Vasily Zaitsau, TTP's Archive Services Coordinator in Minsk, on crutches at the end of March!
Blog 6
By Debra Brunner
Here we are—week 5 of training to power walk a full marathon (that’s 26.2 miles!) on June 8th, and I’m proud to say I’m still sticking to the schedule.
This week included two 5-mile walks, both local loops around Bushey, Hertfordshire. It’s been incredible watching nature unfold as the weeks go by. Back in March when I started, trees were just beginning to bud and the daffodils hadn’t yet bloomed. Now, five weeks later, those daffodils are in full bloom, spring flowers are everywhere, and the trees are a riot of blossom. Simply glorious.
Yesterday, I completed my longest training walk yet—10 miles! I started in North Finchley, and early on, I passed a little slice of Belarus right there on Holden Road (where I used to live!). On one side: St Cyril’s Belarusian Church. On the other: The Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum. Who knew?
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- The Francis Skaryna Byelorussian Library and Musem on Holden Road, London N12
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- The plaque on the doorway of The Francis Skaryna Byelorussian Library and Museum
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- St Cyril’s Belarusian Church, London N12
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- The sign outside the Belarusian Church in London, N12
The weather couldn’t have been better—bright, sunny, and perfect for walking. For the first five miles the roads were quiet, with few people out and about in the suburbs of London on Easter Sunday, but as I got further into London the pace of life got busier! I passed swarms of tourists snapping pictures at the iconic Abbey Road zebra crossing, but then I ducked off the main road to join the Regent’s Canal path. On one side, peaceful moored barges. On the other, stately English houses. And then, a surprise—while passing the Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo, I spotted a monkey just chilling up on one of the look outs! The infamous aviary has now been transformed into the aptly named Monkey Valley – so of course I spotted a monkey!
I ended my walk at a buzzing Camden Lock—absolutely packed and full of life.
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- Camden Lock
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- Approach to Camden Lock
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- The Feng Shang Princess – floating Chinese pagoda restaurant
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- Barge on the Regents Canal
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- The Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo – now Monkey Valley
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- Rear of one of the houses on Regents Park Outer Circle
Meanwhile, across the miles in Belarus, our team is stepping up their training too. In Minsk, Vasily Zaitsau, our Archive Services Coordinator, is slowly starting to take steps having recently recovered from an ankle injury – click here to see what Vasily has to say, and Sonya Shaipak, our Development Coordinator, has taken to walking home from The Together Plan office at the Daumana Street Synagogue. Click here to join her as she walks home from the office.
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- Vasily Zaitsau, TTP’s Archive Services Coordinator in Minsk, on crutches at the end of March!
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- Sonya Shaipak – TTP’s Heritage Coordinator in Minsk, on her walk through Minsk
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- Laying out the sandstone pathways at the site of the Brest cemetery memorial construction site
Together and apart, with one of us just off crutches, we are all getting ready—across borders and time zones—for our big challenge.
Why not join us? Let’s walk with purpose, one mile at a time, wherever you are in the world.
Debra x
To join the campaign and register to walk – (you choose your distance, route and date between April 18th and June 8th) click here
If you are in the USA – register to walk here
To make a donation – click here
To make a donation in the USA – click here
with special thanks to our ‘stepping out together’ walkathon sponsors – I will be very happy to introduce you directly
- Houseman Properties – Family-run estate and letting agents, North London.
- Projekt Rising – Customized artificial intelligence solutions.
- Evertex Linens – Specialists in table linens, accessories, and printed textiles for events.
- Walfinch East Barnet – In-home care for independent living.
- Athletic Development Club – Personal training centre, Cockfosters