Icknield Way - Pirton, Ickleford, Letworth, Baldock, Clothall, Wallington, Sandon, Therfield and Royston.Yesterday I made the mistake of looking at the weather forecast and believing we were looking forward to 'heavy rain'. Full waterproof's at the start and the gloomy prospect of a wet walk ahead.
The reality was it was a beautiful walking day which got gradually warmer and ended with a lovely sunny afternoon. Today we crossed the 900 mile mark close to George Orwell's cottage in Wallington. Only one ninth of our total left with 100 miles to go at this point. A long way from standing at the top of Highgate Hill after our first 10 miles and saying 99 more of these to go! 
We also reflect on how 1984 seemed so far in the future when we were reading George Orwell and was the present and is now so far in the past. We both reflect on the pleasures of reading Orwell in our teens and loving the books. As we walk the farms we look out for Boxer and Napolean and all the other memorable characters from Animal Farm.The start of the walk is taken up with catching up on not having seen each other for a couple of weeks. Rob off in America with Mario checking out possible Ivy league options had a great week.
As we approach Letchworth we meet Polly walking her dogs Bella and Basil and a rescue dog from thelittledogrescue called Fitzgerald. Look how far Rob has come along in his relationship with dogs as he gets down to be with them. We are still some way from Rob stroking them or giving them encouragement to come nearer but at least he has stopped freezing with fear every time he sees one. It was lovely meeting you Polly and thanks for your donation.
We walk past the rubbish tip in Letchworth and say this is a bit of a come down after the Lakes and the Moors of Coast to Coast. We pass miles talking about the race to get a weaker currency, worries about inflation and what will happen next with the world economy. I sum this up as it could get worse and people are worried about it to it might be ok if everyone holds their nerve. When we read this in 20 years time we will know which school was right and of course hope it is the latter.After Baldock we hit the countryside and do not see a watering hole of any kind (cafe, shop, pub, nothing) until we get to Therfield.
When we get there we find a pub but it is shut! The countryside is lovely with a flat charm. Grand vistas with small undulations. This is riding company with many gallops used by racing trainers. Len says hello to one of the local horses.
At Thurfield the Fox and Duck is closed and we are parched. All our water gone and we have just discovered that the planned 20 mile walk is going to be over 24. The psychology of this is quite significant. When you think you have 2 miles to go and discover it is 5.5 it is quite daunting. In fact it turned out to be another 7 miles. 
Fortunately we saw Richard Genochio out in his garden and asked him for water which he kindly obliged. After hearing what we were doing he donated to our cause (thankyou Richard) and wished us well. It turns out he also knows Madelaine and Peter who are very good friends of Karen and me. Madelaine and Peter used to live in the lovely village of Therfield and now live in France running a lovely B and B.
We make it to Royston and are exhausted. It took us eight hours to get there and then 17 minutes on the train back to Hitchin. On the same train we come in on Daniel my youngest son is catching the same train down to Finsbury Park to head of to Heathrow and Buenos Aires for a year of travel in South America. I run along and give him a quick hug and say see you South America next year. Gosh we are going to miss him but hope he has the adventure he is looking for.
24.5 miles is our longest walk and once again tests our limits. We marvel at what our bodies now appear capable of and after a relaxing soak are ready for more. Wow....less than 90 miles to go.
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