What's going on in the Fens then?

I should have done a kit review by now, but it is taking a bit of a while to write it up, what with work and Olly's exams, and Leavers Do's, and Olly's Prom night and ferrying them around, and work (did I mention that), it's a bugger is work.
It has a saving grace of money (at some point), but it is still a bugger,
so instead of that here is a catch up of stuff going on around here over the last couple of weeks.

I say stuff, but I really just mean assorted pictures from the Fens.

Oh, and there might be a small rant at some point.

Ridge and Furrow fields near Coton

Actually considering we have had a bit of rain round here, in fact so much that they have lifted the hosepipe ban.
I took this about 2 days after getting back, before it went all wet and rainy, over near Coton.
I usually go for a bit of a dog walk / run round here while Harriet and her mate Poppy are at the C&C athletics.
It is a classic old remains of a ridge and furrow field.
You have to really be there to appreciate it.

Baby cows in the nature reserve at Fulbourn

Pending swans just by the side of the Fen River Way walk near Cowbridge (Swaffham Bulbeck)

The swan picture was taken about 2 weeks ago, as Jasper and I minced along the river walk from Swaffham Bulbeck, via Cowbridge, heading towards White Fen.
There will be another shortly of the proud parents.
Very shortly in fact, read on .......

We also found this fellow, at the end of the track across White Fen.
He appears to have sustained a nasty injury.

Luckily for him, there was help near by

So, anyway, a few days later we popped over to Fulbourn Fen again, and went for a poodle along Fleam Dyke.

It was a bit windy

BUT, that is not the worst of it.

While I had been away, they had started construction of that £ucking Wind farm,at Wadlow Farm.


There had been a lot of protests, but in the end of course, the local council (no bungs involved) had agreed and the bloody thing is under way.

This is the start, more to come.
In fact originally, they had planned for 10.
BUT Suprise suprise, it is now to be 13.

And here is a comment from the so called GREEN energy company who we are subsidising huge amounts of our money to , in order that they can build this folly.

I quote ..............................

DELIVERING THE BENEFITS OF GREENER ENERGY

RES is delighted to announce
that five turbines have now been erected
on site at Wadlow Wind Farm with eight to go.

Yes, they would be delighted wouldn't they, they would be delighted all the way to the bank, which is probably not in this country.
The photo really does not show the magnitude of these buggers.

But once they are up, I will be out with my bike, and do a proper set of pictures showing how utterly lovely they are.
I have photo's from last year to show in contrast.
It should be interesting.

And, these are not the really big ones like the ones in the Monadhliath.
Nor are there 50+ of them.

But they can still be seen for miles and miles and miles.


Anyway, there was other stuff going on as well.

Work... Did I mention that bloody subject?

And Olly's exams and pending prom.

And trying to get a new car for Lucy

And many walks and runs in the fen area.
Because I live here mainly.

The orchids are now out in Fulbourn Fen

Lucy and I took the black pig dog out to Fulbourn Fen nature reserve where the orchids were now in bloom.

I also went out the other evening to Quy Fen again, amidst the possibility of getting bloody wet.
As it transpires, this did not happen.
But the skies were to say the least a bit on the side of moody

Moody skies in Quy

So back to those £ucking Wind Turbines.
You can now see them for bloody miles.
They have 7 of the damned things up now, and another 6 to go.
They are visible from here, from the road back from Cambridge, from the A11, and from every beauty spot outside of Byron's pool.
OK, a generalisation, NOT EVERYWHERE, but from a heck of a lot of places.
Deep joy local council, and all those who agree to them.

Thanks

I will do a close up with big camera soon.
Once it stops bloody raining.

The view from Fulbourn Fen as it ought to be

Another Wind turbine less view.
If you look the opposite way, you cannot see them

Babies

But, on a PLUS note, the Swans along the river on near Cow bridge have had 3 little babies.
How cute are they?

Danny Bryant (again ) Danny's Blues - Off the Album Shadows Passed

TGOC 2012 - The Way Home

Fri 25th May 2012 - Going Home

Leaving after the Challenge, is never a good day.
And today was not a good day in several aspects.

I had woken in the night with a bit of an upset stomach,
and I had only been on Shandy last night, so it was not alcohol poisoning.

But something was not right with my stomach, in a big way.
It was feeling a bit volatile in a way that did not bode well.
Not like in Turkey or Tunisia
(that will be in a blog one day called romance is dead)
but in a potential dangerous way none the less.

It could have been something eaten,
or it could have been the bug thingy that had hit one or two Challengers,
or it could have been Heatstroke,
or it could have been a combination of any of these.

Whatever the case I woke feeling like SHIT.
And feeling like a shit.
And indeed shit did feature quite highly in the early morning program.
I jammed a couple of Imodium in fast, and later jammed another one in before we set off.

Now when I say jammed, I swallowed them.
I did not attempt to use them like some bizarre suppository.

Nuff said, but I had a headache.
Really upset stomach
And, felt pretty damned nauseous.

All the wrong things for going home on a train a long way.

I packed my stuff away very early considering the train was not until 10.32.
In fact, under instruction from Lynsey, I had to make sure I had all my stuff packed before Al.
Which I did.
Rucksack all done, and ready to go, before he got his tent down.
I should have taken a picture

All was feeling ok (ish), but soon after we left the campsite, he was looking a bit white faced and not feeling great either.

We said goodbye to those that had not already left to get the earlier trains.
Then took our keys back
And trundled over towards the general direction of the station.
Then Al decided that we had loads of time, which we did, and we went to the Park to say goodbye to Mr Manning, and anyone else who was there.

We did not even feel like a drink, so we just chatted with Louise and JJ, and then John, and Chris, and I also chatted to Dennis.

There were a few folk there, who were a bit concerned over Al's general condition.
He had toughed it out this year, but he was not his normal self, and I am sure he will admit it.
I promised to keep them informed as much as I knew.

Eventually, it was time to leave and we set off on our way to the station.
On route, I popped into the Coop, to buy a load of fluid.
We said many a goodbye from the station, and then eventually our train came in, and we got on to head to London.

We had at a ridiculously slow price (I say we, AL), procured 1st Class tickets all the way to Kings Cross.
So putting our sacks into a nice empty luggage rack, we settled into our fine adjustable seats, and awaited the continuous service as befitted our status.

We were not feeling great though, because we turned down everything more or less other than fluids.
In fact, for the best part of the first 4 hours I think intermittently, we both slept.
I had drunk loads and loads of water, to try and re-hydrate.
And not just from the heat of the last few days.
Nuff said.

Later on after a good sleep, and a heck of a lot of fluid, I was feeling a bit better.
We decided, that maybe a biot of food would not go amiss.

Sadly, the service trollies had run out of hot food.
In fact they ran out of most stuff.
We did eventually get teas, but it was company policy to always start at a certain point, so on most occassions, since we were almost at the front of the train,
The next carriage, was the bloke driving it,
they had run out of food by the time they got to us.

Add to that the forever coughing fraulein opposite,
and the fact that the air conditioning was buggered,
and I will mention the lack of food again.

So AL was not a happy bunny, what with feeling grotty and tired, he was now pissed off as well.
And thus that is how we spent our day.
Lounging, and sleeping, and making visits to the toilet.

I had a wander up and down the train after Newcastle, but there were very few folk left on it.
I did stop for a chat with Richard and his wife for a while.

And after a long long hot journey, we arrived at Kings Cross.
I got my stuff off, and waited for Al.
He eventually appeared after grumping about some idiot standing in the way chatting.

We bumped into Mick on the platform, and I talked to him as we headed off.

AND THEN, I LOST AL

I looked round, and he was nowhere to be seen.
I walked round to the ticket office to get my ticket for Cambridge.
I assumed he may turn up there.
I got the ticket, and then went back round to see if I could find him.

NOTHING, NO SIGN.

After a few minutes they were doing last boarding for the Cambridge train.
I hoped Al had enough cash for the ticket.
But I still could not find him, and needed to get the train.

So I did.

I tried to call him.
Left 2 messages.
Left 2 text messages
Sent an email.

But, that was the last I heard from Al for about 3 days, when he eventually resurfaced in the blogsphere.

For a short while there, I was a bit worried.
I had not said goodbye.
Ok, he wasn't going to get a kiss, but maybe a MAN HUG!

Never mind, next time mate.

And I was home..................................................

OR WAS I?

I texted Lucy on route, and told her that my train would be in at 6.05 (ish).
No sign of her when I left the station.
I rang, assuming she was ion the Car Park.

"You said 6.45" she said
"I haven't left home yet"  (It was 6.05, I have the text message to prove it!)

Now I was well chilled out, and still on a Challenge Cloud.

"I think you will find that was 6.05" says I
"But no worries, I will walk round to your parents house and meet you there".
"That will be a lot easier than coming to the station"

And I stuck my pack back on my back and did the 20 min walk to there house.
Had a nice chat, and a cup of coffee.

Lucy arrived about 15 min after I got there.
We stayed for more chat.

And then we went home.

IT WAS OVER!

BUT, Lucy, Olly and Harriet were there, and that was a good thing.
And the dog was pretty pleased to see me as well.

SO, UNTIL NEXT TIME!

Just the kit report to come, sometime in the next week.
I need to remember what I took and how it did.
Seemples :)

Dave Meniketti - Until The Next Time (From on the Blue Slide)

TGOC 2012 Day 14 - Northwater Bridge to St Cyrus

Thu 24th May 2012 Day 14 - Northwater Bridge to St Cyrus

And so, all good things eventually come to an end, and this was to be the last walking day of this years Challenge.
As normal, it had been a CHALLENGE, but it had still been good.

So, where shall we go today then?

Obviously, I did not make 8.30.
I was in all honesty, pretty close.
But Al and Lynsey had gone.

Al waved from the road and said he would see me later.
At this point he did not know about the hidden beer, or he may have waited.

I was going to catch him anyway at some point I hoped.

So after finally getting everything ready, by about 8.45, and dropping the key off, I started out with Roger Hoyle for the final piece of the journey.

Up the road, and we crossed the nasty main road, with its many hurtling cars and even scarier hurtling juggernauts.
Survived that crossing, and went over the bridge by the river to pick up the road to Pert

Crossing the North Esk

At Pert, just after the little hut that sells fruit and veg, I left Roger, to turn left to Gallery.
He was heading straight on.

As I started to walk up this road, I realised three major things.

1. It was already getting bloody hot
2. I had forgotten to fill my water bottle
3. I had forgotten my water bottle

Point 3 was not a major factor, because I had a platypus
Points 1 and 2 were, because it was also empty.

Bollocks!

I decided to carry on, and see how things went.
There are a few odd houses on route, I reckoned I could bang on a door, and there would be one of three outcomes

1. No answer
2. I could get water
3. I could get arrested

The latter two points both provided water.

However, as it happens there was a fourth option

Shortly after this I was caught up by Sandy, and he had a big 1 litre+ water bottle and offered to let me share it.

So together, we carried on up the long hot road past Gallery, where there is that enormous house

So, about the window tax

We carried on together, talking and sometimes just walking, all the way to Maykirk.
Under the railway bridge and then turning right again.
I snaffled some more water from Sandy, and then we headed up that very very long road to
Canterland where that nasty little up and down hill is before Morphie

Perfect furrows on route

Finally, as we turned up towards Morphie, we caught up with Al and Lynsey, and I think Ian was also there.
We sat on the wall, for a bit of a rest, and we were soon caught up by Carl and Dave, or was that the other way round?

Anyway, we sat on the wall, and had a rest, and I aired my feet, and nabbed some more water.

Wood and flowerpot man model on the wall near Morphie

Morphie

Everyone but Sandy and I had rushed off, with Carl miles ahead by now.
Sandy had stopped for photo's, and I was buggering about with my shoes and laces, and just generally having a bit of a faff.
Oh, and taking a photo or two.

And then it was over the hill of Morphie to St Cyrus.

I caught Lynsey and Ian up on the way up the hill, and also Al, who was waiting near the top.

View from the hill

View from the hill a couple of years ago, when the rape was in full bloom

We had another brief rest, and then it really really was time to wander on down to St Cyrus.

Colourful

Finally at the top of the cliff, we made our way down that long long set of steps to the beach.
The bloody tide was miles out, and we could see even more Challengers there.
I cannot remember how many, but there were a lot.
Well, a few anyway.
Below are a few pictures of some of them

On the way down, I started the circle for signing

Starting the circle

Early signings.
If you have a picture at the end please forward it.

Just before the tide washed it away.
Picture courtesy Andy Williams

Dave, Rob, Ian, Sandy and Freddie taking the photo

Carl and Lynsey

Me

Me again (knicked of Al's blog

Al

Al and I in daft pose - Picture Courtesy Ian Cotterill

I love this picture.
Lynsey and Isabel

Looking up the beach

Sea view at St Cyrus

And then it was time to head up to the top again and get the bus.
It was a hot long slog to the top.
At the bench about 2/3 of the way up, Al,Sandy, Ian and I had a brief stop.
I brought out the can of beer, that I had secreted in my Croc.

Picture Courtesy Ian Cotterill

It was most welcome.
We drank the beer, and then headed up the final push, getting back to the bus with about 3 minutes to spare.

Then it was back to Montrose and to Park.

For some reason, none of the pictures I took of the campsite came out, which is a bit of a bugger.

So we had several teas and chats at the park, and collected assorted stuff, like T shorts and Fleeces and Certificates.
And chatted with Mr manning, and anyone else who would talk to us.
Had more biscuits.
Went and had a shandy.
Paid for the meal, and then walked down to the Montrose Campsite to put up tents.

There was a huge array of tents at the campsite, and more arriving by the minute.
There was also one big family tent and a car at the far end.
Completely enclosed by small tents.
There was no way in a million years they were leaving before tomorrow.
More people arrived.
Much conversation.

I went and had a well deserved, and definitely needed shower.
I say I went.
I started to go, but every time I arrived at a new tent I ended up in conversation.
It took me 45 minutes to go from my tent to the showers.
I also needed a descent sit down toilet.
Unfortunately, the first one I went into had no paper.
And nor did I, so it was bloody lucky I noticed at the start.
I also washed underwear and shirt and trousers.

Coming back, I hung clothes over the tent to dry, and then eventually, just put them on damp.
They were dry in about 30 minutes.

Then it was time to head back to the Park for more Shandy, and meal.
I had to go and get some cash out as well, because I had given my last £40 to Al on arrival at the site, as he had managed to leave his only (take 2 ok) card next to his phone, and it had erased his chip.
This happened to me about 2 months ago, and it is a complete pain.
Even more so when it is your only card Sloman!

So re-financed, I went to the Park for a final sociable evening amongst many friends old an new.
The speeches were short, and the meal was good.
And I only drank shandy all night.
OK and maybe a whiskey or three.

It was a splendid night, although Al went back early, because he was shattered.
I arrived back at the camp site about 12.45 I think.
Whatever the case, I was not the last one there.
Faffed around for a while in the tent.
Listened to music (it was better than the uncoordinated snoring), and went to sleep.

Tomorrow it was home.

So, our journey was over.
We had gone from Trench foot to Sunburn, 
And Hypothermia to Heatstroke.
We had seen glorious views
And felt a small bit of nature
We had battled through Sun and Rain
And Wind, and Snow
We had seen isolation
And a wondrous social life
We had been High
We had been Low

We had been on the Challenge

It had been fantastic

........................................................................................................................................................
In memory of all those Challengers we lost this year.
If I forgot any then please tell me

John Towers
Ann Maden
Kate Wood
Alec Cunningham
Jack Addison
Peter Hay
........................................................................................................................................................

<br /> <A HREF="http://www.helions.co.uk/mp3/Take My Hand.mp3">Simon McBride - Take My Hand</A><br />

Simon McBride - Down By The River

TGOC 2012 Day 13 - Tarfside to Northwater Bridge

Wed 23rd May 2012 - Tarfside to Northwater Bridge

Amazingly, I was up earlier than Al today (It wouldn't last).
In fact I was packed away before Al was even completely out of his tent.
Then again, I had been up for a panic toilet stop after my all night vigil.

So, all packed away and ahead of the game, I left Al sorting stuff out, and walked up to
St Drostan's for breakfast, and also to use their toilet (again).

AND......

You won't believe this but .....

When we got there, ALL THE BACON HAD GONE! 

Probably eaten by the same greedy bastards that drank all the beer.
I have it on good authority CARL that some people had 2 Bacon Sandwiches.

Gutted, Disappointed, I had to make do with and Egg Sandwich.

It was good, it was very good, BUT, when you have set your heart on a BACON sandwich.

You know what I am saying.

So, anyway we had extra tea, and Al turned up, and I told him the terrible news.

Have you seen a grown man weep?
Lucky you were not there.
Shocking!

After breakfast, we loitered quite a bit an talked to folk, and generally did not much for a while.
I paid up my bill as did others.

Nik and Alva

You can never have too many gadgets on your sack.
We know a song about that don't we everyone.
Shall we sing it.

Ten smart gadgets hanging on your sack .... etc etc

And after much saying goodbye to the wonderful people at St Drostan's, and using the toilet facilities, we set off.

Al did not want to go the river route, and he did not want to do the Hills of Wirren, so in compromise, I went down the river, over the falling downy bridge, and Al went down the road.
The agreement was that we would meet on the South side of the river after the first BIG bridge once he had been down to look at the Sand Martins.
And I would wander down the rather longer side away from bloody tarmac.

So we did.

What I did discover after walking down the other side, is that there are one heck of a lot of new Landrover Tracks, going off in all directions.
It makes the walking a lot easier, but not as interesting.

Anyway, I set off across the bridge which had 2 brand new gates on it, one at either end obviously.
And this sign

Unsafe bridge with nice new gates

So I am now thinking, what is the point of NEW GATES if the bridge is in such a shabby state?
So again the bridge is very very shabby, with loose boards, and gaps, and dodgy looking wood, and a big drop, but still ok to get across. Maybe one at a time.
Just as well Al went down the road.

I headed up the field to the top track, rather than go along the bottom by the river and then up.
Then just followed the track, that much of the way now is very very smart and new and wide and not full of big puddles.

On route I saw hardly anyone at all at this end.

But lots of wildlife, and some lovely views of the river.

The river on the way to Keanie

The river again on the way to Keanie

I did not follow the track all the way.
I tried at times to use the edge of the fields.
It made it a bit further, but you do get to walk on some grass.

A bit past Keanie, on the rather dull LRT, I caught up with the 5 Fingers Man (Rob Hausam from Utah), who also had the mega light Cuben Rucksack, and we walked for a while having a chat.
Rob had done the whole think in 5 Fingers Trekking feet thingies. Pretty impressive.

Note.... Anyone remember his name, please tell me. (Thanks to Eddie and Al for that)

After a while I left, to catch Al.
On route I went past the rather splendid bridge near Milden Lodge

I had come across this by accident back in 2005.

In fact, the whole river is rather nice.

As I approached the river before Haugard,I looked out for Al. This is where we said we would meet up, probably.
He had not stopped, but had gone on.
I of course did not know this, but assumed that was the case.

I carried on, and met several folk by the side of the track.

I had gone passed Roger Hoyle, and as I got past the bridge track, I caught up with Andy Williams. He had hurt his ankle and was struggling quite badly, but getting on with it.
I suspect that some dropped out in a far better state, but Andy is well 'ard and maybe of stubborn stuff. He was going to get there no matter what. All power to him, good bloke.

I offered medical stuff, and said if he wanted it at any time, I had a complete roll of Physio Tape, and he could use as much as he needed.
I have always carried it just in case.
And just in case happened for me in 2004, when I broke my leg.
I used nearly a whole roll of the stuff (this is better), to support my leg.
Worst bit was when the nurse had to take it off at Fort William for the X Ray.

OUCH!

Anyway, I carried on to try and find Al, leaving Andy.
There were a lot of others following on by now, so I knew he would get a lot of support.

I found Al a bit further on, and he had stopped for lunch and a rest.
I had been going quite fast, and was also in need of a rest, because I can tell you.

It was £ucking Hot

So we had a goodly rest.

David and Margaret Brocklehurst came by just as we were setting off.
They were walking effortlessly, in the most amazing synchronised style.
Arms legs, feet and poles all in perfect harmony and synchronisation with each other.
I wish I had had a proper video.
It was quite amazing.

They would have won Gold.

We stopped for some other reason, and Roger Hoyle caught us up.
We walked along together, and then by a large pile of earth and rock by the left of the track, I spotted what I though was a bridge.
I went to have a look, and low and behold there was a New Bridge across the river.
This was brilliant, because it meant we would be able to go across to the Rocks Of Solitude walk.

So I persuaded Al and Roger to go across, and we did.

However, there was a sign on the new gate across the bridge as you can see below.

Now, I was expecting Ticks, and Midges and Snakes & maybe even Bulls.

But, at no time, did I think I would be in danger from SNIPERS!

View from the new bridge

Another view from the new bridge

 There was a track to the left after the bridge.
This is the way up, but we thought we spotted a narrow path up to the right.

This is NOT the path.

Take the track.

The little track goes nowhere, and you end up in undergrowth and nastiness.
And, you end up on the same track.

The track ended at a junction of tracks.
There are lots of choices, and nothing specific unless you head for the road.
We decided to stay off the tarmac and  run parallel to the road as far as we could.
But eventually, before you get to the path down to the Rocks of Solitude, there is a bit of a ravine and you have to climb over the fence to the road.
It is a fence with barbed wire.
The bit we went over had already been cut by someone, but I suspect it will be repaired.
And since this is all new, it could well change.

So, we popped onto the road and walked just up to the point where the pylons cross and the path goes down to the river.
A nice chap did stop and ask us if we knew about this.
Very kind.
We will meet him again shortly.

Take the track that goes down rather than staying high, and you get down to the rather wonderful track that goes along the river.
In parts this has been hewn out of solid rock.
Al might add to this, but I believe it was done by Napoleonic prisoners of war.

Whatever the case, this is a wonderful route, and we walked along it to the bit with the seat.
This year, the weather was excellent.
Roger was I think Well Chuffed at coming with us.
In fact I am not sure I should blog this to the rest of the world.

Anyway here are a couple of pictures from the path looking down to the water

These in all honesty do not do it justice.


We met the chap with his very old dog as he came past the seat, and he stopped for a chat.
He had come here on his travels when he retired, to find places to walk.
He loved it so much, he had stayed and never left the area.
A really charming chap.

After a while he left, and we also eventually headed off along the track, to find a place with some water, so that we could make a cup of tea, and also rehydrate, because there was very little water other than the river, and it was bloody hot, and I had run out of fluid.

Eventually, we found a spot.
Settled and brewed up
I also filtered some water.
I do not usually bother, but here, this close to civilisation, it seemed like a good precaution, and I got out the Delios Filter.
Damned shame they are no longer available.
I wish I had bought a couple now.

The river

Al with Tea

Roger with Roll up.
He normally looks a lot happier, honest

A bit before we left, Andy Williams with the iffy ankle arrived.
He was struggling on, but we persuaded him to stop and get some fluids on board, and also rest his feet. Have brew.
We offered tea, but he was just going to have water.
Sometimes, a 5 minute break can make you a lot faster overall.
It is a matter of psychology.

After a descent rest, and a lot of fluids, and filling our hats with cold water from the river and sticking them on our heads, more than once (that was bloody fantastic), we set off.
Andy was just finishing his rest.

We followed the track down through the marvellous parkland, and eventually
to the BLUE DOOR.

After the blue door, you come out onto the road to cross the bridge, and then follow the track on the opposite of the river into Edzell.
It really is the most magnificent walk.

View from the bridge

A rather splendid view along the other side.
Looking down at the reflections in the water of the river.
It has a rather fine Impressionist feel to it.

Al had decided by now, that he was not going into Edzell.
In all honesty, I think he was getting tired.
It had been a pleasant, but LONG hot day, and he really needed to get his tent up and a lie down, so Roger and I said goodbye just before the bridge, and we went off to Edzell, while Al carried on to Northwater Bridge campsite.

We went into Edzell, and first stop was the shop just past the garage, having resisted the Panamure Arms and beer.
At the shop, we got a rather nice Ice Cream.
I also bought a bottle of white wine for the evening, two bottles of Irn Bru, and also a can of beer, which I was going to hide (in my Croc) until we came up from the beach at St Cyrus tomorrow, so we could share it on the seat 2/3 of the way back up.

So having got our stuff we then set off via as much off road as we could to the campsite.
Starting out just behind the garage, and over the springy bridge, where quite a few people were swimming in the river.

We went via Chapleton, where we bumped into this fine fellow.

We thought about going further across, but the path was a bit lacking, and so eventually we went up the main track, through the nasty muddy bit, and over the wire that had been hung across for no proper reason as far as I can see.
We set off down the road as far as Northgate, where I suggested to Roger, that we turn left and then take the track down to the camp site.
In the past, I have always done the road, but this is no longer, and really much nicer than dicing with the cars, especially on the last bend.

A rather fine house

And then we were at the campsite, all booked in with keys and stuff.
I put up Treeza in the wonderful sunny weather (unlike last time when it rained all eveing).
Had a shower, cooked up some food.
Dug out wine and whiskey, and went over to one of the tables for a rather excellent sociable evening, that went on and on and on.

Again, many folk were there, and much fun and jolity was had.
However, I cannot actually remember at what time I wandered off to my tent.
I do remember that the last 2 standing were myself and Nik, and we were there for quite some time, generally chatting.

I have NO PHOTO's of any of this, so if anyone can send me some pictures of the evening, or the campsite, that would be rather fine.

I do know trhat the following morning Jim did commented on the lateness of our finish,
and something about hearing every word, and
'What goes on the Challenge Stays on the Challenge'

Anyway, I did at some point go to bed, and a hearty sleep was had.

I believe at some point, Al had mentioned 8.30.
I may have dreamt it.
I was NOT going to achieve it anyway.

And soon it would be the coast.
And it would be finished.
And it had gone so fast.

And it had been Good!





&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">BGSOUND</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">SRC</span>="<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">http</span>://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">www</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">helions</span>.co.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">uk</span>/mp3/<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">ContemplatingNeptune</span>~Mars~Moon~<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">RedSong</span>.mp3" LOOP="1">

Nosound - Contemplating:Neptune:Mars:Moon & Red Song