Walk This Way

Last Sunday saw the latest Vikings fundraising event – a 5 mile sponsored walk from Ely to Queen Adelaide, then back to Ely.

 The walk started at 10:30am, which was fine, even though I’d had a late night the night before.  But the start point was Barton Road carpark, not Barton Square as I thought, so I wondered where everyone was when I got there to find the square empty.  I wish I had realised it started in the car park, because then I would have parked there and not in St. Mary’s Street, which was a bit further away from Barton Square.

 Anyway, it was perfect weather for a long walk – a light breeze in the air, warm but not too hot, and there were some clouds to keep the sun off.  We headed off down back hill and along the road towards Soham, with Deb leading the way in her flourescent vest to make sure we were visible.

 The next section took us along the riverbank to Queen Adelaide.  The Kemps’ dog was let off the lead and we waved to some sailors.  Halfway there we took a drinks break, where Tom, Ryan and Bugs tried to thumb a lift from passing cars and got a honk off a lorry.

 People seemed to be enjoying themselves.  The pace was casual, and the terrain not too lumpy.  We reached Queen Adelaide and our second rest stop, on the bridge.  Here Tom, Ryan and Bugs were spotted in a phone box, allegedly trying to call for a taxi.

 The next sector was a bit more uphill and was starting to take its toll on the walkers.  Bugs dropped out with a cricket injury, while Niamh complained that her feet, ankles and shins had worn away and she was walking now on her knee stumps.  Perhaps a slight exaggeration.  No ambulance was called.

 We had another break as we entered Ely where people had some drinks, and some people cracked open their lunch boxes.  Ant needed a kit kat.  But injuries can still occur when we’re not moving.  Debbie was the victim of an unprovoked attack by a wasp, which stung her on the ankle.  But the brave Mrs Middleton battled on to the finish.  At this point, the trailing group of Rob, Julie, Aaf and Josh, on his bike, caught up, and we headed off on the final leg.

 Lee met us at the end of Lisle Lane (after we’d done all the hard work!) and we walked along Broad Street towards Cherry Hill Park.  We were almost there, however Ant needed a bag of chips to get him through the final furlong.  It was easy now that the end was in sight, and before long we were back in Barton Square, then to the car park, with most people making it back in one piece. 

 The epic journey was over.  Debbie had a sore ankle, I had a chip thrown at me, and Julie had a lovely handful of wilting wildflowers (or should that be weeds?).  But more importantly, Vikings had raised around £400.  The top fundraiser was Aaf, who amazingly raised a quarter of this on her own.

 Well done to everyone who took part and thanks to everyone who sponsored the walkers.  Hopefully everyone enjoyed it, and if not, at least it was good exercise.