SATURDAY 8TH APRIL 2006

A delightful Saturday meander from Windsor to Richmond... this was an absolute corker!

STRIDING SUMMARY

Route: Windsor to Richmond along the Thames, via Shepperton and Hampton Court.

Distance: 45km

Nightstriders present: Aimee, Amy, Anna, Ben, Ian, Isobel, Kate, Lucy

Weather: corking

Synopsis: Early dawns, blue skies, the tranquil Thames, 8 Nightstriders, suntans all round, 45 kilometres, some serious injuries, minieggs and Lorenzo and his ice cream van: a Nightstrider training walk that had it all!

Kilometre: 0.1 Time: 0831 Location: Windsor Description: Ian, Isobel and Ben pose for a high-spirited starting shot before Windsor Castle (top). Ian and Ben are mightily impressed that Isobel is managing to hold them off the ground.

Kilometre: 2 Time: 0845 Location: 14 minutes east of Windsor Description: The parched, desertified landscape signals danger: can the Nightstriders survive 10 hours of high-energy striding in this barren world?

Kilometre: 5 Time: 0915 Location: Albert Bridge, spanning the Thames Description: With the sun high in the sky already, the team decide it's time for some serious striding. This helps keep them one step ahead of the secret puffa-jacket-wearing, tentacled cameramonster following on close behind.

Kilometre: 8 Time: 1000 Location: Herndon, Virginia, USA Description: Nightstriders Aimee, Ben, Ian and Isobel HAD to get to Shepperton by 1330 to join fresh Nightstrider ranks, so while they wanted to wait the 2hrs 15 minutes to see King John sign some bit of paper they had to keep on moving...

Kilometre: 9 Time: 1023 Location: Runnymede Description: During the first most welcome of breaks, a big goose tries to join the Nightstriders. Seconds after this shot it unfortunately joined Ian's bottom.

Kilometre: 16.8 Time: 1200 Location: Chertsey Description: Stupendous scenery, blue tranquility everywhere. Our own public idaho.

Kilometre: 17 Time: 1218 Location: An exposed riverside meadow Description: Background: Some slightly tired Nightstriders lunch after the punishing pace of the first three hours. Peanut M&Ms gladly received. Foreground: Ben is so impressed with his homemade Dahl and pasta tube lunch he tries to get it into camerashot, and succeeds.

Kilometre: 17 Time: 1219 Location: Down by the riverside beach Description: The riverside beach.

Kilometre: 20 Time: 1252 Location: A road Description: The yellow line painter spilt some yellow paint just as a duck with tiny boots on was walking past. On its side.

Kilometre: ALL Time: ALL Location: ALL Description: Sweet blossom (...NOT the US TV show).

Kilometre: 22.5 Time: 1330 Location: Walton Brige, Shepperton Description: After a serious morning of striding, they make it to the meet-up! Aimee-Sue, Benny-Bob, Iany-Tyke and Izzy-Beth are joined by Nightstrider Lucy-Buce, and then set about re-enacting every dinnertime scene from the Waltons. Here they're doing that famous scene where Jim-Bob is texting a friend, Mary-Beth is eating Weightwatchers-endorsed sandwiches, and Billy-Ray is eating Pasta-tubed Dahl with sandals on. Click here to hear the sunshine music that happened to be playing at the time of re-creation.

Kilometre: 22.5 Time: 1350 Location: grass down by Walton bridge, Shepperton Description: The Striders, now joined by sixth member Anna-Sue-Shirley, contemplate what lies ahead...

Kilometre: 26 Time: 1458 Location: Disneyland Description: A paddlesteamer steams past (with the help of paddles) in the opposite direction, carrying extras for the Waltons episode that Channel 4 had by now got word of, which was apparently filming over by the bridge. Click here to hear the music streaming out of this particular steamer as it passed us by...

Kilometre: 29 Time: 1538 Location: Hampton Court Description: After risking life and limb crossing the road to get there, the team are delighted to procure ice cream sustenance from Lorenzo (real name). He also showed us how he got his nickname, emblazoned on the top of the van. By the look of those happy smiles, all Nightstriders heartily recommend his ices! Click here to hear the music coming out of Lorenzo's van at the (particularly happy) time...

Kilometre: 29 Time: 1540 Location: Hampton Court train station, awaiting yet more Nightstriders! Description: But smiles soon turn to tears. I'll leave it to you to piece together the evidence: what did happen to poor Lucy-bucy's delicious cider ice lolly?

Kilometre: 29 Time: 1555 Location: A bridge overlooking Hampton Court Description: Spot the difference: who has joined the team and who has now left? Hint: choose from sunglassed Amy, missing Isobel and smiley Kate.

Kilometre: 42 (!) Time: 1830 Location: On the outskirts of Richmond Description: Pain is all around - at least for those striders who started out ten hours ago. Ben is now hobbling due to new sandals, Ian is now hobbling due to old shoes. Much in need of a rest, this shot captures the sisters doing it for themselves, in all manner of positions. What exactly they are doing, however, is anyone's guess.

Kilometre: 42 Time: 1830 Location: Same as before Description: Anna-Sue-Shirley makes a quick call to ask when the re-enacted episode is to be shown.

Kilometre: 45! Time: 1845 Location: Richmond Bridge Description: The end is suddenly before us and all pain, thirst, hunger and sunburn is about to come to an end...

Mile: 45 Time: 1846 Location: Under Richmond bridge Description: MADE IT! YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS! 45km over and the team cross the finish line and emerge into the light at the end of the tunnel! Well done everyone, a sterling and phenomenally enjoyable effort! Gold stars all round to the Waltons clan!