RLC Productions

Brecons Training Weekend

2010-05-13T14:19:00.002+01:00

I’ve never been to Wales, so the thought of a weekend away to somewhere new was very appealing. I knew that we would be going to walk, do some “serious training” and to get an idea of what we would face on the real “challenge” in July.

Due to various reasons (the ash cloud being one of them) there were only 4 of us able to go to the Brecons. Julia and I sat in the back of the car, chatting, taking in the scenery and looking forward to the Costa stop we were promised on the way! The landscape changed dramatically as we entered Wales; conversation in the car seemed to stop and we pointed and raised eyebrows at the various hills we saw.

Our accommodation for the weekend was a “bunkhouse” – typically suited to larger groups (slept up to 20) so we had plenty of room for just the 4 of us. It was basic, but at the end of the day all we needed was somewhere to eat and sleep.

After dumping our bags and grabbing a quick sandwich, we headed off for the first walk of the weekend. After a couple of false starts when the beeping of the “sat nav” didn’t agree with Caroline’s map – we set off. Caroline and Rachel striding ahead like true professionals, and Julia and I still trying to get to grips with our walking poles!

Gentle rolling hills and a babbling brook were quickly replaced by sharp inclines and we were reduced to practically crawling up on our hands a knees to join a path (Caroline said it was a shortcut)! I was pleased that we weren’t going to climb to the top of the first mountain – but walk the path half way up – what a result!! Well – in a word NO. The path was very narrow and with an almost sheer drop in places I soon discovered I am terrified of heights !! Not a good start.

But I must admit when you are up there – the view is amazing and what a sense of achievement. That first walk got us to the top of the highest peak in the Brecons – Pen Y Fan. In all just over 6 miles – back to the bunk house for a shower, food and lots of sleep!!

Day 2 – well this was what we were here for. A circular route taking in the main peaks – Corn Du, Pen Y Fan (yes we did it again), Cribyn and Fan Y Big. Once again Caroline managed to find the most challenging route up the side of the mountain – no path in sight until we got to the top. Reminder to Caroline – DO NOT attempt to take a photo of me whilst on hands and knees up the side of a mountain – I need all my concentration and I definitely can’t look up!

The day consisted of walking round a horseshoe shaped ridge – climbing and dropping back down again during the course of the day. Stopping for coffee and lunch to restock the energy levels. The weather was amazingly good – clear and lots of sunshine, but very windy. I found the best way to tackle my fear of heights is to just to put my head down and climb. Only stop when you get to the top on a very large plateau and then just admire the view.

The route was over 13 miles in total (we were told it was going to be 12!) – the sight of the car at the end was a truly welcome sight. Back to the bunk house for another shower, more food and a glass of bubbles to celebrate our achievement.

I hope I am now a little more prepared for July. I must admit I really had no idea what I was in for when I accepted the challenge. Yes I can walk 17 miles – but this is not just walking. We had aches where we didn’t even know we had muscles!

So here’s to the challenge - wish us luck.

Captain's (B)Log: Christmas Day

2009-12-26T15:36:00.002Z

There is no questioning the commitment from the team about making sure they are fit for the challenges ahead. A little thing like Christmas was not going to get in the way of the training schedule. With the prospect of roast turkey, mince pies and lashings of ginger beer(!) on the horizon, the team met early on Christmas morning at the army ranges at Liss Forest to take part in a pre-lunch training session.

You can see from the photograph that some parts of the course did require a spot of concentration. As it was Christmas day the troops were rewarded at the halfway point with a spot of seasonal refreshments..... I must be getting soft.

Next session takes place the first week back after the break, so perhaps I am not that soft!!!

Season greetings and a fit New Year,
CC

2009-12-16T11:58:00.003Z

So you will have seen the really "lovely" photo that Captain Caroline took on our training walk at the weekend. As you can imagine, we were all delighted to see her poking her head out from behind a tree and yelling "SMILE".

Although we walked (well, I prefer hiked) for only an hour and a half, goodness me was it hard work! The Zig Zag path lived up to its reputation and definitely put us through our paces. We were very distressed to be missing both chaps particularly as Captain Caroline explained that Noel had the directions!

Luckily, the good Captain came to the rescue and provided the "map". For the benefit of explanation I have put a copy on the blog. How comforting to think that the recent GPS course has given Caroline such a good grasp on map creation and directions. Is this the kind of thing we can expect on the peaks? Can it actually be classed as a map? Answers on a postcard please ...

Anyway, we did not get lost and spirits were high as we completed our sixth lap of the course. The mulled wine, mince pies and other delicious goodies were well received and it only took 2 hours for my hands to return to normal. Have you ever tried doing up laces with numb fingers? - I tell you this, you can either laugh or cry!

More to follow in 2010 no doubt.

Captains (B)log: The Zig Zag

2009-12-14T16:18:00.004Z

Getting the hang of this blogging lark, jolly good reason to turn this infernal laptop on…

For those of you not aware of the RLC Production Team location (not classified since we moved from Rachel’s garden shed!) we are based in the Market Town of Alton in the heart of the rolling Hampshire hills. And that, for the purpose of getting the team ready for the high fells of the Lake District, is the problem.

….So using ‘short, sharp, shock’ tactics the team was ordered to assemble in the nearby village of Selborne. One of the features around this area are what is known locally as ‘hangers’ the one in Selborne made famous by the naturalist (have to be careful with the spelling) Gilbert White. This chap and his brother took it upon themselves to carve a zig zag path up the local hanger (obviously had too much time on their hands!), the hanger rises from 414ft to 606ft rather sharply.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking, not exactly the 7,000ft that the team will have to ascend during the challenge, but we have to start somewhere.

The team, complete with full rucksacks spent an hour and a half walking up (at a pace – set by our leader!) and down a route which included the zig zag path and a very sleep and slippery slop,with the intention of introducing their legs and knees to what is yet to come.

Despite the complaints at the start of having to strip to base layers, it was 4 degrees; the effort soon raised the temperature. ( see photograph)

Spurred on by the promise of mulled wine and mince pies the training session was a big success. Noticeable by their absence was the ‘chaps’ Noel had a freezer failure which required moving a wood pile!!! David had to move his sheep!!! We hope to see them both on our next walk in the New Year.

Over and out,

Captain's (B)Log:

2009-12-07T09:39:00.002Z

Just returned from a weekend training camp... Did you know that a map and compass as a navigation aid could soon be obsolete?!!!!!!!! This modern technology is getting everywhere.

The objective of the training camp was to get yours truly proficient with GPS (Global Postitioning Systems) navigation and DMS (Digital Mapping Sysytems). And I have to admit this type of modern navigation is pretty dam good.

However it is worth noting that the final message from the instructors (chaps from up north - so sensible types) was always to have (and know how to use!) a map and compass as at the end of the day gadgets are only as good as the operator and life of the batteries.

Well all for now as I am off out to test my new found skills and see if I can navigate around a new route. (Why are the dogs looking worried.....)

Over and out,

CC

Captain's Update

2009-12-04T14:04:00.002Z

Uummm! It appears that I have not been blagging, as I pointed out to young Julia there is not a lot of opportunity on manoeuvres to plug in ones laptop. Well actually the lack of plug sockets and a laptop is another small problem!!! No room in ones backpack for non-essential equipment, a laptop will not keep you dry or provide essential nutrients.

She never gives in easily, it appears that I could send my contribution in via the blueberry that I have. Ho hum better read the manual and see how to turn it on!!

The troops are really are getting into the challenge and studying the equipment list that I sent out, it appears that there is a good supply of gear available on something called eBay (not heard of that equipment store). It transpires that young Debbie (ok they are all young!) is something of an eBay guru.

All this techie stuff is quite mind blowing.... Have promised to blag er blog (mind you with all this rain it should be bog) next week, so will have to set a reminder on gooseberry.

Over and out,

CC

Tuesday 3 October

2009-10-06T13:30:00.002+01:00

It was our first training walk over the weekend and we were reminded of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world. I love this time of year with the leaves changing colour and the freshness of the wind in the trees.

It turns out that Ruby (our resident golden retriever) loves this time of the year as well but for a totally different reason .... the mud! As us humans picked our way carefully around the large puddles and tank trenches in Chawton Woods, she choose to sink to her belly in grey sticky mud. David's car may never be the same again!

All in all the walk was a success. We achieved 7.5 miles in 3 hours and everyone kept a decent pace throughout. Despite the fact that it was a lovely morning, we did not see many other walkers and it got me thinking that we, as a nation, don't really make use of what is on our doorstep. That said, with the weather as it is today, can anyone blame us?

So, while Rachel and I sit in the office gently rocking to the sound of the rain on the roof, we can't help but think of Debbie who by now will be sunning herself on a beach in the Maldives!

RLC Adventure 2010

2009-09-21T14:24:00.001+01:00

Ok – so not being allowed to talk about my forthcoming trip (did I mention I was off to the Maldives in less than 2 weeks time), my thoughts are turning – or more like being dragged – to the RLC Adventure 2010. The only time I have ever done any hiking was at school when I started the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme – I had to stop after the first expedition due to a torn ligament in my leg – not a good history of walking is it? So this is something that I would never have thought about doing myself, but I am assured that it will be FUN!! After some initial doubts, I am coming round to the idea and I’ve never been to the Lakes.

As you will have seen from previous blogs, Julia and I took our first step (pardon the pun) into the world of walking boots. Our local outdoor shop owner proved to be very knowledgeable and patient but after trying on his entire stock of boots in my size, I decided this task was not as straight forward as it first seemed. OK, so it does take me months of searching to be able to find a pair or normal shoes to fit, but walking boots should be easier shouldn’t it? Well obviously not.

So, with Julia away on holiday, I ventured further afield on my own and I managed to find some that (dare I say it out loud) are very comfortable! OK, so I blew the budget I had set myself – but as I explained to my husband, when I am up a mountain I don’t want to be stuck with boots that hurt my feet (I think I got away with it)! Having given them a quick test over the weekend – a blackberry picking walk over the local fields with the kids – they do seem to be a good buy! Time will tell I am sure!

Apparently Caroline has the route all planned for our first official “training walk” on 3rd October. Having witnessed her “encouragement” when we ran the Race for Life back in June – I am a little concerned. Fingers crossed for good weather – should I tell them I’m not going if it’s raining!!

Watch this space …….

Debbie

RLC Adventure

2009-09-18T11:28:00.007+01:00

.....All this fuss over a little exercise, we military types are used to getting up and putting in a few miles at a brisk pace before starting work you know.

.....All this talk of fancy boots - in my day it was army issue and lots of spit and polish. To toughen the feet up you applied surgical spirit each evening and went running in streams to make your feet wet to help mould your boots!

Jolly good idea this spending time against the elements though (well we are training in Wales!!). The smell of the fresh air and cold air around your thighs... with the troops... getting back to basics (I have not mentioned the lack of facilites on the Brecon's/Snowdonia and Fells; what will the poor dears do without Costa!).

As one is a tad older that the rest of the team I thought I better start getting the legs into shape. Enlisted a couple of volunteers, Noel (our training guide), Danny and Billie (if you follow RLC these are two of the company dogs), for a lovely 15 mile walk around the Itchen Valley not a Costa in sight!

Will keep you all, posted on how the troops training goes.

Over and out,

Captain Caroline

RLC Adventure 2010

2009-09-18T10:38:00.000+01:00

Phase 1

It is now almost one month since Rachel first announced the RLC Adventure 2010. For many the past month might have been time to think up elaborate excuses not to complete the proposed 10 Lake District Peaks in 12 hours. Not so for the RLC Productions team!!! To give a flavour of the excitement buzzing round the Barn I asked David and Debbie on their thoughts:

"I can’t possibly think about the Lake District, I am too busy dreaming of the beach in the Maldives... did I mention that I am leaving in 24 days???" OK WE KNOW DEBBIE. David’s facial expression (a cross between a grimace and a grin) said it all.

For me the idea of this challenge is thrilling. Not only will we be raising money for some very worthy causes (St Michael’s Hospice and the Labrador Lifeline Trust) but we will have a chance to undertake some true teambuilding. Teambuilding as a concept has had a rough ride in recent times. Many companies used the idea of teambuilding as an excuse for a jolly. This to me is team bonding not necessarily team building and the real value of professional team building programmes are massively underrated as a result.

But I digress !!! What better way to get to know your work colleagues better than up a peak in the Lake District in the pouring rain? Rachel assures us that the weather will be fine but also keeps mentioning waterproofs so I think she is just trying to comfort the fragile among us.

So finally the time has come, the first "training walk" will be on Saturday 3 October and Debbie and I are off tomorrow to try and understand the technical world of modern boots (apparently the sole has to be breathable and the top has to have good grip... or have I got that the wrong way round?). I will be back soon to update you on the world of gortex.

Happy Walking!

Julia