A Walk of Thanksgiving - The Full Account Print
Written by Peter Burgess   
Monday, 08 September 2008

Nigel Batchelor ponders over the notion of being stretchered down if he can find volunteers!
Nigel Batchelor
I would not like to drone on about the day from my perspective as I think the images, shown in the related links and the videos which will gradually appear over the next day or so, better tell the story than many words.  However, I thought it would be appropriate to include others' thoughts and expressions of goodwill about the day of events.  I firmly believe Saturday 6th September 2008 will be indelibly imprinted on people's memory for years to come. 

 

Image
Champagne
Richard Ratcliffe's reflections:
I just want to say that 9 walkers made it to the top of Scafell Pike in sometimes atrocious weather and returned safely. 4 others accompanied us to Styhead Tarn and, for good reasons, took a different walk at lower levels. More from me and others later, well done to Lorraine for seeing the whole thing right through despite the awful weather and thanks to everyone who made the evening at Middle Ruddings very enjoyable. You'll find out a lot more over the next hours / days.

 

Huge congratulations to Lorraine on her massive achievement, and in such atrocious conditions!!! Well done to everyone, high or low level walkers, you all have my admiration. Looking forward to more reports and photos.  Maggie
Congratulations one and all.  Susan Sullivan

Simon Howard waves the Wainwright flag whilst looking for guidance from the great man himself on the back!
Simon Howard
Simon Howard's reflections:
I have walked in intrepid conditions but never in my life have I experienced walking like I did yesterday on the summit and leaving the summit when just staying on your feet was an achievement. However, I have to say it was enjoyable (honestly) and the walk summed up the strength of Lorraine in particular but also the OFC as a group as there was never any danger of the day being cancelled.
Lorraine was an absolute star and it was great to join in her triumph as we somehow all just about got in Peter's shelter and somehow drank the bubbly (How on earth a cork can fly out of the bottle and not damage either the shelter or one of us?), some Wainwright beer and some people braved Peter's jerky!
I believe Saturday showed the strength of the OFC as a group and we should all be proud of this whatever part of Saturday you took part in.

Great news that the day worked out ok for you all, nice to see the photos even with all that rain and mist, well done to all of you.  Lance Tucker
Just to join all the other postings to say: great achievement, Lorraine!  Glad to hear that you even withstood such atrociuos conditions!  Helmut Hudler
I feel very humbled and proud to be a part of this incredible group! I wasn't able be with you on Saturday but a massive well done to all of you, especially Lorraine, who battled on to reach the summit. I am relieved and pleased that you all made it safely there and back again.  Jill Rowland
I'd just like to add my congratulations on achieveing this feat in somewhat less than ideal conditions.  Dave Leslie
A big well done to Lorraine and all the other walkers.  Terry Gargrave
Congratulations to Lorrainne on getting up Scafell Pike in such awful weather. A great achievement.  Paul Harrison

A Special Message from Steven Procter:
After enduring what was a slightly damp and occasionally breezy stroll on Saturday, I just need to say thank you to everybody.  Obviously there are too many to name, the whole group have been fantastic right through the year and it's a privilege to know you all.  Big thanks to those who couldn't make the walk but sent messages of support and good wishes to Lorraine while she was recovering and getting fit for Saturday.  Huge thanks to everyone who came for the meal, it was wonderful to be among such a happy crowd.  Great to see you all, a couple of new faces who probably will never want to walk with me again.  Sorry, I can't control the weather (YET!!).  Whopping big thanks to the brave few who made the shorter walk, i'm so glad you all missed Scafell Pike! Laughing You all deserve medals for your efforts.  Finally, ridiculously massive thanks to the rest of the Fellowship of the Wring(ing wet).  You all need your heads examining!  It was a real pleasure to share a toast with you all whilst hiding in a luminous yellow bubble on top of England!  I suppose I ought to thank Peter for his words after the meal.  Cheers Peter.  I hope I heard you right when you said something about me being a 'Bastion' and a 'Brick'.  The water in my ears made it sound quite different.

One last thing, Thanks to Lorraine, for strength, courage, stubborness, blind obstinacy and simply for....being. Well done honey. Steve. p.s. No thanks to summer, you've let me down!

Anyway, enough of the verbose, here's what everyone's waiting for:

 

PART 1 - The Ascent

 

A huge well done on your ascent of Scafell Pike on Saturday in such atrocious conditions! It seems such a short time ago that you announced your intention to regain fitness and tackle the big one. Well, you've done it & reached the roof of England.... Good on you girl!  Angela Espin

 

PART 2 - The Descent

 

It was a memorable day for many reasons and I did struggle to keep upright on the top - strange bruising to backside, probably from fight to get inside great yellow bothy. We all showed great spirit in adverse conditions and I'm sure none of us will forget it. We made it as a group and all looked out for each other which I guess is what makes such occasions so special. Love to all   Susan Kennerley
A very very very very BIG WELL DONE to Lorraine (and all who attempted the ascent of SP). What incredible weather you all had to put with. I thought that Steve's luck would have to change soon!!!!!! .. But oh no!!!!   Neil Haslewood

 

Well done, to you all especially to you Lorraine. You did not half pick a good day for it.  Frances
Enjoyed putting some face to names at the meal on Saturday. Maybe one day I'll get to do an OFC walk in the Lakes.  Angela Clarke

Lorraine celebrates at the summit of England
At the summit
Hi all, I am sorry I haven't said much by way of thank you. However I am still shattered. Saturday was an experience that I will remember for many years. I think the walk was what is called a bonding expereience. We worked together as a team and it was this team work that enabled us to reach the summit and then make our safe descent. I will reply individually to you messages but in the meantime please accept my grateful thanks for all your support and for making my birthday very, very special this year. Thank you very much for the gifts. They mean a lot to me. So once again, Thank you. From a very tired, weary but happy Lorraine

PART 3 - The Meal

 

Congratulations, you have achieved so much in such a short time, I really admire you. I have enjoyed the photos and Peter's video; despite the awful weather you all seem to have smiles on your faces. Well done to you all.  Sherran

 

Steve presented this vase to Lorraine on behalf of the OFC
The Vase
The vase shows Lorraine, The Scafells behind
Close detail
 




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"I'd just like to say what a great weekend it has been and thanks to everyone who made it such a great time." Liz Lemal on the Honister 2007 weekend