There was one final thing I needed to do before the expo. That was pre book the parking at the NEC.
Instead of paying on the day. Which would also involve having to queue up at the ticket machines.
You can just flash the QR code on the way out. Also more importantly you save a little money by paying in advance. It’s not an amazing amount. But better than nothing.
I also bought my three day expo pass. I don’t know why, there is no early bird advantage in doing so, unlike the parking. Why expo organisers? Why?
There is no avoiding the queues to get your ticket. You still queue in the “long” queue that those purchasing on the day do.
They won’t run out of tickets. So it’s not like the expo has limited places.
But still I bought it in advance. I just wish there was some incentive or reason to do so.
So with some final bits of car camping gear I need to get I’m just about ready for the expo.
If you’ve been following this series of posts documenting my participation in the Alzheimer’s Research UK 28 Miles In February fundraising campaign, then you will know last Tuesday Dolly and I completed the challenge.
We actually walked 29.25 miles and raised £399.
Which is an amazing amount.
The generosity of friends and family in these uncertain economic times has truly taken me aback.
I am forever truly grateful for the donations and I can’t thank them enough.
It really means a lot that I’ve been able to raise so much in Nans memory.
There will be a final post mortem post in a day or two.
I wasn’t sure whether today’s walk would be the penultimate or the final one.
All I knew was Dolly and I would be walking round Roydon Common. The exact mileage I had no idea. It would be what it was once we had finished it.
This wasn’t the first time I’d been here. Back when I was married we did a route here with the wolf pack. I can’t remember where this route was from it was either Country Walking or a book of walks in Norfolk. That was the first and only time I’ve ever seen an adder. It had been sunning itself in the middle of the path. Luckily the wolf pack walked straight past it. Didn’t even notice it was there.
After the weather the previous day I was pleasantly surprised by the blue skies and the sun being out.
It’s a thirty odd minutes drive for me to get to the official car park for Roydon Common. Luckily the traffic wasn’t too bad. We made good time to the start.
Start Point: TF 68075 22983
Distance: 6.31 miles
Total Distance: 29.25 miles
Instead of head straight onto the common itself Dolly and I went round the border of Rising Breck.
As the loop came back on itself we came across a trough full of water. I dug out Dolly’s collapsible dog bowl and scooped out some water for her. Dolly had a quick drink.
We were going to do a loop of the seasonal path. But after a short distance on the high path of the loop I saw some ponies grazing. Dolly hadn’t noticed them. I wasn’t sure how Dolly would react to the ponies so I turned back.
The plan changed to take the path crossing the common.
Looking for that path we disturbed a roe deer as we read a sign next to a possible path we could take. Sadly the path was closed due to nesting birds. Which was fair enough.
We found the path we were looking for.
Near the end of this path running the length of the common we paused for a brief liquid intake under a tree.
I’m not a fan of plain water so I mixed in some Crystal Light to turn it into squash. These are my favourite way to flavour water. I love the fact these sachets are so light, and take up no space whatsoever. I’ve used them for years.
Dolly naturally had plain ol’ vanilla water, followed by a dog treat. It was that or let her eat a mini pine cone.
Our brief rest spotVibes of boggy ScotlandIf it’s good enough for poniesZZTop inspiredGrazing ponies
After leaving Roydon Common we entered Grimston Warren nature reserve.
It was while looking at the information board I saw a path that went through a neighbouring reserve called the Tony Hallatt memorial reserve. The path connected up with one that would take us through the woods on the opposite side of the common.
So instead of doing a circuit of Grimston Warren we would walk through just a small taster of it.
As we turned off to cross the Tony Hallatt memorial reserve there were more ponies grazing to our left. But too far for Dolly to notice. But then on the path ahead of us was a pony grazing.
I was about to learn how Dolly would react to this equine obstacle.
The pony itself looked at us but did not react at all. You’d think it was almost used to walkers and their four legged companions. Dolly also hardly reacted to this new obstacle.
I don’t know where we went wrong following the path through the Tony Hallatt memorial reserve. But some how we missed the turn. Instead I ended up carrying Dolly across a very muddy, torn up by ponies crossing of a stream.
We then had to do a stretch of boggy land. That had no islands of solid ground to help you out. Followed by me having to carry Dolly over a stream. A crossing she refused to do under her own steam. So much for liking water! Eventually we made it out of the bog onto solid ground and out of this small reserve.
That bog did sap our strength a bit.
It was then I decided instead of trying to make our way to the woods we would make our way back to where we left Roydon Common. From there make our way back to the car.
I think Dolly and I were starting to feel our energy ebb.
Our walk back was pretty uneventful.
Once back at the car Dolly had a couple more dog treats before sleeping the rest of the journey home.
This was an amazing walk. We had great weather. I spotted a few likely spots that would be good wild camp spots.
Roydon Common is an amazing place. Dolly and I will definitely be back.
If you feel you are able to make a donation you can use one of the donation links below.
I’d like to say a big thank you for doing so and if you weren’t able to I’d like to thank you for reading this far and hopefully sharing the page.
Sunday or day 6 as I called it saw Dolly and me drive out to one of the last places that I used to walk the wolf pack.
Our route to the start point had us pass through a Walpole Marsh that I no longer recognise.
It is not the fenland village that I grew up knowing. The prefab village hall now a bungalow. My godparents bungalow and small holding bares no resemblance to the home I used to play in and around.
The Wheatsheath pub that my grandparents (on Dads side) no longer standing. The old chapel that was next to it that had a mysterious appeal to me as a child.
The nursery that little Nan used to work at now bungalows.
Yes this Walpole Marsh is a stranger to me.
But our starting point for the walk is by the River Nene not far out of the village.
Start Point: TF 47009 18310
Distance: 3 miles
Total Distance: 22.94 miles
This first part of the walk along the bank of the Nene is where I used to walk the wolf pack. But like the drain walks it was always a there and back again. I never did the circular walk that I ended up doing today.
I think we were walking the right direction this time into the wind at the start with it being behind us, giving us a push along on the way back.
There are stretches along the bank where it is evident that rabbits are living. Whether it is the signs of the warren, very short grass (obviously eaten by rabbits), or the tell tale droppings.
With a sub station and gas power station in the local area, plus wind turbines on the opposite side of the river it really is hard not to be near or view a power pylon.
Back in the day when I was a scout I did a charity walk from the scout hut (now knocked down and built over in the expansion of the next door pet food factory) along the bank of the Nene up to the Sir Peter Scott lighthouse, then back over the Sutton Bridge swing bridge and back to Wisbech and the scout hut on the opposite bank.
Dad joined the scout group as a volunteer. He ended up looking after the tail end Charlie’s like me.
This was a massive walk for me. The first time I had walked such a distance, over 20 miles if I remember correctly.
It was Dad that wouldn’t let me quit as my feet started to hurt. He pushed me to finish. And I’m glad I did. Who knows I may recreate that walk one day.
We got to the point of the route where we turn away from the Nene. Pass what is now a series of small ponds, and head towards what used to be the nursery at Walpole Marsh.
At the outskirts of the old nursery boundary we cut across a field using the trodden path. Luckily the mud was firm underfoot.
If you feel you are able to make a donation you can use one of the donation links below.
We then followed a farm track that ran parallel to the road through Walpole Marsh giving me and Dolly a great view of the back of the homes that make up the village.
I’ve never really seen this side of Walpole Marsh. When we walked Nan and grandads dog with them we used the main road from the pub to the nursery. But otherwise this route was similar to the one we did as a kid some fifty years ago. It was interesting seeing the gardens I have never seen before.
Our final section of the walk was on road with a side wind. Sadly this road is busier than all those decades ago. Now the road has frequent cars speeding along its uneven surface to and from the power plant.
I think Dolly was glad to finally get back to the car and out of the wind.
I’d like to say a big thank you for doing so and if you weren’t able to I’d like to thank you for reading this far and hopefully sharing the page.
This month, even taking into account it’s two or three days shorter, it’s been a poor month for gaming for me.
I think it’s fair enough to say life has thrown more than one spanner in the works this month to what feels like a gaming famine for me.
So I was pretty over the moon being able to get to last nights club night.
Before going I knew I wasn’t going to be late. After all I had work the next morning.
Yeah because of the family stuff the previous week I’ve ended up doing a seven day tour of duty at work without a day off. My next day off being this coming Tuesday.
So club night.
It ended up being five of us which meant we played Far Away.
For some reason I hadn’t noticed the copy I bought off Amazon wasn’t English! Luckily the game itself is language independent and I just needed to download and print off the English rule book off bgg.
Far Away is an interesting game. You play cards left to right in front of you over eight rounds. Then at the end of the eighth round you score your cards right to left.
Add in a drafting mechanic where the order of players drafting is based on the value of the card played. The player with the lowest value choosing first, and the highest valued card going last.
Plus if the card you play is higher than the previous card you get a sanctuary card that can help with scoring.
It is a fun game that sees you trying to draft and play cards that not only get you a sanctuary card but also give you symbols to trigger scoring.
Not many games get you to try and think like this.
Marcin won this.
Our next game was Flip 7.
This game ended the only fitting way it could with a big push your luck to get the flip 7 to win the game.
In what was the last round Colin had stuck with a score to take him over 200 points. I needed to get more than 40 points to hit 200. With a couple of plus points cards and even a second chance I had to go for the seven cards to get the bonus 15 points.
Each card flipped ramped up the pressure as I went for it. I couldn’t stick.
Luck was with me and I got the seven cards and enough points to snatch victory.
My final game of the evening was Rebel Princess.
I had a great game not taking a single point over the five rounds.
I love the changing rule each round. I do think my favourite rule card is musical chairs. “After each trick, every player passes a card face down from their hand to the player on their right, simultaneously.”
I just love the element of chaos it brings.
But being able to navigate the game to win with zero points was pretty cool.
It was great to get out and play some games. Let’s hope life decides to slow down the challenges it throws at me so I can play some games.
After a couple of days getting back in to the work routine, doing errands for mum, it’s back to clocking up some mileage with Dolly.
This time we were back to the South Holland Main Drain. But this time we were starting our walk at the end of the drain where it joins the River Nene.
Start Point: TF 47714 20193
Distance: 2.47 miles
Total Distance: 19.94 miles
At the parking spot used to be a bungalow that I believe was used by the water company for employees.
This was another walk that I did with the wolf pack back in the day.
Today’s walk down memory lane was a bit windy. Strong enough to low my tarphat off. No old man Logan look for me this walk.
There was no sign of bird life as we made our way along the lower embankment. A fact I put down to the wind.
The only life we saw was grazing sheep in a field to our right as we walked away from the car.
When we ascended on to the top of the embankment I saw no trace of the trees or remains of a bridge I would have sworn had been there.
My memory was most definitely playing tricks on me and possibly merging two similar walks together.
With the wind turbines on the opposite side it felt a little like we were in the shadow of the new fen giants that tower above the landscape.
It wasn’t until we were nearly back to the car that we heard some bird song. But that was drowned out by the roar of a jet fighter once more taking part in target practice over The Wash.
As we made our way pass the remains of the bungalow I noticed for the first time ever a door way that went down (photos above). If I had been alone I might have explored it.
Once back in the car out of the wind we headed back home. Dolly snoozing all the way back on the seat next to me.
If you feel you are able to make a donation you can use one of the donation links below.
I’d like to say a big thank you for doing so and if you weren’t able to I’d like to thank you for reading this far and hopefully sharing the page.
My initial plan was to try and find a parking spot for the walk we didn’t do yesterday. But Nathan wasn’t too keen on that idea and suggested we go to Fleet Pond.
I had planned on taking Dolly to Fleet Pond tomorrow on the way home.
So I was very happy that Nath suggested it today.
I haven’t been to Fleet Pond for fifteen years or more. The last time would have been with the wolf pack. One of my last walks here I saw my first ever kingfisher.
For the record Fleet Pond is the largest fresh water lake in Hampshire. Plus the other interesting fact is it used to provide fish for the prior at Winchester in medieval times.
This was definitely going to be a walk down memory lane.
Start Point: SU 83044 55451
Distance: 3.05 miles
Total Distance: 17.47 miles
We parked by what Kate and I used to call poo (polite name) alley.
It got this name because this spot next to where the cars are parked is where all the dogs after getting out of the car would empty themselves.
One thing I instantly noticed was the new (to me) cattle grate. There would be many more around the walk. These have appeared since my last visit as it looks like the grazing with cattle has increased.
There had been grazing before but it was far more limited. If memory doesn’t fail me there was only about three grazing spots previously.
Mysterious painted stonesLoved these “new” signs – great adviceLove the upgraded picnic benches
As you can see from above there are a few information boards around Fleet Pond. These have been added also over the years since. I think they are a great addition. Particularly the ones that encourage you to engage and “feel” nature.
The picnic benches had also been upgraded with some cool nature themed carvings, plus attachment points for dogs.
It was that picnic area end of the pond that Nathan spotted a Great Egret on the edge of reed bed of the pond. This was the first time he’d seen an egret.
Talking of wildlife Fleet Pond is alive with it. On and off the water.
On the water we saw the usual suspects of ducks, including a tufted duck, geese, and coots. Plus at least six swans.
One thing that did annoy me was a family with little kids were feeding the birds bread. I thought the advice was not to feed birds bread because it isn’t good for the birds.
In the woods, and on the upper field we saw robins, green woodpeckers, and tits.
What swans?The hobbit bridgeI need to find the photo of Nath when he was little and could fit in here.Old man Darren
To our amazement a dead tree that Nath as a very small kid was able to squeeze into was still standing (photo above).
Although we passed a lot of people not once did we feel crowded.
Walking round Fleet Pond I never knew how much I miss the place and having something so close to me like this.
It was really special returning with Nath and that he enjoyed it as much as I did.
If you feel you are able to make a donation you can use one of the donation links below.
A family emergency meant that no walking has taken place all week. Luckily I was ahead of schedule. So I had that cushion to allow me to not feel pressured that I was falling behind.
For three days mum was dog sitting whilst I was away sorting things out.
I’m back south with Dolly. “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I’m all out of bubblegum.” Or that’s the way it feels. Dolly prefers to quote the bus fight scene from Nobody, “I’m going to fuck you up”. But the sentiment is the same.
I can’t go into specifics. But biology does not make you a dad.
But this morning Nath after a failed attempt to find a walking spot I had seen on an OS Map, took Dolly and me to The Vyne.
We didn’t actually go into The Vyne and pay their parking fees.
Nath parked in a lay-by on a side road.
Our actual walk was Morgaston Wood.
Start Point: SU 62828 57390
Distance: 1.2 miles
Total Distance: 14.42 miles
Unlike the previous couple of walks this was a muddy walk. The paths here well worn and very muddy from lots of use.
What struck me early on was the lack of any bird song. It was eerily silent.
As we made our way along the well trodden paths we saw other walkers enjoying the grey overcast day in this wooded haven.
Was this the reason there were no birds? Too many humans about?
A nice feature of this ancient wood are the streams running through it. I bet on a hot summers day with the trees in all their green glory, being by one of these streams would be glorious.
It was only towards the end of the walk that I saw I think a robin, and heard any bird sounds.
At the end of the walk I did thank Nath for sharing it with Dolly and me.
I really did enjoy this return to the walking, especially being able to do it with Nath.
If you feel you are able to make a donation you can use one of the donation links below.
A reoccurring theme throughout this blog is life gets in the way of gaming.
It’s certainly why last Fridays club night has turned out to be the first gaming I have done this February.
Another reoccurring theme for club nights is how attendance has dropped from its heady heights of having double digit attendance figures.
This was even commented on by Anthony this week as Marcin, Anthony, and myself were the only ones who turned up.
Our opening game of the evening was Snowcrest.
I’m not sure how I really feel about Snowcrest.
The box art is lovely. And the animorphised characters on the cards are ok.
But it’s the theme or lack of it. Even now I couldn’t really tell you what the theme is. Was I attracting characters to my monastery or town? I really didn’t think the art or mechanics did anything to help here.
The mechanics are cool. The building a tableau to give you actions to do. The having to do a refresh once three cards in a row/column have been flipped is nice.
On your turn you do a single action. Which is very quick. You play a card, do an action on a card, or refresh. You just want to do more on your turn. I found I was getting impatient when any delay happened, wanting the others to hurry up because I knew what I wanted to do next.
There is no player interaction.
I think the jury is still out on this one.
Marcin won.
Our next game was Flip 7.
I like Flip 7 but it is not the greatest card game in the world.
This push your luck card game gave me some pontoon vibes with its stick, twist each turn.
It is a fun filler for sure.
Somehow I managed to win.
Our final game of the evening was Rebel Princess.
This really is a great trick taking game. As a three player game all the ones, elevens, and twelve cards are removed from the game.
Instead of using the recommended rules cards for first time players, we shuffled them up and chose five randomly. The difference really is those recommended cards are simpler and easier to follow. The five we had this time we really fun. One had us passing a card from our hand to a neighbour at the end of each trick. Another had us put half our hand face down only to be played after the cards left had been played.
It’s these changing rules that help keep it fresh. It will be rare that you get two games the same because of this.
I think all three of us managed to pull off the feat of getting all the princes and the frog prince to get that all important -10 points for doing so.
In the end after the five rounds Anthony had won.
The three of us had a fun evening. Plans were made for the following Friday because I will have the new Paranoia board game by them.
After two days of rest, one planned, the other forced. It was back out with Dolly.
The previous day I had told my colleagues at work I’d drop by and let them meet Dolly.
So true to my word Dolly and I were out front of my work for her to meet my colleagues. I think it’s fair to say Dolly liked the attention.
It was then onto our walk for the day Dersingham Bog.
Start Point: TF 66882 28077
Distance: 3.1 miles
Total Distance: 13.22 miles
The muntjacs
I don’t even think there is any doubt in my mind that this side of the A149 is much nicer than the royal other side.
Dersingham Bog has the remains of an ancient coastline bordering the A149 side of it. The evidence of this is the steep escapement with woodland and heath on it. Plus sandy ground.
What this means is that from either of the two car parks you drop down to get to the bog. Which is the last and largest remaining example of acid valley mire in East Anglia.
Even though it was wet with the odd very light shower the ground was still pretty firm under foot. Well when it wasn’t sandy.
I really enjoyed the woodland bits of the walk. They bought back fond memories of my walks with the wolf pack back Farnborough way. I do miss the wolf pack and those walks.
It’s a shame that this sort of walk isn’t nearer to home.
Once we were down at the edges of the bog in the distance I thought I could make out a solitary heron in one of the ponds, and a flock of white birds on another. I’m assuming geese or possibly swans due to the size and distance.
As we followed the bridle way along the edge of the bog and base of the escapement I noticed what I thought were a couple of muntjac deer feeding. Luckily Dolly didn’t see them, and they were far enough away to not have noticed us. Or thought we were not a threat.
I turned back hoping not to disturb them, heading back to the signposted walk we had been following.
Instead of following our route back to the car I followed one of the other signposted routes taking us to a boardwalk that allowed visitors to experience the bog without damaging it.
It was then a brief uphill slog (look I’ve not been up a hill in years!) to head towards the second car park. There we headed back towards our car through the trees once more.
There was evidence of bushcrafty stuff having taken place with the remains of one or two shelters next to the path.
Back at the car we didn’t hang around we headed back home.
If you feel you are able to make a donation you can use one of the donation links below.
I’d like to say a big thank you for doing so and if you weren’t able to I’d like to thank you for reading this far and hopefully sharing the page.
