Day 19 of the Walk to the World Cup – MAY 28th

Goffontaine to Hockai – into the beautiful Ardennes

It’s been like starting a new walk today. We left Wegimont, which has done us proud by 8.30 and were out on the road and walking before 9.00. The weather which has been gradually deteriorating for the last 7 days, culminating in 10 hours of continuous downpour yesterday evening and night (lucky again) just may have turned. The sun was shining as we walked by the Vesdre towards Pepinster, the river was swollen and running fast, making lots of noise, the sky was blue, the trees which were everywhere, were so many different shades of green and the road was almost empty for the first hour – it was a pleasure to be out and walking.

Pepinster arrived sooner than expected and we turned for the long drag up to Spa and the gateway to the Ardennes. Having driven this road with Sandra back in early April, I was unsure how I would cope with the change in terrain and the hills but with Tom setting a sensible but consistent pace, we walked easily through Theux, another gorgeous Belgium market town – we arrived just as the congregation were leaving 10.00 a.m. Mass and it was only the last mile and a half before the first stop when I began to ache.

Chris had been back to Wegimont to sort out water – out and in! – and caught up with us in time to make a cup of coffee and offer sandwiches and cereal bars. After 30 minutes with the sun still making regular appearances, we started again and after 60 minutes reached the long, tree-lined entrance to Spa. The sun was shining as we walked into the centre past the Casino with the town busy with people enjoying the weather after all the rain.

The climb out of Spa is stiff and we managed another 2½ miles before I called Chris and said, come and find us. He had driven on to our next hotel in Malmedy but was soon back – I was glad to see him. The second walk of the day seems to be the hardest for me, physically as well as mentally. After a longer 60 minute break, I usually feel restored enough to give the last session a good go. Today, we were already ahead of today’s scheduled finishing point and I was determined to get some more miles to the good.

The countryside was magnificent, so clear and clean, with forests and fantastic views that suddenly emerge as you turn corners. The whole day has been uplifting, we have 4 more days of hard walking but with countryside like this to walk through, if we can only get some decent weather, it will be a joy.

Chris has done a great job today. He had checked us into the Hotel Forge earlier and we were straight into our rooms after having passed the Spa racing circuit on the drive down. Malmedy looks to be a nice town with lots of bars and restaurants and the others have gone out for a drink and to explore – pity I can’t drink with the antibiotics. Tomorrow – Germany.

Yellow jersey award – Tom – helped to get me up the hills and never faltered for one step – Tim will be proud of him

Distance covered – 20.4 miles Total covered – 373.4 miles