Tuesday and Wednesday

TUESDAY, July 8th
I didn't get any sleep again but I dragged myself out of bed to explore the trails with Richard. After all, he was waking up to show me so I needed to go. We didn't need to drive anywhere since he was showing me how to get there from the house. It was a very short walk--down the neighborhood street, across the busy street and down one shop (next to the restaurant/pub). Nice.
This was to be a test of memory because, as he promised, there were lots of turns to remember.
First we traveled down a very broad green space. People like to walk their dogs in this area. It is near the train tracks. After passing through an open field, we had to turn and go under a bridge (next to a golf course). After walking through some small trails that were mostly overgrown with brambles and stinging nettles, we came to a road. We crossed it and Richard showed me two ways to go. One is alongside a very nice house (with loud, barking dogs) and the other is at Schering Plough. We traveled up a little and then had to turn around--Richard had to get ready for work.

Instead of heading out to Covent Garden (in London) I found a day spa and managed to book an appointment. It was 1.1 miles from the house so I found directions and walked. Naturally, as I walked there, it started to rain. Hard. The day spa was wonderful. I had a mini-facial and a one hour massage. Heavenly.

I think Richard was disappointed that I didn't go running or to London. I suspect he is worried that I'm bored--wrong! I'm really loving it here. Karen (his wife) is so nice and she is also funny. Add to that, she is also a fantastic cook.

Christina (Richard & Karen's youngest daughter) and her friends returned from their European adventure Tuesday night. We all had dinner and then viewed most of their photos (there were probably a thousand--no exaggeration, really). Since Richard was driving them to the airport at 5am, there would be no trails with Richard on Wednesday.

Here is a picture of the local ATM. They're called a 'hole in the wall' here. This one is really called that!

WENDESDAY, July 9th
I had originally planned to visit the Chislehurst Caves on Wednesday but Tuesday night Richard talked me out of it. He had checked the forecast and it was supposed to be the rainiest day of the week on Wednesday. Since my schedule is flexible I had no problem moving my cave tour to Thursday.
This meant that I needed to get out on the trails by myself. I looked out the window at 5am (since the sun rises at 4:45am) and decided that there was no rush to get out. At 6am it was sprinkling so I didn't get up. 7am was the same (a little heavier actually). By 7:30am I couldn't even sleep anymore. I keep looking out the window and finally at 8am it was only lightly sprinkling. I put the running clothes on but wasn't sure what to wear. The temperature was in the 50s according to the online weather website. With the rain, I wasn't sure what to wear. I didn't have my entire running wardrobe and all my accessories with me so I had to make choices. Long sleeve or short sleeve. Raincoat or light jacket? I had forgotten to bring the hat (I remembered it but somehow it didn't make it in the suitcase).

I had another delicious breakfast and realized that I had eaten too much. Today's adventure would be mostly walking. After much deliberation I chose the raincoat (for the camera's protection).
I headed out and hit the trails. The light rain wasn't too bad. I didn't feel the need to put the hood up even though most of the people I saw were carrying umbrellas. The rain was so light you couldn't feel it. For a short while, the rain did get harder and I put up the hood but for the most part it was nice. I remembered all of my turns and managed to cross the street and find Schering Plough. I chose to go that route instead of walking up the road (with lots of traffic and no shoulder).
The trail was nice and wet and very overgrown. I managed to miss most of the bramble, despite it's attempts to cut my legs. Suddenly I got very warm and needed to take off the jacket. I realized I was climbing a long hill. Off came the jacket.
Naturally the rain intensified once the raincoat came off. I carried on with my walk (occasionally running) because I wanted to get as far as I could.
I soon came to another street. I realized that I had just completed the first section of the trail and was now standing at the mid-section Richard had shown me on Monday evening. Very exciting--he would be so proud.
I scurried down the road (again, very narrow winding road with no shoulders--not the best for pedestrians) and found the footpath entrance. I took a picture of the gate and entered.
This part of the path was for horses and had recently been maintained. There were large gravel chunks on the path so there was no mud. It was loud (no bunnies would be there) but clean and the weeds/evil bramble were kept at bay.

I then arrived at the entrance to the woods. Another landmark I had found!
I went through there and had choices to make. I decided to take the woods to the right. Richard had told me about them but hadn't shown me. It was very scenic. I encountered two horseback riders and we all laughed because by then it was pouring and we were all soaked.
This trail started to stink. I don't mean that it wasn't fun or was poor. I mean, it smelled. BAD. I kept thinking that it smelled like manure or a pig farm.
I found a gated entrance that was fenced off. Intrigued, I went closer and discovered that the gate was slightly open. I entered but only went a little ways in--the smell was too much for me. I decided to turn around and head the way Richard showed me.

I went down the footpath (no longer for horses so it was once again tight and overgrown) and started to grow tired of the heavy rain. I had been out for an hour so I decided to turn around and head back to the house.

I found my way back without a problem. I was so excited about it.

Tomorrow I plan to go see the caves and hopefully get in an afternoon/evening run. The weather website promises a better forecast so I'm hopeful.

Monday--July 7th

I woke up at about midnight and could not go back to sleep. I tossed and turned but just could not get to sleep. Finally, about 4am I fell back to sleep. When Richard knocked on the door about 5am (to go run) I told him I was exhausted and apologized that I didn't want to go. He was very nice about it and went out for a bit himself. Keep in mind that he has been nursing his ailing knee and has done no running or walking for a few weeks. So nice of him! I felt really bad about it, however I was so tired that I just went back to sleep.



I didn't do much that day. I read a guide book on London that Karen (Richard's super-fantastic wife) loaned me. Throughout the day I made notes of things that I may/may not want to do.



Richard came home and immediately suggested that we go see the middle section of the footpath so I could recognize it. Sounded like a plan. Since it was chilly and sprinkling (not hard rain, just light rain) we took our jackets.



It was WET! The ground was wet and the tall weeds only added to the moisture my shoes collected. Richard pointed out (several times) that his shoes were made of Gore-tex so his feet were dry. Mine were far from it; both my shoes and socks were super saturated.



The trails were great but I was definitely worried about finding my way around. Since I had seen the end of the trails and now the middle, I was very unsure of the path because I had never seen the origin. We had fun--he enjoyed showing me his running/walking routes and I enjoyed seeing them. We looked for rabbits and foxes but saw none.



We were out for longer than anticipated. Richard noticed that it was 7pm and we were late for dinner so we headed home. As usual, Karen had prepared a delicious dinner. After dinner we agreed to get up at 5am and explore the beginning of the trails.

Arrival--Sunday, July 6th

click on picture to see entire album

My flight was at 10:25pm from IAH to Heathrow airport. I'm not big on the international flights just because they take so long and (since I'm cheap) the seats are so darned close together. Oh well. I chose the later flight with the hope of me getting some sleep.
I ran early Saturday and was tired from that. Actually, I had maintained a fairly busy day prior to my departure (run, Katy Fit sign up, packing, birthday dinner party, airport) so I hoped I would be so tired that I just passed out.
When I checked in I had good luck. I checked the seat assignments and was able to score two seats


for myself. That was the only good luck I had. After take off it was just one big mess. I had scored a first class blanket and pillow (thanks to the girl in front of me as we boarded) and, since the movie choices were of no interest to me, I was stretched out across the seats with my personal pillow piled on top of the 1st class pillow. I was warm because I had the blanket wrapped around me and I started to drift off. Suddenly I felt myself falling. The flight attendant (sitting in the seat behind me--the area was curtained off so they could sleep) had pulled the 1st class pillow out from under me! I turned around and asked for my pillow back. She told me it belonged to the other flight attendant. Liar!!!! I told her that a girl had handed it to me as we boarded and that I would like it back since she pulled it out from under me (literally). She ignored me. A few minutes later she walked up with an economy class pillow and blanket. She never apologized for pulling it out from under me. Believe me--that will pointed out in my complaint letter to Continental.

I digress...

I arrived in London and was promptly greeted by Richard and Karen. The weather was drizzly and cold. Since it really wasn't raining, I couldn't complain. What was nice was the temperature change. Coming from 90+ degree weather, I really appreciated the 60+ degree weather.

We immediately drove to a cute little suburb and took a canal cruise. We were in a long, skinny boat. Luckily there were lots of windows and a roof because it rained the entire time we cruised.
The scenery was lovely--lots of ducks and gorgeous flowers--along the canal. I wish I knew the name of the town but I don't. I just know it was exit #17 from the highway (I navigated a little).

Richard & Karen live in Ickenham. No one seems to know this little town. While it isn't a major metropolitan place, it certainly isn't something to be overlooked. It is situated 18 or so miles northwest of London. It is near Ruislip (pronounced 'rye slip' or 'rice lip'). There is at least one tube (subway) stop in Ruislip. One is just around the corner from Richard & Karen's house.

So, we arrived at Richard & Karen's home in Ickenham and Karen provided some yummy dinner. We watched the finals of Wimbledon and I went to bed at the respectable hour of 9:45pm. Richard and I had agreed to get up at 5am and have a look at part of the footpaths I could run.