I had been back at the gym for a couple of months, cycling and building up my stamina on the treadmill so that I could now manage 3km on the flat. I decided it was about time we walked to The Bottle and Glass, a regular haunt and familiar walk. The doctor said to get back to normal, and for years ‘normal’ has been walking to The Bottle and Glass, having a glass of wine in front of the roaring fire, or outside in the sunshine in the summer, before walking back home again – a very agreeable way to spend a few hours. We set out with a short term goal – to get there; we could always get a taxi back if need be.
I cannot describe the pleasure that I gained from that walk after a two year absence, especially the stretch along Berringtons Lane, surrounded by hawthorn. The saplings that had been planted to screen the path from the golf course had doubled in size since I was last there and I had all but forgotten the magnificent pampas grass. It was a cold dry day and the finches were darting in and out of the shrubbery as if in anticipation of the spring, even though it was still months away. I arrived elated by my success and not even a bit achy, and after a couple of drinks decided I could complete the return journey on foot. What an achievement – 5 miles and almost double what I had previously achieved on the treadmill; a little achy the next day but well worth it.
I few weeks later and full of optimism, we decided to take on the Rainford loop, one of our longer walks, and one we had completed several times in the summer on two wheels rather than on foot. This time I didn’t quite manage the whole distance, calling a taxi from the Eagle and Child after about 8 miles. Still, another step up and a fantastic achievement nevertheless, and I was optimistic about our upcoming trip to Madeira after Christmas.
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