The Duck Pond
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Moonwalk - well I bloody did it, huzzah! The whole thing was infinitely better than the last time which was about 4 hours of agony on top of the 4 hours of mild pain. It would seem that training helps after all, who'd have thought? I want to keep up with my walking so I don't lose it but at the moment my feet hate me, my shins aren't speaking to me and I don't even want to mention the unspeakable pain my thighs have given me. It's odd as I seem to remember recovering much more quickly the last time even though I was in much more agony during the actual walk. Perhaps it's something to do with the speed I did it in.
Well it all went like this:
Arrived at the moonwalk-booklet-recommended tube station of Kensington High Street and was remarkably pissed off to find that the start tent was still a mile and a half away with no indication of whereabouts. I couldn't even spy anyone with the grim hats and t-shirts to follow so it was only by asking bemused Londoners that I got pointed in the right direction. This led to me walking through hyde park in some random direction in the dark hoping I wasn't going the wrong way and getting so pissed off I was on the verge of turning back and going home. The last thing I wanted to do before a 26 mile walk was walk all that way.
Arrived eventually by following my ears. The tent was crowded and fighting my way anywhere was a chore. I fought my way over to the food stand to get some minging rice dish, fought my way back outside to discover that the woman I was walking with was sat right by the food stall. Doh. Fought my way back in and soaked up some of the atmosphere and got a massage. There was an incredibly awkward and embarrassing moment when some hippah got hold of the microphone and got us all to do grouphugging but apart from that it was all very encouraging and I was raring to go by the time it was our turn to go to the starting line.
At the starting line it was all very exciting. We did the countdown although there were so many of us that my buddy and I didn't get to set off until about 5 minutes later and then it was difficult to get any sort of pace up. We had originally intended to do it in about 6 hours but because of all the people we fell too far behind to make the time up.
It was amazing how quickly it went. Before I knew it we were half way and, although I was getting a bit stiff (ooer missus), there was no pain and I was still in high spirits (The previous time at halfway I was already in agony and I felt like I'd been walking forever). There was the usual "nearly there!" every couple of miles from the marshalls but it wasn't so annoying this year, probably because I wasn't in pain. The sun came up at about 4.30, by which time we were walking along the Thames which made for a quite stunning dawn.
22 miles was when my pain really began although it wasn't quite as mentally crippling because there was only 4 miles to go and we were still making good speed so I was still happy enough and taking in the marvellous sights (if only I could remember where they all are for future visits!).
We completed it in seven and a quarter hours and apparently I was grinning like a maniac on speed when I crossed the finishing line and I think I was entitled to really. I remember feeling the utmost glee when turning into the park and seing the banner a few metres ahead. Such a contrast from the last time where I really am not sure how I made the last few metres and I'm pretty sure I wasn't smiling. I felt really proud when receiving my medal and goodie bag (wow, washing up liquid!) although I think the impct was taken away by it not being as incredibly difficult,not that I'm complaining! I sat outside on the grass for ages, basking in the sun and resting until it was time to return to Newbury for some hard earned kip.
Now I must go through the polava of extracting the money from people. Many thanks to people who have paid already.
Diving exam tomorrow *horror*.
Friday, May 14, 2004
I dreamed I was drinking lots of red wine last night and now I have a really bad headache. Sometimes I hate dreams.
I've finished both practical and theoretical dive training \o/. Now I've got to be assessed and go on 5 open water dives *gibber*.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Van Helsing:
Plotline weak and full of gaping holes and cringingly awful scenes
Special effects ranging from unconvincing to verging on the most dodgy
Acting ranging from not bad to "is that a man or a table"?
Cheesy, predictable script that could have been written by a bunch of monkeys
Naturally I loved it!
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Rum and Monkey: The Historical Lunatic Test: "
Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey."
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
May the 4th be with you oolololololol!
Matt I wouldn't trust my saying that your rendition of "Sweet Transvestite" was good, if you know what I mean (damn martinis). Besides, without the full costume, the song just doesn't work ;)
Splendid weekend which is exactly what I needed. Didn't actually do much other than the excellent party and did hardly any walking and probably spent too much money but never mind, you can't take it with you blah blah blah blah. Went to Leicester for great partay and saw some old friends for much "it's just like the old days..only in Leicester". Pass the Arse is an absolutely splendid game and the prizes were hilarious. I'd imagine Bruce and Emily aren't particularly popular with their neighbours now though. Oops. Got my arse kicked at Soul Calibre by everyone but especially Ben. Saw a few picturesque gas stations and the like.
It's nice being in Newbury because it's much more central to things. Only a couple of hours from places like Leicester and Cardiff and Birmingham *horror* and Twickers so it's much easier to get out and about and see people. Harder to see the people oop North but from Aber it was a chore getting to see anyone. Must learn to drive quickly though as my railcard runs out soon and train prices are silly enough with the thing.
My birthday party is coming up but I suppose it doesn't matter so much about the neighbours hating me as I'm moving out soon, all being well.
Saw some ducklings today. Oooh haven't they grown!
