Zoe's Place cheque presentation

Hi all,

On Thursday I had the privilege of presenting a cheque for £9145.00 for my chosen charity for the walk Zoe's Place baby hospice.  That included £7500 that Fortec (my place of work) raised at a raffle on their annual work do.  21st June 2012 marked Zoe's Place (Coventry) 1st year anniversary, and being there certainly opens your eyes, and pulls at those heart strings.  I have asked for a photo from the photographer that was there, so as soon as I have some I will post them to the blog.

THANK YOU again to all of those who sponsored me for the walk.  Zoe's Place is a unique place, and a very worthy charity.  To care for 1x child in 24hr's costs around £500, so every penny counts that goes towards this very special hospice.

Andrew
x

Poll Results

The polls have closed and the results are in.

Russ seems to have been our blog readers favourite walker by far.  I'm not entirely sure why because although Russ is an excellent blogger Andrew did a brilliant and enthusiastic job of blogging throughout the walk too.  Russ must have spent a small fortune on all those bribes.

Congratulations to those who thought Simon would be the first to break down, although it was a close run thing with Paul suffering quite badly with blisters.  He welcomed the Vindolanda day trip break which gave his feet time to recover.  No such congratulations to those of you who thought that I would be the first to break down, I went all the way with barely a whimper.

GPS Tracks For Hadrian's Wall

I have created a page containing the GPS tracks that I recorded on each day of our 99 mile walk along Hadrian's Wall.  That distance does not include the distances to and from the various pubs that we visited in the evenings.

The page is here.

Keswick.........

.........and what a beautiful place it is.

With the Kings arms shut in Bowness we rang the local taxi company and he advised us to pop to the tea rooms whilst we waited.  We limped the 300yrds down to the tearooms and were welcomed with grace as we have been all week.  We chose to sit outside as going in would mean all of us taking our boots off, as it was a B&B as well, and we all knew that doing that would probably close the business down.
The service was exceptional and it was like having tea in The Alice of Wonderland, served with delicious piece of Dundee cake soaked, and I mean soaked in Brandy.

After a well earned cup of tea and Dundee cake we slowly proceeded to the taxi with Paul in the front entertaining the driver on route to Carlisle where we would catch the bus to Penrith and then the final bus to Keswick.

Once in Carlisle (the driver survived) Richard had to find a chemist for some travel sickness pills, as the rest of us double checked the bus times and which bus to get (as advised by Dawn). The bus for Penrith arrived spot on time and we scrambled onto the bus with only Paul braving the stairs to the top of the Double decker bus.

Once in Penrith we had about a half an hr wait for the bus to Keswick, so we popped over the road from the bus station to the Local pub and had a swift pint for the road.  Penrith was a small town with plenty of character, but with only being there for half an hr I can't really say much about it.

The route from Penrith to Keswick was spectacular with the Lake District opening up in front of you and the mountains hidden from the low cloud left a lot to the imagination to what they would look like on a clear day.

So we pitched tent at the well chosen camp site with views of Catbells and Skiddaw surrounding Derwent water.  The walk to Keswick town centre was a short 10 minute walk, so we got some fish and chips and ate them in the busy Market Square before heading to the pub for a celebratory drink.

To wake up the next morning with the views we had was just staggering and we were all sad to say goodbye to a wonderful week that was filled with laughter, and a group of friends that you couldn't ask any more, of it was just fantastic.  The six of us took the short walk to the town centre and all ordered a big fat boy full English breakfast, and with Tim amongst us we thought he was going to order a 2nd! I've never seen anyone eat as much and be only the same build as me!! (I swear he has hollow legs).  After breakfast, we went our seperate ways to wonder round the many shops of Keswick to get something for our gorgeous wives, headed back to camp and soaked up the majestic views one last time before the taxi arrived.

A fantastic week was had by all as we look forward to the next challenge.  I really hope you've enjoyed the blogs and following our progress throughout the week.

Andrew
xx

 
 

We've done it!!

Well what a walk that was, all 6 of us are just waiting for a taxi now to take us back to Carlisle. Ironically the pub in Bowness is shut! Cries were heard in Newcastle. Will be back later with a detailed summary of today.

6 days of rain in a day

First of all apologies for the delay in updates but lack of wi-fi / 3G and battery haven't helped.
I blogged yesterday at 3pm just after we completed the walk and it's still trying to publish now! Grrrrr.
Anyway, we woke yesterday just outside Grinsdale to the patter of raindrops on the tents, I quickly fetched my washing off the line and packed away under the shelter that was provided. Simon nicked the best spot in the garden shed.
We were under way just after 9am and yesterday was a day not to take lightly. The rain was light but steady and the temp was warm so 4 of us carried on without ponchos. This ended up firing back in our faces......well for Russ, Tim & myself anyway but i'll come to that later.
The walk was pretty and it took us back along side the River Eden which looked a lot better out of the industrial Carlisle with the rain still pouring steadily.
We reached a small village called Burgh by Sands and the idea of going to see the Edward the 1st Monument was quickly reversed when Russ noticed in the book that it was a mile and a half away. Had the weather been different we probably would have visited.
As we carried on however there was a replica monument outside the local pub, and that would have been a handy place to stop but we were an hr too early, and this is where Russ, Tim & myself were going to regret our stubbeness.
Just down the road was a stretch of the walk that seemed never ending. This involved more tarmac and not a shelter in site despite one bus stop that might as well have not been there. I think you call it sods law but the rain got heavier and we thought to ourselves we're wet now so whats the point in putting a poncho on......oh how we wish we did! The road must have been 3 miles long and you could see the end of it in the far distance.
To add to everyones woes you also had the Jenson Button wanabes back using the road like it was an F1 track and not giving any walker consideration when passing(only the minority did)
The rain got even heavier, that heavy infact it was bouncing off the road, and at this point we started to see the funny side of things and progressed on through what was stunning scenery of the solway marshlands and Scotland. Unfortunately we were not going to stop and takes photos though, through fear of soaking our phones.
The relentless road eventually came to an end at the village of Drumburgh and the first bit of shelter in 7 miles. So we had a stop for about 45 mins, changed into some dry gear, ate lunch and cracked on with the sun now showing some promise through the broken cloud.
The route carried on through some more farmland and then back to the side of the solway, and by now the sun was shining and drying us off nicely. Approaching Bowness on Solway the sky had created what can only be described as a path of sunlight, as where we had walked from was covered in black sky as was Scotland.
Joints were now starting to ache and it always seems worse when you know its the last day? Obviously a mental thing :-)
So we have made it, a long journey but one that was worth every step, climb, blister, and final day downpour. And what could be better than ending our trip in the beautiful town of Keswick with gorgeous views of the lake district in a brilliantly located campsite ( thank you Dawn xx)
I shall blog later about our stay in Keswick, but for now thank you to all those who have followed us on our epic adventure and for those who have donated for Zoe's Place. I think now I am at about £1750.00!
Andrew

We made it!!!

We've only gone and done it!! The SAGA 6 crossed the finishing line a little before 3pm. More of a blog later, but here's the finishing line photo.

Russ

It's raining, it's pouring, the Jolly Green Giant is snoring!

Sorry!

I've been trying to respond to comments on the blog and it's a nightmare.

The name of the dog is Johnny Wilkinson-I spent a considerable amount of yesterday evening with him and he's lovely. And no, he didn't kill the moles!!

Russ

Eh-uhhh!!

I can't believe I added the first photo on my last blog. It wasn't for sharing, but as I have I'd better explain-the things (of which there are about 20) hanging on the fence are dead moles!!! Eh-uhhh!! Sorry

Here's a photo to cheer you mole lovers up.

Russ

What sort of twonk would pitch their tent on an ants nest?....

.....well me actually. I'm covered from head to toe in bites! I'll come back to that though.

What a fantastic time we had courtesy of the Sandysike campsite and camping barn - an absolute must for any Wall through-hiker. Their hospitality was second to none and the full English this morning was simply heavenly. We shared our two dining experiences with six lads from the Met who were hiking the wall in the opposite direction - to be honest I think Richard scared them. Regardless, Andrew got a tenner off one of them this morning for Zoe's Place, so that's more towards the total.

We set off into a drizzly morning and thought perhaps it was set for the day. Fortunately we were wrong-it only lasted half an hour and then we were back to our customary sweltering sunshine. We spotted the BBC forecast later in the day though and apparently it's going to pour down tomorrow. Can't grumble though-we've been blessed with the most wonderful weather for a walk in northern England.

Today's route took us through lowland farms-predominantly grazing land for cattle and sheep before eventually joining the river which meandered its way into and through the city of Carlisle. Our assorted injuries made us look as comical as ever as we limped our way along the trail. Once again we came across a few 'honesty' refreshment stops-ranging from a box balanced on a tree stump containing drinks, sweets and chocolate, to full ornate summer houses complete with fitted kitchens and huge glass fronted fridges containing a massive range of confectionery for the hungry hiker. I think they they are a wonderful contribution to the trail by trustworthy trail supporters and long may they continue.

Aside from the couple of stops we had at these honesty stops, we also had a refreshment stop at the Sands leisure centre at Carlisle, where we would have stopped in any event to get our passports stamped. As ashamed as I am to say this, my eyes were immediately drawn away from the healthy menu full of salad this and cous cous that-and I saw the words 'Chips and curry sauce' on the specials board-I couldn't resist. That, followed by home made carrot cake and a pot of tea and off I waddled, a contented, limping hiker back on the trail. The fact that my fellow hikers called me names like 'fatboy' and 'porker' didn't worry me in the slightest. I couldn't give the tiniest s**t-I was happy.

So, we eventually reached West View campsite just outside Carlisle at about 4.30pm and proceeded to jockey for position for the one shower. It's still really muggy, but the storm clouds are gathering. Ah well.

So back to the ants. I actually said to the lads that knowing my luck I'd probably pitch my tent on an ants nest. Would you believe it?! I bloody did. I must have 60 bites without exaggeration.

So here we are in the Museum pub in Carlisle, great food and beer and it's Tim's birthday-happy birthday-you don't look a day over 50!!

Enjoy the photos.

Russ

The day the views....and the wall disappeared

We woke early again this morning to a slight mist and a cool breeze as the sun attempted to break the low cloud.
Breakfast was being served at 08:30 for us with the most elegant of hosts. We were lucky with how we dined at this campsite and a full english inc cereal if wanted, toast and tea or coffee were on the menu.
We finished our breakfast as the rain (for the first time in 5 days) drizzled down lightly, but remained warm with a muggy feel.  The campsite(Sandysike) is very highly recommened as they have a variety of options when staying - camping,  bedbunks and B&B with a warm welcoming from the hosts.
So as mentioned our walk for the first time this week started in a drizzle, but ponchos were not required due to the heat....... Well apart from two as the rain got a little heavier.  By the time they got them on though the rain had stopped and the sun was showing signs of reappearing.
The first half of the walk was a pleasant walk with roaming countryside and peaceful surroundings, but the views were limited and the wall was nowhere to be seen, but the signs were still there of us keeping to the trail with the odd vallum still insight.
As we approached Carlisle the weather that we have been blessed with all week returned and it was with us until we were leaving Carlisle. The only highlight really of Carlisle was the leisure centre we stopped at to get our passports stamped and have a bite to eat.
Thereafter it was  what seemed a  relentless walk along the Eden River as the terrain was difficult and a lot more steps involved than were expected which did take its toll as we neared our next campsite at eest view. The stunning views we had for the last few days  were gone which probably added to a slight disappointment amongst the Saga Six.
It may have not been the most exciting of walks today but we still stumbled across some picteresque villages along the way and some photo opportunities not to miss.
Hope you enjoy the read and photos
Andrew

A cup of Rosey.

A nice point to stop at a self serve hut just outside Crosby on the route to Carlisle and then onto Grinsdale......
And it was a nice surprise when we left this morning as one of the lads we met from the other group at the Sandysyke campsite gave me £10 for Zoe's Place!

The Trail - Counting Crows

You maybe thinking what is he babbling on about now.
Well i'll do my best to explain.
Setting yourself off to sleep in a tent is not the easiest of tasks, esp when you haven't got 12" walls to reduce the noise levels from outside and a thermostat to adjust the heating.
The paper thin extremities of a tent lets you hear everything, and I mean everything, from the gentle rumble of the cars on the distant road, to the sound of what appears to be a bear knawing on its own arm from the tent next to you. So unless you have eardefenders on (earplugs don't work) you could be in for a inconsistent sleep pattern.
Once off in the land of nod though, it still isn't plain sailing from there. It gets to about 4am when the birds start singing their morning songs, and that can be quite threaputic, but they are swiftly interupted by the delightful scream of crows to which echos in the surrounding hills. This is not so much an alarm call but a constant annoyance to which you have no snooze button.
I shall leave it there for this insight of "The Trail"
Updates to follow :-)

Walking Widows and Kate!

Tonight the walking widows met at Shirley's house for a magnificent meal and a gossip about the Saga 6 and babies..........don't ask!!

Amanda kindly offered to drive so I made my way to her house complete with fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, meringues and whipped cream and decided to just have a quick hug and a kiss with Alexander before leaving.  I headed to the garden where I expected to see him splashing in his paddling pool only to find him locked in the shed with his grandma laughing at him through the window.........don't ask! - I left after letting him out for the hug, kiss and a squeeze ;-)

What an evening it kicked off with Shirley greeting us at the door with a choice of cocktails, Cosmopolitans or Margherita's - my fav mmmm. We sat in the garden with a few nibbles before heading inside for the delicious meal cooked by Shirley.  Most of us moved onto wine with our dinner, followed by lemon cellos with dessert and brandy coffee to finish off only to head back to the wine and cocktails.

We had such a good laugh talking about the walk, the blog and babies - poor Hannah is now traumatised - sorry chick ;-)

I had quite a few texts off Russ about the walk and the blog much to the disgust of Amanda as Richard has gone incognito - just for a change you have to realise!!  RICHARD!!

Russ had photo issues - he only had large ones so I promised to sort them out when I got home, hence the time now!  

The wives of the SAGA 6 became know as the Magnificent 7 instead of the walking widows due to the fact that we also had Kate to dinner despite not actually owning a walker - or so we thought.When asked, which one are you having an affair with?  All six she replied! - it's no wonder she's always tired!

We had a fantastic evening thanks to Shirley's hospitality and have vowed to do it again soon but with the blokes.  It's been a long week but very enjoyable for the lads - well done.   Looking forward to seeing you all in the pub on Friday.

Dawn xxxxxx

A tough day at the office

The day started bright and early with a misty haze, slightly cooler and an unfortunate attack from hundreds of midges as we packed away.

We started the 345 metre climb that we came down a couple of days ago, and let's just say we were glad it was a lot cooler as the steepness of the hill was just insane! After reaching the top we set of for Walton on more undualting landscape along the wall with sintilating views and substantial parts of the wall to be seen.

Looking back to where we had come from after about 5 miles we all gave ourselves a well deserved pat on the back and muttered " we're proper hikers and eat meat grrrr."

As we approached the crags of Walltown of which there were about 4 to tackle Russ pulled his left calf unexpectedly so had to walk or limp the remaining 10 miles, ........sorry about that phone died so had to put it on charge, as I was saying,  Richard had swollen ankles and Jacko still had numerous blisters from the previous walking up to now. It was litterally like being on a Saga holiday!

Joking aside though we all had another great day and a short trip to the Birdoswald fort was another memorable visit on our venture. The terrain from Birdoswald flattened out......a little bit and involved a bit more tarmac walking which didn't help the hop alongs. And by this point we had another minor casualty as Tim's knee was giving him some grief. I have to admit though I know I am younger than my compardres but credit where credits due they battled on to the campsite with guts and determination as I walked in admiration of their efforts.

As we approached Walton we were again greeted by Simon with the views of the Lake District in the background which was just an awesome site.

The campsite itself is set in a stunning place with views overlooking the lakes and a big old house dating back to the 1600's. The hosts are extremely friendly and we had a lovely dinner in a fantastic dinning room that was covered in.history of their family.

Another enthralling day had by all.

Spk soon

Andrew