Saturday 19th July - Trailwalker - Stages 1,2 and 3

Stage one was remarkably easy – the crowds of people meant that most walkers were trundling along at a similar pace and the topography of the stage is fairly gentle. We had previously decided that Support weren’t needed at CP1, so Richard enjoyed a proper breakfast back at the B&B whilst we had a quick cereal bar and a five minute break before setting off on Stage 2. This stage is notable for “Beacon Hill” a relatively short but nonetheless vicious ascent towards the beginning of the stage. Oxfam had generously posted a photographer there in order to immortalise all the teams whilst they were red of face and sore of limb for the first, but certainly not the last time in the event. As we walked along, the weather became ever muggier, and the overcast skies grew darker. Only 200 yards from CP2, the evitable happened and the heavens opened. A brief pause was taken to put on waterproofs, and as soon as they had been donned, the weather abated. Such is the British summer…  Again, we entered CP2 well ahead of the 24 hour pace we’d set ourselves. Quick cup of coffee to celebrate and the first of many sock changes for the team. As we left CP2, the sun began to peek out and within half an hour we were all putting on sunblock. Our main focus in stage 3 was the food that was awaiting us at CP3 – we knew that Val and Vey had been shopping and cooking to ensure we kept our blood sugar at an appropriate level and we couldn’t wait. Just under two hours later and we weren’t disappointed – cold pizza, pork pies, homemade flapjacks. It isn’t just an army that marches on its stomach – it’s the Ridgeway girls as well!