A Refreshing Day on the Downs
Saturday 13th October:
05:25 - Woken by alarm - silenced it!
05:35 - Remembered that the neighbour had knocked last night whilst I was out and wanted to speak to me.
This was something I just didn’t need. The previous three days had seen delays with the scaffolding for my loft extension. They had arrived at 12:10 on Friday and were still working when I left at 3pm for voluntary work at my evening lunch club. It had been a difficult evening and I had not got to sleep till 01.00. But I knew the work that had gone into organising today's walk, and I didn’t want to miss out.
08:22 - Great relief at meeting up with Bernie (who got there at 08:00) and Sue. I was amazed at being early. The tube is magnificent.
08:30 - Ken, Trevor and Tina were soon joined by Fritz; the team all assembled on time. Got my Latté and settled down. Got a welcome ten minutes nap.
WHAT WAS I DOING HERE! my head screamed. I was already exhausted. It was going to rain. I would be sure to slip in the copious mud which overlay the chalk. I would be slower than the others and hold them back. All we would hear would be the drone of the M25. Whinge, whine and moan.
Contemplative lunch break
Well I was wrong. It was a great walk. The scenery was so varied and very different to the South Downs. I kept pace (well at least until the last two miles, when I really struggled). The fresh air was such a tonic for a struggling body and head. We met varied and cheerful walkers along the way. There were so many small local features as well as wide vistas.
The drink at the end was very welcome. The journey home was remarkably swift and comfortable. A relaxing bath, and - thanks to the exercise and fresh air - I enjoyed a great night’s sleep that unhealthy tiredness had denied me the previous night.
The group was such good company, and were very understanding when my new boots slowed me down to a near limp at the end of the walk. Watching Fritz, who though 23 years my senior strode on with such confidence and was such an accomplished walker, meant that I did feel a bit inadequate though.
Joy sometimes comes from unexpected places.
Clive