Walk the Talk

We were up early to get to into London. I (Chris) was taking part in a walk around the city raising money for Mental Health UK, under the banner of Walk the Talk. This is my employer's current chosen charity for us an employees to support. Amongst many fund raising events, there have been a number of walks in different UK locations where we have hubs over the past week. 250 colleagues were taking part today, each challenged to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. These events are a great opportunity not only to fund raise but to catch-up and meet colleagues. I joined a small group at the start and we walked the route together but I was also very fortunate that Annie had taken the day off to support me including driving us most of the way to the city. Last time I did one of these a couple of years back I nearly expired on the train on the way home!

We set off from Old Broad Street at 9am in the sunshine and took the route over Tower Bridge and then along the Southbank. Criss-crossing the river a couple of times, we ended up at Vauxhall before crossing to the North side, passing the Tate Britain and Westminster. Then it was on to Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park corner via some of the parks. It was at this point the weather turned for the worse. The rain felland boy did it come down. Undeterred (but very soggy), we crossed Regents Park and headed for Camden Town. We picked up the canal here and followed it back towards Kings Cross before heading on the Jubilee Greenway towards Barbican and finally back to Old Broad Street. 

The route was 24km and we were done by 2.15pm, a reasonable rate of progress and I was in the first 30 finishers. 

Annie followed the route using a combination of buses and feet, it was fab to have her pop up to get a photo around the route (and supply important provisions when needed). She was also updating friends on progress via FaceBook (and upping my fundraising total in the progress).

We were home just after 5pm, a great day and much needed funds raised for an important cause.