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!

Off we go then

Well it is finally here.  This is my last day at home now for some time - the walk is upon me.  Both Anne-Marie and I are looking forward to it with both anticipation and trepidation.  Will be updating soon, take care all, and please do make comments as I will be checking regularly. It helps to keep me going. Cheers!

Your comments please!

It will be great to hear from you when I'm on the journey.

I've made it easier for you to post comments on the blog now.  Please, please do - they'll help keep me going.

Follow me on Google Maps

We've set up a Google Map that will let you follow my progress and see all the planned stops along the way. 
You can follow it on the blog or here is the link for you to copy, paste and add to your favourites!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=201191246738209850827.00049f799da7cd0c4b440&ll=53.383328,-10.83252&spn=6.987794,19.665527&z=6

Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa

Hi everyone, just thought I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Formby Hall for helping me with my training for the walk by allowing me to use their leisure facilities. This has made it so much easier for me to get up to the right fitness level for the walk. If you don't know Formby Hall check out their site at www.formyhallgolfresortandspa.co.uk

Less than 1 week to go

Well here we are on a Saturday am, the last free one before the walk starts! In fact, this time next week I will have left Lands End and be heading for Cannons town 20ish miles away. Please if you are reading this, all start praying for some good weather.I will be talking to you all via Simon, one of my sons who will update the blog when I can't. I will do one more post before setting off in the mean time Bless you all.

The ROYAL OAK

My friends in the pub had a fund raising night last night to help me with the cost of the walk. I am sooo lucky to know these people their kindness is beyond the bounds of friendship!! When I have a bad day on the walk, just thinking of these very special people and their support will keep me going. THANKS to you all

I'll get this right one day

In my last report I said that Liverpool Unites was trying to raise £5000 for Alder Hey. The correct figure is £500k so just a little extra!! Dumb or what!?

Well the other thing that has just struck me is, only 6 more sessions in the gym and 3 more good walks before the start of the BIG WALK oh boy it's nearly on me!!

Wish me luck all.