TOTAL RAISED FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK: £1.270 Thank You
Over thirty brave souls foisted themselves upon the sleepyville that is Wells-Next-The-Sea, in preparation for the fifteen mile beach-endurance`Norfolk Tramp` walk in aid of Cancer Research UK. Based in and around the town and mostly billeted in hostelries that could cope with their various demands, peckers were definitely up as they gathered at The Globe, HQ for the weekend event, to listen to a last-minute briefing from organiser,party animal and former Liberal Peer Lord Haves.
THE GLOBE
After five minutes or so of coalition discourse, the group began to drift (to drink)."What did he say?"
Fortunately there were wise heads around to quell dissent " Look, let`s take a global view...."
There was even an outbreak of community singing...
....before it was back to the Trawler for a fry-up.
A number of individuals seemed to think the seventeen mile walk was going to be, well, just a stroll...
....made all the more difficult as ale supplies (and the barman) dried up.
It took the good lord to settle matters.
and sensibly....
...very sensibly, the party prepared for the morn.
The George Tortoise Shuttle Bus appeared right on time for the 7am start. Note the enthusiasm.
An unwitting member of the public tries to scarper...
..as storm clouds gather over the orderly queue.
Small bus, huge talent.
And they`re off on the twelve miler, filing gingerly past the police sniffer dog....
....almost. One of the party is beginning to regret the bravado of the previous night. His son comforts him with a protective arm. Aaahh..
...as their young friends look on, very concerned.
The Isles Of Scilly ski team prepare for the off, complete with their own snapping young socialist.
Do I really have to do this ?
Gadge confides "it`s actually eleven miles..."
Do we care ?
It was a little chilly to begin with, not quite the Indian Summer day that was promised by the team at George Tortoise.
This didn`t stop the troupe from Radio Moscow legging it stoutly across the polder.
Did Turner paint this one ?
Who knows, but time for a surrealist break at Nelson`s flagship pub, The Hero, in heart of the village of Burnham Overy.
Suitably whetted and toileted, some of the group prepare for the next four hours. By now the party had split. Some never visited the pub but strode on. Some stayed in the pub and then moved on. And some...stayed in the pub.
There`s sun in them there hills !
Ominously, survivors clamber the last sand dune before the beach and envigorating freedom. Long way to carry a metal detector, but hey ho.
Er, it was windy...
Very windy !
This man lost his toupe.
After five minutes or so of coalition discourse, the group began to drift (to drink)."What did he say?"
Party-goers began to check the manifesto; "Says here, we shall keep Child Benefit,Tuition Fee Limits........"
Fortunately there were wise heads around to quell dissent " Look, let`s take a global view...."
There was even an outbreak of community singing...
....before it was back to the Trawler for a fry-up.
A number of individuals seemed to think the seventeen mile walk was going to be, well, just a stroll...
....made all the more difficult as ale supplies (and the barman) dried up.
It took the good lord to settle matters.
and sensibly....
...very sensibly, the party prepared for the morn.
The George Tortoise Shuttle Bus appeared right on time for the 7am start. Note the enthusiasm.
An unwitting member of the public tries to scarper...
..as storm clouds gather over the orderly queue.
Small bus, huge talent.
And they`re off on the twelve miler, filing gingerly past the police sniffer dog....
....almost. One of the party is beginning to regret the bravado of the previous night. His son comforts him with a protective arm. Aaahh..
...as their young friends look on, very concerned.
The Isles Of Scilly ski team prepare for the off, complete with their own snapping young socialist.
Do I really have to do this ?
Gadge confides "it`s actually eleven miles..."
Do we care ?
It was a little chilly to begin with, not quite the Indian Summer day that was promised by the team at George Tortoise.
This didn`t stop the troupe from Radio Moscow legging it stoutly across the polder.
Did Turner paint this one ?
Who knows, but time for a surrealist break at Nelson`s flagship pub, The Hero, in heart of the village of Burnham Overy.
Suitably whetted and toileted, some of the group prepare for the next four hours. By now the party had split. Some never visited the pub but strode on. Some stayed in the pub and then moved on. And some...stayed in the pub.
There`s sun in them there hills !
Ominously, survivors clamber the last sand dune before the beach and envigorating freedom. Long way to carry a metal detector, but hey ho.
Er, it was windy...
Very windy !
This man lost his toupe.
This man lost his marbles.
And Wells-NextThe Sea nearly lost its Beach Huts.
Sand really does get everywhere.
Even the shrimpers became sand-gagged.
But those minor deprivations were soon well behind the party as they made sight of the glorious little town of Wells-Next-The-Sea , and dragged themselves the last mile of the fourteen to the finish line.
Some of the party were so famished, they bought raw fish from a local chain store.
Others were just relieved to have reached base, safely.
And Wells-NextThe Sea nearly lost its Beach Huts.
Sand really does get everywhere.
Even the shrimpers became sand-gagged.
But those minor deprivations were soon well behind the party as they made sight of the glorious little town of Wells-Next-The-Sea , and dragged themselves the last mile of the fourteen to the finish line.
Some of the party were so famished, they bought raw fish from a local chain store.
Others were just relieved to have reached base, safely.
Job done, the group settled down to a well-deserved meal. "He said what ?"
The younger children of the party seemed quite naturally to be tired.
As did the older children.....
...who swapped cheers...
...and laughter, deep into the night.
..safe in the knowledge that a good time had been had by all, and that a great total was raised for Cancer Research UK. They also knew, that hopeful as they may be to the contrary, George Tortoise would soon be back in their mailbox with yet another offer they couldn`t refuse.
The younger children of the party seemed quite naturally to be tired.
As did the older children.....
...who swapped cheers...
...and laughter, deep into the night.
..safe in the knowledge that a good time had been had by all, and that a great total was raised for Cancer Research UK. They also knew, that hopeful as they may be to the contrary, George Tortoise would soon be back in their mailbox with yet another offer they couldn`t refuse.
NEWS FLASH NOTE FROM EDITOR:
1.GEORGE TORTOISE OPPORTUNITY. `Forest Of Dean Fest`. Long weekend away with the fairies (and mostly the sorts of good people shown on this site) available 30th April-2nd May, 2011. Chance to stay with friends, family,wildlife, in the heart of the Forest Of Dean, Gloucestershire (nearest towns Monmouth/Ross On Wye....booootiful !!) and have fun in exceptional company.Based in the `George Tortoise Exclusive Use Of` Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Clearwell, this promises to be the best fest yet...and we don`t often say that. Check out the hotel at http://www.tudorfarmhousehotel.com/
and book up asap via Ash, Dave, Yvonne, Elaine at George Tortoise.
2.GEORGE TORTOISE OPPORTUNITY. You go on holiday don`t you ? You walk the British coastline sometimes-maybe even just a day visit. So go on, have a look at our `Big Island Expedition`, and join in. It`s easy. Oh, and spread the word, tell your friends.Give it a whirl.Check it out at http://thebigislandexpedition.blogspot.com/
And of course we can also be spotted at http://www.georgetortoise.co.uk/
