C A Design Services - Trailwalker 2007

A message from Steve

2007-07-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

Just a very brief note to let you know we completed the Trailwalker event at around 08.40 a.m. on Sunday morning in a time of 24 hours and 46 minutes. And in fact we probably did around 63.5 miles (instead of the specified 62.5) due to a slight navigational 'issue' which occurred between 3 and 4 in the morning.

Weather was far too warm on Saturday, and we started the last stages at 7 a.m. Sunday morning with a brilliant thunder and lightening rain storm. This just about matched the entire spectrum of our emotions as we progressed through the day.

The final 250 metres as we approached the finish line were remarkable, not only for the significant increase in speed we were able to achieve which hadn't been physically possible during any of the previous ten miles! We were piped in by Gurkha bagpipers, to rapturous applause from our support team and other spectators, to be presented with our medals etc - a very special moment, and one we won't forget for a long time.

All in all - very happy, and extremely proud of the team effort. Thanks for your support - it is a good cause, and your donations were very hard-earned I can assure you...!

A big THANK YOU to our Sponsors

Whilst we had great fun with the whole event, the real purpose was always to raise money for Oxfam, and for this we need to thank the generous support of all our sponsors. Key corporate sponsors were Gardline Shipping Limited, our parent company, but we also received excellent support from other local companies - Lankelma, Norwich Audi and Slimdril International. Thanks also to the very many friends and family members who provided equipment, time, and expertise as well as cash support to make this our most successful charity event to date. We think we will have raised well in excess of £3,000, but will make a final report once all has been collected and counted.

Are we in for next year ? No, probably not, but thanks for asking.....

Cheers.
Steve

Ready to Go

2007-07-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

The whole Trailwalker team ready to set off from C A Design Services office in Great Yarmouth to the South coast.

Happy Campers

2007-07-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

Our team setting up camp.

mmm beer

2007-07-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

The CADS team relaxing with a beer Friday evening.

BBQ time

2007-07-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

The Gurkha's kindly laying on a BBQ for all the trailwalkers and support crews.

Gurkha band

2007-07-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Gurkha band treats everyone to a little evening entertainment on the Friday night

Breakfast in Camp

2007-07-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

Camp breakfast

Start Line

2007-07-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

....gulp!

Raring to Go

2007-07-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

The CADS Trailwalker team get ready to set off.

And they're off!

2007-07-18T06:24:00.000-07:00

8am and at the start of a very very very long walk!

Packing Up

2007-07-18T05:13:00.000-07:00

The support crew pack away the tents and camping gear

Support Crew

2007-07-18T05:10:00.000-07:00

Jo, Claire, Guy and Richard pack away some breakfast before heading to check point 1.

South Downs Way

2007-07-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

Ohhhh so that's where we are going!

A river of people

2007-07-18T05:05:00.000-07:00

At the start the paths were very crowded!

Checkpoint 1

2007-07-18T04:56:00.000-07:00

A cup of tea at Checkpoint 1 - the first stop!

This isn't like our training!

2007-07-18T04:52:00.000-07:00

Crikey! You don't get hills like that in Sunny Norfolk!!

All smiles

2007-07-18T04:48:00.000-07:00

Aaaah yes, it's all smiles near the start! :-)

The Hills Are Alive

2007-07-18T04:40:00.000-07:00

With the pound of Trailwalkers

Follow My Leader

2007-07-18T04:37:00.000-07:00

James (taking photo) leads Dave, Owain and other walkers down the trail.

Cloudy skies

2007-07-18T04:34:00.000-07:00

The skies threaten rain between Checkpoints 1 and 2.

Getting zapped

2007-07-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

Getting wristbands zapped by the Gurkhas at Checkpoint 2.

Fry Up

2007-07-18T04:28:00.000-07:00

Guy busily fries bacon ready for the rolls, and wonders if he can eat a bit on the sly while Jo isn't looking...

Mmm bacon rolls

2007-07-18T04:25:00.000-07:00

Dave and Owain enjoying their bacon rolls at Checkpoint 2....mmmmm

Leaving Checkpoint 2

2007-07-18T04:22:00.001-07:00

Setting off on route 2

Nearly out of the Woods

2007-07-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

The trailwalker teams make their way through woodlands

At The Gate

2007-07-18T04:13:00.000-07:00

Nearly at checkpoint 3

Sunshine

2007-07-18T04:08:00.000-07:00

Support crew member Guy enjoying the sunshine at checkpoint 3

Almost single file

2007-07-18T04:05:00.000-07:00

Walking from checkpoint 3 to 4 with many other trailwalkers

Gurkha

2007-07-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

A member of the Gurkhas keeps a watchful eye over everybody and is on hand to help out.

Check Point 4

2007-07-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

A cup of tea in a barren field at Check Point 4.

Feeling the Heat

2007-07-18T03:53:00.000-07:00

The sun and heat causing some problems for Andy and the rest of the team.

Route 4

2007-07-18T03:51:00.000-07:00

The route from Checkpoint 4 to 5.

A Breather

2007-07-18T03:48:00.000-07:00

The team stop for a break on route to checkpoint 5.

The Trailwalker Team

2007-07-18T03:36:00.000-07:00

The Trailwalker team - walkers and support crew together at Checkpoint 5. Richard is taking the photo.

Chefs

2007-07-18T03:32:00.000-07:00

Jo and Claire get ready to cook up a storm for the troops at checkpoint 5

Tea Time!

2007-07-18T03:22:00.000-07:00

Andy tends to his blisters while the rest of the crew tuck into their chicken and noodles.

Oh the Grand Old Duke of York....

2007-07-18T03:14:00.000-07:00

...he had 10,000 men, he marched them up to the top of the hill....

Poor Steve and Andy struggling up one of many hills - you can't practice hiking up hills in Norfolk!

Chocolate fix

2007-07-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

C'mon Dave - crack a smile!

Middle of Nowhere

2007-07-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

On the South Downs - very peaceful and views reaching for miles.

Sunset

2007-07-18T02:23:00.000-07:00

Between checkpoint 6 and 7 - a beautiful sunset

Thunder storms

2007-07-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

A thunder and lightning storm breaks out and drenches us!

93.6 km

2007-07-18T02:09:00.000-07:00

93.6 km point - on the final stretch....nearly there!

The Finish Line

2007-07-18T01:56:00.000-07:00

It was a very emotional moment crossing the finish line, with the Gurkha's playing their bagpipes and the crowd and our support crew cheering us. After 62.5 gruelling miles (actually more like 63.5 due to slight navigation probs between 3 and 4 am!) and 24 hours and 46 minutes - we made it! http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/events/trailwalker/index.htm

Medal time

2007-07-18T01:51:00.000-07:00

Proudly displaying our medals