I've just come in from a 5 mile walk which was fantastic. Yes, of course, it rained but it really was good. I enjoyed it immensely. I had decided to do a local walk and stick to footpaths and roadways. I have also decided not to take Harvey with me on the longer training walks because he does tend to stop and sniff every other blade of grass and I have a time schedule to meet. I do take him when I do my 3 mile walk when I can let him off the lead but that's it.
Those of you who have known me for many years will know that I still live in the same area that I was born and grew up in. Onslow Village was my childhood playground and so, today, I thought I would do my 5 mile walk around the village and walk past some of my old haunts and see if much has changed.
A mile into my walk, with my headphones blasting out Breathe by Prodigy, I had already walked past my Uncle Phil and Aunty Ivy's old houses in Elmbank Avenue and The Chase. Memories of childhood Christmas visits came flooding back very clearly and one particular episode in their back garden when we had a bonfire and I fell forward and put my hand into hot ashes! Then on down past The Astolat, the local pub and scene of quiz victories, darts matches and a place that appeared in a wonderful dream that I had about my Dad and his brothers after he had died. Across the road and back up to Stag Hill where Mum and Les lived for many years and again loads of happy memories of parties, music, food, laughter and fun. Dot, Les' mum, also lived in Stag Hill and I have very fond memories of her. Then I walked into Onslow Village and past Queen Eleanors, my primary school, along Orchard Road and Bannisters Road, my old paper round route, and then into Curling Vale and Thorn Bank where The Ashtons lived and where we spent summers in their paddling pool and bonfire nights in their garden. Curling Vale was also home to the Arlott family, the Wright family and the Challen family. Jan Challen went on to become my Dad's wife!
Then I walked into Vicarage Gate and along to All Saints church where we used to attend Brownie and Guide church parades and where my brother was in the choir.
The church was actually at the top of our garden in the house that we lived in in Hedgeway and that's where I found myself next. Hedgeway....the road that I was brought up in, the home of my childhood. The houses all look the same. I remembered who lived where as I walked down the road. The Porters, the Sanders, the Makepeaces, the Browns, the Chapmans and the Brockmans to name a few. So many memories in one little road.
On my walk I saw my sister who was sitting in her car between calls so I had a quick chat with her and organised to meet up with her this weekend. We are going to see Anton du Beck at GLive for her birthday which should be fun.
By this time the rain was falling quite heavily. I wasn't wearing a coat but it didn't bother me and I wasn't cold.
The last part of my walk took me around Raymond Crescent and past house number 109 where my best friend used to live. From there it was a short 5 minute walk back home. 5 miles done in 1 hour 19 minutes. I was happy with the time and really happy with my walk down memory lane. I think it's good for the soul now and again to revisit the past. Not all memories will be good but the good definitely outweighed the bad for me today.
I know that this is a very self indulgent post and probably of little interest to anyone who wants to read about my training but there you go. I enjoyed my session today and I wanted you all to know!
Last Sunday I walked 5.5 miles, Monday saw me walk 3 miles in the rain and that was uncomfortable to say the least.I really ached for a couple of days after that and I think it was because I was walking hunched up and bent forward as it was so windy and slippery underfoot. Today was another 5 miler and I tried to concentrate on my posture throughout the walk. I'm hopeful that I won't be achey tomorrow.
I have had an email today about the Glow in the Dark event that Jack and I are taking part in next Saturday. We have to wear head torches, it's compulsory apparently, so we will need to get a couple of those in the next few days. I thought we would be able to run with torches and that would suffice but apparently not. It will be another new experience which is great.
Today's route and info
I hope you all have a good week. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I won't apologise for the personal aspect of this entry, I only hope it has not been too boring for you.
A x
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