Congratulations to OFC member Barry Wakelin and his wife Liz on achieving all 214 Wainwrights.  His daughter Katie, 12 also completed hers at the same time, making her (it is believed) the youngest person to complete all 214 Wainwrights from Hampshire.

As an aside, Barry has some really excellent Lakeland photographs on his Light Work website.

Well we made it!

On 22nd October Liz, Katie and I completed our Wainwrights making Katie, we believe, the youngest person, at 12, from Hampshire to do so.

It was a grey day on Binsey but we were fortified by champagne and the warmth of completing a ten year campaign.  The grandparents accompanied us which was really nice as they have often joined us in The Lakes over the years but have slowed up in the past couple of years and now stick to the lower fells.

And then a couple of days later we were out for an easy stroll from Tewet Tarn then over Low Rigg, round the base of High Rigg to have tea at Low Bridge End Farm (a new one for us and well worth seeking out for their cheese scones though not for their hot chocolate!) then back over High Rigg.  As Katie and I sat at the summit of High Rigg waiting for Liz and the grandparents a group of people arrived and began clapping and photographing one of their throng.  It turned out that Andrew Davies had just completed his Wainwrights too.  And not only that, but with him were David Killick who was, probably, the first person to complete the Wainwrights after AW himself, and Andrew's son who completed the lot in twelve months and David's daughter who only has three or four left to do and aims to complete at the end of December on Loughrigg Fell.  So we had six completists on one fell!  Pictures were duly taken and a good chat ensued.

It's amazing that we all met up at exactly the same time on the summit of High Rigg - what are the chances of that happening?

Finally, a word of praise for my new Mountain Equipment jacket.  Since I bought it in August, it hasn't rained once when I've carried it with me on the fells.  Now that's what I call a waterproof!

Barry

Here are some of the messages of congratulation posted on the Message Board:

Many congratulations to you all, especially Katie.  At my current average I'll finish mine sometime in 2095, when I'll be 132 years young - Dave Leslie

Congrats for that achievment - to you and especially to the young
lady - Helmut Hudler

Well done Liz Barrie and especially to Katie on completing the Wainwrights at such a young age - John Paterson

Many congratulations to yourself, Liz and especially to Katie on your completion of the 214.  It's a great acheivement especially having to travel so far - Dave and Edith Brown

Congratulations to you all from m, too :o)  Paul Rose

Congratulations to you all and especially to Katie! It's a brilliant achievement considering where you live and I'm pleased that you managed to make it the family occasion that you had planned. Well done. With a bit of luck I might get there myself sometime next year  :-)  Jill Rowland

Got lots more to catch up on later but just wanted to say congratulations from us on your achievement especially Katie. Knowing how long it takes to get to the Lakes living so far away, it really shows dedication. Bet it was lovely having the whole family with you on Binsey too - Jill Batchelor

Many congratulations Barrie, and especially to Katie. Binsey is a lovely summit to finish on and not too far to carry the champers - Jayne Hill

Many congratulations, Barry, Liz and Katie! It's a great feeling, isn't it?! Your daughter should be particularly proud of herself. At a similar age, my son would have felt the experience more like torture than a pleasure, I'm afraid. You're very lucky to have a family who all love fellwalking as much as you do - Jo Hall

Congratulations on your splendid achievement, especially Katie at such a young age, well done! Dave and Josie Dimmock

Barry - may we add our congratulations to you, Liz and of course Katie. A tremendous achievement - Roger and Ann Hiley