January 2nd
Of course it was sunny, the sungod had organised the event, so there had been no doubt. Our first event of the year was supported by no less than no Cubs at all. If you discount Akela's family, close and extended there were only three non-family walkers, plus dogs. There were however three ex-Cubs, three Leaders and enough people to make it interesting.
We walked the usual route from the Scutt past Horse World cross-country to Queen Charlton, the mud was much less than in previous years but there was a lot more horses in the fields with their waste sprinkled all around. Past the golf club and a slight delay while we searched for any errant golf balls.
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Queen Charlton still doesn't have a pub (an observation that has been made annually since we started the tradition of this walk. There was some discussion as to which route we should take the quick and easy or the longer more taxing. The youngsters were outvoted and we started to walk the long loop, down the valley to the halfway point at the footbridge that has seen some foot-out-of-boot experiences. This year we were not disappointed, one of the last walkers to try getting up the steep, muddy bank managed to do the double and have a feet-out-of-boots experience, luckily not at the same time. One boot was rescued swiftly but the other was more stubborn. It had been driven deep into the mud while extricating the first, while all the gentlemen stood around taking photos and offering verbal encouragement, Akela leapt to the rescue. After explaining how he heated up pasties he managed to pull the boot from the mud, King Arthur would have been proud!
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The long slog up the priest road was easier than in previous years as it seems to have been re-graded. The group had spread out by the time we returned to Queen Charlton and after a short break we continued homeward. There was no more excitement and while most people went home for a rest, the male Leaders popped into the Harvester for a quick pint to replace lost fluids.
Although the sun had shone it had been cold due to a strong wind, everybody that walked expressed their satisfaction at having done it, now all we have to do is find the other alliterative titles that Kim suggested before we do this again next January.