The Penair Oldies Blog: Penair Oldies Challenge 2011

In 2011 we wanted a simple challenge - so we walked 28 miles (ish) from the south coast to the north coast and back to the south coast. We took the Portreath - Devoran Railway Trail both ways resulting in four very tired old Oldies who have sworn never to walk anywhere for a challenge again.........!

Starting at Devoran

On our way

Neil

River at Devoran

Carnon Valley Viaduct (Falmouth- Truro Branch-line)

Works in Carnon Valley

Old mining spill pit, now a pond

Part of the old Arsenic Refinery

At Twelveheads

Mine waste

Neil

John, Steve, Neil

Poldice Valley

Fox and Hounds, Scorrier

Scorrier

Neil at Scorrier

Roddas Creamery

Portreath Tramroad

At Portreath!

Portreath

Neil - Portreath Harbour

Portreath Harbour

Oldies at Portreath Harbour

John next to the map he created

On way back

The long road ahead

Pain becoming an issue

Neil

Making way back

John in Poldice Valley

Poldice Valley

Back at Devoran

Success (and very sore feet!)

Welcome!

Welcome to the Penair Oldies Blog

Four old school friends who have stayed together through many of life's many adventures.

We have always kept in touch, supported each other through marriages, funerals, one divorce and between us 11 children!!!

We reunite twice a year if possible, in the Autumn for many years especially to remember Kaimen Wong who passed away in early November 1986. He was a brilliant young man who I think would have approved of our joint nuttiness! We never make such reunions morbid, more a happy celebration of life and to ensure he remains part of the Oldies!

Until this stage, we jokingly called ourselves the 'Old Buggers'!

In 2010 we began the Oldie challenges. Started because of a rainy day talk over a cup of coffee at Steve's house, we decided to formally try and raise money to help send his son Joseph to the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden! Between us we walked the south Cornish Coast from Rame Head to Lands End, a total of 150 miles (give or take). Because of the need for a more public profile, this page was created along with a new name more media friendly - 'The Penair Oldies'

The Challenges continued albeit slightly more low-key - In 2011 we walked 26 miles between Devoran - Portreath and back again on the 30th July 2011

In 2012 - We attempted to cycle from Plymouth Hoe to Dartmoor and back again! This particularly was important for me as it marked the last event the 'old' me took place in. (for those not in the loop, ask someone else, it's no secret and I'm getting tired telling the same story after all this time!)

In 2013 - we walked between Rough Tor to Golitha Falls Bodmin Moor - a huge undertaking made worse as it was the first for the 'new' me. The boys were brilliant and really you couldn't ask for better friends

2014 we took a slightly different approach. Rather than distance we went exploring! We walked the banks of the Rover Tamar from Gunnislake discovering the long forgotten river port of 'New Quay' hidden in the undergrowth. Brilliant, March adventure that for that time of year was warm and bright.

2015 we had a far more relaxed challenge. I was still getting over an operation, Neil was awaiting yet another baby-oldie, Steve is old and John, well John just doesn't age curse him! So a gentle stroll across almost ten miles of the south Devon countryside close to the South Devon Steam Railway.

2016 marked 30 years since Kiamen's passing - our reunions reflected that. - Princetown on Dartmoor to Plymouth - "Prison to the Sea".

2017 - an easier trek across the China Clay Pit area of Cornwall down to the sea

2018 - provisionally two challenges are planned!! The first will be the usual Oldie silliness - this time cycling the length of the Camel Trail and back again (about 50 miles, don't tell the rest of them!)

The second is a "mini" challenge in so far as just Neil and Claire will be doing it - the Three Peak Challenge,

Claire and the Old Buggers (Penair Oldies)