MEMBERS EXPLOITS
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Mick's LEJOG
Updated
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
MICK HAS DONE IT!!
Our very own Mick is walking from Lands End to John O' Groats. You can follow his progress here. Please send any sightings, pix or reports to the webmaster.
Mick is on his way! Mick started the long walk on the 6th of March. Apparently he made good progress at first but storms forced him inland and eventually he had to have a day off in Boscastle. However he is back on schedule now. Yesterday (14th March) Keith B joined him in a 10 hour walk from Boscastle to Bude. Keith reports that Mick is walking well and on good form.
25/3/08 Mick is now in Ilfracombe having a rest day. He has sore feet!! This week he will be with the other Gentians walking the Coastal path.
31/3/08
Mick is off again and is now at Bridgwater (on schedule). He says he had a good
day in the Quantocks and didn't mention his feet so he must be back on form.
1/4/08 Bridgewater to Cheddar today. 17 miles across the Somerset levels. Feet
a bit sore, too much road work.
2/4/08 Cheddar to Easton today. 20 miles off the road. Feet are
fine. Left Doom Bar behind.
3/4/08 A long day walking the urban fringes of Bristol. Into Wales
and back to England. Reverend James present this evening.
4/4/08 Today Mick met up with Mike Skillman at Chepstow so he had company
for 1/2 a day. Mick's in Monmouth tonight after walking in England most of the
day.
Comment from Mike Skillman
Mick’s route passed within about 30 miles from where I live, so I
thought I'd try to intercept him somewhere. I managed to find him last Thursday
at Chepstow and walked with him on the Offa’s Dyke path for a half day, leaving
him to carry on to Monmouth while I returned to my car via Tintern and the
Welsh side of the Wye Valley.
It was a day of unseasonably warm sunshine. Mick was in great form – which the
photo does not quite capture (sorry about that!)
5/4/08 Tonight Mick is in Pandy and heading off to Hay on Wye
tomorrow. He says he's ready for his rest day there.
6/4/08 A message from Mick...........
Hi Folks,
I am now in Hay-on-Wye, enjoying a rest day and perusing books. Yesterday
I had a beautiful day walking over the Black Mountains. Sun shining, skylarks
singing, and views for miles, in fact I had my last view back to the West
Country across the Bristol channel. It was a tonic after the few preceding days.
Easton to Chepstow across the urban fringes of Bristol was less than inspiring
and the Severn Bridge was just too long. On top of that it was 15 min to the
nearest pub for a meal, and no lift offered! The day from Chepstow to Monmouth
was made more pleasant by Mike Skillman's company for half the day, but the
Offa's Dyke Path spits you out onto busy roads too often for my taste. Monmouth
to Pandy was hard work across muddy fields, and a pint was certainly welcome at
the end.
Irene, thanks for the info on the tea at Newchurch, I will check that out!
Cheers
for now, Mick
_________________________________________________________________
7/4/08 Today Mick is on his way to Kington. On
schedule so far.
An update from Mick 17/04/08
Hi Folks, I thought I would bring you up to date with my happenings since
Hay-on-Wye. After Hay I followed Offa's Dyke Trail to Kington, and had the
pleasant surprise of finding D.I.Y tea and coffee making facilities at the
church at Newchurch half way. The hostel at Kington was really nice and as I
arrived at Kington early enough to shop it was nice to have a change from pub
meals. Speaking of pubs, there was a Camera award winning micro brewery and pub
6 doors down from the hostel!! I slept well that night!!
Kington to Knighton was an easy walk, or should have been, but my feet were
still giving me problems, or to be specific my right foot. I came to the
conclusion that the problem was my boots, so I took a train home from Knighton,
and picked up a different pair. Next day Problem solved!! Felt really good I can
tell you. Still a few twinges but getting better
every day.
I had company from Knighton to Craven Arms, Jackie, Jane, Mike and Gareth from
the rail ramblers, and Jackie was kind enough to put me up for the night.
After being dropped off at Shrewsbury Station, I took the train back to Craven
Arms and Started walking, along Wenlock Edge to Much Wenlock, and feeling good
carried on to Ironbridge, 23 miles. I arrived feeling well Knackered!! It now
occurred to me that if I could make Penkridge I would give my self an extra day
at home. It was an other 23 miles,
knackered doesn't describe it!!
After two days off at home I met Gareth on Wolverhampton Station for the
Penkridge to Sandon leg, lovely walking with good company. Another day off and
then back on the road. Sandon to Dimmingsdale YH, a long day and no foot
problems, or nearly none, just a twinge in the last half hour.
Today I walked to Thorpe, above Dovedale, and I am now enjoying the hospitality
of John and Sue. The walking was lovely, the Churnet valley is a beautiful area,
and yet most folks go there just for Alton Towers. Tomorrow I am walking to Earl
Sterndale, from where John is picking me up and taking me back to Thorpe. On Sat
he will drop me back at Earl Sterndale and I will be one days walk from the
start of the Pennine Way.
Cheers for now Mick
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Mick's up North!!
From Peter Mac 19/04/08
I had half a day with Mick on Saturday (19th April), I found him in good
sprits and with no complaints and fully focussed on his trip to John o' Groats.
I met him at Wormhill and we separated at Hollins Cross. He going down to the
YHA in Edale and me off to the train, which I missed. It made me go for a pint
and wait for the next train, what a sacrifice! I took a few pictures that show
"our man is on his way"
112 - Win Hill in the background - but very, very faint
115 - Pevril Castle in the background - in Cave Dale
118 - Hollins Cross - a classic view - Batman and Robin - who is who?
19th April. Today Mick walked partly
with Peter (see above) and stayed at Edale. A very cold day according to Mick!
20th A
crossing of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow ending the day at Crowden. Very nice B&B
that night.
21st Crowden
to Marsden then the train to Eccles for a couple of nights at Rob's house.
(dinner with SWMBO!!)
UPDATE FROM MICK
Hi again Folks, another update on the progress of your
intrepid explorer as he vanishes up into the northern fastness! After John
dropped me off at Earl Sterndale, I had a stiff climb up the the edge of a
quarry before dropping down to Horseshoe Dale, and Deepdale. I was due to meet
Peter McGrory at a village called Wormhill, and I am afraid he had a bit
of a cold wait, as I had given him a time I hoped to arrive at, rather than a
realistic time. After meeting up we dropped down to Peterdale to follow a dale
system north to pick up the Limestone Way. We followed this north over a flat
limestone plain, into the teeth of a bitingly clod wind to Castleton. From here
there was just one last climb up to Hollins Cross before we went our separate
ways. Peter to Edale station, and a train home, and me to Edale hostel and a bed
and a meal.
On Sunday I set off to walk to Crowden on the Pennine Way, firstly over Kinder
Scout,and then over Bleaklow. Of this I will say the Kinder could have been
kinder, and Bleaklow was bleak. Just following a path of flagstones for some 2
or 3 miles from Mill hill to the Snake Road. With visibility down to a few yards
I did begin to lose the will to live!!
Monday was easier as I made my way over Black Hill to Marsden, though still very
cold in a stiff east wind. Following the flagged path it is hard visualize how
difficult this was before the path improvements, people often went in to the
bogs up to their waists!
I am now having a day of rest and enjoying Robs hospitality before
rejoining the trail at Marsden on Wednesday. That's all for now folks.
Cheers Mick
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LATEST NEWS
Hi All,
I have just been enjoying a rest day at Hawes after a couple of very hard days. After leaving Rob's I caught the train to Marsden, where I met Helen and Howard. Helen walked with us as far as Blackstone edge, buying me a huge bacon butty from a tea van near the M 62 en-route. Howard walked all the way to Mankinholes with me, where we both stayed the night, enjoying the beer and food at the nearby Top Brink pub.
Next day he left me at the canal in the Calder valley, and I continued on to Earby, 20 plus miles and 12 hours walking. I was well knackered!
Fortunately next day to Malham was short, it needed to be!!
Malham to Hawes was another long one, but got there in time for a pub meal with Geoff, and to sample some Copper Dragon beer.
All for now Mick
Marsden Station Bacon Butty
Pennine Way Footbridge M62
28/4/08 Mick is staying in the Tan Hill pub tonight. The highest in England.
ACROSS THE BORDER INTO HAGGIS LAND
Mick is now in Scotland. Below is an update from him. 9/5/08
Hi folks, I arrived at Melrose last
night and I am now in Galashiels public library on one of their pc's. So anyway
here is the story so far.
Alston to Greenhead. I set off on the Penine Way, but
diverted to the South Tyne Trail, as the PW wanders about a bit here and the
ground was very wet. The STT, is on a disused railway and gives easy walking. I
took an early lunch at the Kirkstyle Inn in Knarsdale before setting off to
tackle Blenkinsop Moor. A long "swim" across here brought me to
Greenhead, and Greenhead Hostel. This is one the YHA wanted to close, and it has
been bought by the Hotel across the road. Unfortunatly the haven't given it any
TLC and it was looking rather tired.
Greenhead to Once Brewed. This was an easy day, so as it was
raining when I set off I called into the Roman Army Museum's coffee shop.
2 hours later after listening to a very interesting talk on the life of the
Roman Soldier, I set off again, and the rain had stopped. The line of the wall
along the Whin Sill gave hard walking, but I was still early at the Hostel. This
is one of the YHA's big hostels, and had recieved stubstantial investment over
recent years, but it felt a little impersonal. Not so the Twice Brewed Inn,
which had excellent ale and food, and in spite of being busy, still found time
to make every customer feel valued.
Once Brewed to Bellingham. The route traversed across wild and
empty country, typical border riever country. Bellingham is another hostel not
owned by YHA, but what a contrast with Greenhead! This is classed by the
YHA as a bunkhouse, but I found it very comfortable, and the wood burner in the
corner made it very cozy. Bellingham is suffering from the same problems as many
villages, with boarded up shops etc.
Bellingham to Bryness. A route of two halves, the first part across
open moors was delightful, birds singing etc. The second through the forest
was either a quagmire or hard forest roads. All of which made me glad to arrive
at Forest View, as the old YHA Bryness is now called. And what a delightfull
place it was too. The new owners have worked really hard to transform the place
into something close the ideal small hostel.
Bryness to Jedburgh. Over the border into Scotland. The weather had
definitely changed now and I was glad to be making an early start as I climbed
up into the Cheviots. It was glorious up on the tops, and I was sorry when the
time came to cross into Scotland. I started decending along the old Roman road
of Dere Street, although this stayed pleasently high for a while. The day
finished with a mile and a half road walk into Jedburgh. The trouble with all
this sunny weather is that it makes the pack heavy, carrying the Paramo, not
wearing it!
Jedburgh to Melrose. After a road trek back to Dere Street I picked
up St Cuthbert's way, which I was able to follow all the way to Melrose, through
pretty countryside. However being low down I felt the heat and was glad of the
sun block I had picked up in Bellingham
I am now off to do the tourist thing after hopping a bus back to
Montrose.
Cheers Mick
MICK IS SPOTTED
By John P who kindly sent a
pic. Sat May 10
The Three Brethren (or should that be four?) near Galashiels
14/5/08
Hi All, from Linlithgow, and first of all to let you know that my Mobile
phone was lost somewhere about Melrose, the problem is I have lost all my contacts,
so I would be gratefull if you would send me a text so that I can get you back
on my contact list.
Now as to the trip, I have left the
Borders and I am now in the central belt.
Melrose to Traquair; I
got an early start fron the hostel at Melrose, and was straight onto the
Southern Uplands Way. After an hour or two of fannying about on old rail
lines though suberbia, it turned into a great hill walk. It was nice to meet
other hill walkers again, as there were plenty on the S U W. The only thing to
mar the day was being caught in a thunderstorm towards the end of the day! I
could see it coming and put a spurt on to get off the ridge, which I managed,
but couldn't avoid getting soaked before getting to my B&B. This was
delightful, and I met another couple of walkers there, who were exploring the
Borders using public transport. It was nice to have company over supper this
evening.
Traquair to West Linton;
This gave a scrappy day's walking with a long road walk at the start and end,
however a pleasant break at Peebles which turned into an early lunch was a
bright spot. As was an excellent meal in the evening at The Old Bakehouse, West
Linton, at the end of the day.
West Linton to Mid Calder;
This gave a great days hill walking again, over the Cauldstane Slap (not a local
verstion of a Glasgow kiss, but an old drove road!) Shame about the low cloud,
but it made for a light pack and cool walking. It was a short day and this was
welcome after yesterdays 19:00 hrs finish!
Mid Calder to
Linlithgow; This was a walk of two halves, the first part
through Almondell Country park, the second along the Union Canal past some
rather large pit bings! After a while canal tow path walking gets a bit boring,
though it is easy.
Today I took a train ride into
Edinburgh to get a new watch as the strap on my old one had broken, and couldn't
be replaced. It was nice to get on a train again, in fact the 08:40 from Thurso
on June 13th is starting to feel like the holy grail.
Tomorrow I am off to Kilsyth 20 miles
all along a canal tow path!!
Don't know when I'll get on the
net again, probably not untill Fort Wiliam, in the meantime send me those texts,
and let me build up my contacts
again!!
16/5/08
Mick is now at Drymen. Heading north after 2 days going East to West. His
feet are sore after 2 days and 45 miles of canal towpaths and disused railways.
Fort William 23/5/08
Hi Folks, I am now at Fort William, after completeing the West Highland Way.
The day from Philipstoun (Linlithgow) to Twetchar near Kilsyth was a long flog
(25 miles) on the hard surfaces of canal towpaths, and I arrived at about 7
O'clock very weary. No pub either, but the lady at the B&B did me a scratch
meal.
Next day the walk to Drymen was also on hard surfaces, first a canal towpath
again to Kirkintouloch, then a disused railway walkway to Strathblane, where I
treated myself to a posh lunch. Then after 2 miles of more disused railway, the
West Highland Way, which was on a disused railway!! Apart from the last 3 miles,
these were on road!! It was also hot in the afternoon, and I picked up my first
blister of the trip.
The pub did have Abott ale on the hand pump however.
Onward to Rowardenan, with compeed seeming to have sorted the
blister, it was nice to be on paths again. Being a short day, only 15 miles I
took my time. No ale tonight, I couldn't face the midge ridden walk to the pub,
so cooked myself a meal with stuff from the hostel shop.
I decided not to take the rest day at Rowardenan but to split the long
day to Crianlarich into 2 by staying at Ben Glas farm. The walk along Loch
Lomond was easy for the first part, but tedious for the second, on one of those
paths it is impossible to get any rhythm going. The was a bar serving food
at the campsite at Ben Glas, but no real ale, boo hoo!!
Running out of time now on the computer, so I will continue this tale
tomorrow
Hi Folks, back on a PC again, so to continue, I left you with me at Ben Glas
campsite at Inverarnan, which is at the north end of Loch Lomond. From here it
was an easy half day to Crianlarich, and I enjoyed a restfull afternoon watching
railway workers load and dispatch a train load of timber, bound for Chirk. I had
a self cooked meal here with food purchased at the village store. Those of
you who know Crianlarich will understand why I didn't bother with the "Rod
and Reel".
Another easy day on the West Highland Way took me to Bridge of Orchy, and
the bunkhouse on the platform of the station there. That night I was able to
indulge my taste for Real Ale again across the road at the B of O hotel.
B of O to Kinlochleven was payback time for those easy days, 21 miles,
most of it on hard surfaces. The old road across Rannoch Moor has a stony
surface for all of its 10 miles to the Kingshouse.This was then followed by the
Devils Staircase, which actually isn't too bad, but the descent on the other
side goes on forever. Still, Kinlochleven has a brewery, the the Tail Race Inn
stocked one of lts products!! Atlas Brewery's Three Sisters was the best since
Sharp's Doom Bar!!
Linlochleven to Glen Nevis gave a delightful walk, in company most of the way.
In the evening I went with some of the foks I Had met on the WHW to the
resturant almost next door to the YH. Guess what, they had Three Sisters on, we
had a good night!!
Which was more than I had at Glen Nevis YH that night, I am glad they were
full for the next 2 nights, as I have found a very nice B&B in the Fort.
Tomorrow I will be stocking up on dried food ready to journey into
the wilderness, I don't know when I will be back on air again, but probably
Ullapool.
Cheers Mick
31/5/08
Hi Folks, I am now at Kinlochewe, a tiny village in the Highlands, and the
internet access is a dial up pc in the back of the village shop.
Fort William to Somewhere above Glen Gary; this was a day of two halves, the
first part of the day way along the tow path of the Caledonian Canal, and veyy
boring it was too!! The second part took me up into the hills and my first night
in the tent!! It was great to be up in the hills again.
The next stage to the Cluanie Inn also gave good walking through
the hills, though finding/fighting my way though the forestry above Glen Gary
was tiresome. Cluanie Inn has no tv reception, so I watched a video, the
extended edition of part two of Lord of the Rings!! I did not manage to see it
all!!
At short day brought me to Glen Affric yh, and those of you who
stopped here last year may be interested to know that the Warden has
changed.
Glen Afric to Maol Bhuie; this was a long but interesting day.
Shame it rained most of the day. The maitainence organiser for the bothy was in
residence, and we had a pleasent chat to while away the evening.
The plan for the next day was to walk to another bothy called
Bearnais, however as it was only lunch time when I arived I decided to push on
to Achnasellach and chance there being room at Gerry's bunkhouse, there was!! I
had a pig out on a meal made from tins from his "shop". Decided not to
mention the club name, still less Bobs!!
Knowing it was not a long day to Kinlochewe, I made a late start, my
faffing was in the I O/M C league!! I paid for this twice over. Firstly it was
hot slogging up the Culin Pass from the hostel, and secondly I was caught it a
heavy shower half an hour from the village.
Well that all for now, next e-mail should be from Ullapool
Cheers Mick
3/6/08
Mick is nearly there!!
Hi Folks from Ullapool
I have had 2 days walking since last I spoke to you, the first day from
Kinlochewe to north of Loch an Nid was absolutely glorious. I have never seen
the mountains so clearly. Slioch, Beinn Tarsuin, the Mullach, and Beinn
a'Chidamah (not sure of the spelling of some of these) looked magnificent. Had a
pleasant evening brewing up and watching the deer.
Next morning was a different story, the wind had dropped, and it was
overcast and muggy. Result, midge heaven, or from my point of view HELL.
When I brewed up my morning cuppa hundreds
committed suicide in it, and Have you ever tried eating porridge though a midge
hood!! Needless to say I was away quickly, and had an easy days walking to
Inverlael. The only problem being fallen trees across the path just before the
end. I couldn't get a taxi to Ullapool due to it being "take the kids home
from school time", but the first car I stuck my thumb out to stopped, and
took me straight to my B&B!
I am now off to book the rest
of my accommodation for the rest of the trip, 3 nights camping and 5 nights
B&B, wish me luck
Cheers Mick
DONE IT!!
I ARRIVED AT JOHN O' GROATS AT 15:25 ON THURSDAY JUNE 12th
The last few days were amongst the hardest of the trip.
Next day I planned to camp in the wilds, however I was going well so I phoned my next destination, the Overscaig Hotel, to see if they could accommodate me arriving a day early. They could, so I made up my mind to have a long day. And it was! I arrived at about 20:30 feeling totally knackered!!I stayed 2 nights and couldn't have picked a better place to rest up for a day.
Next day was a short walk (12 miles) to the Crask Inn. Mike, the landlord, is a keen walker himself so the place is very walker friendly. Only fizzy beer though!!
My aim the next day was to get to Kinbrace, a long hike of 25 miles. I did it, but was well done in by the time I put the tent up at 20:30.
Now the next obstacle was a boggy massiff known as the Heights of Kinbrace, all I will say is thank god for the driest spring in Scotland since records began! As I crossed this quite a strong wind got up and I was becoming concerned about my ability to get the tent up in it. However I found a deserted house, with carpets still down in some rooms, so rolled my sleeping mat out, and got a good nights kip.
Watten was my next objctive, and I was looking forward to a proper meal after 3 days on dried food!
After Watten it was accross Caithness to the East coast at Keiss, then a really good day's walking along the coast to JOG, and the end!!
