Putting my best foot forward

 

I went for a walk on Sunday.  A very long walk.  To be specific, 26.5 miles from one end of the Island to the other, through some of the best countryside you will see.  I was not alone; there were several thousand of us, all putting our best foot forward to raise money for our local hospice through the annual trek across the Island.  

I have never tackled the whole walk before, although it is always something I have wanted to do.  We have done the 'Flat Walk' on three occasions, joining with grandchildren and grandparents on an 8-mile, less arduous route (although still a test when you are 5 or 82!), and last year N and I did the first half of the main walk.  My son managed the full walk 10 years ago, and a couple of years ago, N's daughter did it.  It was time for me to step up to the mark, too.

I started walking at 7.30am at Bembridge Airport and finished at Alum Bay just before 4pm.  With the exception of a couple of short 'comfort stops', I walked non-stop; I knew if I sat down at any time, I probably wouldn't get going again.  Many times I was reminded just what a beautiful place it is we live in, although towards the end I was concentrating so much on just putting one foot in front of the other that the scenery was almost overlooked.  I had planned to take lots of photos along the way, but soon realised that it just wasn't practical to keep stopping to get a picture, not with so many other walkers - and quite a number of dogs, too - to consider.  I did make a point of getting my progress card filled in at each of the check-points, though.  

Unfortunately N wasn't able to walk with me.  It became clear, on some practice walks we did earlier this month, that the damage he did to his knee at the end of last year meant he simply couldn't undertake a walk of anything like that length.  So I walked on my own and he provided invaluable support via the mobile.  And I must say that there was huge support from all the marshalls and check-point volunteers along the way, which was great and much appreciated.

Tennyson's monument

The coloured sands of Alum Bay, and a glimpse of the finish

The blue and white archway, the official finish line - a very welcome sight indeed

The final leg from Freshwater Bay up and over Tennyson Down was tough.  It's along steady climb to the monument on top of the Down but the walk is still far from over.  Right out to the far westerly tip of the Island before doubling back down to Alum Bay; I had to dig deep.  But at last there is a glimpse of the finish line, and a final push to the end.

I crossed the line and had a 25th anniversary medal hung around my neck.  I found myself quite emotional for a few seconds, but elated.  I had Walked the Wight.  And not one blister!

You don't know what you can do unless you try.