Journeys by hiking, running, cycling and touring
I love beer. It's so liberating. It makes ideas that you'd never otherwise voice come to the fore and be shared with the world.I hate beer. It gets one into scrapes that one didn't intend. And makes one look a wally when you backpedal on what you'd said you'd do.An impromptu couple of swift pints … Continue reading Dithering (London LOOP Part 2)
I stepped out from the front door and headed for the river. With 15 miles to walk, I decided that starting by walking in the opposite direction to pick up the riverside path the easy way wasn't really the best idea, opting instead for a nondescript footpath between houses and a fence that should lead … Continue reading Asterix and the Defence of the Thames (London LOOP Part 1)
Stuart was staring at his phone as I made a beeline for him through the crowd at Manchester Piccadilly - not difficult as he tends to stand head and shoulders above everyone else. Within a few minutes we were in the station pub taking on essential fuel for our trek. I found myself handing over … Continue reading Modelling on the Pennine Way
The Plan Every year from 2008, my Dad and I have walked a section of the South West Coast Path (SWCP), taking 4-5 days per section, and walking anywhere between 40 and 60 miles, depending on the terrain and logistics. Some years my brother has also joined. Having decided to do the SWCP the "wrong … Continue reading South West Coast Path 2013
What with work commitments and leaving it late to make the final arrangements, the original intention to do the Cambrian Way in one 3 week (ish) adventure had to be reconsidered, and I planned a shorter trip to do as much of the southern section in a week to 10 days as I could. Here's … Continue reading Cambrian Way Phase 1
Day 9: Monday 6 May The best night's sleep so far, and in a dorm to myself, following a half-rest day and a decent feed should have all meant that I would feel up to today's walk. With today's walk one of the toughest days for a while, I deliberately managed the preceding couple of … Continue reading Cambrian Way #3: Talybont to Storey Arms (Day 9)
I've now reached Talybont which marks approximately 2/3 of the walk for this southern section of the Cambrian Way. Replanning this stage as a 4 day rather than 3 day walk was the right thing to do, with the result that I arrived at the youth hostel in much better shape than I arrived in … Continue reading Cambrian Way #2: Abergavenny to Talybont (Days 5 – 8)
I'm writing this at the end of a chilled out day whilst waiting for my curry to arrive. I've only walked around Abergavenny town today, certainly not set foot on a hill. And that's actually a good thing... If I hadn't taken a day out I reckon I could have jeopardised the rest of the … Continue reading Cambrian Way #1: Cardiff to Abergavenny (Days 1 – 4)
Those who had the stamina to endure my recent succession of Cambrian Way planning posts may have been wondering why it suddenly seemed to go a bit quiet. Â The truth is I've had to alter my plans. But unlike several other people recently who've had to change their walking or running plans, it's thankfully not … Continue reading A Cambrian Way Rethink
Beddgelert disappears behind me as I tackle the steepest part of the walk and head for the climax of this trip. This is a time to enjoy the finest mountains in Wales, but also to get used to seeing people again, for soon I have to re-enter civilisation. This is also familiar territory and very … Continue reading Planning the Cambrian Way – Part 9: Beddgelert to Conwy
And now things get serious with the most controversial section of the Cambrian Way. Rough walking over demanding terrain, nowhere to stay overnight, but in the eyes of Tony Drake the most rewarding part of the whole route. Except in my case, I don't have the accommodation issue... I know from reading George Tod's accounts … Continue reading Planning the Cambrian Way – Part 8: Barmouth to Beddgelert
Ah, a short one but a good one. Two of the best 100 (according to Trail) mountains in the country, and depending on where my main training trip before the Cambrian Way takes me, this stretch could see me pass through the halfway mark in the Trail 100. But then if it doesn't, it will … Continue reading Planning the Cambrian Way – Part 7: Dinas Mawddwy to Barmouth
A quick section to plan this one. On paper of a similar length to the previous section, I knew I could knock this one out quickly, so that's what I've done. It may be longer and hillier (slightly) than stage 3, but it's not caught my imagination in the same way. In part this is … Continue reading Planning the Cambrian Way – Part 6: Devil’s Bridge to Dinas Mawddwy
Assuming that I don't roll into Llandovery a bedraggled and broken mess of a walker, and head promptly for home, I'll depart Llandovery and enter a whole new world - one of deep valleys, woods and wild rounded hills. It looks absolutely enchanting, and whilst it clearly won't match the more dramatic scenery a couple … Continue reading Planning the Cambrian Way – Part 5: Llandovery to Devil’s Bridge
Could this be the most problematic section of the walk to plan ? It was certainly starting to look that way. It's the longest section according to my initial carve up and with me needing to make sweeping assumptions about the daily distances I could make by predicting my fitness and the effect of any … Continue reading Planning the Cambrian Way – Part 4: Abergavenny to Llandovery