C2C - 5 days to go

The Coast To Coast (C2C) is approaching fast - just 5 days left now until I head north.

I forgot to mention a couple of things about my walk on Sun 15th Jul. After around 4 miles (as I was passing Cirencester Park Polo Club) I had to stop to check my left foot. It had started getting sore and removing my boot and socks I found the blister I hadn't wanted to find. I think it had probably started forming on the previous day when I did a 15ml walk on the Marlborough Downs. Obviously when you're out walking there's only so much can be done - I put on a compeed plaster and used a spare pair of socks to give my foot a bit more cushioning. That did the trick and I was able to do the rest of the walk.

And having mentioned the Polo Club, I'm used to having that part of the park to myself along with a handful of other walkers and runners. But the park was very busy with lots of cars arriving (and probably grumbling about a lone walker on the side of the road and getting in their way!). I found out later there was an important polo match taking place (sponsored by Maserati amongst others) and Princes William and Harry were playing, while Kate was there with Prince George. None of them were there when I walked by - they must have arrived a bit later!

Over the weekend of 21st/22nd July I managed another 28 miles over the two days (and no blisters this time). I was on call on Sat 21st so wasn't able to leave the house until 2:30pm. So I did a 'quick' 9ml walk, mostly in Cirencester Park. I say mostly because I would usually do a loop into and around the park. But the gates close at 5pm so Saturday's walk was into the park, then out via a track that leads down to Stratton on the outskirts of Cirencester, and I made my way home via the town centre.

On Sun 22nd I attempted my longest walk yet .. 19.5 miles. There was even more looping around the park than usual - partly to make up the mileage but also because there was another polo match on and this one seemed to be even more popular than the week before. No princes in evidence this time - but I can't help thinking the crowds had been attracted by the possibility of spotting some 'royals'. My feet were a bit tired by the time I had finished as I was out for 7-8 hours. But I was pleased as I had managed the maximum distance we will be expected to cover on the C2C without any problem (days 6 and 11 of the C2C are both 20 mile days)

This weekend I didn't walk on Saturday and yesterday I 'only' walked 15.5 mls. I set off at 8:30am to avoid the worst of the heat and followed my usual route of loops in and around Cirencester Park. No polo match this weekend so I had the place pretty much to myself again. Apart from a few runners I saw very few other people. One lady I stopped to chat to was from Australia and was heading for Sapperton and Daneway (to see the old canal tunnel) and then eventually to Stroud. She had a map and I pointed her in the right direction but to be honest, she was pretty blasé about getting lost. "This isn't the outback like back home" she said "I'll just stand and wait and someone is bound to come along and show me where to go".

So .. that's my last training walk done .. just the packing to do now.

I have a collection of scribbled reminders and notes on what I think I will need and a few "don't forget" items. I have also started to put to one side some of the kit and clothing I'll be using. It's time to put those notes and reminders into practise and decide on exactly what I'll take and get it packed. I'm trying to be organised and am starting on the packing now rather than leaving it to the last minute. The last thing I will need is a late night on Friday, frantically shoving things into a suitcase.