The video for my walk of the Clarendon Way is now published. It can be found at https://youtu.be/OlCE67Srd08 https://youtu.be/OlCE67Srd08
Tag: walk the chalk
Navigating the Clarendon Way
For its relatively modest length, the Clarendon Way, punches well above its weight in terms of opportunities to go wrong. I briefly alluded to some of these in my last post, but rather than fill that one up with the full details, I thought I'd stick them in a separate post. It's my hope that … Continue reading Navigating the Clarendon Way
The Clarendon Way
The first backpacking trip of the year always feels a bit weird in the lead up: typically, it being, or having recently been, winter, there may have been a bit of a gap since the last one, and it's as if I've forgotten what preparing for a trip is like. This is one reason why … Continue reading The Clarendon Way
The North Downs Way AGAIN – Part 6: Detling to Halling
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
The North Downs Way Again – Part 5: Kent Pilgrims’ Festival Days 3-5 (Wye To Dover)
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)
The North Downs Way Again – Part 4: Kent Pilgrims’ Festival Days 1-2 (Aylesford to Wye)
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)
The North Downs Way Again – Part 3: Westwell to Detling
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
The North Downs Way Again – Part 2: Paddlesworth to Westwell
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
The North Downs Way Again – Part 1: Dover to Paddlesworth
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
Yorkshire Wolds Way Reflections
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
Yorkshire Wolds Way – Part 3: Near Huggate to Filey
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
Yorkshire Wolds Way – Part 2: Brough to Near Huggate
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
St Swithun’s Way
St Swithun's Way is (officially) a 34 mile, or 55km long distance path running between Winchester and Farnham, named after a 9th Century Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester. This is the guy associated with the saying about if it rains on St Swithun's Day (15 July), you're in for another 40 days of it. This legend … Continue reading St Swithun’s Way
Yorkshire Wolds Way – Part 1: Hessle to North Newbold
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