Getting bored yet?
Onwards....
26 April 2004 To Edale (day 33 - day 30 walking): Left campsite at 0900. It was dry but the sky was a bit threatening. Sure enough, at around 1200 it started raining - then a massive thunder storm rolled thru - right overhead! Not much lightening - thankfully.
Got to Edale at 1330. Nags head was closed and Ramblers should have been open but was closed - no electrics. Had lunch in cafe - sausage, egg, chips and beans. Pitched tent between pulses of heavy rain. Site agreed to waive fee (£3.50) and Ramblers re-opened. Barbara read me a letter to local businesses to raise money for St. Giles. I too had been thinking of the same thing - we do think alike!
Late afternoon was dry - now 1800. Hope it stays dry. Dave Smith and wife gave £5. Brill. Nb: send card. Stayed dry getting back to tent. rained overnight, but it was dry in morning.
27 April 2004 To Crowden (day 34 - 31 walking): Very misty over Kinder. Rain intermittantly in morning becoming continuous. Stayed misty and rained until late afternoon. Took wrong path off Bleaklow which added 2/3 miles to trip. Got to Crowden campsite. Phil paid my camping fee - £2.50 - a reduction. Phil's tent was a big plastic bag!
Walked to Tintwhistle - the Bulls head - but they didn't do food. Landlord gave me a lift to Hollingworth. The Gun pub did good meal and beer. Got taxi back - £11 but worth it. Stayed dry overnight.
28 April 2004 To Globe farm (day 35 - 32 walking): Spitting rain in the morning - very windy, misty and cold. Rain started around 1100. Took wrong path on ladlow and had to retreat. Not too far! Rain continued until around 1430. Full winter gear on - very cold wind with rain and mist!
Got to Globe farm - shock/horror! No more camping! Met guy earlier who told me this. Decided to B and B - £25 - got last room. Ann (my host) explained not worth it with camping. had shower and washed T shirts, pants and socks and cleaned off trousers.
Good fillet steak in the Great Western - a fair walk down the road. Rained on way back, but a good sleep.
29 April 2004 To High Gate (day 36 - 33 walking): V windy day with heavy intermittant showers - cold. Nb Ann does voluntary work for a hospice and her mum gave me £3.
Walked to High gate shop. Alladins cave! Tiny campspot - free. Dry putting tent up and dry walking down to New Delight Inn. Good meal - dry all night, but, colder. Slept well.
30 April 2004 To Ickornshaw (day 37 - 34 walking): Dry morning + dry day but cold wind. Walked to Ickornshaw and am staying at same B and B as two years ago (on Pennine Way - a short walk!). This plus Twice Brewed will be my last B & Bs in England. Black Bull is just up the road.
Left High Gate at 0845 and got to B & B at 1430 - had to wait a while to get in - they had gone out. Tony and Olwyn ran B & B.
Had good pub mal - choirizo sausages and beer - Golden Dragon. Good chat with brian, the landlord. Rosie, the dog barked non-stop and there were two noisy African grey parrots.
01 May 2004 To Malham (day 38 - 35 walking): Great breakfast. Dry and warmer day but with cool wind. Had superb sandwich + pint in Cross Keys at Long Marton. Bill came up and after a brief chat gave me £1 (total cash - £59.35). Afternoon got sunnier and warmer. Got to malham campsite which was very busy. Got a 50p reduction to £3. Generous!
Lister Arms was very busy but i got quite seat next to a Leeds professor and his wife. Had good chat. Food was brill' - Mexican enchilada. Slept well.
02 May 2004 To Horton (day 39 - 36 walking): Wall to wall sunshine with enough of a breeze to keep cool. Got to Horton around 1500. Camp fees waived. Had sausage sandwich in cafe.
There is a guy a day ahead of me on LEJOG too!
Had great 12oz fillet steak in pub and chat with group from Derbyshire. Dry getting back to tent but rained overnight. Dry in morning.
03 May 2004 To Hawes (day 40 - 37 walking): V windy, cold but dry day until short heavy sleet/rain shower in afternoon. Fairly easy going to hawes. Washed all clothes + had shower - feels good. Mick Long - £5 - in pub and Ibrahim in Curry House - £5. He was 26, married with one kid and one on the way V nice guy - superb meal -£10 Heavy rain all night and in the morning. (Note: my notes were a bit squiffy for this entry - good beer!)
04 May 2004 To Tan Hill (day 41 - 38 walking): (Note: The beer was very good - I missed a page a got muddled notes!) Rain stopped an hour after starting out. Cold wind, but remained dry all the way to Tan Hill. Camped behind the pub for £1. Got ducks for company. few drops of sleet/rain as I write - 1750.
Had long chat with Vicky and Richard - he took my e-mail address. Stayed dry and calm all night, with sun out in the morning.
05 May 2004 To Middleton-in-Teeside (day 42 - 39 walking): Still, dry start. Sky got darker and around 1400 heavy rain - until 1530. Met Pauline and Pam near Blackburn YHA. Pauline gave me £5. Pitched tent in dry - fees waived. Had a shower and came out to heavy rain - time now 1645. Rain continued on and off until 2030. Then it was very damp. Meal in Bridge pub as good. Slept well!
06 May 2004 To Dufton (day 43 - 40 walking): Tent was very wet in morning. Day was mainly dry - just one brief shower in morning. great walk over to High Cup Nick. Sun out in Dufton. Charged £2 instead of £3.50 "to cover cost of shower" - I didn't have one! Looking forward to meal at the Stag. had duck breast. Cold night with a bit of frost. Bright sunny morning.
07 May 2004 To Alston (day 44 - 41 walking): Although it was sunny, tent was still wet. Hard slog up Cross Fell. At least visability was good. There is an easy way off Cross fell, but i didn't see it until I was way down. The track to Garrigill is horrid. Got to Alston. Camp fees waived. Stayed dry all day. Cold winds on tops but ok below. Had shower and got to pub at 1850. Goo meal - steak in ale pie. Started raining as I was going back to tent at 2130. heavy rain all night.
08 May 2004 To Twice Brewed (day 45 - 42 walking): V damp stat but stopped raining. Took old railway to just past Slaggyford, then over the moors - managed to put one foot in up to my knee! Took old Roman road to Twice Brewed Inn. Lost map case and compass - no big deal - at least I have the other maps etc., Inn was near fully booked, but got room for £22.
Beside a bit of drizzle to start, it was a dry day. Had prawns to start and sirloin steak to follow - excellent! Beer was good and bed was soft.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
LeJOG 2004 - My Notes on a trip of a lifetime - Part 3
A few more typos and miss-placed fingers but ... onwards.
14 April 2004 To Chipping Campden (day 21): Left pub at 0740 - no breakfast. great day for walking but with a cooling breeze. great views from the tops of the hills. Not too difficult walking. Got to Chipping Campden at 1745 and met Barbara great!
Took an hour to drive back. great to be home (Kingsbury).
15 April 2004 Thursday (Day 22 -21 walking): Rest day. great!
16 April 2004 To Alcester (Day 23 - 22 walking): Walked from Chipping Campden to Aklcester. Showers but not too heavy. Great to be walking with a lighter (day) pack. Barbara met me at Alcester.
17 April 2004 To Chadwick End (day 24 - 23 walking): back to Alcester. Left there at 1030 - same time as yesterday's start. A dry day, bright and fairly sunny, but not too warm. Finished at Chadwick End where Barbara picked me up.
18 April Sunday (day 25 - 23 walking): A rest day. Sunday lunch!
19 April To Whittacre Heath (day 26 - 24 walking): Walked from Chadwick End to Whiteacre Heath - the Railway pub. Dry and mainly sunny day. Took Barbara 50 mins to reach me (a couple of miles!).
20 April To Kingsbury (day 27 - 25 walking): A very short day from Whiteacre Heath to Kingsbury. Home.
21 April 2004 To Cannock Chase (day 28 - 26 walking): Poured down in the afternoon. Barbara picked me up and we went to see hers cousins. Had jalfezi in afternoon.
22 April 2004 (day 29 - 26 walking): A rest day.
23 April 2004 To Abbots Bromley (day 30 - 27 walking): Barbara dropped me off at Cannock Chase campsite and I started off at 0930. A warm, sunny day - fairly easy going to Abbots Bromley. Got Mr Hill's permission to camp in his field - just 10 mins walk from high street. Arrived about 1630.
It was hard leaving Barbara and I was tempted to be asked to be picked up again - but it wouldn't be fair. Rang just before 1800. Dinner in the Goats Head - fully booked for meals but got an early slot. Roast beef + veg - very good.
Got back to tent after 2100. Someone had pulled out all the flysheet pegs but left them in situ. (Terra Nova Solar 2 - self standing). No harm done and nothing touched - lucky!
Good nights sleep.
24 April 2004 To Thorpe (day 31 - 28 walking): Very misty first thing - but sun soon burnt it off. It was a very hot day. Route finding on Staffordshire Way did require close attention to maps as well as signs - but it was ok. Had pub lunch in Rochester. On Limestone Way route finding was very interesting! But, got to Thorpe ok.
Knocked on door of house to enquire about campsites. ( It was a Bank Holiday - as I remember and I didn't really want to camp on a proper site). Sue Smith answered the door. I explained my reason for knocking. She sent me up through some fields to meet William, her husband. He was attending a cow which was about to give birth and he was very stressed, but really helpful. I helped him get the Cow and newborn into a shed. He then found me a spot to camp in his field - putting electric wire round to stop the other cows getting to me!
I was the first end-to-ender he had ever met and he gave me £10 towards St. Giles (that makes £30 cheque + £20.35 cash since start). really nice guy - has lived all his life in Thorpe. Pub was only 5 mins walk.
Jodie and Fabian (grandchildren) listened to cows mooing very loudly! on mobile. Told them about the calf being born.
25 April 2004 To Blackwell (day 32 - 29 walking): Left at 0810 and decided on Tissington trail. Another very hot sunny day. Covered over 20 miles, but, only reached Blackwell where there is a campsite. Fees were waived - thank you. Pub is about 1 mile away but it should be a good dry evening. Millers dale is 1 mile from here and Edale a further 9 miles, but too much to do in the heat.
Had a shower and washed clothes. decided on a lazy day tomorrow - just the 10 miles to Edale - and why not!
Pub meal was good - steak pie and chips + veg. Stayed dry all night.
14 April 2004 To Chipping Campden (day 21): Left pub at 0740 - no breakfast. great day for walking but with a cooling breeze. great views from the tops of the hills. Not too difficult walking. Got to Chipping Campden at 1745 and met Barbara great!
Took an hour to drive back. great to be home (Kingsbury).
15 April 2004 Thursday (Day 22 -21 walking): Rest day. great!
16 April 2004 To Alcester (Day 23 - 22 walking): Walked from Chipping Campden to Aklcester. Showers but not too heavy. Great to be walking with a lighter (day) pack. Barbara met me at Alcester.
17 April 2004 To Chadwick End (day 24 - 23 walking): back to Alcester. Left there at 1030 - same time as yesterday's start. A dry day, bright and fairly sunny, but not too warm. Finished at Chadwick End where Barbara picked me up.
18 April Sunday (day 25 - 23 walking): A rest day. Sunday lunch!
19 April To Whittacre Heath (day 26 - 24 walking): Walked from Chadwick End to Whiteacre Heath - the Railway pub. Dry and mainly sunny day. Took Barbara 50 mins to reach me (a couple of miles!).
20 April To Kingsbury (day 27 - 25 walking): A very short day from Whiteacre Heath to Kingsbury. Home.
21 April 2004 To Cannock Chase (day 28 - 26 walking): Poured down in the afternoon. Barbara picked me up and we went to see hers cousins. Had jalfezi in afternoon.
22 April 2004 (day 29 - 26 walking): A rest day.
23 April 2004 To Abbots Bromley (day 30 - 27 walking): Barbara dropped me off at Cannock Chase campsite and I started off at 0930. A warm, sunny day - fairly easy going to Abbots Bromley. Got Mr Hill's permission to camp in his field - just 10 mins walk from high street. Arrived about 1630.
It was hard leaving Barbara and I was tempted to be asked to be picked up again - but it wouldn't be fair. Rang just before 1800. Dinner in the Goats Head - fully booked for meals but got an early slot. Roast beef + veg - very good.
Got back to tent after 2100. Someone had pulled out all the flysheet pegs but left them in situ. (Terra Nova Solar 2 - self standing). No harm done and nothing touched - lucky!
Good nights sleep.
24 April 2004 To Thorpe (day 31 - 28 walking): Very misty first thing - but sun soon burnt it off. It was a very hot day. Route finding on Staffordshire Way did require close attention to maps as well as signs - but it was ok. Had pub lunch in Rochester. On Limestone Way route finding was very interesting! But, got to Thorpe ok.
Knocked on door of house to enquire about campsites. ( It was a Bank Holiday - as I remember and I didn't really want to camp on a proper site). Sue Smith answered the door. I explained my reason for knocking. She sent me up through some fields to meet William, her husband. He was attending a cow which was about to give birth and he was very stressed, but really helpful. I helped him get the Cow and newborn into a shed. He then found me a spot to camp in his field - putting electric wire round to stop the other cows getting to me!
I was the first end-to-ender he had ever met and he gave me £10 towards St. Giles (that makes £30 cheque + £20.35 cash since start). really nice guy - has lived all his life in Thorpe. Pub was only 5 mins walk.
Jodie and Fabian (grandchildren) listened to cows mooing very loudly! on mobile. Told them about the calf being born.
25 April 2004 To Blackwell (day 32 - 29 walking): Left at 0810 and decided on Tissington trail. Another very hot sunny day. Covered over 20 miles, but, only reached Blackwell where there is a campsite. Fees were waived - thank you. Pub is about 1 mile away but it should be a good dry evening. Millers dale is 1 mile from here and Edale a further 9 miles, but too much to do in the heat.
Had a shower and washed clothes. decided on a lazy day tomorrow - just the 10 miles to Edale - and why not!
Pub meal was good - steak pie and chips + veg. Stayed dry all night.
LEJOG 2004 - My Notes on a trip of a lifetime - part 2
If you've got this far you will have spotted a few typo's. Say La V!
Onwards......
03 April 2004 To Croyde Bay: Left in dry - took roads to shorten route and with going along old railway - boring! Got showery in afternoon and then pissed down as I got to Croyde Bay. Campsite waived fee. Pitched in pissing rain. Got to this pub (Billy Budds) with boots on - no point in changing. Good thing put wet clothes - from a few days - in dryer - dry clothes!
Poured down as I went back, but I slept well and the morning was sunny.
04 April 2004 To Coombe Martin: An easier day on to Coombe Martin. Got to Holiday Camp - said sorry - full. Then I said only small tent - charity etc., Reply £10! What? talk again - Agreed no charge.
Found the Focsal pub - seems ok. Food on way. It was good.
Showery afternoon, but nothing much. Put tent up in a shower, but ok. Site is crap. Had a shower too - life ain't too bad.
05 April 2004 To Lynbridge: Left campsite at 0800. Good thing is that tent was dry. Stayed dry all way to Lynton. Got here at 1430. Found campsite at Lynbridge - Sunny Lees. Charged me £4 to camp. But, able to wash clothes and have shower. Nice site and nice people.
Very windy coming over the sea cliffs. No point in pushing on to Porlock - good to have a bit of a break.
06 April 2004 To Minehead: Lynbridge to Porlock - had a nice pint and then on to Minehead. 1st campsite was closed. Met a walker who lived locally and he directed me to a Caravan Site - NO tents! Warden said there was a campsite .75 mile up the road. More like 2 miles!
Got there at 1830. Pitched tent and walked in to Minehead. Only to find that I had walked round one massive square! It still took 25 mins to walk in but i ended up near where I entered Minehead!
Day was very windy and bitter cold. Didn't pay and camp fee! Will they write to me? - I left my address???
07 April 2004 To Kingston St Mary: Left campsite at 0700. Walked in to town and along coast path to Blue Anchor. Not much of a path and there was one nasty ditch to get over - just. Walked from Blue Anchor along road to watchet. Rang Barbara Darling I love you! Then had coffee and toasted bun - nice place. Guy gave me short cut to Staple. Had a beef bagette in the Windmill pub in Staple - superb!
Over the Quantocks in just a few showers. Drpped off route to Kingston St. Mary. camped at corner of a building site - with permission! Lovely pub - The Swan. Now for a meal - beef casserole. Superb.
V cold night, but, slept reasonably well.
08 April 2004 To Walton (day 15): Up and off before 0800. Joined my route after a couple of miles road walking. Route got a bit difficult to follow, but, got sorted out. Crossed M5 at 1130. My planned route involved a bridge across a drainage ditch - only thing was there wasn't one!
Lots more road walking until I picked up McCloy's route (He wrote a book on LEJOG) at Kingsedgemoor Drain. Cut in to Walton - campsite with pub - Pike and Musket - nearby.
Hardly any wind in morning. Colder in afternoon. Had a shower at campsite - they charged me £5. Feet are very tired with all the road walking. Rang Barbara - miss you Darling. Later, rang Phil at around 1930. Terry and Chris on way (brother in law and sister in law). Also rang Christine on mobile.
Had fillet steak. Good. Looks like rain will hold off. Feet gradually got better. 4 pints and bed at 2100. Slept well. Slept with clothes on!
09 April 2004 To Old Down (day 16): Woke up to a white tent, but had a good sunny day. Could see Glastonbury Tor from tent.
Made my way around 0820 to Glastonbury - full of old hippies - and on to superb campsite at Old Down - near Chilcompton. Les runs the place and has end-to-enders thru. Takes their photos and gets them to send back card from JOG. What a great idea. Les waived the £5 camp fee - bless. Washed all clothes and had shower (clothes only cost £1 - powder free).
Pub - the Old Down - just opposite - and beer is straight from the barrel - Smiles and Bass. Forgot to note - yesterday and day before - saw wild deer and a stoat (or, weasel?)
And, the day's weather was fantastic. Sunny, but not too hot and very little wind - life is good and unlike last night, my feet feel ok. And Barbara tells me Basil is going to fix our door - I must get away more often!
Beer from the barrel - well 2 Smiles + ok - 3 Bass - but, it is great!
A good nights sleep.
10 April 2004 To Cold Ashton (day 17): Les took my photo and me of him. He gave me a card to post from JOG. V good guy.
No real breakfast, just tuna thing - pretty crap. Started off at 0900. Showery day. Drier in evening. Really pushed it. Route finding was not easy and Limestone Link is in need of an overhaul! Not much for lunch either. Not good idea.
Got to Batheaston at around 1730. made push for Cold Ashton and got to Cheastnuts (in Backpackers Club as camp place, but really just a house with big garden) - for camping at 2000. Exhausted!
Pitched tent in dusk and made way to pub - about 5 mins walk. 4 pints and a meal -needed!
A good nights sleep. No charge for camping.
11 April 2004 To Wooten-under-Edge (day 18 - Sunday)): Dry day - warm to start. The Cotswold Way is so well marked. Left Cold Ashton at 0830. had pub lunch in Old Sodbury - steak sandwich.
Continued to Wooten-under-Edge. No real chance of camping so stayed in the Royal Oak! Superb food and good beer. Had a bath! Basic cost £25 B and B. My left little to was very sore today - bath helped. Luxury!
12 April 2004 To Whiteshill near Stroud (day 19): Left pub at 0900 after fantastic breakfast. Last night's meal was v good. Feet felt so much better.
Little toe was ok today - strange things: feet! Got very sunny and warm in morning but turned cloudier in afternoon. The views over Cotswold ridges are fantastic: over the Severn; Tintern etc., Waved to Terry and Christine on M5 which I could see in the distance (they were driving north that day).
Walked on past Stroud to little NT campsite. No facilities but ok place. Walked down past mast and eventually came down thru someone's private garden. I apologised to owners who explained proper path back!
Woodcutters Arms - lovely couple - did me a superb chicken kiev and I'm currently drinking IPA - good. Lovely woman, knowing what I'm doing gave me £3.25 towards Hospice - or me. (it's worth explaining that I noted down if anyone gave me cash: then I spent it! - but, I paid a cheque to St Giles at the end!)
Decided best to walk back up road to campsite. Pub is in Whiteshill north of Stroud.
Rain late in afternoon - then heavier but brief shower while I was in the pub. Hopefully it will stay dry on way back. It was dry and I had a good nights sleep.
13 April 2004 To Waterside Inn - near Dowdswell (day 20): Left camp soon after 0800. Day remained dry and mostly sunny, but, not too hot - ideal for walking. had a Guiness at Crickly Hill. Before, met some golfers - one of whom called me back and gave me £5. Then had coffee and egg sandwich at Rose's near Brockworth. sandwich was goose and hen eggs. Bless. Her mother did teas etc., and so she did. She was 78 and had been there all her life. She gave me £2.
Continued to Waterside Inn - near Dowdswell. Decided on a room (only) at £20. Good place - good food. had nachos, then steak in ale pie. really look forward to seeing Barbara tomorrow.
Onwards......
03 April 2004 To Croyde Bay: Left in dry - took roads to shorten route and with going along old railway - boring! Got showery in afternoon and then pissed down as I got to Croyde Bay. Campsite waived fee. Pitched in pissing rain. Got to this pub (Billy Budds) with boots on - no point in changing. Good thing put wet clothes - from a few days - in dryer - dry clothes!
Poured down as I went back, but I slept well and the morning was sunny.
04 April 2004 To Coombe Martin: An easier day on to Coombe Martin. Got to Holiday Camp - said sorry - full. Then I said only small tent - charity etc., Reply £10! What? talk again - Agreed no charge.
Found the Focsal pub - seems ok. Food on way. It was good.
Showery afternoon, but nothing much. Put tent up in a shower, but ok. Site is crap. Had a shower too - life ain't too bad.
05 April 2004 To Lynbridge: Left campsite at 0800. Good thing is that tent was dry. Stayed dry all way to Lynton. Got here at 1430. Found campsite at Lynbridge - Sunny Lees. Charged me £4 to camp. But, able to wash clothes and have shower. Nice site and nice people.
Very windy coming over the sea cliffs. No point in pushing on to Porlock - good to have a bit of a break.
06 April 2004 To Minehead: Lynbridge to Porlock - had a nice pint and then on to Minehead. 1st campsite was closed. Met a walker who lived locally and he directed me to a Caravan Site - NO tents! Warden said there was a campsite .75 mile up the road. More like 2 miles!
Got there at 1830. Pitched tent and walked in to Minehead. Only to find that I had walked round one massive square! It still took 25 mins to walk in but i ended up near where I entered Minehead!
Day was very windy and bitter cold. Didn't pay and camp fee! Will they write to me? - I left my address???
07 April 2004 To Kingston St Mary: Left campsite at 0700. Walked in to town and along coast path to Blue Anchor. Not much of a path and there was one nasty ditch to get over - just. Walked from Blue Anchor along road to watchet. Rang Barbara Darling I love you! Then had coffee and toasted bun - nice place. Guy gave me short cut to Staple. Had a beef bagette in the Windmill pub in Staple - superb!
Over the Quantocks in just a few showers. Drpped off route to Kingston St. Mary. camped at corner of a building site - with permission! Lovely pub - The Swan. Now for a meal - beef casserole. Superb.
V cold night, but, slept reasonably well.
08 April 2004 To Walton (day 15): Up and off before 0800. Joined my route after a couple of miles road walking. Route got a bit difficult to follow, but, got sorted out. Crossed M5 at 1130. My planned route involved a bridge across a drainage ditch - only thing was there wasn't one!
Lots more road walking until I picked up McCloy's route (He wrote a book on LEJOG) at Kingsedgemoor Drain. Cut in to Walton - campsite with pub - Pike and Musket - nearby.
Hardly any wind in morning. Colder in afternoon. Had a shower at campsite - they charged me £5. Feet are very tired with all the road walking. Rang Barbara - miss you Darling. Later, rang Phil at around 1930. Terry and Chris on way (brother in law and sister in law). Also rang Christine on mobile.
Had fillet steak. Good. Looks like rain will hold off. Feet gradually got better. 4 pints and bed at 2100. Slept well. Slept with clothes on!
09 April 2004 To Old Down (day 16): Woke up to a white tent, but had a good sunny day. Could see Glastonbury Tor from tent.
Made my way around 0820 to Glastonbury - full of old hippies - and on to superb campsite at Old Down - near Chilcompton. Les runs the place and has end-to-enders thru. Takes their photos and gets them to send back card from JOG. What a great idea. Les waived the £5 camp fee - bless. Washed all clothes and had shower (clothes only cost £1 - powder free).
Pub - the Old Down - just opposite - and beer is straight from the barrel - Smiles and Bass. Forgot to note - yesterday and day before - saw wild deer and a stoat (or, weasel?)
And, the day's weather was fantastic. Sunny, but not too hot and very little wind - life is good and unlike last night, my feet feel ok. And Barbara tells me Basil is going to fix our door - I must get away more often!
Beer from the barrel - well 2 Smiles + ok - 3 Bass - but, it is great!
A good nights sleep.
10 April 2004 To Cold Ashton (day 17): Les took my photo and me of him. He gave me a card to post from JOG. V good guy.
No real breakfast, just tuna thing - pretty crap. Started off at 0900. Showery day. Drier in evening. Really pushed it. Route finding was not easy and Limestone Link is in need of an overhaul! Not much for lunch either. Not good idea.
Got to Batheaston at around 1730. made push for Cold Ashton and got to Cheastnuts (in Backpackers Club as camp place, but really just a house with big garden) - for camping at 2000. Exhausted!
Pitched tent in dusk and made way to pub - about 5 mins walk. 4 pints and a meal -needed!
A good nights sleep. No charge for camping.
11 April 2004 To Wooten-under-Edge (day 18 - Sunday)): Dry day - warm to start. The Cotswold Way is so well marked. Left Cold Ashton at 0830. had pub lunch in Old Sodbury - steak sandwich.
Continued to Wooten-under-Edge. No real chance of camping so stayed in the Royal Oak! Superb food and good beer. Had a bath! Basic cost £25 B and B. My left little to was very sore today - bath helped. Luxury!
12 April 2004 To Whiteshill near Stroud (day 19): Left pub at 0900 after fantastic breakfast. Last night's meal was v good. Feet felt so much better.
Little toe was ok today - strange things: feet! Got very sunny and warm in morning but turned cloudier in afternoon. The views over Cotswold ridges are fantastic: over the Severn; Tintern etc., Waved to Terry and Christine on M5 which I could see in the distance (they were driving north that day).
Walked on past Stroud to little NT campsite. No facilities but ok place. Walked down past mast and eventually came down thru someone's private garden. I apologised to owners who explained proper path back!
Woodcutters Arms - lovely couple - did me a superb chicken kiev and I'm currently drinking IPA - good. Lovely woman, knowing what I'm doing gave me £3.25 towards Hospice - or me. (it's worth explaining that I noted down if anyone gave me cash: then I spent it! - but, I paid a cheque to St Giles at the end!)
Decided best to walk back up road to campsite. Pub is in Whiteshill north of Stroud.
Rain late in afternoon - then heavier but brief shower while I was in the pub. Hopefully it will stay dry on way back. It was dry and I had a good nights sleep.
13 April 2004 To Waterside Inn - near Dowdswell (day 20): Left camp soon after 0800. Day remained dry and mostly sunny, but, not too hot - ideal for walking. had a Guiness at Crickly Hill. Before, met some golfers - one of whom called me back and gave me £5. Then had coffee and egg sandwich at Rose's near Brockworth. sandwich was goose and hen eggs. Bless. Her mother did teas etc., and so she did. She was 78 and had been there all her life. She gave me £2.
Continued to Waterside Inn - near Dowdswell. Decided on a room (only) at £20. Good place - good food. had nachos, then steak in ale pie. really look forward to seeing Barbara tomorrow.
LEJOG 2004 - My Notes on a trip of a lifetime
Introduction
This is a long overdue account of my 2004 LEJOG walk.
My original notes are not too extensive, so if you have a bit of time to pass, you are welcome to browse through them. I will basically reproduce my notes rather than try to embelish them to make a long and (more) boring story.
In these days of "how low can you go" folk will be amazed at some of the gear I had for this trip.
I will do a brief write up of the gear used as an appendix.
The other outstanding memory of this trip was the weather. The worst weather I had was at Croyde Bay and the best weather I had was in Scotland. Here it rained enough to put waterproofs on only on the last day!
The people I met on the way were fantastic. I hope to convey some of the experiences with those I met. It was not my original intention to do so, but I did aim to raise money for St Giles (a local) Hospice. People were amazing in response. I didn't rattle cans or berate people - it just came up in conversation - and people were very generous.
So here goes: ......
I'll write up and post as I go along - so it will be some time! But, it will give me the incentive to continue ..... and I fear I may accidentally wipe everything out when I'm almost finished.
This could take some time!
24 March 2004 : Good train journey down from Tamworth to Penzance. I was met by Phil and Jean - friends of my brother and sister in law. They gave me a lift to Lands End Hotel.
They stopped for a drink and left at 1820. I then had a good meal and retired to bed. The room had a sea view. I slept well.
25 March 2004 To Zennor: After a full English breakfast I left the hotel at 0845. It was a very windy and showery day.I got to Zennor at 1745. A local farmer gave me permission to camp in one of his fields. No mobile phone signal - hope the pub has a phone. Think I may have lost my gloves (I did - Buffalo mitts). Pub opens at 1900. Time now 1845.
It started raining as I was pitching tent. Continued, heavily until 1905.
Tinners Arms was great. Rang Barbara on landlord's phone - she called me back. Had long chat - good I needed that.
Beer was good. had sheppards pie. Bed by 2100. A cold stary night.
26 March 2004 To Gwithan Farm campsite: Wind had died down and there was a frost on the tent, but, I had a good night's sleep. Pleased I have a synthetic bag as it is damp with condensation. Hard going to St. Ives, but then it got better. Sunny day. Camped at Gwithan Farm campsite. Site was officially closed, but owner let me camp for free. Pub doesn't open until 1900! Good pub with good food and beer.
Had a really good sleep - much warmer - thankfully.
27 March 2004 To Perrenporth: Turned out I was the first person to camp at Gwithan Farm since the owners moved in in December. Drizzle in morning - dry in afternoon. Got to Perrenporth by 1700ish - had fish and chips and carried some cans of beer to camp spot in the dunes. Lovely levelish sheltered spot - just off the path. Clocks change tonight.
28 March 2004 To Porthcothal: Dry warm weather, but overcast and managed to stay ahead of threatening skys. Had a Burger King in Newquay. No - to request for water! And, when I went to loo - took my pack and coke! Not a nice place!
What a find! Campsite just up hill - not open, but got permission to stay and had a shower and washed gear. Pub just down road - free sandwiches (25th wedding aniversary) and good beer + Sky Sports. It was the Tredrea Inn in Treyarnon - very good reception.
29 March 2004 To Polzeath: Took road to cut off big headland. Camp site by beach said £12! I got Barbara to phone St. Giles (Hospice) to phone the campsite. Camped for free. I was the only one here. If only I had brought proof (that I was also raising money for the Hospice). Had a restful afternoon. really sunny day. Got to Oyster catcher pub and met Celia and Mike. She's doing the London Marathon and she ran past me earlier - it transpires. Had a very interesting chat. They left, but a few minutes later came back with a cheque for £30 for St Giles - bless!
Good nights sleep - still a bit chilly though.
30 March 2004 To Boscastle: Good dry sunny day, but windy. Shorts and T shirt weather. Pushed good and hard to Boscastle. Camped in NT field before Warden arrived. He let me stay - just for one night - bless. Cobwed pub for food and drink. Got Barbara on Mobile - very clear. Life's good. Hope my heel heals up ok - not too bad today. Another free camp - a good night.
31 March 2004 To Bude: On way by 0830, but, had breakfast in Boscastle - milk and shortbread. On towards Crackington Haven. Met hayden and Wendy. He was practicing for the Cape Wrath Way. V nice gut - in late 50s. had coffee with them and continued walking with him to Widemouth Bay. he did LEJOG in 2000.
Got to Bude and camped on tiny patch of grass by Scout Hut - them asked permission from Scoutmaster. (Campsite was closed and there was no compromise). V hot day, with so far a threat of rain. Hope I can get back to tent dry. I did.
01 April 2004 To Hartland Quay: Got to Hartland Quay and camped about a mile up the road in farm - had shower which was luke warm. But no charge. Primitive site. Stayed dry until evening - showers. Back down hill to Hotel - good food, including Seagull Pie!
Got back dry. It was a had day and I slept well.
02 April Friday To Westward Ho: 21.75 mile day. Windy but dry and mostly sunny. Much easier walking to Westward Ho. Camped at Broddicks Campsite - closed, but as soon as I walked in owner said - camp anywhere - no charge. Good.
Westward Ho seems a bit desolate - out of season. Found a pub for food - starving!
An easier terrain, but still a hard day's walk.
This is a long overdue account of my 2004 LEJOG walk.
My original notes are not too extensive, so if you have a bit of time to pass, you are welcome to browse through them. I will basically reproduce my notes rather than try to embelish them to make a long and (more) boring story.
In these days of "how low can you go" folk will be amazed at some of the gear I had for this trip.
I will do a brief write up of the gear used as an appendix.
The other outstanding memory of this trip was the weather. The worst weather I had was at Croyde Bay and the best weather I had was in Scotland. Here it rained enough to put waterproofs on only on the last day!
The people I met on the way were fantastic. I hope to convey some of the experiences with those I met. It was not my original intention to do so, but I did aim to raise money for St Giles (a local) Hospice. People were amazing in response. I didn't rattle cans or berate people - it just came up in conversation - and people were very generous.
So here goes: ......
I'll write up and post as I go along - so it will be some time! But, it will give me the incentive to continue ..... and I fear I may accidentally wipe everything out when I'm almost finished.
This could take some time!
24 March 2004 : Good train journey down from Tamworth to Penzance. I was met by Phil and Jean - friends of my brother and sister in law. They gave me a lift to Lands End Hotel.
They stopped for a drink and left at 1820. I then had a good meal and retired to bed. The room had a sea view. I slept well.
25 March 2004 To Zennor: After a full English breakfast I left the hotel at 0845. It was a very windy and showery day.I got to Zennor at 1745. A local farmer gave me permission to camp in one of his fields. No mobile phone signal - hope the pub has a phone. Think I may have lost my gloves (I did - Buffalo mitts). Pub opens at 1900. Time now 1845.
It started raining as I was pitching tent. Continued, heavily until 1905.
Tinners Arms was great. Rang Barbara on landlord's phone - she called me back. Had long chat - good I needed that.
Beer was good. had sheppards pie. Bed by 2100. A cold stary night.
26 March 2004 To Gwithan Farm campsite: Wind had died down and there was a frost on the tent, but, I had a good night's sleep. Pleased I have a synthetic bag as it is damp with condensation. Hard going to St. Ives, but then it got better. Sunny day. Camped at Gwithan Farm campsite. Site was officially closed, but owner let me camp for free. Pub doesn't open until 1900! Good pub with good food and beer.
Had a really good sleep - much warmer - thankfully.
27 March 2004 To Perrenporth: Turned out I was the first person to camp at Gwithan Farm since the owners moved in in December. Drizzle in morning - dry in afternoon. Got to Perrenporth by 1700ish - had fish and chips and carried some cans of beer to camp spot in the dunes. Lovely levelish sheltered spot - just off the path. Clocks change tonight.
28 March 2004 To Porthcothal: Dry warm weather, but overcast and managed to stay ahead of threatening skys. Had a Burger King in Newquay. No - to request for water! And, when I went to loo - took my pack and coke! Not a nice place!
What a find! Campsite just up hill - not open, but got permission to stay and had a shower and washed gear. Pub just down road - free sandwiches (25th wedding aniversary) and good beer + Sky Sports. It was the Tredrea Inn in Treyarnon - very good reception.
29 March 2004 To Polzeath: Took road to cut off big headland. Camp site by beach said £12! I got Barbara to phone St. Giles (Hospice) to phone the campsite. Camped for free. I was the only one here. If only I had brought proof (that I was also raising money for the Hospice). Had a restful afternoon. really sunny day. Got to Oyster catcher pub and met Celia and Mike. She's doing the London Marathon and she ran past me earlier - it transpires. Had a very interesting chat. They left, but a few minutes later came back with a cheque for £30 for St Giles - bless!
Good nights sleep - still a bit chilly though.
30 March 2004 To Boscastle: Good dry sunny day, but windy. Shorts and T shirt weather. Pushed good and hard to Boscastle. Camped in NT field before Warden arrived. He let me stay - just for one night - bless. Cobwed pub for food and drink. Got Barbara on Mobile - very clear. Life's good. Hope my heel heals up ok - not too bad today. Another free camp - a good night.
31 March 2004 To Bude: On way by 0830, but, had breakfast in Boscastle - milk and shortbread. On towards Crackington Haven. Met hayden and Wendy. He was practicing for the Cape Wrath Way. V nice gut - in late 50s. had coffee with them and continued walking with him to Widemouth Bay. he did LEJOG in 2000.
Got to Bude and camped on tiny patch of grass by Scout Hut - them asked permission from Scoutmaster. (Campsite was closed and there was no compromise). V hot day, with so far a threat of rain. Hope I can get back to tent dry. I did.
01 April 2004 To Hartland Quay: Got to Hartland Quay and camped about a mile up the road in farm - had shower which was luke warm. But no charge. Primitive site. Stayed dry until evening - showers. Back down hill to Hotel - good food, including Seagull Pie!
Got back dry. It was a had day and I slept well.
02 April Friday To Westward Ho: 21.75 mile day. Windy but dry and mostly sunny. Much easier walking to Westward Ho. Camped at Broddicks Campsite - closed, but as soon as I walked in owner said - camp anywhere - no charge. Good.
Westward Ho seems a bit desolate - out of season. Found a pub for food - starving!
An easier terrain, but still a hard day's walk.
Friday, 16 December 2011
CUBEN Trailstar!!
It had to come - a Cuben Trailstar!
I've just had a look on the Backpackinglight.com forum and there is a thread where Ron Bell has a few comments in response to a few questions on this new incarnation of the Trailstar.
It's strange how this shelter, in the silnylon version, has been hovering around under the radar, so to speak. I know I hesitated ages before deciding to buy a silnylon version. I nearly bought a Duo-mid, which has also had high praise, but I am so pleased I got a Trailstar.
Now, I'm seriously thinking - Cuben!
Even at $335 (£215.81) + shipping this looks very good value for what you get! (There was an introductory offer of $295, but this has gone).
To appreciate what you get - and to appreciate the route I took - have a look at Colin Ibbotson's excellent review on Andy Howell's blog.
Then have a look at Steven Horner's equally excellent review and pitching guide.
They describe silnylon versions, but the Cuben version is the same dimensions and very strong.
A number of folk have picked up this fantastic shelter and Martin Rye regularly uses a Trailstar (See Summit and Valley). For an one-time anti-tarp man, Martin remained true to his stance - the Trailstar is a shelter!
(Even though I did call it a tarp for dramatic purposes when I wrote my bit for the TGO mag!)
I used my Trailstar on the last TGO and can vouch for it's storm-worthy-ness! The Trailstar can take a full blown Scottish storm! It does need some good stakes to keep it on terra-firma!!
So, I'll be using a Trailstar on next years TGO. The only question is silnylon or cuben?
The silnylon Trailstar is $170 (£109.60) + shipping, but for what you get - it's excellent value.
Even allowing for a groundcover - Wickes secondary glazing film - and a bivy bag (which I personally prefer as it keeps off drafts and adds a few degrees to my sleeping bag) the weight is still well less that 1000 grms.
When you compare the space inside to the space inside an Akto or a Lazer there is no competition. You sit in a palace with plenty of headroom and space to play in.
I came to the Trailstar having played with a number of tarps over many years.
To go from eg an Akto (I have one) to a Trailstar in one go requires a leap of faith.
All I can say is, I'll find it very hard to go back to my Akto.
The Trailstar is that good!
I've just had a look on the Backpackinglight.com forum and there is a thread where Ron Bell has a few comments in response to a few questions on this new incarnation of the Trailstar.
It's strange how this shelter, in the silnylon version, has been hovering around under the radar, so to speak. I know I hesitated ages before deciding to buy a silnylon version. I nearly bought a Duo-mid, which has also had high praise, but I am so pleased I got a Trailstar.
Now, I'm seriously thinking - Cuben!
Even at $335 (£215.81) + shipping this looks very good value for what you get! (There was an introductory offer of $295, but this has gone).
To appreciate what you get - and to appreciate the route I took - have a look at Colin Ibbotson's excellent review on Andy Howell's blog.
Then have a look at Steven Horner's equally excellent review and pitching guide.
They describe silnylon versions, but the Cuben version is the same dimensions and very strong.
A number of folk have picked up this fantastic shelter and Martin Rye regularly uses a Trailstar (See Summit and Valley). For an one-time anti-tarp man, Martin remained true to his stance - the Trailstar is a shelter!
(Even though I did call it a tarp for dramatic purposes when I wrote my bit for the TGO mag!)
I used my Trailstar on the last TGO and can vouch for it's storm-worthy-ness! The Trailstar can take a full blown Scottish storm! It does need some good stakes to keep it on terra-firma!!
So, I'll be using a Trailstar on next years TGO. The only question is silnylon or cuben?
The silnylon Trailstar is $170 (£109.60) + shipping, but for what you get - it's excellent value.
Even allowing for a groundcover - Wickes secondary glazing film - and a bivy bag (which I personally prefer as it keeps off drafts and adds a few degrees to my sleeping bag) the weight is still well less that 1000 grms.
When you compare the space inside to the space inside an Akto or a Lazer there is no competition. You sit in a palace with plenty of headroom and space to play in.
I came to the Trailstar having played with a number of tarps over many years.
To go from eg an Akto (I have one) to a Trailstar in one go requires a leap of faith.
All I can say is, I'll find it very hard to go back to my Akto.
The Trailstar is that good!
Thursday, 8 December 2011
TGO Challenge 2012 - Vetted.
Like many folk who are waiting for their route to be vetted, I kept an anxious eye on my e-mail inbox.
This morning John's e-mail arrived!
I was just a little bit envious of Louise - having her route vetted without the need to change anything.
And, of course, my previous TGO route plans were well vetted!
Especially, last year when I was aiming for 19 Munros.
The weather intefered .................and I did 2!
Even my FWAs had FWAs in places!
So, I put in a more sedate aim - 17 Munros: none of which I've done before.
Can you imagine the smugnessossity that comes with a "very interesting" route that is OKed without change?
All I need to do now is do it!
The weather can't be as bad as it was last year - can it?
(oh, yes it can!)
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