There and Back again

The Hobble, or There and Back Again

Dear Diary,

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Friday, 24th: Today 3 people joined my little walk, which I had advertised thus:

"As the temperature seems to be climbing, I decided against the 'middle of nowhere with lots of hills and no shade' option, and would like to do a new variation on the 'fairly flat' walk along the banks of the Arade from Silves.

It is a there-and-back walk, but I always think the views are different on the return leg...

Meet at the Car Park in Silves, next to the Chapim Cafeteria Lounge Bar, for a 10 o'clock start. We will car-share to the start of the walk, so I'll need to know who's intending to walk, please.

Distance approx 16km. Mostly on very good tracks but some are a bit overgrown in places. Nice views. (Only) about 100m climb/descent."

So, Me, David, Kieran, Fiona. We should all fit in one car, then!

Note to self: Must sort out a start time. David thinks 9:30 would be better, and I think he's right...

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Saturday 25th: Good news! 2 more people, Tim and Jan, making 6 of us - we can fit in 2 cars!

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Sunday 26th: Just the 6 of us, then.

Note to self: Must sort out a start time ...

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Monday 27th: Ros thinks we should start at 9. Linda said she (and Toby) wouldn't walk, but changed her mind when I told her about the proposed 9:30 start. Steve and Bruce joined. So, a net gain of 4 people, as Julie and Tony joined (but no reply to my request to start at 9:30) but Kieran dropped a table on his (bare) foot (ouch!) and cried off. Everyone else replied and agreed a 9:30 start. So that's good!

So, er, 10 (or possibly 8) people, 1 dog. Two or three cars, then....

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Tuesday 28th: Let me see ... Alan, Martin (and Rafa) joined. Jan says "Pls confirm start time. Tony and Julie thinks it's 10.00??", so I replied "It's definitely 9:30. I replied to your email, Julie - perhaps it went to spam? Everyone else has replied "

12 (or maybe 10) people, 2 dogs. Three cars then.

Update 16:15: Ros says "Would you like me to pick you up at the bins" This must mean she's walking as well!! 13 people!

Update 16:43: Marian has joined. 14, or 12, people.

Update 18:35: Marian isn't coming after all. 13 people, or 11. 

Update 23:02: Marian is coming after all. 14 or 12 people.

Update 23:06: Julie says "My fault. I knew it was 9:30.  I got your reply I just didn’t tell Tony  . I would have told him before the walk  "

Definitely 14 people then!

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Wednesday 29th: No sign of Jan ... Ah, here we are, an email "Sorry, won't be joining today. Bad night. Enjoy."

13 people, 2 dogs. Definitely 4 cars then.

Wow, how many AWW leaders can claim to have lost over 10% before the walk even started?

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I will describe the walk Frank-style: "The walk was fine. It was hot. We saw a snake. Here are the pictures."

Arvad, as far as the eye can see

Aye, it's just north of Barnsley ...

Yes, this bit's the VA

In the shade

I'd better lead this bit

The path's here, somewhere ...

Did somebody say there was a snake?

Yes. The snake

I thought he said it was flat?

A splendid view of the A22

Little monkeys!

He definitely said it was flat

    Silves, on the way back

    I'm sure the cars were round the last bend

Track, Stats:

Length: 16km (ish), a fairly flat 160m of climb/descent (but opinions vary). 9:40 to 14:20, so 4.5 hrs.

Thanks to Alan for the (excellent, as ever) photos, with a special guest appearance of "The Snake", by Martin

PostScript:

Update 19:38: Marian says "Thanks a million for today’s lovely but hot walk. It’s really great seeing the gang again."