash. Actually, the nappy rash theory was probably the nearest with getting very hot and developing a little red rash - mmmm. I will get some zinc cream.

Meanwhile I am reluctant to put on my walking boots and do any more trudging. I might wear trainers for a bit and see if that's any better. I have to walk as I only did a teeny tadge yesterday and I ate an industrial sized bag of Minstrels washed down with the best part of a bottle of champagne. It was lovely but my weight isn't. Today I will get back on track.

Itchy and Scratchy

I managed a circuit of Richmond Park yesterday - 7.5 miles from door back to door. Average time 2.5 mph; I dawdled in parts. I didn't ache too much but I have got a problem with my feet; they've gone all red and puffy and itchy. Whether this is just rubbish socks or a violent reaction to my boots I don't know. I didn't ever have a problem before and I walked great distances in them around the Capital Ring. Today I shall buy new socks and some foot balm.

It is raining. This would be a good day to try out a wet walk. I'll do it in the car.

Space, the final frontier

When I am not staring into space, I am staring at maps. I have got the Big Walk into a bit of a muddle. I have a few friends to meet along the way and, whilst I am sure hampering my bold attempt at traversing the country is not at the forefront of their agenda, I know I will be easily distracted. The odd break in the proceedings is most definitely what is needed and, to be honest, any excuse to visit Manchester with a mate is fine by me. Also Liverpool. And Hull. And Barnsley. And Warrington. Oh I dare say I will stick one foot in front of the other at some point between Barnsley and Southport but, looking at my schedule, I'm not sure quite when. I'll stare at the map some more and then into some more space and it will come to me.

No walking today

Ordering a sunlounger might be unproductive but not as unproductive as lying in it and not walking anywhere. Anyway, it won't arrive until this sunny spate has dissipated.

Last night Mr Smith batted off in the wrong direction for our dinner destination so I got quite a long walk after all. I was rather tired as I had performed a mighty swim - well, not that mighty really but I did keep moving rather than just floating. The outdoor pool is open at the club. I toyed with the idea but it is still very chilly unless you are in the sunniest sunspot so I opted for the indoor one which was empty - just meeeeee. Someone still nicked my towel when I wasn't looking - a nice Polish assistant got me a new one. Perhaps he could come on my walk with me and hand me things when I need them.