26 April 2009

Marathon

I am nursing aching limbs today. My back really hurts and my legs feel as if they are going to drop off. Have I been running today's London Marathon? I am ashamed to say I haven't, but it feels like it. Yesterday Kay and I went up to Yorkshire for an Open Day at her chosen university to look at the types of accommodation on offer to her in September, as she needs to put in her preferences soon . We left home at 6.30am, commuted to Central London, took the mainline train up to Yorkshire and arrived in glorious sunshine at 10.30am. From then on we tramped around the city streets on foot wandering first to the campus to collect relevant brochures and advice, then off to each of the Halls of Residence, climbing stairs, visiting show-bedrooms and show-kitchens, then on to the next Hall some distance away and so on. Hop-on, hop-off shuttle buses had been laid on specially by the university for the day, but there were long queues for these and and in any case, Kay and I wanted to test out the distance of the accommodation from campus to get a good idea of the daily walk she will need to do.

By lunchtime we had managed four Halls in as many miles and were flagging, so stopped off at a Costa's for a bite to eat, then managed three more Halls after that. We covered a fair area of the town and must have walked miles and miles - a lot of it on hills that seemed to have a steep gradient. At one point I actually welcomed a very short sharp rain-shower to cool me down, as the combination of hot sunshine and steep hills was not a good one. Apart from the 20-minute lunch, we were on our feet and walking for the whole day until 6.30pm when we were able to collapse into our reserved train seats and commence the 2½-hour journey back to London again. My legs throbbed all the way and are still doing so today. I am used to walking a lot with the dog, but this was something else! We got home to find Greg cuddled up with a half-bottle of whisky, but at least he was interested to ask how we got on. Kay and I fell into bed at midnight and I think I would be there still, if Snoopy had not nudged me at 9am to let him out into the garden.

14 comments:

aims said...

You are really going to miss Kay when she goes off to school aren't you.

I have a feeling that your life will change completely once she goes.

DogLover said...

Walking in towns seems much more tiring than walking a dog in the country, doesn't it. I think it's the universally hard surface and need to get somewhere, as opposed to softer ground and the time to stop and stare.

Nunhead Mum of One said...

Tagged you at mine xx

Robert said...

Sounds like you had a really good day. There's a lot of satisfaction in spending a purposeful day with your daughter, isn't there? Helps you deal with some of the cr*p that life also throws at you...

Kit Courteney said...

Blimey, I'm knackered just reading that!

I hope your niece is fully recovered now.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Ah! memories are made of this. Enjoy every minute and forget mad old Gregg with his wretched whisky bottle. Who lost out him or you?

Anonymous said...

I'm not surprised you feel like you have run a marathon. That was some amount of walking. It is good that you were there for such an important part of your daughter's life. I hope now you can take a little time for yourself and get your feet up for a well deserved rest.

All the best

Nechtan

PS Today I will start the "Lamp Post Challenge" © Rosiero 2009

Anonymous said...

She must be getting quite excited at the prospect of university.

She'll miss you,

GG

Kunterbunt said...

Walking through cities, perhaps most of it pavement and many impressions - that makes you more tired than a walk with the dog.

Flowerpot said...

no wonder you're exhausted after all that! A lot going on in yr life - as ever...

Anonymous said...

Well at least Greg was interested, something to be thankful for perhaps?

I think Aims is so right about your life changing completely once Kay goes to Uni. If you're coming up the country as far as Yorkshire, you should take a trip to Northumberland sometime when you're visited Kay - if that's the final destination. I'd love to meet you sometime.

CJ xx

Nota Bene said...

Well after all that I hope you got a medal and one of those silvery blankets.

It'll be a new start for everyone

ADDY said...

Thanks for all your comments. Yes, I am certainly going to miss Kay being around when she goes away, but at the same time I am very excited for her, as I am sure she will have a great time at uni.

Saz said...

an eyeful f what I expect next year with our girl....thanks!