© Biggleswade Sandy Lions 2011 - 2012
Jeanette Walks Everywhere!
In 2009 Jeanette walked from Sandy, Bedfordshire to Winchester Cathedral to raise money for The Alzheimer’s Society
In 2010 Jeanette was the instigator behind Biggleswade Sandy’s Hadrian’s Wall walk for the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Bedford
In May 2011 Jeanette did the St Cuthbert’s Way Walk from Melrose to Lindisfarne raising funds for the Nordoff Robbins – Music Therapy Centre.
In October 2011 Jeanette joined 22 other like minded people (aged 18 to 72) from across the UK on a flight to Casablanca, Morocco for a 6 day trek over 100km of varied and undulating terrain across the Sahara Desert.
This latest walk has raised over £2,600 in aid of the St. John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger, Bedford
Jeanette’s highlights
- The camaraderie and friendship amongst this group of erstwhile strangers, working as a team, under the leadership of a wonderful and very efficient former SAS Soldier; a knowledgeable, sensitive and caring lady doctor and a young Moroccan guide with a lovely sense of humour
- Sleeping under the stars. The clear sky and the stars at night were a wonder to behold
- Walking in to camp each evening, just in time to scramble up a dune to catch the magnificent sunset and then to sit chatting for a while before it became too cold and warmer clothes were required.
- The excitement, when at the hottest part of the fourth day they walked over a ridge and had a spectacular view of Chgaga, the largest dune in the region. Emotions ran high as the trekkers (except those who were too ill that day) walked over the rolling dunes, with boots filling with sand, before finally reaching the summit of Chgaga. In the desert, distances are extremely difficult to gauge and there is a strange feeling of timelessness.
- Elation, when they were told that they could possibly have a wash/shower on reaching the campsite at the end of Day 5. A tent was erected, and a three litre water container (each individual’s allocation) was fitted. This luxury was most welcome. For the rest of the time on the trek they had to clean themselves with wet wipes which were an essential part of their luggage.
- Seeing the mirages developing in the heat as they walked across the salt-pans. There was not a single piece of vegetation, so a tent had to be erected to provide a bit of shade at lunchtime. They were then given the opportunity to have a brief ride on a camel. Jeanette chose Anthony – a very patient camel!
- On the final day of walking, with quite a few of the walkers now somewhat the worse for wear and in need of support and encouragement they made it past the WELCOME post and crossed the FINISH line together, accompanied by the beating of drums and cheers from the Berbers and cameleers.
Interesting Facts
- The daily temperature ranged from 40°C and 5°C
- The walkers had to drink 5 litres (a sip every 10 minutes) of water each day to avoid dehydration
- The walk was well organised with a need to walk for 7 hours a day
- Sand did get everywhere, when it got in your boots, you needed to stop and empty it out. Blister Clinics were held 3 times a day
- It was essential to cover up against the Sun. Failure to follow advice about sipping water regularly, inappropriate clothing and dehydration resulted in several casualties needing to be evacuated from where they fell to the overnight camp site.
- Only 7 of the 23 walkers completed the full distance, Jeanette was one of them.