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14 October 2014

TGO Challenge 2014: Part 8: Go East, Young Man


PHIL PACKING UP AT CALLATER LODGE
PHIL PACKING UP AT CALLATER LODGE

Over the years I reckon I’ve probably clambered up Carn an t-Sagairt Mor with Pete Shepherd a dozen times, both of us with thick heads from the night before down at the Lodge. I felt slightly melancholy as we started our trudge (a little late, it has to be said) up the hill. I missed the old sod. Morpeth and I were part of the “Class of ‘95,” along with Michael Gray, Chief Constafool Andy Desmond (VD & scar), Bert Hendrickse, Mick Croydon and of course, Phyllis LaBorwitt.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story of our trip to the coast, with occasional comments chucked in.

MAD'N'BAD & STORMIN
MAD'N'BAD & STORMIN – CLICK TO ENLARGE

CROYDON, LORD ELPUS & ME c/o STORMIN
CROYDON, LORD ELPUS & ME c/o STORMIN – CLICK TO ENLARGE

DUBH LOCH
DUBH LOCH

P1000353

P1000356

P1000359

P1000366BPhil

EVENING ABOVE THE SPITTAL
EVENING ABOVE THE SPITTAL

P1000372
CLICK TO ENLARGE

P1000374
CLICK TO ENLARGE

HEADING FOR THE 'TUCK IN'
HEADING FOR THE 'TUCK IN' – CLICK TO ENLARGE

BLUE DOOR WALK
ANDY’S PIC: BLUE DOOR WALK

N WATER BRIDGE: SPOT YOUR SHELTER
N WATER BRIDGE: SPOT YOUR SHELTER – CLICK TO ENLARGE

THE TRAILSTAR LOUNGE
THE TRAILSTAR LOUNGE

P1000407Phil

ANDY & PHIL, NETHER WARBURTON
ANDY & PHIL, NETHER WARBURTON – CLICK TO ENLARGE

ME & PHIL, NETHER WARBURTON
ME & PHIL, NETHER WARBURTON, IN THE RAIN – CLICK TO ENLARGE

Now then. One last word. Your rucksack has been your constant companion throughout your walk. She’s protected you from icy blasts, provided comfortable rest stops in the sunshine, been dropped in sheep-shit, bogs and streams. She’s looked after all your gear while you were in the pub.

Do the decent thing. Take her down to the seaside. She’s deserved it.


As I was trudging down the road to Nether Warburton in the pouring rain, my skull cinema was playing this little gem.

31 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Robin.
      As you'll have seen some of the pictures are from Phil and Andy.

      Delete
  2. Lovely photographs Alan. I suspect finishing your twentieth and final Challenge next year is going to be an emotional time for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's an easy thing to say, Sir "finishing your twentieth and final Challenge next year is going to be an emotional time for you."
      I have yet to get across!
      That's an idea for a post, actually - I've finished all my crossings, but there were quite a few when I almost threw in the towel!

      Delete
    2. I can't imagine you not getting across. Just unthinkable. Never. Not a chance.

      Delete
  3. You do keep some good company. You'll miss us...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Will I really miss the ugly farting unshaven men?
      The perfumed feminine beauties, perhaps!
      :-)

      Delete
  4. I've posted a wee poem for you to make you 'homesick' as you wander abroad -:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great writeup and images, 20th will be an epic

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alan as this is to be your last crossing can we expect one or two wine and cheese parties

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There will be just the one Cheese & Wine party in 2015, Chris. We'll publish the location on the Message Board in a week's time - well before the results of the ballot are public, so if Challengers wish to they can plan their routes around it.
      :-)

      Delete
  7. I might actually try to make this wine and cheese party after buying the finest vintage that the garage in Invergarry had to offer and carrying it for two days to not even bother going this year. Still it went down well in the Glen Banchor bothy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jayme.
      You would be our gust of honour, Sir. Will you be bringing a +1, Sir?
      We need to know numbers for the catering staff...
      :-)

      Delete
  8. The perfumed feminine beauties You sweet thing (blush) Andy & I didn't know you cared.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's our little secret, Sweetcheeks.
      What happens on the Challenge stays on the Challenge.

      Delete
  9. I think chaps and perfumed ladies should plan a surprise 20 year ambush. Surprise! 20 Years! etc with appropriate whisky, ringing out across the hills echoing back their own fond recognition. But don't tell him, obviously :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. If i can get time off work for good behaviour i might bring a nice little welsh number along

    ReplyDelete
  11. sorry no i,m not bringing them but a nice bottle or two of welsh whiskey .

    ReplyDelete
  12. Why does Croydon look so glum in that photo (third down)? And you are grinning. Had you upset him?

    Next year's cheese and wine looks like it could be a busy affair. Perhaps you should book the Mar Lodge Ballroom as the venue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure that's Croydon's natural demeanor, David.
      :-)
      No man-made ballrooms for us Rufty-Tufty Cheese & Winers, Sir! We dance our reels beneath the moonlight's gaze on close cropped turf, high amongst the hills alongside tinkling burns.

      Delete
    2. Was he with us this year, then? Tinkling Burns - that well known Scottish composer of advertising jingles?

      Delete
    3. Did you see any elephants on our crossing this year, Sir? No. That bastard Burns had them all slaughtered for the ivory for his piano keyboards.

      The one benefit of this slaughter, of course, is that the might Baobab will once more reclaim the Highlands.

      Delete
  13. well i,ve just read the entire report and the pictures are still brilliant as is the writing and i,ve still got a bloody big lump in my sodding foot which hopefully on monday i will be told when it,s coming off .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh.
      That sounds nasty Chris - I hope it goes well for you Sir. I'll keep my fingers (and toes) crossed for you.
      You are very kind, by the way.
      :-)

      Delete
  14. Thanks alan found out today after seeing the third doctor and having an ultersound scan that a) i,m not pregnant and b) i have a ganglion and that they will try and drain it a bloody big needle. which is better than 3 weeks off work and not being able to do anything for a couple of days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh.
      That sounds "interesting..."
      Good luck with that, Chris.
      :-(

      Delete

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