IT WAS a pleasure to join the 45 and 55-mile participants last Sunday along with Lucy Body, Brad Horn and Eleanor Bearpark for the second training walk on Dartmoor, writes Mark Charman, Shebbear College’s marketing manager.

The 55s walked from Princetown to Meldon reservoir whilst the 45s set off from the ‘Four Winds’ car park below Great Miss Tor back to Meldon.

Lucy and I set off along with the 45s who quickly pushed ahead and out of sight within the first two kilometres.

The walking started in excellent weather with clear blue sky, sunshine and superb visibility. As this was the first time I had experienced serious walking on Dartmoor I was shocked at how quickly a bank of mist descended on us, greatly reducing the visibility.

We met with Brad and Eleanor at Bleak House, after a fun-filled hour trying to cross the river in Tavy Cleave! The 45s and 55s arrived at Bleak House shortly before us, and had already set off on the final leg to Meldon.

During this session the 45s walked 23km and the 55s walked 27km in excellent time, which makes my 18km pale into insignificance, but it was an achievement for me, thanks to lots of support and encouragement from Lucy.