It’s day two and I’ve popped back into HQ. Everything felt calm and organised, the first finisher was a few hours away, but there were retirees starting to return back.
I was pleased to be the first taste tester of the bean stew that is one of the options for finishers. I decided to have two portions to properly test it and it was suitably delicious. There was also the option of scrambled egg with bacon, along with fruit salad and numerous other options for those who fancied something different. Walkers on LDWA events don’t go hungry.
Elaine and Andy, both didn’t make the full distance this year but they were very brave.
And Madeleine was back as well, she also didn’t quite do the distance. With that, it was time for me to tour a couple more checkpoints.
Simon and I arrived at Cowden Memorial Hall, which is the fourth checkpoint.
Simon would make a great Deliveroo driver.
And the walkers discovered that this was also where the kit check was taking place.
Jane passed the kit check I’m pleased to say.
The Norfolk & Suffolk group were pleased with their McDonald’s, which was a great relief to the Deliveroo driver.
Feet were getting sore for many walkers now, the wet conditions hadn’t helped arrangements.
And Madeleine came in like a gazelle.
The kit check works by the entrants turning over a random card and then having to produce the item listed to prove that they’re carrying it. Madeleine had to prove that she was carrying a whistle and I’m pleased to say that she was easily able to do so.
And that was that for me for a few checkpoints, I was returning to Chatham to then start visiting more checkpoints and HQ if possible.
Some of the Norfolk & Suffolk brigade wanted McDonald’s at checkpoint 4. Simon and I didn’t complain, we went to go and reccy an outlet for them. But we don’t expect praise for our efforts, it’s just something that we felt we had to do to be supportive to the event. And photos of them eating theirs at checkpoint 4 are coming up just to show that our hard work wasn’t in vain.
The second checkpoint had been at Ightham Village Hall and Simon and I did wait outside to briefly wait for some of the Norfolk & Suffolk entrants, but we then made progress towards the third checkpoint at Weald Memorial Hall.
This was marshalled by Thames Valley LDWA and friends.
We could see entrants into this checkpoint from the window, which was handy advance notice and here’s Yvonne and Roger striding towards the hall. We had missed David Morgan, he had already long gone. He’s really very fast.
The hall and the friendly volunteers, with a couple of helpful members of the media team who are doing video footage for Instagram.
Simon getting some shelter under Chelle’s brolly. Chelle seems to have everything in her bag, it seems like a treasure trove of handy items, but she’s not new to this long distance walking game.
Chelle in her Tigger costume….
Jane had shelter too.
And Hilary was prepared too.
Andy looked wetter than at the previous checkpoint. But, like me, he’s one of those very brave walkers who doesn’t complain.
And Madeleine, the national LDWA chair, looking positive and upbeat. But I would expect nothing less.
The rain had only really just started at this time and it did get quite heavy. It was a little sub-optimal as the rainfall was quite hard and it’s hard to keep everything dry when it’s constant, it’s easier to get more frequent and lighter showers which gives chance for things to dry off a little. The weather was going to remain rainy until the next checkpoint at Cowden Memorial Hall, but the temperature was moderate and cool, so that seemed pleasant for the walkers. The terrain was also quite dry underfoot at this stage, with the hills not being too onerous by this point.
The Dorset and friends volunteers at the first checkpoint. I’d add that I’m only visiting select checkpoints on the route, which is more to do with the limitations of getting there rather than a lack of aspiration to visit them all.
Anne and Vaughan were two of the first in, with Anne being the 100s officer so there’s not much that she doesn’t know about this event.
The formidable David Morgan, who I am sure is getting taller every year.
Roger and Yvonne, the first two entrants in from Norfolk & Suffolk.
Andy Todd, looking calm and confident.
Despite his war wound…..
Some of the Norfolk & Suffolk entries in there, including Jane, Jayne and Hilary.
Chelle and Michael then swept in, completing the Norfolk & Suffolk entrants.
The weather at this stage was very warm, it would have been too hot for me, but I complain about the heat a lot. There wasn’t much shade along parts of the route and those without hats were starting to suffer from sunburn already. It’s a challenge when the first ten mile section is hot, it might feel reasonably pleasant but it can lead to excessive sweating and it is quite exhausting. But entries on the 100 have all completed a 50 mile event and have lots of experience, so confidence remained high.
Simon and Bailey, both supporting the Norfolk and Suffolk contingent.
Peter and Steph, the main event organiser and the marshal walk organiser.
The walkers are lined up and ready to go.
There’s always some nervousness amidst the excitement, but the fifty or so walkers all looked fairly confident to me. The sun was shining and at 10:00, it was time for everyone to set off. They have 48 hours to walk the 100 miles and their first checkpoint will be at Addington Village Hall, which is around ten miles into the event.
I rounded up the Norfolk and Suffolk LDWA contingent for a group photo before the start of the big walk. I had to use AI to edit this as someone was unhappy with how they looked…. But I was very helpful and obliged.
Peter Jull, the organiser of the whole event, looking really rather calm and cool at HQ. And, if technology works, there should be a short video of him below.
It’s not called the Hunnypot 100 for no reason….. And entrants will get to go over Poohsticks Bridge which is the original wooden bridge in Ashdown Forest in East Sussex which is where the game of Poohsticks was invented.
I’m safely at Meopham and this is where the marshal event is taking place this weekend for the LDWA 100.
It feels a bit hot to me, but I’m seemingly always too hot. I rushed to get the train in Chatham to get here and I didn’t need to rush, I just realised that I could get an earlier one. Anyway, this 100 is the work of the Kent group of the LDWA.
I would say that it is the calm before the storm, but it’s all too controlled for there to be a storm. Anyway, this is Meopham scout HQ, which isn’t where the main event will be starting from. It’s all happening now as they say, well, as Alan Partridge says… There’s a strong contingent from Norfolk & Suffolk LDWA which is rather lovely.
