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When we started the South West Coast Path, back in 2008, we never expected that it would take until 2023 to finish it. At that time, we didn't even expect to do it all - it was just a pleasant revisit of the scene of some past family holidays. It was only after completing that … Continue reading Finishing the SWCP
After I abandoned the westbound walk at Detling in August, a few other bits of walking got in the way of picking it up again - a trip to Snowdonia in September, the West Highland Way in October, and not least the Kent Pilgrims' Festival in September. The latter involving walking all the way east … Continue reading The North Downs Way AGAIN – Part 6: Detling to Halling
Now that the pressure of leading my own walk was over, I could relax a bit and simply follow. Sometimes it's nice to just be pulled along by someone else: no decisions to make, just put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the walk. First, though, I had to get to the … Continue reading The North Downs Way Again – Part 5: Kent Pilgrims’ Festival Days 3-5 (Wye To Dover)
In the first post of this series, I mentioned that I was co-leading two days of walks as part of the Kent Pilgrims' Festival. Along with that my co-leader, Mike, and I offered to assist the walk leaders of the other 3 days with their walks - help manage the group / bringing up the … Continue reading The North Downs Way Again – Part 4: Kent Pilgrims’ Festival Days 1-2 (Aylesford to Wye)
07:52 as I opened my eyes and glanced at my watch - bugger! Could have sworn it was quarter to 7 or so. I leapt out of bed in a semi-panic - I was going to start a big day already behind, and have my choices made for me. This is what comes of downing … Continue reading The North Downs Way Again – Part 3: Westwell to Detling
As I turned away from the trail last night, I noticed that there was a problem on the other side of the road - an apparent path closure. I had a brief look at the sign, promising myself I'd mull it over overnight. When it came to it though, I completely forgot, and found myself … Continue reading The North Downs Way Again – Part 2: Paddlesworth to Westwell
When I became an Ambassador for the Trail last year, I decided to do a complete re-walk, as it was 2016 when I finished the walk before, and even that had been spread thinly over 10 years. My familiarity wasn't what it could be. Of course in the time since, I've walked parts of the … Continue reading The North Downs Way Again – Part 1: Dover to Paddlesworth
Background I chose the YWW to walk as part of my long term quest to complete all* of the National Trails**, with a specific sub-project right now which I am calling "Walk the Chalk" - completing the 4 National Trails that travel through chalk landscape: The North Downs Way, the South Downs Way, the Ridgeway, … Continue reading Yorkshire Wolds Way Reflections
Awake early, but better rested, it was an even earlier start at just after 7am. As I set off, my whole plan consisted of getting to Fridaythorpe. Here would be a cafe, shop and other facilities. As to how far beyond Fridaythorpe I'd get, that was completely up in the air - I was open … Continue reading Yorkshire Wolds Way – Part 3: Near Huggate to Filey
Back at Kings cross station, but a little earlier than last time and no having to run the gauntlet of the security muggles like last time. The journey to Doncaster and then Brough was perfectly pleasant and I alighted in a pretty calm frame of mind - usually there's a lot of excitement mixed with … Continue reading Yorkshire Wolds Way – Part 2: Brough to Near Huggate
Miserable London, miserable people in the streets, miserable people at the station. I'd departed from my recent policy of taking the coach whenever possible, as the advance train ticket-split I'd worked out was a reasonable deal when you take into account the timing of the journey and how long it would take. Twenty something on … Continue reading Yorkshire Wolds Way – Part 1: Hessle to North Newbold
Hassocks to Eastbourne: 57km (36 miles), 1,422m ascent (4,665ft) Day 6 Last night's dinner was awesome, and bloody well should have been as I'd carried it from the BP garage. Pasta Arrabiata (of sorts) cooked on a camping stove, reminded me of how great it is to have real food rather than just rely on … Continue reading Walk the Chalk: South Downs Way – Part 3
Cocking to Hassocks: 60km (38 miles), 1,406m ascent (4,613ft) Day 4 The stay at the campsite on the outskirts of Cocking couldn't have come at a better time. I'd avoided a nasty day of rain that would have been very uncomfortable to be out in, and also had a night of respite from the stresses … Continue reading Walk the Chalk: South Downs Way – Part 2
Winchester to Cocking: 64km (40 miles), 1,369m ascent (4,491ft) Day 1 It was a pleasant journey to Winchester. As someone who hasn't commuted in over two years, and with no intention to ever do so again, I hadn't relished piling on a rush hour train along with all the miserable people. But as it turned … Continue reading Walk the Chalk: South Downs Way – Part 1
So the walk is done, and as you would expect the experiences of that walk prompted a few thoughts about how it went, what I'd do the same/differently, and generally what were the highs and lows. So here goes.... The Plan vs RealityNavigation, Trail Hazards etcWeatherFacilities along the TrailWaterAccommodationGear that WorkedGear that Didn'tFinally The Plan … Continue reading Glyndŵr’s Way: Afterthoughts