|
When they are on board one of PNTL’s purpose-built nuclear carriers, Peter Bell, Alistair (Wilbur) Wilson, Rob Newsham, Peter Hyde, Dave Smith, Simon Jones, Will Scott, and Shaun Penn complete forty miles in around three hours without breaking a sweat.
On 10 May, 2008 the group of marine engineers tackled the hills of England’s Lake District, the picturesque part of the country that is also home to PNTL, relying on foot power instead of the ships’ 1,900 horsepower diesel engines.
The day started at 4am with a team meeting in Barrow, followed by a car journey to the official starting point, located just south of the town of Keswick. There, the adventurers were met by Ann Bell and Ingrid Smith, their support team, who provided them with bacon and egg sandwiches.
The weather was perfect for walking, with the morning mist rising off the waters of Thirlmere. After a long climb up Dunmail Rise, they dropped into Grasmere, the weather began to get warm and the first blisters started to appear.
Rejuvenated with drinks, high energy food and lots of encouragement from Ann and Ingrid, the team stayed together on the next stage of the walk, along Lake Coniston, which they all agreed must be the longest lake in the world!
At the half-way point, the event organisers provided warm food and medical assistance. Blisters were dressed, muscles were stretched and the walk was resumed.
Legend had it that the next rest area, at Lowick, was where many walkers gave up. It was a lovely spring afternoon, the Red Lion pub beckoned and blisters had finally burst.
Ignoring the Siren voices and fortified by extra encouragement from their support team, the group endured the long climb to the high point of Kirkby Moor before heading downhill to Barrow.
As they walked along the more familiar roads of their home town, they were met by friends and colleagues. Jackie Finch from James Fishers gave them a big cheer and Steve Burden supplied some isotonic drinks when they passed his house and joined them for the final stage of the walk.
The engineers strode across the finish line together at what they say is a PNTL record of 14 hours 35 minutes, just 7 hours behind the first finisher.
Tired, but proud of their achievement, the group said: “We would like to thank everyone who sponsored us and a special thank you to Ann and Ingrid, our support team. Their day was as equally as long as ours and without their support and encouragement we wouldn’t have been able to complete the walk.”
By successfully tackling the forty miles, the group raised over £3,000.00 for charity.
June 2008
|
