Back in the Groove!

Date: 3rd November 2016

Route: 11 Arches - Hunwick -  Willington - Brancepeth - Willington - Hunwick - 11 Arches

Distance: - ~13.2 miles

Weather: - Dry & overcast

Well with work commitments and various other excuses it's been a while since we did an "official walk" but here we are back on track again.

So as usual for this time of year we decided on a walk along the old railway track as it's always easy going underfoot after rain. Bob drove up to pick me and the Hell Hounds and we drove over to 11 Arches to park up. Strictly speaking we didn't actually park at 11 Arches as the car park now belongs to the Kynren event organisation (Google it, well worth a visit!) but a couple of hundred yards further up the road. Loaded up with our gear and the Hell Hounds in tow we set off at 9.45am for an 8 mile walk, taking things easy after such a long absence (if only we had known!!).

Autumn leaves

It was good walking weather, dry, overcast and not too cold and the Autumnal colours were still in evidence making for pleasant scenery. We very quickly reached Willington and decided we would keep walking until lunchtime before turning round and heading back. As usual our conversation started with a review of the latest rumours concerning Hull FC who had just had their greatest season in years finishing 3rd in the league and finally  winning the Challenge Cup at Wembley. It was also a busy period for us on the work front so as we headed to Brancepeth the we discussed lesson plans for our upcoming workshops (thus allowing me to claim the mileage as a business expense!!).

Bang on 12pm we stopped for lunch to realise we had already walked nearly 7 miles so our "take it easy, 8 mile walk" was out the window. Surprisingly for Bob he allowed me a good 30+ minutes for lunch (reckon his legs were feeling it!) which was fraught with the battle to keep the Hell Hounds away from our butties!

Bob the dog whisperer

Suitably refreshed and beginning to stiffen up we set off for the return leg back to the car. A short 20 minute shower did nothing to dampen our spirits as we put the world to rights, particularly on the political and religious front!

We arrived back at the car at 2.45pm suitably tired but feeling surprisingly fit considering the distance we had covered.  Commitments have now been made to ensure we keep our walking regime up and build back up to the 20 milers we used to do.