We walked thirteen miles today up and down the canal from Huddersfield to Marsden and back again. Thirteen miles! And it was extremely hot - around 23°C (that’s 74°F for people who can’t understand proper temperatures yet). I was sweating so much I would have been drier if it had been raining.
But as well as seeing a dying fish we saw a leech, a horsedrawn canal barge, and recieved an informative lecture on fresh water clams from a man in a red neckerchief. And to top it all we had a rather pleasant day too.
What’s more I’m starting to have more faith that I’m going to manage the Dales Walk after all. Sure I’ve a few aches and pains, and undoubtedly these will be even more prominent tomorrow. But the thirteen miles went pretty quickly and at no point did I feel like I was struggling.
Mind you, I’ve got vague ideas about climbing Mount Snowdon at some point this week, so I am prepared to have all my illusions about my hiking prowess cruelly shattered.
There’s something really sad about that poor wee fish.
Love the way you mention the heat and there’s one guy in a bloody heavy hoodie…
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..Better than Christmas View all comments by Xbox4NappyRash
I was just about to say… you guy might want to consider fabrics that wick for your long walks. At least keep you cool and dry. And reduce chaffing… ;)
Nat’s last blog post..Here’s to you… View all comments by Nat
Were you next to the chemical plant in Slaithwaite by any chance?
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After that walk, I’d think you were all contemplating it for dinner.
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Xbox already mentioned this but Wow, a hoodie?! I can’t believe you walked 13 miles in that sun. I barely walked 13 feet to and from my sister’s fridge for more wine ;o)
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13 miles with this weather..that sure was a good practice session for the Dales walk.
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3 guys:
“I say 75 miles.”
“No way, I give him 50.”
“Dude - $100 says he won’t make 35.”
Dan:
“What are you guys talking about?”
3 guys:
“Just discussing how long it takes until you look like this.”
I kid!… I kid because I love!
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Hmmm, what a lovely dead fish. And I would have loved to have seen the horse drawn canal barge and had a lecture on clams from a neckerchiefed man. Sounds riveting. ;)
Well done though, and you all kept your shirts on. I thought all British blokes whipped off their shirts at the slightest hint of sunshine. Or is that just where I live??
Jo Beaufoix’s last blog post..What makes you a jerk? View all comments by Jo Beaufoix
23c is hot!?! I would like to invite you to our fair city in mid-July so you may experience 43c.
Either way, don’t forget to drink plenty of water :)
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The real question is how do you feel today?
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That’s a very dead fish. The glass half-full would be that it must have been alive for a period of time in that canal to have got that far. I also remember climbing Mount Snowdon when I was 18 and it was covered in clouds - which route where you thinking of? And a hooded top may well come in useful. Or am I getting mixed up with K2? View all comments by (un)relaxeddad
Xbox - Yeah, he claims that it was because he forgot to pack anything else when he came up, but i think it’s just because he’s some sort of juvenile delinquent.
Nat - Anything that reduces chaffing can only be a good thing.
Sam - You of all people should know that the fact that there were freshwater clams in the canal shows it is pollution free. Hurrah!
Avitable - We worked out we could have had that fish, the clams, and some wild onion that we discovered on the way. We’d have had to have eaten it all raw of course.
Penelope - The sad truth is that Sandip, the guy in the hoodie, only walked half of the way. He said he had to “go to a meeting”. Yeah ok Sandip, we believe you.
Arjan - We’re all hoping it won’t be quite as warm when we do the walk itself. But it probably bloody will be.
Jeff - $100? We use real money over here matey.
Jo - Trust me, you don’t want to see me without my shirt on.
Jason - To be fair, you do live in the middle of a desert.
Whit - I feel surprisingly ok actually. Not an ache anywhere.
(un)relaxeddad - Actually it wasn’t dead, just very unwell. It was floating on the surface and swimming round in circles. Using my expert knowledge gleaned by once owning a goldfish I diagnose a problem with it’s swim bladder. View all comments by Dan
Delinquent, brilliant.
He’ll be half way through the dales walk and get slapped with an ASBO.
(I’m not explaining that for the yanks)
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..Champagne & pizza View all comments by Xbox4NappyRash
I had to go with miles and dollars for my comment… it would have been entirely too much work to actually look up the proper kilometers and pounds.
Jeff’s last blog post..Mr. Know-It-All View all comments by Jeff
I spotted the hoodie too! Poor fish.
What about the midgies? I get bitten to death when out with the dogs.
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74 DEGREES??? Pussy.
In one month, it will be 101 here.
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