Now I hasten to add at this point that I had never actually walked 20 miles, so the number felt like just that, an incongruous number that betrayed little about the mammoth task ahead. We would be walking a well-trodden route through the wild and wonderful Cheviots, along the Scottish border. Amongst our group were a few seasoned walkers and a few well meaning novices for good measure. After practising a well-timed emergency stop for Leanne to vomit at the side of the road with travel sickness (nothing to do with my driving ability, I swear) it was safe to say we had all been suitably introduced to each other.
What on earth possessed us to embark on a 20 mile walk on our sunday I hear you ask, well we were raising money for a local charity who helps disabled children with funding for prosthetic limbs. One adorable little boy had lost both legs due to meningitis, and it reminded me of all those years ago (1996) of when my little brother contracted meningitis at the age of 3 but was incredibly lucky to recover relatively unscathed and with all limbs intact. The charity in question is also a nominated charity of mobile phone network EE where my boyfriend works, so the walk and charity meant something to everyone involved.
As I breezily agreed to participate in this walk, I have now come to learn just how difficult walking 20 miles and 13 hours of constant cardio is. Fortunately, an exceptionally gruelling (yet strangely fun) walk in the Lake District with a few friends had prepared me somewhat for what lay ahead and I'm pleased to say the first 10 miles was fine. It wasn't until the rain poured making the ground boggy and hard to manouevre that things got difficult. Trudging through bog and pulling your soaked boot out for three ours started to take its toll. My blisters grew blisters and I'd ran out of replacement dry socks (rookie error). Poor Leanne had only brought trendy nike trainers so had practically developed trench foot at this point and my heroic boyfriend carried her across most of the bog.... I 'manned up' and pushed on of course.
Despite the stormy weather and wet feet, the view was incredible. I love being outdoors and to be in the thick of it surrounded by nothing but fresh air and rolling hills, actually using my feet to get around instead of a car was exhilarating. I had a big smile on my face the whole time! I never thought I'd like walking (maybe not in my early twenties anyway) but I can see why people get addicted! I loved setting myself a challenge and overcoming pain or a particularly hard climb and fighting my way up the next bit (aided by a big bag of jelly babies of course).
It was fantastic being able to get to know new people and talk about everything and anything. Suddenly these people are no longer strangers, but your best friends. You help each other up the side of the mountain, pick out the best route for them to follow or give them a helping hand over a gate.
Around 16 miles in my feet really started to hurt. I was conscious of every step and my blisters showed no sign of bursting. I was also getting pretty sick of having to find a suitably shades spot to go to the toilet in! Nevertheless I knew there was nothing I could do but put my foot forward and carry on. Leanne was hilarious and both in considerable amounts of pain and absolute novice walkers we quite literally crawled to the finish line, arm in arm. The walk had taken just over 12 hours but I honestly can't tell you how fantastic it was. It was painful and pleasurable in equal measures and every time I went to whinge about my sore feet I reminded myself that the people we were doing this for would have given anything to be in my shoes (well, maybe not my sweaty wet walking boots but you know what I mean).
After a well-deserved rest we got back in our cars and drove to a fantastic pub near Rothbury called The Anglers Arms for a strong drink and huge plate of home cooked food! Pulling up at the last drop off I felt sad saying goodbye to my new friends but as cheesy as it sounds, we shared an unforgettable experience together and I can't wait to do my next challege! Walking is one of the best ways to really experience our incredible countryside and for a city girl who dreams of open fields and a big old farmhouse, how can I resist?!
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