Merry May
The Dorset 100. A Personal View by Gordon Stone.
Eventually I dropped down to the valley where Julie was waiting with the gate open so we were all saved one final stile to climb over. She later said that a young German sounding bloke remarked that the route lacked one thing - a chainsaw to deal with the stiles! She then walked in with me along the final couple of miles of road. Just before turning into the finish at the School I was greeted with surprise by Neil Shuttleworth, a fellow runner who I have known for 30 years since my days of composing pages for Northern Runner magazine, for which he provided many of the photographs.
The finish at an LDWA Hundred is quite overwhelming - everyone is clapping and cheering you in as if you had just won the Olympic Marathon. It is quite amazing.
After sitting, gathering my thoughts, chatting to members of East Lancs who were there, removing my shoes and going to thank the couple who had helped me through the night stage to Long Bredy, we headed to find the medical team to get my feet sorted as they were very painful.
While waiting for my turn with medic, I began to feel quite dizzy so my feet had to wait while they carried me to the bed, gave me oxygen and took blood tests. Everything was ok apart from low levels of potassium, probably a bit of heat stroke and dehydration. Bananas were sought and provided and water to sip as I gradually came round sufficiently to have my blisters treated. After 20 minutes or so, I was deemed sufficiently recovered to get to Julie's car (which she was able to bring to the fire exit) and then she took me back to the mill where I went to bed for three hours' sleep.
On completion, I thought there is no chance of going through that again. However, we'll see. I have never run/walked on such feet damaging surface before, but I was determined to complete. If I do next year's hundred (North York Moors), I will have the opportunity to recce the night sections, which will save time, and hopefully prepare my feet to hopefully reduce the impact of blisters. I will also make use of the 10am start to give me more spare time, and eat more food.
The Dorset 100. Saturday May 28th - Monday May 30th.
The flagship event of the LDWA, the 100 mile challenge event was held in Dorset this year. Every checkpoint is manned by a different LDWA group and East Lancs manned one of the most important stops - the breakfast stop in Beaminster. Entrants have the opportunity to change their clothes/shoes as a bag is taken here for them. Then they can have a full breakfast. The full menu offered was:-
Fruit Juice - Apple, Orange, Squash - Orange, Blackcurrant. Water.
Cereals - Weetabix, Meusli, Shreddies, Cornflakes, Porridge (with or without whisky, honey, golden syrup)
Choice of:- Bacon, Sausage, Beans, Tomatoes, Egg - all or any combination of.
Toast, white and brown, Jam, marmalade, marmite.
Tea, coffee, chocolate.
Think about the logistics of serving the above to nigh on 500 people............through the night....... as quickly as possible as they are on a challenge walk........
Yes, it was a challenge to us too. Although the kitchen was one of the best we have seen, really well equipped, there was no HOT WATER! We never did discover why but our biggest challenge became the nightmare of washing up said 500 breakfast pots. There was a wonderful commercial dishwater - which worked off hot water fill. We could let it warm up (took ages) and it did suffice for some lightly soiled dishes but please feel sorry for the washing up team. I must mention Dave and Alma Walsh, Sandra Allen, Julie Stone in particular here as they were heroes and heroines at the sinks. Helped by others of course as duties permitted.
As ever though, East Lancs came through. We received many thanks from the walkers, they are grateful for the care and attention we gave and they went out into the night and day replete and water bottles filled. We went back to the accomodation very tired but knowing that we had done a brilliant job. Why not join us next year? It's hard work but so very rewarding. The first question we will be asking about next year's school in Robin Hoods Bay is --- IS THERE HOT WATER????? Ha ha.
Hilary
Lancashire Trail Part 1. Wednesday 25th May. St Helens to Parbold Hill. 17 miles. Leaders: Norman Thomas, Chris Langabeer, Ian Pickup.
20 Walkers
2 Dogs
After assembling at the Miller and Carter Hotel on Parbold Hill, 2 mini buses took the group to St Helens to start the walk.
After a photo shoot at the statue of Queen Victoria outside the Town Hall, it was off though the streets to reach and walk alongside the St Helens canal which was constructed in 1762. The route then took us alongside Shankey Brook to rejoin the canal. Then passing through a wooded area with strong aromas of Wild Garlic and Hawthorn we eventually walked under the East Lancashire Road to reach Carr Mill Dam.
After a short break, our route took us through very nice countryside to reach Billinge Beacon with it's extensive views of the surounding area. The next objective was the very pleasant Dean Wood, before crossing over the old Golf Course at Roby Mill. Then came a climb up to Ashurst Beacon, one of a chain of Beacons stretching from Liverpool to Lancaster built in the 16th century to warn of invaders.
Onwards, again through great countryside to cross the River Douglas, the Leeds Liverpool canal and the Manchester Southport Railway. Then came the final climb of the day, and probably the hardest, before reaching the Miller and Carter Hotel and our cars. After a change of footwear most members of the party enjoyed a drink in the Hotel.
Thanks to everyone for coming.
The coach for the next section (Parbold to Rivington) is half full, so don't delay in booking.
Chris
Thirty-Six Degrees. Tuesday/Wednesday May 17/18th. Plodder Walk. Leader: John Pickton
There is a postscript to the 36 Degrees walk report. On 3 August following
a club walk Phil was presented by Roger with his finishers trophy for the 36
Degree walk. Phil completed all legs but was unable to finish the final leg due
to unforeseen circumstances. Below is a photo of the occasion.
Stanza Stones Trail Part 2. Sunday May 15th. 19 miles. Leader: Ken Noble.
Unlike the first of the Stanza Stones Circuits which was 11 miles into the walk before we started the Stanza Stones Trail, this, the second one started with the Trail and then left it before reaching Stoodley Pike to find our way back to our cars.
The morning was cool but sunny with no haze, and 18 walkers and a dog followed the Pennine Way, once again crossing the footbridge over the M62. Sue joined us at the White House pub and we continued to the “Rain Stone” where we had an early morning break.
After the break, accompanied by the song of skylarks, we continued to a path junction above Lumbutts, where we left the Pennine Way and the Stanza Stones Trail to start our return to the car park.
Soon we passed Geddings Reservoir and its sandy beach which puts Bolton beach to shame. Better not tell Norman I said that! Normally busy with local families, today was much quieter with only a handful of people enjoying the sun.
After a break for lunch overlooking Walsden, we descended to the Rochdale Canal which we followed all the way to Littleborough. Next stop was at Hollingworth Lake and the opportunity to purchase an ice cream or other refreshment before starting the steady climb up to the car park.
Ken
Click here for Ken's pictures.
The pictures below are from Hilary.
Up and Atom. Wednesday May 11th. 13 miles. Leader: Barbara Shelton.
The start at Upper Ballgrove Country Park saw 26 people and 3 dogs gathering for the 13 miles of Lancashire (or should that be Yorkshire, Ken?) countryside on offer.
The assembled throng set off and we made our way along Colne Water initially before striking up towards Trawden, passing such interestingly named places as ‘Buttock Laithe Farm’! At Trawden a few minutes was taken to look at the famous ‘jam pan’ garden, the central feature being a large jam pan which was recovered in a local field many years ago and put here as a tribute to William Pickles (I kid you not!) Hartley, the famous jam manufacturer. We had the mid morning break at the church, with its lovely peace garden at the back.
Then it was up the fields to Coldwell Reservoirs and along a section of the Bronte Way and Pendle Way before the real ‘Up’ of the title – Boulsworth Hill. Normally very boggy, thankfully the top layer of peat was firm enough to walk on, and we hunkered down amongst Lad Law rocks near the top for lunch. Descending by the permissive path we carried on along the Bronte/Pendle Way before heading west towards Wycoller, passing through Fosters Leap Farm, where the kind resident told us how the nearby rocks got their name of Foster’s Leap.
Pressing on we went up to the ‘Atom’ of the title, one of the four East Lancashire panopticons, situated on the hillside above Wycoller, a curious egg-shaped sculpture you can go into, and admire the views through holes cut into it.
Thankfully the café at Wycoller was open this time so I didn’t lose any brownie points there, and the brews, cakes and ice creams were up to scratch as ever. From there we followed Wycoller Beck and the Ferndean Way back to the car park, and a few of us had a refreshing pint at the Cotton Tree. All in all a good day, with hardly a speck of rain – and clean boots too!
Barbara Shelton
Thank you to Don for the pictures
Thirty Six Degrees. Affetside to Rochdale. Plodder Walk. Wednesday May 4th. 14 miles. Leader: John Pickton.
Believe it or not but it is over four years since John Pickton started his Magical Mystery Tour that is the Thirty Six Degrees walk. It is due to finish in two weeks time but today was a rerun of the Affetside to Rochdale leg for the benefit of Bernard who missed the original walk.
Due to problems on the M60/62 and a busy run through Bury it was going on for 11 'o' clock before 8 plodders and 1 dog started the walk from Affetside. Over the fields and down to Tottington where a welcome drink in the sunshine was taken by the War Memorial. Passing the Laurel Centre we followed the old railway track to Burrs country park where it was decided to have an early lunch in glorious sunshine. Moving on we were lucky enough to see a steam train on the East Lancs railway, not many people in the carriages though.
Onwards now making towards Lowes Park golf club with a couple of magical mystery moments as to where we were and where we were going. Through the golf club and over the motorway and heading towards Birtle (or Bircle as the Church sign says) Onwards to Ashworth Valley with its steep sided edges and towards Simpson Clough where the last paper mill in Rochdale makes tea bags. Here we waited for Maureen (Don's wife) to come and pick up Neil who felt unwell. I'm glad to report that he felt much better soon afterwoods. Thanks for your help Maureen.
The rest of the group then followed the Roch back to the cars in Rochdale. The valley still shows an awful amount of rubbish on the river banks from the December flooding. A real shame. We did spot a fox in Springfield Park as we passed through.
No time for an end of walk drink today, the drivers had to be transported back to Affetside. A glorious day though, many lovely views and good company as always.
Thank you to John for leading.
Hilary
The pictures below are from Don
The pictures below are from Hilary