TraceysTrek

Best bits: finishing, refreshment stops en route

Worst bits: the weather

Distance: 23.2 miles

The weather forecast for today was for gusts up to 41 mph and rain. It was going to be a generally dismal day. Waterproofs located and doned I opened Priscilla’s door and the wind nearly snatched it off completely. A very dramatic start to the day.

When I checked my messages, there were some lovely notes from people about my blogs thank you so much.

Breakfast eaten and rendezvous sorted for the day I set off into the wind and rain. What crazy weather all morning I was being blown around walking on top of the exposed seawall. I skirted the edge of the Air Force firing ranges with all the red flags flying and the occasional swoop of fighter jets flying low over the area.

After 6 miles I stopped for a quick cup of tea and a biscuit with Lynn and Harb who met me in a remote spot. Then it was back out again into the pouring rain and dramatic skies with the last few miles walking directly into the headwind.

There was a heard of cows huddled together I guess sheltering from the wind and rain.

Feeling like I’d done several rounds of intense boxing, I arrived at Fosdyke Bridge where Lynn and Harb were waiting.

Lynn had made hearty lunch of sandwiches and soup. I removed my soaking wet trainer revealing a sopping wet sock. However, inside my sock my feet were dry as I had put my waterproof socks on. Lynn gave my left foot another once over.

Then it was decision time about what to wear for the afternoon. The weather forecast seemed to indicate it would be reasonably dry so off came my waterproof trousers and the temperatures were supposed to increase slightly so off came one of my T-shirts too.

The last thing I wanted to do was get out of the warmth and dry van and back out on the path. However, that’s what I signed up for.

The first few hundred metres of path were completely overgrown. It was like wading into a jungle the wet long grass up to my waist and of course now I was wearing just shorts.

The terrain soon improved and I was back out on the sea defence. The tide was now in and the little boats that were stuck in the mud before were now floating.

It did feel however, like the wind had died down a little but there was one huge dark cloud right over my head.

There was a pair of swans with six cygnets swimming on the inlet. They looked so cute. I didn’t get my phone out as it was raining.

I have a photo of Angela as the wallpaper on my phone screen. Every time I look at it, I still can’t quite believe she’s no longer here. I spent a long time contemplating that during the afternoon.

Blimey, my attention was soon shifted to reality. There was a heard of young bollocks of different breeds. Initially they were lying down but as I came through the gate some of them stood up. Then they all stood up and then they started walking alongside me, then they broke into a trot. Fortunately they were lower down on the marsh and I was on the sea wall. Two cows were laying on the top of the seawall and I wondered how I was going to get past them. But the now running herd of cows attracted their attention and they got up and moved along. They were all very nervous and I guess it could’ve gone a different way entirely if I was on a normal narrow path. The fact that I was high up on the seawall and they were lower down meant we had some degrees of separation. This photo was taken before I walked through the gate.

The temperature increased along with reduction in the windspeed which meant stripping off layers clothing. My head was still pounding from the walk this morning, even though I took two ibuprofen before I set out after lunch.

Walking was a bit slow going as the ground was quite clumpy so it was difficult to make a good pace without going over on my ankles, falling down holes or tripping on raised clumps of vegetation.

Finally, I arrived into the RSPB Frampton reserve. I deviated off the seawall up the path towards the road then it was about a mile walk up to the visitor centre where I met with Lynn and Harb. They had been there a while and had chatted to so many people. Chris the manager and Jade had their photos taken and I also met Michael one of the volunteers.

After a cuppa and some flapjack I left, this time walking on top of the old sea defences high up along the side of the road. These were narrow and overgrown in places and I was repeatedly caught in the brambles like hands grabbing me and snagging my clothes and skin.

Then it was another long drag following the route of the river Haven into Boston. The geography became very industrial and for the first time in a while I saw banks of solar panels. The route took me past a landfill site, scrapyards and some sort of terminal. All the while in complete contrast I could see a dramatic brick built tower in the distance.

Finally after a very long day I arrived at my destination where Lynn and Harb were waiting. I jumped in Lynn’s van and we were off to Asda. We arrived just in time to see the Lionesses play Spain. Unfortunately it was not a good result this time.

I caught Lynn and Harb by surprise doing a debrief on video.

Then I was so tired I had to go straight to bed without writing this blog!

I forgot to mention my outdoor toilet issue yesterday! Thank goodness it was nice weather because it would have been horrendous if it was today! Needless to say sometimes when you are walking it creates excess wind and occasionally there may be an unexpected follow through! Fortunately I had my emergency toilet kit with me but still ended up going commando for the rest of the day! Obviously no photos of this!