We did it!!
Myself (Tara Morris), Jade Baker, Christian Player, Abby Prince, Adam Tennant, Rob Davisworth, Amy Fleming, Penelope Chan, Melissa Hird, Andrew Walton and Richard Bentley completed the Lyke Wake Walk on Friday 14th June.
We set off from Osmotherley at 4.15 am (slightly later than planned due to one team member having a bath before he left!!). The first 10 miles were nice and straightforward with everyone in good spirits despite the rain. We are all pleased to see our first support vehicle at Claybank, especially as he had been locked in the campsite at Osmotherley until 7 am so it was close!
The next 10ish miles were a fairly pleasant walk along the old railway line with the next stop for hot dogs at checkpoint 3 (near the The Lion Inn).
Section 3-4 started off well and we were all pleased to see ‘Fat Betty’. However we then came to the peat bog section and it was tough going, three days of severe weather meant it was wet and slippy and took a lot longer than expected. We had people falling in wet holes disguised by heather or not quite making the jumps over the streams so we were very wet. One member slipped on a bank and fell, she warned others not to follow suit however another member of the team was sure he could manage it and then in slow motion came to exactly the same fate!!
We were all pleased to see the next support vehicle and change our socks!
Section 4-5 Hamer to Eller Beck was again quite boggy. The stepping stones were under water but only ankle deep. Some of us took our shoes off and walked across which was quite refreshing. One of us (the netballer) did this and decided to throw her walking boots across rather than carry them, unfortunately she did a terrible throw and the boot landed in the water, but not before the ‘catcher’ went in up to his knee trying to catch it! Great comic relief but very wet boots and people!
A final break and cake stop with the last support vehicle and then the final stretch. It felt like we would never get to the radio mast but we did and the feeling was great! We celebrated with Prosecco and lagers!!
We were all very tired, with some blisters and sore legs but the great company, lovely scenery, fantastic support and the fact we raised approximately £1,500 for our chosen charities made it all worthwhile.
