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.