Not strictly speaking an earworm. I thought ‘Substitute’ might have got there when I heard it on the radio this morning, but it didn’t stick, so I chose this other Who classic from a list of suggestions provided by Chris.
An easy day then. Or it was supposed to be. I seem to be going in a cycle of easy day / hard day, and it doesn’t appear to matter how many miles I’ve done. Yesterday I was fine with just over 15, today I was feeling it when I passed over the M69 for the second time, even though I only did just over 13 miles.
I started off next to the European headquarters of Bachmann PLC in Barwell (manufacturers of model railway products, specialising in N gauge, which is the gauge I use). After a short stroll through suburbia, the Round crosses a field before being confronted with the A47, after this, you’re in prime dog walking territory along Barwell Lane.
After crossing yet another golf course, I was then on Burbage Common & Wood, where I met a few people, mostly dog walkers. It’s a pleasant stroll, the trees providing a pleasant shade, and the well defined paths enabling me to not have to think too much about navigation. Again, I recalled passing this way when we walked it with the Scouts. I’m not sure how, but the first time we did it, we took a wrong turning and went very wrong on the golf course – not the place to be lost, especially at a weekend.
Once I’d left that and Hinckley behind me, I was back in open countryside, and had yet another cow encounter. This particular herd had gathered around a gate, much to the chagrin of the farmer who was attempting to drive his 4×4 through the said gate. I stood aside and waited for him to pass before making my move to the stile. As the farmer had left, and as I was now the only source of entertainment, the herd followed me to the gate, the leader getting dangerously close to tasting my smiley face necker tied to the back of my rucksack. I then stood on the stile for long enough to take a photo, then departed. The same herd were utterly uninterested when I passed through on the way back.
Over the M69, and skirting Aston Flamville, the Round then passes through Sharnford, and then Fosse Meadows takes you somewhat by surprise. I was very glad to meet up with Elizabeth, Declan and Aggie at the playground while I was having lunch. It was good to catch up, and have a sympathetic ear or two. They stayed with me on the return journey until I was in Sharnford again.
Then, as I say, it was a little bit of a struggle. It’s not that my legs give up, it’s that the soles of my feet seem hyper-sensitive. It’s not blisters as such – I’m not sure what it is. Anyway, I now only have three days until I’m back in Foxton, and, aside from the arduous trek down the old Fosse Way south tomorrow, I’m only heading east now (aside from the return journeys, obviously).
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