Pub Garden Party Trick

Day 5 and I am a quarter of the way through the walk 72 miles completed. Today's walk took me from Brooke just south of Oakham to Brampton Ash east of Market Harborough.

So far I've raised £255, for Macmillan Cancer Support, thank you to everyone for your support, if you haven't donated to this fantastic charity and would like to, you can do so here.

It was a hot day for walking especially for Oscar, but we found plenty of rivers and streams where he could dip in and have a cool down, I was tempted myself at one bit, but decided to give it a miss when I saw the colour of Oscar as he made his way out of the water.

We exited Rutland and crossed a corner of Leicestershire and finished in Northamptonshire. The landscape has changed again with rolling hills and valleys with countryside villages and distant Church spires. Stunning views but also more serious walking. We have now climbed to a high point of 500ft from the flat Lincolnshire fens.

There were no major towns on this stretch of the walk, but some lovely villages with stone built houses and thatched cottages, we walked for miles without seeing anyone, it's hard to believe we live in such a populous country.

We walked through the lovely village of Hallaton, which is famous for its 200 year old, annual custom of bottle kicking, an event that takes place on Easter Monday with the rival village of Medbourne. I arrived a couple of days too early, which is probably a good thing as I'm sure Oscar would have taken a starring role. I can't say that the preparations were obvious, but I wouldn't have minded having a taste of the Hare pie which is traditionally served at the start of the contest.

As we approached the village of Weston-by-Welland, I could see a pub on the horizon, and I thought that a pint was deserved on such a hot day. The pub overlooks a lovely green and a duck pond. It is like Oscar has a sixth sense, after being happy to trot along, off lead at the side of me for the last few miles, he decided that enough was enough, and took off to flush out birds on the

Hallaton Village

green, in full view of everyone sat in the crowded pub beer garden. Eventually I got him back and on the lead, and as we walked round the duck pond he managed to just about leg me over as he darted towards the water and ducks. I could see that refreshing cool pint fade away, as we skirted round the pub and continued on our journey - bloody dog!

We made it Brampton Ash, where Alison had driven the support vehicle 50 minutes to pick us up. From now on it starts to get serious as we are going to have to plan stop overs for the next section. I've just started searching for accommodation that accepts mad dogs and weary walkers.

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