Practice walk - Charnwood Peaks, Leicester

So yesterday myself and Beccy went to Leicestershire to climb some hills - admittedly a lot smaller than the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, but much bigger then anything available in the Fens.

The first hill was in Bradgate Park, Newton Linford. At what initially appears to be the top is a war memorial - The Prince Albert's Own Leicestershire Yeomanry Regiment. Probably not the most respectful thing to do, but here's a picture of Beccy and the monument.

From the monument there is a short downhill walk to a walled copse which hides the true summit of the hill. After a short climb back up we got the summit. At the summit is a building called "Old John Tower, again modeled by Beccy.

From there we proceeded down hill, initially in the totally wrong direction, to the bottom of the hill.

After a short rest we did some road walking, then across the greens of a golf course, some more road, a track and finally a long uphill track to the top of Beacon Hill (248m / 814ft).

We headed downhill, over the countryside, rather than the road at the other side of the hill. One short part was quite steep and needed careful descent, but apart from that it was easy going.

 (Does not look steep here, but it seemed it coming down!)

We continues on the route, but due to low battery and rain I only took one more photo. We walked through Wetton Wood, a nice little wood that runs alongside the M1, As you can see in the photo we were very close to the road. The sound pollution spoiled what should have been a nice tranquil woods.

The route should have been 15 miles long. We got lost a couple of times and had to double back, but when Endomondo (tracker app) told us we were at 15 miles, we still had another 6 or 7 miles left. Due to this we took a few shortcuts from the route we were following. Not really sure how far we walked as Endomondo stopped at one point, but pretty sure we did well over 15 miles (probably nearer 20!)

We plan to go back again in a couple of weeks and do the 'prescribed' route.

Here is the recorded route (a 3-4 mile section missing due to app crashing)

Bonding with Bex (and this week's progress)

Bonding with Bex

When Beccy was born, or to be more accurate the unnamed baby was born, who we later called Rebecca, I took a career break and became a house husband. Because of this we have always been very close.  We've always done activities together, such as walking, cycling and camping - all activities that Mrs F.  does not do.

After the failed attempt this year, we are determined that in 2014 we will succeed. As part of this we are spending a lot of time together exercising and walking , which  I am really enjoying. Quality Daughter and Dad time cannot be bought.

I find this time especially important at the moment, as in September Beccy will be going off to Newcastle for University. Of course I'm extremely happy that my little baby is growing up and moving on to the next stage of her life, but it will be a sad time for me.

So although in reality this will not be our last walk together, it will mark at end of an era.

This weeks progress

I have not weighed myself today as we are away at the in laws. However I weighed 78.9 yesterday. So no real movement, but at least no going up.

We have continued with week 3 (of the couch to 5k plan) for a second week and now feeling ready to progress to WK 4.

Also this morning we did a 10x1 min interval run. Due to achy back I had to walk the first three 'jogging' sections, did a very slow 4th session and managed to jog the other six.

M