Well that’s what it said on the tin…the map actually but you get the joke? The map was supplied by Sian and our walk was titled ‘A Towering Success’ – and so it turned out to be.
With our Vicky out for the count with an ear infection and well under the weather, Joe scheduled to make a choir session in Bloxham, Sian and I opted to take full advantage of a beautiful spring day (in February!!) and try out the walk from Hook Norton.
Firstly it might be worth mentioning that around this time last year all of us came to grief on the icy roads – this year Sian and I are walking out across the open countryside in ‘T’ shirts – none of this yellow ‘high viz’ stuff this time.
The walk itself was truly amazing, I love walking and I know Sian does too and even in far more dubious weather a good walk can lift your mood for the day…but in such glorious sunshine and peaceful surroundings it can be a real lift.
Did I say “peaceful?” - just as Sian and I were settling down to a decent bit of Belles Banter the girl leaps into life as if a tiger had jumped out from the hedgerow. Somewhat startled I swung round to see what the problem was only to be surrounded by about 6 or 7 cyclists out for a Sunday ride. I ask you, who goes out cycling these days…last years news for us Belles. But they were fit young chaps so we’ll cut them some slack.
As with all Belles training days there was tea and cakes lined up at the end, this time in the The Joiners Arms. Sian had given up both cake and biscuits for ‘Lent’ so the delicious biscuit that arrived with our coffee was little more than temptation to Sian so I did the dutiful thing and ate it for her. What a friend! When the teacakes arrived I did suggest these may also fall outside of permitted foods but Sian was having none of it this time – I didn’t hear her reply as she was too busy eating. Apparently teacakes don’t count.
Joe eventually caught up with us and we set off back in the car towards Pollicott, via Lidl in Bicester. What a bizarre mix of merchandise…never before can I recall strolling the centre isle of a supermarket with jam and marmalade on one side and metric socket sets and motor cycle accessories on the other.
Eventually we arrived back at Pollicott to continue with our Sunday, more tea and cake for Annalises birthday.
Our first stressful training session over…not!
Love
Alex xxx
It has been almost three years since the Belles set a challenge. We haven't stopped, we simply need to re-set and re-focus and find time to get ourselves back in the zone.
