Well, we’ve had another successful week on our virtual trails. Collectively we’ve accumulated over 2,200km already this month with still 12 days to go. Many prizes were also won this week.
Was it you? Read the recap to find out. One team has completed the challenge and another team is on the heals of completion. WE CAN DO THIS!
As a reminder, anyone who reported late will have their distance added to next week’s tally. It’ll be counted but just not in this week’s report.
The Nile teams
After the desert stretches, the first major city the teams have passed is Sohag. It’s got a variety of restaurants to choose from and it’s also a Christian city. It’s a Long team, decided it was a great place to rest up for the journey to Abydos and possibly Uxor next week. Andy found a good book and Ian managed to find a pyramid shaped chocolate box as part of the souvenir shopping.
The Dream Team had further sights. They carried on to Abydos, one of the oldest cities in Ancient Egypt. It’s a sacred city and one of the most important sites in ancient Egypt. There is so much to see here that the team has found a lovely inn to spend the night. The city dates back to 3300 BC. It was a royal burial ground for Egypt’s first pharaohs. With its inscriptions and funeral monuments, it has contributed a lot to the current understanding of ancient Egypt’s linguistic development, architecture and state. Both teams are on target to reach Aswan by January 31.
The Pennine Way Teams
It’s been another great week for those on the Pennine way although rain mixed with snow is the weather of the day out in the open moors of this northern path.
The Hobblers and FOMO are strolling along and enjoying the sights. Some of the moorland can be bleak. However, both have now been to the highest pub in England – at the Tan Hill Inn. They tell us the beer is good – great after so many kilometers of walking. The roaring fire and tasty food was a welcome treat. The Hobblers (Stephanie, Karla, Venice, Michelle) have just left the town all with English breakfast tea treat bags that they found at the inn. FOMO is nearing Middleton-in-Teesdale, where there are shops, B&Bs and services.
Solo Man has reached Hadrian’s Wall. As mentioned last week, this epic world heritage site is truly worth seeing.
The other 3 teams have all made their way through past the highest peak of the trail and through Bellingham. It borders the Northumberland National Park and is a historic market town. Jackie and Jill were last to throw some snow balls on Cross Fell and found the snow balls treasure (treat bags). Shawn and Kari both found books hidden enroute. Joyce found a British Isles tea treat bag while Georgia scooped up the Scottish breakfast tea at the border of Scotland.
The Shining STARRs completed the Pennine Way and flew back to Vancouver Island. Tackling the full West Coast Trail, and landing in Port Renfrew. They are done! Every Day I’m Shuffling also crossed the Atlantic and over to the Pacific. They are more than half way along the West Coast Trail.
Where we are as of January 19:
Pennine Way + West Coast Trail (506km)
Solo Man – (Danny) – 325k, Hadrian’s Wall
Shining STARRs – (Joyce, Georgia, Joldine, Leslie Ann) – 514km, complete
Every Day I’m Shuffling (Jill, Robin, Jackie, Rick) – 479k, Pennine Way complete, more than half way along the West Coast Trail
Quick Quack (Maggie, Kari, Kayla, Shawn) – 372.5k, half way between Byrness and Windy Gyle
Pennine Way (431km)
FOMO (Ken, Liz, Vanessa) – 208k, 7km to Middleton in Teesdale
The Hobblers (Stephanie, Karla, Venice, Michelle) – 191k, just past Tan Hill enroute to Middleton in Teesdale
Nile (821km)
It’s a Long Way to Aswan, Damn (Andy, Ian, Dave D, Bri) – 459k, Sohag
Dream Team – (Sarah, Tory, Barbara) – 509k, Abydos