September LONG WALK!!! Erewash Valley Trail

So the aim for September was a 30km walk so we can build up 5km per month ready for the Isle of Wight Challenge next year. We were going to cover a large section of the Erewash Valley Trail including the section on the previous walk - Trent Lock Long Walk.

We had mapped out a route that was almost bang on the 30km mark so we knew it was a good route to do. The bad thing was this was planned in August and my memory is shocking and I forgot which point we joined the Canal path. Basically we went wrong at the top on my street as I keep getting reminded of nearly a month later.

The walk ended up being 40.5km so a huge 10.5km longer than planned. However everybody on the walk is doing next years Isle of Wight challenge and the distance has to keep getting bigger. We all had sufficient food and hydration with us and managed it.

Our 40.5km walk

Now the walk is over everybody is looking back on it and feeling a massive sense of achievement and pride that they did it. I actually really enjoyed the walk and loved the views, the banter and being out exercising for the majority of the day. 

The walk covered a few sections of previous walks on the Nottingham Canal (Trowell Garden Centre) and the Trent Lock walk at the end. However my addition to the walk added going past Bennerly Viaduct and Winston the windmill which explains the 10km extra as we shouldn't have joined at that point. Once past Trowell Garden Centre we walked towards and in Bramcote Hills Park, this provided our first little rest stop and time for a coffee for one walker. The next section of the walk really isn't the nicest. It's off the paths and just walking along pavements over the new Tram line until you get to Attenborough. Here we had our main rest stop on the picnic tables at the visitor centre. We didn't stop too long as it was a cool windy day as we didn't want to start to stiffen up. Once out of the Nature reserve it's along side the River Trent until you get to Trent Lock.

Along the River Trent.

On the River Trent.

Trent Lock provided our next little stop and time for a well needed ice cream as it was at this point the walk had clocked up just under 30km so we should be home, however we still had 12.5km left to walk. 

This was the hardest part of the walk, but also the most important section. Everybody was starting to feel tired and their legs were aching. However we just kept going! The locks on the return leg were vital as they let us set mini targets, rest at a lock, walk past a lock, rest at a lock etc. From walking this section on the previous walk it meant we knew we could do it and we knew how far sections were. It wasn't long until we could see the M1 so knew Ilkeston was coming. By time we left the Canal back in Ilkeston at Nottingham Road it was dropping dark and I was lucky not to have been pushed into the canal.

We might have only been 2km from home but a quick stop in the garage for water to keep our hydration levels up all the way to the end was needed. Once we got back it was time to sit and chill! After walking 40.5km (25 miles) setting off just after 10am and returning in the dark it was reflection time. Some people had been worrying about next years IoW challenge but this proved to them it is and will be possible. 

Danny is doing the IoW challenge for Crohn's and Colitis UK - www.justgiving.com/Daniel-Brooks3

Lauren is doing it for Cancer Research UK - www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Roper2015

Joanne is also doing it for Cancer Research UK - www.justgiving.com/Joanne-Seacombe2

Sian is doing it for Miscarriage Association  - www.justgiving.com/Sian-Pickering

For the fact I pushed them to walk so far and they didn't push me into one of the canals please visit their JustGiving pages read their individual stories and make a donation. 

Not only are these walks improving our lives physically with exercise but the social and psychological benefits from walking and exercise are amazing too. But we are all doing this not only to improve our lives but the lives of other people too by raising money for some very good charities. 

Exercise can improve lives, not only yours but as we are proving the lives of others too.

Trent Lock - Attenbrough Nature Reserve walk

So at 10am we met at Trent Lock car park, this was after a 6 hour sleep from the Buxton Midnight walk the night before. A few of aching legs this morning due to playing badminton before the walk too. It was a very warm morning with hardly any clouds in the sky. We set off just after 10am with sun cream all over, loads of water in our bags and a few little snacks too. From Trent Lock we walked along the Cranfleet Canal which was built so boats can travel along the River Trent avoiding the weir. Trent Lock is also the home of The Nottingham Yacht Club, we saw a group of rowers warming up on rowing machine next to the Trent which amused a few of us thinking they had forgot their boat.

Cranfleet Canal, Nottinghamshire.

Once past Cranfleet Canal we walked along the Erewash Valley Trail. By about 2km into the walked the temperature increased as the breeze dropped and the Trent looked like a very big swimming pool to cool down in. However the nice chilled water in our bags did the trick as none of us really wanted to jump into the River. Along the Trail there was so much wildlife with hundreds of Common Blue Damselfly along with Swans, Mallards, Canada Geese plus loads more. If you’ve got an I-spy book and a set of binoculars you will be sorted for hours.

River Trent, loving the reflection in the water.

Once we made it to Attenborough Nature Reserve we had a little nature stop at the Visitor Centre. After suffering mindless vandalising a few weeks ago to the bridge we thought it would buy a few snacks to keep us going and to help them out, as it’s such a good facility run by volunteers and by donations. The annoying Canada Geese took a liking to Mathew and his flapjack and one had a little nibble at his finger. It did start a debate about if there should be a cull of them as they are taking over the waterways from native Swans and Geese.

 

From here we walked around the back to Attenborough Church which looked amazing with a perfect blue sky behind it, then past Attenborough Cricket Club which again looked really nice with the sun beating down on it as players warmed up for the match that afternoon. A few minutes later we were back on the trail at the side of the Trent and on the homeward leg of the walk. It gets me every time, the minute your back on the Trent it feels like you will be back at Trent Lock in minutes. From this point it was still another 6km back to the cars. The walk back was far more peaceful than the walk there as we passed far less cyclists than the way out. This meant we could walk as a group rather than single file and with the sun still beating down this led to conversations about holidays and were we all want to go next. Before we knew it Cranfleet Canal was back in view which meant one thing….FOOD! It was time to sit down in the sun out the back of the Trent Lock Pub and enjoy a nice afternoon bite to eat with a beverage to refresh after the walk.


Nice house and boat along the River Trent.

In total it was 14km so in a 24 hours period this walk, Buxton and a dog walk totalled up to about 27km (17 miles). Home, World Cup, afternoon nap and relax! The foam roller was very handy for some self-myofascial release.

Overall in 2014 with the free walks I've organised with clients, friends and family we have clocked up 130km (80 miles). Have a look on the NHS website for benefits of walking.

Bring on the next walk, once I've planned it.