WAY, way back at the start of 2022 I thought seeing as I was still - post-Covid - working mainly from home and had got into the habit of walking every day I might as well set myself a target.
I’m not a maths natural, so I thought 1,000 miles would be a good challenge. Rubbish I was told, double it; then someone else suggested I should make it 2,022 miles walked in 2022.
Excellent idea I thought. I called my challenge #Hermes2022, because I intended to reward myself at the end of it all with a massively expensive and luxurious Hermes silk scarf.
But then people kept asking me which charity I was walking for. So, I decided to ditch the idea of the scarf and do it for the Alzheimer’s Society, because my mum had just died from the horrible disease. I also went for the Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) , because I am always writing about them rescuing people and animals and they do what they do without any government funding, so they need all the help they can get.
Its not been easy, I’ve walked the equivalent of Skipton to Athens. I’ve needed to walk around five miles each and every day, and if I’ve missed a day, or three days, as when I had Covid back in November, it’s taken some catching up.
When the days have been at their shortest, I’ve done a couple of miles on a mini-stepper in front of the telly; not the most interesting, but needs must.
Invited to a wedding, I walked four miles to the reception instead of getting a taxi and I’ve walked into Skipton the 12 miles from home and back more times than I care to remember. I even walked 13 miles on Christmas Day and I’ve not drunk alcohol all year, because I didn’t trust myself to walk with a hangover.
I walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks once, in a not too shabby time of just under 11 hours, and the Wharfedale Two Peaks twice, the second time because I got lost the first time and missed out Great Whernside entirely.
A couple of trips to the Scottish Highlands meant two days wiped out through travelling, but walking in Scotland along beaches and higher mountains that I was used to made up for it. I also saw a white tailed eagle (amazing); loads of seals and some very fine red deer.
On a favourite 10 mile or so walk from Long Preston around Christmas, it was good to see that as per every year, a solitary Christmas tree on the moor had been festively decorated.
I’ve got through one pair of walking shoes and one pair of boots, but mercifully suffered no blisters. And armed with my Ordnance Survey app, I’ve discovered some new paths, although not in Scotland where the right to roam seems to have replaced rights of way.
I completed the 2,022 miles with a couple of days to spare, and to celebrate spent New Year’s Eve on a favourite walk in the Dales.
I’m very grateful to all those who encouraged me along the way by donating to the three charities; there is still time to donate at:
Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lesley-tate2?newPage=True
Cave Rescue Organisation: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lesley-tate3
Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lesley-tate1
So, as for 2023; I have thought walking 2260 miles, seeing as I shall be 60 later this year; but that would mean an average of around six miles a day.
Something of a curiosity, 50 years ago, the first Craven Herald of 1973 reported on a niece of Hollywood actor Kirk ‘Spartacus’ Douglas and her stay in Settle.
Barbara Becker and a friend, Rick Markson, a student at Edinburgh University, had spent Christmas in Langcliffe, guests of Tom Lord, also a student at Edinburgh University. The Herald reported that the pair had hitch-hiked to Craven.
Playing in the cinemas for the new year was Joe Kidd, staring Clint Eastwood at The Plaza, Skipton; and the x-rated Here Come the Fuzz at the Skipton Regal. Over in Gargrave Village Hall, the Coniston Cold Young Farmers Club was preparing for its annual ball featuring the Roy Towers Band.
Ermysted’s Grammar School was performing the Terence Rattigan play ‘Ross’ and The Medici Trio was playing at Skipton Town Hall, courtesy of Skipton Music Society.
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