The sun was out and our spirits were high, just a nice walk along side the river counting the Windmills as we go…..Another section of the Weavers Way to complete, in fact some of the group have almost completed it all! Stalham to Halvergate.
You have just got to love your support crew, some will even walk with you, others, well lets just put it this way, we had to go to Tesco’s in Stalham to stock up with sandwiches and snacks for this one……
Country lanes at this time of year are just starting to show signs of life, most trees and bushes are starting to bud and with the warm temperature and clear skies it was a great morning for a spring walk. Once we hit Hickling Broad we meandered along side waterways stopping at Potter Heigham to sit and eat lunch near the medieval bridge crossing the River Thurne.
Following the river, by now we had seen enough windmills to be fair but much to our surprise the repetition was interrupted by Jocky as he diverted to the Lion Inn, Thurne, for an unplanned refreshment stop, see he does have a soft spot for us really!
Continuing on our way along, what to be honest, is some pretty flat terrain only excited by some traffic dodging on the Acle straight, we sauntered into Halvergate, with some little niggling injuries which made the last few hours uncomfortable, but all completed the latest training walk in good spirits, even if the red Lion pub was closed when we arrived.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Water water everywhere...
Today, the weather has been kinder to us – we haven’t had yesterday’s persistent rain to contend with or the wind; we’ve only had hailstones and snow today!
We had always planned a shorter day’s walking as we were driving back to Norfolk this afternoon. After a huge breakfast prepared by our lovely support crew (!!), you have just got to LOVE your support crew, we left the cottage and started our walk – through a bleak but beautiful industrial landscape – the old Yarnbury lead mines above Grassington. We’ve walked by water all day – crossing streams, using stepping stones, suspension bridges, past the odd lake, fish farms, etc.
We had all cheered up too from yesterday – a lot of yesterday’s walk was done in silence except for the odd happy dance and sudden burst of singing to try and raise our spirits. Today was a totally different walk – lots of laughing, singing, talking nonsense, etc. Much nicer …..even if a little soft underfoot alongside the River Wharfe
The day was finished off by calling into the Woolly Sheep Public House in Skipton, where we will actually be staying on the weekend of the big walk – it was only right to call in and check out its potential as somewhere good enough for the Tears for Beers walking team. Oh and to try out the beer of course as well – and I think Rachel has even decided every meal from the menu! To be fair we did not talk too much during the walk about food so we can let her off with some planning.
A great weekend overall – bring on the next one!
We had always planned a shorter day’s walking as we were driving back to Norfolk this afternoon. After a huge breakfast prepared by our lovely support crew (!!), you have just got to LOVE your support crew, we left the cottage and started our walk – through a bleak but beautiful industrial landscape – the old Yarnbury lead mines above Grassington. We’ve walked by water all day – crossing streams, using stepping stones, suspension bridges, past the odd lake, fish farms, etc.
We had all cheered up too from yesterday – a lot of yesterday’s walk was done in silence except for the odd happy dance and sudden burst of singing to try and raise our spirits. Today was a totally different walk – lots of laughing, singing, talking nonsense, etc. Much nicer …..even if a little soft underfoot alongside the River Wharfe
The day was finished off by calling into the Woolly Sheep Public House in Skipton, where we will actually be staying on the weekend of the big walk – it was only right to call in and check out its potential as somewhere good enough for the Tears for Beers walking team. Oh and to try out the beer of course as well – and I think Rachel has even decided every meal from the menu! To be fair we did not talk too much during the walk about food so we can let her off with some planning.
A great weekend overall – bring on the next one!
What a lovely day for walking in the Pennines
So, another weekend in Yorkshire – this time with some members of our support crew in the shape of Jocky and Stella. This weekend away was planned to coincide with the Oxfam prep session in Skipton.
The prep session was pretty interesting and highlighted the fact that even though we are ahead as far as a training schedule was concerned however, it was obvious that we were still focusing on the wrong things so we came away thinking of ….. down jackets, magic map gadgets, and especially loving our support crew, etc, etc. Jocky and Stella wrote copious notes so we hope they’ve captured all the more important information …..Pink Champagne!
After our prep session and the highlight of having our photo taken for the Oxfam publicity machine, Jocky dropped us off at Malham national Park car park, and as we pulled our boots on, with perfect timing, it started to snow. The walking today has been amazing, and the scenery stunning (when we finally got to see it), although we did have to put up with a number of obstacles – giant limestone pavements; huge slippery steps; rampaging sheep; limited visibility; new boots with not much of a grip; clothes that turned out to be not as waterproof as we thought; a twisted ankle and knee strain; a couple of hangovers; etc, etc.
The prep session was pretty interesting and highlighted the fact that even though we are ahead as far as a training schedule was concerned however, it was obvious that we were still focusing on the wrong things so we came away thinking of ….. down jackets, magic map gadgets, and especially loving our support crew, etc, etc. Jocky and Stella wrote copious notes so we hope they’ve captured all the more important information …..Pink Champagne!
After our prep session and the highlight of having our photo taken for the Oxfam publicity machine, Jocky dropped us off at Malham national Park car park, and as we pulled our boots on, with perfect timing, it started to snow. The walking today has been amazing, and the scenery stunning (when we finally got to see it), although we did have to put up with a number of obstacles – giant limestone pavements; huge slippery steps; rampaging sheep; limited visibility; new boots with not much of a grip; clothes that turned out to be not as waterproof as we thought; a twisted ankle and knee strain; a couple of hangovers; etc, etc.
Rachel came out with some cracking quotes – but to save her dignity, we will not repeat them here. Suffice it to say, WE all remember what you said, missus! And Steve has two scorch marks in the back of his neck from that look, and we all know “that look”
And we have NEVER been so pleased to see Jocky as we were at the end of the day, as we came down the hill in darkness to the pub (well Rachel in particular) – one of the speakers this morning told us that we must treat our support crew like the stars that they are – as, during the walk itself, we will become complete divas and abuse them unashamedly. So, with that in mind, we’re sharing the love around in advance of needing them.
We love you Jocky!
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Even better than the zoo .....
“This is even better than going to the zoo” declared Rachel today on our nature walk – we’ve seen a peacock, some pigs, horses, Shetland ponies, hens, donkeys, sheep and a dozen or so wild boar. (Although, strictly speaking, they weren’t very wild at all – they were in an enclosure at the back of someone’s garden.)
Time went very quickly today – we managed a stonking sixteen miles in five and a quarter hours – we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the walking and talking that does it. We covered any number of topics today: the state of the economy; how we would run big corporations; the construction industry; the demise of the car industry; and then we fell back to our old favourites – food and shopping. As we were very nearly running out of things to discuss – which to be honest I don’t think is EVER going to happen - we were met by Joanna and Harvey, the five year old boxer dog, to walk a stretch of the Weavers Way around where they live. We then had to stop talking altogether because we were going at such a pace that it was all we could do to keep breathing! Thank you Joanna for joining us!
Thank you also to my Mum who picked Rachel and I up from the Swan hostelry in Stalham and took us back to Blickling to collect our cars – after a quick stop in the farm shop for pork pies and sausage rolls, which we can heartily recommend.
So a very good day, very quick – and a challenge issued to the boys now – sixteen in five hours fifteen – beat that!
Time went very quickly today – we managed a stonking sixteen miles in five and a quarter hours – we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the walking and talking that does it. We covered any number of topics today: the state of the economy; how we would run big corporations; the construction industry; the demise of the car industry; and then we fell back to our old favourites – food and shopping. As we were very nearly running out of things to discuss – which to be honest I don’t think is EVER going to happen - we were met by Joanna and Harvey, the five year old boxer dog, to walk a stretch of the Weavers Way around where they live. We then had to stop talking altogether because we were going at such a pace that it was all we could do to keep breathing! Thank you Joanna for joining us!
Thank you also to my Mum who picked Rachel and I up from the Swan hostelry in Stalham and took us back to Blickling to collect our cars – after a quick stop in the farm shop for pork pies and sausage rolls, which we can heartily recommend.
So a very good day, very quick – and a challenge issued to the boys now – sixteen in five hours fifteen – beat that!
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Kings Quiz Night 17th Feb
Well yet another fortnight and another Quiz night at Kings with a good turn out for our team and with no "Bitted and Twisted" to steal our glory, we sensed a chance to better our second place of last time out.
However despite using evasion tactic's by changing our name to "Meet the Meerkats". We came in third out of 7 teams with the Sport round being our nemesis as usual!
The biggest laugh of the night came when it appeared Tristan was the only person who knew the name of the Supermarket Curly worked for in Coronation Street. Realised the comments this would generate but for the sake of points total had to come clean! Why I knew and remembered this useless fact is a complete mystery?
At least the team name got us a prize for the best named team in the shape of a small plastic keyboard so along with the miniature snooker table from last time. The support crew will have plenty to do while waiting for the walkers!
Another welcomed £27 for Oxfam meaning we have broken through the £500 barrier :o)
However despite using evasion tactic's by changing our name to "Meet the Meerkats". We came in third out of 7 teams with the Sport round being our nemesis as usual!
The biggest laugh of the night came when it appeared Tristan was the only person who knew the name of the Supermarket Curly worked for in Coronation Street. Realised the comments this would generate but for the sake of points total had to come clean! Why I knew and remembered this useless fact is a complete mystery?
At least the team name got us a prize for the best named team in the shape of a small plastic keyboard so along with the miniature snooker table from last time. The support crew will have plenty to do while waiting for the walkers!
Another welcomed £27 for Oxfam meaning we have broken through the £500 barrier :o)
Monday, 9 February 2009
A walk best forgotten .....
Well, probably the worst training walk we've had so far. Rachel was breaking in new boots, although they were changed for her comfy boots within two miles. (In fact, Rachel's boots came off four times for first aid that I counted - and I may have missed one or two episodes too!) My car had iced up so much I couldn't unlock it to get my walking boots, so ended up slip sliding along in my trainers. And Steve turned up without maps.
The paths were either very muddy or sheet ice, which didn't make for an easy day. And in fact Rachel nearly ended up in the drink - at Felbrigg while trying to see how safe the icy lake was! A missed photo opportunity there, I reckon.
The plan was to walk twenty-three miles, but after fifteen we decided to call it a day. Luckily, the support crew - in the shape of Stu and Amanda - were there to meet us at Blickling with sandwiches and cake and to take us to the pub when we declared that we were giving up. We were over an hour late getting to this "checkpoint" so our support crew now know not to believe any ETA's that we give them!
Good practice though - lots of lessons learned. And things can only get better!
The paths were either very muddy or sheet ice, which didn't make for an easy day. And in fact Rachel nearly ended up in the drink - at Felbrigg while trying to see how safe the icy lake was! A missed photo opportunity there, I reckon.
The plan was to walk twenty-three miles, but after fifteen we decided to call it a day. Luckily, the support crew - in the shape of Stu and Amanda - were there to meet us at Blickling with sandwiches and cake and to take us to the pub when we declared that we were giving up. We were over an hour late getting to this "checkpoint" so our support crew now know not to believe any ETA's that we give them!
Good practice though - lots of lessons learned. And things can only get better!
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Kings Quiz night
The fortnightly Kings Quiz night took place last night with the "Tears for Beers" team comprising of Susan, Amanda, Steve and Tristan coming a credible second. if only we had gone with Telford and Jordan!!! :o) Particularly impressed by Susan's and Amanda's tackling of the cryptic Pop group names.
Our Sister team "Bitter and twisted" won the night although we had decided as there were more of them than us, we wouldn't argue and better let them win!!!
More importantly another £30 donated to the Trail trekkers fund bringing our total to a pleasing £479 so far.
Have fun on the Saturday walk, can't believe I'm missing out on Tea and cake for work!
Our Sister team "Bitter and twisted" won the night although we had decided as there were more of them than us, we wouldn't argue and better let them win!!!
More importantly another £30 donated to the Trail trekkers fund bringing our total to a pleasing £479 so far.
Have fun on the Saturday walk, can't believe I'm missing out on Tea and cake for work!
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