Was there something happening in London today?

That's the first bit of Offa's Dyke done and dusted.  Tough it was too, with high forest trails.

Offa's Dyke

I also did a bit of the Wye Valley Way which was spectacular. I saw Roe Deer in the forests, really close up, that was special.  The forest floor itself was covered in bluebells, I've never seen so many.

The walk was another 16 miles - Tutshill to Monmouth.

The weather here was overcast and hazy but good for walking.  I have to admit I am looking forward to a rest tonight.

Croeso i Gymru

Welcome to Wales!

A bit of a tougher day today.  16 miles again but the trail was very overgrown for 3 of them!  I could have done with a machete.

I'm sure I dropped my contact lens around here somewhere

I went from Avonmouth to Tutshill (just north of Sedbury) mainly using the Severn Way to the Severn Bridge.  What an experience - walking over the Severn Bridge.



Chepstow Castle

After that I walked down to the castle in Chepstow, over a bridge and up the hill to Tutshill where I treated myself to a nice pint of Landlords to finish the day.

Tomorrow I'm off to Monmouth.

Aberystwyth! 
(My brother tells me this is Welsh for Ciao ;-) If you know Billy, ask him to tell you why! )

Off we go again

On Wednesday, well refreshed from a lovely holiday with my son his wife and the grandchildren in beautiful Bournemouth I was raring to go again.  It's great to be back blogging.

Today was a great day.  16 miles from Butcombe to Avonmouth.

The route took in a village called Long Ashton which has loads of history (click this link for a Google Timeline - fascinating!).  I could have happily spent a full day there.

Ashton Court - lovely, but a nuisance to dust!

From there I moved through Ashton Court Estate and down to the River Avon.  Avon Gorge is mind blowing, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge is something else.  

The gorgeous gorge.

From their I made my way over the Avon on the M5 - not dodging traffic you understand - following the footpaths.

Tomorrow I not only cross another border but I move into another country - Wales.

Holiday Update

Just quickly.  Had a great day today exploring the caves in Cheddar - makes a change to be underground instead of on the hills and moors.

Caves at Cheddar Gorge

Whilst doing the tourist shopping bit I bought some "cave cured" cheese - who knew such a thing existed?  We got chatting to a guy in the shop who, when he heard what I was up to, gave me two bottles of cider from his shop.

He'll be following progress on the blog so I thought it fair to put a link to him - if you want some great CAMRA award winning ales from "West Country Ales" click here.

End of Part One

9.5 miles from Cheddar to Butcombe took me to the end of the first section of my journey on Sunday.  It was a truly great walk, 1000 feet straight up the side of the Blackdown Hills and onto the moors.

Great views

Although it was foggy when I started, at 800 feet I'd climbed above the fog and the sun shone - fantastic.  I sat on the tops enjoying a buttie and a flask of tea and just took it all in.  I could actually see the big jets landing at Bristol, big jets below me, wow!

It was a real hill and moor walking day today, my type of walk so felt right at home.

King John's Hunting Lodge - Axbridge

I'm now in a plcae called Axbridge, relaxing.  Tomorrow I'm off to Cheddar Gorge, though only as a tourist.

Tuesday is the start of my week off when I'm going to stay with my son and his family in Bournemouth.

It has been great having you with my through the blog - check back soon for an update.

A hole in my sole

After 213 miles on the walk and over 100 miles training my trainers finally gave out today.

Covered 15 more miles today from Aller to Cheddar.  The walk was straightforward so there was no need for any navigation skills.

I passed through some great villages on the way.  Shapwick was really "Olde Worlde" then at Wedmore there was a Young Famers Fair on today.

Mendip Hills being spectacular!

After leaving there the view of the Mendips really opened out.  For most of the walk I could see Glastonbury Tor in the distance, its very prominent.

Glastonbury Tor - it's the thing sticking up from the hill

Less than 1,000 miles (or three more pairs of trainers) to go now.

Curry and a pint...

20 miles today - Forches Corner to Aller. 

I was delighted with the length of the walk today - I really cracked on. 

However, despite the length of the walk it was the least interesting bit so far.  To be fair Taunton was good but the rest of the walk really wasn't.

Not that interesting a walk really!

Mind you there is always a silver lining if you know where to look and there was something shining through the dreariness.

There was a village called North Curry - two village greens, a tea house and a pub, what more could you want?

Limited edition print of North Curry by E R Sturgeon

The pub gave me an idea - I thought I'd treat myself to a cheeky pint when I got to Aller.  So, spirits (or should I say ales?) lifted, I found a new spring in my step all the way there. 

Got to Aller and the pub was closed.  Not good!

I'd cry into my beer - if I could get any!

Hope you all enjoy your weekend.

Love to you all, Ray.

Farewell Devon, hello Somerset...

14 miles from Collompton to just above Wellington.  I actually arrived at a place called Forches Corner - very difficult to find on a map -it is about three miles further on from the Wellington Monument. 

Wellington Monument, Somerset

There is a smashing pub there called the Merry Harriers.  If you follow the link there is an OS map on that page.

The Merry Harriers - well worth a visit.

It was a day of mixed walking types today - some country lanes, riverside walks and then footpaths up onto the Blackdown Common and hills to cross the border.

Blackdown Hills on the Devon - Somerset Border

It was by the Wellington Monument that I actually crossed the border into Somerset.

The weather today was good walking weather, not too hot and slightly overcast.

All well and looking forward to tomorrow.

Thanks for the comments

Hi everyone, just a quick note from the walker himself.  Have managed to get the Internet working for me today, after problems with my laptop, and I would like to say thank you all for your comments.  They mean a lot and help to keep the spirit high.
I'm glad you are all enjoying the blog.  Tell all your mates about it and we'll all have fun walking to John O'Groats together.
Cheers all, see you soon.

Rolling along on the crest of a hill

Today has been the best day of the walk so far!  The Devon countryside really opened up.  I think the main difference between the countryside here and in Cornwall is hedgerows.   In Cornwall the hedges seem higher, in Devon you can see over them, at least that's what it feels like.

You can see over Devon hedgerows

Cornish hedgerows seem quite tall

The rolling hills of Devon really are just that.  Lots of up and down again today, my GPS system says I did around 3,000 feet of ascent!

As the crow flies (I just can't stop the bird references Mr Oddie) I covered 12 miles to Cullompton.

On the way I stopped at a place call Bickleigh (do check this link!)  - even Midsomer is not so quintessentially English.  A beautiful place and well worth a visit.

Beautiful thatched cottages in Bickleigh on the river Exe - wonderful!

I also want to mention another great campsite, Woodovis.  If you go to Devon stay there.  The folks who run it are great.  They've given me a postcard to post back to them when I get to John O'Groats.

Take care all, post again soon.

The cape, the coat, the cream...

Well that's another day done having walked 15 more miles up to Poughill.

The unchanging Devon hills near Poughill

The weather started out grey before it mustered the energy to turn into a fine drizzle which it must have enjoyed doing because it decided to really indulge itself and put on some fully fledged rain for me - on with the cape!  I'm not sure it liked my cape as it then laid on some wind which, whilst it blew away the rain, didn't half make my cape flap - off with the cape, on with coat!  Not one to let a traveller rest it then decided to have some more fun with me by letting the sun come out - off with the coat and on with the sun cream!  Funny day really - reminds me of that story of the north wind and the sun by Aesop (Google tells me that it is so!).  The strange thing is that the hills still look the same despite the different weather, which is not the case in most parts of the UK - some things just don't change in Devon.

Similar - but I was in waterproofs not a toga.

Anyway, only one and a half more days in Devon then I'll be in Somerset.  Fancy that!

Ahead of my game.

As my calf seems to have sorted itself out I had a great day's walk today - 18 miles from Germansweek to Bondleigh.  I had planned only to go as far as Hatherleigh but I decided to crack on whilst things are going well.

Wow!

The walk today took me up and down 10 hills. I am not complaining, in fact I feel very privileged to be here doing this, especially when rewarded with some outstanding views again. 

Well worth the walk up.

I'm turning into a bit of a Bill Oddie lately as I seem to be developing an interest in birds on this part of the journey. Saw more Buzzards again today as well as Sparrowhawks and Kestrels - fantastic!

Sparrowhawk

Kestrel

I'm going to take Sunday off as a reward for progress made, but perhaps, more importantly I need to move camp to the next site now.

I'll blog again soon.  Take care all.

Posting Comments

Just before you enjoy the posts below from Thursday and Friday's walk I wanted to explain something.

I have had a couple of people say their comments aren't appearing on the blog.

It is all working but comments are moderated before they are published.  Once you post a comment it will not go live until it is checked - this is just to avoid spam - you can imagine what would happen if everybody on the internet could publish anything they liked on this blog!

Please do post a comment, I love getting them, I promise it will appear within 24 hours and they really do keep me going.  Thanks.

Crossing boundaries...

13 miles today - Launceston to Germansweek in Devon.  Finally crossed my first county boundary! 

Quiz:  Cornwall only has borders with Devon, Devon borders with three other counties.  Can you name them?  
Answer

The weather was red hot for the whole walk today, you know how I like to tan, and I could see for miles.

Look far enough and you can almost see John O'Groats :-)

I have to report that my left calf is giving me a bit of gyp today - not too bad but I'm going to have to be careful with it though.  I've done about 120 miles so far so a bit of an ache really can be expected.

Well rested and back to it...

I enjoyed the rest day, difficult not to really with delicious Cornish ice cream and, of course, a glass of scrumpy. The people at the camp site are great and very friendly.

Yum!

Well not the whole bottle!

After having walked 16 miles today (Thursday), Crowdy Reservoir to Launceston I'm only 4 miles short of Devon already - Yipe!  The day started misty again but the sun put his hat on and came out to play 5 miles into the walk.

I was lucky enough to see a flock of buzzards soaring high today.  I counted eight of them at one point.

Buzzard On The Wing

All well and I'm having a blast!

Getting all misty eyed.

Another day done and another 16 miles under my belt.  At the end of my first week that is 89 miles - let me tell you, I'm feeling GOOD!

There was fine rain (you know that really "wet" rain) and mist all day.    It was all single track roads today apart from one stretch on the moors by Castle an Dinas.  I got up to 800ft today but there was no view because of the mist.  A shame, because I am sure it would have been great.

I can't see the pub from here!

Wednesday is a rest day - I think my feet have earned it!  Thanks for all your messages.  Updates soon.  Love you all!

Seventeen miles, zero degrees.

Clocked up 17 miles today on the walk from St Day to Mitchell.  Along with the scenery there were some strange yet beautiful smells from the local blossoms and flowers.  Cornwall is famous for its apples - to make cider - and I am pretty certain some of the beautiful scents were coming from apple blossoms.

Apple Blossom

It was 0 degrees last night!  Absolutely freezing.  Thankfully the very kind owners of the campsite upgraded the canvas tent to a wooden "tent" for free.  If you want a holiday in Cornwall, I recommend you book with these guys.

Refuge from the Cold.

I have another big walk on Thursday before taking a rest day Friday.

St Day on Mother's Day

18 miles uphill today as I made my way to St Day.  My legs are holding up but I'm in need of a rest.  The reward for getting to the "tops" was spectacular views over St. Ives Bay.

St Ives Bay - wish you were here?

The picture below is of the old church at St. Day. 

The Old Church at St Day

I also want to say "Happy Mother's Day" to my Mum.  She has something of the travel bug herself and is setting off to Egypt on Thursday.  It would be impolite of me to mention her age but as you know I am 60 I'll leave it to you to do the math !

Sleeping under canvas tonight, it's quite some time since I've done that!  I've practised putting the tent up in the back garden at home so it should be fine.  Curry for dinner tonight - yum!

Inside our tent - (at least in our dreams!)

Thanks for all your recent comments, I love reading them and they do keep me going.  Hope you are all enjoying the blog as much as I am enjoying the walk.  More updates soon...

Ups & Downs to Cannonstown

18 miles (it felt like more!) from Lands End to Canonstown today. 

View from the bridge

This was a bit tough today, more in terms of geography than psychology.  There were some spectacular views to keep me inspired.  Use my Google Maps page and the street view / Google Earth facilities to explore this part of my journey.

Distance today -Terrain map courtesy of Google

The weather held out for me and it was hot and sunny all day.

I'll be putting a tick in the box for a Good Day today.

Press Coverage

Got some coverage in the Liverpool Echo, to read it click here

You're never too old...

... or too young to learn!  I've now updated this blog so it links to other websites that will give more information about the places I travel through and the things I see.  Do pop back each day and who knows what we'll discover?  Just click on the highlighted words in the blog to go to another website for more info.

For those of you who get updates by e-mail please do remember to check the blog site to get full access to all the features.

Flying High

Today I walked 20 miles.  Crowdy Reservoir to Ruthern Bridge.  I wanted to ensure this part of the long walk was covered as we had omitted it during the planning stage.  Although the weather was grey, wet and windy (like the rest of the UK I'm told) I felt lifted by the majestic sight of a falcon on part of the walk called Camel Trail

Majestic!

I've not long arrived at the actual start of the walk, Land's End.

Now it's chow and rest time before the big setting off tomorrow.

April Fools?

Spoke to a couple of people via the mobile this morning as we were driving down a single lane country track to the start of the walk.  Stayed in a lovely hotel last night and quite well rested but obviously I'm nervous!  I'll try and update later, right now, I'm just about to take that proverbial small step on a long journey.

By the way, contrary to some rumours, this isn't an April Fools Day prank.  I'm actually doing this!