Story

The High Road to Hope For Erin and all the other angels Hi, thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving pages. I am walking from Land's End in Cornwall, the farthest point south west on the UK mainland, to Duncansby Head in Scotland, the farthest point north west on the UK mainland, in order to raise monies for two charities: Chidrens Hospices UK and Hope House Children's Hospices. The walk, will be 1200 miles in length, will take about 3 months to complete and will involve summitting Snowdon,Scaffell Pike and Ben Nevis and many more of the highest mountains in the UK. The final mountain I hope to climb is, appropriately, Ben Hope in the far North of Scotland. Duruing the trip I will be wild camping or staying in a camp site most nights, with some occasional nights in hostels. It will be a big challenge for me but just hope that I am able to complete the walk and raise some funds in support of these two very worthy organisations. Children's Hospices, such as Hope House, care for terminally ill children and provide their families with the emotional and practical support they so desperately need. All are privately funded relying on the generosity of the public and organisations.   I do hope that you will feel able to support me in the challenge and make a donation to either Hope House or Children's  Hospices UK. I will update my pages with regular progress reports and photos and will make every effort to reply to any messages I receive.   Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now. 14th & 15/07/2011. This was the final 50 miles of the walk; however, most of the day was spent on roads so I could make good progress despite having to leap on the grass verges to stay alive. At 7:00am on the 14th I set off from the camp-site in Melvich and walked the 17 miles to Thurso arriving at 12:30pm. The forecast was for a clear morning on the Friday morning so at 4pm I set off for Dunnett Head lighthouse, the most northerly point on the UK mainland, arriving at 8pm. It was a bit misty but very atmospheric and I managed to rest for a few hours in a barn. At 2:30am I set off for the final stretch with the sun just below the horizon. It was a beautiful sunrise and the lighthouse was bathed in sunshine when I arrived. I was really tired having walked through the night but so pleased to have achieved my goal and realised my ambition. I looked out to sea with the Orkney's to my left and nothing but the Arctic Ocean beyond and reflected on the journey. I thought of the places I had visited; the good people I was privileged to have met and who gave me so much encouragement; I also thought of the children and families up and down this country needing the care and support of children's hospices, and I thought of our own daughter, Erin, as we do every day. We know how important Children's Hospices are for those families and to know that other people care. 13/07/2011. It was a lovely morning as I walked from Tongue to Bettyhill over the moors. Unfortunately the flies also appreciated the heat and kept company with me until I managed to dive into a cafe at lunchtime. The afternoon was better with a cooling stiff breeze which kept the flies at bay and cleared the air. Although it was more road work there were great views of the Orkneys from picturesque Strathy Point. I arrived at Melvich at 4:30pm where I camped.  12/07/2011. I broke camp at 5:00am to escape the midges and took an old drovers track called the Moine Path around the foot of Ben Hope and across the moors to Tongue. The afternoon was sunny and there were great views of Ben Loyal and down the Kyle of Tongue. Tongue is a lovely village with a castle overlooking the beautiful white sand and blue waters of the estuary. 11/07/2011. I made a 5:00am start from Durness and walked 25 miles along the road around Loch Eriboll to Hope and then down a track along the side of Loch Hope to the foot of Ben Hope; the most northerly Munroe and the last mountain on my journey. Although it was misty and overcast I decided to climb the mountain and reached the summit at 4:30pm. Unfortunately, there were no views at the top. I got off the mountain at 6pm and camped by Loch Hope, together with swarms of midges. 9th-10/07/2011. At 7:00am I walked back to the main track and then the 7 miles to the ferry crossing across the Kyle of Durness. This was the only bit of cheating on the walk but although, apparently, it is possible to wade across the channel at low tide, you have to ensure that you miss the quick-sand, so I hope you will forgive me for choosing to keep my feet dry. I camped at Durness and also had a rest day spending one night in a comfortable bunk-house.  08/07/2011. I made a 9:00am start from Kinlochbervie on a warm sunny morning. I walked along a minor road to Blairmore and then took the footpath across the moorland to the remote and beautiful Sandwood Bay. What a magical place: white sand, dunes, dramatic cliffs and a stack, and nobody else around. I stayed for half-an-hour then continued across the moors and cliffs to the lighthouse at Cape Wrath. It was a really tough and arduous walk but I arrived at 3:30pm and was rewarded with a warm welcome and coffee and cake at the Ozone Cafe. This is the most north westerly point on the UK mainland and what an isolated and atmospheric place it is with massive cliffs, seabirds and the lighthouse. From Cape Wrath I walked along the access track to the magical bothy at Kervaig. The bothy is just above the beach in this beautiful sandy cove with puffins and other seabirds for company. There were three other people staying in the bothy and I had a lovely evening chatting in front of a log fire. We were treated to a special sunset. Fantastic!  07/07/2011. From Kylescu I walked across the bridge to Kylestrome and followed a track over the hills to Achfarry at the foot of Ben Stack. I had great views of Arkle and Foinaven and stopped a while in Acfarry where I was treated to coffee and cake in the village hall. The village is situated in the Duke of Westminster's estate and is really picturesque. I then walked along the side of Loch Stack to Laxford Bridge then along the road to Kinlochbervie. Although my walk was along the road it was quiet and there were great views of the mountains and the coast. 06/07/2011. The weather was cloudy and misty and from Ichnadamph Lodge I followed the Cape Wrath Trail along a path leading over the hills to Loch Glencoul. This was remote country and I really needed to use my compass to find my way to my first objective; the Chual Aluihn Waterfall. This is the highest waterfall in the UK and is a dramatic sight as the waters tumble over the cliffs into Glen Coul. From there I walked over another high pass to Kylescu beneath the massive bulk of Quinag. I treated myslef to a B & B looking out over Loch Glencoul and Loch Glean Dubh. Magic!. 05/07/2011. I am in the Ichnadamph Lodge Hostel in Sutherland and am taking the opportunity to use the Internet facilities here. I stayed in Ullapool for two days, two nights at the campsite on the shores of Loch Broom and one night at the great SYHA Hostel looking out on the harbour and down the loch. Today I started walking at 6:00am because the weather had turned stormy and I wanted to get to Ichnadamph as soon as possible. I have one more mountain to climb, Ben Hope but still have a bout 200 miles before I finish the walk. Hope I get some good weather at Sandwood Bay and Cape Wrath. 04/07/2011. I made a 5:00am start as I had a long walk in from the village to Suilven. The day started a little overcast and Suilven was shrouded in mist. It was a beautiful walk, passing three lochs over some moorland and down a valley to the foot of the mountain. Anyone who knows Suilven will appreciate the dramatic and awe- inspiring site that the mountain presents, rising with sheer cliffs from the surrounding landscape. This is a mountain I have always wanted to climb. As I started to climb the cloud lifted and when I reached the summit I could see for miles around. The summit is basically a long very narrow ridge and the views on all sides were stunning with dozens of small lochans stretching out to the mountains beyond and to the sea. I eventually came down but had a long walk back eventually arriving in Elphin at 3:30pm. It was a long day and I was tired but as always on this walk met some really nice people in the village to perk me up. I camped again in the camp-site. 03/07/2011. It was a fine sunny day but I had to walk 15miles along the main road to Elphin. Although I hate waling along the main A roads, I passed some great scenery: Ardmair Point on the coast and great views of the mountains, including Suilven, may target for Monday. I made god progress and camped in a small campsite above the village. When I arrived a golden eagle was circling above. 30/06/2011. It's 12:00pm and I am in the public library in Ullapool. Once again, as so often on the trip, the kind lady in the library has allowed me to update my just giving pages. So here goes.Firstly I apologise because I have had to delete some of the earlier updates again. 30/06/2011. Today I had a short walk of nine miles along the road to Ullapool. The walk took me along the banks of Loch Maree which made up for the traffic.I intend to stay here for two days to organise myself for the loast stage of the journey which will take me to Cape Wrath and on to John O'Groats. I stiill have a lot pf places that I am looking forward to seeing. 29/06/2011. I had to walk 25miles today so I made a 5:30am start. It was raining but as the day progressed the weather brightened with sunny spells and showers. I walked over and old trail to the Heights of Kinlochewe and on to Lochan Fada. From here I hade to navigate over wild, pathless and remote moorland to locate the Bealach which took me into the next glen and to the idyllic but remote Lochan Nid. Thankfully my navigation was up to the job and from there I crossed over another high pass to reach the tiny hamlet of Corrie Hallie. On the way the views of the intimidating crags of An Tealach were stunning and the mountain dominated the valley. From Corrie Hallie I crossed another hich pass and stretch of moorlann the reach Croftown by Inverleal. As I came down over the pass into the valley the views of the surrounding mountains and down the valley were breathtaking. 28/06/2011. I was feeling a bit tired and had a long day's walking ahead of me so I took a rest day in Kinlochewe. 27/06/2011. A better day by far and I made the most of the weather by climbing Slioch and Sgurr an Tuill Bhain. What a fantastic mountain day. From the summits the views went on forever with mountains stretching into the distance. 26/06/2011. Heavy rain and I made a 6:00am start from Craig. I took an old historic drover's track which took me over the Coulin Pass across moorland down to Coulin and then up through foresty plantations which took me over to the next glen and to Kinlochewe. I was very wet, covered in mud and midges but what a fantastic location with Beinn Eighe and Slioch towering above the village and above tghe wonderful Loch Maree. 25/06/2011. Today I wanted to move ten miles up the valley to a tiny hamlet called Craig. I was able to walke som way along the loch side and by the river but eventually had to walk along a road. Not so nice but good views. By pure chance, I went to a house in the forest where I met a lovely family. It transpired that pine martens visited the house and fed from the kitchen window. While I was there the female and one of her young arrived. I have never seen a pine marten before and it was a wonderful experience to see these beautiful animals; in particular when the mother ate from my hand. Wow!!. I have the pictures to remind myself that I didn't imgine it. 24/06/2011. I set off at 9:00am and had a relatively easy day's walking passing Killilan and up the valley by the River Ling before climbing over the hills and into the next valley above Loch Carron. The route took me to Attadale where I saw two eagles soaring overhead. It was a lovely sunny afternoon and I camped in a nice camp-site above Loch Carron village. 23/06/2011. I started on this day's journey at 9:30am. The weather was showery but with some bright spells. I walked to Morvich and then up through the forestry onto the hills leading to the Bealach Sroine. The patgh took me down to the spectacular Falls of Glomach. The falls are awe inspiring as the waters tumbe down into a deep and frightening gorge. From there the trail took me into the remote Glen Elchaig and to where I stayed the night in a binkhouse in the tiny hamlet of Camas Luinie. 22/06/2011. I am staying in the bunkhouse at the Kintail Lodge Hotel in Sheil Bridge. The proprietorshave kindly allowed me to update my progress. Tomorrow Iam heading north again to Killilan but doubt if I will be able to update the pages for a few days. 22/06/2011. Today was a better day and more than made up for yesterday. The weather was better and I had a fantastic mountain day climbing the Saddle via the Forcan Ridge. This is a very exposed route with dramatic drops all around and some tricky scrambling. But the views were simply stunning and could see for miles; mountains, lochs and the sea. One of the best mountain days I have ever enjoyed. What a difference a day makes. 21/06/2011. Today was a rainy day and my plans went slightly astray. In the morningI climbed Ciste Dubhe. This a lovely mountain with fantastic views from the summit but I couldn't see anything. Got some good atmospheric photos though. I got down about 2pm and then decided to walk the 10 miles toSheil Bridge. Big mistake!. The rain came down in sheets and it took me four hours walking along the busy main road to get to my destination. I must admit, after getting soaked in the rain and splashed by lorries and coaches I was pretty demoralised. However, Sheil Bridge is located in one of the most beautiful areas I have visited so far. 20/06/2011. From Tomdoun I walked across country again over a high pass into Glen Loyne. Afterfoprding the river I walked over another high pass where I followed an old road which took me to the Cluanie Inn in Glen Sheil.The weather was dry and sunny in the afternoon and the scenery is just stunning. From leaving Tomdoun to my arrival at the Cluanie Inn I met no other people. 19/06/2011. Today was a lovely sunny day. I walked to Loch Lochy from where you cal looke down the Great Glen towards Loch Ness but then set off across country to Tomdoun in Glen Garry. The whole nature of the walk has now changed because I am travelling from glen to glen through remote areas of the Scottish Highlands. Fantastic scenery but no real footpaths and a lot of the walking was over peatbogs. I stayed at the veryatmospheric Tomdoun Hotel. I only sawone group of walkers who were from Germany.  18/06/2011. I took a rest day yesterday and today had a fairly easy and pleasant 8 mile walk from Fort William to Gairlochy along the banks ofthe Caledonian Canal. The canal was built by Thomas Telford and is can take sea going vessels. It was and still is a fantastic piece of engineering. Unfortunately the rain came in as Icamped at Gairlochy. Midges everywhere. 16/06/2011. This is my final update before I leaver Fort William for the north of Scotland. Today I summitted Ben Nevis and was lucky wioth the weather. It was a great day and clear on top when I got there. I climbed via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete which was really dramatic with fantastic views of the craggy north face of the mountain. So now I have climbed the highest peaks in England Wales and Scotland, but I still have a long way to go and more peaks to climb finishing with Ben Hope, the most northerly Munro. I may not be able to update the site until I reach Ullapool but will try to get some internet access on the way. Thank you all so much for your support. 14/06/2011. I am in Fort William Public Library having completed the West Highland Way. I am staying here for three days in order to summit Ben Nevis and to organise myself for the final and most challenging stages of the walk. I am a little apprehensive because some of the areas I will be visiting are remote, but I am really excited by the prospect because the north of Scotland has some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK. I am not sure how often I will be able to update the just giving site but to all the good people who have supported me so far thank you so much. To anyone else who is considering making a donation please have faith in me because I will complete the trip. I feel strong, fit and am very determined; both charities are worthy causes and I won't let them down. Just to let you know that I have had to delete some earlier entries in order to keep you updated. Unfortunately, the just giving site is not really geared to a long term charity event and only allows a limited number opf photographs and a limited amount of text. I have provided a brief summary of the early stages of my journey. 14/06/2011. Walked from Kinlochleven to Fort William. Great weather and spectacular views of Ben Nevis. 13/06/2011. Walked from Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven. A wet morning but the weather improved with dramating views of Glen Coe. 12/06/2011. Walked from Crainlarich to Bridge of Orchy. 11/06/2011. Walked six miles to Crainlarich and summitted Ben Moore and Stob Binnien. A real slog in the rain but good views.  10/06/2011. Walked to Inverannan where I camped. 09/06/2011. Summitted Ben Lomond the most southerly Munroe. 08/06/2011. Walked along the banks of Loch Lomond to Rowardennan YHA. 07/06/2011. It is 10:00am and I am in the lovely village of Drymen situated by Loch Lomond. I am in the Public Library and the kind librarian has allowed me to update my pages. Today I am taking a rest day and yesterday I was camping with my son, Scott, and his wife, Jessica, just outside the village. After some long days I needed a break and am taking today to sort out my schedule for the next stage which will take me to Fort William. 05/06/2011. I made a 5:00am start intending to walk to Drymen where I had planned to meet my son Scott and his wife Jessica. Unfortunately, as soon as I walked into Kylsyth I came across a lady who had been badly assaulted. The Police were called and the whole incident was very disturbing and brought me back to reality reminding me that human nature has an ugly side. I carried on walking and followed an old disused railway line which joined onto the West Highland Way and took me almost to my camp-site. 04/06/2011. The day was cooler and I again followed the towpath to Falkirk where the canal is linked to the Forth and Clyde canal by the very impressive Falkirk Wheel. I then followed the towpath of the Forth and Clyde canal to the town of Kylsyth. The town appeared to be very run-down with most shops shuttered and barred. I camped in the front garden of a farm above the town.  03/06/2011. The day was very hot and the going tough. I walked on an old Roman road from the village to the surrounding hills and moors. I passed Baddingsgill Reservoir and then followed the 'Thieves Road' to Corston Hill. From there I had fantastic views of the surrounding countryside including Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. I then dropped down into the industrial heartland of Central Scotland but was able to follow the towpath of the Union Canal to Linlithgow, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. I had walked 27 miles, was very tired and dropped into the nearest pub. 02/06/2011. I left the camp-site at 7:15am with a long day ahead of me. I walked from Traquire along a minor road to the historic town of Peebles. I carried on alongside the Rover Tweed to Neidpath Castle from where I walked over the hills up to White Meldon. The weather was warm and it was a beautiful summer day. I walked through some forestry to an Iron Age Fort and down into a moorland valley which took me to Romannobridge and then on to the lovely village of West Linton, where I stayed the night. 01/06/2011. Firstly, thanks to everybody who has supported me and the charities and I will be in touch as soon as I have completed the walk. It's 6:30pm and I am in the public library in the nice little town of Innerleithen, on the banks of the River Tweed. I am feeling a lot better after a night in the SYHA in Melrose, the weather is beautiful and I feel so privileged to be walking in this beautiful part of the country; it is an ambition I have had since my childhood. Today I walked from Melrose following the Southern Upland Way and the Three Abbots Way along the banks of the River Tweed and then over the hills to Minch Moor before dropping down to the picture book village of Traquair. The walk was exhilerating and I had stunning views all around. I am camping in a lovely site by the river Tweed and on to West Linton tomorrow. Sunny all the way! 31/05/2011. I am in the Public Library in the lovely borders town of Melrose. Yesterday was a significant day because I crossed the border into Scotland stopping in Jedburgh. I have been looking forward to this part of the walk so much. I am sorry that I have not had the opportunity to update the pages until now but I have been on the Pennine Way in the wilds of Northumbria. Here goes. 31/05/2011. I am in the Public Library in the lovely borders town of Melrose. Yesterday was a significant day because I crossed the border into Scotland stopping in Jedburgh. I have been looking forward to this part of the walk so much. I am sorry that I have not had the opportunity to update the pages until now but I have been on the Pennine Way in the wilds of Northumbria. Here goes. 31/05/2011. Although still feeling a bit delicate, the weather was buch improved with lots of sunshine. I walked along Dere Street through pleasant rolling farmland following St Cuthberts way which toojk me all the way into Melrose. I need another B & B! 30/05/2011. Raining again and up at 5:00am to get to the Walkers Hostel for brakfast at 7:00am. At least the wind had eased, slightly, but the midges were swarming and having me for breakfast as I tried to pack my tent. I was feeling tired and full of cold but continued on the Pennine Way over the remote Cheviot Hills, passing the remains of a Roman Fort at Chew Green. This is bleak country; they must have been tough hardy lot. Got to the border fence and eventually crossed into Scotland along the old Roman Road of Dere Street. By this time the weather had improved but I was feeling extremely under the weather and tired and was so glad to arrive at Jedburgh. This is another lovely historical Borders town and I booked into a B & B for some TLC. The B & B was right next door to Mary Queen of Scots House. I was feeling really rough all night and thought I would have to take a rest day, but by morning I felt a little better. Summary: I started the walk on the 25/03/2011 at Penzance. I walked from Penzance to Land's End where I wild-camped near to the cliffs. I was a lovely spring morning as I set off and the good weather lasted the first month. I walked along the spectacular South West Coast path all the wat to Bideford where I turned off to take the Tarka trail to Barnstable and then to Exmoor. I crossed Exmoor and then travelled through Somerset over the Quantocks and the Mendips to Bristol. From Bristol I travelled along the Severn Estuary to cross the Severn Bridge into Wales at Chepstow. From there I walked along Offa's Dyke Path to Tintern where I then followed the Wye Valley Way across Mid Wales to climp Plumlymon. From there I walked into Snowdonia where I summitted Cadair Idris, Snowdon, The Glyders and the Carneddau Mountains to my home in Conwy, where I had four days rest. That was a mistake because when I resumed my feet became very sore and blistered. I walked acroos the Clwydian Hills following Offa's Dyke Path and then crossed into Cheshire and to onward to the Pennine Way. At that point the weather changed and as I travelled along the Pennine Way it rained every day. The Pennine Way provided some fantastic walking taking me from Whaley Bridge to where it joined the Dales Way. At that point, I temprrarily left the Pennine Way to take the Dales Way and onward to the Lakes. The Dales Way took me through beautiful Dentdale and throgh the Dales National Park to Windermere where the Lakeland Fells beckoned. I walked through Ambleside to Langdale where I climbed the Langdale Pikes and Scaffell Pike. I summitted Great Gable with my friends Jo an Wendy and after two rest days in Keswick summitted Skiddaw twice before continuing on the Cumbria Way to Carlilse. From Carlisle I followed the Hadrian's Wall Path until I rejoined the Pennine Way. I followed the Pennine Way to the camp-site at Cottonhopespurnfoot