SUCCESSFUL CHEMOTHERAPY AGAIN!

21st December 2011:   Successfully completed my 3rd course of 6 cycles of chemotherapy! Yesterday  I was given the fantastic news that my CT scan is virtually clear, except a few very much reduced, 1mm size spots on the liver, which are on their way out, and can be considered well and truly zapped after today's final infusion! I am still amazed and overawed by the miracle of science and the quality of care given to me by my expert team at St. Luke's Cancer Centre in Guildford. I am extremely grateful to have my life back again.

25th December 2011:  Dubious about travelling only 4 days after chemotherapy, but nevertheless Mick and me went to his brother's for Christmas Day. I took all the usual anti-emetics and steroids as a precaution so as not to ruin everyone's lunch! Apart from being extremely tired, and having to rest on the sofa in between the main course and the Christmas pudding, I thoroughly enjoyed the food and company!

A SUMMER OF ROCKCHOIR, TENNIS, GARDENING AND CHEMO!

Rockchoir at GuilFest 2011! Rain had just stopped!

Rockchoir in Auditorium at Wembley Arena!

Our own Male Rockchoir on stage at Wembley!

My favourite time and place in the garden!

Apart from having cancer secondaries diagnosed in my liver and starting chemotherapy in July, it has been quite an amazing summer! I joined Rockchoir in January, as a goal following my last cycle of chemotherapy which ended in November 2010. Between January and May I learned 13 songs (in harmony - mine is alto)! Very necessary if I was to take part in the planned concerts. Very exciting, and I was looking forward to everything, but especially our surprise venue, which we were eventually informed was to be... Wembley Arena!

This was to be our first major performance - talk about starting at the top! It was a lifetime experience - amazing feeling to sing with 8,500 people in that iconic venue! And a wonderful surprise, especially when our own Male Rockchoir went on stage to sing 'Pretty Woman' - none of us knew, even the wives were not told! We went wild - they were fantastic! The whole event will be in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest choir to sing in a concert who had a Top Twenty Hit.

Our second concert was at The New Victoria Theatre in Woking. It was incredible!  Really on stage this time. We even had two standing ovations, one of them was for our hit song 'Something Inside So Strong' - very moving.

Our third concert of the summer was to open the GuilFest Musical Festival. Unbelievable day - I have never seen so much heavy rain in one place, most of it directed towards our stage, and being the shortest, I was in the front row, so I got quite wet! But not as wet as our Choir Leader, Sam, who ended up wearing her wellies on stage!

Unbeknown to me, or anyone, I was developing secondaries in my liver, probably as long ago as before my walk in May. So, even though I was active, gardening, playing tennis, walking a lot, I had been having some abdominal discomfort, and by the time of our 'Wembley'  Rehearsals, I could not take, or hold, a deep breath when singing, and I felt somewhat 'bloated' in my upper abdomen.  We had a lot of Rockchoir Special Rehearsals, which I found exhilirating, but not easy to breathe!

After my blood tests and check ups, I began to suspect it was returning somewhere, as my ca 125 had started creeping up again. It did not really occur to me that I could have liver involvement. The mind is a weird protective organ - it does not want to know, so is in denial, making any excuse such as, needing to do stomach exercises, ate too much cake etc.!

 I was to have a scan on 16th June , with the result to coincide with my oncologist's appointment on 12th July. Coincidentally, that evening was our Special Rehearsal for GuilFest, which was on 16th July - I had to make that, discomfort or not! By the time I saw my oncologist, my 'liver' discomfort was actually painful, and the bloating under my ribs meant I could not sit up easily without rolling onto my side. Playing tennis was not comfortable either. So I knew it would be bad news before I even saw my consultant. I started chemo on 20th July.

Before that, I had a wonderful half-spa-day to use - bought for my 70th birthday, to use after my Walk - an ideal time to use now, to unwind, de-stress, and chill out. A very good friend agreed to accompany me, and we definitely chilled out, as after our swim, jacuzzi, massage and relaxation, we had dry white wine spritzer's in the Alexander House garden hot tub, in the rain before having a delicious lunch! A perfect ending to a lovely summer, before my third course of chemotherapy!

The good news about this chemo, is it has less side effects. I have still got my hair after three cycles! I do not get the 'Taxol' bone pain, because I am not on that one - I am on Caelyx. I have to avoid anything hot - fluids, hot showers or hot baths, the sun - so I am getting used to everything tepid, and using Factor 50, and wearing a sunhat even to do the gardening! The nausea and tiredness are the worst side effects, and usually only last about a week.

I have felt generally well enough to go to various events that I would not have been able to go to on my previous regimes: A wedding on my third post chemo day (!), likewise a cousin's 80th birthday (surprise) party, in Birmingham - got a lift from my sister and Keith, otherwise I could not have gone to that. We stayed in a Premier Inn, avoiding the drive back the same day.  Also, we had a five day break in France during my fourth post chemo week, before returning early for my brother-in-law's funeral.

I also went to my friend's birthday, with the tennis group, when I watched the game (the day after chemo is really too soon to feel like playing!), then stayed for coffee and cake. We had her birthday lunch and presents giving the following week. Then, three of us went to see Jane Eyre a few days later.

Another amazing thing happened - I have been nominated to carry the Olympic Flame! There will be 8,000 carriers from all walks of life, so I probably will not be chosen, but a great honour all the same. Altogether, an eventful time, whilst trying to fit in decorating the outside of our house! Of course I have to spend quite a lot of time resting in the day, because the nights are as usual - insomnia is very lonely...

I have extended my justgiving page to 1st December 2011, to give more time for those who have not donated, as well as for those who had been left out of the original loop because the messages did not get through. Hopefully, I will then achieve my target of £3,500! 

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER MY SDW WALK!

22nd July 2011:  It has taken since May for fundraising to reach several targets, and for that I am extremely grateful to everyone who has donated. The Grand Total as of today (when another friend at last gave me the promised sponsorship), is £3,345.50, which is absolutely phenomenal, as my original target was £1000.00, so THANK YOU EVERYONE VERY VERY MUCH!

GRACE is delighted with all our efforts for them,  and we are all particularly grateful to all those who enabled me to do this walk by their continuing support and help,especially by walking with me, or I could not have done it. GRACE Charity will be writing to all of those intrepid walkers very soon.

I have been very busy collecting off-line donations, catching up with everyone,family, friends, at tennis, and at Rock Choir, when we performed at Wembley Arena on 15th May! Amazing experience, and the sound of 10,000 people singing in harmony was mind-blowing! The rehearsals were every week, plus extras for any particular show like Wembley, and then The New Victoria Theatre in Woking a couple of weeks ago, followed by GuilFest last Saturday has been awesome. The buzz from performing live on stage in front of such loud cheering, clapping and singing support, will be lifelong memories!

There is a sad rider to this happy summer tale; I am sorry to say that, unbelievably, at my last hospital visit, my check up scan and ca 125 blood test were positive for a recurrence of cancer. The scan showed some small secondaries in my liver, and I restarted chemotherapy this Wednesday, 20th July. It is hopeful that this chemo will target the cancer cells and I will be planning to do this walk again next year! I stress that this time I was not ill at all - maybe a bit tired, but then I had walked 100 miles, and continued to do all my other activities! Getting bloated again was a small clue, and then, whilst waiting for my results, I got a few pains across my upper abdomen. Nothing to go to the doctor about, but as it turns out, its 'here we go again'!

I have had nothing but superb attention and care at St. Luke's, and my oncologist and the team have moved very efficiently to start my treatment. I was actually asked if I would like a long weekend or week's holiday break before chemo started, but by then I was in pain, and just did not feel safe and secure away from home, so opted to start chemo as soon as they could fit me in.

Thanks everyone for all your love and support. If anyone has not yet donated to GRACE, please feel free to do so on my www.justgiving.com/elsena-marsden, as I have now extended the page until the 1st September 2011.

CRAWLEY OBSERVER PRESS REPORT 18 MAY 2011

The long awaited Press Release of my mammoth effort in walking the 100 miles of South Downs Way from Eastbourne to Winchester. Only one little error - it says I started in Winchester - and Eastbourne! Also, I think they could have left out the 'Brave' bit - I complained quite a bit about my sore feet and aching legs!

MY 15 MINUTES OF FAME IN CRAWLEY OBSERVER 18 MAY 2011
LET'S HOPE IT RAISES MORE DONATIONS FOR GRACE!



ELSENA'S JUSTGIVING PAGES AND INFO RE GRACE

In case you are reading my blog, but do not have my justgiving or Grace web address, here they are:

If you would like to donate on-line simply and securely, please go to www.justgiving.com/elsena-marsden for this very worthy cause, and for my HUGE EFFORT in walking 100 MILES!
 
For information about GRACE (Gynae-oncology Research and Clinical Excellence) click on:  http://www.grace-charity.org.uk/

My appreciation and thanks in advance.

Elsena (Marsden)

10TH AND LAST DAY - EXTON TO WINCHESTER

Start of last day - Me and Carolin(Philip took photo)

Worth the steep climb up from Exton

We have come from the far far trees and beyond!

I hope Philip is checking the map!

Nearly there, really this time!

Please let me stay here a few more minutes!

Turned left up from river and there it is!

HOORAY!

Intrepid finishers: Carolin, me and Philip

Us with our welcoming committee!
Gabrielle, Ray, Carolin, Lesley, Val (my sister), Me and Philip

8th May 2011:  Philip and I were up early, but the hotel staff were not!  Sunday breakfast not until 7.30am, so we had to wait around a while. Checked out in good time to get to Winchester quite easily before 9 am as the traffic was light, and we used the B roads from Exton. We parked by the College to meet Carolin, but also for us to look round Philip's old school and if he could catch up on old teachers and friends.

Carolin arrived exactly on time at 9.30 am.Philip then drove us all to Exton to park, where we finished yesterday. We started walking about 10 30am. It had been raining all night, so the paths and roads were quite wet. We were still having the occasional shower,  so it was pac-a-mac wearing day, on and off.

I started walking quite well, but the first hill, to Beacon Hill, out of Exton was very lengthy, some of it steep. There were also a lot of cyclists doing a race, who were on the same road as us at this point, so it was difficult to get into a stride. But some of the cyclists were also struggling up this steep hill and they had more than 100 circular miles to do!

It was annoying me a little that  'temporary walkers path' signs was making our map reading difficult, and I felt sure, in some places, that we were walking further than we should have done. The signs had separated 'walkers' from 'cyclists' and 'horse riders' and in one place, the cyclists got the 'through route' which was on our map, and we had to walk the other two sides of the triangle around the road (hard going on the feet going up hill too!).

We turned away from the road, at a bend and went on a farm track towards Lomer Village, and had a more pleasant walk. We sat in a clearing to have a rest and water/snack break, and suddenly a high wind hit us, so we did not stay there long. The farm we came to was called Windy Farm - how appropriate! We soon came back to another hard road walk, with crop fields either side of us. We reached the 'Millbarrows' and the Millbury Pub at a cross roads. This pub is supposed to have an old treadmill but we did not want to stop to investigate. It was inviting also to think of having a cool lager, but it was full of a motor car convention crowd, so we made use of the facilities and moved on (we had already just eaten and had a drink anyway).

 At Lane End, we came to the end of our road walking bit,  and went along another farm track to Holden Farm, where we crossed the A272, to go on a north-westerly route above Winchester. Going up Ganderdown, we began to get some fabulous views, but the contours were closer together and I had to stop several times to rest my legs and feet. Just turning back and standing admiring the view, and the distance we had come, gave me a rest and a different stance, as well as taking in the beauty all around.

I was definitely finding this the hardest day in terms of my swollen feet - no problems with my fitness in general - I wanted to walk faster, but was struggling with the the blisters - even though my sore toes were  covered with 'compeed' plasters, it was the feet swelling that made the boots too tight. I tried loosening them, but that made it worse. So Carolin and I decided to sing a marching song, and began with 'O when the saints...'! It kept my pace going, up yet another hill, for probably about 30 yards, then I was hobbling again. This went on nearly all the way from then on.

When we were way above at Chilcombe Down, the trail evened out, but continued undulating, until we were with earshot of the 272 again and knew we were close to the end of the walk! But first we had to come down to cross the A272 - not easy - walk down through Chilcombe, on the hard roads again, with some roads sloping up and down.

One more field to cross, 'Oh when the saints, go marching in....oh when the saints....go marching in..' Stop, I had to stop. We took a break, ate some more food and had a drink, before the final bash up the final hill and down towards the bridge crossing the M3 and into Winchester. I felt a bit emotional. Philip kept saying, it isn't far now, for about 45 minutes! (My phone had rung or text beeped several times, asking where were we, for about one and half hours before we actually arrived, by our welcoming committee!) However, by now I was really hobbling and struggling to walk, and could not wait to get sight of King Alfred's statue. When we came to the city walls and the river, I felt relief, but also wondered how much further did we have to walk. It seemed to go on forever...the river was beautiful, flowing fast, the swans grooming, the trees in bloom.

Climbing up away from the river bank, turning left on the road, and suddenly there was the statue! The best sight in the world at that moment. We instinctively cheered. Our welcoming committee spotted us coming down the road and popped open the Champagne! Photograph time by the statue, with or without everyone in it. A final photograph with us all, champagne glasses in hand, (taken by a kind passing stranger), of Gabrielle and Ray, who welcomed me with champagne and arranged dinner, my sister (Val) who brought herself, some flowers, and her friend Lesley, and of course, Carolin,Philip and me. It was an exciting finish! and what a relief! Just time to find our hotel and wash and brush up before our celebratory dinner. It was a perfect ending!

THE PENULTIMATE WALK: QUEEN ELIZABETH COUNTRY PARK TO EXTON

The start today from QECP, going up Butser Hill

At Meon Springs for refreshments

Martin and me finding the Way Post!

At this stage I would love to be on a horse!

Never ending this walk!

Ah, here we are at last. Cheers! The Shoe Inn at Exton

7th May 2011:  Stayed last night in The Jolly Drovers Inn in Liss, near Petersfield - very convenient for the walk, and for picking up Philip from the station. Breakfasted at 7.30, collected Philip at 8.30 then drove to Exton to meet Martin, Liz and Jack. Martin drove us back to QECP where we started our walk to Exton.

It was raining first thing, and had been quite stormy during the night, but the forecast said it would brighten up during the day, which proved to be the case. We had sudden showers now and then, but the sun was warm when it appeared. We had our showerproofs on and off all day long though! In view of the rain, we also had to be careful on some of the steeper trails, but we had no real problems.

The walk up Butser Hill, listed as the highest in the South Downs, was fairly difficult, but not too steep at all, and the views from the top were certainly worth the climb. We did not bother to climb higher to go to the mock 'iron-age' roundhouse, but continued on our way. We had several hills to go up, or down. I think Salt Hill was where we saw some mountain bikers, and as it was quite steep, and muddy, they got off to carry their bikes. We did not find it easy to walk down either.

We came down to Meonsprings, which was a little oasis, of lakes, fishing and an 'honesty' hut, where you helped yourself to cold drinks, tea, coffee, cake or snacks, and put the required money in a tin. Then we sat beside the lake resting and having a drink, watching the fishermen flycasting.

Old Wiinchester Hill was not too difficult to climb, but it was a long route, with a high viewpoint, so obviously worth the effort.  The Fort was all the way around the other side of the hill so we did not go there. By now, I was not only tired, but my feet were burning, and the blisters felt huge. I dare not take off my boots to cool down, for I would never get them on again! We eventually got to the bottom of the last hill, to find there was an 'alternative' route for the SDW along the overgrown banks of an old river bed, or dry stream. It seemed a very long walk to get back to civilisation and Exton, where we enjoyed a perfect cold beer and a packet of crisps before Philip took Martin Liz and Jack back to their car at QECP. I stayed put drinking a shandy, until Philip returned for me. We had a very nice meal in The Shoe Inn before registering at our hotel in Droxford.  88 miles done - 12 to go!

Tomorrow is my final day, from Exton to Wnchester! My last 12 miles of a 100 mile journey along the South Downs Way! Philip and I will travel to Winchester to meet Carolin in College Street, and try to find somewhere to park. Then drive back to Exton to start the last stage of our walk to Winchester.

There is a storm outside as I write this, and it is pouring down with rain - I hope it dries out tomorrow or we will be very wet and muddy on arrival in Winchester.

COCKING TO QUEEN ELIZABETH COUNTRY PARK

The start of today, near Cocking

Jane admiring the cows

We're assured it isn't far to Harting

Still seems a long way up steep hills - Jane waiting for me.    

Our friends Elaine and Rod, me and Mick at lunchtime break

Resting half way up yet another steep one - bench provided!

This view was worth that tedious walk

The end of today at QECP - worn out!

6th May 2011:  Jane, my husband and myself were doing the long walk today. Logistically it worked well. Mick was driving down to Queen Elizabeth Country Park, off the A3, leaving his car there and doing the walk backwards to meet us half way. Jane and I drove to Cocking, and left my car there, and started the walk, up a very steep hill, which I saw yesterday and knew it would be difficult! Not only the steepness, but the length of the upward trend was quite hard to do. Once up that part, we reached a lovely open area, still going up hill, but with beautiful views, which certainly helped.

I had to stop quite a few times going up the steep hills, because the blisters I got yesterday were painful again, and I also had to keep stretching the backs of my legs (mainly the hamstrings) in order to continue, but with Jane's support, we made it. On the way up another steep bit, we stopped for water and a fudge and chocolate snack to keep us going! We saw some cyclists flying down the bit we had spent half an hour climbing, and wished we had bicycles!

Everyone we passed said hello, or goodmorning, where are you going? Quite a community the South Downs walking and cycling traffic.

I had a 'phone call whilst climbing another hill, my friend Elaine, who had been with Rod on a freight cruise, which went on for 5 weeks! (That is what happens on freight cruises - you have to sign up to go where they go, even if it goes beyond your original dates (but the overlap is free). They were supposed to be joining me on the walk, but because Elaine badly gashed her heel on the ship, she could not walk, so it was great that they could meet us today for lunch half way, and we found them waiting in the Harting Down Car Park, along with Mick, who had just turned up as well, having got lost at the start, by following a circular trail! (There are a lot of trails in this QEC park and sometimes not clearly signposted).

We all enjoyed lunch and a nice cool lager in a pub in South Harting, before Jane and I said we must get going, as it was 2 pm, and we still had 6 miles to do. Mick chose to come with us to finish the walk as well. After that stop though, the rest of the walk was more difficult, as we have found any time we have had a pub lunch break - we just stopped too long and became stiff and sore. It took a lot of stretching and walking to get everything moving properly again.

We did not reach the end of the walk until about 5.30 pm, the last bit seemed to go on  forever!  Mick had parked in the very bottom car park nearest the A3, and the hill that we went down to reach the bottom seemed at least two miles long. I wonder where they take the measurement, to and from, this place. It seemed more than 13 miles today anyway.

It was certainly a relief to get into the car, then we had to go to Cocking for my car, and I had to drive to Liss, near Petersfield, where I had a room booked in the Jolly Drovers Inn. A very nice room and I had a nice glass of wine and a meal in the pub, before retiring to look at tomorrow's walk and do my blog. The wireless signal is strong and freely available, but I cannot raise it on my laptop for some reason. I am too tired to bother the landlord again, so will keep this as a draft for now.

Tomorrow, Martin, Liz, Philip and me will walk from QECP to Exton - about 11 miles. I am picking Philip up at Petersfield station at 8.30 am.

WHITEWAYS TO COCKING WITH GABRIELLE AND JO

5th May 2011:  It took a long time to get through the traffic to arrive at Cocking to leave one of our cars today. Gabrielle only arrived at 9.50am and Jo and I arrived at 10 am instead of 9.30. So by the time we drove back to Whiteways it was 11 am before we started!

My dear friends trusted me when I said it was only 8.5 miles today, so we should finish early. I did say that there were two steepish hills! What I did not know either, was that these two hills were two of the steepest of the South Downs! We were very cheerful climbing those hills, and enjoyed the views. Especially along the top past Bignor Hill when we had flocks of sheep all around and in fenced fields on either side of the path. Then we saw a lone little lamb bleating on our side of the fence with its mother and siblings within the fenced field (I thought this is like two days ago, when we couldn't get the lamb back in the field with its mother). However, Gabrielle used to live near a farm and with great skill organised us to quarter off the lamb to stop it running in either direction, whilst she opened the gate. The lamb eventually took the hint and ran back in with the fold! The mother actually came to the fence and looked at us as though to say thank you.

The last part of today's journey was the flattest, but the worst, because it was still high, and sometimes undulated lengthily, and we wondered when it would start to go downwards. The path was hard, uneven and sometimes flint and stones, and the last major part went for several miles through a closed in forest - we did not have a view of anything and we were having to watch the uneven path non stop. Occasionally we came to a signpost that was confusing, like 'this is not an authorised through route' when it was marked as a South Downs Way. We found out later by another notice on a gate, that it meant no motor cycles!

The 'South Downsmen' are busy putting up new signs and new gates and fences, so some of the route here was unfinished. We met some cyclists coming along the track, who said it was about 3 miles to Cocking, but by our reckoning he underestimated by a couple of miles, so we were a bit despondent when we were still walking an hour and a half later! By now, we had sore feet and aching legs. It surely must have been more than 8.5 miles today.  At last we reached sight of the Cocking road and, my goodness, the upward path on the horizon I will have to climb tomorrow (Jo and Gabrielle saying, glad they will not be doing it!). It took about another half an hour to reach the car park by the SDW. What a relief! What a long day. 4.30p.m. when we thought we would finish in time for lunch at The Bluebell!

The start of today at Whiteways - Jo, Elsena and Gabrielle

A lamb rescued and returned to Mum!

Mum saying thank you I think!

We have to go up there! Elsena and Jo

That is where we came from today over that far hill!

Another day ended - hooray!

Tomorrow, we will leave at 8 am. Mick will go in his car, and Jane and me in my car, on the A3 to Queen Elizabeth Country Park, south of Petersfield, to leave one car, and then drive along the 272 to Midhurst and south to the Cocking car park on the SDW. It is 13 miles. Who know when we will finish!

MIDWIVES' DAY! WASHINGTON TO WHITEWAYS - DAY 6

Starting day 6 at Washington - Elsena, Pam and Tina

Above the Arun Valley taken by nice young man!

We watched this calf being born!

We have come from that horizon path and the farm

Hooray, the end of today!

Cheers with cups of tea - Pam Tina and me

4th May 2011:  What an amazing day - such a lovely walk - easier than other days. We met on time at Whiteways Cafe car park, had a coffee and flapjack, then left one car there. We drove to Washington to start our Day 6 walk. It was good to see my midwife friends, as I missed their last outing, just a pity our other friend Jo could not make it today. I was quite nervous about walking today when I got up, because I was still a bit stiff in the hips and legs, and my left little toe had a sore place. Once I had stretched, showered, sorted out my toe, I was much better, especially when I put my boots on and they were comfortable.

The start of the walk from the village was up the hill and past the church, crossing the footbridge over the A24. We went steeply up through the woods on a rough track, quite a long way before we came to a clearing, and then it continued to rise, and rise. The view at the top was worth the climb and effort! We sat on a log seat and had some more flapjack and water before attempting the next hill. Once we were on the crest, we were looking down on Storrington beyond the valley and miles of land to the North Downs in the Distance. The crest was a long one, so there was no climbing for a while, making it a pleasant walk.

We arrived at a decent mound (tumulus) to sit on for lunch, with a splendid panoramic view, from the sea at Arundel, parts of the snaking River Arun and the valley, as well as seeing the huge hill up to the A29 that we would have to climb. We took the opportunity to ask two walkers to take our photo by the SDW signpost - very good humoured and pleasant young men. They were walking from Amberley to Shoreham, and asked where we were going to, so I said 'Winchester'. Not today surely he asked! I explained what we were doing for GRACE and why, and they seemed very interested. As we said our goodbyes, they both handed me a £5 note for GRACE! How kind people are, and generous. Yesterday, we were given £5 by an elderly gentleman, who asked about the GRACE T shirt I was wearing!

Another surprise was in store not long afterwards... we walked down a steep chalk path to a dairy farm, which also had a small field beside the track with cows that had had their calves and some who had not (as well as a bull - I could not see why that was!) As we were going past, Pam said she thought one of the cows, which was laying down, had a prolapse, but on closer inspection, it was a bag of membranes, with a calf foot visible within it! No farmer anywhere, but we three intrepid midwives thought we would keep a close eye on proceedings! The bulge got bigger, the farmer appeared (he knew this cow was probably in labour, so was checking up on her every hour), he pierced the bag of water with his stick, and the two front legs of the calf became clearly visible. We stood well back, and the farmer was very kind to allow us to take photographs of the birth - as long as we did not get close, because the cow would stand up and cause problems. I used my zoom, and we were so priviledged to see the birth of a beautiful calf! The mother licked and licked the calf all over. It raised its head, but had not managed to stand by the time we left.

After that, we walked down to Amberley, then had to cross the River Arun and climb the very steep white chalk path up to the A29, which took about another hour, but well worth the effort, to look back at where we had come from on the horizon, with the river in between.

The walk down to the Whiteways Cafe was not a pleasant one, as the A29 is very busy, we walked along the edge of the crop in the field beside the road - too narrow to walk comfortably. We enjoyed a cup of tea in the sun outside before setting off back to Washington for my car, and then the drive home.

End of a perfect 6th day and 60 miles! Tomorrow, we will meet Gabrielle at Cocking at 9.30 am, before driving one car to the Whiteways Cafe car park, to walk from there back to Cocking - about 8.5 miles, so a shorter, if perhaps challenging route.

IT'S MAD RACQUET DAY! DEVIL'S DYKE TO WASHINGTON

3rd May 2011:  Team Mad Racquets set off from Devil's Dyke, with some logistical delay(!), at around 11am and eventually three of us arrived at Washington at 5.30 pm. A beautiful day with great friends, lots of chivvying and support.  It has been a very long and tiring day, so I will finish this tomorrow, with photos. BUT, I HAVE DONE 50 MILES! HALF WAY THERE!

Here I am on 4th May, before 7 am, to do this, otherwise I will have two blogs to do tonight!

What an amazing and beautiful day we had, with Dolly, Liz and me walking all the way from Devil's Dyke to Washington, but Marie and June joining us there to walk as far as Upper Beeding, where June had left her car. We picked June up on route from Washington, where we left the first car! Marie met us at Devil's Dyke. Hence the logistical delays, and the later start! Once we got going, though, the pace was good, as it was a welcome downhill at first from DD. In our rush to get going, we forgot the first photocall, but on route, still up near DD, a kind walker took our photo.

We were all enthused by the magical scenery, the sea sparkling on the horizon, and the weald on the other panorama, with the North Downs on that horizon. It has certainly encouraged some of my friends to walk the Downs again.

At Upper Beeding, we were met by our other Mad Racquet friends, Helen and Harry, who could not, unfortunately, walk with us. They were a welcoming committee coming slowly up the trail from the River Adur to greet us walking down. There was no comfortable area for us to sit and lunch by the river,  and no wcs so we were driven into the town to find public conveniences, then went to Bramber Castle grounds where we enjoyed a delicious picnic of smoked salmon sandwiches and Buck's Fizz that H+ H kindly brought with them for us to toast the Half Way point of my walk (would be 50 miles by the end of the day)!

After our little, but delightful break, Liz, Dolly and me continued on our way, climbing up out of the valley, with the view of the River Adur and Upper Beeding below us. This was not an easy part of the day at all - the hill seemed to go on for a long time, and I had to stop to stretch the backs of my legs quite a few times!

We had a beautiful walk, past sheep, cattle, and panaromic views again of the sea on one side, the south downs, the weald and the north downs! Incredible land of ours! Before we got to Chanctonbury Rings, we walked gently up to a crest above Steyning, where we found a little lamb stranded on the wrong side of a barbed wire fence to its mother. They were both bleating, but we could not help, because the lamb kept running away, and the mother kept running towards it, but could not get it to come back. We even opened a gate, but it ran away again. We had to walk on, but did find a chap in a range rover in another field we walked through, and he said he would tell the farmer. Relief, as it was so pathetic.

Arrival at River |Adur - Marie, June, Dolly Liz and me

Half way to Washington - Dolly, me and Liz

My feet feel like this broken sign!

Almost there

Made it - 50 miles!

At Devil's Dyke to start - Liz, Dolly, me, Marie and June

The walk was quite arduous from then on, until we had gone over the lastcrest hill and realised it was downhill from there into Washington. However, that trail ran out by the A24 because it was too dangerous to cross, and we had to find another path through the woods, parallel with the minor road leading into the village. Eventually we reached the Frankland Arms, where we had left Dolly's car. I had a welcome cold lager and lime, whilst Dolly and Liz opted for a pot of tea - how very British! We toasted the 50 miles with tea and lager! Then Dolly drove us back to my car at Devil's Dyke, through the minor roads, as by now it was rush hour. Apart from our lunch break, we had walked for 5 and a half hours and done 11.5 miles!


Tomorrow, I meet Tina and Pam, my ex-midwife colleagues and friends, at Whiteways cafe on A29 at 9.30, to drive to Washington, where we start the walk back to Whiteways - 10 miles.

NEWMARKET INN ON A27 TO DEVIL'S DYKE

Philip,Suzanne,me,Jo and Gabrielle(taking photo)



Hard going up this hill towards Ditchling




Ditchling Beacon




Most difficult climb to get here!




Devil's Dyke - end of day!

 Monday 2nd May 2011:  Another beautiful sunny day, but extremely windy and gusty. Made the climbing of the hills more difficult. We all met at Devil's Dyke, to drive one car back to Newmarket Inn to start our walk. We were not quite sure where the SDW started, so after making an error or two and having to back track, we decided to cross the main A27 at a designated crossing area, to find the path more easily on the other side, rather than walk to the bridge crossing. Once there (and it took us about half an hour to get to it!), we found the climb quite steep and long. It levelled out to a more sloping climb after about 20 minutes. There was some relief from both the strong wind and the upward trend when we reached a tree plantation and started to go down. After that, the climb obviously went up again, and up and up, till we reached Ditchling Beacon.

Unfortunately for us, it continued to go up, on a more gentle continuous but long slope, and levelled off at the Jack and Jill windmills, before going down towards Clayton Tunnel and the A273, which we crossed to get to the SDW path to Pyecombe. A welcome break at The Plough, for a cold drink and snack before the inevitable neverending climb up to Devil's Dyke! On this last push, I wondered what I had let myself in for and wished I had planned the stop at The Plough! (But if we did that, it would have put out tomorrow's mileage, and we still would have had that climb to do!). The whole day took longer than planned, as the many hills slowed our speed down to about 2 mph. I was quite elated to reach Devil's Dyke and get a cold drink before setting off home.

Tomorrow, I meet Dolly and Liz at the Frankland Arms, Washington,  at about 9.30+, before setting off to Devil's Dyke, picking up June at Upper Beeding on the way. The walk is about 11 miles from Devil's Dyke to Washington..