100km in six days – Boom! Made it a day ahead of schedule. And feeling great. Today I walked 17.52km which brought me to a total of 105.97km.
Within a few hundred metres of stepping out of my friend’s door in Cowley, near Oxford, I was walking through a charming churchyard.
On the path towards the river, Robin Redbreast came out to say hello.
I then wandered down along the river, starting near Iffley Lock and heading towards Abingdon.
It was another beautiful day to be out walking. The migratory birds seem to have started to arrive. There were swans and geese, and ducks in breeding pairs. No ducklings yet, but the first buds of spring were beginning to bloom.
As I wandered down towards Sandford, there were plenty of fishermen out enjoying the sunshine. I asked one of them if he’d caught anything, and in typical British humour he retorted ‘Just a cold’.
Although it was a beautiful clear day, it was pretty chilly even with the walking. Most of the people out walking, and there were a few, were well rugged up. It was incredibly peaceful though, and even with quite a few people out walking, it did really feel like the hustle and bustle was a million miles away.
I started walking down towards Lower Radley – struggling along a very muddy path, unfortunately in my sneakers not my trusty hiking boots (I didn’t plan for mud), until I was stopped by the path being flooded completely. I was forced to turn back, and decided to walk all the way back to Oxford instead. It was a bit of shame, but still a great walk. Oxford was shining beautifully in the sun.
I was pretty hungry, and ready for a roast by now. Walked past this house, which has always been a favourite. I always wonder if someone actually lives there – I really must find out one day.
Then had my roast at The Head of the River.
Checked my k’s and realised I’d made it to 100kms! Time to head back to London town.
Was a great week of walking. I’m really keen to get out and do lots more of it. I just feel so great being out amongst it.
So – with just a few days left until I turn 43, The Answer is yet to materialise. I do feel that some part of it is about being connected to this amazing world we live in, and appreciating the awesome and amazing beauty that is around us every day, if we just stop to look. Still a couple of days to go though – so if something more profound becomes apparent, I’ll let you know.
Quite a way from my $5000 fundraising goal, but I’d still really love to at least reach $1000 for CARE Australia if I can. It would still be a good chunk of money that would really help. You can donate on my fundraising page here.
Life. Crazy. Beautiful. 