Whither the next TGO?

Various people have chivied me about doing the next TGO*.  At the moment I don’t think  my knee could handle the rough stuff, but I have an idea.

In 1969 Donald Crowhurst entered The Sunday Times non-stop sailing race round the globe. For complex psychological reasons Crowhurst holed up on a remote part of the South American coast and wrote a log indicating his progress in the race with the intention of rejoining when the fleet returned to the Atlantic and then going for victory. Unfortunately Crowhurst went off the rails literally and mentally before the finish of the race, and as far as we know walked off his boat in mid Atlantic, and was presumed missing. His boat was found drifting with Crowhurst’s logs on board. It was only after careful scrutiny by Sir Francis Chichester that the deception was discovered. Crowhurst’s logs and transmissions had been a masterpiece of fabrication.  A well researched and authoritative book** which I read many years ago tells the story in minute detail, and it has always stayed powerfully in my mind.

Well, why not do a Crowhurst on the TGO? One could flit from place to place by car, take a few photos, and even meet others as you pretended to head off for a multi Munro epic in a different direction, and then mysteriously appear at the finishing post with all your tales of derring do.

Of course I jest. There is nothing further from my nature. When I say I am going to do something I am almost paranoid about carrying it out, and if I have a problem I will desperately want to admit to it and tell the world, even if this is self deprecating.

I recommend the book as a fascinating read, even though it is harrowing, and may, as with me, leave you with a lasting and haunting impression. 

* For the few who don’t know the TGO is an annual walk across Scotland, taking about two weeks. Entrants specify their own route between a number of starting and finishing points on each coast. Entries are limited to about 300. This is a tough undertaking, but it is not a race, more a strenuous social event as you bump into other entrants along the way.

** The Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst: Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall

For my Scotland traversing masochist readers

For you Challengers I hope the event fulfils your expectations and that you will all have memorable tales to tell.

The TGO* is for Tough Geezers (or Girls) Only, maybe surviving on Tinned Goods Only, so that let's me out, regrettably on the first count, and thankfully on the second.

I  still find rewarding little walks within a few miles from home that are new to me, even though I have lived here for over twelve years. Here are some pics from today's effort just to keep you calm before you face the grown up stuff in Scotland. St Sunday's Beck was the main attraction starting from Halfpenny, just off the A65 between Crooklands and Kendal.

I saw my first swallows, and also pondered on the nature of solitude. Noticeable silence and peace prevailed throughout this walk, but more than that it was of a friendly nature, whereas there are times when it can be uncomfortable or even menacing. This walk was all unhurried pleasure.

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As a Frenchman called out to me from his car window as I was sweating up a steep hill, "Courage!"

Saint Sunday's Beck

Wood anemones carpeting a bit of proper old woodland

Cemellia and a splendid Spring garden

If you peruse the map the walk ends at a stream with no indication
that the footpath goes across. I risked the possibility of having to
wade, but when I arrived there was the bridge and the car waiting
thirty yards up the banking on the right

*TGO = The Great Outdoors Challenge. An annual multi day backpacking trek (not a race) across Scotland organised by the TGO magazine. Entrants are limited in number and have several starting points on the west coast. and set their own routes to arrive at designated finishing points on the east coast.