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…And so it was that
once again the Stackpole quarry saw a gathering of intrepid
walkers; memories of last year’s unremitting and torrential
rain uncomfortably fresh in our minds!
Once again there was a
merry slurping of tea and coffee, a chattering hum, a
signing of forms, a greeting of old friends and a smiling to
new faces. The passing of years has seen the slow appearance
of wrinkles and walking sticks, and a reduction of mileage
but not of enthusiasm, and the day saw the biggest turn out
yet. The rough kitchen saw much chopping of fruit and slow
stirring of a vast cauldron heaving with paneer and fragrant
spices. While outside there was much looking skywards. The
promise of heavy downpours across Wales had prompted much
scurrying to check out last minute weather forecasts. But as
it turned out, the words “waterproof mascara” had flitted
needlessly through my mind- it would be a temperate day.
Shiny faced Community
members bustled, enthused and clicked cameras. By the time
we arrived (late) 3 minibuses were poised for the off;
brimming like jars of pickled onions full of eager smiling
faces steaming up the windows. Just enough time for two
walkers clutching very large banana costumes, to leap from
our car to a waiting 4 wheel drive, and the convoy of 10
milers pulled away to cheers and applause… I have imagined
that a little later, on a weather-beaten car park by the
huge sea-hewn arch that is the Green Bridge of Wales, some
tourist must, inevitably, have caught in the corner of a
photo, a glimpse of two bananas emerging from a vehicle and
marching valiantly into the wind!
At the quarry, 7 and 3
milers scuttled a little longer to and from assembled cars
for sunscreen, chocolate, jumpers, changes of footwear and a
final chance to offload excess nonsense in favour of lighter
pockets! Then group by group, fuelled by warmth and
camaraderie, the remaining walkers rumbled away to their
respective starting points.
Because once, a great
holy man had watched in sadness, as a man died in hospital
in fear and loneliness. And he became adamant that a place
should exist to support people in dignity in their final
days and weeks. A place defined by the immense love and
dedication that he exemplified in life. Another year,
another walk, another step closer to realising that vision.
The sometimes
glittering, sometimes hazy ocean to our right, we strode
over undulating ground, across broad headlands of red sand
and close growing grass. Dropped onto exquisite beaches of
dunes and majestic rocks rising from a sea of many blues. We
trudged through thick soft sand, and populations of pink sun
worshipers exposing maximum skin to sun in desperate quest
for a Bank Holiday tan! Light wind played on our faces and a
smudge of sleeping fog stretched across the horizon. We
bounced over springy turf, peppered with orchids and faces
of pink and yellow flowers. Bright canoes lay suspended in
the glimmering distance and my walking companion told me,
smiling, how “Right there”, she and her dad had been
surrounded by dolphins the year before.
We wove through tunnels
of leaves, around huge lily ponds of green and black,
gleaming swans drifting on their surface. We crossed wooden
bridges, looking down upon fish and weed. Breathed salt air
and stepped gingerly past ropes that carved grooves in the
earth and dangled climbers far below. We passed people and
smiles and questions: “Why are you all wearing daisies?”
(They were sunflowers actually!) And my absolute favourite:
“Mummy…why’s that lady dressed as a banana?” to which the
answer was heard “Maybe she likes bananas!” We panted up
steep hills held together by toughened grasses that fight
the wind and rain and cut your hand if you grab them. And
slowly down to the tiny inlet of Stackpole quay; with its
boulders and chunky stone jetty, and to base camp where the
flags, marquee and great food of any Skanda Vale event
awaited the gradual, tired trickle of fellow walkers with
whom to rest and talk and share the closing credits of the
day… A good day...you should come along next year!
Click through the pictures and if you feel inspired you can
still support some of the walkers. Go to:
www.justgiving.com/skandavale/raisemoney |
