Marathon metatarsal mishap

“Angular fracture of third metatarsal on left foot” was the diagnosis after the x-ray. Thank you Chippenham minor injuries unit for your excellent service and promptness. Best not mention the light- sabre comment!!

I know exactly when the fracture occurred. It was on the penepenultimate day of my Offa’s Dyke jaunt on my way to the campsite at Pandy. Blinkin’ tarmac! I felt it go and I knew straight away what it was, but I still walked the last two days (35 miles) with a full pack and a broken bone in my foot. Futile denial is a great analgesic, plus I couldn’t give up 10 days in to a 12 day walk!

When they confirmed the fracture my first thought was “I hope they don’t say I can’t drive – I’m really busy at work in the next few weeks.” Right response? I already knew that I was out of the Neolithic marathon, so that didn’t cross my mind initially.

So, six months of training down the pan? Not at all. I’m probably fitter than I have ever been and I know now that I can run 22 miles in 3hrs 45mins. So I have a target for next year; 22 miles in less than 3hrs 45mins. I won’t be running for a fair few weeks I should think, so will be ready to start training again by the end of the summer. Another winter of running in the frost, fog, drizzle and snow. Brilliant. Winter running is far more enjoyable than summer running. I sweat too much – darn that over-active thermoregulatory system!

My challenge of walking non-stop from Wilthsire Wildlife Trust’s northern-most to southern-most reserve, coinciding with crossing Salisbury Plain during the Sarsen Trail event, will have to wait until the year after next; perhaps one challenge a year is enough for my creaky bones.  As for cycling from John o’ Groats to Land’s End….

Offa’s Offerings XIII – Sedbury Cliffs

This morning I be mostly woken by……excitement! I was so excited I was up at 04:15 and out on the road at 05:45.

Strange sight last night just before bed (at 20:00!) of a male blackbird singing his little heart out with a bat flying around its head.

Anyway, back to today. Up in to the woods by 06:00 where the wood anemones, with their drooping heads, were still asleep. Very steep climb to Kymin, a vantage point above Monmouth. Through magnificent semi-ancient mixed woodland for most of the day above the Wye valley in the haze below. At some points all I could see through the trees in all directions were bluebell and ransom leaves. The woods will be spectacular towards the end of April and in to May. One of the most demanding hills saved for the final day. Nice.

Mustn’t forget the ubiquitous dog’s mercury, daisies, dandelions and, towards the end of the dyke, red deadnettle. Stile-spotters; only one in the whole of the last two days. Who’s been tallying?

I was met a quarter of a mile from the end by my long-suffering wife and short-suffering daughter so that we could walk the final bit together (and so I could get a lift home!). They had made me a cake this morning with rhubarb from the garden. Very thoughtful. I threw my Prestatyn pebble over the cliff in to Severn estuary and pondered how come the sign there said “Prestatyn 168 miles”, the one in Prestatyn said “Chepstow 182 miles” (which is 1.5 miles short of Sedbury Cliff) and the half-way mile post said 88.5 miles in each direction (which is 177 miles). How far have I just walked?

Overall feeling: not euphoria nor ecstasy but quiet contentment and more than a little “I got away with it”. My knees, hernia, feet and the weather in particular.

Finished. Can I go home now? Oh, I am at home. Yes!

Now just the Neolithic marathon to go………..

Offa’s Offerings XII – Monmouth

This morning I be mostly woken by condensation dripping on my face – a very cold night. Oh yes, and a blackbird soloist.

Up and out on the hills by 07:30 again. I like to get to the next campsite as early as possible so I can dry my tent out before I put my gear in. Packed it away with frost on this morning. All adds to the weight!

Pleasant day through undulating red-earth farmland. First sign of arable farming since day one of walk. Busy nuthatch in the woods. Violets, anenomes, cowslips, comma butterfly on celandine and common blue butterfly. The blackthorn has come out in flower in the sunshine in the last three days.

Spring has sprung
The grass has riz
I wonder where the birdies is
The bird is on the wing
How absurd
The wing is on the bird

Who wrote that?

The landscape, stone farm buildings, temperature and sharp shadows remind me of walking in the low eastern Pyrenees.

At a proper campsite tonight. Tent currently drying in the very warm sunshine. One day to go – the longest mileage so far at 18. Up and along the top of the magnificent Wye valley. Should be a good, if tough, day.

Again, thank you to those who are making comments – it is very touching that you take the time to do so. They spur me on. Severn estuary here I come…..

Offa’s Offerings XI – Pandy

This morning I be mostly woken by the incongruous duo of a song thrush and tawny owl.

Stile gurus: last three days have been 27, 6 and today 14. Many new gates – yipee.

Very cold and damp this morning. Hands numb and teeth chattering packing up my tent. Then one and a half hours later sweat was dripping off the end of my nose as I stomped up Hay Bluff on way to walking the full length of Hatterrall Ridge, topping at 613m.

The longest mileage day so far at 17.5 but, eeh by gum, was it magnificent. Six hours of clear blue sky above, cloud in the valleys below, heather moorland around and only skylarks and the work of Aeolus for company. British upland walking at some of its finest. Plus greywacke underfoot; my favourite rock type. Heat shimmer over heather moorland. The skylarks reminded me of the crossing of Salisbury Plain during last year’s Neolithic half marathon. They are good company – very chirpy. Drifts of white and violet violets on the descent through deep ancient lanes.

My rucsac is getting lighter as I eat my way through my food reserves (but fear not I am saving one full day’s rations for emergencies).

Camping at site attached to a pub tonight. Two days to go. Thank you for the supportive and encouraging comments. One final scene to leave you with. I was just about to answer the call of nature, in splendid isolation on the treeless, open spaces of the wild moor, when the shadow of a hang-glider passed over. The cheek of it!

Offa’s Offerings X – Hay-on-Wye

This morning I be mostly woken by the dawn chorus. A super morning’s yomping with the exhilarating ascent, traverse and descent of Hergest Ridge. Soft underfoot and skylarks for company all the way. Sign posts disappeared for a while. Just as well I brought a compass and know how to use it. An important life skill – learn it!

Met a lone female, with all her camping gear, walking the dyke south to north – without a map or proper guidebook! I nearly gave her mine. I’ve been worrying about her. Her feet were in a bit of a state. I hope she will be all right.

Nearly a water disaster earlier. My book pointed out a tap for free water attached to a barn, so never one to miss filling up with water on a warm day, I topped up my bottle. Wrong move – it was full of red floaters! I can’t risk a dodgy stomach when walking all day, so thought I had no water for the next five hours. Luckily in the next village there was an old couple who let me fill up from their outside tap. Thank you.

Thank you to those who are leaving comments – it is much appreciated. Helps keep me going. Three big days coming up. Up and over the Black Mountains tomorrow. Should help with Redhorn Hill.

Staying at a proper campsite tonight. Will go to Kilverts pub in Hay for tea. Named after Francis Kilvert, who was a curate around here in the 1860s before leaving to become vicar of Chippenham – where I live. Life’s connectivity again.

Offa’s Offerings IX – Kington

This morning I be mostly woken by cronking ravens. A very sharp frost – rucsac stuck to inside of tent with ice.

Pleasant, if uneventful, day’s walking up and down dale. Have made it to Herefordshire. I spend hour after hour with just the wind and birds for company. I think it was Thoreau who said something along the lines of “The most companiable of companions is solitude” Indeed.

Wildlife watch: tortoiseshell butterfly on celandine, several bumblebees bumbling close to the ground as I bimbled along, yellowhammers, many ravens, buzzards and wood sorrel and wild strawberries in flower.

It was very warm today – I hope it is a cool day on 1st May for the Neolithic marathon.

By the number of badger latrines I have seen so far, there is certainly a significant population in these parts. The raised loosely compacted dyke seems just perfect for digging.

I saw someone doing a reccie for a 100 mile run in May – and people I have met are amazed at what I am doing! The unrepeatable one by the three army lads was the best. On the second day I answered “Chepstow” to their question of “Where you heading to mate?” Brilliant reaction!

Camping in someone’s back garden again.

Offa’s Offerings VIII – Knighton

….well just north of.

This morning I be mostly woken by amorous mallards on my lake.

It’s not pleasant finding slugs on your water bottle in the morning. Splendid sunny morning over the ‘Switchbacks’ a succession of very steep ups and downs in and out of serene secluded valleys.

Birds: jays, ravens, skylarks and yellowhammers, the sound of the latter two reminding me of long hot summers in Norfolk when I was a teacher.

I’m going to lose both my little toe nails. Splendid. Less weight to carry. Heat shimmer on a road today. Stinging sweat dripping in to my eyes as I tromped up one hill.

As I passed above one farm ‘Homeward Bound’ was playing; how apt, especially as I passed the half way mile post just after. Saw a couple walking the dyke south to north. They looked so clean and sweat-free! They were travelling very light and staying in B & Bs though.

Larch flowers; little vivid pink pineapples. Easily missed. Also wood anenome.

45 stiles today.

Offa’s Offerings VII – Brompton Cross Roads

…..well just to south of.

This morning I be mostly woken by pheasants. Stile followers – 59 yesterday and 40 today. Many replaced by gates. Who is the patron saint of gates? I prostrate myself before thee.

First hour a stiff climb uphill. Claggy underfoot. Walking on average at 2 miles per hour, including refuelling and staring. Stopped at village shop to stock up on chocolate,fruit pastilles and Welsh cakes; the three basic food groups. This afternoon through farmland in valley bottom next to or on the dyke. Reminded me of a pastoral and wooded Vale of Pewsey, across which the Sarsen Trail and Neolithic marathon go. Some super old gnarled oaks.

I must remember to look at the trail arrows BEFORE I climb over the stile – how many times? As with running, albeit tiring, I prefer to walk uphill, as opposed to on the flat or downhill. I was born in a lift on the way up to the maternity ward. Any connection?

Tonight camping in the grounds of Mellington Hall. I am in my own field with ornamental lake (with koi carp) and 3 greylag geese. I also have 3 urinals, 4 toilets, 2 showers, 3 sinks, 1 heater and 22 hooks to myself.

Today was the sixth day of walking with six to go. Time for a change of top I think!

Offa’s Offerings VI – Buttington

This morning I be mostly woken by woodpeckers pecking – and just as well as I slept through my alarm. Very heavy frost last night; it’s hard to pack a stiff tent!

Delightful eight miles this morning through rolling farmland. Had a chat to an old boy in Nant Mawr about a book he is reading. It’s about a German WWII PoW who spent part of his captivity near to where we were talking and part in Devizes (HQ of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust); life’s connectivity again.

This afternoon nine miles on the flat along canals and River Severn embankment – cor it went on. Seeing the Severn, despite it still flowing northwards at this point, was a psychological boost as the walk ends at its estuary.

On the embankment I met a bloke who is walking the dyke in the opposite direction; the first person I have met doing the full walk. Talk about kindred spirits – yak, yak, yak. Be careful at….Watch out for….It might be safest to….We were like long lost brothers. It was sad to say goodbye. Saw brimstone butterfly shortly after.

Is this walk really helping with the Neolithic marathon. An emphatic YES! Not only is it improving my physical stamina, but is also improving my psychological stamina. Never under-estimate mind over body!

Camping in a pub garden tonight – could be interesting.

Offa’s Offerings V – Ty’n-Y-Coed

This morning I be mostly woken by sheep clattering their feeder. A frost and heavy dew. Magic.

Today undulating border country. Crossed into England and walked on the actual dyke for the first time. From Offa’s Dyke today to Wansdyke on the 1st May; life’s connectivity. Highlight was the vortex of 14 buzzards taking advantage of the morning thermals in full sun above the mist-filled valley below.

Flowers spotted: sweet violets, primroses, wild daffodils, coltsfoot, lesser celandine and (opposite/alternate?) leaved golden saxifrage. Oh, and saw first peacock butterfly of the year. Also heard a surprising number of actual peacocks.

Camping in lovely isolated, secluded valley in someone’s garden. No phone or 3G signal – GPS can’t even find me. Brilliant! No shower or hot water for second day.

By the way stile gurus; only 4 yesterday but 29 today. Thanks to those who are making comments – I’m glad someone’s reading the blog!