‘Old Gits’ is the name of a Whatsapp group Spike, Dave, Nick, Michael and Tony formed for our annual walking trips from about 2012.  We had all known each other and been walking together as different combinations over the years and we sort of morphed into this group for long weekends away, walking, endless talking, laughing, feasting, and drinking too much.  Not known for his athleticism, Spike generally scampered on ahead up anything we were doing. Izzy, their family dog, was a sometime companion. Sadly, Spike couldn’t make our trips post lockdown for various reasons, but remained part of the group and we all looked forward to the next time he could join us.
 
Our trips invariably  began with Spike's bear-hug and gruff 'how are you?', continued with his denunciation of coriander (which was not one of his surreal jokes, but was in fact a genuine dislike) as we unpacked provisions on arrival, and ended with his warm recommendation of the latest book he'd read about nature, music or film and looking forward to our next adventure. Although Spike talked about music, he never bragged about his own musical achievements. However, on the Northumberland trip in 2014 he brought the unreleased Snapdragons album with him, which we played in the car.
 
Memories of those times of us all together include Spike’s extraordinarily good beef wellington in Eskdale – where on earth did that talent come from?  A beautiful, unexpected pint outside the Ship Inn towards the end of a costal walk in Northumberland.  Spike’s legendary snoring that could make the mountains shake and ensured that if there was any need to share a room, Spike’s name was never mentioned! Spike and Nick developing their Lavender Hill Mob caper plans on walks that became more surreal as the day wore on.  Stopping for Cream Teas about 20 minutes after we had set off, all dressed up in our walking gear, supposedly on a hike up Catbells.  A thankless trek along the Pennine Way, scarred on all our memories. Spike reminiscing about childhood holidays on the Llyn Peninsula, on our trip there in 2019.  Being lucky enough to enjoy a wonderful long walk over Robinson in the Lake District with Spike whilst putting the world, and ourselves, to rights.  A personal memory for Michael was Spike talking him through a heart procedure that he had undergone and Michael was about to have (as well as later driving him to the hospital when back in London).  Long evenings enjoying lovely food, listening to eclectic music and laughing, with obligatory political debate, but always up and off, in good cheer in the morning.  We will sorely miss his laughter and his wonderful company. We had good times, Spike. xx
 
Nick, Michael, Tony & Dave