Today was the first time that the entire Tears for Beers team have walked since Trailtrekker back in May. We were also joined by some friends, both two AND four legged. The usual suspects - Steve, Rachel, Tristan and Susan - were accompanied by Ruth, Amanda, Andy and Bridget and the doggy contingent came in the form of Muppet, Sasha and Finn.
We came back to do our seven/eight mile circuit from King Street down to Carrow Road, up to the A47 bypass and then back by Whitlingham Broad. It’s been pretty icy and very muddy but we finished in a creditable three hours, which included a coffee break at the visitor centre. This walk is in preparation for a thirteen mile beach walk next week and then a twenty-five mile challenge walk in the Brecon Beacons in Wales at the beginning of January - which has to be completed in eight hours - some challenge!
We are also planning our trip to Yorkshire in April to walk the three peaks - twenty-five miles and Yorkshire’s three highest hills, in twelve hours. We’re still working on Rachel to make sure she does all three peaks and doesn’t just end up in the pub at Horton in Ribblesdale - at least there are no shops there to distract her!
In May, Steve and Tristan are off to walk the Coast to Coast path from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay, and Finn and I are walking the second half of the Pennine Way. I just hope that Finn will be better behaved than he has been today. At least the seven miles wore him out totally for the rest of the day and he’s been asleep pretty much since we got back - thank God for small mercies!
So, Tears for Beers would like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful new year and we look forward to some of you joining us for our 2010 challenges.
Susan
xxx
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Saturday, 24 October 2009
And then there were two .....
Only two members of the King Street Ramblers were man enough to brave the elements today - so, Steve and I were parked in Beccles and ready to walk just before nine o’clock. We’re still walking the Angles Way, a seventy-seven mile stretch between Great Yarmouth and Knettishall Heath and which joins up the Weavers Way and the Peddars Way.
It’s been pretty grey and drizzly and was quite tough because we’ve not walked very much lately. Knees and feet were playing up today – so a gentle ten mile stroll was just what was needed. Except it turned into twelve miles due to my mapreading – as usual. After having got us lost twice (in two entirely separate locations!), I finally admitted defeat and handed the map over to Steve to take charge!
The route was on country lanes and in farmers’ fields – a bit squelchy underfoot – and we also had a hill which took us a bit by surprise. This IS Suffolk after all! The trees were beautiful – lovely reds and golds – with a lot of leaves to cushion the path and our poor feet.
Conversation covered a wide variety of topics, including mortgages, finances in general, savings, DIY and holidays. And despite the fact that Rachel wasn’t with us, we STILL talked about food, even to the point of swopping recipes!
We finished at Earsham at the pub for a quick drink. And we had to be quick too, even having a little sprint to the bus which arrived at the bus stop early. So, a very good day, but we’re looking forward to having more people coming out with us!
It’s been pretty grey and drizzly and was quite tough because we’ve not walked very much lately. Knees and feet were playing up today – so a gentle ten mile stroll was just what was needed. Except it turned into twelve miles due to my mapreading – as usual. After having got us lost twice (in two entirely separate locations!), I finally admitted defeat and handed the map over to Steve to take charge!
The route was on country lanes and in farmers’ fields – a bit squelchy underfoot – and we also had a hill which took us a bit by surprise. This IS Suffolk after all! The trees were beautiful – lovely reds and golds – with a lot of leaves to cushion the path and our poor feet.
Conversation covered a wide variety of topics, including mortgages, finances in general, savings, DIY and holidays. And despite the fact that Rachel wasn’t with us, we STILL talked about food, even to the point of swopping recipes!
We finished at Earsham at the pub for a quick drink. And we had to be quick too, even having a little sprint to the bus which arrived at the bus stop early. So, a very good day, but we’re looking forward to having more people coming out with us!
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Berlin Marathon
So there I stood last Sunday (20th Sept) in the central road in the Tiergarten, Berlin. Which for those not familiar with Berlin, is the main city centre park, with approx 35,ooo runners in front of me and some 5,000 behind. Blue skies and temperatures of 25c in the shade expected with a course of 42 Km's (26.2 miles) stretching ahead.
Training had started in the third week of June after a couple of weeks off following trailtrekkers so giving the feet a rest. Would I find this more difficult? Training mileage slowly gathered in distance with a max distance of 22 miles which passed ok. Surely an extra 4 miles wouldn't make much difference? But disaster struck a fortnight before the marathon, a strained ligament made running difficult so led to no exercise at all for the final 2 weeks. You are suppose to take things easy at this stage anyway but was far from ideal. A sports massage 4 days before helped although the guys remarks that people only normally attempt marathons after a couple years of running as a minimum didn't help. I had been running just 14 months!
Would recommend Berlin to anyone for a long weekend, easy to get too, lots to see and quite cheap in the days of unfavourable Euro exchange rates. In hind sight maybe spending 11 hours on the Saturday (day before) treading the streets looking at all on offer wasn't my brightest idea, but was dammed if I was going to miss the opportunity (Berlin Wall, WW2 and Cold war bunkers, 1930's Olympic stadium, Brandenberg gate, Alte Museum, Jewish memorial etc etc). Had collected my race number and kit bag etc from the Sports Expo the evening before at the Templehof airfield. The atmosphere was electric with thousands of runners buzzing in anticipation for the race that weekend. The hangers being another 1930's listed building in the style you would associate with Hitler. Difficult not to be impressed.
The hotel took a bit of finding but was excellent for my needs with the mega bonus that the bath also doubled up as a jacucci, this would turn out to be invaluable! The transport system is also excellent for getting around. You can buy a 3 day pass but didn't go through one barrier or ticket check during the complete trip. Everyone must be very honest? The other challenge was finding somewhere which served Pasta so I could start Carb loading. Went to the same place on two consecutive nights but a request on the second night for a Gross Spag Bol did get me a strange look! But I did get a big plate full!
So Sunday came, a little nervous about how the leg would cope. A light Breakfast at 7am then a 30 minute walk down to the start area. From all the streets a procession of people could be seem with their clothing bags slung over their shoulders. With typical German efficiency, was lined up on the road at 08:30, just half an hour to go.
The Berlin Marathon is one of the 5 world majors (London/Berlin/New York/Chicargo/Boston), some of the top athletes had missed the world championships the month before just to do this one. Purely I guess as the top point scorer in a two year period wins half a million dollars! The big boys only run a couple of marathons a year. Indeed last year the world record had been broken here, an incredible 2 Hours and 3 minutes!
So at 9am the gun went off and loads of balloons shot into the sky. But nothing happened, well it did but couldn't see where I stood! Berlin has the greatest number of participants then any other marathon, even shading London. So takes a while for 40,000 to start moving. After 3-4 minutes started to walk slowly, eventually went over the start line at a jog 13 minutes later! Despite it being a dual carriage way (4 lanes) trying to get past people was difficult. I wanted sub 4 hours and wasn't prepared to go with the flow. After a km, the course left the park and was into the streets, the first of 70 bands were in full flow with the Saints Go Marching In. Lots of people cheering, it does make a big difference. The swiss supporters made me smile banging on their cow bells, this wasn't a downhill!
Was thrown a bit as I expected to see clocks showing the time elapsed at regular intervals, but there wasn't, plus the distance boards weren't that numerous. So didn't have a clue on the pace I was doing. When running, you have good days when you feel like Forest Gump and can run for miles, bad days when you feel drained straight away (like most of my training runs after having worked the night before!) and those in the middle. It was a middle run today! But more importantly, the leg was not playing up. The first 5KM passed in 26 minutes.
Was still like running into a wall of runners although roundabouts gave me a chance to gain quite a few spaces, as most went around anti clockwise, while the Brits tended to go around clockwise (think about it, driving cars!). A group of 4 chefs banging their ladles on their pans made me smile. Didn't see many runners in fancy dress, just a few "man" nuns and a guy in a kilt. Think the deep Sea Diver was right at the back!
The sun was now starting to make a difference. Every 5kms they have water stops where you can get a cup of water on the move. I had a bottle with me which lasted me the first 20kms so didnt have to slow down,but under foot was wet with thousands of crushed plastic cups as early on some 30,000 runners plus had been before us. Made a hell of a racket!
The course had now entered East Berlin (ex DDR) with less people lining the streets, can remember the noise of all the feet hitting the tarmac. Its the shudder which goes through your body when your feet hit the tarmac which which takes it toll. But we soon past the iconic TV tower (Fernsehturm). Over the river Spree and back into cheering crowds. Had been going over 1.5 Hours now, breathing hadn't broken beyond normal, but starting to sweat. Legs still fine.
But it was around the 18km mark, had a real boost, caught up with the 4 Hours Pace maker who had a yellow balloon tied to her belt. As long as I kept in front, I should get my sub 4 hours. Half Marathon distance (21Km) came at 1 Hour 50 minutes was still feeling positive and still overtaking people all the time and hardly getting overtaken myself.
So the relentless push continued, more Samba Band, a pair of Indians in full dress (USA) playing pipes by the road side made me look twice and a cheery wave to the course photographers at the 30km mark just had to be done. The course had now turned and we were heading away from the suburb heading back towards the centre. Only 10Km to go, thats the same as one of my training runs from Sprowston down the Yarmouth road, I can do this!
But after 30km's I was starting to show signs of tiring. Looking at my stage times afterwards, started to fall from 26-27 minute 5KM sections to 28 minutes. Breathing was fine but the legs were start to feel heavy. Some people were starting to walk with others doing stretches against tree's. Was still overtaking people but aware fatigue was setting in. But no sign of the 4 hour Pace maker so was a good sign.
There was suddenly a lack of distance boards, the last I had seen was 35Kms. At some water stops there is fruit so garbed a bit of banana while an Italian runner who ran with me for a minute or so gave me a high energy sweet. Such is the spirit of these truly international events. This stretch was going on for ever, I was hanging in there but had gone past the 22 mile mark, this was all new territory.
Finally a board, yes 40km, only 2 kms left, but then the realisation there was still 12-15 minutes running left to do. It was past midday, the sun was beating down and then suddenly the energy seemed to of left me. This was getting very close to the runners wall, when the body just runs out of energy and you can do nothing but walk or in extreme cases people collapse. Didn't hit it dead on as I dug in deep and the pace only dropped by 30 seconds. But its an experience I've never ever had, this was pushing my poor excuse of a body to the edge, more than trailtrekkers by a long way. Saw the edge of Reichstag poking out behind a building ahead which is next to the Brandenberg gate and the finish. But the course then dog legged left and started to run away from it. Remember saying to myself, for christ sake! One of the highlights for me should of been running through the Brandenburg gate. But to be be honest, all I could see through the gate some 100 metres further on, was the finish. I had no energy for emotion, I wanted it to stop. Was now being overtaken. Went over the finish, I had done it, sub 4 hours.
The next few minutes were totally mad, you file past tables where you get your medal then its the drinks tables, hundreds of runners desperate to re-hydrate themselves as soon as possible. As soon as I had stopped I had gone light headed, all available energy had gone. But three cups of water, two cups of energy drink in quick succession after fighting my way to the tables saved the day. One Women next to me fell over and couldn't get up, her leg had locked with extreme cramp. It was a complete frenzy. You then claimed your goodie bag (snacks), had you finishing photo taken and then just found a spot and just rested. Legs started seizing but couldn't be bothered to stretch. Neither could most other people flaked out all over the place. The heat had made it tougher than past years so more than one person told me.
So there you go, my maiden marathon completed. Stayed in the runners area for the best part of 2 hours resting/getting changed before getting enough energy to walk back to the hotel. Walked along the Marathon course some of the way, still a steady stream of people were finishing (6 hours plus).
Yes a heck of of an experience, and glad I did it, absolutely. Yes the aching legs didn't stop until 5 days later and still feel void of energy a week later. But now know what it is all about. Many people who have done one, have said never again. But not me, find out in the next fortnight if accepted to the London Marathon. If not will pick another at a European city in the spring.
Yes I am totally nuts, but that's what happens to some people when they turn 40!!!
Training had started in the third week of June after a couple of weeks off following trailtrekkers so giving the feet a rest. Would I find this more difficult? Training mileage slowly gathered in distance with a max distance of 22 miles which passed ok. Surely an extra 4 miles wouldn't make much difference? But disaster struck a fortnight before the marathon, a strained ligament made running difficult so led to no exercise at all for the final 2 weeks. You are suppose to take things easy at this stage anyway but was far from ideal. A sports massage 4 days before helped although the guys remarks that people only normally attempt marathons after a couple years of running as a minimum didn't help. I had been running just 14 months!
Would recommend Berlin to anyone for a long weekend, easy to get too, lots to see and quite cheap in the days of unfavourable Euro exchange rates. In hind sight maybe spending 11 hours on the Saturday (day before) treading the streets looking at all on offer wasn't my brightest idea, but was dammed if I was going to miss the opportunity (Berlin Wall, WW2 and Cold war bunkers, 1930's Olympic stadium, Brandenberg gate, Alte Museum, Jewish memorial etc etc). Had collected my race number and kit bag etc from the Sports Expo the evening before at the Templehof airfield. The atmosphere was electric with thousands of runners buzzing in anticipation for the race that weekend. The hangers being another 1930's listed building in the style you would associate with Hitler. Difficult not to be impressed.
The hotel took a bit of finding but was excellent for my needs with the mega bonus that the bath also doubled up as a jacucci, this would turn out to be invaluable! The transport system is also excellent for getting around. You can buy a 3 day pass but didn't go through one barrier or ticket check during the complete trip. Everyone must be very honest? The other challenge was finding somewhere which served Pasta so I could start Carb loading. Went to the same place on two consecutive nights but a request on the second night for a Gross Spag Bol did get me a strange look! But I did get a big plate full!
So Sunday came, a little nervous about how the leg would cope. A light Breakfast at 7am then a 30 minute walk down to the start area. From all the streets a procession of people could be seem with their clothing bags slung over their shoulders. With typical German efficiency, was lined up on the road at 08:30, just half an hour to go.
The Berlin Marathon is one of the 5 world majors (London/Berlin/New York/Chicargo/Boston), some of the top athletes had missed the world championships the month before just to do this one. Purely I guess as the top point scorer in a two year period wins half a million dollars! The big boys only run a couple of marathons a year. Indeed last year the world record had been broken here, an incredible 2 Hours and 3 minutes!
So at 9am the gun went off and loads of balloons shot into the sky. But nothing happened, well it did but couldn't see where I stood! Berlin has the greatest number of participants then any other marathon, even shading London. So takes a while for 40,000 to start moving. After 3-4 minutes started to walk slowly, eventually went over the start line at a jog 13 minutes later! Despite it being a dual carriage way (4 lanes) trying to get past people was difficult. I wanted sub 4 hours and wasn't prepared to go with the flow. After a km, the course left the park and was into the streets, the first of 70 bands were in full flow with the Saints Go Marching In. Lots of people cheering, it does make a big difference. The swiss supporters made me smile banging on their cow bells, this wasn't a downhill!
Was thrown a bit as I expected to see clocks showing the time elapsed at regular intervals, but there wasn't, plus the distance boards weren't that numerous. So didn't have a clue on the pace I was doing. When running, you have good days when you feel like Forest Gump and can run for miles, bad days when you feel drained straight away (like most of my training runs after having worked the night before!) and those in the middle. It was a middle run today! But more importantly, the leg was not playing up. The first 5KM passed in 26 minutes.
Was still like running into a wall of runners although roundabouts gave me a chance to gain quite a few spaces, as most went around anti clockwise, while the Brits tended to go around clockwise (think about it, driving cars!). A group of 4 chefs banging their ladles on their pans made me smile. Didn't see many runners in fancy dress, just a few "man" nuns and a guy in a kilt. Think the deep Sea Diver was right at the back!
The sun was now starting to make a difference. Every 5kms they have water stops where you can get a cup of water on the move. I had a bottle with me which lasted me the first 20kms so didnt have to slow down,but under foot was wet with thousands of crushed plastic cups as early on some 30,000 runners plus had been before us. Made a hell of a racket!
The course had now entered East Berlin (ex DDR) with less people lining the streets, can remember the noise of all the feet hitting the tarmac. Its the shudder which goes through your body when your feet hit the tarmac which which takes it toll. But we soon past the iconic TV tower (Fernsehturm). Over the river Spree and back into cheering crowds. Had been going over 1.5 Hours now, breathing hadn't broken beyond normal, but starting to sweat. Legs still fine.
But it was around the 18km mark, had a real boost, caught up with the 4 Hours Pace maker who had a yellow balloon tied to her belt. As long as I kept in front, I should get my sub 4 hours. Half Marathon distance (21Km) came at 1 Hour 50 minutes was still feeling positive and still overtaking people all the time and hardly getting overtaken myself.
So the relentless push continued, more Samba Band, a pair of Indians in full dress (USA) playing pipes by the road side made me look twice and a cheery wave to the course photographers at the 30km mark just had to be done. The course had now turned and we were heading away from the suburb heading back towards the centre. Only 10Km to go, thats the same as one of my training runs from Sprowston down the Yarmouth road, I can do this!
But after 30km's I was starting to show signs of tiring. Looking at my stage times afterwards, started to fall from 26-27 minute 5KM sections to 28 minutes. Breathing was fine but the legs were start to feel heavy. Some people were starting to walk with others doing stretches against tree's. Was still overtaking people but aware fatigue was setting in. But no sign of the 4 hour Pace maker so was a good sign.
There was suddenly a lack of distance boards, the last I had seen was 35Kms. At some water stops there is fruit so garbed a bit of banana while an Italian runner who ran with me for a minute or so gave me a high energy sweet. Such is the spirit of these truly international events. This stretch was going on for ever, I was hanging in there but had gone past the 22 mile mark, this was all new territory.
Finally a board, yes 40km, only 2 kms left, but then the realisation there was still 12-15 minutes running left to do. It was past midday, the sun was beating down and then suddenly the energy seemed to of left me. This was getting very close to the runners wall, when the body just runs out of energy and you can do nothing but walk or in extreme cases people collapse. Didn't hit it dead on as I dug in deep and the pace only dropped by 30 seconds. But its an experience I've never ever had, this was pushing my poor excuse of a body to the edge, more than trailtrekkers by a long way. Saw the edge of Reichstag poking out behind a building ahead which is next to the Brandenberg gate and the finish. But the course then dog legged left and started to run away from it. Remember saying to myself, for christ sake! One of the highlights for me should of been running through the Brandenburg gate. But to be be honest, all I could see through the gate some 100 metres further on, was the finish. I had no energy for emotion, I wanted it to stop. Was now being overtaken. Went over the finish, I had done it, sub 4 hours.
The next few minutes were totally mad, you file past tables where you get your medal then its the drinks tables, hundreds of runners desperate to re-hydrate themselves as soon as possible. As soon as I had stopped I had gone light headed, all available energy had gone. But three cups of water, two cups of energy drink in quick succession after fighting my way to the tables saved the day. One Women next to me fell over and couldn't get up, her leg had locked with extreme cramp. It was a complete frenzy. You then claimed your goodie bag (snacks), had you finishing photo taken and then just found a spot and just rested. Legs started seizing but couldn't be bothered to stretch. Neither could most other people flaked out all over the place. The heat had made it tougher than past years so more than one person told me.
So there you go, my maiden marathon completed. Stayed in the runners area for the best part of 2 hours resting/getting changed before getting enough energy to walk back to the hotel. Walked along the Marathon course some of the way, still a steady stream of people were finishing (6 hours plus).
Yes a heck of of an experience, and glad I did it, absolutely. Yes the aching legs didn't stop until 5 days later and still feel void of energy a week later. But now know what it is all about. Many people who have done one, have said never again. But not me, find out in the next fortnight if accepted to the London Marathon. If not will pick another at a European city in the spring.
Yes I am totally nuts, but that's what happens to some people when they turn 40!!!
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
The King Street Rambling Club - Great Yarmouth to Halvergate - Saturday 22 August
So this is my first walk of the King Street Rambling Club and I was rather anxious being amongst such experienced walkers - this was not helped by various members of the group announcing that 8 miles was only a stroll and that it was hardly worth getting out of bed for! And new girls chore - writing the blog!
Anyhow, Susan and I were picked up by Steve at just after 8am and we met up with Tristan, Andy and Sasha at Halvergate, where we climbed into the truck and Tristan drove like Emerson Fitipaldi (?spelling Susan?) to our destination - Asda at Great Yarmouth! Here we had to make do with Asda bacon and/or sausage baps in lieu of our support crew i.e. Jonathan being unable to attend! (And as a side note - why is it always my bag that ends up with dozens of sachets of red and brown sauce?)
At 9.19am we had our first row and we hadn't even set off. It stemmed from the fact that a certain male member of the group pointed out that he would be walking with three biatches today and so a battle of the sexes commenced!
Only a very short one however because finally at 9.25am we were off. We headed out along the path with Andy and Sasha in front and the rest of us mooching along behind. At 10am we saw a group of 'older' blokes stood around a gate avidly watching the train line, armed with cameras and binoculars. After much 'you ask them', 'no you ask them', Steve asked them what they were looking at and apparently they were excitedly awaiting the 10:10 train from Yarmouth which was a diesel. Us girls were seriously unimpressed by this and walked on ahead leaving the old fogies (Steve, Tristan and Andy) all extolling the wonders of diesel trains and how they used these marvellous engines in their youth - must have been a long time ago!!!!
The weather was absolutely glorious and we were very grateful for a cool breeze making it easy walking. The path was fairly easy going - apart from the stiles which Sasha appeared to have a bit of a problem with. However, after much coaxing, we got her through most of them without too much assistance. We encountered a few cows which seemed to like us so much they decided to follow us - much to the anxiety of Susan and Andy. Sasha wasn't that impressed either.
The funniest part of the day, for Tristan at least, occurred when a very hot, panting Sasha decided to take a little paddle in a dyke only to sink to the bottom, becoming completely submerged. While Tris curled up laughing at her predicament, the rest of us were all wondering whether we should try and rescue her by hauling her out but luckily she is such a clever doggy and soon discovered her paddle! She emerged from the water, dignity intact, looking very fetching with her coat all nice and curly - I wonder if Tristan had to use the straighteners on her later????
We arrived at the pub in Halvergate about 1300hrs (I think! I wasn't really paying attention to be honest!) for a welcome libation and then it was off home for cheese and toast and a look at my blisters! All in all a good day!
Anyhow, Susan and I were picked up by Steve at just after 8am and we met up with Tristan, Andy and Sasha at Halvergate, where we climbed into the truck and Tristan drove like Emerson Fitipaldi (?spelling Susan?) to our destination - Asda at Great Yarmouth! Here we had to make do with Asda bacon and/or sausage baps in lieu of our support crew i.e. Jonathan being unable to attend! (And as a side note - why is it always my bag that ends up with dozens of sachets of red and brown sauce?)
At 9.19am we had our first row and we hadn't even set off. It stemmed from the fact that a certain male member of the group pointed out that he would be walking with three biatches today and so a battle of the sexes commenced!
Only a very short one however because finally at 9.25am we were off. We headed out along the path with Andy and Sasha in front and the rest of us mooching along behind. At 10am we saw a group of 'older' blokes stood around a gate avidly watching the train line, armed with cameras and binoculars. After much 'you ask them', 'no you ask them', Steve asked them what they were looking at and apparently they were excitedly awaiting the 10:10 train from Yarmouth which was a diesel. Us girls were seriously unimpressed by this and walked on ahead leaving the old fogies (Steve, Tristan and Andy) all extolling the wonders of diesel trains and how they used these marvellous engines in their youth - must have been a long time ago!!!!
The weather was absolutely glorious and we were very grateful for a cool breeze making it easy walking. The path was fairly easy going - apart from the stiles which Sasha appeared to have a bit of a problem with. However, after much coaxing, we got her through most of them without too much assistance. We encountered a few cows which seemed to like us so much they decided to follow us - much to the anxiety of Susan and Andy. Sasha wasn't that impressed either.
The funniest part of the day, for Tristan at least, occurred when a very hot, panting Sasha decided to take a little paddle in a dyke only to sink to the bottom, becoming completely submerged. While Tris curled up laughing at her predicament, the rest of us were all wondering whether we should try and rescue her by hauling her out but luckily she is such a clever doggy and soon discovered her paddle! She emerged from the water, dignity intact, looking very fetching with her coat all nice and curly - I wonder if Tristan had to use the straighteners on her later????
We arrived at the pub in Halvergate about 1300hrs (I think! I wasn't really paying attention to be honest!) for a welcome libation and then it was off home for cheese and toast and a look at my blisters! All in all a good day!
Thursday, 20 August 2009
The Great Pennine Way Adventure – Postscript – Friday 14 August 2009
Well, have now decided to call it a day ….. I slept really badly last night – the midge bites really got to me and I was conscious that I was scratching them in my sleep. In fact, I’ve woken up today to find blood everywhere and my feet are covered in bites – I’m really not sure I want to put my boots back on.
It’s also raining and as today was only ever going to be half a day – just a seven miler – from Langdon Beck down to Middleton, I’ve decided to pack up and go home. I’m sad about it, but it’ll be nice to have just half a day to break me back in when I take up next year where I’ve left off now.
It’s been the best fortnight ever – I’ve had such a brilliant time, met some lovely people, felt invincible, realised I can do this stuff on my own again and generally feel pretty fit and healthy. I’ve also discovered that the walking is easy but the logistics are a bit of a nightmare and I need to brush up on my admin skills! So, next time I’ll be more organised – hopefully – and do a bit more research before I head off to the hills and find myself stranded without transport! No need to worry though – it’ll never be so slick that I won’t find myself in a bit of a fix every now and then! That’s half the fun of it for me!
I’ll sign off now and leave this blog to others for their adventures. I hope we’re going to start our training walks again and we’ll keep everyone updated with our news – and hopefully those of you that don’t currently walk with us may want to join us.
So, for now, it’s over and out …..!
It’s also raining and as today was only ever going to be half a day – just a seven miler – from Langdon Beck down to Middleton, I’ve decided to pack up and go home. I’m sad about it, but it’ll be nice to have just half a day to break me back in when I take up next year where I’ve left off now.
It’s been the best fortnight ever – I’ve had such a brilliant time, met some lovely people, felt invincible, realised I can do this stuff on my own again and generally feel pretty fit and healthy. I’ve also discovered that the walking is easy but the logistics are a bit of a nightmare and I need to brush up on my admin skills! So, next time I’ll be more organised – hopefully – and do a bit more research before I head off to the hills and find myself stranded without transport! No need to worry though – it’ll never be so slick that I won’t find myself in a bit of a fix every now and then! That’s half the fun of it for me!
I’ll sign off now and leave this blog to others for their adventures. I hope we’re going to start our training walks again and we’ll keep everyone updated with our news – and hopefully those of you that don’t currently walk with us may want to join us.
So, for now, it’s over and out …..!
The Great Pennine Way Adventure – Day 10 – Thursday 13 August 2009 – Tan Hill to Middleton - 16 miles
Streams fallen in: 1
Midge bites: 519
Andy was driving back to Warrington today so I left my car at our lovely campsite in Middleton and Andy dropped me at Tan Hill to walk back to the tent.
The guidebook told me that in bad weather, Sleightholme Moor can be a dangerous place. It’s been a scorcher of a day so I decided to stick with the moor path and not take the bad weather alternative route. However, there have been so many people – grouse beaters mainly – walking the moor the last couple of days that the true path was impossible to find. I wasted half an hour trying to find it before heading back up to the road and track down to the A66. I had no interest in following the Bowes Loop extension of the Pennine Way – although if I was B and B’ing, it would be an ideal place to stop.
I met a John O’Groats to Lands Ender today with his Tibetan terrier dog – he’s taken four weeks so far and is halfway. He expressed some surprise that he even got out of Scotland as he ended up drinking every night with the locals! He was a bit bored today as he’d already done the Pennine Way once – in 1976 – so was trying to cheat a bit and find an alternative route.
The path has been quite indistinct and boggy today – and there were so many flies around. That and the heat have made today quite uncomfortable. I was really glad to see Blackton reservoir – the halfway point of the Pennine Way – swiftly followed by Grassholme and Selset reservoirs as I knew I was on the home stretch to my tent!
After tea, I popped into town to the bus garage – my plan tomorrow includes getting a bus from my campsite – well, less a bus, more of a transit van that connects with the bus – to Langdon Beck youth hostel and I needed to book my place. I’m aiming to walk backwards – not literally obviously! – from Langdon Beck to Middleton – passing High Force and Low Force waterfalls. I’m usually quite precious about the direction I walk – everything sequential, etc – but the buses work to some pretty odd scheduling up here!
I also visited the Teesdale pub for a drink and while in there got talking to some grouse beaters, who were chatting about the midges today. Apparently they’ve never seen so many flies up on the moors and the dogs were even jumping into the streams to try and get cool. Poor things.
So, another good day – some pretty tough bleak walking but great to be up in the hills.
Midge bites: 519
Andy was driving back to Warrington today so I left my car at our lovely campsite in Middleton and Andy dropped me at Tan Hill to walk back to the tent.
The guidebook told me that in bad weather, Sleightholme Moor can be a dangerous place. It’s been a scorcher of a day so I decided to stick with the moor path and not take the bad weather alternative route. However, there have been so many people – grouse beaters mainly – walking the moor the last couple of days that the true path was impossible to find. I wasted half an hour trying to find it before heading back up to the road and track down to the A66. I had no interest in following the Bowes Loop extension of the Pennine Way – although if I was B and B’ing, it would be an ideal place to stop.
I met a John O’Groats to Lands Ender today with his Tibetan terrier dog – he’s taken four weeks so far and is halfway. He expressed some surprise that he even got out of Scotland as he ended up drinking every night with the locals! He was a bit bored today as he’d already done the Pennine Way once – in 1976 – so was trying to cheat a bit and find an alternative route.
The path has been quite indistinct and boggy today – and there were so many flies around. That and the heat have made today quite uncomfortable. I was really glad to see Blackton reservoir – the halfway point of the Pennine Way – swiftly followed by Grassholme and Selset reservoirs as I knew I was on the home stretch to my tent!
After tea, I popped into town to the bus garage – my plan tomorrow includes getting a bus from my campsite – well, less a bus, more of a transit van that connects with the bus – to Langdon Beck youth hostel and I needed to book my place. I’m aiming to walk backwards – not literally obviously! – from Langdon Beck to Middleton – passing High Force and Low Force waterfalls. I’m usually quite precious about the direction I walk – everything sequential, etc – but the buses work to some pretty odd scheduling up here!
I also visited the Teesdale pub for a drink and while in there got talking to some grouse beaters, who were chatting about the midges today. Apparently they’ve never seen so many flies up on the moors and the dogs were even jumping into the streams to try and get cool. Poor things.
So, another good day – some pretty tough bleak walking but great to be up in the hills.
The Great Pennine Way Adventure – Day 9 – Wednesday 12 August 2009 – Keld to Tan Hill - 5 miles
This morning we had a continental breakfast – bread, cheese and coffee at our campsite at the Green Dragon Inn in Hardraw, just outside Hawes, the first campsite I’ve ever stayed at that boasts its own waterfall!
By the time we’d done our driving around, we were at the Tan Hill Inn before 11.00 am, with Andy saying he wasn’t walking today – because of blisters. I then said I wasn’t doing it either and we had “words”. In the end, I suggested we walk up by the road – to be honest, the Pennine Way runs parallel with the road all the way from Keld to the Tan Hill anyway, just a few metres to the right, so we weren’t missing any scenery. That also meant we could walk in our sandals, thereby saving Andy more grief and it was lovely to get some air to my feet too.
We had already decided to have a shorter day because of the grouse shooting and we had seen loads of people out on the moors all morning.
We reached the Tan Hill Inn, highest pub in England, just after 1.00 pm and celebrated with half a pint of Black Sheep bitter each – neither of us being bitter drinkers, I was pleasantly surprised although Andy likened it to dishwater. We could see the beaters out on the moor from the pub – Sleightholme Moore – and congratulated ourselves on our decision to stop early.
We had a nice drive then to Middleton on Tees to a lovely campsite – and although it was very sunny, it was quite breezy and we broke another tent pole. Thank God for Balfour Beatty and gaffa tape!
By the time we’d done our driving around, we were at the Tan Hill Inn before 11.00 am, with Andy saying he wasn’t walking today – because of blisters. I then said I wasn’t doing it either and we had “words”. In the end, I suggested we walk up by the road – to be honest, the Pennine Way runs parallel with the road all the way from Keld to the Tan Hill anyway, just a few metres to the right, so we weren’t missing any scenery. That also meant we could walk in our sandals, thereby saving Andy more grief and it was lovely to get some air to my feet too.
We had already decided to have a shorter day because of the grouse shooting and we had seen loads of people out on the moors all morning.
We reached the Tan Hill Inn, highest pub in England, just after 1.00 pm and celebrated with half a pint of Black Sheep bitter each – neither of us being bitter drinkers, I was pleasantly surprised although Andy likened it to dishwater. We could see the beaters out on the moor from the pub – Sleightholme Moore – and congratulated ourselves on our decision to stop early.
We had a nice drive then to Middleton on Tees to a lovely campsite – and although it was very sunny, it was quite breezy and we broke another tent pole. Thank God for Balfour Beatty and gaffa tape!
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