EVENTS

Well job done and Ten Tors 2021 –The Denbury Version has been completed with ideal weather while we were out on the moors. The group completed Route R of 35 miles (as the crow flies)as allocated to the Denbury Boys Team by the organising committee of Ten Tors back in 2019 for the event in 2020. Unfortunately us ex-Denbury Boys can’t fly therefore at the end of day 2 we had completed a total of 38.32 miles which was due in part to taking an easier route instead of ploughing uphill through long tussock grass. As can be seen in the photo’s day 1 started very early with one of our support team(George) in attendance. The sun is coming up and how strange it seemed to be in that location on a none normal start time for a normal Ten Tors. Normally the open expanse to the left of photo 1 is awash with around 3500 youths awaiting the gun fire to set us off. Not today just us 5 lonely souls setting off into the hollowed grounds of Dartmoor.
Unfortunately Bob Clarke had to leave the group at Meldon Reservoir having had a “senior moment”and joined the support team including “camping out” with the group at our overnight stop.
During day 1 the group were tracked by the support team including Terry and all 3 of the support team were waiting for us at Postbridge with our “camping gear”. The photo’s speak for themselves !! Even my old “green maggot”(Army sleeping bag)got a run out here from its attic location at home.
Day 2 we were off bright and early although overcast for most of the day until we were leaving our last Tor heading down to Okehampton Camp when the sun decided to make an appearance. The regulation Dartmoor mist tried to make an appearance as we were heading into Watern Tor as can be seen in one of the photo’s . Therefore on leaving that Tor we decided to follow the Range Boundary Marker posts until it cleared which was not long after.
At the finish line we were welcomed in by George,Terry & Bob who were basking in glorious sunshine. A quick nip up to Denbury Cross to pay our respects to it and have the obligatory photo shoot then back to our accommodations for the S,S & S before meeting up at the Fox & Hounds public house for a meal together.
Some Stat’s as provided by Andrew.
Day 1.We walked 24.38 miles at 2.3mph in 12hrs 20mins climbing 3377ft and burning off 5454 calories.
Day 2.We walked 13.94 miles at 2.1mph in 8hrs 5mins climbing 2060ft and burning off 3122 calories.
Not bad for a load of “old men” !!!
A big thank you to our support team from John,Chris,Andrew & myself for without them our journey would have been impossible.

What next ?
Who knows ?
Watch this space

Bernie Temmen
Kohima Troop 63-65(off & on)

PS. I dedicated my walk to the memory of the late Bob(Taff) Watham who in the last week of his life told me he was still up for getting better and completing this Ten Tors event as I sat with him. RIP Bob missed but never forgotten.