The Final Countdown

As the boys gear up for what is a mammoth task ahead, they surely will be feeling the pressure. The heat has now been turned up to full. There's no time for practice or preparation anymore. This is it. With that tension and pressure comes a huge wave of support. As Simon said on the radio, the total of money raised will come in around at a whopping £2,500, a far cry from the initial target of £1,000.

I would personally like to wish them all the luck in the world, as I know they have all worked hard.

Lets hope for some good but not too good weather and if you do happen to see them, cheer them on.

The online target stands just short of£50 now, so keep those donations coming, and get behind Alan, Rob and Simon.

This is Adam Townend (Simon's brother) signing off, but I will be hopefully posting day to day updates from the boys (fingers crossed for technology)

First YEP, now BBC Radio Leeds

Here is a little radio interview Simon did for BBC Radio Leeds.

listen below



or if you encounter problems download the .mp3 file here

***Hold the front page!*** Hadrian's Wall Legionnaires patrol Millennium Square, Leeds (Monday 15th June 2009)

This week the Yorkshire Evening Post met us on Millennium Square in Leeds so that they could take a few snaps which then appeared in the following days paper.





See the article online here: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/video-and-audio/...

Final training walk – Castleford to Leeds

On yet another bright and sunny morning we were up at the rise of the sun and preparing to march for the day….. Well for twelve miles anyway.

The starting point was at the old roman settlement of Lagentium (Castleford to us now). Situated on the main Roman road running between Lindum (Lincoln) and Eburacum (York). The plan was to walk to Leeds following the route of the River Aire and Calder navigation.

We arrived in a deserted Castleford at 9.20, thanks to Barbara for sacrificing her Sunday morning lie in to give us a lift. Quickly strapping out packs on to our backs we were off for 9.30. We meandered across to the river and stopped to admire the bridge, well known as it was part of a recent Channel 4 programme hosted by Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs.
Fairly Impressive, although I didn’t see the bench that slowly rose from the floor. It wasn’t until I was towering over Simon that I realised I had walked on to the bench. Duh!
Simon was in his element, Hailing from Allerton Bywater he was close to home, He rejoiced in telling us about the bridge, hastily pointed out the wrecked boot that had gone over the weir, then led us away towards the right path.

After a quick, “I’m sure you can go this way. Though I would normally go that way. Ah, lets go that way!” Simon got us to the path we would not divert off until we reached Leeds.
So we were on our path, the sun was beating down on our back, the breeze was blowing in to our faces, it was a great day for a stroll. Everything was good and we set a good pace.
It wasn’t long until we came across a tyre dumped in the middle of the field. Simon decided it would be fun to roll it along with us for a while. That was until it fell over the first time and we couldn’t be bothered to stand it back up. We had moved it the great distance of 10 meters.

Onwards we marched on making great time the first mile disappeared and we had only been walking 20 minutes. A quick “Come on lads this is a great pace” from me seemed to encourage Simon and Alan to surge on.
Then we came to a field, not just any field but one with horses in. The very same horses that had chased me across the field a few years previously. I nervously climbed over the style and walked boldly onwards. Keeping one eye on the horses while chatting away to Simon. To my distress one of the horses looked up as we got closer and began to walk towards us only stopping after a few yards to graze on a large clump of grass. Phew!!
We raced past them and turned around to watch Alan walk passed, we had crossed the style and was highly amused to see the horses creeping slowly behind him. Thankfully we all got through unscathed.

So onwards again. Down a wild path with nettles and grass that towered above Alan’s head. Through a small patch of woodland that made a great tunnel around the path and into clouds of menacing midges. We were still making great time we reached the old open cast mine, which has now been turned it to a nature reserve. It was easy walking now down the Transpenine trail and we quickly reached the mariner at Lemonroyd. Not wanting to stop we headed onwards.
10 minutes later we decided to stop and have a break. For once Alan had sandwiches and not just twix’s. We sat there for a while and I looked at the time realising we had covered 5 miles in just over a hour and half.

After a break we set off again, refreshed and eager to get to Leeds we passed Woodlesford Lock and pressed on. That’s when Alan stopped for yet another photo opportunity. There swimming around were a couple of swans with several signets. So we watched as Alan took a few snaps.
“Right we need to catch those two just going around that corner.” I said. A quarter of a mile ahead a couple were just rounding a bend in the canal. Rising to the challenge we speeded along. Slowly catching them.

In no time at all we had reached the A1 – M1 link and were powering onwards, stopping only to take a photo of a part of the path where Alan thought he may catch a ghost on film.

We reached Thwaite Mills and was surprised to see the time. 12.50 and we were only a mile out side of Leeds. This was the fastest we had walked in our training. So when we came across a stone circle, which looked like a poor attempt at a miniature Stonehenge we stopped for a picture opportunity.
Simon bottled being the sacrificial figure on the alter so I braved the climb up and posed for Alan to take a quick snap.

From there on in we trudged along at speed until we came to a part of the path that disappeared into the undergrowth. Alan donned his Fedora hat to venture in, swinging a branch in front of him to cut the vegetation down. Simon and I followed glancing over our shoulders at the gate to a car park and the footpaths that would take us in to the city centre. After battling with the nettles and long grass for 15 meters Alan decided to jump through the fence into the car park, comically catching his hat from behind him as it caught on the fence and fell to the floor. We turned around and took the easy route.

20 minutes later we strolled across Millenium square to a join the WAGS, who had been sat waiting for us in the pub.

Training walk 6 - Hebden Bridge to Hardcastle Crags and beyond.

This time, Centurion Rob, couldn’t make the walk, So Centurions Al and Simon, offered the opportunity to our better half’s to accompany us on this one.

What a weekend, it was one of those rare hot sunny weekends, temperatures up in the mid 20’s, not a cloud in sight. Of course having the WAG’s along, made sure that we were smothered in sun cream. Very wise too.

So, we gathered in Leeds train station, decked out in our shorts, awaiting our express to Hebden. For once, engineering works had gone in our favour and trains, were direct from Leeds to Hebden! So, we took the 9.02 from platform 11a, fully provisioned with tea and a sandwich for the 30 minute ride.
Arriving in Hebden Bridge station, which has been kept in the Leeds Manchester Train company colours from the 19 century, the station has not drastically altered since then, which is good to see. Makes a great change from the bus style shelters at most train stations.

Our route starts from the train station car park and goes across the River Calder ,through the park, across the Rochdale canal and up to Hebden Bridge’s main square, well its more of a triangle. From there, we cross Hebden Water and follow the path. It was here, that we encountered the mysterious durkey. A cross between a duck and a turkey. Though the WAG’s, (Lynsey and Barbara) insisted it was a Tuck. We follow the road until we come to Salem Bridge. We cross over Hebden Water yet again and follow the path up past the archery club and eventually come out at Midgehole and the Blue Pig club. Not sure why the 80’s film Porkies came into my head at this point!

We come to the start of Hardcastle Crags just another 200 yards further onward. Lynsey was most happy, to see the ice cream van arrive and begin to set up shop for the day. She knew that if she got through the walk, her ice cream would be waiting at the end! Descending to the stream, we come across a fallen tree, a victim of one of the many floods the valley witnesses. After a quick log hugging session, Simon comes across something, which rebuffs everything my mother told me about money growing on tree’s. Simon, feeling the need, deposited 2p with the money tree. Fingers crossed his investment will grow.

The path ends at Gibson Mill, which is good, because the ladies needed to pay a visit to Yorkshire most environmentally friendly toilets. A couple of banana’s , twix’s and a nettle emergency later, we set off. Following the ‘blue’ route, we soon came across the mill pond, which had some little ducklings and, obviously, we had to stop and see how cute they were… hmmm. We also found some nice damsel flies and even managed to glimpse a couple of Newts, though the photo hasn’t come out that well. Now, I’d convinced everyone, that due to the baking hot weather, there wouldn’t be much mud on this walk. Sadly I was soon getting a lot of stick from Lynsey and Barbara, due to the rather muddy path. Don’t worry, this’ll be it, Won’t be much more mud today. So we traipse along the pathway, following the stream, across a few bridges and we head up the hillside. The path, was obviously at this point, not often used. Unsure of the actual directions, path finder Al, decides to just follow the stream, until we come to crossing point. Out of the woodland and into the open moorland, the path was becoming more and more difficult to see, some would say, that it had in fact disappeared entirely! Here we come across a nice little sunny stopping point, sunbathers on the other side were enjoying the rays. Such a nice scenic place, we decided to finish off the twix’s and banana’s and apply a little more suncream.

Now, eventually we crossed the stream of death (lynsey’s name for it) and as I was utterly lost, but not wanting to let on, we went up a very steep 3-1 incline. It wasn’t a path!
but at the top, there was one, phew. So, after a confident “ I told you, the path was here, that hill was just a little short cut” we set off.
I don’t know where I went wrong, but at some point, I lost the real path (Again) It must have gone in a different direction. We ended up by the streams edge and doggedly following it downstream.
We were then stopped in our tracks by a vast area of bog. Oh dear. “you said they’d be no more mud” A few prods here and there, showed that there was no way around it. We’d have to walk through it and hope its not more than ankle deep. Barbara to her credit, was first to attempt the crossing, deciding that speed would be the better way. Faster than a speeding bullet, she was across. Ankle deep and mud splattered but across. We all followed her route and we all get caked in sticky gooey mud. “Some people pay for this”. It didn’t help. I was in trouble for getting them dirty. The ‘path’, after another 200 yards of mud, water, slippery rocks and twisted tree roots, came to a final end. Faced with walking in the stream or climbing up the 20 feet of embankment. One look at the faces told me It was up the embankment. Myself up first of course and I was shocked to find a well used path at the top.....

So, down the uneventful (not much fun) path and back to Gibson Mill. It was another mile and the icecream van, was still there, selling his Yorkshire Dales icecream.
Back to the Blue Pig (couldn’t see any) and retraced our steps into Hebden, arriving at the pub slightly redder, muddier and more tired than when we set off.

Training walk 5 – Settle Caves and Waterfalls

I tell you what, that count down timer seems to be going pretty fast to me! It really brings it home as to how soon it will be until this all kicks off and the purpose of all this training has been realised.

Just to keep you all up to date on our progress so far we’ve been busily handing out posters and leaflets in local shops and offices, asking the shops if they would be kind enough to donate any prizes in the hope we can do a raffle or auction of some sort to boost our walk fund raising, organising Eurovision song contest sweepstake’s, getting in touch with the local press (with some success I might add), and, of course, getting another practice walk in on top!

We have managed to persuade some very kind shop keepers in the local area to support us by way of donations of prizes. Many thanks to all that have, this was very much appreciated. A list of everyone that has helped us so far is scrolling past above. Thumbs up to you all!

A Eurovision sweepstakes was held on several floors in our office building with people paying £2 per pick with a £1 donation going to our fund raising and the other £1 going into the kitty to pay out to the winner. A further £97.50 was raised as a result of this and a big thanks to David Watt and the lovely Barbara Ward for doing the organising of the sweepstakes in their respective teams – Thank you!

The 15th June will also see us meeting the press at a planned photo opp outside the Civil Hall on Millennium Square in Leeds. Councillor Richard Brett will be joining us as too should be the local newspapers. Fingers crossed we’ll get plenty of publicity from this and people will get to know about what we are doing and will sponsor us in what we are doing.

Sunday the 17th May was the date for our 5th training walk so far. We headed this time for Settle to wander around the Settle caves and waterfalls. Well I say waterfalls, I’m told that there was 2 but I must admit, at the time, I really did think we’d just walked back in a circle and revisited the same place. From the pictures of the day though I can see now just how different the 2 look! I think it’s safe to say I wont be the navigator while walking the wall.

It was another train journey to Settle which got us there for around 10.20am. The forecast was bad, rain and plenty of it, and the very dark clouds hanging over Ingleborough didn’t fill us with a great deal of confidence of staying dry. We pressed on regardless though with the now obligatory 12kg worth of weight in our packs.

Following the signs and Alan and Rob’s maps we meandered through the little town of Settle, heading for the fields and hills that lead up to Catrigg force waterfall. Not sure how we managed it but after going a little of course and having to back track we found the route we were looking for and pushed on up the first incline to get to the open fields at the top.

Onwards from there took us along the winding road side with the view of Settle below us. The clouds still looking menacing on the horizon so we didn’t hang about.
Roughly 3 miles in and we’d made it to a gate which lead us on down to the side of Catrigg force waterfall. For me, the best of the two (and yes I have now after seeing the pics convinced myself they are different so am fully entitled to choose a favourite :p) At the gate we met our first fellow walkers and told them all about what we were in training for. After passing them a leaflet each and them wishing us well we headed for the base of the waterfall.

After a quick break to take a few snaps of the impressive natural scenery around us, and Rob gleefully perching himself on top of a tree branch, looking very pleased with himself, we continued.

Back up waterfall side we had just gingerly made our way down and onwards along the path heading for the Caves. On the way our peaceful walk was suddenly gate crashed by what must have been the MG drivers appreciation society club (or the equivalent) as some 25+ MG TF’s, differing only in colour, shot passed us and off up and over, down and round the twisty turny country roads. If you were part of the convoy then give us a shout!

Onwards and upwards (or at least it was for Rob). You’ll be able to see from the pics that he attempted to scale a near vertical climb, without the aid of safety ropes or a net, and with his bare (Bear (Grylls)) hands. Pretty impressive I’m sure you’ll agree. Given he’d packed his bag so heavily though, eclipsing our measly 12kg (crazy man!), it didn’t take long for him to give it up as a bad job and jump from the dizzy height of 3 inches back to the floor. A valiant attempt and the pic does suggest he was a lot higher up, sorry Rob the truth is out!

We continued on relentless, even ignoring the warning sign in front of us that any lesser men would have turned on heel and bolted in the other direction just at the sight of, “Beware of Lambs”. In true, fearless Roman Legionnaire style we laughed the warning off and continued toward the caves, quick march!

We closed in and passed Jubilee Cave just a short while after as we continued to push the pace. We paused only briefly to take another snap shot of the now dubbed Booby Rock, I’m sure you can see why it got the name, and headed on for the next cave, Victoria.

An uphill climb took it’s toll, but spurred on by the sight of more walkers to catch up and leaflet for the cause, we kept going lugging the packs behind whilst in the back of my mind I was thinking “could I live without this bag….Is it such a big loss…..I could say the killer lamb took it…..”

Passing the other walkers and handing out some more leaflets we continued faster still with a downhill slope providing a nice break for the legs. We headed across 2 more fields (strangely heading a different way to everyone else, but hey, I wasn’t doing the map reading!) we eventually passed Victoria cave and emerged on a country lane.

Heading on now toward waterfall number 2, Scalebor Force. We continued along the country lane for a mile of so and arrived at the top of our destination. Clambering down, which with the practice we’d had had now become quiet good at, reached the bottom. Scalebor Force isn’t as big as the Catrigg Force but still has it’s own unique features that makes it just as interesting and impressive to see. The cascading waters pounded down to a small pool, on a ledge, midway up. The flow then drops to a second ledge which is accessible (as you can see from the picture of Rob and myself stood on it) with a bit of a climb. The shot was taken only moments after Rob had done his good deed for the day in giving a helping leg up to a lady trying desperately to climb up and over to the ledge for a better view of the waterfall. Being a true gent he wasted no time in offering a helping hand and then duly slapping a leaflet in her hand in hope of generating another sponsor, good lad!

After a break for a bite to eat (twix time) and allowing Rob to start scrabbling up the muddy embankment which lead up the side of the waterfall, we still aren’t sure why, he just did it, and got very muddy hands for his troubles (got a shot of him giving us a wave from the top though) we headed back up to find the road again and being our decent to Settle.

The rain clouds where beginning to form over head just as Keeley Donovan, the weather girl, had foretold. Heads down and onwards we went, trying to out run the rain clouds but on a day as windy as it was they seemed to be catching us very quickly even though we were walking at full tilt!

The road steepened downwards toward Settle allowing Alan to stop for more of his ‘artistic’ camera shots, of close up’s on flowers and the like, and then run to catch us up. He gathered quite a speed as he shot towards us, passing us like Linford Christie. Disappointingly though when it looked like he wouldn’t be able to stop and would instead get to Settle in only a few seconds or just career, hit a wall, and land on a sheep, he managed to slow himself to a stop, even turning with a grin as if to say “Ha ha I didn’t even die!” Smug.

Alan’s extra pace though had kept us in front of the rain clouds but it was clear that they were still catching us as by now we where on the very edge but with Settle just a few yards ahead.

We made it down to Settle shortly after, only getting caught in a quick shower, whilst we cut through the Settle Festival. After taking in the atmosphere and looking in vain to find a ‘tunnel of goats’ or ‘spider baby’, given the feel of it all it would not have surprised us, we headed for a pub. And (and I’ve been made to say this) we played pool and Alan remains undefeated. Happy now Al?

Let’s hope there is another pool table on our next planned walk around Hebden Bridge and I’ll report back to tell you if he managed to fluke his way to remaining undefeated again. I doubt it though :p

Bye for now.

Simon

Simon's Seat/Twin Peaks - Training Walks

Ahhh, training..

Do we really need to train for a 84 mile, 5 day walk?
An unequivocal, Yes. Sitting on the sofa watching sports or being in the pub discussing training, doesn’t actually qualify as training apparently. Hmmm.

So, We find ourselves in Bolton Abbey land, almost like re-visiting the scene of a crime. Though this time, there would be no Romans, there would be no startled car drivers. We were here to do a job, and that was to get fit.
We, (well Rob) parked up in the Strid car park, and we set off down to the strid and followed the path as far as Cavendish pavilion. The snow drops were out in force, the Ransons (wild garlic), were just emerging, providing lots of opportunities for me, the team photographer, to stop and shoot. Down to the bridge past the ice cream munching munchkins (it really was too cold for ice cream) and up into desolation valley, it's called this because a long, long, long time ago, there was a flash flood which destroyed the oak forest there. So onwards and upwards, through the pine plantation and out into the open moorland, where the grouse are tame and the call of the curlew spirals through the air. Wasn’t long, before a group of aged ramblers, were whizzing past… “I’m 75 you know, you should be much faster than us” Hmmm, maybe we really should do a lot more training. Inspired by the ramblers, we picked up the pace for the last 2 miles to the top, sadly disappointed that there wasn’t a bacon butty stall at the top, that the ramblers had promised. A fantastic panorama from the top of Simon's Seat, certainly worth the 5 mile walk up there. Sadly, as well as the wonderful scenery, we could also see snow clouds and they were coming our way! A quick lunch and set off on the return leg, via Howgill. 2 hrs later, we were sat in the car, pondering a pub lunch!

The next training walk took place on Sunday 26th April, quite a while since we’d last ventured out. What a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky. This time, it was decided that we’ll go by train to our destination of Ribblehead. Waiting for the train in Leeds, we met Stan, a veteran walker, “oooh, that Hadrians wall walk, is really tough, Some of those inclines are only as wide as this platform you know,”. Filled with his confidence, we boarded the train, which duly arrived at Ribblehead at 10.45 (late as usual!). “Oh my, how cold is this? It was much warmer in Leeds”. For this training walk, we had decided to weigh down our rucksacks with at least 10 kilos to mimic the weight of the armour. We set off from the station heading north to Whernside. Wasn’t bad going, we even found a small lake, which Rob was certain looked like a map of Europe. To the top of Whernside, bite to eat, quick chat we the invigilators for Duke of Edinburgh award and we were away, should be easy, all down hill from here, well, nearly. All I can say, is that, when someone has gone to the trouble of making stairs, up/down Yorkshire’s tallest peak, use them! 6miles in and at the bottom of Whernside, heading to our secondary target of Ingleborough. Now, none of us have done this walk before, so, after a lunch break in a field, we cunningly let some chaps pass us so we could follow them.

They led us, to what can only be described as a mountain goats trail. A 150 feet climb over 30 feet forward. “Oh my god, that can not seriously be the way up”
Oh yes it is. But then, when you get to the top of this vertical cliff, there’s more!
The top of Ingleborough was windy and cold, and we were utterly knackered (well two thirds of us were). The weight was beginning to show, feet were not picking up properly, a couple of ankle sprains later and we were at least walking on steadier ground, heading towards the finish line at Horton in Ribblesdale. Now the problem with using trains, became apparent. The last direct train was at 6.08 and we had at least 2hrs walking left to do. Should make it. But lets hurry just in case the pubs open. Which indeed it was! Arrived at the Crown Inn, in time for a quick pint, before hobbling to the station and the last train home. The additional weight has certainly showed us that this isn’t going to be a walk in the park, by any means.

Alan