26th February
Sunny days before and sunny days after – it can only be a DONMOG event – yes – 8am chucking it down. Great start hence everyone came in the Tin Tops. Cheered up later although it was still cold.
On arrival we were greeted with a cup of tea or coffee and a cake while Martin gave us a safety debrief and our instructions for the tour. To avoid congestion and backing up, half of the group went clockwise round the route and the other half anticlockwise, and the start was staggered. This was a very clever and well thought out tour with a quiz thrown in and it was fun. When we started, we were stuck in Question 1 and it was some time before we realised that we had picked up the clockwise instructions with the anti- clockwise map! So, we adapted accordingly and very quickly got round.
It was not at all difficult; it gave us something to get stuck into rather than just wandering around aimlessly, or being bored to death by a tour guide who goes on too much. And we got to enjoy the lovely town and its history at our own pace.
We clocked 2.7 miles altogether. Much as I enjoyed it, I was glad when we had finished as my hands were so cold and numb I could barely write the answers down. I was looking forward to getting back into the warm centre and tucking in to the delicious buffet that they had laid on.
Carol and Woody won the prize for the quiz – a box of Celebrations, which they generously passed round the group – thanks for that. Thank you also to Martin and Nina for organising this excellent event.
Words – Linda Pullen
Pictures – Paul Fileman