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| Sandra Elsena Barbara Mick and Ken(taking photo) at Exceat |
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| Elsena in GRACE vest |
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| Barbara Elsena Mick near Firle we hope! |
Thursday, 28 April 2011
EXCEAT TO FIRLE
28th April 2011: EXCEAT TO FIRLE
An overcast day, with occasional sun, but breezy - good for walking. It all went according to plan - Sandra and Ken drove us to Firle, where we met Barbara and Mick (my sister in law and brother in law) at about 10 am. We left their car at Firle, and all went in Ken's car to Exceat, where we parked in the official car park (pay and display) - £3.50 for the day - and set off on our journey walking towards Alfriston and Firle at about 10.30 am. It was a fairly easy start, but gradually got steeper. Just as you think it had levelled off, there would be yet another hill, but this was no comparison to the Seven Sisters! I'm afraid the others had to wait for me going up the steeper hills as I had to keep stopping to stretch my aching legs, or catch my breath! Then I realised I had brought my ventolin inhaler and after using this I could breather a lot easier!! Walking down towards the river and Alfriston was easy. We stopped at Alfriston for coffee and cake, before setting off on the long slow climb to Bostal Hill and then Firle Beacon, stopping occasionally to take in the view, have a drink, or eat a snack. The views all around were amazing and the strong breeze very refreshing. I particularly loved the long flat walks at the top of the hills! We arrived at Firle car park at about 3pm, so not a bad pace. We did 8.5 miles today over hilly terrain (with a half hour stop) in 4.5 hours! Only 81.5 miles to go! ...Next walk will be Sunday 1st May, with Jane, meeting at Newmarket Inn on A27 at 9 am, to drive down and start at Firle, to Newmarket Inn.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
STARTED SDW WALK AT EASTBOURNE TODAY!
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| Start of SDW Walk at Eastbourne |
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| See La Belle Tout in distance - have come a LONG way! |
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| I think this is the 3rd sister of 7! |
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| The end of today - Exceat - 10 miles |
Unexpectedly started my walk from Eastbourne today! Mick (my husband) drove me to Eastbourne just to find the starting point/parking etc. as well as perhaps doing some walking. When we got to the sharp bend down to the seafront, it was easy to spot the SDW sign post, with the little cafe and steep hill going up towards Beachy Head. It looked daunting, but at the same time too inviting not to start walking - luckily I put my boots in the car!
It was then decided that I might as well start my official Walk, because it looked too steep to do this just for practice! Also, it seemed like a good idea, as previously stated, on the planned start on 1st May, it would be a lot busier on the roads, and difficult to park anywhere on the Bank Holiday weekend at Beachy Head. So I started walking, after asking a lady to take my photo beside the SDW sign post, whilst Mick drove to Birling Gap, parked there, and walked back to meet me half-way, and then we walked together to Birling Gap. It was a very hot day and at times the walking up hill was tough,but the scenery is always beautiful there, and I met a few interesting and kind people on route, who took pictures of me at signposts and monuments!
After a rest and some nourishment, I decided to continue as far as I could. Mick drove to Exceat to park, and to walk back to meet me along Seven Sisters. But before we met up, I had climbed six of the Seven Sisters! It was gruelling, and at times, going up yet another very steep hill, did not know how I could continue. I had to lie down half way up hill to recover before climbing on to top - I learned a lesson to carry more water, as I did not have enough for the hot sun and no shade. I was so relieved to reach the summit of the last hill and see the Cuckmere River below, knowing we would now be going downhill the rest of the way. Because of the steepness of the hills (even going down them was not easy) my average speed was only 2 miles an hour. A final photo at Exceat before driving home. I hope the next bit will be flatter, but I did no more today. I think 10 miles over that terrain and in the heat was enough! 10 down, only 90 to go!
I am proud to have achieved that first day, mostly alone, but thanks to Mick for encouraging me to do it - he knew I had some trepidation and doubts.
This is a tribute to my brilliant and lovely surgeon, Simon Butler Manuel, and my equally brilliant and lovely oncologist, Aggie Michaels, for their skills and research, and their dedicated team. Without them, I would not probably be doing this. I hope I can finish what I started! Exceat to Firle on Thursday 28th April!
22nd April 2011: I am surprised that I feel so good since my mammoth hill climbing event 3 days ago! I played tennis Wed and Thurs morning, and have done a lot of gardening over the past few days, as I have neglected it of late. Apart from my legs feeling a bit leaden and achey and being quite tired yesterday after two sets of tennis, I have had no lasting side effects. I think I should be ok to walk day by day, as long as it is not a repeat of Tuesday! Have nearly sorted my walking schedule for everyone - could do with one or two more walkers, but it is manageable. I will never walk alone, as the song goes!
Monday, 18 April 2011
It's April - ONE MONTH TO GO!
1st April 2011: It's April already and I still have not walked 10 miles in one hit! (Probably not that I am unable to do it, just the time and confidence that having got half way, that I can make it back again, as most of my training sessions have been done without company). Have sent out a lot of emails, and letters to those not on-line informing them of my Walk with a plea for sponsorship - so far have raised over £600. Thanks to everyone who has great faith that I will achieve this!
6th April 2011: Managed an enjoyable three sets of tennis (doubles of course!), had a delightful lunch afterwards with the members in Horley LTC, and was thrilled that everyone showed an interest in sponsoring me - raised £58 during the meal! Thank you tennis players...
7th April 2011: A couple of well-laid plans for today, and all that....unable to fulfil, so we decided at the last minute to go to France/Germany for 4 days. Managed to get a sailing for this afternoon. Hope there will be an opportunity to do some serious, but fun, walking - packed my boots in case!
8th April 2011: Stayed in Belgium last night en route to the Moselle in Germany - aiming for Cochem to do some high vineyard walking and along the river. Arrived in Cochem mid afternoon to find they were setting up a Fete for the weekend, in the car park where the Information Office is! We found a space, but had difficulty getting out again - we upset a few stallholders as we wove in and out! The Information Office was no help at all, so we decided to drive up river towards Bernkastel and find our own pleasures.
Discovered a lovely hotel, right on the banks of the Moselle, with good walking all along and up through the village to the vineyards. Had a cold beer - the sun was very warm - before setting out on a late afternoon walk along the river. Beautiful scenery all around - river, vineyards, hills and mountains. Only downfall was my allergy to all the amazing blooming trees! Too many of them just overwhelmed my immune system. Medication and eye drops useless! Nevertheless, we walked about 7 kilometres next morning. Boots now well broken in!
11th April 2011: What a relief to be in Northern France where the pollen count is less. We diverted over to the coast in plenty of time to walk the 'French Downs' (the return sailing booked for 1800). Parked at L'Escalle, walked the track to the foot of Cap Blanc Nez, then up the steep escarpment to the War Memorial at the top - amazing views - can see the White Cliffs of Dover. We have been here several times, but usually drive to the top! The climb went on up a lesser incline to St Edmunds Mount, then we walked round it and down through the fields to the other end of L'Escalle. It was about 7 kilometres, but the effort was worth a few more!
18th April 2011: Where did the week go! Catching up in the garden as the weather is nice, as well as playing some good and energetic tennis with my friends (and sponsors!). Some of us are getting concerned re starting on a Bank Holiday weekend - will we all be stuck in traffic jams, or unable to find parking at Beachy Head, and Alfriston - always busy on sunny days, especially if it is a Bank Holiday! I think I might have to start towards the end of the previous week, then I will be ahead of my schedule, even if things slow up later on the weekend. Just need to contact some fellow walkers and re-organise the time-table if everyone agrees.
6th April 2011: Managed an enjoyable three sets of tennis (doubles of course!), had a delightful lunch afterwards with the members in Horley LTC, and was thrilled that everyone showed an interest in sponsoring me - raised £58 during the meal! Thank you tennis players...
7th April 2011: A couple of well-laid plans for today, and all that....unable to fulfil, so we decided at the last minute to go to France/Germany for 4 days. Managed to get a sailing for this afternoon. Hope there will be an opportunity to do some serious, but fun, walking - packed my boots in case!
8th April 2011: Stayed in Belgium last night en route to the Moselle in Germany - aiming for Cochem to do some high vineyard walking and along the river. Arrived in Cochem mid afternoon to find they were setting up a Fete for the weekend, in the car park where the Information Office is! We found a space, but had difficulty getting out again - we upset a few stallholders as we wove in and out! The Information Office was no help at all, so we decided to drive up river towards Bernkastel and find our own pleasures.
Discovered a lovely hotel, right on the banks of the Moselle, with good walking all along and up through the village to the vineyards. Had a cold beer - the sun was very warm - before setting out on a late afternoon walk along the river. Beautiful scenery all around - river, vineyards, hills and mountains. Only downfall was my allergy to all the amazing blooming trees! Too many of them just overwhelmed my immune system. Medication and eye drops useless! Nevertheless, we walked about 7 kilometres next morning. Boots now well broken in!
11th April 2011: What a relief to be in Northern France where the pollen count is less. We diverted over to the coast in plenty of time to walk the 'French Downs' (the return sailing booked for 1800). Parked at L'Escalle, walked the track to the foot of Cap Blanc Nez, then up the steep escarpment to the War Memorial at the top - amazing views - can see the White Cliffs of Dover. We have been here several times, but usually drive to the top! The climb went on up a lesser incline to St Edmunds Mount, then we walked round it and down through the fields to the other end of L'Escalle. It was about 7 kilometres, but the effort was worth a few more!
18th April 2011: Where did the week go! Catching up in the garden as the weather is nice, as well as playing some good and energetic tennis with my friends (and sponsors!). Some of us are getting concerned re starting on a Bank Holiday weekend - will we all be stuck in traffic jams, or unable to find parking at Beachy Head, and Alfriston - always busy on sunny days, especially if it is a Bank Holiday! I think I might have to start towards the end of the previous week, then I will be ahead of my schedule, even if things slow up later on the weekend. Just need to contact some fellow walkers and re-organise the time-table if everyone agrees.
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