Waterlogged seeks errant dog...

Red & Lids on Moonwalk Training
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

It was a very damp morning that greeted us as we headed off on our next adventure - so much so that I dug out the waterproofs and smugly considered myself prepared for anything - more on that later.

This week it was a very civilised jaunt between Garden Centres near Carluke (for GCs read coffee and scones) organised by a friend who remembered her camera.... unlike me. Pffff. My memory is getting worse but I'm going to blame that on my pre-menopausal work colleagues who deserve a mention here. Mainly because they put up with me banging on about this moonwalk stuff on a daily basis.

Red and I reckon we managed about 10 miles today complete with refreshment stops and searching for Sally the lost dog who disappeared while chasing deer the day before. Our walks are never dull. We also learned that the best bellydancing teachers are apparently Egyptian men...(?)! We'll keep that in mind now that our class is disbanding thanks to a venue mix up - sigh. Just when I bought my jingly scarf.

Anyway, our walk ended on a brighter note with Red and I feeling like we achieved something - yup, we survived the climb back up the Auchenglen. Not only that - the rain had stopped... but wait... urgh!! Points to note - waterproof trousers do a marvellous job of keeping the rain out... but they do an equally good job of keeping the sweat in. Eeeuuuwwww!!!

A wheely long way!

Forth & Clyde Canal
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

We actually managed 20k!!!
(And there I thought I was doing well on Wednesday with my 16k power walk around Broadwood Loch... )

Having enlisted the chauffeur services of my husband... who was curiously only too happy to drive me miles from anywhere and dump me... we took a return route along the Forth & Clyde Canal taking us from The Falkirk Wheel back to Auchenstarry Basin near Kilsyth (10m) and then back up the hill to my house for a well earned cuppa.

Along the way we began thinking of other places of interest to keep our walks alive. The last thing we want is for this to become a chore. We figure we may as well make the most of our training and get some sightseeing in along the way. Where??? I'm not telling - you'll just have to keep visiting the blog to find out.

Oh, and before I go. I'd just like to mention I tracked down the store Red was talking about... you know... 'Athlete's Foot'? Only it's not called that at all. We'll blame it on a senior moment as the shop is actually named 'Achille's Heel'. Muahaha - trust me, I'm getting some mileage out of that.

Athlete's Foot

Broadwood Loch
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

I don't believe it. Just completed a 12k hike in the pissing rain and now the sun has come out! And the response from Red when I text to tell her this?... "Muahahahahah." Nice friend.

We established that we are both feeling a little stiff after yesterday and our backs are twinging. At the moment we can't decide if this is from the walking or the Bellydancing. The conversation then moves onto feet. Mine are fine but Red's were feeling sore last night. "May try to get to Athlete's Foot' in Gt Western Road," she texts. "I think I really need to look at new shoes." Personally I think it's an unfortunate name for a business but as Red so rightly points out it's not easily forgotten. Hehee, I wonder if the manager's a 'fungai'... ok maybe not.

So, the moral of todays lesson: If you want to succeed in the shoe business, name your company after an unpleasant fungal condition.

Waddle Wars!

Hello Duckie!
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

Another Sunday another training session and the waddle wars are heating up. This handsome fellow seemed to take quite a shine to my gait as I lumbered past his beach hopelessly trying to catch up with Red again.

As we pressed on it became clear that we were not going to manage the three circuits of the loch we'd hoped to complete today.
"This feels like more than 5k," said Red and I had to agree... silently nodding and still straggling.

Once home I dug out a walkers map and my string and began to measure. Once around Broadwood Loch is indeed the 3k we were told but the Strathy Loch is very definitely more. By my reckoning it's 6k which means we clocked a very respectable 12k today. Slightly less than we intended but still an increase on last week so nothing to be ashamed of.

Naming the Crew!

Okay, so we got as far as wandering about a bit and we've amassed some funds via the flat plastic purse piggies. The forms have been downloaded and our pens are poised. But 'Houston' we have a problem... on the strength of the holes in our heads being greater than the sum of our parts, we needed a team name.

There were many possibles, "Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum", "Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dumber", "The Double D-lites" and "The Boob Tubes"... there was also my own personal favourite... "A right pair of tits". But in the end there was no contest. It just had to be the unique and imaginatively unmatched... (tan-tara-tan-ta-tan- taaaaaaaah) ... "Red Lids".

There's life Jim... but not as we know it.

New skills for sneaky sneakers

Broadwood Loch
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

I have developed the ability to text while walking, listening to mp3s and taking photographs - all at the same time. Poor Red couldn't join me this afternoon. She was holed up in work sending me messages as I marched round the loch an impressive four times. That's 13k. 'Scuse me while I pause for a big cheesy grin. I just couldn't resist squeezing in an extra walk while the weather was being so kind although I confess I felt a like a bit of a lone reed without my frog-marching sidekick to keep up the pace.

Blustering through the blisters.

Moonwalkers!
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

First day of training and would you believe we clocked a very respectable 10k in under 90 mins. A trifle for Red who will happily run the same distance in a fraction of the time. However, a somewhat less than fit yours truly kept up admirably with Red's blistering walking pace and even managed to hold a conversation... sort of.

Puff, pech, wheeeeeeeeeeze!

The muscles have taken note of the new demands placed on them and are consequently complaining bitterly, downing ligaments and working to rule. Fear not - negotiations are in progress and I hope to be mobile again by next week.

In the beginning there was malt whisky... and bellydancing.

moon
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

Well it's official, Red and I have decided to do this years Edinburgh Moonwalk. Are we insane? Probably. What can I tell you? It was building up to a full moon when we made the decision. It seemed like the right thing to do.

It started when Red send me a text last Friday. 'How do you fancy going bellydancing for the next 6 Sundays?'.
'Why not?' I replied confidently over a neat malt the following night. 'How do you fancy doing the Moonwalk with me in June?'

Her silence was stunned.