Continuing on from home, days 15 and 16 are to Alkmonton and Flagg. This then brings me onto the Pennine Brideway for three days, stopping at Hayfield, Diggle and Hebden Bridge.
Most people now carry on north through the Pennines but I want to walk through the Forest of Bowland, so day 20 sees me cutting across country to Clitheroe.
Day 21 is to Ingleton, 22 to Tebay and 23 to Greystoke.
It's then into Scotland stopping at Gretna. From there I have gone for the short route using 'B' roads adjacent to the motorway. Day 25 to Newton Lamphray, 26 to Abington, 27 to Hamilton and 28 to Milngavie.
The next 10 days should be superb, the 'West Highland Way' and the 'Great Glen Way'. Sue is joining me at Fort William to join me and walk the Great Glen Way (company!...they do say that the mental side of a long walk is hard, so somebody to spur me on is help indeed).
That takes me to Inverness and I am nearly done. After the pleasures of the footpaths the last section pretty much has to follow the A9. Day 39 to Alness,
Day 40 to Dornoch, Day 41 to Helmsdale, Day 42 to Lybster and finally Day 43 to John 'O' Groats. Hoorah!!
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Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
The Route
So how did I decide which way to go?
I pretty much wanted to go the shortest way avoiding the main roads. I chatted to Ed Jones about which way he went and also took advice from 'the Land's End To John O'Groats walk' by Andrew McCloy.
It is mainly country lanes and footpaths, a few main roads where I have to and also a few canal towpaths.
This is the first bit, from Cornwall to Home.....
My first thought was to walk part of the Cornish Coastal Footpath which would be lovely, but realistically would add time....the other constraint that I had was to complete in 6 weeks.
I am starting at Lands End and have a very very nice sister (Izy) who is going to ferry me around for a couple of days.
Izy lives in Callestick, near Truro. My first two days are to Godolphin Cross and then St Erme, on both these nights I will be staying at Izy's.
Days 3, 4 and 5 are to Cardinham, Gunnislake and Moretonhampstead. I am missing out on Bodmin Moor but have Dartmoor to look forward to.
Day 6 takes me to Tiverton and then Day 7 is a nice one along the canal to Taunton.
Days 8, 9 and 10 are to Glastonbury, Bath and then Tetbury. Sue is driving down to stop the night with me in Tetbury which is great.
It's then just 4 days to my own bed...Cheltenham, Flyford Flavell, Birmingham and Home.
Sent from my iPhone
I pretty much wanted to go the shortest way avoiding the main roads. I chatted to Ed Jones about which way he went and also took advice from 'the Land's End To John O'Groats walk' by Andrew McCloy.
It is mainly country lanes and footpaths, a few main roads where I have to and also a few canal towpaths.
This is the first bit, from Cornwall to Home.....
My first thought was to walk part of the Cornish Coastal Footpath which would be lovely, but realistically would add time....the other constraint that I had was to complete in 6 weeks.
I am starting at Lands End and have a very very nice sister (Izy) who is going to ferry me around for a couple of days.
Izy lives in Callestick, near Truro. My first two days are to Godolphin Cross and then St Erme, on both these nights I will be staying at Izy's.
Days 3, 4 and 5 are to Cardinham, Gunnislake and Moretonhampstead. I am missing out on Bodmin Moor but have Dartmoor to look forward to.
Day 6 takes me to Tiverton and then Day 7 is a nice one along the canal to Taunton.
Days 8, 9 and 10 are to Glastonbury, Bath and then Tetbury. Sue is driving down to stop the night with me in Tetbury which is great.
It's then just 4 days to my own bed...Cheltenham, Flyford Flavell, Birmingham and Home.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, 20 January 2014
The time has finally come for me to 'walk the walk'. The route has been plotted, the B and B's booked........the big adventure lies ahead.
The idea of walking from Lands End to John O Groats has been with me for many years. My good friend Ed Jones (fire service days) completed the walk in 2010 and that rekindled the interest. This year sees a 'significant' birthday which was the final push. I feel grateful that I am fit enough (hopefully!) and have the opportunity.
I am starting on Sunday 23rd of March and will take 6 weeks. The distance will be around about 1000 miles.
Incredibly the record for the fastest walk was done by Malcolm Barnish of the Royal Artillery in June 1986 who took just 12 days, 3 hours and 45 minutes. For you cyclists the record is 1 day and 21 hours.
The idea of walking from Lands End to John O Groats has been with me for many years. My good friend Ed Jones (fire service days) completed the walk in 2010 and that rekindled the interest. This year sees a 'significant' birthday which was the final push. I feel grateful that I am fit enough (hopefully!) and have the opportunity.
I am starting on Sunday 23rd of March and will take 6 weeks. The distance will be around about 1000 miles.
Incredibly the record for the fastest walk was done by Malcolm Barnish of the Royal Artillery in June 1986 who took just 12 days, 3 hours and 45 minutes. For you cyclists the record is 1 day and 21 hours.
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