More Harris Blogs

Walking/climbing Pembrokeshire April 2013

Rather than try and negotiate ourselves out of London on a Monday, I picked up Alan from Arnos Grove on Sunday morning 7th to get to Magor Services on M4 at Newport to collect Steve P who had got a lift there from Bridgewater. After a 5 hour, 280 mile journey, we met Terry and Martin in the Information Centre car park at St Davids at 3pm. We had considered travelling by train but were relieved to hear on the radio that trains heading West had been seriously delayed due to renewal work in the Reading area.

We drove to Porth Clais and set off for a 3 hour walk Eastwards along the coastal path to Trelerw before taking the road back to St Davids. En route , we stopped to admire St Non’s chapel which had been refurbished in 1930’s as a retreat. Back to the “boutique” B & B near Llanrhian about 6miles North.
Jeff Morris, the landlord, ran us in to Porthgain in the evening for beers in”the Sloop” before a hake meal followed by walnut whisky pudding at” the Shed” then he came to collect us.

An excellent breakfast of scrambled egg and smoked salmon then down to St Davids( to stock up on baguettes) via Whitesands Bay to leave one of the cars. Again , we parked at Porth Clais before walking round the coast Westwards past Ramsey Island to Whitesands Bay which took us about 5 hrs. As we had time, we spent an hour looking round St David’s Cathedral which was well worth it. Back to the B & B for a shower before more beers and this time fish pie followed by a cheese board at “the Sloop”

On the Tuesday, we walked and climbed from Whitesands to Porthgain which took us 6hrs and involved some quite difficult climbs up to 181metres. En route, we met two couples who were walking to the pretty village of Abereiddy. The women had studied at Sheffield like us and had just had their 50th birthdays and one of the men had been in 1st Para, so Alan (an ex Colonel 4th Para) knew his outfit well. A long conversation ensued! At Abereiddy there had been a quarry in the cliffs where a sheltered “blue lagoon” had been left where youngsters were swimming and skimming stones. There was some interesting remains of a brickworks on the cliffs above Porthgain; we all enjoy a bit of industrial history on our walks.
That evening we went back to “the Shed” for Swansea Bay mussels and more walnut and whisky pudding, having first popped in to “the Sloop”.

This is a beautiful National Park which has benefitted from its status as a conservation area. There are rugged, rocky gullies adjacent to quiet, sandy beaches ideal for surfing and playing. It is not commercialised and there was very little litter. The Gorse and Blackberries were still brown with the frost and next to where we stayed, two dead sheep were found once the snow had melted. Yet under the brambles yellow Primula and purple Thrift were to be seen. There were Porpoises off Ramsey Island, Perigrine Falcons, Fulmers, Gannets, Stonechats and for “bug hunters” lots of different beetles. We were blessed with good weather, even some sun on the Monday. Petrol is expensive despite being near Milford Haven, so look out for a reasonable deal. We couldn’t find pub accommodation in St Davids but I would recommend the B & B .
Yr Hafen Jeff and Alison Morris (originally from Swansea) Boutique B & B and luxury cottages. www.yrhafan.co.uk tel 01348 837220 No cards taken, just cheques or cash.
Steve H.

Come & Try It Day Allianz Park 6 April 2013

A sunny day at last. Firstly, thanks to Ty for organising things and coaches, Chris, Bela, Rob, Mel and Steve. A special thanks to Pauline Alexander who came to explain the rules of the Field events to the youngsters and help out. We are grateful to the likes of Mike Sawyer and a number of parents who “mucked in” and some even had a go. Some 50 people entered the variety of over 10 track and field events on offer, some even went on to race at Victoria Park in the afternoon.

I'm a Winner not a Quitter - 5 April 2013

I was reading about Dave Brailsford’s life so far from when he grew up in North Wales having come from Derbyshire. His passion for football and how as an 18yr old, he went off initially to Grenoble, then St Etienne to try and earn a living in France as a professional cyclist. By now you know he had some “bottle”. He admits that during his time as team manager, he has had to resort to talking to Dr Steve Peters their psychiatrist (who is no mean veteran sprinter) but Brailsford says “As kids, we always said to each other; ’a winner never quits and a quitter never wins’. That’s always stuck with me. If anything it drove me on to find solutions. I think I’m tenacious”. Steve

Climbing and Walking, West Lake District October 2012

I set off for our biannual get together on 30th September from Kings Cross taking the train to Newcastle where I caught the Northern, Tyne Valley two coach diesel for my friend Alan to collect me at Stocksfield station.
Next morning we set off for a 2hr 40min journey along A69 and A595 through Carlisle, Cockermouth to Gosforth where we literally met Martin, Terry and Steve as we both turned into the side road to Nether Wasdale at 1.15. After a quick offload and sandwich at the Screes Inn, we set off in the Freelander for Wast Water where we parked before setting off on our “warm up” climb.
The weather was dry as we set off up Dropping Crag , a steep scramble up to the ridge (620m) where the wind was pretty strong, along the ridge heading NE before what we anticipated would be a steady walk back alongside the gill. Our descent proved to be a difficult scramble down Stirrup Crag by which time light rain was turning into thunder and lightning and it was getting dark. I hadn’t put on waterproof trousers nor taken my Leki poles, so l struggled as my soaked trousers slid down and my knees gave me pain. We got back to the pub at 7.30pm having been out for over 5hrs.
Over pints of Robinsons “Screes Knees”, a light 3.8% session beer and homemade steak and ale pie, we admitted that we had been over ambitious.
Next day, we drove to Ravensglass for 9.30am to catch the narrow gauge railway train up the Esk valley to Boot where we started our trek to Scafell (964m). A long uphill drag but with only a few rocks involved. By lunchtime, we split, Steve and I chose to skirt Eskdale Fell and go back via Burnmoor Tarn whilst Alan, Martin and Terry carried on towards Scafell. Steve and I came across Burnmoor Lodge which is an upmarket bothy owned by Johnathon Foot (Michael’s son) en route down to the car park by Wasdale Head. Due to the amount of rain, the little bridges had been washed away, so we were often up to our calves in water. The hard men who weren’t suffering with their knees strove on into the mist to reach the top of Scafell but encountered a frightening scramble down to get back before dark just as it started to rain again.
Again, after a theraputic hot shower and a few bevvies, we decided that we would be foolish to attempt Pillar (895m) particularly as the weather forecast for 3rd was bad.
So for our last day, with the help of our landlord Steve Ashall from Wigan, an adventure school instructor who by now had discovered how old we were, we decided to go to Ennerdale Water which featured on BBC’s Countryfile programme which showed the wild cattle living there.
After stopping for a paper in Gosforth, we went to Ennerdale Bridge to await a break in the weather then we set off to circumnavigate this lesser known lake which involved a bit of scrambling for the first couple of hours. We met a couple who told us that there was a YHA hostel at the East end of the lake where we could stop for lunch. This proved to be a godsend as we had become pretty wet and cold and to just have the opportunity to enter an open house, strip off wet boots and make a cuppa was a real bonus. Leaving money in the “honesty box”, we had an easy walk back as the sun came out in the late afternoon to reveal some beautiful scenery.
On the Thursday, we set off for our various homes in Lancashire, Shropshire, Somerset, Northumberland and Hertfordshire.
The Screes Inn, Nether Wasdale, Cumbria, CA20 1ET 019467 26121 was reasonably priced, homely, friendly staff, if a little run down. West Lakes Adventure, Steve Ashall mobile 07837 099525 can lay on every type of activity; climbing, canoeing, gill climbing, mountain biking, even unicycle mountain biking.

Saracens at Wembley 15 September 2012

As evidence of our good relationship with Saracens, Mel was given about 100 free tickets to the Premiership match between Saracens and Leicester Tigers at Wembley on 15th September.

We were invited to wear our Club kit and parade round the pitch led by a Barnet & District banner. Our adults wore fluorescent “supervisors” bibs. Although the 40,000 crowd hadn’t all reached their seats, we still had an appreciative audience of 20,000 people! We were designated a batch of great seats behind the goal and enjoyed the entertainment and loud music and all stood up when cued to do so when ”Stand up for the Saracens” was played. Mel managed to place all of our allocation of seats and it was wonderful to see members and their families enjoying a warm, fun afternoon.

Sadly, the game resulted in a 9 - 9 draw. Barnet lost to Bradford 3 – 0 to stay at the bottom of Div 2 but joy of joys, Arsenal beat Southampton 6 – 1.

Paul Ackford reported “No tries, not much enjoyment. Just two sides intent on grinding each other and a crowd of 40,000 into submission. They succeeded”. So you were right Karen Parker, to bring your newspaper to read although you made up the crowd to 40,001!

  Steve H.

Bearing the Olympic Torch 25th July 2012

Its been a week since I ran with the Olympic Flame and I’ve been too busy and excited to write a piece dispassionately.
It was a hot day; l packed a bag with various kit; white T shirt (with no logos), pins etc. in anticipation. Joan took me to the North Middlesex Golf Club in Friern Barnet to register. Despite not having photographic evidence on me, the officials accepted that l was , in fact, Steve Harris. I had dutifully tippexed out the New Balance logos on my trainers but they forgot to check.
I had to confirm the route of my leg, no 90, the first in Enfield. I eventually had to draw it out for the officials on a piece of paper. I had been told beforehand that I’d be running up Brunswick Park Road but in fact l ran from “Betstyle” roundabout, N 11, half way down Waterfall Road, just under 300yds! All a bit stressful as I was getting calls from friends; where would I be running?
As expected, the trousers of my white uniform were 12cms too long, so Joan had to sit on the stairs outside the gents changing room sewing them up for me. When I came back, l met the other torchbearers who were in our coach, we were briefed and 15 of us set off to wait by Kwikfit in Whetstone.
While we were waiting in the heat of the coach, we told our tales of why we were there. no 89 was a Frenchman from Lille called Eddy Le Gros, incongruous since he was a slim marathon runner. His colleague was a young golfer, when the official asked him his handicap, l responded that being French was his handicap and got a reprimand. Not that it bothered the Frenchmen who later asked for my email so that they could send photos and keep in touch.
We set off waving at the crowds along the High Road and Friern Barnet Lane where l spotted people l knew such as Fay Williams who was volunteering (keeping back the crowd).
It was getting so hot in the coach that it was a relief to get out . I was mobbed, but Derek, the Northern Irish policeman designated to look after me, kept everything under control. I’ve never kissed so many different coloured babies and said “good luck” into so many mobile microphones. I saw Joan who assured me that my granddaughter , Emma, who had come back from her holiday to see me, was just 20yds away.
The “kiss”, lighting the flame from Eddy’s torch was a bit long –winded but Derek was reassuring whilst Vanessa Feltz on the rear of the Media wagon looked on.
Jogging down Waterfall Road, I saw an excited Emma and noticed friends from the Club, old friends from school, some who had taken time off work to be there, some who had cycled from Redbourne, John Atkinson from Derbyshire and family. I was overwhelmed by the goodwill and humbled by the number of friends who had taken the trouble to come and support me.
In a trice it was time to hand over to young James no 91, a promising athlete from Thames Valley Harriers who had been nominated by his church. Back on the coach for a cool drink of water (or you could have Coke)
We followed up to Southgate High Street where we picked up our last leg man, Jack Otter, who was only 24yrs old and had lost both his legs and his left arm in Afghanistan. I told him that I’d get him throwing the Discus one day. As if by fate, next day as Joan was sending him some photos, I had an email from England Athletics informing me of a Paralympic Development day at Lee Valley on 29th September. So she added a PS to his note asking him to come along.
Once back at the Golf Club, our torches were “ decommissioned” (had the gas cylinder removed) Those of us who had prepaid £199.00 inc V.A.T were given the actual torch with which we ran. After exchanging contact addresses and numbers, we went our separate ways.
Joan took me home to a surprise party at Con & Penny’s . In the cool of the evening, we enjoyed a beer and some Olympic cake. Before going to bed, we looked at a disc of photos that one of Estelle’s neighbours had put through our door, then a recording of my leg from the live BBC broadcast on Channel 301.
In the days after 25th, I’ve taken the torch to show people who couldn’t make coming to see me , children have been round for a photo outside my house on which Penny has stuck the Olympic rings. I’ve even managed to get thrown out of Brent Cross when I went to support our Club’s initiative there because of the risk of Bren Cross Ltd being sued by Locog for contravening “Branding” rules!
I cannot thank my nominator enough for giving me such a memorable day. People who came to support and who have seen the photos have said that l looked so happy which l was to experience such a feeling of goodwill.

Celebration of Great Olympic Sporting Moments 14 June 2012

I was lucky to obtain tickets for a Celebration of Great Olympic Sporting Moments organised by The Daily Telegraph in association with Omega at the Westfield Centre, Stratford on the evening of 14th June.

I went with wheelchair athlete, Mark O’Neil who drove there via A12/A11 and we met little traffic so had time for a visit to the top floor of John Lewis for a view across the Olympic Park beforehand. The only building which stumped us at first was the water polo arena which looked like a big caterpillar. A fabulous sight but still a lot to do.

A pink gin, champagne and canapés, a look at some Omega watches and timing equipment and a study of the displays depicting our favourite Olympic moments; Steve Redgrave, Olga Korbet, Daly Thompson etc then up in the lift to meet Lee Pearson (Multi Paralympic gold medal winner in equestrian events) and Denise Lewis (who you know is my dream girl). We were shown to seats at the front at which point Denise came over to speak to us and to my delight remembered me from weekday morning training at Copthall and BBC Sportsnight 10 years ago. She’ll be 40 this August (I’ll be 70) yet Denise looks fabulous and with high heels towers over me.

Sue Theale, the broadcaster, made an excellent interviewer and we reminisced about great moments prompted by film footage displayed on two large screens. Both Lee and Denise were open and frank with their opinions and answers. Probably their most memorable momentwas Cathy Freeman’s 400m win in Sydney in 2000. How she coped with lighting the flame before having to meet Australia’s expectations to win as an Aborigine woman. The image of Donna Fraser, her friend consoling her as she just sat on the track exhausted stays with us all.

Who should light the flame this year? Steve Redgrave was popular, of course. David Beckham ? quiet boos! Denise suggested a young unknown British child to represent the future – good call.

Lee became more nervous for his horses who one has to understand don’t realise that they’re not just in another competition; it’s the Olympics this time. Denise emphasised the importance of immediate focus (like after not doing as well as expected in a discipline)

Both acknowledged the real importance of psychology in preparation; it is the difference between the winner and the loser in the end and overcomes the physical differences.

Because there was such a queue to get autographs, l took the opportunity to find out that Sue had played football and was an Arsenal supporter. Mark and I declined the chance of more food and cocktails and left to negotiate the enormous car park which is so huge that there are food and drinks machines dotted about for those who either get lost or need a rest while walking to their car. En route home we thought we’d try following a new sign to “M11” but we ended up at Stratford station car park because the exit road hadn’t been finished yet, otherwise a quick journey home clutching our souvenir Olympic scarves and posh Olympic Moments books.

Walking May 2012

As you can see from the title, not much climbing on this trip to the North Pennines / South Northumberland area.

After a relaxing train journey to Newcastle, the short two carriage Carlisle train trip along the banks of the Tyne to Stocksfield where my friend Alan picked me up was a treat, passing through the industrial outskirts of Newcastle, Gateshead, Wylam and into the country.

Next morning, we had time to visit an old friend of 91yrs of age in Morpeth with whom Joan and I used to play Badminton in the 1970’s. He showed us a DVD he’s produced with the granddaughter of a wartime mate, depicting the progress of the 5th Tank Regiment from their victory at Alamein , battling through Sicily and then the Low Countries into Germany. Needless to say, Bob Lay is the last survivor of his particular troop.

Alan and I then motored down to the Elk’s Head at Whitfield to meet the others. After donning our shorts, we set off for Allenbanks where we walked South along Staward Gorge , climbed Staward Peel and then down alongside the river Allen to the road where we had a paddle in the sunshine while waiting for a lift back to the pub. Staward Peel was built as a border stronghold in 1272, then in the early 1400’s it became a monastery eventually being robbed of many of its stones to build the local Manor House two centuries later.

A later start as we were off to Alston to catch the 10.45 narrow gauge train on the South Tyne Railway to Lintley. We continued to walk along the old track bed to Featherstone, crossing the fantastic Lambley Viaduct built in 1851 and renovated with the aid of a Euro grant in the 1990’s using lime mortar imported from France. At the end of our walk, we came across the Wallace Arms, so just had to have a pint of “Black Sheep” bitter before getting our lift back to the Elk’s Head.

After dinner that evening, we taught a German family how to play “Killer” on the dartboard as a ruse to get them off the Pool table where we had some competitive games. Feeling guilty, we asked if they’d like to use the table again, but they said that they were loving playing “Killer”! By now the Graingers( Hadrians Brewery) IPA had run out and we were on to the Reiver’s Bitter. As I found the Graingers a little sweet, I was drinking Theakstons XB.

Our last day was spent climbing the moors out of Allendale to the “Chimneys”. These 40 ft high chimneys were fed by dry stone flues covered in earth and grass ,tall enough for me to stand up in stretching for 2miles from the lead ore smelting hearths in Allenheads. Amazing Victorian skill and technology of the 1850’s. Up on the hills, we spotted a full range of moorland birds; Curlew, Snipe, Plover, Lapwing ,Skylark, Black Grouse, Pipit, Dunlin, Common Grouse and Pheasant. We then spent the afternoon at the Killhope Lead Mining Museum fully preserved as the water –powered lead works had been over 150yrs ago which included entering the mine itself wearing our helmets and wellies, trudging in 12” of water. After the tour finished, we had a walk in the pine woods surrounding the site to look for red squirrels but we guessed they’d gone to bed.

Another good pub in an interesting area not as crowded as the Lakes or the Peaks. The Elks Head, Whitfield, Hexham NE47 8HD tel 01434 345282 elkshead@whitfieldestate.co.uk ; www.elkshead.co.uk Managers; Philip & Alison Johnston (Philip is a fell runner)

  Steve Harris

London Marathon 22 April 2012

The 6.49am from Oakleigh Park didn’t go to Kings Cross as advertised, so it was a call to Joan to wizz me up to Totteridge to catch 7.10 to Bank. The bonus was that l met Nancy Nash (Conor and Ben’s Mum) and had an exciting journey as far as Camden Town. At the assembly tent near the Monument, l quickly collected my Course/Finish pass and kit before greeting youngsters l knew and helping with adjustments and the fitting of timing chips (stick on cards this year). The starter, Gerald Alterman, was asking for me so I jogged off to find him only to be told that in the absence of a celebrity, I was to be the honorary starter of the wheelchair Mini Marathon, which threw the TV people. We had a bit of a warm up and stretch then it was 5-4-3-2-1 and a blast on the air horn which froze my index finger where it leaked!

Down the steps and off after the kids, a quick emergency tape up of an U/14 girl’s feet then a jog to catch “Connor” from Poole in Dorset. Despite readjusting his compensator, he still veered to the right because his left side was stronger, so l just jogged behind him and flicked him straight from time to time. Up to half way, we had a real tussle with “Josh” from the Mile End group but Connor triumphed in the end with his perseverance particularly up the inclines. We saw Nicola F, the Butlers and the Grooms en route and had some laughs about the attractive policewomen.” Laughing is making my nose run” says Connor, so I managed some wiping on the move which made us laugh again! Soon we were bombing down the stretch from the Houses of Parliament to Buckingham Palace, then right for a fast finish. The lad beat his last year’s time by about 8mins, excellent. We were met by Jenny and Katie from Copthall still drooling over having just met Prince Harry.

Once all the children were in safely, there was a little time to sit and have a drink, then it was time to unload all the competitor’s day chairs and bags. We saw Harry again, Dame Tanni and husband Ian and some other well-known faces. Jenny Archer and I then waited to see if David Weir would win. Tears of joy, big hugs etc. Then busy finding all the Canadian, Japanese, Swiss people’s chairs and bags getting drinks, food and finding partners and friends for them. I saw in a couple of guys with whom l’d done some coaching and was pleased to see one guy who had his wheel collapse on his first marathon last year but had finished in a commendable 2hrs 18mins this time. I also met up with an old aquaintance from Harrogate who’d come back after a 5yr lay off who Paul Rea and I knew in the old British Pentathlon days.

Popped down to the Barnet & District baggage lorries to admire the efficiency with which we were dealing with the exhausted runners and to watch John Shirley work his miracles on those tired bodies.

Then home early (about 3pm) for a refreshing pint of gassy Tetleys and a shower. Great photos below at the start

I was asked to provide two racing wheelchairs, gloves and helmets and two coaches for a “corporate” event with Newham Council Sports Dept. on 2nd February. Apparently, Newham were supplying a portable track.
I was offered a generous “hire fee” for the chairs and an hourly rate for coaching, the surplus was intended to help finance repairs to chairs ready for the London Marathon.
Mark O’Neil (a quadriplegic athlete in our group who was struck by a “hit and run” driver whilst out cycle training for triathlons) and l arrived at ExCel East with the equipment ready for a “Health & Safety” check at 1pm.
After hanging around with Newham’s Coral Nourrice, an ex 400m runner with Croydon Harriers, we had some lunch provided by Cisco, watched the rehearsals and went home for a rest
All was revealed when we got back for 6.15pm having been stuck in the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel for 25mins. We were met by Chloe, one of the organisers, given a black long sleeved shirt with” Cisco Live” on it to wear and a large pass each to wear round our necks.
We were hit by a wall of sound as we entered the Auditorium, a crowd of people were being entertained by a group of Gospel singers. I spoke to a coach at the Sparrows wheelchair basketball club with whom Karen, Ty and I had worked at the Hackney Schools Championships who was leading a wheelchair basketball exhibition.
We were involved in letting people (those slim enough to get into a racing chair) have a go at wheeling a short distance of about 10 metres along a track from a standing start and being electronically timed. We encouraged races between two contestants and pushed people to improve their times in a “best of three” competition. After an initial small beer, we did not stop until just after 10pm when the event closed.
Mostly our clients were men; a few women who were good although one Greek woman couldn’t stop pushing with alternate hands instead of together. Towards the end of the evening, some were affected by drink and were tending to topple over backwards! There were a number of times around 3.34 secs but the best was an early evening effort of 2.87, followed by a 2.89secs.
We had time to glance up at the screens to see acrobatic dancers, bands, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, etc in a constantly changing choice of noisy entertainment. Various ethnic food was available; I had two mouthfuls of paella from Barcelona before getting back to work. We were really very busy!
There were over 4000 people there at this Cisco jamboree which represented about a fifth of the workforce, all to do with computer systems, “firewall” providers and the like. So despite the recession, some firms are obviously doing ok. We had people from, Austria, Germany, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Greece, South Africa, USA, France, Britain and Ireland have a go in a racing chair and discover how hard it is.
We got home at about 11.30 after negotiating the closed underpass at “The Angel” Edmonton.