Thursday, May 23, 2013
Belated Event Report- The Bassetlaw Bash
Sorry for the lack of updates for a while... I have had some family health issues to deal with as well as sorting things out for my holiday (a week's trekking in the Picos de Europa, short trip to Barcelona and a stay with my Dad and Stepmum). Actually the more eagle eyed amongst you might have noticed that I was originally going to the Pyrenees... that is correct... but as nobody else actually booked on the tour (I'm THAT popular, obviously) Explore kindly agreed to fly me from Barcelona to Orviedo to join the Picos de Europa trek. It's still mountains, it still looks spectacular and I will have some company!
Explore are also flying me to Alicante afterwards, although this means that I will miss my train ride which I was quite looking forward to... but well, we can't have everything...
So this time next week I will be walking in the mountains!!
But I digress... a few weeks ago I completed a new event for me- The Bassetlaw Bash. As it's fairly local I thought I may as well give it a go and so set off for Retford in North Notts and the start of the walk at the Idle Valley Nature Reserve. I checked in, told them I was walking the 26 mile route and got the cheery response 'actually it's 27 miles!' Although it was only the second running of the event, it looked well attended, and I spoke with the chap I met at the Three Shires- the one who had finished and then came back to walk his friends in. He was hoping to jog most of it so I knew I wouldn't see him again!
Luckily we had nice weather all day, and set off into the sunshine towards the canal. The route followed a delightful tow path along the canal, past locks and pretty houses, then the town of Retford, before our first checkpoint and cake and biscuits at the Gate Inn at Clarborough.
Shortly after this we left the canal and headed up tracks and across fields to the first climb of the day, and one of the few ascents on the walk. I was relieved to see that the lack of rain over the past week had dried out the fields and tracks nicely and kept my feet dry all day!
There were some lovely views along this stretch, across the rolling agricultural landscape with a patchwork or fields and small farms. Another climb along a country road brought us to the second checkpoint at Wheatly Wood Farm, where there were coffee and cheese and pickle cobs on offer- the temptation to stay a while could not be resisted... especially as there were custard creams as well!
Clayworth Village
After this the route traversed fields and wide open spaces, as it rose, fell, rose and fell again to Clayworth Village and the third checkpoint at the canal bridge, where there was some rather divine home made shortcake on offer. I did have to have two pieces just to make sure the quality was consistent.
After another brief flirtation with the canal it was back through fields- and being scared out of my wits by a bird banger- we entered part of the Idle Valley Nature Reserve and followed a lovely path along the edge of a large lake.
After this we left the reserve and the route headed along an undulating track through fields, before switchbacking by an odd fence which had hundreds of plastic carrier bags tied to it for no reason I could fathom. More field walking brought us to a gravel track, leading to more lakes, and then a lovely path through woodland to the final checkpoint at Danes Hill Lakes car park. I lowered myself to the ground for a brief sit down, but daren't linger too long as it was quite likely I wouldn't be able to get up again...
Danes Hill Lakes
The final stretch was really pretty- winding between lakes, before walking alongside a railway track. A long gradual ascent brought us to the pretty village of Sutton, and shortly afterwards we entered the Nature Reserve for the final time. The finish is accessed by walking under a couple of metal sculptures and through a long willow tunnel!
Metal Sculpture And The Willow Tunnel
My time was which I am pleased with- it was quite an easy event, being quite flat and on good paths. Pie and peas were served in the car park, and I got chatting to a fascinating chap who loves creating his own considerable challenges. He said that he is particularly fond of desert walking, and had done the MdS three times. The latest challenge he is working towards in a couple of years time is to complete 75 marathons over 75 days... for his 75th birthday! Amazing. Well, up until that point I had been feeling fairly fit, but this kind of puts me to shame!! I would love to know how he gets on...
Explore are also flying me to Alicante afterwards, although this means that I will miss my train ride which I was quite looking forward to... but well, we can't have everything...
So this time next week I will be walking in the mountains!!
But I digress... a few weeks ago I completed a new event for me- The Bassetlaw Bash. As it's fairly local I thought I may as well give it a go and so set off for Retford in North Notts and the start of the walk at the Idle Valley Nature Reserve. I checked in, told them I was walking the 26 mile route and got the cheery response 'actually it's 27 miles!' Although it was only the second running of the event, it looked well attended, and I spoke with the chap I met at the Three Shires- the one who had finished and then came back to walk his friends in. He was hoping to jog most of it so I knew I wouldn't see him again!
Luckily we had nice weather all day, and set off into the sunshine towards the canal. The route followed a delightful tow path along the canal, past locks and pretty houses, then the town of Retford, before our first checkpoint and cake and biscuits at the Gate Inn at Clarborough.
Shortly after this we left the canal and headed up tracks and across fields to the first climb of the day, and one of the few ascents on the walk. I was relieved to see that the lack of rain over the past week had dried out the fields and tracks nicely and kept my feet dry all day!
There were some lovely views along this stretch, across the rolling agricultural landscape with a patchwork or fields and small farms. Another climb along a country road brought us to the second checkpoint at Wheatly Wood Farm, where there were coffee and cheese and pickle cobs on offer- the temptation to stay a while could not be resisted... especially as there were custard creams as well!
After this the route traversed fields and wide open spaces, as it rose, fell, rose and fell again to Clayworth Village and the third checkpoint at the canal bridge, where there was some rather divine home made shortcake on offer. I did have to have two pieces just to make sure the quality was consistent.
After another brief flirtation with the canal it was back through fields- and being scared out of my wits by a bird banger- we entered part of the Idle Valley Nature Reserve and followed a lovely path along the edge of a large lake.
After this we left the reserve and the route headed along an undulating track through fields, before switchbacking by an odd fence which had hundreds of plastic carrier bags tied to it for no reason I could fathom. More field walking brought us to a gravel track, leading to more lakes, and then a lovely path through woodland to the final checkpoint at Danes Hill Lakes car park. I lowered myself to the ground for a brief sit down, but daren't linger too long as it was quite likely I wouldn't be able to get up again...
My time was which I am pleased with- it was quite an easy event, being quite flat and on good paths. Pie and peas were served in the car park, and I got chatting to a fascinating chap who loves creating his own considerable challenges. He said that he is particularly fond of desert walking, and had done the MdS three times. The latest challenge he is working towards in a couple of years time is to complete 75 marathons over 75 days... for his 75th birthday! Amazing. Well, up until that point I had been feeling fairly fit, but this kind of puts me to shame!! I would love to know how he gets on...
Labels: Barcelona, Bassetlaw Bash, Picos de Europa, Spain
