Giza, Egypt
We had a short week. Just 5 days into our January challenge and the Christmas calories are getting burned off. We had most participants submit but if you are someone, who didn’t, don’t worry. You can submit January 1-5 now and it will get added on next week. This short week we clocked 784km of mileage. What a great way to start the challenge.
The Nile teams
We had two teams start their challenge in Cairo, Egypt. This country is full of ancient history and the challenge will be for the teams not to linger to long in the tombs and monuments along the way. Everyone was eager to get going as they seem to be a competitive bunch. Much to everyone’s delight the fist few days were filled with magic moments.
Just days into the challenge, all teams passed the famous pyramid of Giza – the largest and most famous just outside Cairo. Not far along the course, they also viewed the alabaster Sphinx of Memphis – one of the largest monuments made from Egyptian Alabaster. Did you know that Sphinxes were used to guard sacred places? Then by 40km, they visited the Dahshur Pyramids where they were allowed to explore inside them. But try as they might, they found no hidden treasures in any of the ancient structures.
The Dream team’s, Sarah, pushed on ahead and was the first one to reach Fayoum. Fayoum is one of the biggest Egyptian governorates in herbs, medicinal and aromatic plants production and exporting and the teams. Did you know that Egypt has a solid foot in the medicinal herb market? They produce licorice, chamomile, mint, spearmint, and hibiscus to name a few. Sarah’s diversion was worth the detour as she was the first person to find hidden treasure at one of the farms – a chamomile herbal tea & treat bag. Dave D from It’s a Long Way to Aswan, Damn team, was not far behind Sarah and visited another herbal farm. He found a similar treat bag but with Egyptian licorice tea.
It's A Long Way.. team ended the week in Nazlet El-Zawya, a spot with vacation rentals and places to eat, while the Dream Team are staying in a tiny place called Ad Dawaltah. It appears that Barb got lost in one of the tombs and couldn’t report. We’ll find her this week.
The Pennine Way teams
We have 4 teams, one solo and one team in progress starting the Pennine Way this week – the UK’s first and toughest national trail. Everyone started at Edale in the Peak District and will make their way north to the Scottish border. All teams have made their way up Jacob’s Ladder – a set of stone cut steps ascending Kinder Peak. The first section of the trail is the second longest ascent and all teams have had a tough first few days. Danny was the first to the ladder and found the first English treat bag there. One highlights this week after lots of hills, was the market town of Hebden Bridge in west Yorkshire. It’s a bohemian town with lots of artists, galleries and shops. Rick decided it was high time for a break. He found himself at the Blue Teapot and found an English breakfast tea treat bag there.
Not to be outdone, Georgia, plowed through the region, landing in Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a small village with shops, places to eat and the Blue Bell Inn dating back to 1680. It was at this inn that Georgia scooped up the last hidden prize for the week – a box of Yorkshire tea.
Any readers might be interested to know that several of the teams passed through Bronte country, home of the famous classic authors Emily, Anne and Charlotte.
Where we are as of January 5
Pennine Way
Solo Man – (Danny) – 75k, past Calder Way, and en route to Ickhornshaw
Shining STARRs – (Joyce, Georgia, Joldine, Leslie Ann) - 141.7km, just past Horton in Rabblesdale
Quick Quack (Maggie, Kari, Kayla, Shawn) - - 137.1km, 1km to Horton in Rabblesdale
Every Day I’m Shuffling (Jill, Robin, Jackie, Rick) – 107.1km, en route to Malham
Team 1 (Stephanie, Karla, Venice, Michelle) – no cell signal, travel. illness, most will report next week - 19.3k – 5km to Crowden
New team in progress (Ken, Liz and possibly Vanessa) – 44k, Standege
Nile
It’s a Long Way to Aswan, Damn (Andy, Ian, Dave D, Bri) 142.9km
Dream Team – (Sarah, Tory, Barbara) – 117km
