Story
Updated on July 1st 2012 at 4:00 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 62 - (24 miles) Evanton - Dornoch Another long, long 24 mile day started with taking my new tent down and setting off about 7.30am. First stop was Alness, a bigger town on the Cromarty Firth but not the prettiest of places. From there it was a long hard slog if around 12 miles on country lanes towards the Dornoch Firth and the town of Tain. I stopped here for a rest and some lunch, it's a nicer place with some character. After lunch I walked along the A9 towards Dornoch, crossing the Firth by the main road bridge. En route I stopped i passed the Glenmorangie whisky distillery, and obviously I had to stop in. It lengthened my already long day even further but it was right on the route and I just couldn't walk past it! Spent a good hour inside, including 1-1 tour of the distillery followed by tasting of four different varieties, all for £2.50! When they found out about my big british walk they even gave me a freebie quarter bottle to take away! Well worth the trip, but it meant I probably wasn't in the safest of states to continue my journey as I left. Thankfully I arrived safely in Dornoch a couple of hours later. The evening sunshine was becoming fabulous just in time for my arrival into what is a great little town complete with cathedral, castle, world famous golf links and the site of Scotland's last ever witch burning in 1725! I saw all of the above during my approach to the campsite beside the beach/golf course. Put the tent up (which is falling apart already!) and had a quick shower before heading straight out to the closest pub for something to eat. It was now 8pm and as I write this at the dinner table after a long day, my feet are still lowping - battered and bruised. Still, I'm very pleased to be here. Getting to this point was another milestone for me as it means I've come through that 5 day period of long distance days since Fort William. I've come through on track and now feel like I'm heading into the home stretch towards John O'Groats where hopefully all going well I could arrive this Sunday. Can't believe I'm saying that. Keep your fingers and ties crossed for me please that things go ok between now and then!!
Day 61 - (21 miles) Beauly - Evanton It was good to get moving this morning but it was still dreich and i was tired and smelling like a wet mule. In light of yesterday's events, I was in no mood for messing around today and altered my original route plan to a more direct one down the main road. It took me out at Dingwall for lunch, and this being the biggest town in the area it had a tesco. And inside that tesco lo an behold.. was a selection of cheap tents they were selling!! I went for the two man "value" choice at £9.95. If it goes well ill ditch the old one in the next day or two. What a relief to get this sorted, I just hope it doesn't perform like a £9.95 tent! Walked to my end point at Evanton on the Cromarty Firth. Nice campsite where it was great to get a shower, first in a couple days! Moment of truth as I put the new tent up. Not so straightforward but once it's up and you get inside its massive! With me being used to a one man and this now a two man, I felt I was in a palace!! I just hope it survives the north Scotland weather and sees me through another week till the finish.
Day 60 - (25 miles) Altsigh (Loch Ness) - Beauly Today it was great to welcome back Stephen and Greg for their second round of walking with me as they travelled up from Glasgow on a day trip. It was excellent to have the company, particularly as I knew today was going to be a long hard slog. Heros the pair of you! Left the lochside and climbed up some pretty steep slopes on the side of the Great Glen for some great views of the loch. After a good walk, stopped at Drumnadrochit for lunch. A place i stayed when I was young and Jemma and I stayed again only a couple I years ago. After that it was another long walk out as we left the Great Glen Way over to the north and some more sparse landscape towards the final destination of Beauly. It was 7.30pm by the team we arrived at the campsite and as well as feeling tired I felt bad knowing the guys still had a 4 hour journey home ahead of them. As they left though, things took a real turn for the worse! The LAST thing I needed at nearly 8pm after a long day.. Whilst putting up my tent something went badly wrong and the pole snapped, collapsing half the tent and tearing the fabric rain sheet in two places. Disaster!! My first though was, shit, how many days still to go have I and am I going to be able to still make this trip work somehow?! It was too late to do anything about it tonight though as it was beyond a quick fix so I just resigned myself to a difficult night and prayed it wouldn't rain too heavily. In the end, it did rain and it was cold also as the wind whipped through the collapsed canvas. I hardly slept at all and clock watched freezing cold all night.
Updated on Jun 22nd 2012 at 7:54 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 59 - (23 miles) Laggan - Alltsigh (Loch Ness) Another long, tiring day. It started off pretty bleak and cloudy bit did steadily get better and by the time I arrived at the hostel on the banks of Loch Ness it was a beautiful evening and very way/surroundings to end the day in. The hostel it basic enough (no tv to watch tonight's football!) but does have an unbelievable location right on the lochside and even boasts its on private beach on the loch. It was here, whilst sitting enjoying the beautiful surroundings and evening sunshine and on the phone to my wife that I spotted it.. not Nessie perhaps, but I think it could be her baby or little sister! Right at my feet was a snake! Thankfully I got a photo so I'll be showing this evidence to any Nessie hunters I meet on the trail tomorrow and see what they make of it... Other than that today was another long, but flat, slog alongside the Caledonian canal, Loch Oich, more forest tracks before finally coming out to the Loch Ness hostel. PS. I just realised there was a rather embarrassing typo in yesterday's blog entry. I can promise you I do not refer to the generous sponsorship donations I have received as "awful Indonesians" !!! This was in fact meant to say "offline donations". Of course I can't edit it now anyway but I did think it looked quite funny when I read it back :-) that's what I get for trying to use voice recognition note taking with a Scottish accent!!!
Updated on Jun 21st 2012 at 7:54 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 58 - (23 miles) Fort William - Laggan Well first things first. In the last couple of days a very important milestone has been achieved. I'm so grateful and overwhelmed that my online fundraising total has now reached the £1000 mark. Thank you so much to everybody who has sponsored me. More awful Indonesians are still to come in and please share the web link with any friends or family who might be willing to sponsor also to keep the ball rolling for this very important charity. Today I left Fort William, scene of the finish line to the West Highland Way and also the start line from my new Trail, the Great Glen Way which I will now follow for the next three days or so, cutting off to head north just before it's finish in Inverness. I'm a bit nervous truth be told as the next few days are make or break really as the mileage steps up and doesn't drop below 22 miles for the next five days. I really hope I can manage the distances to not fall any further behind, but I know it's going to be tough going and relentless day after day. Today was 23 miles but luckily it was along good flat ground most of the way beside the Caledonian Canal and Loch Lochy. Highlight of the day was probably the moored canal barge at Laggan Locks which is now a converted pub complete with full bar, real ales and comfy sofas. It wad heaven sent after 22 miles! A wonderful little gem of a place. I made it into the hostel at Laggan just before the heavens opened thankfully and basically had the entire place to myself! Hope it has dried out by tomorrow, another long day ahead.
Updated on Jun 20th 2012 at 3:29 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 57 - (16 miles) Kinlochleven - Fort William My final day on the West Highland Way and I was treated to some really fine weather for it. Climbed out of Kinlochleven to some beautiful views of the town and loch below and then onto Lairigmor ("the high pass"), a fabulous high and remote glen up in the Manmore hills with steep slopes on all sides. Climbed round this and eventually down into Glen Nevis with some great views of Ben Nevis looming huge and imposing (last time I was here I was up on top of it but couldn't see a thing for cloud, at least I can see the top today!). From there it was a short walk round to the centre of Fort William to the official end of the West Highland Way, a pint and my certificate! I've really enjoyed the last few days, probably the best walking I've done I the entire route. Anybody who fancies some walking and hasn't yet done the WHW needs to do it. I also got a real sense of achievement walking into Fort William for the finish. Although I've walked a long way on this journey (equivalent of 12 west highland ways back to back!), and I've walked parts of many long distance trails (south coast path, Offa's dyke, Staffordshire way, Pennine Way, Southern Upland Way etc), I haven't actually completed any of them in their entirety. The WHW is the first time I've done this, and it feels good. It also feels good that I'm closer than ever to the ultimate destination and end point of course. Let's carry this momentum forward!!
Updated on Jun 19th 2012 at 5:06 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 56 - (21 miles) - Bridge of Orchy - Kinlochleven Well I may have joked slightly about the midges yesterday but let me tell you, I wasnt laughing last night when I got back to my tent! Honestly, I've known midges all my life but never before have I had to handle huge swarming clouds like these before, ones that attack you as you enter you tent and rush inside with you as you open to zip. I had full skin coverage, including head net but still spent a full hour in my tent trying to splat the legion of them that had made it inside. When I finally finished an got to sleep it was a wet night and then when I finally got up at 6am I went through the same battle with my midge friends all over again!! Now, rant over, lets get on t what happened today now... Today I was walking from Bridge of Orhy over Rannoch Moor towards Glen Coe and over a pass to Kinlochleven. It's a bit of a defining day for me in many ways as this is a section of the route I've been thinking about since before I set out at the very beginning. This section is exactly what I think of when I think of Scotland. It's dramatic, scenic and historic. It's an area I know partly due to the fabulous driving I've done up this way but I've never really walked up these parts and knew there certain sections, particularly in the afternoon that would be new to me. I always knew it would go one of two ways, either rain would pour and it would be one of the most difficult, remote and demoralising days of the entire route or it would stay dry and prove to be one of the overall highlights. Thankfully it was the latter. It was just a spectacular, uplifting day. For people who have done the west highland way before and had decent weather on this section, you will know this already but for others like me who have always had this down as a "I'll do it one day", you have to get yourself organised and do this 21 mile section at least! From the huge, moody expanse of Rannoch Moor to the first dramatic glimpses of Glen Coe, the morning was great. I stopped for lunch at Kinghouse Hotel (kept thinking about the last time I was here with Jemma) before walking along and then up over the Glen by the tortuous Devils Staircase. At the top, the views in all directions are spectacular. Dramatic hills, glens, lochs and typical Scottish highland scenery. It just seemed to get better with ever rise and every corner. Now I'm not going to kid, it was a long and difficult day, but it was also one of the best yet, a privilege to be walking in this landscape that makes you feel alive and a million miles away from the rat race. When I arrived in Kinlochleven (a place I have never been before actually) I stopped at the hostel at the entrance to the village. The choice was £7 for camping with the midges again, or £15 for a dorm bed in the bunkhouse. I know what I should have done, but after last night, I think you know what I actually did.
Updated on Jun 18th 2012 at 5:01 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 55 - (18 miles) - Inverarnan - Bridge of Orchy The sun was shining when I woke this morning and the dull, grey blanket clouds of the last few days had been replaced with white, puffy ones in what proved a good omen for the day. I left the Drovers after a good breakfast and headed north along the WHW past Crianlarich towards Tyndrum, passing through woodland and ever more impressive hills and scenery on the way. After a quick lunch stop in Tyndrum is was back on the way towards tiny Bridge of Orchy. The walking in the afternoon was great, good weather and excellent scenery. This really was the West Highland Way at its best, and on days like this it's easily up there with the best walking in the country - I can tell you! That's not to say it wasn't still hard work though, as always I tried to keep the pace up to reach my destination in good time and when I did reach Bridge of Orchy my feet was thumping. There isn't much here apart from the hotel and I decided instead of paying he prices to wild camp across the river at the back. Wild camping is great and exciting but it does mean two things: no shower and big midge potential! To combat the first I washed my aching feet in the cold river in real traveller style and as for the second, I'm armed with nets, repellent and anything I can as I head over to the hotel for dinner. Hopefully I'll survive the 100m journey back in a couple of hours!
Updated on Jun 17th 2012 at 7:21 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 54 - (14 miles) Rowardennan - Inverarnan Today I finished off the second half of what I had hoped to do yesterday. Having just finished it now, I'm not sure that journey would ever really have been a good idea in one day, no matter what the weather. It was long and tiring over tricky ground as you are required to scramble over large boulders and tree roots all the way along the loch side to the point that Loch Lomond finally finishes at Inverarnan. Thankfully it was drier today which made the going more pleasant and although the walking was tiring, the path was at least dry and I really enjoyed travelling up the lochside. I passed the Inversnaid hotel and stopped for a break and although this is a familiar area for me, it's not often you get the opportunity to view Loch Lomond from the quieter east side of the loch where the only access is by foot. You get so much more out of your visit to these remote beauty spots when on foot. It's one of these reasons I wanted to do this challenge in the first place: the chance to cover the entire length of the country but to do it on foot where you really feel every inch of the land. It was nice to experience Loch Lomond this way. Mind you it was also nice to finish for the day and I blew the budget on a room at the Drovers Inn at Inverarnan. The Drovers (est. 1705) is a great place, somewhere I have been visiting since I was a boy for good traditional Scottish fare, and I've always wanted to stay the night here. So although it was way overpriced and completely unnecessary give the campsite next door, I just had to take this one off opportunity to spend the night in this old place. I'll remember my dinner, beer, bed and breakfast here for a long time. Today I also reached an important milestone on the walk, the 75% marker from Lands End to John O'Groats. It's obviously really satisfying to know that I've already now complete three quarters of this challenge, but also a little sobering to realise I still have 25% of the way to go. The final straight is still a long way off yet...
Updated on Jun 16th 2012 at 6:23 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 53 - 14 miles - (Drymen - Rowardennan) Who would have thought the west highland way would be some of the wettest walking I've had to endure yet? Big surprise there! It was raining when I got up and it looks like it'll still be raining when I go to bed. Unfortunately that bed is not going to be as far along the trail as I would have liked either. With the weather as it was I only made half the distance I was hoping to, though granted I did have a very ambitious schedule today even if there was good weather. So instead of making it all the way along Loch Lomond to the drovers inn, I'm only half way along it at Rowardennan. The location is obviously fantastic right on the lochside but im not in the best of moods to be honest as I'm now further behind schedule, the weather is bad, and the place is full of neddy Glasgow day trippers (they look to be leaving soon thankfully). I'm sleeping in an overpriced 8 bed youth hostel dorm but at least I'll be dry. Lets see what tomorrow brings!
Updated on Jun 15th 2012 at 7:40 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 52 - (20 miles) - Glasgow - Drymen Mum dropped Dad and I off at Ashton Lane this morning to pick up the trail at the point I finished at on Wednesday. Dad wanted to join me for a section and it was great to have him along, though neither of us were really sure how far he would manage before having to call it a day. In the end, he amazed all of us by managing the full 20mile day through some pretty difficult conditions! The morning started nicely but wet as we walked out the west end of Glasgow, following the river Kelvin way through the botanical gardens, Maryhill and Bearsden before it took a difficult and rougher path route through overgrown and exposed areas through to Milngavie. This section was the toughest, and wettest of the day and by the time we stopped off in a Milngavie pub to dry off and grab some lunch, I thought Dad might have reached his limits. But thankfully it wasn't to be and after lunch the rain started to fade as we arrived at the official start point for the West Highland Way. As well as the weather, the path improved from this point also and Dad and I enjoyed the 12 mile afternoon walk much more than the shorter battle from this morning. We arrived in Drymen and were met by my Mum. The three of us went for dinner and a well earned pint and it was the perfect finish to a great day before I said goodbye and the headed home to Paisley.
Updated on Jun 14th 2012 at 8:12 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 51 - Rest Day - Glasgow (Paisley) After yesterday's excitement, today was a much less eventful day but having a good lie and and then sitting about the house all day relaxing was absolutely great. Freshened myself up, washed my clothes and ate some good food as I tried to recover some energy and shift the lingering virus. Managed to spend some time with mum and dad an then enjoyed the Euros on TV in the evening with my feet up before an early bed. Great to be home but as always, it's going I be hard to leave again now come tomorow!
Day 50 - (21 miles) - Strathclyde Park - Glasgow I woke bright and breezy and full of excitement at the day ahead as I finally make it "home" today. Cammy an I walked together along the riverside again and passed through the Blantyre, Uddingston and Cambuslang in the morning as we pushed the pace up to make good progress before lunchtime. This gave us good time to enjoy the immediate approach into Glasgow and journey through the city. First stop of note was a good one, Celtic Park! As Cammy took my picture outside the famous main entrance, I couldn't quite believe I had actually walked all the way from Lands End to Celtic Park! Haha! Seems mental! Opposite the stadium is the fast growing construction site for the 2014 Commonwelath Games in the city, with the Veladrome already looking an impressive neighbour to Paradise. From here on it was just pure disbelief and joy as I walked along London Road, into Glasgow Green and the Peoples Palace (including ice cream and irn bru pit stop), then along Clyde Street towards the city centre and SECC. The sun was shinning and I kept pinching myself to check I had really made it all the way here. It was a great feeling. Cammy an I stopped at the City Inn and sat outside in the beer garden for a pint beside the "Squinty Bridge". About 4pm we left and headed towards the west end, passing through Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow University before arriving at my prearranged end point for the day, Ashton Lane. I had butterflys in my stomach and a huge smile on my face as I turned the corner and walked down the lane to be greeted by a big crowd of friends an family. Mum, Dad, Uncle Stuart, Auntie Kathy, Dom, Cammy were all there when I arrived, an joined by a huge welcome banner and balloons they had put up. There was even a spontaneous cheer and round of applause from everyone else sitting outside the bars as they saw my arrive. It was emotional and something to really savour. After sitting down and enjoying a couple of Guinness', more and more people started to arrive and there must have been about 20-25 friends across the evening who turned up to say hi. It meant a lot to me so thank guys. Had a great night and stayed till kicking out time in the pub before getting a taxi back home to mum and dads in Paisley for a good nights sleep, lie in and rest day tomorrow.
Day 49 - (17 miles) - New Lanark - Strathclyde Park From New Lanark my route follows the River Clyde Walkway all the way into the centre of Glasgow tomorrow. It started today at the fast flowing waterfalls and followed areas of nice pathway along the steadily maturing river. I did accidentally find myself on the verge of a busy main road for a whole also though which wasn't much fun and where i swear one arsehole van driver appeared to even swerve towards me as I gingerly walked past. I am still not feeling back to myself yet but knowing that I was on the familiar river Clyde was a real comfort - even though I was seeing parts of it I had never before, I still felt that I was on the way home and it wouldn't now be far. When I eventually came out at Strathlyde Country Park around Hamilton I felt close. To finish the day off on a nice front, the girl at the pub/inn where I stayed gave me everything for half price as I was doing a charity challenge. It was really nice of her. Even better though was the fact I recieved more visitors! Cammy and Jodi came down from Glasgow and met me in the pub. Jodi had to leave shortly afterwards but Cammy stayed for dinner and stayed the night. Tomorrow he will join me for the full day as I walk into Glasgow. It's great to have the support and im really excited about tomorrow.
Updated on Jun 11th 2012 at 7:47 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 48 - (18 miles) - Broughton - New Lanark I slept for 11 hours last night which could only be a help in fighting the demons of the virus in my body. I wouldn't say I slept right through mind you as there were some strange dreams going on my head, including one where I was back with the guys and we were all best friends with Jose Mourinho and went for a pub crawl with him through the sleepy village of Houston! Whatever was going on, the rest did help but could completely shift the aches and pains and it was another difficult day forcing myself onwards on a regular diet of paracetamol and water. The walking was unspectacular, on road and it was a relief to finally arrive in New Lanark, a place I have vague memories of visiting as a child. It's a nice place, basically a huge open air museum and restored 19th century cotton mill village. I had time to wander around and do the tourist thing. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon and nice to do something different for a change. After a while though, I began feeling quite drowsy again though and headed up to the b&b to rest some more. Hopefully another good nights rest will speed the recovery along.
Updated on Jun 10th 2012 at 6:31 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 47 - (21 miles) - Innerleithen - Broughton It was always going to be tough to match yesterday but I never realised I was in for the opposite extreme! Despite the comforts of our party pod, I hardly slept at all. I was up most of the night with a really sore throat and headache. It wasn't the booze but something more sinister unfortunately. Think ive probably picked up a cold or something during the wet day to Melrose on Friday. Either way, after the rough night things only got worse as the day went on. Firstly we walked through to Peebles wich wasn't too bad, but from there on the route through to Broughton the sore throat, head and general achey muscles just intensified further and further to the point I could hardly keep going. The guys probably thought they had broken me, but this was more than any walking pain, this is proper man flu I think and it was killing me. Still is as I sit here and write over dinner. So great full they were there to help along, carry bags etc otherwise not sure I'd have made it! I'm goni struggle to go again tomorrow if I feel like this but I'll try shot shower, early bed and plenty paracetamol. Fingers crosses things take a turn for the better during the night!
Day 46 - (20 miles) - Melrose - Innerleithen Today was a good day. Mainly because I was fortunate enough to have three walking companions down from Glasgow ad Edinburgh to join me for the weekend! Stephen, Martin and Greg were there to keep me company, crack the banter, and even carried my bag! You're heros guys, all three of you, and it made my weekend having you guys along at invercheuckter etc. Big thanks! The guys also brought the good weather with them thankfully and after some lowland walking to start the day we soon headed up to the beautiful border hills for a walk up in remote rolling moorland with fantastic views in all directions. Great walking and we arrived down in Innerleithen in good spirits. Things got even better then with the discovery of a wooden party pod in the campsite where we spent the night and a perfect pub dinner with 60" tv showing the euros footie. Carlsberg dont do saturday nights on lands end to John O Groats walks, but if they did...
Updated on Jun 8th 2012 at 4:47 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 45 (18 miles) - Jedburgh - Melrose Followed St. Cuthbert's Way from Jedburgh to Melrose today - and felt like a proper pilgrim in the rain and over the hills in the cloud! The route started back on the partial remains of Dere Street, the old Roman road north from York to Lothian that I was on yesterday. After leaving this I joined the mighty River Tweed for a short riverside section. When up close to this river you realise the scale of it. Huge and awesome. All too soon though it was back across muddy wooded paths again that just dragged the feet, wet the clothes and drained the spirit. Eventually there was only one thing standing between me and my destination of Melrose: the 400 metre Eildon Hills. I couldn't see the top half of them from the bottom as the cloud base was so low and I was already wet an going to get wetter as I started to climb, but come on; faster you get up the faster you get down again. Finally I Melrose appeared through the clouds below me an I descended through the rain to the town, saw the old abbey and then checked into a cheap pub hotel for the night to dry off. I should camp, can't afford to be staying in hotels, but I was soaked and it was due to continue all night so I had to do it. £30 for a warm room, shower and radiator to dry things off? I had to.
Updated on Jun 7th 2012 at 6:12 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 44 - (19 miles) Byrness - Jedburgh Welcome to Scotland!! Today was a momentous day on the walk. I left the Pennine Way after following it for 12 days and over 200 miles, but it was also the day I crossed over border into Scotland. I cant believe I've walked the entire length of England to be honest. Seems unreal! Very happy to be in Scotland now, feel like I know my way around a bit more and hopefully see a few more familiar faces on the way also. I left Byrness in Kielder Forrest this morning (after a night of midgie hell in the tent!) and climbed straight up to about 450metres up on the Cheviot Hills. The Cheviots are wet underfoot but very pleasant with huge areas of quiet, rolling hills packed with equal magnitudes of vastness, silence, and history. I felt a bit like a border reiver of old, scuttling across the border over the hills. But I actually saw more evidence of the ancient Romans than cattle raiders from the middle ages. The route across the hills was very impressive and followed an old Roman road from AD 80 which passed the remains of old Roman army camps. Eventually I came down from the hills onto remote minor roads that weaved through the hills towards Jedburgh. It was great to finally arrive there ,not just to rest my feet, but also because it's another place I am familiar with having passed through quite a few times en route to Edinburgh over the years. I ate in the pub i was in last time I was here when it was for lunch with Jemma. Nice to be back, and nice to be this far up. Through England, through the Pennine Way and into my first night in Scotland!
Updated on Jun 6th 2012 at 3:05 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 43 - (15 miles) Bellingham - Byrness Today was quite a dull day, in every sense. The cloud was low and I got wet, plus the walking was pretty uninspiring initially on road, farm tracks and moors, then through another section of the vast man made Kielder Forest. Thankfully it was such a long mileage day though and I arrived in the tiny hamlet of Byrness quite early. Not much to do but put up my tent and hope for a dry and mild night. My last night in Northumberland and my last night in England as it happens. Tomorrow I cross into the fatherland...!
Updated on Jun 5th 2012 at 7:24 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 42 - (21 miles) Greenhead - Bellingham Jemma drove me back to where she had collected me at Greenhead and by 8.30am I was saying my goodbyes again and starting back on the trail. It was hard to do and truth be told, I'd have rather just gone back home again but I've got this far so have to keep pushing on as far as physically possible now. The first few hours of the day were familiar along a favourite section of mine along Hadrians Wall. I've looked forward to this section all trip and was great. After that though it became long and tiring, through parts of the gigantic Kielder Forest and uninspiring farmland and moors. I arrived in the small town of Bellingham tired, and in the midst of a rain downpour during which I tried to put up my tent under a tree. Was great to finally get my shoes off. New shoes are great but they are not yet broken in!!
Day 41 - (rest day) Had a fabulous lie in and rest day back in Newcastle with Jemma today. She had picked me up from my finish point yesterday and will drive me back there again tomorrow morning. Today it was just great to relax and have some fun though. I was pretty busy though as used the opportunity to go to the shops and pick up some supplies such as more blister plasters and sunscreen. I also visited the Apple store to try to get my phone fixed and they actually gave me a brand new replacement! Fantastic customer service and I now have a working phone, map and camera again! It wasn't only the phone that was gubbed though, only half way through my trip an the walking shoes I bought just before I set out for lands end are already worn out! I took them back to the shop and said that I'd only had them a month and would like a replacement (which I don't think is unfair). Again, success! After the shops, even had time for Jemma and I to attend a Queens Diamond Jubilee street party, set off a fireworks display in my garden, and watch a couple of DVDs whilst lying on the couch. Do I really have to back to the walk again??
Updated on Jun 3rd 2012 at 4:21 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 40 - (16 miles) Alston - Greenhead Last night was my worst sleep yet. It was freezing in the tent (about 2degrees I think) and paid the price for my deliberately lightweight sleeping bag. Added to my shivering was the shear annoyance of the bloody squaking crows above me that I just wanted to air rifle back into hell. Having failed to do that or keep myself warm, I slept for about an hour tops and ended up getting up at 5am to put myself out of misery. The good part about this is that by 5.30am I was watching a rare red squirrel eating and climbing a tree just in front of me. First time I've seen one of those in years. By 6am I was walking out of Alston along the old railway line and by 1pm I had arrived on familiar old Greenhead in Northumberland where Jemma was waiting for me in the pub. This being the closest I get to hone during the whole route, I've arranged a rest day tomorrow so it was great to have Jemma waiting on me and to spend the rest of the day with my beautiful darling wife!
Updated on Jun 2nd 2012 at 3:52 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 39 - (22 miles) Holwick - Alston Today was almost entirely on a long, bleak road from just passed Holwick to Alston. It wasn't much fun at all as for the full day, I was up in the clouds and the fog was the thickest I've walked through yet, probably about 20m visibility and cold and damp with it. The road was monotonous and without feature, amenities or shelter for the full 20 odd miles so I spent most of the day pushing myself forward as best I could and dodging cars who were travelling way too fast in these conditions. Finally arrived in Alston to much relief. A nice little place with all amenities a walker needs. I'll rest tonight and look forward to tomorrow when I get my closest point to home in Newcastle and get the chance to see Jemma :-)
Day 38 - (25 miles) Keld - Holwick Started early today as knew it would be a long one. When I left at 7am the climb out of Keld and out of the Yorkshire Dales National Park was immediate. By the time I got to the Tan Hill Inn (Britains Highest Pub apparently) about an hour later, I was in the clouds and visibility was close to zero. It cleared pretty quickly though thankfully and I was left with a clear enough (but wet underfoot) day across the moors to County Durham and the little village of Holwick where I pitched camp behind the Strathmore Arms pub, came inside and dried off in front of the fire, and enjoyed a lovely Friday night of Real Ale, good food, good friendly company, and good folk music entertainment. What more could you ask for?
Day 37 - (13 miles) Hawes - Keld Today was supposed to be all about one thing, crossing Great Shunner Fell. But it ended up being about two things: crossing Great Shunner Fell, and the rain... Good old Great Shunner Fell, even the name sounds a barrel of laughs eh? Well it was, and then some. At 716metres, it was the highest point on the entire trail so far. The climb started immediately after leaving Hawes (a nice place I was sad to leave behind) and was relentless. It seemed to go on forever but was probably only 3.5 hours. When I finally got to the top though, this was not a time to linger around and enjoy the views - there were none. All I could see was cloud, all I could feel was cold, wet, and windy, and all I could think about was getting down. So for a short mileage day, it was tough. What made it ten times worse was that the rain soaked me through so much that it got into my phone and caused it to go into meltdown. Now this may seem like an inconvenience sure, but its much worse than that. My phone plays the job of communication device but also camera, blogger, map, compass and GPS. Net, I'm buggered without it! The only real sparkle to the day came at possibly the wettest, most miserable point way up high on the remote hill top when, just as i was cursing my luck, out popped a Group if 3 black grouse (one male two female i think). black grouse are extremely rare (unlike their more famous cousins the red grouse) and are only found in the high remote Pennines really so it was a pleasure to see them - was like he they felt sorry for me and popped over to say hi as a reward for my efforts! When I got down I walked the short cut along the road to the little village of Keld where thankfully the campsite turned out to be something much more: a brand new bunk house with all mod cons and a freshly cooked meal and with radiators to dry everything out. Ya beauty!
Updated on May 30th 2012 at 5:26 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 36 - (13miles) Horton in Ribbelsdale - Hawes Thankfully today was a shorter day and I arrived about 3pm at the campsite which was nice. The walk was out over one dale (limestone valley) and into the next one (over the huge remote hill in between of course!) On the way I passed more geological wonders, including a giant 'pot hole', a huge hole in the ground where stream water has dissolved away the limestone and now plummets down to a water filled cavern around 60ft below. When I finally arrived on the other side of the fell I was on Wensleydale, famous for its cheese (I passed the factory/visitor centre but too tired to go in) and Wallace and Gromit animations (I didn't pass them). The town was a good one, Hawes, and it was the biggest town for a while and catering for walkers and tourists with all amenities, particularly Yorkshire Bitter - nice.
Day 35 - (20miles) Gargrave - Horton in Ribblesdale It wasnt as hot and sunny today but still nice enough to appreciate the surroundings. And for me, they don't get much better than the Yorkshire Dales. The start of the day from Gargrave up to Malham was a bit of a drudge but from arriving at Malham the scenery was spectacular, and classic Yorkshire Dales. Just as 'good old Mr Casidy' my old geography teacher described it "chalky chalky white limestone folks!" Malham Cove is a huge wall of limestone that shoots up into the sky. It was formed at the end of the last ice age when a huge glacier on top of the cliff was melting, the meltwater rushed over the cliff in a huge waterfall of niagra proportions, washing away the rock face and scrubbing the white limestone. Nowadays it is a spectacular shiny cliff that also serves as home to a nesting pair of peregrine falcons. Thanks to some local bird enthusiasts with binoculars and telescopes I had a great view of the adult and two chicks. At the same time an RAF tornado jet flew by at low altitude - I think the peregrine looked up and fancied the race to be honest. On top of the cove was more evidence of the scouring glacier of the past with a smooth sculpted limestone "pavement" that I walked over whilst dodging the cracks and fissures caused by rainwater dissolving the rock over the years. Excellent stuff. Then it was onto more huge limestone glacial valleys and finally back to the road where I finished off my journey to Horton in Ribblesdale, all the while looking at the the old drystone walls of terraced fields that have served farmers in the region for centuries. I'm still feeling the pain of the daily distances but thankfully the next couple days are shorter ones and more of the Yorkshire Dales to come. Definitely one of my favourite scenery areas on the country. I'll be back here again I'm sure, just not walking this much!!
Day 34 - (25miles) Hebden Bridge - Gargrave Another beautiful blue sky day and I walked a long way in the heat of the day. Set out early but still finished about 5.30pm. My feet are not in a good state again so I decided to take a road route today. More even ground and also faster walking which would be needed for the long distances involved today. Still managed to see some very interesting things, including a cow scratching it's back on a overhead telephone cable and some stunning high moorland and reservoirs. Was not a good state as I hobbled into the campsite in the old village of Gargrave but at least I'd made it in time for a nice pub dinner. Tomorrow it's the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Day 33 - (20miles) One of the hardest things about this walk is getting up when your tired, sore, and really nowhere near 100%, and still setting out again on another long hard day. Walking through the aches and pains, blisters and general fatigue is inevitable if your ever going to finish this thing, but it's not something I enjoy. Today was a good example of that. The day in itself wasn't as demanding as yesterday but as I was still feeling the affects of yesterday, it didn't matter! Followed the Pennine Way out of Marsden and out of the Peak District and followed it all the way over high moors, hills and other obstacles all the way to a campsite outside Hebden Bridge. On the way I passed over the M62 motorway that runs from the north east to Manchester. It's a road I know quite well and was good to pass this milestone. Other than that, today was another scorcher with not a cloud in sight once again. I was focused on avoiding sunburn all day and it was hot hot hot walking, especially in the afternoon hills.
Updated on May 27th 2012 at 9:07 AM from the JustGiving API
Days 29 - 32 I had a few rest days (but I was very busy believe me!) and then started out in the Pennine Way, my route companion for the next 2 weeks or so and Britains longest and oldest off road trail. The night before starting I was in a campsite with a school party who, as you can imagine, weren't the quietest. Not the best prep for what I though might be my toughest day yet tomorrow! When the morning came, I got up, packed the tent away and set off from Edale into the Pennines. It was 6.30am I started walking and little did I know then but I would be walking for the next 12 hours, finishing at 6.45pm! It really was the longest, and perhaps toughest yet. There was not a cloud in the sky all day, 25 degrees and the terrain was difficult: high peaks, ridge walking and troublesome ascents/descents on demanding underfoot conditions with many boulders/uneven paths. On top of that, it was perhaps the longest distance day yet at 24miles all the way to Marsden. Perhaps I bit off a bit to much this time. On top of all of that, I got bad sunburn on the back of my calves and the return of old blisters on the feet! Agh! However thankfully, I wasn't alone today as I had my first visitor to join me on the trail since I set out from Lands End. Stephen, my brother, had organised himself a train over from Liverpool and met me at lunchtime (with rations helpfully enough) and we spent the rest of the day walking together to Marsden where he got the train home again. It was good to see him and to have some company, for somebody to take the lead and I follow for a change and also for so e conversation to take my mind off how much I was hurting! By the time we arrived in Marsden I really was a broken man. Thankfully we met a nice couple who helped find me somewhere to eat and get a bed for the night. It was so good to finally lie down. Unfortunately I've got to do it all again tomorrow though!
Updated on May 22nd 2012 at 5:22 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 28 - (17 miles) I think ive said already that at no point on this challenge had it ever felt like a nice leisurely stroll in the park, every step is an effort and every hour a milestone. However today was probably the closest I've had yet to it feeling like a nice stroll in the park, probably because for much of that it really was! When I woke up and opened the curtains of my youth hostel dorm at 6.30am in Youlgreave, I could already see it was going to be a cracking day. Not a cloud in the sky, in the middle of the peak district - looking good. I left the pretty village through quiet country lanes towards the larger settlement of Bakewell and then passed over a tough wooded hill before descending into a wonderfully beautiful little village called Endesor, and across the road to my walk in the park: Chatsworth Country Park actually, idyllic landscaped gardens around Chatsworth House, home to the Duke of Devonshire, host of queens and one of the most impressive manor houses and art collections in Britain. By this time the weather was scorching and the grounds looked beautiful. I decided I would have time to go inside and have a look around before continuing my journey. Thank goodness I did, as although the place was chocablock with other paying visitors (school groups, pensioners etc) and it became clear that this place was a proper tourist attraction I wasn't going to have to myself, inside really was worth the visit with huge baroque ceilings, extravagant royal apartments, and renaissance masterpiece paintings and sculptors. After leaving, I followed the grounds out for a while longer before following a nice riverside walk for the rest of the day to Edale and the start of the Pennine Way. A good day.
Day 27 - (16 miles) Didn't sleep too good in the tent last night so it was a relief to get up and going if nothing else this morning. It was a shorter day today and after setting off at 8am and making some good early progress on the cycle track from Thorpe to Biggin in the Peak District National Park, I was doing good for time. I pushed on with the lady five miles on road to Youlgreave and after pressing myself to make it there as fast as possible I arrived at my destination by 12.30 to complete my earliest finish yet! It meant a half day and for this I was delighted. Youlgreave is a pretty little village and after quickly booking my bed for the night in the local youth hostel, I grabbed a fresh pasty from the local bakers, a pint of bitter from the local pub, and sat back in the beer garden to enjoy the rest of this relaxing and sunny Monday afternoon. After the last few days, just what i needed. Fantastic.
Day 26 - (21 miles) Abbots Bromley - Thorpe. Feel very tired still today and so this Sunday walk was no ordinary stroll. I'm looking forward to the times when I can go for a short walk one day, knowing that it will be over quickly and I can head back to the car any minute - seems like a fantasy world just now! Much like yesterday my pace was not so impressive today, but I knew I had a longer distance to cover so set about trying to make the most direct route possible and cut down in breaks. This led me to deciding to spend most of the day walking by the roadside. Road walking is not as pleasant, not as safe, and not as healthy on the joints, but it is the fastest way I have found. Flat, even surface, no bogs/animals/closed gates/vanishing footpaths: it's the a good reliable way to make up time when your not worried about having a leisurely stroll. As such, I took the option most of the way through to Thorpe, stopping only a couple of times all day, and then wandered around a little exhausted and exasperated at the end of the day looking for the campsite. Eventually found it though, and a short cut through the fields to the nearest pub for dinner. All's well that end's well.
Updated on May 19th 2012 at 5:11 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 25 - (16miles) Today I followed the Stafforshire Way footpath all day from Penkridge to Abotts Bromley an although the surroundings were much more pleasant today, something was amiss. The walk out of Penkridge followed peaceful canal side with colourful house boats chugging up and down between the locks. It then took me through the lovely Cannock Chase, a large woodland/heathland park with good footpaths and good peaceful walking. Yet despite this, I wasn't really able to enjoy the surroundings as much as I should have. I feel really tired today. Drained. Everything was an effort and the pace was slow. Inevitably by the end of the day I started getting tight muscles and feet much worse than normal. I think I'm in real need of a rest day or two. With my schedule I will get a rest, but not until the end I the coming week so there is still a fair bit of walking to do before then, and by the way I'm feeling tonight as I sit down to watch the Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich, that is something that really makes me nervous.
Updated on May 18th 2012 at 8:44 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 24 - (23miles) Coalport to Penkridge. Exhausted. That's how I felt this morning when my alarm went off at 6am after yesterday's long day. I really didnt fancy another day of the same today. When I climbed out of coalport though and got going, I eventually got into my stride. I kind of feel in the boring, middle period of the challenge at the moment. The beginning is over (with all it's 'excitement' and pain) and the finish line fever is still a long way off. The midlands scenery is not as spectacular either and today was again a lot of farmland so I was kept going with my iPod keeping me plodding on one foot in front of the other until I arrived in another average looking little town in Penkridge where I stayed in the pub for Friday night dinner and IPA.
Updated on May 18th 2012 at 12:22 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 23 - (23miles) Craven Arms to Coalport. Today was a long day and my legs and feet really felt it. It was tough. Most of the day was spent traversing the high wooded outcrop known as Wenlock Edge, where I covered a mixture of ground from woodland, to fields, putrid cow slurry ridden farm yards and roads. At the end I arrived in a nice little market town called Much Wenlock which has a rich history. It hosted a precursor of the modern olympic games that inspired the programme then developed in Athens. As a result of this history, the 2012 London Games have one of their mascots named after the town! Unfortunately I wasn't stopping here for the night though and do after my short break headed another couple of hours down the road to the small village of Coalport on the banks of the river Severn (a much smaller river now than the one I crossed into Wales last week!) Coalport is an old industrial town and the old iron bridge over the river was nice, though I was too tired too pay much attention. Finally arrived in the pub where I was staying where the charismatic landlord first seemed wary of me as some kind of drug dealer because I was from Glasgow, but later took a shine to me and upgraded me to a nice cottage next door. A good nights rest needed as I do it all again tomorrow...
Updated on May 18th 2012 at 12:21 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 22 - (21miles) From Prestigne I leave Wales for the last time and headed inland and diagonally north into the west midlands, ending in another uninspiring little village, Craven Arms, where I stayed in a cheap pub room and had a cheap Chinese take away for dinner. In between times there were more minor roads and muddy fields, more sheep and crazy cows, and aside from a pleasant lunch stop at an old country tea room that Jemma would have loved, that was about it really. I'm tired, would like to go home!
Updated on May 18th 2012 at 12:21 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 21 - (21miles) Last day on the Offa's Dyke path and longer day. The fist half was on the path fully, including an impressive walk over the 420m high Hergest Ridge for about 4miles. It was a nice walk over green grassy hills and the views in all directions were good. I arrived in the town of Kington after that and stopped for lunch in the swan inn. The landlord was a friendly guy and sounded a lot like the comedian Michael Macintyre (I can see myself reading this back in years to come thinking"who the hell is he?!") Despite his protestations for me to stay in the b&b and spend the rest of my day (and money) in the bar, I pushed on another 6miles (on road) to the town in Prestiegne. Arrived 5mins before the tourist info centre closed which is just as well, they helped me find a b&b for the night (campsite too far out). So went for pub dinner then round to stay with an old couple who claim to know my ancestors from the church next door!
Updated on May 14th 2012 at 6:03 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 20 - (17miles) Today was a day in the hills. The Black Mountains of Wales to be precise. Unfortunately when I set off from Pandy in the morning it was not the best of weather. Low cloud and rain, and as I discovered when I got the the top, fearsome winds! It was a tough start, and not much to see through the cloud. Head down and keep moving. Once up on the summit it was a full day along the ridge at about 700metres and thankfully, towards the end of the day, the clouds did begin to lift and the winds ease ready for some good scenery and a more pleasant descent down to Hay on Waye. Even though I had made good progress and arrived in Hay by 2pm (an nice little town with good character), I felt tired and would love a day off! Unfortunately tomorrow is an even longer day...
Updated on May 13th 2012 at 6:07 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 19 - (16 miles) Today was a short day, but thankfully another beautiful weather day. Again I was up early and on my way by 7.15am, up over high woodland and rolling farmland. I made good progress and again took the tactic of going off route onto quiet side roads to try and get a more even surface to help my knee. I arrived in the quiet village of Pandy, my end destination by 3pm and set up camp before heading to the local pub. Although nowhere was showing the football (final day of the premiership season) I at least got a good point and wifi to watch it on my phone - and what a dramatic finish!! Tomorrow is up to this hills again... and the weather is due to turn!
Updated on May 12th 2012 at 8:45 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 18 - (17 miles) After my first day on Offa's Dyke path I arrived in the town of Monmouth to an important milestone on the overall journey: after 310 miles, I have now completed 25% of the total distance to John O'Groats. I have to say, after the first few days I really didn't think I'd ever make it even this far! Still got to do it all another 3times over though... The day started bright and early as I was up by 6am dud to another cold night in the tent, the birds signing since 4.30am, and the bright blue sky overhead beaming rays of confidence and optimism into the tent at the onset of a glorious Welsh spring Saturday made for walking. I had packed my things away and eaten breakfast by 7.30am when I set off to leave Chepstow on the beginning of the Offa's Dyke Path which will lead me north up the Welsh/English border for the next 4days. I made good progress early on but enetially the path took me upon into some high woodland where the path was hilly, uneven and boggy in places. I'm not a fan of woodland walking and ended up further straining my knee which has been bothering me since day 3 and is now getting progressively (and worryingly) worse. I decided after that to drop off route down to the valley below and follow the river on a more even trail, initially on the roadside, and eventually, by follow a wonderful riverside path. By the time the final hours walking was here, the knee had settled, the sun was shinning, and everything was rosey. In fact it was probably the best spell of walking on my journey yet and I arrived into Monmouth on a real high and more than a little red from the sunshine! I now know why they talk about the Welsh valleys so much. The river Wye valley today was so beautiful, and that last stretch of walking beside the river with the spring flowers out and hills on either side, I could have stayed there all day and been very happy, a terrific little place. Tomorrow looks like some more hills and uneven farmland paths though... hopefully the knee holds up ok, still 75% still to go!
Updated on May 11th 2012 at 10:36 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 17 - 19miles I'm in Wales! For first time ever I set foot on Welsh soil today as I ended today's stage in Chepstow. The route here from Easton in Gordano was quite a varies and eventful one! First I walked over the huge motorway bridge at the mouth of the river Avon, an adrenalin fuelling start to the day! Then much of the morning was spent skirting the outskirts of Bristol, the finest evidence of real urban sprawl since the start of my trip I guess. After a while the housing estates faded into farmland and I walked quiet country lanes, sheep and cow fields and beautiful spring time meadows awash with buttercups and long grasses. Now if this sounds idyllic, it's wasn't really. Although visually there were some lovely points as the sun shone over the meadows, by this point I was getting tired and the long grass and uneven, muddy ground don't make for great walking. Add to this farmers who decide to block off public footpaths shown on the map and you have a recipe for frustration. At one stage I very nearly reached boiling point though when trying to find my way through one particular farmers "re-routing" I came I to contact with what looked a flimsy piece of rope fence. In fact it was an electric fence that knocked me about 2 feet up in the air with shock after I grabbed hold of it!! OUCH!!!! No warning signs or anything. I should sue!! Finally I made it to my last great obstacle of the day, the mighty Severn estuary. I crossed this on foot by way of the famous Severn Bridge. The huge suspension bridge was my second motorway bridge crossing of the day and was even more crazy than the first. The bridge is enormous and it took me almost 45mins to cross on foot. I'm glad it was a sunny day as even in fine weather the wind up there was fierce and caused the whole bridge to move as I walked, almost feeling like a boat in choppy waters. By the time I got off in Chepstow on the other side and finally entered Wales, I still had "Sea legs" and felt as if I was still swaying around! Camped in field overnight (cold again) ready for start of Offa's Dyke Path tomorrow.
Updated on May 10th 2012 at 7:57 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 15 -16 From Bridgewater to Cheddar and then on to Easton in Gorando was mostly flat walking on cycle routes and the like (I deliberately tried to avoid the hills) and so progress was relatively fast with good walking. Walked through some apple orchards on the way that belonged to a Somerset cider brewery and so finished off the day with a couple pints of scrumpy before heading over to the b&b to rest up ahead of my first ever trip into Wales tomorrow!!
Updated on May 9th 2012 at 7:45 AM from the JustGiving API
Day 14 Early this morning I left Roadwater and soon walked out Exmoor National Park. Most of the morning was walking through farmers fields and a boggy woodland bridle path (which was brutal!). Didn't stop till about 2.30pm really when I had a sort break and a twix. Then it was up and over the quantock hills towards for the end of the day when I met my mum who was down in the area visiting her friend Jackie and who put me up for the night cooking a lovely dinner (thanks Jackie!). It was great and perked me up after a rather hard day.
Updated on May 8th 2012 at 11:41 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 13 Bank Holiday Monday was a full day on the moor and as I begin to feel a bit more stronger and confident, went for another 20 or so mile day. It was a cold, wet night in the tent and the same when I set off back up the moors at 8am. The rain was falling, the cloud was down, and I think I was the only one up there. It was rough going and wet as i traipsed across the highest ridges of the moors and bogs. After losing the path s few times I was very happy when the cloud lifted and sun came out just in time as I reached the highest point in exmoor, Duncary Beacon, and the views were magical. The harsh, barren moorland immediately below, farmland and villages below that, and to the north my future route across the huge Severn Estuary and into south Wales. The afternoon was not as spectacular but I finally arrived in pretty village of Roadwater about 6pm ready for a warm pub dinner.
Updated on May 8th 2012 at 11:40 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 12 Sunday morning early start and last nights busy streets were very different. Felt excited but nervous about today as I was finally heading to the real wilderness and hills today as I was climbing from Wadebridge to Exmoor National Park. Started with similar attitude to yesterday in that I'd only go as far as I could. It was a steep climb all the way up to the moor and I was having real trouble with my knee on the ups and downs but by the time I go to lunch I still felt strong enough to push on and decided to go for an overnight stop in Simonsbath in the heart of the national park and about a 20mile+, uphill day. Spent the last part of the day up on top of the moors and it was an unbelievable place. Remote, barren, boggy, atmospheric.. Not the place you want to get stuck overnight! So I was pleased when I finally crossed out of Devon and into Somerset and arrived in the tiny hamlet and agreed with the pub that I could pitch my tent on the grass overnight.
Updated on May 8th 2012 at 11:38 PM from the JustGiving API
Day 11 Had a pretty good day today actually. Decided just to see how I felt as I went before deciding where to finish the day. Walked up the main A road from Stibbs Cross and by the time I had got to Bideford it was still before lunch and u still felt pretty strong so decided to keep going and followed the Tarka trail round The bay to Wadebridge. Good flat walking but it was on a busy Saturday afternoon cycle track which was a little tedious to be fair. It was an 18mile day and by the time I arrived in Wadebridge I was tired, but pleased with what I had achieved. Wadebridge is the first big town I had been to for a while and I ended up staying very central, having a pizza and watching the drag queen stag parties walk by - suddenly like it was like being back on Newcastle again and everything felt ok...
Updated on May 4th 2012 at 3:57 PM from the JustGiving API
Days 9 & 10: I came off the south west coast path a couple of days ago at Portreath to see if I could make some more direct and fast paced progress on tarmac. Via Padstow (where the Mayday festival I mentioned previously took place) then via Wadebridge to an overnight stay at campsite near Camelford (day 8) then onto another long 20mile+ day to Holsworthy. It was a day that nearly broke me, and I was virtually an invalid for the last couple of hours walking/hobbling! Not much fun. I decided to take today easier as a result and probably only did about half the distance today as I walked (finally) out of Cornwall and into Devon. In case you didn't know, these two counties are pretty hilly for any aspiring walker! I tried to use the ubiquitous quiet country lanes as far as possible but sometimes it just isn't possible and I ended up walking along the side of some A roads, which is something I try to avoid. Still, I arrived at destination earlier today, the little hamlet of Stibb Cross where I'm staying in a wonderful b&b for the night and off to the local pub later for some food, real ale, and to plan tomorrows route...
Updated on May 2nd 2012 at 9:16 PM from the JustGiving API
Days 7-8: had some fabulous weather for a change! Blue skies, hot and I had the factor 30 on! Scenery was great and I also saw loads of wildlife (including a snake!). That's the good news, bad news is I'm still struggling with the distances, the pack weight, and my feet to the point im grimacing and fighting every step - not much fun! Hoping things improve as I get fitter, will just have to monitor the coming days.
Updated on Apr 30th 2012 at 9:46 PM from the JustGiving API
Days 4-6 Partly due to my feet and partly due to the weather, I was forced to take 2days out already which was very bad news an puts me well behind schedule. Today I started back on the trail again and thought I'd take it easy. The wind an rain were crazy and although cliff top walking is spectacular, it's a bit hairy when you're worried about gettin blown off! Still, for some reason (maybe the weather spurred me on), I felt much better today and although feet were still bad, I managed to keep going at a better pace and ended up 10miles further than I planned today! Was pleasantly surprised to know I managed 22miles in total and after some lovely beach walking, I ended up in Newquay! Very tired now but at least I've made up some lost ground! Fingers crossed tomorow goes ok now!
Updated on Apr 30th 2012 at 9:09 PM from the JustGiving API
Days 1-3 Well it's been a tough, tough start. Bad weather and very bad blisters. Did 17 miles first couple days then could only manage 6 miles the next day due to state of my feet. By the end I was literally hobbling and travelling 0.5 mph. Unbelievably I was seriously thinking about whether I could continue at all. Pretty deflated to say the least! Only good news is that the scenery has been tremendous. Spectacular cliff tops, long sandy beaches etc South West Coast Path is recommended!
Updated on Apr 23rd 2012 at 9:35 AM from the JustGiving API
Thanks so much for all the messages an donations so far. Hugely appreciated! After winning the cup final on Saturday my legs are very sore - not good before I've even started the walk! Last day at home though before I head off tomorrow so final preparations taking place now. Agh!!!!
Hello!
Thank you for visiting my sponsorship page for Alzheimer’s Scotland, a fantastic charity leading the fight against Dementia.
Whenever I tell people I’m going to be walking the entire length (and breadth) of Britain from Lands End to John O’Groats, on my lonesome, they often ask three questions:
Are you serious? Do you know your route? …And what does your wife have to say about this?!
The answers of course are:
Yes, Yes, and Err… let’s not go there… (love you darling! :-) Promise I’ll bring some nice cheese back from when I pass through Cheddar!)
Starting at Britain’s most southerly point (Lands End) on 24 April 2012 I will set off on the 1200 mile trek north, hopefully finishing at Britain’s most northerly point (John O’Groats) during the first week of July. It will take me over two months of walking 20 miles a day on average. Put a more depressing way, it’s about 45 marathons! To view my full route map which shows all planned overnight stops, copy and paste the link below in a new webpage.
Why? Well the main reason is to raise as much money as possible for a fantastic cause that is close to my heart: Alzheimer’s Scotland, a charity at the front line of the fight on Dementia. Alzheimer’s Scotland provide much needed support to Dementia sufferers and their carers as well as investing in leading scientific research to hopefully one day find a treatment and cure for the disease.
I have experienced the heart-wrenching effects Dementia on elderly sufferers in my own family and so I complete this walk in memory of them, but also for all of us who follow in their footsteps. Hopefully together we can defeat this terrible disease.
Please donate whatever you can and keep checking back to the site – I will try and post a few progress updates on the way if possible!
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.
Thanks for your support.