Saturday, 2 May 2009
Day 39
I've walked all around Gisland trying to get a mobile phone signal. It turns out the only place where I can is up on Hadrians Wall about a quarter of a mile south of our b&b. Those Romans definately knew a thing or two..... So here I am sitting on a piece of history doing my blog A relatively easy 16 mile day today mostly along the South Tyne Trail from Alston. Pleasent weather although not particularly warm - which is good for walking. Found a great tea room in Greenhead. Tea rooms seem to be extremely rare on this trip so today's was to be savoured. After 12 days we have finally left the Pennines behind and tomorrow we reach Scotland.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Day 38
Bank Holiday greetings to fellow WAGS (Wargrave Adventurers Group) enjoying a sunny weekend on the Isle of Wight.
Today has been a testing day for Andrew and me: a 2300 ft climb from Dufton up to Cross Fell to start the day, very strong winds at the top followed by 3 hours of heavy rain on the descent. We made it, though, and are now in Alston'having comleted over 20 miles today and 580 miles since Lands End.
Both of us felt the climb up to Cross Fell - which at just under 3000 ft is the highest point on our journey - was easier than we had anticipated. Perhaps we are getting fitter!
Occassional gaps in the clouds at the top gave us tantalising views of the Lake District to the West.
Everything feels damp now but such problems soon disappear after a hot shower, a cup of tea and then a beer or two.
Today has been a testing day for Andrew and me: a 2300 ft climb from Dufton up to Cross Fell to start the day, very strong winds at the top followed by 3 hours of heavy rain on the descent. We made it, though, and are now in Alston'having comleted over 20 miles today and 580 miles since Lands End.
Both of us felt the climb up to Cross Fell - which at just under 3000 ft is the highest point on our journey - was easier than we had anticipated. Perhaps we are getting fitter!
Occassional gaps in the clouds at the top gave us tantalising views of the Lake District to the West.
Everything feels damp now but such problems soon disappear after a hot shower, a cup of tea and then a beer or two.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Day 37
i can only find one place in my room here at the b&b in Dufton (just north of Appleby) where I can access the internet with my phone so here goes....
We took the easy route (minor roads rather than footpaths) from Kirkby Stephen, a mere 14 miles, in anticipation of a tough 21 mile day tomorrow over Cross Fell (893m).
We've met up with our old friend the Pennine Way again here in Dufton after a 3 day break.
Our landlord is a fell runner and a useful marathon runner.
We took the easy route (minor roads rather than footpaths) from Kirkby Stephen, a mere 14 miles, in anticipation of a tough 21 mile day tomorrow over Cross Fell (893m).
We've met up with our old friend the Pennine Way again here in Dufton after a 3 day break.
Our landlord is a fell runner and a useful marathon runner.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Day 36
A rest day in Kirkby Stephen.
So what happens on a rest day? Catching up on reading and on washing clothes. Detailed route planning for the next week. Logging in to my home pc (curtesey of Fletcher House, our b&b, with an internet connected computer for guests) to file and generally manage my email.
Evening meal in the local chinese (Nos. 48 and 65 - velly good) then to the Kirkby Stephen Sports and Social Club (where we signed in as members of the St. Lawrence Social Club in Truro because that we had wandered in there for a drink on our way to our b&b about 4 weeks ago) to watch the Manchester United versus Arsenal game.
Then to bed. We've a few hard days coming up and today was a nice respite in preparation.
So what happens on a rest day? Catching up on reading and on washing clothes. Detailed route planning for the next week. Logging in to my home pc (curtesey of Fletcher House, our b&b, with an internet connected computer for guests) to file and generally manage my email.
Evening meal in the local chinese (Nos. 48 and 65 - velly good) then to the Kirkby Stephen Sports and Social Club (where we signed in as members of the St. Lawrence Social Club in Truro because that we had wandered in there for a drink on our way to our b&b about 4 weeks ago) to watch the Manchester United versus Arsenal game.
Then to bed. We've a few hard days coming up and today was a nice respite in preparation.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Day 35
Hawes to Kirkby Stephen, 18 miles. A lovely walk, great scenery, but it rained nearly all day. Although not heavy, this is the worst rain we've had so far on our journey. We've been lucky up until now.
Today was also the first time since Lands End that I've managed to lose Andrew. He went ahead of Janet and me a few miles south of Kirkby Stephen which would not have been a problem were it not for the fact that we were due to turn off the road to cut across fields to Kirkby Stephen railway station (which is about 1.5 miles SW of Kirkby Stephen) where Janet was due to catch a train to Bradford before driving home tomorrow. Andrew did, however, manage to find his way to the station albeit by a slightly longer route.
We have now walked 545 miles since Lands End. Tomorrow is a rest day - our 4th of the trip.
Having been on the Pennine Way for 7 days of continuous walking we left it this morning at Hawes because at this point the Pennine Way veers off to the east. We will rejoin it, briefly, at Dufton.
Today was also the first time since Lands End that I've managed to lose Andrew. He went ahead of Janet and me a few miles south of Kirkby Stephen which would not have been a problem were it not for the fact that we were due to turn off the road to cut across fields to Kirkby Stephen railway station (which is about 1.5 miles SW of Kirkby Stephen) where Janet was due to catch a train to Bradford before driving home tomorrow. Andrew did, however, manage to find his way to the station albeit by a slightly longer route.
We have now walked 545 miles since Lands End. Tomorrow is a rest day - our 4th of the trip.
Having been on the Pennine Way for 7 days of continuous walking we left it this morning at Hawes because at this point the Pennine Way veers off to the east. We will rejoin it, briefly, at Dufton.
Monday, 27 April 2009
Day 34
A really very poor mobile 'phone signal here as I stand in the dark and cold in the middle of the road on the edge of Hawes. You can probably get a better signal from Vodafone in many parts of Africa than you can in the Pennines.(Sorry Richard!) I got a connection to Chris for just long enough to hear that Reading are winning against Norwich but now I'm cold. I'll add more to this blog tomorrow.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Day 33 - HALF WAY!!!!!
We've reached Horton and are exactly half way through our journey!
Today was 15 miles from Malham, mostly in nice sunshine. Before reaching Horton the Pennine Way climbs Pen-y-ghent (one of Yorkshire's 3 peaks). It's hard work, but well worth it when the weather is good.
On Pen-y-ghent we met a lady eith two dogs. One was in her back-pack because it only had 3 legs. The absence of one front leg was not a problem going up, apparently, but was a problem going down. To add to this somewhat bizarre scenario, the other dog was wearing sunglasses (!) because it had trouble with wind (don't we all?).
Today was 15 miles from Malham, mostly in nice sunshine. Before reaching Horton the Pennine Way climbs Pen-y-ghent (one of Yorkshire's 3 peaks). It's hard work, but well worth it when the weather is good.
On Pen-y-ghent we met a lady eith two dogs. One was in her back-pack because it only had 3 legs. The absence of one front leg was not a problem going up, apparently, but was a problem going down. To add to this somewhat bizarre scenario, the other dog was wearing sunglasses (!) because it had trouble with wind (don't we all?).
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