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Over half a year ago - in dull September - I signed up for Duke of Edinburgh Bronze. Having ran, jogged and cricketed my way fit during last Summer I felt that a tiny walk would have no grand effect on myself. How wrong one can be....

The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) course involved one skill, one service, one physical character and one expedition. The first three immediately became guitar, assisted cricket coaching and rugby respectively. The last one, the expedition, had been my only conception of the course. It would be a 30 to 40 kilometre walk set over two days. The practise expedition occurred last Saturday and Sunday (27-28 / 03 / 10) and would provide immense insight into conditions of the actual expedition pencilled in for sunny May...

As I approached the meeting point, Roydon Station in Essex, I felt a surge of excitement. The congregation of other walkers growing - I spotted the members of my team: Nigethan, Mihir, Virgil, Ciaran and Edward.



The instructors were patient, explaining the main principles of the trip before providing us with the necessary equipment.



Packing the supplies, spare clothes, sleeping bag and mat, food and first aid proved more than difficult. It ultimately overran our set off time and the results were slap-dash but soon (30 minutes after we were meant to) we left the campsite and trudged across the long stretch of fields that needed to be conquered.



Tensions grew as we became lost on several occasions during the first day, however the overwatching Mr. Smith provided essential support. The second day brought about a brighter route which crossed annoyed farmers, a shooting range and a mad dog which fiercely protected "its ground". The hitches were far fewer and the walk went smoothly.



Injuries propped up often and inevitably slowed us down whilst we struggled to keep our momentum going.



As my first stint into the country - on foot - I discovered that cars were sparse with the A and B roads being used by very few cars.



However by the end, we had enjoyed the experience and had discovered the follies of too much spare clothing, too much food, too much stuff and too much talk.



But with my camera at hand I was able to lighten the mood with a barrage of video log entries to document the hilarious moments and cover the darker periods - but whether I release those is dependant upon the team.