Up North

After our 72 cache-fest back in March, during the debrief, we agreed that it hadn't been to bad and that one hundred caches in a day, on foot, was do-able.

The UK Mega series was chosen in March ahead of the Blackburn Letterboxes which was our next objective. Our researcher (Stokesy) got to work and found us a route which would give us that elusive ton. Word went out of the impending expedition and, with a week to go, we had nine members (and one in support!)

05.15hrs (yes, that's in the a.m.) I received a call informing me that Stokesy was on his way. I was picked up, bleary eyed, and we were away heading north. One good thing about being up so, so early is that the M6 is almost empty and we made good time arriving at our rendezvous just before seven thirty. Obviously, Graham was already there!

We said our welcomes and kitted up, before setting off for them thar hills. The weather looked very promising, so much so that many elected to leave heavy waterproofs behind (a decision we did NOT regret.) The terrain was gentle and we soon started bumping up our tally. We did waste a little time on a couple of DNFs, but were on target. We were having such a good time that wwe hardly noticed as the terrain changed and were acsended onto the moors for some cracking views.

As the day wore on, and the numbers increased, it became apparent that we may have bitten off too much and with aching limbs we decided to call it a day at eighty four. Some were a little disappointed at not reaching our goal but, hey, 84 caches in a day is not bad going.

Although, we did not achieve the hundred (this time) we all had a great day out in great company. All achived new PBs (I know it's not about the numbers) and at least one member is chomping at the bit for another attempt at the ton.