Ypres – Avelgem – stepping out with the London boys

The Chinese meal was a buffet that came in bits and pieces with a mad rush each time fresh dishes were brought out. Dan, Jonno and Jay were quick off the mark and Phil and I lagged behind but we all ate our fill. Our landlord for the night came over and bought a round of saki (yes a Chinese restaurant) and told a joke about Germans and the war!

Today we were heading along the straight wide roads to Kortrik and Zwevingem and with the boys setting a good pace, we averaged 4 miles an hour and the miles slipped away. We walked through Menen, quick detour to look at the outdoor market and then onwards. They were good company, chatting away but after 10 miles, we were ready for a stop and before Sandra, Phil and the van appeared we found a café and ordered coffees and hot chocolates. More conversations with the locals about the walk and wishes of good luck as we left.

The wind was strong again and the forecast for rain but so far we had been lucky with good amounts of sunshine. However, as we neared Kortrik, the sky became even darker and with thunder and lightning about, we had our first proper soaking since the start of the walk – not bad for over 200 miles of walking. We skirted round Kortrik playing ‘Guess Who in 20 questions'. Alan Sugar almost stumped them and I had to give a huge clue before they guessed Stephen Hawkins on question 20.

On the outskirts of Kortrik, we found the van parked outside a petrol station with coffee machine, clean toilets and a very helpful owner. Whilst we had lunch of ham and salads, Phil found out about the local hotels, one in the next village.

Jonno ducked out at this stop with blisters so the 3 of us set off for the third session of the day with 18 miles already behind us. It was hard getting going again and I had glucosamine gel patches on both knees but slowly got back into a rhythm. At Zwevelgem we saw the van, hotel rooms with bath had been booked by Sandra for the night so we pressed on past our scheduled stopping point and managed another 4 miles – a nice distance to have in the bank for the future.

Dan gave me a proper stretch down followed by the most painful massage of my life but now after a hot bath, I feel better than at any time since Wembley and after the longest distance so far of the walk – 23.4 miles.

Yellow jersey award for walker of the day – Jay – 23.4 miles in brand new trainers

Distance covered – 23.4 miles Total covered – 225.4 miles