Last week I went on a road trip. Three events in my diary aligned which made taking my favourite mode of travel, the train, impractical. But connecting them up by car would mean clocking up nearly 500miles in 7 days. My car has never seen that level of action before. And I was a little apprehensive. But it was the only practical way of doing the round trip. One thing that I should have done before leaving home was to update my satnav. It is surprising how many roundabouts have appeared or disappeared since it was originally uploaded due to building work or a new bypass.

My first destination was to visit a friend in Wiltshire. We had agreed to visit the grave of a friend (my BFF) on what would have been her birthday. We were student nurses together many years ago. A time to reflect on what we had lost 6 years ago. A very sad time but one that sparked living a life of gratitude in what I had and what I could achieve.

We did a lot of walking. Mainly along the Kennet and Avon Canal. There is something lovely about walking to a restaurant via a canal or any body of water. Eating good food and drinking wine. Followed by a less steady walk back in the dark. Although I wouldn’t have done it on my own.

We also walked down and up the 16 Caen Hill locks that descend the Caen Hill. It takes 5-6 hours in a boat but we walked up it in less than 10 minutes.

Next stop Brecon for two days of walking with two other friends. Together we have previously walked the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales. At the end of this month we are attempting the highest peak in Ireland, Carrauntoohil.

On this occasion we agreed to walk Fan-y-Big. A somewhat unfortunate name but it translates to ‘point of the peak’. Unfortunately the peak was downgraded from a mountain to a hill back in 2018. To fulfill the criteria a peak must be at least 2,000 ft in height and have a minimum drop between the summit and its lowest point of the mountain ridge of 98.4ft. Fan-y-Big comes in at 2,351 ft but the drop is only 93.4ft. 5 foot short so just a hill.

But the walk up is described as challenging by some commentators so I was a little nervous. It was going to be my first walk up a peak since my overactive thyroid had devastated my endurance capabilities. I am now well on the way to full recovery, I felt fine but I was apprehensive. But I done it.

Reaching the top was exhilarating. And the view was breathtaking. So many times I’ve walked up a mountain only to be greeted by clouds and drizzle.

The following day we decided to take things a little easier by visiting the Four Waterfalls. Somehow we only managed to see 2 of them and our assessment that it would be a gentle stroll was just plain wrong.

The most spectacular of the waterfalls is Sgwd Yr Eira which is accessed by 170 rather deep steps. Relatively easy on the way down but a little more challenging on the way up.

My final destination was Warwick University. This time last year I was applying to do a PGDip in Coaching. I accepted Warwick’s offer but unfortunately the course start date was deferred from September to now. I did have some concern that it just wouldn’t happen but here I was for the induction day.

And what a great day. My fellow students were friendly, the tutors were knowledgeable and enthusiastic and I picked up my student pass with all the benefits that brings.

What a great week, good friends, walking in lovely scenery, beautiful food and drink (most of it) and I’m a student again.