The Energetic Diabetic

I've struggled with the last three days of walking, the climbing and above average mileage taking their toll on my energy levels, if not necessarily my legs and feet. If anything, it is my neck and shoulders that were providing greater physical evidence of my toi…

Before we could start our journey north today, Suzanne had to transport me and Rachel 30 or so miles back to Dufton, where we finished Day 34. I have tried to book campsites near to where each stage ends but the Bank Holiday weekend (and a general lack of sites for m…

Looking down into High Cup Nick I have come to begrudge any step that doesn’t take me directly north and today was directly west. However, it did include some of the highlights of the Pennine Way and I had the pleasure of sharing these with daughter Rachel, so I’ll a…

Today’s stretch from the Tan Hill pub to Middleton-in-Teesdale is described in the guide book as ‘famously wet underfoot’ and was a similar peaty path to yesterday but without the benefit of any flagging. Other than fixing on my gaiters and packing a spare pair of so…

Fortified by last night’s fish and chips, I was walking straight from Bainbridge Ings caravan site today, through Hawes and onto the ascent up Great Shunner Fell. The first couple of miles were chilly and through the sheep fields that are so typical of the landscape in…

Frost was still on the ground as Phil dropped me back in Horton and the sky above was cloudless. There is an immediate climb up Harber Scar and this whole stage was really on rocky paths in between the drystone walls that are such a feature of the Dales. The higher y…

It was a little chilly in Motorhome Towers last night, at least until I dragged myself from my sleeping bag to put the heating on around 2am. At such moments my mind turns to Chris, who we met in week two and was wild camping his way up to Scotland. Utter madness. Al…

After a good night's sleep and an excellent breakfast at the Alma Cliff in Barnoldswick, my feet felt a lot better and my step was bordering on jaunty as I walked through the town to rejoin the Leeds Liverpool Canal. In hindsight, I may have been a little harsh o…

Phil dropped me early in the salubrious surroundings of The Range car park in Blackburn, which I suspect features in very few LEJOG guide books. Their entrance veranda proved a very useful shelter as I climbed into my waterproofs - it was another wet one. Today’s route…

Putting aside Warrington's defeat last night, I departed from my Standish B&B around 8am (B&B highly recommended but the proprietors insist on references). I was walking with Dave Jones, another ex-RBS colleague and, unfortunately for me, a committed Wiga…