Marching On

One of my Facebook friends is aiming to walk 62 miles in March. That sounds a lot until you realise that it is only two miles a day…

“I could do that!” I thought, but is that really a challenge if I normally achieve that? Further research revealed an alternative target of 10,000 steps a day in March. 

Gulp! 

"I could try that..."
I had an appointment at the hairdresser's at the crack of dawn. 

Afterwards, I resolutely rejected the offer of a lift home - that wasn't going to help my step count, and took the opportunity to drop off some paperwork.

By lunchtime, I had amassed about 3,500 steps, but that was only a third of my target. I cajoled DH to come for a walk, as there was nothing he HAD to do this afternoon…

“Where are we going to walk?” was the inevitable question

“I have absolutely no idea” was my predictable reply.

I pondered. Then I had an idea!

“Let's park at the far side of the Arrow Valley Park and walk across to Ipsley Alders Marsh. I have always wanted to go there."

I was tempted by the prospect of a boardwalk, and a pond or two.

We set off, round the Morrisons roundabout and straight on

“Erm where are we going?”
“You said 'Park the far side of Arrow Valley'…"

Then the penny dropped

"Ah, it is not down here is it?”
“Nope” DH was driving to our destination rather than the partway point.
A quick turn around and we were soon at the car park and heading off across Winyates towards Ipsley Alders Marsh following Blacksoils Brook. 

Progress was slow as it was a good opportunity to catch a few Pokemon…i

Blacksoils Brook, the boundary between Winyates and  the adjacent industrial estate 

After crossing Winyates Way, part of the 'Matchbrorugh Circular' bus route, we discovered the path we intended to take, was officially closed. The surface had been razed in preparation for a fresh layer of tarmac.

“The footpath looks perfectly OK. 

If not we can walk on the grass. 

The sign is just a legal disclaimer to prevent us from suing them if we fall over. We will be fine.” 

With no sign of a workforce to impede our progress, we continued on our way.

There are still parts of my town that I have not visited and Ipsley Alders Marsh was one of them. We had no idea what to expect. 

Initially, we were on a tarmac path, 

but then we deviated onto a muddy pathway which was rather slippery. 

Not great for someone with a dodgy knee!

Keeping carefully to the perimeter, where there were trail markers, we managed to avoid the worst of the mud. 

Then we lost the path and there was no indication of where to go, other than through a flooded gateway into a housing estate - which was not what we wanted...

We tried to take a detour around some shrubs. 

The ground got wetter and wetter. 

I stopped to look around and realised to my horror that my foot was sinking in the mud... 

With a great deal of effort, I extracted my foot. 

Unfortunately, my shoe remained in the mud! 

Arghh!! 

I had to put my socked foot down on the cold wet ground to rescue my shoe! 

The ground released my footwear with a very loud squelch. 

Leaning on DH’s shoulder I managed to get my shoe back on. 

By now, the fact that my shoes were waterproof was academic, as my sock was soaked! 

We squelched on. 

Disaster struck again, only this time it was the other foot. 

I hollered to DH to come and help me. 

My hero gallantly sprang into action pulling me out of the mire.

I staggered trying to get my shoes back on my foot without losing my balance 

DH overbalanced and ended up on his hands and knees in the marsh.

Muddy Man, very muddy man!

The poor man was muddy from his hat to his feet, and as for his glove...

Under the circumstances, there is only one thing to do - laugh!
DH was a little put out by my laughter, but then he too began to appreciate the ridiculousness of our dilemma. 

"Let's get out of here!"

By now we had established that speed was the best strategy to avoid sinking

and we staggered and squelched our way to the relatively dry ground at the edge of the field.
The muddy path that we had hesitated to walk along earlier, now appeared to be a veritable highway. 

We encountered some stepping stones - by now we had given up all idea of staying dry and used them to cross the stream.

A step too far?

We never found the lake or the boardwalk. 

They can wait for another, drier day.

Our walk back to the car was somewhat quicker

and if anyone noticed our muddy appearance they never said a word.

Day 1 16,508 - 6,508 above my target.
Just one problem, my knee is aching, so tomorrow will need to be an easier day - not least because my walking shoes will probably still be drying out.
With rain due for most of the day I may need my brolly!