Back in early September, 5-months after losing my father to Alzheimer’s, I took part in a charity event: the Memory Walk in Watford’s Cassiobury Park. The forecast leading up to the day had threatened rain, but thankfully that didn’t come to fruition. In fact, the sun broke through the clouds and whilst it was quite humid, it was otherwise good weather for the event. Prior to the start there were speeches by an Alzheimer’s Ambassador, and the Mayor of Watford, before a Zumba warm up, which almost finished me off before I’d even crossed the start line (I’m not known for my fitness)! It was (at times) an emotional, but mainly inspirational day being surrounded by hundreds of fellow walkers of all ages, shapes, and sizes, plus quite a few dogs too. Each with their own story to tell going by the memory tree and messages attached to their t-shirts.
The event had two courses: a flatter 3.5km blue route, or more challenging 9km red route. We (a supportive friend joined me) took on the longer route and whilst we chatted the whole way, I took in all the sights, occasionally stopping to take some photos of the lovely scenery. I’d only been to the park a couple of times before and certainly hadn’t explored it, so it was great to see what it has to offer. Aside from the obligatory woods, we walked over bridged streams, the canal with colourful narrow boats moored, past duck ponds, mini railway, and even crossed a golf course … stopping briefly for a tee-off (fore!!).
There was a party atmosphere as we returned and crossed the finish line. People clapping us on and volunteers on hand to put a blue ribboned medal around our necks. Afterwards, many decided to have a picnic in the park and soak up more of the atmosphere, or head to the local cafe for a well-earned late lunch. Instead, we headed to a pub to raise a toast with a refreshing chilled glass and congratulate ourselves on raising over £1,200 between us for Alzheimer’s research, and completing the course in a respectable two hours … still wearing our medals of course!
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