As well as claiming to be the centre of England Meriden can now claim to be the place where I completed one-third of the End to End walk.
Today's squad. Grace (Martin's mum) who accompanied support driver Gina to today's pick up point, Martin, Gina and me.
Today I started a less intense regime of 15 miles a day with a rest day every 6 days. I am also planning to walk slightly slower in an attempt to put less stress on the shins. The walk was from Knowle to Kingsbury Water Park. Martin was a great help especially in keeping my mind on things other than the process of walking. I was not however sure about the merits of his singing when he was explaining that I should have some Morrisey music on my ipod!
We made steady progress through some pleasant Warwickshire countryside, but which lacks the grandeur of many of the counties that I have already walked through. The theme of the day was golf courses as we passed next to a total of four (fore?) - North Warwickshire, Stonebridge, Forest of Arden and Maxstoke. I think that this is a record for one day on the walk.
In terms of wildlife- I have now seen a total of 75 bird species with Gadwall being added today. The wildlife highlight today was however seeing what I believe are Small Copper butterflies on some of the meadows that we crossed. They are really pretty little things. On a somewhat more morbid thought I saw the first dead hedgehog today - do you remember when you would see squashed hedgehogs on the roads all the time?
Tomorrow I hope to walk to Lichfield in Staffordshire, which will make a total of 9 counties if we include the imposter that I consider the West Midlands to be. Martin passed his own fitness test today and I am delighted that he will be joining me again tomorrow.
The KBW's for today are :-
Martin - For services to walking and conversation
Gina - For services to transport, coffee buying and owning a furry toy ginger cat (it can just be seen on my right shoulder in the team photo!).
"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." - Edmund Hillary
Cheers Keith
Only two thirds to go. When reaching the centre of England you seem to have picked up some sort of creature which is sitting on your right shoulder??? Would you like to share with us what this creature is and why its sitting on your shoulder?
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see you and meet Jean on Sunday. We were thinking about you tuesday morning and hoping it wasn't raining with you as much as it was in Rhos. Take care and see you soon, Laura and Alan
ReplyDeleteHi Keith
ReplyDeleteMichael says the Small Copper Butterfly is usually found in fields with weeds buttercups etc. It's orange and brown an inch across ......and you won't see a Large Copper unless you're arrested ! ......they are extinct ! Love Gill xxx