Hiking Without Supervision

We headed out of Stratford upon Avon early with overcast and gray skies. The first 10 miles were on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, and then we joined the Great Union canal for another 8 miles. It was a long day and our feet were squealing.

Like all the other canals, there were stretches that were barren and others with lots of people out especially as it was a bank holiday. For the most part, it was just heads down and knock out the miles. But there were still a lot of interesting moments.

We crossed over an aqueduct that allows the boats to cross the road, passed a group of women doing each other’s hair, saw a boat covered in ducks (I asked if he drove a Jeep but he didn’t really know what I was talking about), saw a family having a picnic, and admired a stunning home hanging over the canal (I wonder if there were varmints).

There were times when I was worried I would slip in the mud and go arse over tits into the canal. We were so close to the edge and the mud was slick. If I were to fall in with this heavy backpack on, I would not be getting out.

In the UK there is CCTV everywhere, and I mean everywhere. The loo situation is difficult on any long walk, especially for a woman. And, there are no loos on the canals (or the B-hills) unless you are lucky to find a tea room or pub. That means you pay 5 pounds (~$7.50) for a pee. That’s basically a 20 GBP habit a day!!

So sometimes the bushes have to suffice. BUT, you have to wait until it’s one of the long lonely stretches. Then you have to hurry and make sure you have the right bag of wipes… not the alcohol wipes, know what I’m saying? Then you have to look out for the CCTV. God only knows how many pictures they have of my lilly-white arse.

Note to self (and others), don’t blow your nose, sneeze, or cough when you need to pee.

Yeah. Men just don’t get it.