OK, so it’s a bit late, but here are a few pics of our Trailwalker weekend.

Now a month has passed, I remember it fondly and have almost forgotten the pain. In fact, I’m missing Trailwalker already…

Thanks to Oxfam for name checking our blog in their latest email. It’s given me a much needed prod to blog on - because it’s not over quite yet.

We’re busy collecting our sponsorship money and things are looking good. Will let you know how good in due course. If you can’t stand the suspense, check out Justgiving - No Sleep ’til Brighton.

We did it! No sleep ’til Brighton crossed the Trailwalker finish line as a team of 4 in 28 hours 37 minutes and 7 seconds. It was exciting, awful, emotional, painful and pretty fantastic.

Our support crew - Lisa and Jean - were superstars. Our thanks also goes to Tom, Alison, Mary, Liz and James who kept us going with their company and treats (the pizzas were spot on). Also to Suzanne and family at Corhampton Lane Farm (our B&B on Friday night). Lovely accommodation and a brilliant breakfast cooked at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning got us off to a flying start.

I’d like to say a personal thank you to my physio, who sorted out a painful knee problem with less than 3 weeks to go.

I think I’ll be hanging up my Trailwalker boots after this one. I’m relieved it’s over, but kind of sad too.

What an amazing weekend.

Here we are then, on the eve (well almost) of Trailwalker 2008. I’m feeling somewhere between ridiculously excited and bricking it! I’m surrounded by lists, frantically charging my phone, camera and ipod and optimistically stretching out my iliotibial band.

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored, supported and encouraged us - and those who are about to.

All that’s left to say is, good luck fellow Trailwalkers. See you on the other side.

Lately we’ve been thinking about what we’d like to eat during Trailwalker. So here’s my top five list of walking snacks. What’s yours and do you have any savoury recommendations?

(1) Chocolate Brazil nuts. There’s nothing like a bit of luxury while you’re walking, so my absolute favourites are the Belgian chocolate ones.

(2) Peanut butter and jam bagels. Nearly the perfect walking sandwich - but not quite as I’ve been told that wholemeal bread stuffs are better. I still love them though.

(3) Bananas - ’nuff said.

(4) M&S mini jelly babies - no artificial flavours or colours and you can taste the difference.

(5) Ginger cake - it’s cake (yum) and the ginger helps if you’re feeling a bit sick.

Half the team (myself and Nick) had a lovely walk this weekend. We covered about 33km in 7 hours 45 mins (including stops). Our average moving speed was 5km - so not too shabby.

We took in some beautiful scenery around Stonor, Pishill and Watlington. Probably some of the nicest yet. Here are a few snaps.

…Viv,…

…Dawn…

…and Colin…

…went to Petersfield.

When they got to Petersfield, they decided to go for a long walk.

Along the way, they saw buttercups…

…and ducklings.

Peonies…

…and pylons…

…and cows.

Viv climbed over a stile.

Dawn wore a scarf.

And Colin went for a swim.

They had a lovely day and they all went home shiny but happy.

The End.

Saturday saw a mini-team walk through Harefield and Ruislip nature reserves. Starting in Denham with high hopes of a light-entertainment celebrity star spot (our route took us through the golf course) we walked a modest yet speedy 13 or 14kms.

No celebrity spots but plenty of bridges - including this rickety beauty.

…and you know that for sure.

At the recent TW event in Hammersmith, one of the presenters mentioned the phenomenon of ‘chubby hands’, a side effect of walking for any distance with your hands dangling fairly purposelessly by your side.  The use of walking poles has been identified as one preventative measure.  However, I have a pair of fingerless sailing gloves that seem to do a pretty good job.  I bought them sometime ago for kayaking (never got on with pogies), but I’ve often worn them for running too.  They have an elasticated strip around the wrists with velcro to secure them.  Mit gloven, nein chubby hands. 

Apologies to any native German speakers.

Hooray! Normal team walk service has resumed with 25km route taking in Medmenham, Hambleden and a bit of the Thames Path. Highlights include:

Several fowl sightings: a posh duck, a lost chick and flocks of mysterious birds (have a look at the video). If you know what these are - please enlighten us!

A game of guess the last famous person I’ve seen by asking yes/no questions. This ended with a heated discussion about Dermot O’Leary’s hair colour (it’s definitely not dark).

Accidentally annoying a slightly scary lock keeper’s missus.

Learning the hard way in Hurley that it’s either bin feast or famine.

Here’s the photo finish.