Thursday 26 December 2019

I have walked 1000 miles.

Good afternoon on this Boxing Day 2019. Yesterday was glorious sunshine, couldn't miss the opportunity to go for a walk, and maybe finish off the 1000 mile challenge. Only six miles left, easily doable. I drove to the Humber Bridge, as I have done on several occasions over the years. The walk across it is a mile and a bit, the views are lovely, the tide was out so a lot of mud below it. I could see the big ferry boat docked at Hull, The Deep, a big aquarium on the waters edge at Hull, and the visitor centre at Barton. A few people were about taking advantage of the lovely weather. 
When I got to the North Bank I walked around the Country Park. Some repairs needed here to the boardwalk. Mud on the ground and skeletal trees devoid of all leaves.

I walked along Hessle Foreshore to this point where the path went inland, then turned round and walked back.



I walked underneath the bridge in the opposite direction. The noise of the traffic was always in the background. I don't know how the people who live in the houses close to it cope. I would have to take my hearing aid out to block it. When you stand underneath the bridge the rumbling of the tyres is very loud. 
These little cottages are very close to the bridge. Just across the road from the waters edge.

Time was getting on and the sun was going down. My reward was a fabulous sunset, which I snapped away at. 
Zooming in at the cement works at South Ferriby on the south bank.

I stood enthralled for a few minutes. The view was constantly changing. Couldn't take my eyes off it, didn't want to miss it.

And then I saw this. That bench is perfectly positioned. I love this photo.

Then back over the bridge. You would think that you would get a better view of the sunset from the top of the bridge, but that depends on which side you are walking. There is a footpath on both sides, but often one is closed for maintenance. Unluckily I had to take the left hand path, which is lower than the road, so no more good views for me. 
I made this video. 

I had a big grin on my face while doing this walk, everything was perfect. I enjoyed chatting with a few people. The grandad who was out with his grandson and his dog, before they went home for dinner. The boy proudly told me he had been in the school Nativity play and he had the main roll as Joseph. The lady with long hair bending down to pick a few sprigs of green shoots to make tea with. She told me it was particularly good for clearing the lymphatic system, which makes her feel better. The smart lady who was dressed entirely in red, with her little dog who had a red coat to match it's owner. As she bent down to pick up a dog whoopsie I mentioned that bags are cheaper in supermarkets if she looks on the baby section for nappy bags. She thanked me for that. Being outdoors on a sunny day is my idea of heaven. I hope I have many more days like this in 2020. 

Toodle pip.   ilona 




25 comments:

  1. loved the video, a nice end to the walking posts, hope you had a merry christmas and all the best for the new year! Jo

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    1. Thank you Jo. Christmas gone, and a new year to look forward to. Let's hope it's a good one for everyone.

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  2. Congratulations on completing your 1000 mile target! Beautiful day yesterday and I managed to clock up over 5 and am still hoping to beat my best ever mileage - only 7.5 to go so fingers crossed!Vicki, not in the East Riding today!

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    1. Good luck Vicki, I know you will do it. Look forward to your end of year check in total.

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  3. What a beautiful sunset photo of the bridge and bench! Thank you for sharing it and thank you for all your videos and your blog!

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    1. It was magical. Thank you for visiting my blog.

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  4. Great video Ilona, really enjoyed it,all the best Lady and happy new Year.

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  5. congrats and fab pics of your finish=line. i have had to stop my challenge walk early as i fell on a v hard pavement on saturday - broke my wrist, bust my lip and injured my face. i don't do things by half... awaiting a meeting with surgeon in nxt few days.

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    1. Ouch. Painful. Take it easy, heal properly before you start again.

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  6. What a lovely walk Ilona. Congratulations on reaching the 1000 mile mark. I finished a couple of weeks ago but have done very little since...a combination of rain, mud and resting on my laurels :0)
    Jacquie x

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    1. It's very easy to heave a sigh of relief when you have reached your target. I am walking the last few days of the year, not as far, taking it easy, and not recording it. I don't want to stop dead or I might not start again.

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  7. My goodness 1000 miles is a lot. Seeing your total I wondered what my husband does in one year. My husband goes out about 4 times or more a week to walk and he is usually around 6 to 7 miles each time. This week he walked 29 miles so far. That time 52 weeks is 1508. You two are really dedicated to exercise. I know I need to add more walking to my routine so I am going to set a reasonable goal and see if I can reach it 2020.

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    1. Yes, go for it Susan. Do not sit on the sidelines watching your husband, get out there with him. Best of luck.

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  8. You had a wonderful Christmas day Ilona and Congratulations also on reaching your Walking Challenge.I would not have been able to walk across the Humber Bridge but it must be awesome x

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    1. I have to admit I do not like to look directly down over the edge, but the views of miles around are lovely.

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  9. Hi Ilona, Well done on completing you 2019 1000 mile walk challenge. I have been following your blogs for a while now and you have inspired me to join you on your 2020 challenge, so I will look forward to sharing my progress with you over the following year, which in turn will hopefully keep me motivated.
    All the best for the year to come and I'll look forward to your future blogs and to seeing all your new craft projects.

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    1. Choose your own targets, do the 1000 if you can, anything is better than nothing. I look forward to reading your progress report.

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  10. Well done Ilona, you are an inspiration to us all. I fell by the wayside a couple of months ago but I am hoping to make a fresh start in the New Year!

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    1. Never say never, get up and start again. Good luck.

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  11. I would love to do this walk. The sunset picture is brilliant. A great way to spend Christmas out in the sunshine :)

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    1. I didn't know what I was going to do until the morning. When I saw the sunshine there is only one thing to do, get out. I haven't walked over the bridge for a while so I grabbed the opportunity.

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  12. Hi Ilona,have been reading your blog for a few years,a lot has changed for me. But your pictures are lovely, you are an inspiration to us all.

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    1. Hello. I hope you have found your ideal place in life. Best wishes, ilona

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  13. I loved the photo with the bench!.And I really enjoyed the video as well.What a lovely thing to be able to do on Christmas day.Well done with your miles.My sister is not feeling too great at the moment with weight gain and aches and pains,so I have arranged a walking plan for us to start in the new year.I will have to reign myself in a bit because I can do alot more than her...but slowly but surely I am hoping to have her feeling good about herself by the end of Jan!.Thank you for your Christmas day photos!!,xx

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