The walkers return !!!!
We made it back at 5.15pm

!!!
Firstly, thank you so much to everyone who gave us a great send off from Hardleys, came on the walk, supported us in our efforts and who cheered us on at Lluc.
Yes you are absolutely right Sparky, we took an expert with us but decided to ignore what he said anyway !! LOL!! No he was a great chap but we knew we were made of stronger stuff and if I say I am walking to Lluc and back then that is what I will do.
We met at Hardleys at 10 am for tea and coffee, and the 24 walkers got our pink balloons, t-shirts, hats and feather boas organised and set off to Pollensa. The sun was shining with a very light breeze so we had perfect walking conditions. We parked up and started to walk after a brief photo call at 11. Bella, I must point out that today I had on outfit number 2, with a pink cowboy hat which hopefully looked a little prettier than yesterdays shower cap !!
My word, what a shocker the first 8km was....it was so steep and through heavy forest, all loose rocks and mud. We were in such good spirits that even those who were finding it very difficult managed to joke (you know who you are !) and we all encouraged each other along. The walk is not very clearly laid out in some parts and at one point, a group who were doing very well at the front of the pack took a wrong turning and unfortunately that group managed to walk an extra 6km, but even with that, they managed to get to the Monastery first

Well done Garys group´.
By 2.30 everyone had made it to Lluc, and we all tucked into lovely warm bocadillos and cold beers. Of course we also had to try their chocolate cake purely to replenish our sugar levels you understand !!! But then the bad news came from our expert...he felt we shouldn´t walk back as it was now 3pm and on the previous timings we would be walking through the forest in the dark and wouldn´t be back in Pollensa before 7pm. He stressed that our muscles would be tired (like we didn´t know that already !?!?!) and it would take longer for the return journey.
After some brief deliberation, we took a vote and gave everyone the option to get a lift back to Pollensa to collect their cars. The group that went back by car made the right decision for them and as some had their children and dogs with them I have to stress how great and brilliant they were.
And so we were 9.....mad fools I hear some of you say, not listening to the expert, but we knew we could pick up the pace, and fuelled with choccie cake and sheer determination we were on a roll... ...this weekend has all been about overcoming diversity and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and so my mind was made up. I was not letting my sponsors down....so at 3.05pm off we 9 went.
We were cracking along at such a pace I wasn´t sure I could keep up but the stronger walkers supported the weaker ones and helping each other we were soon at the halfway mark. We were talking on the way back and decided with our pedometer and compass that it was around 12km each way, so further than we had originally guesstimated. We had plenty of water with us and did all need to put on an extra layer on the way back as the forest was now quite cool.
The return jpurney was filled with speculation on what our return time would be, what delights we could have for dinner and how lovely that first G&T / beer would be. We flew home in an amazing 2 hours and 10 minutes and got back to Pollensa at 5.15pm. We were so out of breath but all laughing and congratulating each other, and of course had to have another photo.
Getting out of the car when I got back in the Port was the most difficult part of the whole day and after a very long walk upstairs to the apartment I was straight into the bath to soak. All in all, the aching is not too bad but I am informed that tomorrow will be worse and so sensibly I have all day tomorrow free.
I have had a great weekend and my belief in human nature is stronger now than ever. For a small village we have really pulled together and everyone involved should be proud, together with everyone on the PP Forum for talking about the events and giving your support
THANK YOU EVERYONE
x
