I stopped at Landsale Beck Youth Hostel in County Durham. Arrived at Alston Youth Hostel in the North Pennines 23 May. It's been raining darts all day, the wind is so strong. The drying room of the Youth Hostel is full of tents drying. That's a great advantage of Youth Hostels; thank goodness I joined the association again before this walk it's been great when it's really wet. I've lost my compass so I'm waiting for the shop in Alston to open to get a new one before I continue. I've walked for a few days with three 'lads' (about my age) who are doing the Pennine Way. Tomorrow I'll finish in Northumberland and if all goes to plan I'll be in Scotland Thursday or Friday.
And it did go to plan - from Alston to Twice Brewed (yes, that is a place), next day to Bellingham (familiar territory here) then on to Byrness and into Scotland. And only about 400 miles to go....
I have to send a huge apology to Buster and Sue because I'd forgotten I was supposed to meet them near Hebden (Sue was over there for her dad's birthday). They went to the campsite as arranged and found a small tent camped and shouted at me to come out. A voice said "It's not Roberts and I'm not coming out!" And then at Alston I met a man called Paul who was in his tent near Hebden when someone shouted at him....oops!...he thought it was rather funny!
My shins are playing up again so I might have a rest (Bellingham) as it's a good camp site (the same one I stayed on when I did the Pennine Way a few years ago.
I've met some guys doing the Pennine Way - Alistair has been keeping me company today. We've not seen anyone else all day. Alistair has carried on further than me as he wants to finish the PW by the weekend and go home. Paul (who met Buster and Sue) has done walking and climbing all over the world. And Michael just goes at his own pace; he's into yoga and meditation and goes around the world where he likes. There's two lads from Barnsley cycling around and just happen to have a car full of beers that we're all enjoying this evening. Better not have too many!
Only did 15 miles today. Stopped in Wark forest for a break and started seeing signs for a tearoom in the middle of the forest. It was a shed on a farm set up with a kettle and chocolate biscuits, tea bags and coffee. There was a price list and an honesty box, comfy seats and a visitors' book. It was very nice.
30 May in the borders of Scotland - lashing with rain again this morning. Windy but dry in the afternoon. Stunning views. A sort of bigger scale Yorkshire Dales (walking at about 2000ft). Rachael and Jack have been up to camp with me; it was great to see them and they brought me clean undies (I do wash them out - ok too much detail).
And best of luck to my mate John Stenton who should have completed the annual LDWA 100 miles in 48 hours challenge by now :o)
Lots of fundraising coming in - thank you all very, very much. Rachael did a bucket collection at the Winterton Fake Festival and got £45 - thank you everyone who donated there. And thanks to everyone who donated in the bucket at Metres to Miles shop in Epworth too.
That's all for now - must keep walking, and walking and walking...
Monday, 30 May 2011
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Storms on the Pennines
Made good progress through Derbyshire and into Yorkshire. Met a man on a canal who showed me round his boat - I want to live on a canal boat! Followed the Staffordshire Way for a while and then on to the Pennine Way and more familiar territory (I walked the Pennine Way a few years ago).
Stuart and Joanne, James' mum and dad, met me on Sunday 15 May on the Pennines off the M62. Stuart picked the worst weather of my walk so far to walk with me. As Jo said "it's raining sideways". The wind was wicked and the rain was wet; we got soaked through to our undies :o(
Jo waited for us in Hebden Bridge. A nice lazy afternoon for her - until the police knocked on her window and woke her up to find out what she was up to! There had been a number of burglaries in the area she was parked in and they thought she might be the getaway vehicle!
I was due to meet my wife the next night but as I was having a problem with my shins Stu and Jo kindly took me up to Askrigg in the Yorkshire Dales and I had a couple of days off to fix it. Many thanks to Jo and Stu for your support there :o) I was ready for the rest.
Dianne then took me back to Hebden Bridge on Wednesday and I set off again. Guess what? It was wet rain again! I camped that night and packed up my soaking wet tent next morning.
I've camped on quite a few farm front lawns in the last couple of weeks. None more friendly than a couple I met in the Derbyshire Dales who live in a modest barn with no electricity or drinking water. They have sheep (for wool), goats (for milk) and chickens (for eggs), all with names; they gave me a cooked breakfast to send me on my way too. Maybe I'll live in a barn instead of a narrow boat. There was one not so friendly who said 'we don't want your sort here' and shut his door in my face (OK I do look a bit like a vagabond after a few days in my tent)
I met Dianne and her dad again in Horton in Ribblesdale and said bye bye to them on Friday morning as I set off with my friend, John Stenton (who does the Long Distance Walkers' 25, 50 and 100 milers with me), for Hawes. A much better day, cloudy but bright and we reached the Youth Hostel at Hawes in an easy day. Went for a pint or two and a bar meal. I'm now HALF WAY to John O'Groats (done 612 miles at Hawes)
It's back to 'Billy no mates' on Saturday as I set off over Shunner Fell and Kisdon Hill to Keld. Then beyond there to Tan Hill, the highest pub in England (and the bleakest and windiest and wettest - again!!) OMG - It got so bad during the night that I packed my rucksack at 2.30am ready to abandon my tent before it blew away - I really thought it was going to take off with me in it! Today I'm heading for Middleton - in - Teesdale and a youth hostel just beyond in Baldersdale to dry everything out (please let them have room for me). It's very, very windy.
Here's a few more pictures:
Stuart and Joanne, James' mum and dad, met me on Sunday 15 May on the Pennines off the M62. Stuart picked the worst weather of my walk so far to walk with me. As Jo said "it's raining sideways". The wind was wicked and the rain was wet; we got soaked through to our undies :o(
Jo waited for us in Hebden Bridge. A nice lazy afternoon for her - until the police knocked on her window and woke her up to find out what she was up to! There had been a number of burglaries in the area she was parked in and they thought she might be the getaway vehicle!
I was due to meet my wife the next night but as I was having a problem with my shins Stu and Jo kindly took me up to Askrigg in the Yorkshire Dales and I had a couple of days off to fix it. Many thanks to Jo and Stu for your support there :o) I was ready for the rest.
Dianne then took me back to Hebden Bridge on Wednesday and I set off again. Guess what? It was wet rain again! I camped that night and packed up my soaking wet tent next morning.
I've camped on quite a few farm front lawns in the last couple of weeks. None more friendly than a couple I met in the Derbyshire Dales who live in a modest barn with no electricity or drinking water. They have sheep (for wool), goats (for milk) and chickens (for eggs), all with names; they gave me a cooked breakfast to send me on my way too. Maybe I'll live in a barn instead of a narrow boat. There was one not so friendly who said 'we don't want your sort here' and shut his door in my face (OK I do look a bit like a vagabond after a few days in my tent)
I met Dianne and her dad again in Horton in Ribblesdale and said bye bye to them on Friday morning as I set off with my friend, John Stenton (who does the Long Distance Walkers' 25, 50 and 100 milers with me), for Hawes. A much better day, cloudy but bright and we reached the Youth Hostel at Hawes in an easy day. Went for a pint or two and a bar meal. I'm now HALF WAY to John O'Groats (done 612 miles at Hawes)
It's back to 'Billy no mates' on Saturday as I set off over Shunner Fell and Kisdon Hill to Keld. Then beyond there to Tan Hill, the highest pub in England (and the bleakest and windiest and wettest - again!!) OMG - It got so bad during the night that I packed my rucksack at 2.30am ready to abandon my tent before it blew away - I really thought it was going to take off with me in it! Today I'm heading for Middleton - in - Teesdale and a youth hostel just beyond in Baldersdale to dry everything out (please let them have room for me). It's very, very windy.
Here's a few more pictures:
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| Offa's Dyke |
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| Crossing from England into Wales |
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| Lord Hereford's Knob, near Hay on Wye |
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| Getting powered up! |
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| My dream home..(Keep dreaming - Di) |
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| Ironbridge |
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| Now where have I seen that face before? |
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| Storm brewing |
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| More wet stuff ahead |
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| Somewhere over the rainbow.....is John O'Groats... |
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| This is a real heron Rachael |
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| Top Withins (Wuthering Heights) |
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| Stoodley Pike - well done Stu it was the worst weather day ever |
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| Malham Cove - can you spot the falcons? |
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| Pen Y Ghent and Ingleborough |
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| Ready for a mug of tea at the Pen y Ghent cafe - who are these two dogs? |
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| And who's this funny fella? |
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| Ready for off, from Horton to Hawes HALFWAY!!!! |
Thursday, 12 May 2011
3 days 60 miles
Knighton, Shrops. to Penkridge, Staffs.
Easier walking now, just noticed my walking shoes are getting a bit worn - new pair soon please Dianne! I thought it would take at least two pairs to do this walk (and carrying a heavy pack wears them quicker). Camped on a site at the back of a power station last night, a nice couple in a caravan made me tea and toast for breakfast (who said there's anything wrong with caravans?). I walked in relentless rain on Monday - oh joy! I could see the storm coming and ran into a church porch to shelter for a good twenty minutes (looking for divine intervention). It was raining heavily when I finished and put up my tent, I sat listening to Liverpool v Fulham on the radio as the rain battered my tent. I wonder if King Kenny would sponsor me?
The day before I stopped on the front lawn of a farm house and got tea and toast again. At Ironbridge I took pictures of the bridge and old ironwork buildings, then I carried on into a wood thick with briars and undergrowth - a nightmare to walk through, came out near a golf course, which I was pleased to see for once. A man pottering in his garden in the next village made me a cup of tea and gave me a donation; some folk are lovely :o).
Anyway, next stop was a pub B&B with a bed and a bath for a treat tonight! My tent was draped around the room to dry out and I had a pub meal. O-oh - had a dodgy belly next morning...
Next night much better - another farmhouse front lawn, cuppa soup for tea and more money donated - thank you to everyone who's donated, it really does make a difference.
Hhhm - must confess I got a bit lost in Cannock Chase (an ancient woodland) and had to use my GPS to find out where I was. Where's a policeman when you need one? Oh there they are - looking for horseriders who've had an accident.
I then walked along a couple of canals and got chatting to a man who lives on a narrow boat - I want to live on one! But I do get a bit sea sick on water :o(
Today I'm walking from Staffs into Derbyshire and I'll have done about 471 miles (that's over one third done!!!)
James is still there with me keeping me going when it gets a bit tough - INWA!
Easier walking now, just noticed my walking shoes are getting a bit worn - new pair soon please Dianne! I thought it would take at least two pairs to do this walk (and carrying a heavy pack wears them quicker). Camped on a site at the back of a power station last night, a nice couple in a caravan made me tea and toast for breakfast (who said there's anything wrong with caravans?). I walked in relentless rain on Monday - oh joy! I could see the storm coming and ran into a church porch to shelter for a good twenty minutes (looking for divine intervention). It was raining heavily when I finished and put up my tent, I sat listening to Liverpool v Fulham on the radio as the rain battered my tent. I wonder if King Kenny would sponsor me?
The day before I stopped on the front lawn of a farm house and got tea and toast again. At Ironbridge I took pictures of the bridge and old ironwork buildings, then I carried on into a wood thick with briars and undergrowth - a nightmare to walk through, came out near a golf course, which I was pleased to see for once. A man pottering in his garden in the next village made me a cup of tea and gave me a donation; some folk are lovely :o).
Anyway, next stop was a pub B&B with a bed and a bath for a treat tonight! My tent was draped around the room to dry out and I had a pub meal. O-oh - had a dodgy belly next morning...
Next night much better - another farmhouse front lawn, cuppa soup for tea and more money donated - thank you to everyone who's donated, it really does make a difference.
Hhhm - must confess I got a bit lost in Cannock Chase (an ancient woodland) and had to use my GPS to find out where I was. Where's a policeman when you need one? Oh there they are - looking for horseriders who've had an accident.
I then walked along a couple of canals and got chatting to a man who lives on a narrow boat - I want to live on one! But I do get a bit sea sick on water :o(
Today I'm walking from Staffs into Derbyshire and I'll have done about 471 miles (that's over one third done!!!)
James is still there with me keeping me going when it gets a bit tough - INWA!
Sunday, 8 May 2011
The Welsh Borders to Shropshire
Chepstow to Monmouth, Pandy to Hay-on-Wye (no time to look at book shops) in and out of Powys and Herefordshire along the Offa's Dyke trail now heading for Craven Arms in Shropshire (it's a small town not a pub - shame). I've got very very wet these last two days; a kind lady stopped to offer me a lift, which I unfortunately could not accept, so she gave me some sponsor money instead! Stayed in a camp site full of kids doing Duke of Edinburgh award and got no sleep....the kids and the teachers were enjoying themselves until about 4am. Hey ho! It feels like I'm moving faster now I've got away from the SW coast and started going 'up' the country; 375miles done - only about 825 to go....one mile at a time; around twenty miles a day. I thought Sal would miss me but apparently she doesn't; I don't miss lifting her over stiles but she was good company in the evenings. She's coming back for some more walking later (so I'm told....as she has come to expect 20 miles a day).
It's more hummocky hills and foresty in Shropshire than the higher hills on Offa's Dyke in Powys but very few pubs or shops; might have to dine on packet soup again - my last good pub grub was in Pandy 60 miles back! I have a short break every afternoon to listen to the Archers (It happens to us all when we reach fifty).
Please remember I'm doing this to raise money for leukaemia and lymphoma research, I hope you never need their help, but you never know when you or your loved ones might, please help me raise money for children like James.
A few more pics from my journey, see you soon :o)
It's more hummocky hills and foresty in Shropshire than the higher hills on Offa's Dyke in Powys but very few pubs or shops; might have to dine on packet soup again - my last good pub grub was in Pandy 60 miles back! I have a short break every afternoon to listen to the Archers (It happens to us all when we reach fifty).
Please remember I'm doing this to raise money for leukaemia and lymphoma research, I hope you never need their help, but you never know when you or your loved ones might, please help me raise money for children like James.
A few more pics from my journey, see you soon :o)
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| moors the merrier.... |
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| I really was tired....... |
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| Lots of Shaun's...... |
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Happy birthday James
James Neal would be celebrating his fifteenth birthday today. My thoughts are with him and his family today as I walk because he lost his battle with blood cancer on May 9 last year, just four days after his fourteenth birthday.
You can make a difference to help save children with blood cancer by supporting my fundraising walk at www.justgiving.com/andyroberts3 or contact me to donate on a sponsor form andyroberts3@btinternet.com. Please pass this message on to as many people as you can - that's what Facebook was really invented for - what're you waiting for? - let's help others in James' name. And YNWA, ever.
Happy birthday James :o) you're always with me as I walk and whenever it gets tough I just think of you for inspiration.
You can make a difference to help save children with blood cancer by supporting my fundraising walk at www.justgiving.com/andyroberts3 or contact me to donate on a sponsor form andyroberts3@btinternet.com. Please pass this message on to as many people as you can - that's what Facebook was really invented for - what're you waiting for? - let's help others in James' name. And YNWA, ever.
Happy birthday James :o) you're always with me as I walk and whenever it gets tough I just think of you for inspiration.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Bristol to Chepstow (England to Wales)
Tuesday 3 May
Lots of tarmac and bridge walking today; that's motorway and waterway bridges. Met a group of cyclists doing LEJOG; they set off last Friday and they've already passed me as they are doing about 70 miles per day to my 20 average. Today is about 25 miles for me. Passed the docks and the M5, over the M48 bridge into Wales.
Camped up a mile and a half past Chepstow, all ready to start along Offa's Dyke tomorrow heading for Monmouth. I'm missing having Sal with me for company but the rucksack is lighter without her water and food! I don't think she would have enjoyed the tarmac today.
Thanks to everyone who keep checking on my progress and sending messages of support!
Lots of tarmac and bridge walking today; that's motorway and waterway bridges. Met a group of cyclists doing LEJOG; they set off last Friday and they've already passed me as they are doing about 70 miles per day to my 20 average. Today is about 25 miles for me. Passed the docks and the M5, over the M48 bridge into Wales.
Camped up a mile and a half past Chepstow, all ready to start along Offa's Dyke tomorrow heading for Monmouth. I'm missing having Sal with me for company but the rucksack is lighter without her water and food! I don't think she would have enjoyed the tarmac today.
Thanks to everyone who keep checking on my progress and sending messages of support!
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Exmoor, Roadwater, Bridgwater, Cheddar, and to just outside Bristol
28.4.11 to 2.5.11
Exmoor lovely walking, ponies and deer. Slept in a shooting barn on a farm; Sal slept on a wide bench and fell off in the middle of the night with a bang, slightly limping, walked it off (Sal not me).
I had a birthday visit from my wife and our friends Buster and Sue, the dogs George and Milly, who drove down to Somerset for the weekend. We eventually found each other in Bridgwater (the guide book says it's not a pretty place - it's not - it's Scunny on a bad day...). So I got to stay in a B&B for a couple of nights (lovely farmhouse location, with views of Glastonbury Tor, in Cossington outside Bridgwater; the villages in the Somerset levels were lovely; the Sexeys Arms at Blackford was very hospitable and the Red Tile in Cossington was one of the best pubs and food ever). The company was good, the weather was fine, warm and windy. I got to walk for one day with a lighter pack - bliss!
And what a way to celebrate your fiftieth birthday!!! It was Happy Birthday to me on Saturday. Very special thanks to Jo and Stu for the gift - YNWA, ever, he's keeping me going, he never gets tired!
I guess Stu will be tired too - hope the rowing went well - down the Trent from Newark to Nottingham is no mean feat and for another well deserving charity that helped James as well as the Leukaemia research - Wish upon a Star; giving children with life threatening illnesses holidays and treats. There are lots of special people out there who work really hard fundraising for all charities, and even more that give generously to them - please continue, it really is appreciated and makes a huge difference. Thank you very much :o)
Sal has been very tired so she's gone home for a rest and will join me again later (probably sooner than I think because my wife says the tired dog I had is not the dog that she's got at home....but it's much easier without her as she's the only border collie that has no idea what to do at stiles and I have to lift her over). She's done 247 miles with me.
Dianne wasn't very pleased to get an electric shock during our walk on the levels - there were lots of electric fences and cattle. The tracks in the fields are invisible - no one goes walking in this area - lots of very quiet road walking and some good tracks. And George and Sal enjoyed rolling in as many smelly, muddy things as they could find.
Met hardly any people on the walking in this area and shops for food are very few and far between.
It was hard to set off walking on my own again on Monday morning but made good progress and am walking through edge of Bristol and over the water into Wales and Chepstow today to the start of the Offa's Dyke path.
That should be about 313 miles by tonight! That's 25 per cent done; I thought I was never going to get to the end of the South West coast.
Exmoor lovely walking, ponies and deer. Slept in a shooting barn on a farm; Sal slept on a wide bench and fell off in the middle of the night with a bang, slightly limping, walked it off (Sal not me).
I had a birthday visit from my wife and our friends Buster and Sue, the dogs George and Milly, who drove down to Somerset for the weekend. We eventually found each other in Bridgwater (the guide book says it's not a pretty place - it's not - it's Scunny on a bad day...). So I got to stay in a B&B for a couple of nights (lovely farmhouse location, with views of Glastonbury Tor, in Cossington outside Bridgwater; the villages in the Somerset levels were lovely; the Sexeys Arms at Blackford was very hospitable and the Red Tile in Cossington was one of the best pubs and food ever). The company was good, the weather was fine, warm and windy. I got to walk for one day with a lighter pack - bliss!
And what a way to celebrate your fiftieth birthday!!! It was Happy Birthday to me on Saturday. Very special thanks to Jo and Stu for the gift - YNWA, ever, he's keeping me going, he never gets tired!
I guess Stu will be tired too - hope the rowing went well - down the Trent from Newark to Nottingham is no mean feat and for another well deserving charity that helped James as well as the Leukaemia research - Wish upon a Star; giving children with life threatening illnesses holidays and treats. There are lots of special people out there who work really hard fundraising for all charities, and even more that give generously to them - please continue, it really is appreciated and makes a huge difference. Thank you very much :o)
Sal has been very tired so she's gone home for a rest and will join me again later (probably sooner than I think because my wife says the tired dog I had is not the dog that she's got at home....but it's much easier without her as she's the only border collie that has no idea what to do at stiles and I have to lift her over). She's done 247 miles with me.
Dianne wasn't very pleased to get an electric shock during our walk on the levels - there were lots of electric fences and cattle. The tracks in the fields are invisible - no one goes walking in this area - lots of very quiet road walking and some good tracks. And George and Sal enjoyed rolling in as many smelly, muddy things as they could find.
Met hardly any people on the walking in this area and shops for food are very few and far between.
It was hard to set off walking on my own again on Monday morning but made good progress and am walking through edge of Bristol and over the water into Wales and Chepstow today to the start of the Offa's Dyke path.
That should be about 313 miles by tonight! That's 25 per cent done; I thought I was never going to get to the end of the South West coast.
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| I got the sleeping bag first.... |
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| I was only joking...please let me back in |
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| Exmoor...or somewhere nearby |
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| Stunning wife.... |
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| ...and a stunning blonde bird...that's Sue |
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| Stunning coastline scenery |
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| Near Cheddar with Milly and George |
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| Which way next.... |
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