Run with us

At 830am on the 26th July, 21 walkers with 3 drivers in support, (Paul C, Maureen & Stephen P) set off in 2 minibuses.  Roly the trip organiser set the tone of the challenge by ensuring the minibus bar was open by 9am to help us on our first part of the adventure, the trip down to our first base in Swindon.  

This is the second club challenge I have been on. The last was Hadrian’s Wall in 2017 where we walked 88 odd miles in 3 days.  A lot of the 2017 crew who said ‘never again’ were on board using the early beer as an anaesthetic to cope with the 3 days of 32, 33 and 23 miles, averaging over 3 miles an hour.  The Ridgeway begins at Overton Hill, near Avebury, and heads east on a long and particularly beautiful stretch of downland path along the North Wessex Downs - with wide, exhilarating views over the rolling countryside of Wiltshire. In the Dark Ages, The Ridgeway was the main route for the Saxons and Vikings during their advances into Wessex.  It was later used by the Romans and traders.

Day one saw us settle into walking pace groups with Debs and Stacey throwing in some marathon training by running some of the first day.  The views were stunning, compensating for the climbing!  The #hardcore award of the trip went to Sue Mason, who on day 1 slipped, broke wrist, went to casualty then went back to the walk and completed the day and the whole challenge. 

Day 2 took us to the Thames Valley, this time one or two more walkers joined Debs and Stacey in a run.   

In terms of landscape the last day finishing at Irvinghoe Beacon was the most stunning.  Some serious elevations to master and warm weather.  The final view gave us a glimpse of what the ‘Ridgeway’ is and the route we had taken over 3 days.  For some of us the extra 1.5 miles we walked (Phil Nicholson, & Clare/Shaune Gooch) to a pub for a celebration pint (s) was worth it.

All completed and with excellent walking pace.  Many beers were drunk at various ‘Spoons’ which seem to have positioned theme selves. next to our hotel.  (At £1.85 a pint for Ruddles it is cheaper than bottled water).  Huge achievement for all.  All of us got on well.  A lot of us already planning the next one on the way back.  This trip would not have been possible without the support of the drivers, the Cook’s organising an affordable trip with a great challenge that should be on all of our bucket lists.

On that note can I finish with some words from club member Brian Moore, when announcing the sad news that Lynda had passed away.  “The message basically is don’t leave things for the future, this is the future folks.”  On that note the surplus from the trip, has been given towards the club funds which will be used to pay for a bench in memory of Lynda to be sited at Catton park in the Autumn.

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