Return Of The Blog

Well, it's been all too long since my last blog - the reason for this being that I have not been walking for over two weeks and whilst I am happy to write inane nonsense on all matter of topics, it seems wrong to have a walking blog containing alot of stuff about everything except walking.

However, this afternoon I have managed to get out and had a very pleasant 'stride' around Cannock Chase. I parked up at The Cutting in Brocton and did about an hour. I would have done longer but I didn't know what time it was and I had forgotten my sundial so was unable to utilise my astronomical knowledge. Also, I had failed to pack appropriate clothing for my afternoon stroll (due to going out for lunch beforehand) and therefore I resembled someone doing the Sunday morning 'walk of shame', complete with sweaty 'going out' shirt. I was officially the most bedraggled but smartly dressed person on The Chase this afternoon.

It was really good, though, to do a walk where I didn't have a defined route and could take my time looking at all of the posh houses in Brocton. There's some really nice places round there and I had a lovely time looking at the well manicured lawns, double/treble garages, BMWs, Mercedes, and 'Chelsea tractors' as well as the For Sale sign advertising one of the properties as having an indoor swimming pool. I felt slightly depressed as I headed back to my P reg Rover 216 to return to my house which currently doesn't have a door on the downstairs toilet and which resembles the set of '60 minute makeover' if it had run out of budget during the second advert break.

I have been been sorting through my medical supplies over the last couple of days and my storage box now resembles Michael's Jackson's medical cabinet. There is an eclectic mix of items in there, ranging from 4 boxes of Ibuprofen to a knee support, from a bottle of surgical spirit to a tub of Vaseline. I need to go through it all properly really as my current stock seems to suggest that I am anticipating a shedload of headaches, dodgy knees, and falls.

I also ordered a new pair of Waterproof overtrousers this morning from a well-known internet auction website. My last pair were damaged a few months ago when I ended up coming down Helvellyn in the Lakes on my bum when, like a Crowded House song, I experienced 'Four Seasons In One Day.' Blimey, I never thought I would get a Crowded House gag in when I started writing this blog update. Result!

I hope to get out for a longer walk on Sunday which will be my last before starting the C2C. I still need to get a few things as well, including a couple of tops and some proper walking shorts/trousers. However, things are coming together nicely now and I can't wait to get started. My impatience has been increased with keeping up to date with my mate Si's bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groats, which he started last Friday. Sean has also been offering me further tips following his Scottish C2C the other week so I'm feeling quite confident about it - I just want to get cracking now.