Year Two of our now annual walk up here in Aberdeen and I'm glad to say the weather was favourable once more as we all met up at Garthdee for the trip out to Peterculter.
Through the FF website I had got in contact with a few Bears I had never met wanting to do the walk (the wonders of the internet), Ian - S who works offshore contacted me and we met up for a few practice sessions before the main walk. Ian is a top bloke who raised about £900 from his family and colleagues on the Claymore Platform, outstanding stuff. Jimmy - S and his wife Pauline also got in touch, Pauline who is in-between running the Edinburgh and London marathons was a nightmare, she set of with Mrs Hec in tow at ramming speed and left us auld yins in her wake - it did mean we shaved over 20 minutes from our time from last year though through trying to keep up with her, they were probably a good 10 minutes faster than that.
11 of us set of for the walk in Aberdeen with John McG doing it simultaneously in Spain. Mike and Amanda are doing it a few weeks later than the rest of us (Mike had an in growing toe nail removed and it went sceptic- ouch). So all in all we had a grand total 14 walking the walk, almost 3 times what we had last year - splendid stuff.
Top marks must go to Ian McMo who got out of his sick bed to walk. He was suffering from a severe bout of man-flu but in true blue style done the business. His Greenock grit shone through, well done pal.
This year we also had an interloper, Carol (The Jambo) joined us - but as she is a well kent face and Wilf's missus we were glad to have her along. George W, Avril, Ian N, Stevie R and myself made up the numbers.
After a wee shower lasting less than 5 minutes the sun shone down and that was it for the duration of the walk. I've previously mentioned what a splendid walk this is, the scenery is fantastic once you leave the town and as it is so flat the walk isn't in the strenuous to severe category and you can't get lost J. This year we were all better prepared as well having done a lot of training prior to the walk, lesson learnt from last year. We were motoring along - thanks to Pauline - and the miles flew bye. Everybody was having a wee natter and a laugh and joke and before too long we had reached the halfway mark. A wee rest and a top up with water and protein bars and we were soon on the homeward journey. The only problems we had was the amount of cyclists and joggers on the path, the good weather had brought everyone out.
Although it is flat it seemed on the homeward journey that we were going downhill, probably because we knew that a well deserved pint was beckoning and the pace lifted ever so slightly. The crack was brilliant again I have to say and once again the time seemed to flash by. Before long we had left the countryside behind and we heading back into town and the finish line. Mike and Amanda along with Nacho the daft dog were there to welcome us back, slightly puffed but happy nonetheless that it was once again completed and Erskine was up a few.
Afterward we all made our way into a local pub, Filthy McNasties, for a pie and a pint and undid all the good work we had just done - but it was enjoyable all the same and we felt it was well deserved
A few injuries to report, Jambo ended up with a damaged hip and missed work and Avril got sent home on the Monday with Flu. Hope it wasn't from kissing McMo. J Everyone else was fine, a wee blister here and there and that was it
Jimmy, Pauline, Avril, Mike, Amanda and my good self are due to do the walk again in a few weeks time so Mike and Amanda can get their sponsor money in. Wish us luck.
Money wise we are looking at between £3500 to £4000, won't know until it has all been collected (that can be harder than the walk)
Everyone has pledged to walk again and there is still plenty of room on the path for new walkers for next year, remember we are all just friends you haven't met yet.
Hopefully the Aberdeen RSEA walk will continue to grow.
WATP
Big_Hec