684.5 miles walked in total (average 11.8)
I started at Brighton Pier at eight thirty this morning - unfortunately it didn't open until nine o'clock so I couldn't have a wander.
The weather was glorious and, by the time I walked into Hove half an hour later, there were already people on the beach and in the sea. Brighton always seems really relaxed to me, despite the number of people there, and even though it was Saturday, there were very few cars or people about, except a few joggers, dog walkers and keen sunbathers.
At Hove Lagoon, I stumbled across the Ocean Carnival, some sort of windsurfing mecca. I then had to head onto Basin Road South down towards the lock gates across Shoreham harbour. Things got surreal along here, as I had to walk past my old office where I'd spent two days a week for the best part of 2001!
Right on cue, I got a 'phone call from Andy and I had to describe the site to him. He was a bit cross that I was walking as I'd felt a bit fluey all week and he'd ordered me to take a day off . I've been reading a lot of walk books lately though and have got re-inspired. To be honest, I think about giving the walk up quite a lot, but I'm trying to prove a point now. I start so many things that I never finish and this would be a chance to prove to myself that I can achieve something if I really want to.
From the lock gates, I was back on the main A259 to Shoreham town where I crossed the River Adur by footbridge to head along the beach. I used to drive home this way from work and I was never too impressed with any of the houses en route However, having walked along the back of them, I've totally changed my opinion. They all have their own moorings on the Widewater Lagoon, a local nature reserve. Superb! It's been very quiet on this stretch, just the constant low drone of the 'planes coming out of Shoreham airport.
Past the lagoon, I was back on the prom to Worthing and lunch, which I took on the balcony of a very nice little tea room, from where I had brilliant views back over to Brighton and the Seven Sisters.
The bottom of my feet were quite sore at this time - it's been all tarmac and shingle this morning - and I think I may need better insoles for my boots However, I had an emergency pair of socks in my bag, so I put those on over my other pair and I tried to carry on, albeit with a slight limp!
At West Worthing, I had to give up finally and go and find Milletts to get insoles, which turn out to have some rather marvellous shock absorbers in them! My shins, calf muscles and soles of my feet were crying out for me to stop. But I'm very pleased with thirteen miles - that'll push my average up a little bit.
No comments:
Post a Comment