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.

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!