In the pink and walking in the moonlight

For months I've been walking and training for the Moonwalk. I decided to do it a while back and called my lovely friend Soraya to see if she was up for it and she said only that day she'd been thinking of something to do as a challenge and she agreed straight away. I had a speech all prepared to convince her, but I didn't need it. I've been walking in the rain, the wind and sometimes even the sun to prepare. My knees have been unpredictable and I've been worried on more than one occasion that they'd pack up. Soraya put her back out early on and it was touch and go if she'd be well enough to do it at all.

My streamlined Moonwalk outfit 

Last week I put together my outfit - it's pink and frou-frou, but I'd say it's essentially an athletic look isn't it ?

Then on Saturday night we got ready while Hubbie put the boy to bed. We packed water, protein bars and some fruit in small bags to carry with us on the route and wore fleece jackets convinced it would be warmer while we walked and we wouldn't need them.

Raring to go 

When we arrived at the Moonwalk tent the atmosphere hit us and when they had a minute of silence to think about why we were there I choked as my reason was standing right next to me. My friend was alive and that was why we were doing it. TEARS.

Tattooed ladies

The reason for doing it was simple, but the walk itself was anything but - that was brutal. It was cold, biting wind and long periods of standing around waiting for road crossings and bottle necks to clear. We never really picked up enough momentum to warm up. My legs ached and my head hurt from the cold. As it became light I perked up a bit and we made a big push to get to the finish.

A glass of wine to celebrate

When we finally finished we hugged and sobbed a bit and made our way home. Hubbie and the boy were waiting for us and after a cuppa and something to eat I got into the lovely hot bath Hubbie had run for me and listened to the radio. The boys went out for a swim and to do the shopping. When they got back I heard Hubbie 'shushing' the boy so as not to disturb me. I sent him a text message a while later to ask if they'd had a nice time - I was still like a zombie so moving wasn't an option. They came up to see me. "I'm proud of you Mummy," the little one said as he handed me some red roses.

I was too exhausted to cry again. 

And the best thing of all - we've raised over £1,500 for breast cancer charities :)

A Spring walk to admire the flowers

I've been doing a fair few long walks in training for the Moonwalk on 10th May. It's been lovely to watch the Spring flowers coming up and the changes in the landscape.

These ones were just outside the doctor's surgery and it was a sunny day so they look especially lovely.

We have a big garden that requires a lot of work to keep tidy, but I quite like the wild and woolly look that it has before I get to do some pruning. 

Red flowers and a blue sky

Sometimes it's nice to admire someone else's garden. Of course a beautiful blue sky helps :)

A Good Friday to take a walk

I've been a bit absent lately as I've been poorly since Easter - as a result I've had not one chocolate egg (boo) and haven't been up to writing blog posts (double boo). To make sure you don't forget me this is a mostly photo post of images taken on one of my training walks for the Moonwalk that is in a few weeks.

This walk was on Good Friday and it was a beautiful sunny afternoon in Hythe in Hampshire. Enjoy the images. I hope you don't catch what I have :)

The loveliest bridge and weeping willow

Hythe Marina

Mother-in-law's gorgeous garden

If you'd like to sponsor me and my walking pal Soraya please do - any amount will be great and we're delighted to have received such generous support already.