New Boots & Panties!

Well, in my last update I did say that the next one would be the above title. God knows why! But let’s start with boots.

It’s a tricky business getting the right footwear isn’t it! Do we go for heels? Paton finish? Waterproof? Boots? Shoes? Thigh length? Doctor Martens? Skechers (good for us oldies)? It’s a nightmare!

Nevertheless, boots were bought at Go Outdoors in Bicester, but after a few hours of wearing around the house found to rub on my shins too much.

At this point, may I just say that Bicester Avenue is rather good, particularly compared to the horrors of Bicester Village. All the “Avenue” needs now is a good book shop and an independent record store to make it the all-singing and all-dancing retail wonderland! As for the “Village”, decorum prevents me from sharing the solution for eradicating this blemish on the fine County of Oxfordshire.

The offending boots were returned to Go Outdoors; this time in Windsor, and I came away significantly poorer. A pair of different boots, and some walking shoes too. All very simple apart from getting a new mortgage to pay for the parking in Queen Lizzie’s parish. Outrageous!  Oh yes, and Cate got some new boots too. However, these proved to be unsuitable, so another mortgage was required to return them!! At least that’s given me something to moan about!


Tennis

Having had a significant “Murrayesque” absence from Tennis, I made a brief and highly unsuccessful return to the court in the middle of February. Lasting a grand total of 4 games before retiring with a dodgy knee and elbow. Those of you who know my on court demeanour will be disappointed at the lack of expletive laden muttering or racket throwing as I limped off like a mortally injured big cat!

Lord, it’s shit getting old!

Numerous trips to my chiropractor for acupuncture followed. Several hundred pounds lighter in the wallet; after 5 weeks of treatment, I finally felt okay to start the hard yards.

Training

So, at last we’ve finally got under way with trying to get fitter. Rather than just doing 12-15 miles a couple of times a week; which is what we did last time, we’re aiming to do shorter distances EVERY day. It’s the day after day attrition that is the real challenge of the Camino, so we’re trying to build up fitness for that initially, and then increase the distances.

Cate has a separate project on the go at the moment, which is walking the length of the Thames from the Source to the Barrier in London. As a result, she’s already doing 10-12 miles reasonably often.

In the last week I’ve averaged 6.5 miles per day in various locations (Penn, Harpenden, Bourne End/Cock Marsh, Fingest/Turville etc). In theory, all good. In practice, not so good, as on Tuesday I did 10.5 wearing the new(ish) walking shoes and got a lovely blister right on the sole of my foot. Those 10.5 miles were mainly on concrete pavements around the beautiful urban environs of High Wycombe and West Bromwich. And may I say how lovely West Bromwich was – never have a I seen such a wonderful array of discarded fast food packaging! I can definitely see a “Viz” style theme park being developed there – “Litter Land”, “Garbage Gardens” etc. Don't mention the football in West Brom either!

I can hear you saying “but Nodge, the Camino is not along concrete pavements, so why are you concerned?”. Well of course Spain gets very warm in May, so the dirt tracks and paths of the Camino are virtually like concrete in any case – something we hadn’t really expected 3 years ago. Consequently, the Walking Shoes will not be getting their Spanish Stroll!

However, I’ve spent the last 3 days walking in the new boots. Having the narky blister fully “Compeded* up” (A Camino technical phrase, good people!), I’ve been able to do over 5 miles each day relatively pain free. So, the boots are looking good to be in the squad, and on the plane come the beginning of May.



*other brands of plasters are available (but I think you’ll find that they are somewhat crap in comparison!)



For more details see my sister blog - Bucks Blisters!

Panties!

Quite frankly, this was only added into the title for 2 reasons: -

1.      As it references a rather magnificent musical work by 70’s beat combo Ian Dury & The Blockheads.      An album featuring modern classics such as “Sex & Drugs &Rock’n’roll”, “Clever Trevor”, 
“Plaistow Patricia”, and “Billericay Dickie”

2.    The word “Panties” used for purely salacious reasons to draw in some of the more politically incorrect

     elements of my readership (no names mentioned, to protect the guilty)

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