Friday, August 26, 2011
Don't Faint... But I Have Actually Done A Walk!!
I decided it was high time I actually got back out there and did some proper training, and as I have been off work for a few days I had a bit of a clear out and dug out a little booklet I must have picked up some time ago, detailing a 10 mile cycle/ walking route following the River Trent and Beeston Canal in a big circle.
I had an eye test booked at West Bridgford so decided to set off after this. When I first woke though I nearly changed my mind- it was absolutely pouring! I was tempted to put it off until today, but then it started to clear so I went for it- looking out at the weather right now I reckon I made the right decision!
It turned out to be a very pleasant walk with a fair bit of wildlife and history. I started near to Trent Bridge and hopped over to the road island where the remains of the former bridge over the Trent are preserved- it would have been very low and near to the water!
The Remains Of The Old Bridge
The Big Track (as it was called) route description told me to turn left and follow the Trent, crossing the Suspension Bridge so that the river was on my left.
The Memorial On The Embankment
Suspension Bridge
At this stage I was following the river on a path with a large green verge, but after a while the river path disappeared and I had to follow the river along a path next to the busy road. This was probably the worst part of the route, although before too long a little path led away from the road and under the busy A52 flyover. I got destracted by lots of blackberry bushes bearing lovely big juicy berries.
The path originally followed a minor road but a new path had been built by the river, and soon after this I lost the sense of being in the city and found myself walking by fields- I saw loads of swans and also baby glebes, it was also very warm!
The Trent South Of Nottingham
It was hard to believe that over the top of the bank on the other side of the river was the busy suburb of Clifton with its main road to the M1. Clifton Hall, a relic of the old village which no longer exists, appeared on the hillside, standing guard over the river and the flat fields surrounding it.
Clifton Hall
I was having a wee run at this point, and passed a couple of ladies with around five dogs between them which they appeared to be struggling to control. As I went to run past I heard a couple of the dogs go charging into the river, and the saw them wading around the feet of a rather disgruntled fisherman!
After what seemed an age I reached Beeston Canal, which was to accompany me back to the Trent.
Weir Before Beeston Canal
I ran/ walkedalong the canal, which passed a housing estate before reaching back into the city and passing the Boots complex and relics of an industrial era which has now largely disappeared. I wanted a wee by now but the canal path is very popular- it didn't exactly help passing this;
When I reached Castle Warf I stopped at a family pub for a latte, drinking it outside so as not to offend fellow patrons as I wasn't feeling at my freshest and most fragranced!
By now the canal was snaking its way through the city, passing the Magistrates Court and this pub with a crane for loading trade goods onto canal barges still in situ;
It was just a case of following the canal back to West Bridgford to join up with the Trent- all in all a good route and one I would do again. It would also make a good cycle route.
Back To The Trent
Flood Marks
Trent Bridge
I reckon I probbaly walked around 12 miles as I walked from home to the start and back but feel ok today- in fact I topped it by going to the gym! Didn't go too mad but I did do hill work on the treadmill and also on the elliptical so I am feeling quite chuffed...
Going away to Wells tonight until Sunday night, although Katie has asked me to pack my jogging gear in case we decide to get up early and go for a run (which isn't actually too likely...)
Hope everyone has a great Bank Holiday- despite the typically Bank Holiday weather!
I had an eye test booked at West Bridgford so decided to set off after this. When I first woke though I nearly changed my mind- it was absolutely pouring! I was tempted to put it off until today, but then it started to clear so I went for it- looking out at the weather right now I reckon I made the right decision!
It turned out to be a very pleasant walk with a fair bit of wildlife and history. I started near to Trent Bridge and hopped over to the road island where the remains of the former bridge over the Trent are preserved- it would have been very low and near to the water!
The Big Track (as it was called) route description told me to turn left and follow the Trent, crossing the Suspension Bridge so that the river was on my left.
At this stage I was following the river on a path with a large green verge, but after a while the river path disappeared and I had to follow the river along a path next to the busy road. This was probably the worst part of the route, although before too long a little path led away from the road and under the busy A52 flyover. I got destracted by lots of blackberry bushes bearing lovely big juicy berries.
The path originally followed a minor road but a new path had been built by the river, and soon after this I lost the sense of being in the city and found myself walking by fields- I saw loads of swans and also baby glebes, it was also very warm!
It was hard to believe that over the top of the bank on the other side of the river was the busy suburb of Clifton with its main road to the M1. Clifton Hall, a relic of the old village which no longer exists, appeared on the hillside, standing guard over the river and the flat fields surrounding it.
I was having a wee run at this point, and passed a couple of ladies with around five dogs between them which they appeared to be struggling to control. As I went to run past I heard a couple of the dogs go charging into the river, and the saw them wading around the feet of a rather disgruntled fisherman!
After what seemed an age I reached Beeston Canal, which was to accompany me back to the Trent.
I ran/ walkedalong the canal, which passed a housing estate before reaching back into the city and passing the Boots complex and relics of an industrial era which has now largely disappeared. I wanted a wee by now but the canal path is very popular- it didn't exactly help passing this;
When I reached Castle Warf I stopped at a family pub for a latte, drinking it outside so as not to offend fellow patrons as I wasn't feeling at my freshest and most fragranced!
By now the canal was snaking its way through the city, passing the Magistrates Court and this pub with a crane for loading trade goods onto canal barges still in situ;
It was just a case of following the canal back to West Bridgford to join up with the Trent- all in all a good route and one I would do again. It would also make a good cycle route.
I reckon I probbaly walked around 12 miles as I walked from home to the start and back but feel ok today- in fact I topped it by going to the gym! Didn't go too mad but I did do hill work on the treadmill and also on the elliptical so I am feeling quite chuffed...
Going away to Wells tonight until Sunday night, although Katie has asked me to pack my jogging gear in case we decide to get up early and go for a run (which isn't actually too likely...)
Hope everyone has a great Bank Holiday- despite the typically Bank Holiday weather!
Labels: Beeston Canal, river trent, West Bridgford
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Getting Back Into It...
Just thought I'd fight my way through the layers of thick dust that have settled on my key pad and remove the nest of spiders who appear to have made their home under the space bar... just give me a second or two for the dust to settle so I can see my monitor screen again- cough cough- that's better!
Now where was I? Oh yes- taking a bit of an absence, eating far too much and doing hardly any of the activities collectively known as 'exercise'...
Well the wedding is history, my visitors are now back in Spain and so there is no excuse for me to get back out there and back into it!
Apart from a slight loss of motivation and a mind that keeeps trying to tell me it would much rather sit in front of the TV screen with a bar of chocolate thank you very much!
I know I need another stupid challenge to motivate myself to get off my bum and train but my finances just won't stretch to anything beyond a daily challenge walk at the moment (although I do have the Beacons Ultra in November) so I am just going to have to motivate myself without...
I have at least found my way back to the gym and did a fairly passable workout which left me aching for two days, and have ventured out for a few walk/ runs so I am getting there... baby steps!
Now where was I? Oh yes- taking a bit of an absence, eating far too much and doing hardly any of the activities collectively known as 'exercise'...
Well the wedding is history, my visitors are now back in Spain and so there is no excuse for me to get back out there and back into it!
Apart from a slight loss of motivation and a mind that keeeps trying to tell me it would much rather sit in front of the TV screen with a bar of chocolate thank you very much!
I know I need another stupid challenge to motivate myself to get off my bum and train but my finances just won't stretch to anything beyond a daily challenge walk at the moment (although I do have the Beacons Ultra in November) so I am just going to have to motivate myself without...
I have at least found my way back to the gym and did a fairly passable workout which left me aching for two days, and have ventured out for a few walk/ runs so I am getting there... baby steps!
Labels: Cross training, gym
