South Downs Waywards

 In Geneva for the Lionesses' semi-final on Tuesday evening (which is a whole other story for a different kind of blog), Strictly Lady Lloyd and I continued our European trip with a train ride to Annecy. The 40km circuit of Lake Annecy seemed a bit much of a hike for our 48 hours here, so we investigated bike hire. To be fair, we're not the first people to have thought of this. Apparently, up to 7000 people a day choose to cycle the lake in summer, and nearly a million every year. The first place we approached had no bikes left, but Veloc'annecy came up trumps. Not only did they have bikes available but, crucially, bikes with baskets (for our rustic French picnic). We headed off just after midday this afternoon. On the advice of the helpful staff in the cycle shop, we opted for the anti-clockwise, 'classic' route:  Annecy → Sevrier → Saint-Jorioz → Duingt → Talloires → Menthon-Saint-Bernard → Annecy-le-Vieux. A smooth, gradual tour until the end. (But more of that ...

The Waywards strayed a long way from the South Downs at the weekend, undertaking an organised walk - the Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike half-marathon - for the first time. I realise that makes it sound as if all previous walks have been 'disorganised'. I'm saying nothing. The other difference on this occasion was the addition of a third member for the experience, creating a trio of 'Sole Sisters'.  We were resplendent in our Macmillan Green, though missed the memo about glitter and deely-boppers. I was, however, sporting a shiny new titanium hip, as yet untried on rugged terrain and over distance. We gathered at the starting line at Norden Farm, having taken the chain link from Sandbanks to Swanage.  A small delay ensued due to some dithering over which footwear to select: trainers or hiking boots (went for the latter, thankfully), which socks to wear (I'd forgotten my hiking socks, so begged, borrowed and then bought), and whether or not to take walking poles (did...