Getting back into walking, I have started to notice that my go to shoes are not as cushioned as they used to be so a new pair was needed.
The last pair were made by Scarpa (Spin Planet) and I have been very impressed so went for the same again, although as the old pair were blue the new ones are yellow.
To break the new footwear in (although I don’t think that running shoes really need it) I donned them for a walk to The Griffin.
Being a Wednesday, I would be meeting up with Neil and Paul at around seven so after plotting a route had to leave the house at half four. However, once I’d got every thing ready I was ten minutes behind.
After passing through the village, I had a straight walk (on good a path) to Nether Whitacre. From here it was another kilometres or so to The Gate before taking minor country roads towards the railway.
This road section was very icy and that slowed me down little. Realising that I was not going to get to pub by seven, I called Sue to let her know that I would be about ten minutes late.
As usual, I first headed for Water Orton then on to Coleshill Parkway railway station passing many HS2 workings. Luckily, street lighting was good enough until I turned off the roads to take the track to Hams Hall so I had to put on my head torch.
This concrete track was a little slippery in places as the temperature fell, so had to walk a little cautiously. Once off the track, the path alongside the road was dry and ice free so was able to stride out for a couple of kilometres.
Once off the pavement, I had, again, to cope with an icy surface until I reached the village of Lea Marston.
Through a kissing gate, I took a descending path, across a field, to cross under the railway line via a little tunnel before turning onto the footpath running alongside the tracks.
About a kilometres from the end, I skirted another couple of fields then up a final one to arrive in the corner of the Griffin’s carpark.
I spotted our car and as Sue was not sat in it concluded that she had already gone in.
Entering the pub, I soon spotted Sue and the lads sat in a corner. Sue had already sorted herself a drink (on my tab) so I pop up to the bar for a pint of orange juice and lemonade to rehydrate.
Another three pints (of beer) followed accompanied by much banter and the usual BS.
Sue and I were invited to join Neil and Paul (and others) at the Church End Brewery tap on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, Sue wouldn’t be available so if I do accept the invitation I’ll have to make my own way there.
I have a couple of options (or three if I don’t go!)
- Walk – 17km (about three hours – probably longer as some of the paths can be rather overgrown)
- Bus – NEC, Coventry, Nuneaton, Birchley Heath (three hours).
Which option I choose may depend on the weather.
Finally arriving back at home, I took the ‘after’ photo showing how my shiny new shoes had faired walking to the boozer.