SATURDAY 20th MAY 2006

STRIDING SUMMARY

Route: Bits of the St Swithun's trail combined with the Pilgrims Way, but ending in Wickham

Distance: 45km

Nightstriders present: Aimee, Ben, Ian

Weather: Showers, sun, showers, sun, showers....... but always windy, especially walking behind an unfortunately bean-inspired Ian.

Synopsis: It was supposed to be a run-through of the Pilgrims' Way to make sure we knew the way (it'll be the second half of the actual Nightstrider in July), but fate (combined with poor instructions, soggy feet, copious aches and a lack of signs) would duly intervene... forcing nightstiders home before they could reach Portsmouth! We're all realising how this whole thing is not going to be a walk in the park... so if you haven't managed to already, why not give us your backing by zooming here and sponsoring us now? In the meantime, here's the photos so you can live every stride of the way:

Kilometre: 0 Time: 5.22am Location: Nightstrider HQ Description: Nightstiders fuel up for the day ahead, yes we really do get up that early!

Kilometre: 0 Time: 5.44am Location: Nightstrider HQ Description: Ben prepares a snack for the train journey

Kilometre: 0 Time: 6.22am Location: Train to Alton Description: Competition time! Spot the difference between this picture and the one below

Kilometre: 0 Time: 6.24am Location: Train to Alton Description: Just let us know the one difference between the pictures and you could be the happy owner of a used Nightstrider sock

Kilometre: 0 Time: 7.00 Location: Still on the train to Alton Description: Ben is woken from his floor-based slumber by the Train manager and, using all his wit and charm, comes up with "I was just getting the thing.......from down here"

Kilometre: 0 Time: 7.30am Location: Bus to Alresford Description: Ben and Aimee and far too excited about a doubledecker experience

Kilometre: 3km Time: 8.33am Location: Alresford Description: Thanks to honoury nightsrider Sarah our wrists were very warm

Kilometre: 5.2km Time: 9.14am Location: A bush by a golf course Description: Ben always insists on emptying his bag and piling his belongings in one place at every break

Kilometre: 5.2km Time: 9.14am Location: A bush by a golf course Description: But he takes his obssesion a step too far and shows us what nobody wants to see

Kilometre: 10.74km Time: 10.15am Location: Road to Winchester Description: The Nightstriders demo their new supercapes!

Kilometre: 10.86 Time: 10.20 Location: By the river itchen Description: A pasta disaster! Combine a 1 litre carton of grapefruit juice with a huge pasta salad and you have a mess, a very smelly unapetising mess!

Kilometre: 12.06km Time: 10.41am Location: Outskirts of Winchester Description: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!

Kilometre: 12.10km Time: 10.45am Location: Outskirts of Winchester Description: Same again

Kilometre: 14.90km Time: 11.10am Location: Winchester high street Description: The Soggy Bottom Boys (O Brother...) reform in support of the Nightstrider cause

Kilometre: 15.11 Time: 11.15am Location: Outside Winchester Cathedral Description: Some impressive stretching

Kilometre: 17.04km Time: 11.45am Location: The river Itchen Description: More cutesey fluffy things

Kilometre: 17.26 Time: 11.55km Location: outside Winchester Description: The broken sign really was an omen of what was to follow

Kilometre: 19.87 Time: 12.22pm Location: The Dongas Description: The 'view' into Winchester

Kilometre: 25km Time: 1.30pm Location: Morestead Description: Ian and Ben having a moment

Kilometre: 30.16km Time: 2.07pm Location: Upham Description: Writing in the field suggesting that there might be trouble ahead

Kilometre: 32.97km Time: 2.30pm Location: Lower Upham Description: Ben gets stuck in a trap, but we wonder the real purpose of these traps....

Kilometre: 33.12km Time: 2.40pm Location: Lower Upham Description: ...Run for your lives, wild lamas!

Kilometre: 40.17km Time: 4.32pm Location: Bishopsmore Description:After several map misshaps this - coupled to serious foot injury - proves to be the final straw

Kilometre:44km Time: 5.21 Location: The A32 on the way to Wickham Description: Ben contemplates jacking in his new job teaching to pursue his dream of wrapping cars

Kilometre: 45km Time: 8.08pm Location: Train back to nightstrider HQ Description: Despite a tough day the Nightsriders remain united and show off the first line in Nightstrider merchandise.