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On Friday, 24th April 2009 at 18.30, a group of people from
West Waterford set off for a walk. Not just any walk. A trek. A trek only
an eegit would do. The Trekkin' Eegits had taken the hard earned cash of
friends, neighbours, relations and anybody else willing to give, and now
had to do it. 83kms of abandoned rail line, roads, fields, briars, gorse
and cows awaited them. Start point - Blackwater Lodge, Ballyduff Upper.
Destination - Bilberry, Waterford. Duration - 3 days. Reason - raise funds
for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.
Day 1 was the shortest of the three and the group covered the
17kms, finishing in the bright lights of Cappoquin at 22.30. Sleep came
easily that night.
Day 2 turned out to be a test of everything: a test of stamina,
patience, morale and waterproof clothing. Stamina, patience and
morale just about came through; waterproof clothing did not. 35kms of
weather and mud were covered on this day; nine hours nobody cared
to repeat.
Day 3 - the home stretch (31kms). Bodies still aching from the previous
day's experience, the gang resumed their journey at pace from Ballylynch.
With spirits high and the end in sight, the kilometres
rapidly disappeared as the last stop of the trip, Kilmeaden, appeared.
Everyone discarded all but the bare essentials for this final leg
and bandaged everything that needed to be bandaged. Spurred on by
friends and family, these last 9kms were tough but enjoyable. Finally, on
the dot of just after half past four, the Trekkin' Eegits reached journey's
end.
Total amount raised for A.B.I.
Ireland €5492.00
Well done to all and many thanks to all who
donated their time and money to this worthy
endeavour. |