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My Bob Graham Round - 29th August 2008

Before I started to write a closing account of my Bob Graham Round odyssey I thought I would have a quick read of what John and Ray had said of their experiences. It was like déjà vu from the emotional feelings leading up to the day, the unconditional support from “the club” to the last minute faffing about trying to ensure we had everything. Friday morning was hectic with reading good luck texts from some and phone calls from others and putting rice pudding, jelly babies and anything else I though I might fancy between stops into plastic bags. I guess my theory was; “hay I won’t be carrying this, so make the most of it!” After a huge steak and potato lunch I had a quiet hour reflecting on the build-up to my attempt and kept coming back to the same place; what a fantastic club we have. Everybody so willing to help, to get involved, and to incur time and expense, for daft people wanting to have a go at crazy challenges. I could not think of another group I have been involved with who where like this, not even during my time in the Royal Air Force.
With the car stocked, we set off to meet up with Bongo Central and Tim at Thirlmere viewing point. John and Tim where waiting and Duncan swung the bongo in shortly after. Then the Gills arrived “on mass” and poured out of their huge motor home closely followed by John Leech, bristling with cameras. I felt like a celebrity and now know what it must be like to be pursued by the paparazzi! I am really grateful to John for his tireless efforts in capturing the moment.
We got to Keswick and met with Richard, and I paced up and down waiting for the clock on Moot Hall to strike six, only to be informed that the clock did not work! Jonathan Bradshaw was also attempting “the round” and was there with his support team. They might have had more lycra (what can you expect from southerners) but we definitely had the better support system. We all set off together and when Jonathan asked where our packs where and we said “we where picking them up at the car park” you could tell he was thinking “I wish we had though of that”. A quick pit stop at the car park below Skiddaw and I thought, “now it starts”.
We crested Skiddaw in good time and made the quick decent off Blake Hill to meet Dawn and Jane to take on some early “Ray’s Stew”. I saw Jane with her hood up hopping about, and thought “why is she doing that?” Then I realized as I hit the midges! They where hideous and I mean hideous. Dawn was there in a cloud of midges doing the same dance, only she was holding out a big mug of stew and some bananas. I downed the stew and grabbed the bananas and was off. I think this early stop in the round is crucial. It is this slow release food that kicks in in the last few hours of the round that keeps you going. I am truly grateful to Jane and Dawn for their efforts for what was at most a one minute pit stop. At this point the plan for leg 1 changed as Tim decided to miss Great Calva and head straight for Blencathra summit. I continued with Richard and we reached the top about five minutes behind Jonathan. We then took the more southerly route down to the grouse butts doing the “heather hop”. I was focused on the hop and when I looked back I was 300 meters in front of Richard. I pushed on. The next time I looked around I saw Jonathan some 300 meters behind me. I was pleased with my route choice. I hoped to meet Tim at the top of Blencathra as he had my head torch for the run off Halls Fell Ridge but we crossed in the mist. The run off in the dark was interesting but Leg 1 was done. I sat in the chair and got the Dallam support treatment. Like a well oiled machine; as I ate stew, and drank tea my shoes and socks were off, feet rubbed and dried and fresh socks applied. I thought, “I could get used to this!”
Six minutes later Ray, Cathy and I were off. It was very dark now and once we were into the cloud at the top of Clough Head it was quite disorientating. A situation that would exist for the next ten hours. The summits come thick and fast on leg 2 and the climb up Fairfield seemed to come up very quickly. I seemed to have slipped into a rhythm where I focused on Ray and Cathy and nothing else. It seemed comfortable. I must say that Cathy flies up and down the fells with what seems like very little effort. I know she is contemplating having a go at the Round next year and I am sure it is well within her ability. As usual Ray was his totally dependable self, keeping us on track and time, in sometimes challenging navigation conditions. They steered me through leg 2 and I am very grateful to them for this. Before I knew it I was in the chair and leg 2 done. More stew, a steaming mug of tea and we were off again. Before I knew it the lights of the Bongo where twinkling far below as we topped out on Steel Fell. Dave in front and Mick’s dolcet tones behind would be the theme for the next six hours or so.
Leg 3 was definitely the toughest leg of the round. From Steel Fell to Rosset pike it was very dark and cloudy and we seemed to paddle most of the way up to our ankles in water. I started to have a low patch on the climb up Bow Fell but was soon kicked out of this by Mick insisting on stuffing me with the entire content of his food bag. An entire bag of jelly babies, a fruit jelly, rice pudding and a sandwich in about 60 seconds. After this the world seemed a better place. It was also getting light but still thick with cloud. We had lost a bit of time due to the conditions and by the time we got to Broad Stand we were half an hour down. If you have not climbed Broad Stand in the wet, you cannot imagine what a god-forsaken bit of rock it is. At one point I slipped, knocked Dave over and we both slid towards a 30 foot drop. Dave stopped with his feet hanging over the edge! We looked at each other and I am sure he was thinking the same as me. What the hell are we doing up here? Mick broke the moment with a few well chosen words – all very rude but to the point. Basically he told us to stop messing about. In fact during leg 3 Mick talked a lot. None of what he said can be repeated here, but suffice it to say it helped to keep me going. I could not have wished for two more dependable friends on this difficult leg. Totally Stella.
I climbed up the Stand to find Shinney beaming at me. The epitomy of the club. He had been there since 6am to see me safely through. As we where behind schedule I decided to press on. A quick word with Shinney, to let him know my intentions and I slipped and scrambled to the top. I had no idea that Mick and Dave would spend the next four and a bit hours bumbling around on Scafell. Ten and a half hours on Leg 3 must be a record! I headed for Scafell top and then down the scree to Wasdale. I started to have doubts if I could complete the round in 24 hours given the time I had lost on Leg 3. However as if from nowhere, Simon appeared - I was really pleased to see him and he was totally positive. He convinced me that I had plenty of time. My spirits lifted again as I rounded the corner to see lots of familiar faces. In the chair a bowl of hot water for my feet and a leg massage from Penny. Bliss! The run off Scafell had hammered my legs and I am convinced that Penny’s efforts on my legs made a significant difference. As I got out of the chair I felt like a new man. We had a real possey for Leg 4. Simon, Penny, Zoe, Andrew, Jess, Paul and Steve. Steve set the perfect pace up Yewbarrow and I just tucked in behind. I am sure Steve knew just what we needed to do to get back on schedule. I was totally off food by this stage and was onto isotonic drinks. However this did not stop continual prompts from Penny and Zoe with offers of food. Coming off Yewbarrow John Leech popped up with his huge camera and stayed with us for the leg. I did not do much chatting but everybody kept chatting to me, I was really enjoying the day, the centre of attention. The clouds had lifted and the views where fantastic. Pillar, Kirk Fell and Great Gable flew past and by the time we were at Brandreth I was back on schedule. Steve took a fantastic line off Grey Knotts and I was in the chair by 2pm. My thanks to Steve, he may not thank me for this but anyone considering a crack at the round, get Steve on as many legs as you can talk him into! Another rub down from Penny and I was all set for the final three summits.
Again we had a fantastic turn out for Leg 5. Steve and Paul agreed to lead me home and we were joined by Paula, Helen, Julie and Mike M. They looked after me in a right royal way. There was always a drink on hand when I needed it and constant chat to keep me going – I didn’t want it to end. I remembered the big smirks on Ray and John’s faces as they came trotting through Little Town. I think mine was equal to it and we walked and trotted back into Keswick. I had been thinking about what I was going to say as I climbed the steps of Moot Hall but in the end I only had one thing on my mind. What a fantastic club Dallam is. Seeing so many good friends who had shared the round with me will stay with me. Cathy passed me a bottle of fizz and I did what is becoming traditional for these events. A successful Bob Graham Round depends on the detail and the support team had every aspect sussed.100% success this year; well done Dallam!
I have left my thanks for Karen, Rufus, Olivia, Dawn, Duncan and John H until last. I could not have wished for a more slick support team at the crossings than them. They had anticipated my every need and all those who had supported me on the fells. Heating stew, making brews, frying beacon and dealing with my feet all on about one hour sleep! You are all absolute stars.