The Aftermath

Gurkha Curry!

Once we'd crossed that finish line, life suddenly got a whole lot easier again. It was such an enormous sense of relief that we didn't have to walk any more and that we could TAKE OUR BOOTS OFF!! Actually we didn't take our boots off straight away but it was lovely to know that we could, if we'd wanted to. In a bit of a stupor we accepted our certificates and timings sheets then listened to the Gurkha briefing about what happens on the podium. Then we were up there, with 'prop' medals as they had run out, having our photos taken... first just the walkers, then with the support crew as well. Our next stop was the dining area for giant plates full of Gurkha curry and cup after cup of sugary tea.

Rachel recovering

Next priority was to get out of our wet, muddy boots and waterproof trousers and get into some clean, dry gear. We made our way gingerly to the minibus (muscles having stiffened up considerably in the short time it took to devour the Gurkha curry). The first thing which greeted us back at the bus was Rachel, already deep into recovery mode (aka sleep!). Something which did surprise me about this ere Trailwalker thing was that we didn't particularly notice the 'staying up all night' and actually didn't at any point feel sleepy tired. Rachel proved conclusively that it all hits you when you stop!

Removing wet kit... bliss!

We carefully removed our footwear, taking care not to disturb any blisters too much, and wet weather gear. The mud had got up as far as my knees on the INSIDE of my waterproof trousers... how did that happen?! Boots were thrown into a bin bag along with pairs discarded earlier in the weekend due to being soaked through. With dry, warm clothes on (I was starting to feel very cold, despite the warmth of the sun... some kind of shock I imagine) we all piled into the muddy minibus and Kirsty headed home. We followed a lorry load of portaloos about half the way home, prompting some speculation about whether anyone had made use of those particular units at any time over the weekend.

Muddy boots.

The unloading of the minibus occurred in something of a blur and baths, food and drink followed in quick succession as we headed rapidly for bedtime on Sunday night. After a good long sleep I tried to get out of bed on Monday morning... big mistake! Calves were solid, couldn't straighten my legs, could barely walk. We couldn't face cleaning the boots immediately so laid them out on a bin bag to dry out a little first. 2 of Blister Sisters had managed to muddy up 7 pairs of boots/shoes. When we eventually got around to cleaning them on Tuesday, it took us 2 hours!

On Sunday after we finished, the pre-walk certainty that we would be doing this again had become a little more uncertain. However, by the next day the desire was back, as long as it wasn't in those conditions again. 2 members of Blister Sisters have already said that they will not be repeating the experience so for the remaining 2 (Sam & I) we need to find 2 more mugs teammates for next year. Hoping for dry conditions, we would like to finish within 24 hours next time. It's definitely possible.

Until then, I'll love you and leave you. xxx