Stonehenge to Avebury Trek

Our 26 mile trek was last Saturday - 7th September in aid of Alzheimer's Society. The day started early and we arrived in Avebury around 6.00 to get the coach to Stonehenge.  We arrived in Stonehenge just before 7.00, the morning was crisp, misty but bright and the sun was trying to get through.  Stonehenge was visible but spooky as it tried to break through the mist.  We got our registration details and numbers and then went to wait at the start line.

Early morning start in the mist.

Eagerly waiting to start.

Stonehenge in the mist- a little spooky looking.

This was as close as we could get to Stonehenge which was unfortunate however it still felt a privilege to be there.

It wasn't long before we started counting the miles.

Mile 1

Stonehenge soon felt like a distant memory. The sun had broken through and it was getting warmer.  A gorgeous day was emerging.  There was lots of chatting going and people getting into there rhythm.

Stonehenge in the distance.

Mile 2

Mile 2 Selfie

It didn't seem long and we had clocked up two miles.  Initially we were walking on paths which wasn't the most scenic however we soon started entering the MOD area and walked through the firing ranges. This was actually tough walking as the path was not that great and certainly didn't feel good on the feet.  Mile 4 photo gives a good example of this.

Mile 3 and Dave thought a picture of me was in order - not sure I was in agreement!!

I was trying to be a bit imaginative with the pics as I thought we could end up with loads looking the same however there haven't been many of the scenery so far!!!  Between mile 3 and 4 everyone's morning drinks must have decided it was time to pass through and a portaloo was spotted.  Of course an opportunity can not be missed however the advice given was not to go in there as the smell was pretty offensive and to go around the back of some boarding which a few of the women did however only to find mid squat that we in view of the walkers coming down the hill.....a bit of an aargh moment however I think we decided needs must and had to take a couldn't care less attitude.  I imagine the sight of a few white botties as you were walking down the hill was probably a little humorous and hopefully encouraged the walkers on their way!  After the comfort break Dave and I decided a energy fix would be in order at mile 4 and half a Mars Bar each was to be eaten.  At this stage Dave's feet were already a bit uncomfortable.  He had already started with a small blister on his foot :-(.    We gave our self little goals to aim for.  We would be having a water stop at around 6 miles so decided the next Mars break would be at 8 miles.  I have never looked forward to half a Mars Bar so much.

Mile 4 - Shadow of Dave with the Mars Bar!!!

Half a Mars Bar eaten and we were soon on our way again with topped up energy levels.

Mile 5

Much of the view as in mile 5 seemed to be like this for a a while, although it was difficult under foot there were some lovely views.  This looks quite flat here however we did seem to encounter a few hills and climbs.

Mile 6 called for another selfie.

The sun was getting hotter so the sun hats were on!!  I know very fetching ha ha.

Mile 7

Mile 8 and the 2nd Mars Bar share :-).

Mile 9

Mile 10

Stonehenge in the distance.

Between mile 10 and 11 we looked over and saw Stonehenge again .... had we only walked that far!!

Mile 11 and on our way to lunch.

Down the bottom of the hill and we had lunch.  A great spread was waiting for us.

and we're off again.

Mile 12 

Mile 13 and Dave has really been suffering.

I am not sure but I think it was around this area where we climbed over a style into what seemed like a bog.  Before we reached the style we heard lots of screams and laughter and wondered what was going on....we soon found out when it was like walking through a swamp.  As I climbed the style I put my pole down and it sunk quite a way down so I used it to find some hard ground.  I told Dave this and said they he would need to take a wide step however somehow he stepped backwards and the mud went over his boot!!  We had been chatting to a young man Tom at this stage who had also managed to get a bit muddy however I think he was quite fortunate as he had been thinking to changing his boots to walkings sandals not long before this.....a good move that he hadn't.  Although we didn't see her there was talk of a young lady who had been wearing flip flops and had decided to just go through in socks - her poor feet.  I am not sure if she was the same girl however a girl in flip flops arrived soon after us at the 18 mile stop and apparently her feet hadn't been too faired too great from her shoes/boots.  It is amazing to see how much dedication people put into walks like this as it would have been so easy to stop.

Mile 14

Mile 15

Walking up to mile 15 was a change of scenery, walking beside a cornfield.  I think this is the area where most people probably got stung as there were a generous amount of stinging nettles along this path.  Unfortunately one lady slipped and fell into the stingers which I am sure must have felt pretty horrible. I have to say she was very elegant in her falling and seemed to just glide up again - I think from what she said it was due to using a mobile, never mind don't drive while using your mobile, they should have a stinging nettle warning on them :-)!  After enquiring she was OK we carried on marching in the hope the stingers would soon be gone.

Mile 16

Soon the scenery changed again and we were walking along a canal which was lovely.  As we walked along the path the sight of the white horse came into view, although it was soon lost behind the trees.

Mile 17

Mile 18 the white horse is in sight and so is the refreshment stop :-)

Mile 18 and a welcome break.

One of the lovely marshals who had a welcoming smile and happy chat.

This marshal's welcoming smile was refreshing after a dragging climb up the hill.  What we didn't know was there was much more climbing to come!!!!

Mile 19 - the white horse is in sight and so is a massive climb!

I may have mentioned this a couple of times during this blog but Dave was now REALLY suffering. His feet were really painful, paracetamol and ibuprofen seemed to be only taking a little of the pain away.  I have to say I was so proud of him carrying on.  It was sheer grit and determination.

Some views from up high.

Yay we made it!!

The White Horse

Mile 20 - trying to encourage Dave to look at the views however even this was difficult for him. But on he went :-).

The clouds are rolling in however stunning views.

The horses and riders came out of the distance, we were tempted to ask for a ride to the end!!

Look carefully and you will see a paraglider!

A lovely sight and gives some perspective as to how high we were. 

Mile 21 - goes without saying really.

Mile 21 - The finish was in sight.

Dave's expression says it all!

Mile 22 and the miles are dropping off!!

Mile 22 and more stunning scenery.

Mile 23

Mile 23

Mile 23 

We are nearing the end and hoping the rain stays off.  Conversation has dropped a bit, Dave had been singing to himself and was in a stride that he doesn't want to stop and then we hit another style!  At this stage they really were not that easy to climb!!  It was at this stage we started to chat to another couple of walkers, a young man Ben (I hope I have remembered this right...if you read it and I am wrong please let me know) and a young lady Ruth.  The generosity of this guy amazed me and really summed up the day I suppose.  There was a girl in front of us whose feet were so sore she was walking in her socks.......they must have been so painful.  He had brought his trainers with him in case he needed to change his foot wear; he took them out of his bag and gave them to her to wear and said he would meet her at the end with a drink.  A very sobering moment! We chatted and laughed and I have to say they made the last two miles disappear and the final hill we had to climb seem more manageable.  Thank you if you read this, your company was really welcome at that stage and laughing with you made it much easier.

Mile 24 - I am sure Dave could have got a better angle!!

Mile 25 and a little one eagerly waiting for someone.

Mile 25 and Avebury stones leading us to the end.

Mile 26 and we are there, wahoooooooo.  Dave smiles for the 1st time in ages :-)

Medal time and a very proud moment.

Medals and a cider to celebrate

I think now would be a good time to say thank you to the organisers, volunteers, marshals etc who were encouraging us along the way and without whom our bellies would not have been fed and watered.  I know it takes a great deal of people for an event like this to work so thank you everyone.

Just the thing when you can not walk any further - it was the best coffee after 26 miles.

The cause of Dave's pain!!!

There were some high and lows during this trek but I for one absolutely loved it.  The scenery was wonderful and the people we met were lovely. To see so many people putting themselves through so much pain for a cause was unbelievable.   We were never very far from someone taking their boots off and applying plasters.  There were many limping people and and watching people battle on was admirable.  In all of the events I have done I really don't think I have seen so much discomfort and pain.  I really do take my hat off to everyone that battled the blisters and the pain.  I did have a blister that I would usually be proud of but it was a pin prick by comparison.

I was looking on the Stonehenge to Avebury Trek facebook page today and the following poem had been put on there.  It sums up this awful disease in a few words.  The power of it, I feel, was so strong that it made me cry.  

Such a touching poem.

There is still much work to be done to help the sufferers of Alzheimer's and their families. Dave and I have a justgivng page and are trying to reach £520 between us.  If you would like to make a donation please go to www.justgiving.com/ColetteandDave all donations are really appreciated.  I am also collecting clothes, bags, belts and shoes to fundraise so if you are thinking of having a wardrobe clear out and want to donate your items to a worthy cause then please let me know.  Thanks again and I hope you have enjoyed the blog.

Colette :-)