Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar Gorge Weekend

Arrived at the 5* YHA Friday night. We’d booked up the annex so had complete run of the place. Total number of people expected was 15 (including 2 kids), but 2 dropped out at the last minute.

Penny offered to drive which I was so glad to hear as I’d just spent 2 hours driving in the rain from Crewe to Birmingham. So we set off and in just over 2 hours we’d arrived with no problems and had put the world to rights at the same time.

All settled in and discussed routes for the next day and retired to bed for the night. Penny and I were sharing a 4 bed room. It would have been a squeeze with 4 in, but luckily just the 2 of us so worked out just fine.

Awoke the next day to the commotion of breakfast downstairs. Emily had set out the continental breakfast bar, so we stocked up, got togged up and split into 2 groups. Di was leading the 18 mile serious walkers and Sarah was leading the 2 shorter 6 mile walks. Our plan was to do 6 mile loop around the gorge returning to YHA for lunch, then set off again.

8 of us set off for the 2 short walks. Sue and Fiona split off after a few miles to give themselves a more taxing challenge, while we plodded on. Kai (aged 4) put me to shame by jumping all over the place, running back and forth and stamping on every mole hill. I was struggling up the hills. Emily was doing better than me in her wellies.

At the top of the gorge, we walked along a bit and then decided to walk down the middle of it following the road. We did get some lovely views of the rock faces and goats in peculiar places. How the hell they get to those edges I don’t know.

Returning back to the YHA we had a leisurely lunch and left Nigel with the kids (to visit Wookey Hole) while us girlies do another short walk following the Strawberry line, around the reservoir, along the river and back. The mud was hard work to walk on and I caught my coat on barbed wire (most annoying), but was good to have a proper catch up and gossip.

Back to the YHA, showered and all set for tea when the others started to arrive back. Good timing by all. Sue and Fiona returned looked shattered – they had 15 min break for lunch only. The rest were about half an hour after that. All sat down for jacket potato and Bolognese prepared by Sarah and cooked up by Nigel. Spot on.

Games (Articulate etc) were played then bed. I must remember to take a book next time.

We awoke Sunday morning to a cooked breakfast (bacon sandwich in my case), then off on a 7.5 mile walk with Penny, Sue, Fiona and Jo. Jo took the lead and after 10 minutes I was starting to get left behind. The muddy hills were tough going. After just over a mile, Penny unfortunately fell and took a big lump out of her knee. I was so relieved when she said she wanted to go back. My legs were aching and also if I ever fell I’d want to have the confidence to say that I wanted to go back.

Penny and I trudged back while the others carried on, and headed for A&E. 2 hours and a few stitches later and we were on our way back home.

Eventful and demanding weekend and I really enjoyed it.

Middleway Walk - Macclesfield

Up at 5am, heavy rain outside - what better way to start training.
Managed to get to Crewe for 8 and join Kirsty, Allen & Martin for our trip of the day.

Got to Macclesfield train station and orf we set.
Weather forecast was heavy rain and we were dressed for torrential downpours. Luckily we never saw anything more than showers.

The paths were icy for most of the entire walk.

We stopped at the visitor centre (half way point) and were amazed by the vast amount of picnic tables in the picnic area (all 1 of them). The views on the way weren't particularly amazing. It would be OK for a bike ride, but as a walk it was a bit boring. Although I did spend most of the time looking down trying not to slip on the ice. Kirsty and I managed to miss the house with a helicopter, didn't notice Allen and Martin hiding behind a tree and also missed a mine shaft.
I did manage to get pic of Kirsty with the ducks for the records.

We returned along the canal, tormenting the ducks on the way.
15 miles were walked in total. I had a massive blister on my right heel. I've not had that before. I just hope it heals before Friday when I'm due to go to Cheddar Gorge.

My legs and back ached. Not sure 15 miles was such a good idea for the first walk of the year, as I did struggle for the last 2 miles and was soooo glad to see the car. Next walk is Cheddar Gorge weekend. 9 miles programmed for the Saturday. Fingers crossed.

Bloomin' Weather

Route in the Peaks planned for tomorrow has now been changed. Backup plan to be actioned. Middlewood Way, Macclesfield is the destination now and the weather report is rain rain rain.
All good practice, though now concerned that I have not done enough training at the gym to date and will be dragging the group to my slow pace. We shall see.

Blinkin Google Calendar

Initial Set Up

Martin comes up with stonking idea of creating online calendar to aid the logisitical nightmare of calculating free time and scheduling the walks.

I manage to set mine up and complete to date. Finding navigation around the site is not the best. Concept is good, but tinternet errors and maintenance disruption are not making this the easiest method of coordinating the team.

Kirsty is next to get hers online. Allen manages to add 1 event. Martin is yet to have a go.

Once up and running it should work well, but so many teething problems make the whole thing a bit of an ordeal.

Training to Commence 8th January 2010

Route set - Axe Moor Edge (or something like that)
Team set - Allen, Martin, Kirsty, me, Lindsey, Des (and anyone else that wants to join us).
Weather appalling
Weather forecast is worse than appalling

Alternative route is considered - Middlewood Way in Macclesfield. Weather forecast for this route also changed on Friday to be appalling.

First training walk is cancelled. It is not a good start. The day arrived and the 25 inches of snow and -20°C temperatures did not materialise.

Re-scheduled for 16th January.