Romans

 

I did it! 4.9 miles walked over a day, around tesco, along the beach with a friend, has taken me over the virtual finish line and I have my virtual certificate.  The much more real medal will arrive at some point.

It has been a great way of ensuring I get a walk each day - some days more than others! It's given me a bit of fun looking at the APP and remembering the real wall, the camaraderie, the bruising 18 mile finishing leg which was done in hot sun and the delicious cooling pint to celebrate!

Yesterday was a wistful day - I met a good friend, to walk in the rain - she has come to live in the UK after several years in Germany, and we couldn't hug. So frustrating.  I noticed that her German accent is stronger - obviously - it's a lovely one, soft southerner that she is.  She laughed as she has never seen me with such long and wild hair - can't wait for a haircut, who needs pubs opening, open up hairdressers or I will soon look like an equally fluffy dark version of Boris.

We caught up - she jumped down the seawall, I didn't - no way I am re damaging my back - and then, as it always was, she got tired and her back hurt (we used to swim together, she would do 10 flashy, fast lengths and crow at my slow steady progresss - then she'd flop and groan all the walk back) Sometimes caution is ok, but I felt sadly old! Last year's excruciating sciatica is not something I wish to return to.

So now I can concentrate on putting miles towards the other virtual challenge - Lands End to John O' Groats.  Or LEJOG as it is fondly known.  The wiggly route on the APP is just over 1000 miles and I am currently at Torpoint, actually here - HMS Raleigh.