Around twenty hardy walkers – and two dugs! – took part in the NEN Walkathon on Saturday. The small but enthusiastic band braved sweltering temperatures to raise funds for the community newspaper.
The walk took off from Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus and visited a number of community projects – some of whom opened especially to support the walk – including Pilton Community Health Project, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Muirhouse Library and North Edinburgh Arts.
Zumba warmup at Granton Campus
It’s not yet known how much was raised by the charity walkers, but although it’s unlikely to be enough to produce an August edition your support – and the support of those who assisted on the day – is greatly appreciated.
Welcome refreshments at PCHP
Thanking the walkers before they set off, NEN Chairman Martin Hinds said that the board will be seeking commitment from the council to ensure the community newspaper’s survival (report to follow).
Well the big day has final arrived and it seems the weather gods have smiled down on the NEN Walkathon – it’s not quite so hot this morning and there’s also a gentle breeze.
So walkers, the final check:
Sun hat?
Sunglasses?
Water?
Sunscreen?
Regal King Size?
Attending Betty McVay’s belated birthday party last night was perhaps not the ideal pre-walk preparation for me, but good luck everyone – and thanks for supporting your community newspaper!
Participants in tonorrow’s NEN Walkathon are being urged to put safety first as the recent spell of hot weather shows no sign of cooling down. Walkers should carry and drink plenty of water, wear loose, light-coloured clothes and stay out of the sun as much as possible – especially in the fierce heat if the midday sun.
Temperatures over the weekend are expected to remain high, with many places expected to reach 26 or 27 degrees centigrade – that’s into the eighties in Fahrenheit – so here are some timely tips for our Walkathon walkers:
Seek Out Shade
Direct sun can make the temperature feel up to 15 degrees hotter! Check your area to see if there are parks with trails through the trees.
Expose Your Skin
Sweat can evaporate more easily from bare arms and legs – wear plenty of sunscreen, even under your shirt.
Just Add Water
Wet your shirt, and you’ll have on-the-spot air-conditioning!
Ice Your Thirst
Freeze a half-full water bottle, then top it off as you head out. Take sips regularly while you’re walking. Six to eight ounces of water every 15 minutes should be enough. As an extra precaution against dehydration, weigh yourself before your walk and again afterward. If you’ve dropped a pound or two, drink up. You’ve lost fluid that is important to your body’s cooling system.
Try Sports Drinks
If you just can’t get yourself to drink more water on your summer jaunts, then why not try a sports drink? They taste good and supply less than half the calories of fruit juices. They’re absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, so you can walk farther and avoid post-exercise fatigue. If you don’t like the taste of a sports drink, you can also diluter your favorite fruit juice with water and take it along with you.
Cover Your Head
Wear a breathable hat (not a visor—it will only protect your face, not your head), and wet that too.
Switch Shoes
For warm-weather workouts, you need lightweight, ventilated walking shoes and socks that wick away sweat. Mesh is cooler than leather and dries faster when your feet sweat. Or try a walking sandal.
Reduce Friction
Be aware of areas where skin rubs against skin—between your toes, thighs, and under your arms—and apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or use Runner’s Lube, a nonstaining cream made from lanolin, zinc oxide, and benzocaine. It can be found in many sporting goods stores.
Listen to Your Body
Your body will tell you when you can push yourself, and when it’s time to coast. If you develop a headache or become dizzy or weak, stop exercising and head for a cool place. Drink plenty of cool fluids, and rest.
The NEN Walkathon is just four days away now – I hope your rigorous training regime, like mine, is holding up in this tropical weather …
Another alternative route to consider:
THE TIPPLER’s TRAIL
Local legend Big Boab Baxter
I could regale you with the tale of the Boswall Battler – Big Boab Baxter, the barefist bruiser – but I will save that story for another day. Instead, here’s are the watering holes that make up the historic Tippler’s Trail:
Telford Arms, Telford Road
The Doo’cot, Ferry Road
Ferry Boat, Ferry Road
The Gunner, Pennywell Road
The Anchor, West Granton Road
For seasoned drinkers walkers you could add detours into Davidson’s Mains and/or continue beyond the Anchor to The Old Chain Peir and beyond … each tavern is a new adventure!
During this heatwave it’s important to listen to expert health advice, particularly if you are taking part in the NEN Walkathon this Saturday:
NHS Lothian summer sun advice:
‘Sunshine in Scotland may be a rarity, but too much exposure can do as much damage to your skin as it would if you were abroad.
Wherver you are enjoying the sun it is important to protect your skin. Sun lotions come with various levels of sun protection factors (SPFs) and it is important to make sure you use a strength appropriate for your skin. There are tailored varieties availabel for use during sport or whiel swimming, and it is best to reapply sun lotion throughout the day for maximum protection.
If sunburn does occur, place a cool, damp sponge on the affected areas then apply aftersun to soothe and help heal the skin. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help to cool you down and will replace water lost due to sweating’.
There’s still time to sign up to the NEN Walkathon – entry form below:
Just a week to go until the NEN Walkathon, and walkers may already have selected their chosen routes. You don’t have to stick to the suggested routes, however, the choice is all yours!
How about tackling … THE PIEMAN’S PATH?
Never heard the legend of the Pilton Pieman? Then read on …
The only known illustration of Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter
Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter – the Pilton Pieman
Many years ago, the legend of Pudden, the Pilton Pieman was born. This is the story:
Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter was of noble birth – his family was landed gentry. Young Paddy enjoyed all the privileges of wealth, but life was to change forever for the young man when he met and fell in love with a Newhaven fishwife. Paddy’s father disowned him when he chose to marry his Newhaven love.
Patrick and his new bride lived in relative poverty, particularly when the fishing was poor, but the young nobleman was a good, hard worker who would tackle any labour – when he could not go off to see on the trawlers he worked with butchers, bakers and yes, possibly even candlestick makers to make money, gain experience and provide for his growing family. It was a tough life, but Paddy never regreatted the path he had chosen.
One evening, when he was particularly down on his luck, Paddy cut through Caroline Park House on his way home from a labouring shift, bringing in the harvest on Drylaw Farm.
He was amazed to see hundreds, maybe thousands of rabbits scampering around the grounds – and an idea formed that was to change his life forever.
The following day he returned to Caroline Park House and spoke to the gamekeeper there. The gamekeeper was only too happy to have someone to help him deal with the rabbit epidemic and soon Paddy was hard at work.
Paddy then used the skills he had learned as a butcher and a baker – and young Paddy’s delicious home made rabbit pies and puddings quickly became the talk of the town.
Paddy ‘Pudden’ Porter became something of a celebrity in Leith and Edinburgh – he mixed with the rich and famous and his pies were served at Royal banquets at Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle.
Pudden’s legendary rabbit pie can be seen at the British Museum
While ‘Pudden’ Porter’s family flourished, the same could not be said for the family who had disowned him. ‘Pudden’ had been the first of six boys – but each of the others died prematurely, often in suspicious circumstances. Some whispered that the Porters were cursed – a housemaid swore that each of the Porter boys died after eating …. no, contaminated fish!
The Pilton Pieman went from strength to strength – Paddy Porter became Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The Porters also had a large family – by a strange coincidence, also six boys – and each of them in turn became town councillors. It’s thought that this is where the phrase ‘gravy train’ originated.
And while both Edinburgh and Leith have grown and changed so much over the centuries, even to this day the city council still has it’s fair share o’ Puddens!
THE PIEMAN’s PATH
Bayne’s, Drylaw Shops
Groathill Bakery
Gregg’s, Pennywell Road
Gregg’s, Boswall Parkway
Caroline Park House
Granton Home Bakery, West Granton Road
Mason’s Bakery, Newhaven
Walk in the footsteps of a local legend and taste a piece of history!
Edinburgh’s own Zumba Boys, will be on hand on Saturday 20th July turning up the heat in their own style with motivating music and warm up moves to get everyone in the mood for the Walkathon. David and Tom’s Zumba classes are great fun so we jumped when they offered to support the event. We know the boys will certainly get you lot jumping – for joy – and once the Zumba Boys have got you going you will be raring to raise as much as possible for the NEN – Thanks boys – see you there 😉
Around twenty hardy walkers – and two dugs! – took part in the NEN Walkathon on Saturday. The small but enthusiastic band braved sweltering temperatures to raise funds for the community newspaper.
