Yesterday was the 42nd annual Cambridge Oxfam walk, this year held at Chilford Hall.

You could choose from several beautiful walks in the countryside ranging from 4 to 26 miles.

As I was walking with a friend not used to long distances we decided on the 12 mile route.

We woke to the sound of pouring rain but luckily it soon stopped and during the day we only had one other downpour.

At Linton in the village Hall , we had tea and cakes..all cakes home made by villagers.

It was a very enjoyable walk in lovely countryside and we had a great day.

My friend did very well and I just hope her legs are not aching too much today 🙂

Next year I hope I will be able to do the longer Route with Geoff

All photos can be seen here

On Sunday after a late night with friends wine and sauna 🙂 I was up early to meet up with the Cambridge Rambling club.

For all of 10 seconds I thought about just staying in bed but the promise of a 15 mile walk soon convinced me to get up.

I was so glad that I made the effort as not only did I get a great walk but it must have been the hottest day of the year so far.

I came home quite sun burnt and my sun cream is now in my  walking ruc-sac.

I also went straight out on Monday and got myself a pair of 3/4 length walking trousers as these will be much cooler for the warmer days , also good for Peru too.

More photos can be found here…

As most of you will know I was away with Geoff  last week doing what we enjoy….  walking !

At the very last minute it was decided that we would make our way up to the Lake District.

We left  Cambridge on the Wednesday and stopped over with friends in Elland, having a lovely morning walk along the canal on the Thursday before heading off to Kendal.

In Kendal our lovely friends, George and Jacquie, put us up over night then George drove us to Ulverston early on the Friday morning.

The Plan was to see how far along The Cumbria Way we could walk in 3 days.

Day 1. We went from Ulverston to Skelwith a total of 24 miles walked, not including the 2 miles to the pub ! Coming into Coniston along the lake was a beautiful walk.

Day 2. We went from Skelwith to Keswick a total of 22 miles walked, again coming into Keswick by Derwent water just as the sun was setting.

Day 3. We went from Keswick to Caldbeck a total of 19 miles walked, amazing views as we skirted round Skiddaw.

George then came and picked us up at Caldbeck and we stayed in Kendal another night before returning home.

Towards the end of Day 3 I had my first major slip while out walking and I fell into Grainsgill Beck.

I can tell you it was freezing and for a moment I thought I was going to be swept right back down to the bottom of the beck . Luckily for me my ruc-sac got caught between 2 rocks.

Thankfully  I always carry spare kit so had a full set of dry clothing to change into and this was a good reminder of why we always carry it.

At times we found the route hard to follow and sometimes confusing but don’t let this put you off, as this walk was truly beautiful.

We were lucky to have the most fantastic weather too.

This was the most I have ever walked in such a short time, so I  came home very happy and high from all the fresh air and sunshine.

Photos can be seen here.. and …here

Quite often on a Sunday especially when Geoff is away, you will find me making a 80 mile round trip to meet a group for a 15 mile or more walk.

I have even been known to do a 100 mile round trip

Some people would think this is very excessive but its what keeps me going all week,….the thought of a good walk with company.

Sometimes I over look the fact that I do actually live in a nice village with some lovely walking right from my own door step.

So today we set off from my house and did a 5 mile circular walk, no main road walking just all country lanes and permissive paths.

This distance I am happy to do on my own, so this route will be my evening walk now the evenings are becoming lighter.

I am not saying I will fit it in every night but I hope to do it at least twice a week and have my longer walk on a Sunday too 🙂

I go and get a blister 🙁

Yesterdays walk was with the Cambridge rambling group.

Vera led a group of 14 on a 16 mile walk from Audley end, over the undulating Essex countryside as far as Langley.

Where we had our lunch outside The bull then refreshments inside before the return walk.

This walk took us through some of the prettiest villages I have ever seen, obviously the people of Essex are not short of a bob or two 🙂

As my ecco boots give me sore feet after about 15 miles I decided that today I would wear my new Asolo boots.

A replacement pair for the faulty ones I had and boots that I have been wearing for many years now.

The last thing I expected was to get a blister but to be truthful they never felt as comfortable as my ecco ones.

So now its back to the drawing board and time to experiment with various socks and maybe see if I can get my ecco boots stretched at the local cobblers.

Geoff’s Everytrail  route can be seen here  and my photos can be seen here

On Sunday the 8th of February we met up with the Newmarket Ramblers for an 11 mile walk from the monument on shelter house corner near Elveden.

Amazingly so did 33 other walkers 🙂

It was a figure of 8 walk which apparently is always popular as many people just do the first half of the walk.

This was certainly the case today as only 11 walkers stayed for the afternoon half of the walk.

As usual Phil led us on a very enjoyable walk and we were blessed with some lovely sunshine after all the snow during the previous week.

Yesterdays walk was with the Cambridge Rambling club, it was advertised as a 14 mile walk but was in fact 16 miles.

Carolyn did a great job of leading us on what must have been the muddiest walk I have ever been on 🙂

I always enjoy walking with this group as not only do they do the longer walks but they are a fun group to walk with.

This walk started from the fancy new blue bridge on the Hardwich road.

If you have not seen this bridge before then its worth going just for a look, as the bridge itself must be a mile long 🙂

Geoff’s Everytrail of this walk can be seen here and all my photos from both walks can be seen here

On Sunday I woke to the sound of pouring rain but was not put off going on my walk.

So off I went to Brandon Country Park to meet up with the Newmarket Ramblers.

Eight hikers turned out for this 14 mile, figure of 8 walk… I  knew all the walkers so there was much chatter as we walked.

The girls led the way and one of the boys (he knows who he is ) struggled to keep up with us at times.

I expect his legs ached on Monday morning 🙂

We hardly noticed the rain as the trees in the forest sheltered us well.

Many Thanks to Tess for leading the walk with the help of Millie the dog, and we wont mention missing a turning :-)  🙂

A shorter drive this week , taking aprox 35 min’s and a round trip of just 54 miles.