Time for a blast.....at last.

Only three months later than intended Dad and I managed to finally synchronise diaries to get a day free for a walk. Training has really begun! Well almost - still not managed to get the Parish Virgin out with us on the course - ah well 2 out of  3 aint bad (ref: Meatloaf ). Intended route - Peel via the Sloc. Aim - to give the legs and feet a good pounding and see how we feel in the morning. If we can get out of bed no problem - then training is on track. Alas weather forecast not brilliant. 4 am this morning wide awake - rain lashing against the window. Flashbacks to PW2008 - top of the sloc  - extremities turned blue - horizontal rain and howling wind. Teeth chattering uncontrollably - and no shelter in sight. Sleep is difficult. Maybe I can write a note to be excused training today? Flashbacks to PW2011 banners and adverts appearing everywhere and decide time really isn't on my side. Crawl out of bed very tired - decide a pre walk cross training session isn't a good idea - so go back to bed. Eventually have to surface to minister to needy offspring... so decide to get ready and head down to meet Dad at the QB. Being the local he is Dad offers his advice on the direction of the prevailing wind and we mutually agree that the sloc should be avoided this time. Still head to Peel (still into a head wind) but consider opportunities for diversions along the way to add miles and some gradient. It is a horrid road at the best of times  - with a head wind and zillion tonne HGV's skimming the pavement - it's worse than horrid. We were glad to turn right at Ballacraine and head for.... first coffee break in St John's Mill. Carrot cake rather nice too. Up the incline to the Poortown Road (mental note to self avoid moving when having just consumed large slice of stodge) and blast into Peel. Hang a left to the Patrick Road, left at Patrick Church, then enjoy the relative peace of a walk back into St Johns. It is fabulous this time of year - if you usually walk with some sort of headphone device - try taking it out - you'll be amazed at just how good nature sounds. So heading into St Johns - dilemma - attack the main road back or try the old train route which can be a bit of a quagmire - and I had my nice white trainers on. Need cup of tea to make a decision so we stop at the cafe - no cake this time! Decide we can't face more traffic so march off down to the PROW and have good mostly mud free blast all the way back to Douglas. Dad's leg was good. Worked up a fair temperature heading home - and arrived back 7 hours later to a house like a bombsite, dishes and washing everywhere. All this and training too....