MASSAGED CHIEF OF STAFF

Robin who has run a good race receiving the heavy treatment all laid on by Wild Fox Events at the three quarter point. Great event and a great buzz at this point.

WILD FOX

Here is the man who runs the show. David Fox-Pitt and we are lucky to have caught an uncharacteristic smile. Ultra efficient has made sure it goes smoothly. Now at halfway point and about 50 are through. Its going well thanks to Wild Fox.

THE LEADERS

These are the members of 1 Battalion REME who are leaping ahead and are very much in the lead. Feet all in good condition , not that I examined them myself!!  Well done them.

A STRONG ALLIANCE

This is Katherine Garrett-Cox, the CEO of Alliance Trust who have sponsored the Cateran Yomp and in so doing have realised my ambition to run this very high profile event. I am enormously grateful to Catherine for supporting us for this and the next two years.

STILL THERE

The Katterick Kommandos are still going strong. All in great heart but the worst is to come. But where is the flat cap?

JUST IN CASE

Just in case you don't what all these posts are about. This logo on an Alliance Trust van makes it clear.

BURLINGTON BERTIE

What can I say?  We shall follow him and I will report later.

WHERE SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE

This what sheep see on a normal Saturday morning except suddenly a collection of mad walkers chattering like chaffinches appear on this calm and serene scene. All very cheerful now. Let's see what they are like later. We have lots of Army teams and one from "shush" you know who!!

0700 THEY ARE OFF!!

It's a overcast morning with the odd spot of rain as over 200 intrepid walkers wait for the horn. Counted down by Catherine Garrett-Cox they were off in good spirits. Ideal temperature for walking.
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KATTERICK KOMMANDOS

A frightening team here from Katterick, ready for the off. Saw them in the pub last night, never thought they would make it. But they are in good form this morning led by our own Jim Duffy. He's the one on the right with the smart cap.

ALL SET

Got here from Edinburgh saw some of the teams and dropped in on the base HQ. All very calm, looking ultra efficient and an air of excitement. 54 mile in 24 hours quite a challenge. More to morrow.

THIS IS YOGI

A long time ago I knew the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Cpl Kennedy was one of those soldiers you simply never forget.  In his early days he had a stand up row with Mad Mitch and survived!  Later he ran the Officers Mess in Soltau a lovely German town where the British army were stationed  ,, in the good old days.  Anyway there I am minding my own business selling ABF (no! Soldiers' Charity) mugs and Yogi turns up.  An hour later we stop reminiscing and go back to mugs and things.  He gave me a generous donation to the charity which i shall put in a bucket in Blairgowrie.  Old Soldiers Never Die and Yogi never will!

NAVAL GUN RACE

So what do we have here!! At Leith as part of the Armed Forces Day the Royal Navy put on a demo of the Field Gun Race. It was very good and popular with the public.  Big guns but it was all on the flat and definitely misses the ptazz of the full show with chasms and the ropes and pillars.  Nevertheless it shows the appetite the public have for this great tradition.  So... if you want to see the real thing, come to Earls Court on 2-4 December and see Wellington College do the genuine race.  Look at: http://www.britishmilitarytournament.com






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CASTLE VIEW

Am up in Edinburgh for Armed Forces Day and it is good to see this wonderful view. In comparison trying to drive down Princes Street is a nightmare in fact you can't as it is only for buses and a strange contraption on rails called a tram. Last night I listened to a talk given by General Nick Parker on defence and Afghanistan. It was both fascinating and encouraging although the prospects for the future of the Army were mixed.

WHO IS Mr STITCH?

Mr Stitch is my horse and he is coming with me on the Reivers Ride which starts in about 5 weeks time.  Here he is at the livery stables where is being got fit for the ride. He seems to have enormous ears but this must be  the camera!  He is looking forward to the ride and no doubt will have his laugh when he has me off!  To learn more about the ride go to http://www.soldierscharity.org/reivers-ride

We welcome anybody who wants to join us, it will be fun and in some beautiful country.

THE TOURNAMENT BECKONS

Yesterday was dominated by several meetings on the British Military Tournament which is being held 2-4 December.  The good news is that we have already sold 5,500 tickets and they are moving fast.  Planning is proceeding apace and we have decided to have the US Army Band playing Glenn Miller and the scene will include 50 to 100 dancers with the piano on a WW2 truck and the Conductor on a WW2 jeep. Should be a really good piece.  Later went to Poppy Party in House of Commons where it took 45 minutes to get in!!  http://www.britishmilitarytournament.com/tickets-and-venue-information