The second checkpoint had been at Ightham Village Hall and Simon and I did wait outside to briefly wait for some of the Norfolk & Suffolk entrants, but we then made progress towards the third checkpoint at Weald Memorial Hall.
This was marshalled by Thames Valley LDWA and friends.
We could see entrants into this checkpoint from the window, which was handy advance notice and here’s Yvonne and Roger striding towards the hall. We had missed David Morgan, he had already long gone. He’s really very fast.
The hall and the friendly volunteers, with a couple of helpful members of the media team who are doing video footage for Instagram.
Simon getting some shelter under Chelle’s brolly. Chelle seems to have everything in her bag, it seems like a treasure trove of handy items, but she’s not new to this long distance walking game.
Chelle in her Tigger costume….
Jane had shelter too.
And Hilary was prepared too.
Andy looked wetter than at the previous checkpoint. But, like me, he’s one of those very brave walkers who doesn’t complain.
And Madeleine, the national LDWA chair, looking positive and upbeat. But I would expect nothing less.
The rain had only really just started at this time and it did get quite heavy. It was a little sub-optimal as the rainfall was quite hard and it’s hard to keep everything dry when it’s constant, it’s easier to get more frequent and lighter showers which gives chance for things to dry off a little. The weather was going to remain rainy until the next checkpoint at Cowden Memorial Hall, but the temperature was moderate and cool, so that seemed pleasant for the walkers. The terrain was also quite dry underfoot at this stage, with the hills not being too onerous by this point.