An explosion?
No, not a gas leak or terrorist outrage, nothing of that sort. It was a numerical explosion, cause unknown. What it was that the AWWs, whose turn-out had been averaging in the very low teens for the past two months or so, suddenly went wild. No fewer than 34 had given notice of intention to be on this walk; in the end, after three stalwarts had had to drop out for one reason and another, 31, I repeat 31, were there for the start. Whether that is an AWW record will be left to the historians to decide. But why the sudden surge in numbers?
The received AWW wisdom is that having more than 20 walkers to control and keep an eye on makes for a bit of a nightmare for the leader, but no, not on this occasion. Discipline was great. Everybody was on time, let it be noted. When they were asked to assemble for the Starter photo, they did so, some with coffees still in hand. When they then were asked to form up in equal lines of three with the taller ones at the back, they did so. And when the front row was instructed to squat down once the camera red light started to blink and when it did came, glory be, they did so! No coffee was spilled in the taking of these shots.
And everyone even stayed in formation while a second group picture was taken. What more could one ask for?
The Starters
Front Row: Maria, Julie, Geraldine H, Dina, Hazel H, Isabel, Miriam, Linda, Tom H
Second row: Nancy Carson from Minnesota, Charlie H, Susan R, Sue M, Jill, Geoff H, Margaret, Yves, Frank M, Ros, John H
Back row: Scott, Sue H, Tony, John R, Russell, Steve, Sarah, Jim, John D-cyclist, Ken, and Olli-Peka Puikkonen from Finland.
The Track
The track image shows the opt-out route in yellow.
The Statistics
The pre-walk notice had been for an 18 – 19 km wander, opt-out at the 9 km point, perhaps 600 metres climbing, average moving speed 4 kph, duration 5 hours and a bit.
What we got in the end from the Leader´s gizmo was:-
Total distance: 18.6 kms. Total time: 5 hrs 37 mins.
Moving time: 4 hrs 34 mins. Moving average: 4.1 kph
Total ascent: 681 metres.
(Of course, as the Leader came in well behind the majority, most of you will have moved much faster than that 4.1 kph and will have done an overall duration of about 5hrs 15 mins.or less)
As we started, the weather was not looking at all promising and it even gave is a few sprinkles every now and then to stop us being too complacent. However, we seemed to move in a charmed circle, rain to the front and rear, rain to the sides, but few raindrops falling on our heads.
The first half of the walk gave us most of the climbing and the afore-mentioned good discipline held. Russell was let off the leash for the second main hill and off he went but even he knew when to stop, at 209 metres above sea-level.
There was one stretch where the hard men, including Tony and Olli-P, got a wee bit too enthusiastic and headed up yet another hill, not on the planned route,but they quickly came back to heel when they heard the referee´s whistle.
At the 9 km point, 6 of the group decided to take advantage of the opt-out possibility and left us; 3 of them came back for drinks at the end of the day.
Shortly afterwards, we stopped for lunch in what it has to be confessed was actually a rather bleak, unappealing stretch of country; thankfully the rain held off. Sue M then whipped out her notebook and most efficiently took orders for the after-walk drinks, anticipating that the man running Café Elias is not exactly the fastest gun in the west when it comes to the business of dispensing refreshments to thirsty crowds.
Moving on after lunch, we came into more open country with long ridge views and clearing skies, which enabled Yves to take some excellent pictures as the group stretched out ahead of him.
Yves also took this one which he captioned as:-
"A happy Scotsman - a rare genus indeed"
We then made the long descent towards Encherim where the Leader plunged knee-deep into some water at 12 metres above sea-level in order to photo the group from the side. Nobody else felt like following him....funny that.
Then to the final 3 km stretch which is one on which it is virtually impossible to get lost or take a wrong turning, so here the Leader let the main pack off the leash. Off they went at top speed, while he eased off so as to bring his personal moving average back down to the intended 4 kph. It is understood that Sue M and Russell positively galloped back to the Café and had all the drinks orders laid out by the time the rest of us got back…many thanks to them for that smooth operation.
Thanks also to John D, Ros and Yves who accompanied the Leader at the back and formed the rear-guard of Tail-End Charlies.
The Leader was too knackered at the end to do a proper head-count but it is believed that nobody got lost.
And for those few who stayed right to the very end, the Café lady brought out her customary offering, this time some biscuits and chocolates.
During the walk, there were occasional references to the inevitable passage of time and of this being the beginning of a new decade. Not so fast, say some pedants. There was never a Year Zero between BC1 and AD 1, so any new decade starts when the year has a 01 in it.. Therefore, the current decade still has some 345 days to run and 2021 will be the start of the new decade.
But enough of such pedantry. Contemplate time by all means, but not excessively.
Time to contemplate
Time flies, it is true to say; but that can prove difficult, even with a stop watch.
Some say that time flies like an arrow; others, that fruit flies like a banana.
