Tuesday 9th/Wednesday 10th August 2011
With the team striding over the Munros of Scotland, the support team swapped over media team members, giving Lucy Taylor a night in a warm bed, and Sophie Archibald another taste of life in the wilderness! The team were able to get in contact with the very lovely Estate Manager who opened the gate for the team's 4x4 and allowed them to drive instead of walk the whole 20k right up to the (very luxurious) bothy that was to be home for the night. The support team could not have been happier and Sophie missed out on discovering what it's really like to be a support team member/pack horse! Luckily the day had been mostly dry (despite a bit of rain in the morning) so the team had a better day than the last few. Support team prepared dinner, made the bothy look a bit like home and awaited the arrival of the runners, much like expectant wives awaiting their spouses (sorry Henry!)
At 2100, slightly later than expected, but still early in comparison to previous nights, the team (and Sean Aston) arrived looking very tired (but dry). On arrival resident podiatrist Henry Munns got stuck in seeing to blisters and other aches and pains, and the aroma of (slightly burnt) sausages wafted through the hills as supper was served. After being tended to and fed, the team's spirits were high (once again!) as they told us about their day.
With the team striding over the Munros of Scotland, the support team swapped over media team members, giving Lucy Taylor a night in a warm bed, and Sophie Archibald another taste of life in the wilderness! The team were able to get in contact with the very lovely Estate Manager who opened the gate for the team's 4x4 and allowed them to drive instead of walk the whole 20k right up to the (very luxurious) bothy that was to be home for the night. The support team could not have been happier and Sophie missed out on discovering what it's really like to be a support team member/pack horse! Luckily the day had been mostly dry (despite a bit of rain in the morning) so the team had a better day than the last few. Support team prepared dinner, made the bothy look a bit like home and awaited the arrival of the runners, much like expectant wives awaiting their spouses (sorry Henry!)
At 2100, slightly later than expected, but still early in comparison to previous nights, the team (and Sean Aston) arrived looking very tired (but dry). On arrival resident podiatrist Henry Munns got stuck in seeing to blisters and other aches and pains, and the aroma of (slightly burnt) sausages wafted through the hills as supper was served. After being tended to and fed, the team's spirits were high (once again!) as they told us about their day.
They had been met earlier by 9-year-old twins Nuala and Cliona, who have an incredible number of Munros under their belt. They arrived to climb Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm with their Scotty dog who alone has climbed 150 and seemed most unimpressed by the Reindeer that the team met along the way. The runners were very impressed by the agility and enthusiasm of the twins, and almost had trouble keeping up!
The next morning, and after deciding to have an extra hour in bed, the team were awoken just after 5, filled with porridge and packed off for another wet morning. However the team were all smiles knowing that they were going be having a wonderful night at the Inver Hotel courtesy of Chris and Sue Snell (parents of DecAid team member Henry Snell - see the Light for Life Ceremony).
Whilst the team climbed Ben Avon, Beinn a Bhuirde, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn a Chaorainn and Beinn Mheadhoin, the support team rode their mountain bikes the 3k to get to Derry Lodge, where they were to be picked up at a later time. Sophie had the seat of one of the mountain bikes adjusted/lowered as far as it would go but it was still a touch on the large side and her feet wouldn't touch the floor. She had never mountain biked before and was doing fine (just) until she found herself flying down some steps and into the grassy verge. She was fine, but the bike less so....(sorry Tom).
The support team left the bikes for the runners to pick up and made their way back to the Inver hotel to prepare boards and presentations for their reception in the evening, which DecAid co-founder Rupert and media team member Lucy were already doing on arrival. Soon after and at the earliest time yet by far, the team arrived back soaked to the skin at about 6. But they were quickly enjoying warm baths/showers and steaks and beer by the fire! The team could not have been happier, but the enjoyment of the luxuries simply brought home how they will be spending the next few weeks without them.
With full tummies and warm (and wind burnt) bodies, the team enjoyed a tipple or two at the reception. l'Art du Vin very kindly supported DecAid with wine and Woodwards provided some of the canapes, so a big thankyou goes out to them. The DecAid boards were up and people were mingling, getting to the know DecAid and and the Munro Mission team slightly better. The reception went off without a hitch and everyone had a really wonderful time. The best part however was that the reception raised over £900 for The Munro Mission so an absolutely huge thankyou goes to Chris and Sue Snell at the Inver Hotel for such a wonderful evening and their fantastic hospitality.
If you would like to help the DecAid Munro Mission get even closer to it's target of £80,000, then please visit our website where you can sponsor a Munro, donate or even organise to join the team at points along their route. And please remember that if you know anyone who can provide the team with another night of luxury (i.e. a warm bed and shower!) then please get in touch at decaidmunromission@live.co.uk. Thankyou!
Sorry I missed you tonight but I was later than I had hoped to be and the fog was so thick I could not see the road let alone tents. My phone refused to load the GPS tracker so the hot apple crumble and I returned home. The weather was particularly grim at Glenshee so I hope you were all tucked up in your tents and not still walking. Next time I will do a better job of finding you. Lots of love to you all Sue
ReplyDelete