Turned Out Nice Again!

So Mr Cove, we meet again! As Joel rightly said, this is where it started for real for the Q-Team. A walk organised by Oxfam from Malham Cove to Horton, originally over Pen-y-Ghent but February (and January for that matter) weather can be a bit tricky, some 23 months ago. A steady start to get the calves warmed up, nice!

As we came over Fountains fell in good spirits the low clouds and mist hanging round the top of 'Our Penny' made a breath taking site. Not that I had much breath to spare mind!

Joel, the last person you would expect to be a HUGE Dancing on Ice fan, had been showcasing his talents with the odd Lutz, Toe Loop and a decent Axel pushed the boundaries with a Triple Salchow and came unstuck. Well more like stuck as he descended knee deep into the mud! Once his well being had been established I couldn't resist a laugh at his expense recalling the hoot they had had with my downhill rolly polly a couple of winters back.

Ady: Oh Joel, you've got something on your heel!

Joel: Where

All together: HELLO SAILOR!!!!

We took lunch at the bottom wanting a reasonable break and allowing drying time, but the biting wind gee'd us along and after a quick sandwich we were off again. The hills were punishing as the team graciously waited for me as I needed to catch up more.

The decent to Horton at the start was the muddiest of the journey with more Bambi impressions for the group. Heaven knows how we would have faired with that swamp all the way round! Horton was a welcome site and despite adding half a mile extra to the pub... we arrived in reasonable time and good spirits. Appreciation as always goes to Nick who recovered us, supplied the radios and drove us home. So, the first real walk of 2011 lives on as two days later my calves are tender from the work out. Until next time, adieu.

Malham revisited

testJust over 2 years after starting on the Trailtrekker journey with Oxfam, The Q Team returned to Malham to take on the same journey to Horton. 2 of our number (James and Hollie) were otherwise engaged (pun intended) but Ady and I were joined by Emma and Rob.

The ground was frozen in most parts which was a blessing. Had a full thaw happened the conditions would have been pretty boggy. As later posts may show I did actually manage to find the one thawed bit of bog to fall in, much to Ady's amusement.

The initial part of my walk was hampered by a leaking water unit but with that sorted and Malham Cove out of the way we made good progress towards the Tarn. Bits of the Tarn still seemed to be sheets of ice (which perhaps my photo doesn't do justice to).


Ady, Emma and Rob (below) enjoyed a break whilst we tried to compose an award winning wintry scene (this isn't it by the way);


From the Tarn we headed up Fountains Fell and found the worst overhead conditions of the day waiting for us. This was no more than mizzle (Ady I can't take full credit for this term; http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mizzle) but with a bit of a fresh breeze to boot even I had to put my coat on.

I must admit that both Ady and I were in better condition at the bottom of the Fell than this time 2 years ago. The descent from the foot of Pen-y-ghent probably gave us the worst underfoot conditions of the day along with the customary scrambles down limestone, and this is when the legs and feet probably started to feel a little weary.


And so to The Crown in Horton (an hour ahead of plan) for a well earned beer and where we were picked up by Support Crew veteran, "Camouflage Nick". Other teams of walkers may have started training but how many of their support crews have?


It feels great to be properly underway with TT11 training. There's still along way to go and it seems like I'll need to watch a lot of 80s/90s telly and films to get up to speed with Ady; Evil Dead anyone?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope 2011 brings you happiness.

To give myself a break from running I thought I'd walk along the toll path from Skipton to Gargrave. A nice simple walk with the added interest of an almost completely frozen canal - not great weather for ducks! In fact there weren't any ducks so you'll have to make do with these icy snaps!

Look out for more posts this year as The Q Team come together for training.