Tom by Numbers

Well, that was quite exhausting. I’d prepared with far too many warm layers for what was ultimately quite a mild night, and spent most of the walk removing jackets and jumpers to put back into my bag. But still, it was for a good cause, and it was a largely enjoyable trek through the Peak District for the 650 students taking part for 6 hours last night.

It started well enough (even if we are fairly confident that we went through Endcliffe Park the wrong way) as we managed to avoid the puddles, the river, the short cliff faces and the wildlife of the Sheffield countryside. By the three mile marker (Photo Time!), we were doing totally fine. As the terrain got slippier, our team captain demonstrated a remarkable show of irony as in pointing out how funny it would be if someone fell over, he slid 10 feet down the hill on his back. As it turns out, it was incredibly funny.

Making our way round a particularly deep puddle, over a couple of stiles, and a few more slips from the captain, we made it to the Three Merry Lads, the midway pub. They were fairly under-prepared for the sheer number of hikers turning up, but the fireworks display made up for it.

Leaving the pub (having not had a drink – the queue for the bar was just too long), we made our way back along occasionally treacherous terrain, though without any more falls. We finally made it back to the university at about quarter to one, before then having to make the final trek up the next hill to our house.

And finally, here is my attempt at a night-time shot of Sheffield. I hadn’t realised there was a barbed wire fence in the way until after I’d took the picture, but I think it looks quite arty.