Staffs Way: Penkridge to Rugeley part 1

Starting the next section of the Staffs Way, I had company - my husband Andy.

Leaving Penkridge, we followed the Staffs and Worcs Canal, which soon ran alongside the noisy M6. 

Autumn leaves 

We left after this lock. Some more hirers getting ready for a boating weekend 

I liked the look of this ancient tree. It was part of the Teddesley Park estate. The long grass in the foreground acts as a cover crop for the pheasant shoot

More of the estate's vast fields.

Eventually we hit this lane leading to Bednall...

...which had a really traditional village school with a school house attached

The school was founded in the same year - 1856- as my old school, Jesson's C.E. in Dudley.

More tomorrow.

Runkeeper - a helpful (free) app

About a fortnight ago, I introduced a new app to my phone. It's called Runkeeper, and is free. Here's my experience so far:

I know I walk rather than run, but it seems to be a really good app for recording all forms of exercise.

Using it when walking

You indicate to Runkeeper whether you plan to run, cycle, or walk, press start and it then tracks your progress via GPS. There are 5 minute updates on:

• time elapsed
• distance covered
• average speed

I find it quite motivating; in fact it makes me want to speed up, to keep the average high, and it also shows me when I'm flagging.

When I know the distance I'm doing, it's great to hear the miles building up.

Runkeeper can be paused and re-started (if I were to stop for lunch, for example). I did start pausing it every time I stopped to take a photograph, but when it re-starts, it updates 5 minutes after the restart, as well as every five minutes from the original time. By the time I'd paused it for 6 photo opportunities, I had an almost continual update! So I abandoned that

Motivation by email

As well as the progress shown on my phone, there are various motivating emails. This is what I was sent after last week's Stourport/Bewdley circular walk:

CONGRATULATIONS

A New Personal Best for Walking!

	Farthest Distance 9.59 mi
	Longest Duration 4:11:24
	Most Calories Burned 958 cal
	Largest Elevation Climb 694 ft

Great to see that I used up 958 calories! That really was motivating. 

I had other emails saying things such as well done, keep it up. This is your best two mile walk (I'd only recorded one, so it was bound to be really)

Target-setting

Runkeeper lets you set targets - weight, time exercising, distance etc.

I set a target to walk 30 miles by November 1st. I've only recorded 15.8 so far, but I have a big walk planned for tomorrow. I might have to go round and round Kinver Edge on my return if it's not far enough.

I've had emails updating me on how close I'm getting to the target. 

Do I recommend it?

Absolutely. An upgrade is possible - you can have training plans sent to you. But for me the simple recording is just great. I love having accurate records of my progress.

(I do write them down too, in case Runkeeper suddenly becomes a paid-for app).

So watch out for tomorrow's planned walk: the next stage of the Staffordshire Way. I'll be using Runkeeper  to monitor my progress. Maybe I'll reach my target!

Asolo Tribe boots reviewed - a great find

With all the walking I am now doing, it was time for some new boots. I first saw these in a walking magazine, and was immediately drawn to them because of the colour. Shallow, but true.

Finding them was more of a problem. Although I do lots of internet shopping, I feel walking boots should be properly tried on. In a shop. But finding a stockist was difficult. There are a few in Scotland. In fairness, they are more mountain boot than rambling boot.

But a drive to Scotland, or North Yorkshire, is not cheap. Particularly as I found these on Trekinn, a Spanish site, for £115 rather than the British prices of £180 or £175 depending on stockist. So I ordered them from Spain. I had to add in £10 post and packing, but still much cheaper. (I had been given £120 as a retirement present, so it was just right - I paid a total of £125)

The boots arrived in just over a week. The technical specifications are below. They are Goretex lined, which means they are waterproof, but more suited to winter as they are not so breathable as ordinary leather

In terms of comfort, they fit very well. The ankle cuffs are hinged so they aren't too rigid, which suits me.

They lace right down to the toe, making fine adjustments very easy to do, so they fit my feet exactly. And they are also very light - again, I prefer that. But despite the lightness, you can't feel stones and rocks poking through when walking on rough ground

I have walked about thirty miles in them now, and they have been very comfortable. No blisters.

I love the colour, comfort and style. My two worries are how well will they clean. They are more suede than leather. Second worry - will I love them as much when they're muddy? I'll let you know...

Below: the boots in action on the Ridgeway National Trail

Details:

Boot name: Asolo Tribe Goretex Woman: 
Colour: Grapeade 
Specification:
- UPPER: Water-resistant Perwanger leather, thickness: 2.2-2.4 mm 
- LINING: Gore-Tex performance comfort footwear
- ANATOMIC FOOTBED Lite 2
- SOLE Asolo/Vibram Radiant rubber-eva
- WEIGHT: 720g (1/2 pair size 8 UK)
- SIZE available: Woman 3.5-9.5 UK (halfsizes are unusual, but to be welcomed!)

Walking in London - and a game at Wembley

We were in London for the American Football game at Wembley. But we still needed to walk. 

This walk was from Hampstead to the Tube station at Swiss Cottage. For less than a mile's walk, we cut about 35 mins from the journey

This is Belsize Avenue...

...a typical street in this affluent part of London.

 There was some kind of a fair on at St Peter's Church

 ...but the children preferred to play.

One child was reluctant to leave!

 The houses were huge

Wonder how much this would cost?

Destination reached. Swiss Cottage. Somewhat less attractive

The Hampstead Theatre is thriving, but Me Heart Sushi has closed down

Arriving at Wembley, some Detroit Lions fans pose by their heroes

Some take the dressing up to more extreme lengths than others

The Wembley Arch 

The Atlanta Falcons run onto the pitch to smoky fireworks and a huge flag supported by about 50 people

The spectators had coloured  sheets to hold up to make the Union flag...

 ...and the NFL symbol. We were holding part of the American flag, so I couldn't photograph that.

This is the  moment where, with 4 seconds of the game to go, the Detroit Lions take the lead for the first time. The fans were stunned, and the Atlanta Falcons had no time to take it back, losing by one point.

On the way out - Wembley lions, art installations made of recycled flags, programmes, and so on 

 

And the view from our window this morning. From Hampstead's Premier Inn looking to Central London, 4 miles away. To quote Wordsworth: earth hath not anything to show more fair - although he was talking about the view from Westminster Bridge

You can clearly see St Pazuls, the Gherkin, the Shard, the London Eye, and The Post Office Tower, plus my pink phone reflected in the window!

With this blog, I am trying to show you can walk anywhere and everywhere. There's always something to see while keeping fit!

The Ridgeway - Ivinghoe Beacon

On my way to London on Saturday. Still wanted to go for a walk, so we went for this stroll on the Ridgeway long distance path

It's in the Chilterns, off the M1 and/or the M40. Only about 20 miles to London, but feels much further away than that

 The cattle are belted Galloways. The National Trust put them there to keep the vegetation in check

 Didn't see any military equipment on our walk

A rare view of me. Note the new boots: I'll be reviewing them shortly

 A dry valley - feature of chalkland like this, but spectacularly steep-sided

 My other half 

The only problem is, the hills were alive - but with people, rather than the sound of music. But it's nice to see families enjoying themselves

The path is so well walked it was easy to follow. No need for a map

The summit of Ivinghoe Beacon. It's 757ft above sea level (233m), but isn't the highest point of the ridge. It's the one with the best view though. It's also the start or finish of the Ridgeway National Trail. Avebury is at the other end.

  

It was an out and back walk of about 3 miles, but a little strenuous, totalling 400 feet of ascent, according to the app on my phone. I will be reviewing this app on a later post too.

To do a walk like this is so easy; it's simple to follow; it doesn't take long; and helps with overall fitness. Plus it's lovely. What's not to like?

Walk details: Car park (signposted) on a minor road off the B488 near Ivinghoe. It's about 8 miles from the M1 - a little further from the M40. To walk, just follow the Ridgeway path signs.

The Ridgeway itself is 87 miles long and follows ancient trackways. It's full of history and not too difficult to walk. I have plans...