May 2013

LDWA Introductory Walk

May Day Bank Holiday was pencilled in as an introductory walk for newcomers and potential new LDWA members. The walk was supposed to be in North Wales but it needed to be re-located….the walk that is, not North Wales.
Advertised as 15 miles, at least two potential members took part in what was expected to be a pleasantly demanding walk in a new location, Rivington in Lancashire.
28 (?) walkers and two doggies started, I think everyone completed. You can read a very good report on the walk on Alan’s Blog.
For an introductory walk I feel it was much too fast and, and….  Read Alan’s report.

  Pre-walk address

Towards Rivington Pike

 

Rivington Pike

Jon (on R) with his full TGO Challenge kit…and he’s still smiling!

Alan and Sheila cooling their sizzling feet

Excitement for the day – Bolton Mountain Rescue call out

I’ve little idea of where we went, although I do know we visited Rivington Pike, Great Hill, White Coppice and Brinscall.

What we did:

17.5 miles
2400ft ascent
4.9mph max speed
3.3mph average speed
More piccies here….but no map, I’m not sure if anyone knew where we actually went!

Saturday 18th May

Dunham May Queen: a procession, rain, cold, Morris Dancing….and tractors.
Some photos for Alan:

 Unusual in that it’s petrol-driven

An old Fordson

Then there was my mate Matthew’s birthday party on the Wirral in the evening:

The Birthday Boy….and no, he’s definitely NOT a Tory!

Yvonne, my favouritist singer….resting singing

Mary, Yvonne, May and John R

That was a good do…with loads of Scouse too!

Sunday 19th May

A recce…in between decorating duties:
John Bullen, walks secretary of the East Lancs LDWA, bullied pencilled me in to lead a walk in October for the group. My plan is to walk from Lostock Gralam to Hale. The will be beer at the end…so I know at least 2 or 3 will turn out on the day! When you’re responsible for leading a walk it’s important to recce it thoroughly…so here are some pics from the recce:

 

NOT a trig point

Plumley

More photos for Alan:

This last photo taken close to Bexton Hall…perhaps Bexton Hall Farm?

This is the first part of the walk…it will be tweaked before the big day:

This bit I did yesterday was 10.5 miles, including the bit where I got lost. On the day the walk will go furtherer, around 15 miles altogether. And there will be beer. Did I mention that before?
Now I’m going to do some more decorating and then I’m going Scotland to catch up with my mates. Sue is driving…she’s meeting up with Martin at the end of his Challenge. Ain’t she nice?!