Day 131 - 05 March 2011

Saturday
Training Day: Planned: 20 miles.  Achieved: 19.2 miles.  
Time Taken: 4 hours 38 mins.
Weather: 0 Degrees, 6mph wind with 19mph gusts.  Mist/White Cloud


With my husband Ian by my side, we set out at just gone 6am.  We had already planned the route and it was going to be a hilly one, as the Edinburgh Moonwalk takes in a lot of hills, including Arthur's Seat, which will be a little difficult.  Where I live, it has some hills, but the majority of my previous distance training has all been done along the very flat promenade. 

 Setting off (6am)

The route would take us down a big hill (Belle Vue Road) towards Christchurch.  We would walk along the river path towards the town centre, but then heading west. The street lights were still on, but as we walked beneath each one, they were turning off, heralding the day ahead. 

 New Zealand Park, Christchurch

It's amazing what you notice when you're walking alongside the roads that you always drive down.  These primroses were out in full bloom and looked wonderful. 

After several miles heading west, we then headed towards a road that took in a never-ending steep hill.  But as this was fairly early on in the walk, this was easy.  

I was becoming more aware of how cold it was - there was a light fog at first, which gave way to thick white cloud, not letting in any sunlight at all. Usually, my hands warm up after half an hour, but kept having to flex my fingers as I walked to keep some feeling in them. 

Bournemouth seafront by the pier

We walked through Boscombe, leading onto Bournemouth and eventually reached the Pier where we walked onto the Promenade.  Heading west, we were now walking towards Sandbanks.  Still cold, but not that breezy, which I was very pleased about.  There were lots of dog walkers, runners and cyclists out - even at that time of the morning. 

 somewhere in that misty sea, is the huge ferry leaving Poole to sail to Jersey

We reached Sandbanks just as the P&O Ferry was leaving Poole on its daily sailing to Jersey.  It looked huge - I only ever see it from miles away.  I was disappointed that the mist swallowed it up in my photo....

We turned around to head back towards Boscombe Pier and I suddenly became aware of how cold it was.  The wind was NNE with a 19mph gust and I couldn't feel my legs or my hands, which had turned bright red with fingers that were becoming very sausage-like.  

 Beach huts at Branksome

We got to Boscombe Pier and headed north - up the steepest hill of the journey.  I was so cold by this time, that I couldn't even get my iPhone camera out to take a photo of it.  But believe me - The Marina which leads up from Boscombe Pier onto Overcliff Drive is hard after having already walked 13 miles. 

By the time we reached the Overcliff Drive, I realised I was thirsty and also realised that so far, all I had eaten was a single Jelly Baby.  It was why I was feeling so tired by this point. 

Walking past my favourite cafe, Cafe Riva, which serves the best breakfasts in the world, we were heading homeward.  Ian lent me his gloves (I didn't think I needed them when we left home, as my hands always get so hot when I'm walking) as my hands were hurting with the cold by this stage.

Now we headed towards Hengistbury with our home calling out to us.  

4 hours 38 minutes.  Oh and the best bit............!