Breast Cancer Care's Pink Ribbon Walk at Petworth 2009

We were probably better trained for this walk than we were for the Inca Trail. There's no great mystery or disillusionment re Peru as it was a fabulous experience - http://www.walkerscoach.com/inca_trail__the_dream_comes.htm I think it's more about circumstances and what was going on for all of us in our lives. This time we were walking very regularly anyhow, had a bit more time and as I running training walks for the Moonwalk ladies, it seemed to make sense to use those as training walks too.

So by the time we got to Arundel on the night before the walk we'd done a couple of 20 milers, a couple of 18 and 16 mile that had turned into 23. We had escaped London ahead of the Friday traffic so were in good form as we gathered to enjoy a drink and a meal together.

Lindsey looks happy to have found the Newcastle Brown.

Half the team (below) relaxed and ready to have a good evening.

After a lovely sunny day, it was a little shock to the system to find fairly thick fog the following morning but I had ordered good weather so I put my shorts on and headed for breakfast.

The fog was still with us, as you can see in the photo, so much so that Petworth House was barely visible but that didn't really matter. We had photos taken, found Gemma who'd driven up from Brighton to join us and declined a second breakfast although it was great that facilities were there to have it.

The East End Girls Team in the fog, complete with tiaras so we can find each other.

After the Aviva Walk in 2006, this was quite a small gathering but that in itself was lovely. It was fun to find a few people we knew, to chat and then after a warm up, we were off.

In the photo you can see the stream of pink as we headed up the first incline still in Petworth Park. The pace at this stage was fast and it was clear that there were a number of people who intended to make very few stops and get round in record time.

We walk fast but on a day like this we were out to enjoy all aspects of it and have some good breaks to recharge the batteries.

Some of the terrain we walked through below.

Two photos were taken on the lower slopes of Bexley Hill where we had great views over the countryside. It was such a perfect day to see it all.

Lunch was calling as we headed into The Cowdray Estate and marvelled at the polo lawns so well cultivated and tended. Then were the ruins of what has to have been a phenomenal house before being destroyed by fire in 1793.

The girls wanted to get a closer look but no one would let them in.

Here also was one of the many fantastic rest stops. I was so impressed at the never ending supplies of water, bananas, apples and wedges of oranges as well as those fantastic Eat Natural Bars and haribo sweets. As much as you wanted at every stop.

It was in Cowdray Park that we choose to have lunch and were lucky enough to find a large tree offering loads of shade where we could enjoy a good 45-60 minutes break.


Thankfully from this point we were into woodland again and dappled shade and were on the return leg soon knowing that the miles to do would now reduce with every step.

Although this was true, this next stage was probably the longest one without a rest stop and we were beginning to run out of water when we finally arrived. There had been more hills and on such a hot day we were sticky and sweaty. In fact quite a lot of my water was going down the back and front of my t shirt as I tried to keep cool.

Vanessa managed a set at the next rest stop while the rest of us collapsed on the grass.

It was about 5.5 miles from this point and we'd overheard someone say that it was all downhill towards the end. As we came across more and more hills we wondered when this was going to start.

Here was another up - why do they call this area the South Downs? as my team said, there are very few downs at all!! At least it was cool in this tunnel of trees.

Then we were into open space and at the top of a hill and there in the distance we could see Petworth House just peaking through the trees. A definite reason to have another photo. It also looked as if it might, at last, be downhill all the way from here....and it was. No wonder we all look happy.

Getting closer to the end and yes, we're nearly on the level.

We could tell by the distance from the house that there was still a mile or so to walk but by now we could see, not only the house, but the finish as well and that large pink arch, what a sight.

Just love this photo of Teresa hugging Gemma after we crossed the line, it says it all.