Bonnie Scotland!

I'm in Scotland!

On Saturday after, quite literally, a marathon - 26 miles from Caldbeck to Gretna Green.

Today was very wet again.  The start from Caldbeck to Carlisle was fine with great views again.  From Carlise I had to go to Longtown in order to cross over the river and the M6.

The Castle at Longtown

I was absolutely determined to get to Gretna Green today so I can say "I'm in Scotland!"

Thank you all again for your comments.  I can and do pick them up on my phone when I'm walking and they do keep me going!

I'm very tired now so some food, a drink and bed methinks!

Dry at last!

Could not get a signal at all on Thurdsay so that made updates difficult.  Technology is all back working now so one we go....
Friday's walk was actually dry!  12 miles from Threkeld to Caldbeck.  Although I wanted to go over the tops of the hills and mountains, because the clouds were so low I thought better of it.  I still managed to get up to 1050ft though.

View from Caldbeck Common

The views from Caldbeck Common were uncommonly good - the Penines to the West, Dumfries and Galloway to the North, the High Lakes to the South and Carrrock and Caldbeck fells to the West.  Treat yourself to a panoramic view by clicking here.

Stayed at a very basic campsite - a field field full of sheep!

Howzat!

Hello from a VERY wet Threlkeld to the east of Keswick.

I'm staying overnight in the cricket pavillion courtesy of a friend of a friend.  Big thanks to Graham and Gillian who are hosting the stay - Gillian is even cooking dinner.  People have been so generous it really is heartwarming to say the least

Beautiful!

The 11 mile walk today was more like a swim because of the pouring rain.  I didn't bag me any mountains and never got above 1,000 feet unfortunately but hey, even in the rain, the Lake District is stunning.

I did get to travel through St John's in the Vale for the first time - beautiful place.

I've decided to go around the mountains tomorrow, rather than over them as planned.  The weather forecast is awful and my job is to get to John O'Groats and not to take needless risks.

I am still loving it despite the weather.

Loving the Lakes!

Wednesday 25 May - Firstly I want to say a "Happy Birthday" to Kate and Lolly - my bestest daughter-in-laws!  My lads married two lasses who share the same birthday. 

Had a great day's walk today, only 11 miles, from Bowness to just north of Grasmere.

Grasmere

The B&B (home for the last 2 nights) was brilliant and I would highly recommend as a base should you visit the Lake District.  It is owned by Colin and Mandy and called Number 80 Bed Then Breakfast.

A whole lot nicer than being under wet canvas!

Once on the outskirts of Ambleside it was on to the paths again and the beautiful Lakeland views.  The weather, being dry for once, meant I could see for miles.

Just Wow!

Today's walk ended at the base of The Lion and the Lamb (no, not a pub!)  To be back on Loughrigg again on such a lovely day was fantastic.

The Lion and The Lamb - you can see why.

If the weather is kind on Thursday I can bag me some real big mountains.

Keep on Moo-ving!

If the weather had been better (which it wasn't) then today would have been a great day for a really interesting walk.

The canal I was following runs out of water at Sedgwick a place with quite a lot of history especially in relation to the production of gunpowder.

Just beyond there I was due to go under a bridge but the cows were sheltering from the horrendous wind and rain so I had to take a long detour around them.

I was not a-moo-sed - Geddit?

So today was 17 miles - Crooklands to Bowness in the worst weather, torrential rain and gale force winds, for most of the day.  At about 2pm it did stop raining but the wind decided to carry on.  Thankfully this helped me dry out by the time I reached Bowness.

I've a day off tomorrow to sort out the kit and do some washing.  I should have put Persil in my pockets and I could have had a good wash 'n' dry as I went along!



Water, water, everywhere...

What a night on Sunday!  Blowing a gale and pouring with rain.  I honestly thought I was going to lose the tent at one stage but as you can read I've survived for another day's walking.

16 miles from Lancaster to Crooklands.

Lancaster Canal at Crooklands

My brother Billy and his wife Wendy joined me along with Carl (he's my nephew-in-law if such a thing exists!) for 10 miles of the walk.  It was great to have them along to keep me company - thanks all!

We were looking out over Morecambe Bay to the West and, to the North-West, my beloved Lake District.

Lots of heavy showers today which turned torrential when it was time to pitch the tent of course.  I'm staying in my tent at the Crooklands Waters Edge Caravan Park  - although I don't really need to be any nearer water in this rain.

Forecast for Monday is severe gales and torrential rain...which is nice!

P.S You would not believe how many ropes I have securing my tent.

Via the viaduct

21 miles from Bilsborrow to Lancaster today. 

All canal walking today which made a pleasant change and despite the forecast was mostly in the dry with a little sunshine too.

A mixture of boats on the Lancaster Canal - you know I love boats!

The canal was very pretty with lots of woodland and views over the Bowland Fells and the Lune Valley.  It was nice to see lots of boat traffic and some of the waterfront properties were amazing (I bet they cost a fortune).

Bowland Fells - I'm starting to get excited about the Lake District!

I hit the Lake District in earnest tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it very much.

What I'm not looking forward to is putting my tent up in this rain - its hocking it down.

Along the waterway

Another 17 miles closer to John O' Groats today - Tarleston to Bilsborrow, just south of Garstang.

I am so glad those two days are done though!  It is absolutely no fun at all walking along main roads.  The last 4 miles were along the Lancaster canal so that was better.

Lancaster Canal - A lot prettier than main roads

It was a bit wet and windy at times today and I've pitched camp at a very basic site.  I'll be packing up the tent and kit early on Saturday and then be off again.

Section Three

After a few days' break back at home I've now completed 20 miles of the next section of the walk.  Blundellsands to Tarleton.

Tarleton Runner - A beautifully named stream

It was made much easier by having my old mate Phil Summers walk with me.

It was a long walk, mostly roads, so we stopped off at Ormskirk for a quick cup of coffee.  Which reminds me, don't ask for a large coffee in Costa unless you want to go for a swim - its massive!

Ormskirk Parish Church

It feels good to be heading North again - time to eat up the miles and see nw things again.

Thanks to everyone for making me feel good and a little special!  It's humbling to know I have such good friends.

The yellow, yellow sand of home!

Woo Hoo!  I've completed the second section of my walk now, arriving in Blundellsands having walked 16 miles from Eastham (I did get a ferry across the Mersey).

"Another Place" statue at Blundellsands - quite fitting really (click on pic for more info).

It was road walking all the way so instead of kestrels and eagles it was all cars and lorries along the A41 and Derby Road.  Mind you, seeing the Liver Birds made up for the lack of exotic wildlife!

Thanks to the photographer for this one of me passing the Liver Building

Katie from Liverpool Unites met me off the ferry with a photographer so it looks like I may get a bit of press coverage again soon.

The next section of the walk starts on 19 May which will give me some time to sort out my kit and also to catch up with family and friends.

I intend to publish some more photos in a Web album soon so do come back regularly to check for updates.

As usual it is always lovely to hear from people so please do feel free to post your comments.

Hwyl, diolch yn fawr Cymru!

Farewell and thank you Wales!

Walked 21.5 miles from Llandegla to Eastham on the Wirral today in just over 6 hours, quite an easy walk because it was so flat - the miles just flew by.

Eastham Locks

Take a virtual tour of Eastham Village here TOUR

Passed through an interesting place called Hawarden on the way, a place where Gladstone (the PM) had a large house.  I also managed to see the large castle there.

Gladstone's House

One more day will see me reach my home soil and finish this section of the walk!

Off of Offa's

I don't know where you can get better weather from but  I would like some please!  I was caught out by three serious rain storms today.  One of them waited until I got up the moors and decided to give me some hailstones too  - lovely!

16 miles nonetheless - Chirk to Llandegla.

I think this was for Mountain Bikers - Walkers don't need it!

The walking was fab - fields, canals, forest, moors and scree - it doesn't get much more of a mix than that.

That's me finished on Offa's Dyke now.  Don't let anyone tell you it is easy, in it's way it is as tough as the Pennine Way.

My tent for the night!

I'm out from under the canvas tonight and actually staying at a hotel - the Bodidris Hall.

Got a day off on Tuesday and then I set up camp on my home turf for the next part of the walk.

The old and the new...

14 miles today took me from Llanymynech to Chirk Castle.

A good walk but, like the rest of the Offa's Dyke walk, is a challenge to anyone - so much of it is sooooo steep and all the ups and downs put a major strain on your legs.

Chirk Castle

That said, from the hill overlooking Chirk Castle I could see so many of the landmarks that remind me of home - Jodrell Bank, Stanlow,  and Beeston Castle.

Stanlow Refinery - looks better at night, plus you can't smell it from here!

Another tough walk tomorrow and I'm hoping I won't get as wet.  It rained quite a lot today, and I mean RAINED!

Easy walk, tough on the tonsils though!

Hi all.  Saturday took me an easy 10 miles today from Buttington to Llanymynech (I can just about pronounce the name!)  It was a very flat walk over farm fields along the course of the dyke. 

Montgomery Canal

There was a little stretch along the Montgomery Canal where, for the first time ever, I saw a wild otter.  Now that was special.

Wild?  It was absolutely furious!

Up to now I've mostly had sheep for company on the walk, now I've got cattle.

Powis Castle

I had a few spare hours today so spent them wisely by exploring Powis Castle and its beautiful grounds.

Easy thirteen



Near Buttington Bridge - don't say you've not been warned!

After the hard graft of the last couple of days it was an easy 13 miles from Brompton X Roads to Buttington near Welshpool today.  It was all flat dyke walking except for the last 5 miles where you climb to 1335 feet. 

Beacon Ring in the distance

Worth the climb though because you're rewarded at the top with Beacon Ring - an Iron Age fortification.  From there you get views down over Welshpool and, looking north, you can see the Breidden Hills.

Welshpool looking down from Beacon Ring

Despite the rain last night I struck camp without getting wet and have pitched a new camp, home for the next three nights, at a place called Four Crosses.

When the going gets tough...

Today's walk was the hardest one I have ever done, and believe me I've done some tough 'uns.  It was only 15.5 miles but I have never seen such steep paths. It is considered to be a tough one by those in the know as it rises through the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty .  Still that is Knighton to Brompton Cross Roads complete now.

Just like Southern house prices - STEEP!

Mellington Hall - not for me though, I'm in a tent nearby.

Tonight I am under canvas at Mellington Hall.  By the way it is raining on the tent!

I knew something was up when they offered me a lifejacket when I booked my pitch!

Blog soon.

May The Fourth Be With You

14 Miles from Kington to Knighton today - again a bit tough but the calves are feeling a bit better, so what the heck!

I started the day with a climb of 1,200 feet to be met on the top of Bradnor Hill by a golf club.  Turns out it is the highest one in England and they welcome walkers to use their facilities.

Fore!  Don't worry, I stayed off their greens.

The rest of the day hardly drops below 1,000 feet, mostly across a dyke that was built in 757 AD.  Again fabulous views, quite literally birds eye views at that height.

I hit some high spots today - this is looking back to Hergest Ridge

The day ended in a similar way to the way it started - by walking through another golf course.  This one is practically subterranean at only 1,00 feet above sea level.

BIG, BIG day tomorrow so come back for an update soon.

Hay Up!

13.5 miler from Hay to Kington today up and down some serious hills.

The ascent was 3,000 feet with an amazing 3 miles across Hergest Ridge with views to die for.

You can see why its called a ridge!

At some points today it was only sheer willpower and a sense of being thankful for the opportunity to do this that kept me going - my calves were killing me!  I know it does sound a bit naff but I truly am grateful that I have the opportunity to do this walk.


A special thanks to Cilla from Baskerville Hall who gave me a lift from the accomodation to the start point of the walk today and then was kind enough to sponsor me too!  How good is that?

More on Wednesday...

Elementary my dear Watson...

Hi all.  On Sunday I passed the 300 mile mark - wahay!  I've actually covered 304 miles which is my personal best for a single walk.  On the way I also beat my longest ridge walk at 10 miles - the views over the Brecons are just out of this world.

Ridge walk on the Brecons

From Pandy to Hay-On-Wye was 17.5 miles rather than my usual 16 of late, a change is as good as a rest and I've no time to rest.

Hound of the Baskervilles - (Grandchild friendly version)

Home for tonight is Baskerville Hall - yes the real venue for the Hound of the Baskervilles story (Click here to read a free copy). Apparently Sir ACD was a friend of the family and at their request set the story in Devon to prevent their being over run by tourists.

Will update tomorrow - if I make it through the night ;-)

Guess how far I walked today?

16 Miles,  from Monmouth to Pandy on Saturday!  That distance is becoming something of  a habit.

It has been a big mix of a day today, hot, sunny and windy.  Although unlike a few weeks ago the wind actually helped today.

River Honddu - Pandy

Very interesting walk in terms of terrain today - forest walk, river walks and very hilly countryside walks.  There has not been any rain here since March so the footpaths are really hard and uneven.

Home for the night

Staying at a Bed & Breakfast tonight - what a welcome!  Tea and cakes on arrival - lovely.  The place is called the Old Rectory at Llangattock Lingoed.  The whole place was wonderful, even the old church supplies tea and cakes for visitors for a small donation.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow as I head up the mountains.