This is the line up of this year’s TGO Challenge PreWalkDaunder and you won’t find a more handsome crew. I would hope that we’re a gang that’s slowly getting the hang of walking across Scotland; Between us we have completed over 90 TGO Challenges.
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[THE VAIN DAUNDERER CAN CLICK ON HIS OWN PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT]
As it’s a special year for Lord Elpus (it’s his tenth crossing) he has demanded a more testing Daunder to stretch the sinews and exercise the mind. After a bit of head scratching, I remembered a book gathering dust on my bookshelves written by Eric Robson, “After Wainwright,” which describes a 190 miles adventure through the mountains of remote Lakeland. Before any of the Daunderers becomes too alarmed at this prospect, I would add that In the book Robson remembers fondly how Wainwright had described the Outlying Fells as more suitable for the elderly and infirm.
That will do nicely!
I have lifted a chunk of the route and modified it slightly to take in an excellent pub and two pretty good wild camps to make a circular walk centred upon Seathwaite in Dunnerdale. I’ll write more about the adventure later.
The Not-too-Shabby-Nine?
ReplyDeleteThe Nspiring Nine?
Oh - supply your own adjective beginning with N; I seem to be decidedly un-nspired.
It doesn't quite work but how about the "Knackered Nine?"
DeleteIf I were ever tempted toward homosexuality then that lot would definitely put me off.
ReplyDeleteMen! Typical!
DeleteWhat about our beautiful minds?
Have you checked crime stoppers website a couple of them look familiar http://wanted.crimestoppers-uk.org/ LOL I always wondered
ReplyDeletehow much training you boys do for the TGO.
Most of the training is done on the first fourteen days of the Challenge, Carl.
DeleteYou should give it a go - it's addictive.
:-)
Ah, Denis! Give him a squeeze for me!
ReplyDeleteI shall give him a very manly sort of hug for you, Louise. But no kissing.
DeleteA gruff sort of slap on the back type of hug, like men do.
Oh, like the new look by the way. Easier on the eye first thing in the morning ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo - 11:11 am is "first thing in the morning," is it up in the wilds of Scotland? I had heard that you're not an early riser.
DeleteIt was time for a change and I prefer the background so worked around that.
:-)
That line up reminds me of an advert for a film.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, ................, One flew over the Cuckoo's nest.
That's a very good parallel for the Challenge... Once in, it gets tricky to leave...
Delete:-)
Look forward to seeing details of the route, Alan. I have always fancied trying to recreate Wainwrights (1936?)Whitsuntide walk around the Lakes - but would need to shorten each leg. I do not mean my legs, long though they are. I mean the legs on the route. Anyway, have fun!
ReplyDeleteNot wanting to steal the expression "daunder" in this context I am planning what I am calling my Pre-Challenge Plod (PC Plod, geddit?)for a few days this April. Probably in the Lakes too.
"PC Plod" - Quite wonderful.
Delete:-)
I'll stick the route up in a day or so - perhaps we could meet up in the pub?
A more up-to-date photo of me (taken on St Cyrus beach) can be found HERE
ReplyDeleteYou've always been a master at Photoshop: You can see the join if you squint closely: That's my body you've stuck Brad's head onto...
ReplyDelete:-)
I wouldn't trust any of em! A real rogues gallery!
ReplyDeleteOne of them is a man of God! (His Holiness the Incredibly Irreverend Dave) Mind you, he is a tiny bit of a rogue...
Delete:-)
Depending on the date there could well be a possibility that i will be at the Newfield. I could let you buy me a beer. ha
ReplyDeleteThere will be route details and when we will be at various points in another post in a few days time.
DeleteIt would be nice to meet up, Al
Anyone under 55 in that lot? I ask for a combined age total ? Have a wonderful time. Warm up for the Challenge slowly now at your age :)
ReplyDeleteOur ages, in no particular order, at the start of this year's Challenge will be:
Delete68,60,59,55,57,61,68,66 & 72 - giving a total age of 566 or about 63 years old on average.
The PreWalkDaunder is all about breaking ourselves in gently. There is always a meet at the start in a good pub - exactly like the Challenge, really. It's a shakedown for mind, body and kit.
:-)
Proves the Challenge is good for you. Keeps you active at a ripe old age :) I look forward to the report dear sir.
ReplyDeleteIt's true: You have to stay in reasonable condition throughout the year or the Chally would be a nightmare.
DeleteIf it wasn't for the Challenge we would all be sitting on park benches every lunchtime waiting for the pub to open.
Oh. Hang on... that IS the Challenge.
:-)
As the Bard once said 'sic a parcel o' rogues' - !!!
ReplyDeleteHello Miss!
DeleteI have this image of you and Louise charging about the Eastern Cairngorms in your boy shorts. And it's all your fault. A Thelma & Louise pairing if ever there was one!
:-)
"Charging"...hmmm, sounds a bit energetic to me. And I'd like to think we'd be in more than our boy shorts!
DeleteI think Laura makes a far better Susan Sarandon than I make a Geena Davis.
Hello Alan, I try to reach you this way because I couldn´t find an e-mail.
ReplyDeleteI started a blog about the nature of the Cantabrian Mountains (northern Spain), which will have a lot of information about walking and landscape, and also about wild flowers (orchids), animals and geology which can be found in this region.
I think those mountains are a lovely place for walking.
The link is: wildnaturespain.blogspot.com.es
I invite you to have a look, and if you think it´s worth it, I would appreciate a link from your website.
Sincerely yours,
Marius van Heiningen
Hi Marius
DeleteWhat a splendid site you have there. I shall certainly provide a link as I will be a regular visitor now on!
:-)
I was coming down from Styhead some years ago and met a guy on the way up pushing a MTB. We stopped and chatted, as you do, and I asked where he was going. After a short and rather confusing talk it emerged that he had driven down from the borders to follow a route from a MTB magazine but was wondering why there was no mention of this horrific push up the hill. You can probably guess the rest; make sure your guys get off the bus at the correct Seathwaite!
ReplyDeleteGrumpy
Priceless!
DeleteThis weeks Crackerjack Pencil for the best comment goes to Mr Grumpy!
:-)
That lot would not look out of place on a mini bus going to a luncheon club. This backpacking lark is not a young mans sport is it?
ReplyDeleteAh, but they're all just seventeen in their own heads.
DeleteTo get away for two weeks in May you either have no young children, or you wait until they're old enough to be able to leave without your wife murdering them whilst you're away.
Add that age to say ten years of Challenging and you arrive with the crew shown above.
This mini-bus - tell me about it. I can see that being quite a nice way of getting across Scotland with your mates.
:-)