THE GRAPEVINE

The Page for Group Chit Chat and Rumour

If you have any info regarding births, weddings, anniversaries, amazing achievements or anything of remote interest please e-mail or send details.

Extreme mid life crisis cure.

Have you ever felt that life is passing you by and old age is creeping up on you? Well one of our members is doing something about it. Jenny K has decided to sling in her job, pack up and go backpacking for a year or two. She is warming up in September with the Alta Via 2, a 180km alpine high level route in the Dolomites. Then it is off on a grand backpacking tour of Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Jenny says her body is starting to feel like an old persons. This will be her last chance to go wilderness walking with a tent. Phew! It makes me feel old just reading about it. Good luck Jenny, and hopefully you will keep in touch with your progress.

Heart (break) of Scotland 100.

Congratulations & commiserations are in order. The details I have so far are Shirley Hume completed her 28th 100 in 32 hrs 17 mins (with very dodgy feet). Tony Rowley finished in 40 hrs 15 mins & Susan Wilkinson in 43 hrs 21 mins. Richard Denby was also successful in 44 hrs 30 mins (was it the best ever Richard?). Patricia Seabrook & Beatrice Therin both finished in 46 hrs 46 mins. Chris Hume stopped at 76 miles & Barbara managed 62 miles (urged on by the breakfast stop).  Catherine succumbed at 24 miles (however, congratulations for the forthcoming event in September!). 

I understand it was difficult for the hares due to rain on the night section. This caused later problems due to swollen burns (rivers to Sassenachs ).However, I understand things had settled down by the time the slower walkers arrived. Richard D has reported that, as expected, it was his favourite 100. However, there was a high retirement rate so it appears it was the case that the poor weather conditions came at a time which took a toll on the faster people who were on the night section. Wet feet coupled with the last 18 miles on hard tracks would not be pleasant for the trainer shod brigade.

Full provisional results appear HERE

The marshals walk was successfully completed by Ken Falkoner in 30 hrs 17 mins & Isobel Falkoner in 41 hrs 42 mins.

The full marshals results are HERE

Many of you will know Jeremy Corke who although not a subscriber to B&W, he is an LDWA member in our postal area. Jeremy is a regular on many of our events. He has contacted me to say that he also completed the Heart of Scotland 100 in 26 hrs 12 mins.

If you know of any other B&W efforts please let me know via the webmaster link.

The Coveted Diamond

Updated 17th June

B&W member, Dennis Gilbert has been quietly ticking off National Trails over the past nine years. He achieved the bronze certificate (5 completed trails) in April 2004, the silver (10 completions) in March 2009 and has  been awarded the gold certificate in early 2010 having completed 15 National Trails, a total of 1,924 miles. Dennis is one of only 5 people to have done this feat. Never one to rest on his laurels, Dennis quietly carried on walking and by June 2010 he completed all the 18 National Trails, a total of 2,824 miles. The picture shows the certificate which will be awarded when his claim is processed. 

However, don't hang up those boots Dennis because when the Pennine Bridleway is fully opened there will be 19 trails.

He plans to do his first one, The Cotswolds Way, again in his 80th year. Perhaps he can do them all in the reverse direction before his 90th. Well done Dennis.

Group May Weekend at Rhayader

13 members enjoyed a superb weekend at the Beili Neuadd bunkhouse organised by Neil & Joan. A long walk on Saturday led by Simon in the mountains around the Elan valley was followed by a Sunday walk jointly led by Ray & Neil. A full report will appear in Walk West. In the mean time view the scenery by clicking on the picture.

London Marathon

B&W members that I am aware of who successfully completed this years Virgin London Marathon were:

Jon Bateman in 3 hrs 07 mins 28 secs and was 9th in his age group.

Shirley Hume in 3 hrs 53 mins 50 secs and was 35th in her age group.

Patricia Seabrook 5 hrs 45 mins 28 secs and was 7th in her age group.

If any other members completed the event please let the webmaster know.

Dorset Giant

A contingent of B&W members supported the Dorset Group with their Triple Challenge Event, the Dorset Giant on 24th April.

Geof Parsons, Wendy & Ray Watson, Sheila & Dave Street helped at the 20 mile checkpoint at Loders.  A special thanks to Wendy & Ray who turned out following the recent tragic death of Wendy's brother in a plane crash.

Madeleine Pingstone helped wave the B&W flag at various venues whilst supporting David who successfully completed the event. Madeleine started at HQ preparing breakfasts & meal preparations for other checkpoints. She then went to Frampton at the 35mile checkpoint where she performed stirling duties as a waitress. Madeleine reports that she was impressed by the organisation and the number of keen & willing members in the Dorset group. Apparently they are keen to hold a 100 but will have to wait until 2016. Hope their keenness holds out that long. Dare I mention that I remember someone suggesting a Cotswold 100? Hmmm!

    MIRIAM MITCHELL

It is with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of Miriam in a road accident on Saturday January 30th. She was an active member of the both the Wiltshire and Bristol & West groups of the Long Distance Walkers Association. 

Miriam enjoyed “Challenge” walks and in 2008 completed the “Across Wales Walk”  in 15 hours. She also ran the Edinburgh Marathon in 2009 and raised about £5000 for the Alzheimer’s Society which was particularly emotive for her since her husband Angus had been a sufferer for number of years.  

Miriam was also a keen cyclist and last year took part in a London to Paris event. It was whilst she was cycling from her home to visit Angus in Trowbridge that the fatal accident occurred.

 She will be very much missed by all her walking friends. Our condolences go out to her family.

The funeral is on Thursday 18th. February at Heycombe crematorium, Bath at 12:00.  If you are attending the funeral please use this link to notify the Webmaster so that the organiser can be notified of numbers.

Walk the Walk

Several members, Wendy & Ray in particular, have supported Breast Cancer Awareness in previous years by doing the popular Moon Walk. Details of this and other walking/running events can be found on the Breast Cancer Awareness site.

California  vintners in the Napa Valley area, which primarily produce Pinot  Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio wines, have developed a new  hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diuretic. 
It is expected  to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to the  bathroom during the night. 

The new  wine will be marketed as 

PINO  MORE 

Submitted by J Bateman

Founder member completes 1½ End to End walks

After an unsuccessful attempt at the End to End last year due to Susan sustaining an injury half way, Tony Rowley & Susan set off again on this epic walk. Not from where they left off but back to GO!

Mac McArthur sent the following report.

Congratulations to Tony Rowley and Susan who successfully completed their Le Jog. Starting from Lands End on 15th February they reached John O' Groats on the 27th April taking 72days and 1150 miles of walking. The walk was a mix of national trails, footpaths and minor roads.

I  know of only one problem they had, and that was the River Severn in flood near Worcester , but it was soon sorted with a change of route and they met Colin S and I as scheduled for lunch on that day.

Tony I know kept a journal during the walk  I am sure it will make good and essential reading for all End to End aspirants..

You will be interested to know that on conclusion of the walk they took three days ‘rest by leisurely walking‘ in north east Scotland , to rest sore feet and to contemplate the coming 100..

Tony will be at this years Malvern Midsummer Marathon as a helper whilst Susan has decided she can't resist a good walk and has entered the event.

A reminder to all those visiting the Lake District, that the New Balance factory outlet shop is in the very small village of Shap. If you already know what type, model number etc of trainers you need, then ring Ruth on 01931 716333 and she will try and get them in for you. This might be the time to try switching from boots to trainers. I know that many people don’t believe they could get trainers wide enough; New Balance does a 4E width fitting!   

Wendy.

 PS Also don’t forget that the only decent motorway service area is the Westmoreland services at Tebay, owned and run by local farmers.

On Sunday 27th July 2003 Wendy Watson became a Centurion . 

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