Monday 30 June 2008
Sunday 29 June 2008
Friday 27 June 2008
Note from Adam
As I've managed to leave my phone at home today there won't be that much news from Lara... she's already found two stray dogs this morning and called the dog pound - but that's all I know!
I will be going to the West Country to visit this weekend - I've programmed my phone to send messages to this blog, so hopefully we'll keep updating!
I'm really looking forward to spending some time in Padstow and hopefully visiting one of Rick Stein's many many restaurants. Oh, and seeing Lara I suppose :)
Thursday 26 June 2008
Afternoon Update
The pub at Crackington Haven was closed, so had to get something to eat from a cafe which had sold out of everything but cake. What a shame :)
Might not make Boscastle tonight as it's still more than 6 miles away. I have a cheese roll from another cafe to to eat later though.
Dizzard Point
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Looking at the path ahead from Dizzard Point, 128 metres above the sea. What it doesn't really show is that it drops down to a stream at sea level then climbs steeply to the same height the other side. Plus I had to battle the wind which kept blowing me off the path. I had to sit down several times as I couldn't stand upright it was so gusty.
Hills
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This was taken at millook. If the hill doesn't have a gradient of at least 20% then it is not a real hill, merely an incline.
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Blister Pic Update
Just had breakfast and packed stuff up. Now it's off to Bocastle!
(As always, view at your own risk. Actually it's not too bad now!).jpg)
125 miles!
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I'm feeling quite chuffed with myself now that I have completed 125 miles from Minehead to Bude and can now start using map 2 of 6 from the Harvey SWCP series.
There have been highs and lows. The lows have been the painful blisters and the boring cycle path from Wrafton to Bideford (video coming soon). The highs have been the sunny weather, the lovely people I have met and the stunning scenery. This is definitely the hardest adventure I have embarked upon. As the saying goes: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger".
Bude Canal
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The canal in Bude was emptied of water recently as the lock gates were damaged by a storm. They had to drop sack loads of stones in by the bridge to prevent it from completely draining. Bude has a canal and a river running through it. The canal was built to carry sand inland..jpg)
Wednesday 25 June 2008
Day Off!
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Having a lovely day off. Just had lunch and now sitting on the beach chilling. Blisters and socks are drying nicely in the sea breeze.
Blister update
Peeled it and bathed it in TCP. I'm having a couple of nights in Bude, so that will be a day for it to heal.
[pic after the jump - not quite as gross as last time, but still...].jpg)
Climbers
I heard some clinking over the edge of the cliffs and looked down to see two crazy guys climbing. They waved at me. I told them I thought they were crazy.
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Writer's Hut
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This hut, set high on the cliff tops above Marshland Mouth, belonged to a writer called Ronald Duncan until his death in 1982 and now can be used as a shelter for walkers to admire the view...jpg)
Tuesday 24 June 2008
Thanks Colin, Maggie and Oz
A lovely couple Colin and Maggie and their dog Oz bought me lunch at the Bush Inn at Morwenstow. Now back on the path to Bude.
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Rock pools at Hartland Quay
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Things in the rock pool started eating my blister then fought over skin I peeled from one. Really cool.
Foot Update
Especially for Nicky - The salt water is working as there's no infection, they're just sore still. I don't want to peel it yet as the next two days to Bude are the most difficult.
(Photos after the jump... not for the squeamish).jpg)
Monday 23 June 2008
Hartland Point
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Had lunch at Hartland Point (lighthouse above). I've seen kestrel, fox, fighter plane and seals around this area! Moving on now.
Detour!
I am really angry with myself as I wasted more than an hour's walking to accidentally visit Brownsham car park. Am back on the path now, and on my way!
Sunday 22 June 2008
Sand!
Sat for a while at the beach to soak my feet which was lovely, but got sand in one of my many blisters. Tried to get it out in a rock pool, but it didn't work. Going on anyway - hope it will work itself out.
Infected feet
I think the blisters on my feet are infected. Unfortunately its Sunday and I can't get to see a doctor. I started walking at 10am (an hour or so ago), and so far so good.
Saturday 21 June 2008
Appledore
A couple of hours ago I stood a few hundred yards from Appledore. Unfortunately there was a river in the way, and my rucksack might have got soggy if I'd swum.
Now 10 miles later I'm here, and desperately searching for the pub that I saw from the other side of the river :).jpg)
Cycle paths and sore feet
Today (Saturday) there's cycle paths and tarmac all the way to Appledore, where I'm hoping to spend the night. It's really hurting my feet :(
Friday at Barnstable
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No hills, so an easy walk on Friday to Barnstable. Then a pub dinner and accomodation.
Thursday 19 June 2008
Good day :)
It is a lovely sunny day today. Here is a photo of my socks drying on my rucksack :).jpg)
Really missed being chained to my desk in a call centre! (Though I do miss all the lovely people there :) ).jpg)
Lee Village and Bull Point
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Visited an amazing pub in Lee village called the Grampus Inn. The landlord let me sample several ales before I settled on a couple of halves of Serpentine and a spinach lasagne (above).
Left the pub at 4 and walked on to Bull Point lighthouse..jpg)
Editorial 1
[written by Adam]
I spoke to Lara last night and apart from dampness, soreness, blisters and all her stuff falling apart she's doing fine!
I think that the horizontal hailstorm that she walked through was not the kind of weather she was expecting in June, however the storm's blown over this morning and the weather looks good. The forecast for the rest of the week - not so much. It's pretty much heavy rain all the way. Tonight's supposed to be clear though, so Lara intends to sleep out again this evening.
We also checked some of the statistics on the SWCP website. Over the last 2 days Lara's walked 35.1 miles (plus a bit - getting lost and walking to the start of the walk), and climbed 9783ft (that's 2982m for those of you under 30 - and Europeans). That's more than 2 ascents of Ben Nevis already - quite hilly really!
Finally - we know you're coming here from the stats, but you're unusually quiet. Please leave a comment to say hi to Lara - it doesn't have to relate to the post, we'd just love to hear from you :)
Night 2
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Made it to Combe Martin (via the above Ponies - aww). Had a veggie balti and got a B&B to dry out soggy things.
Sandy bay nearby...jpg)
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Day 2
2:30 just got lost, feet got wet and blisters have popped. Strap on bag broke :( Making very slow progress.
3.40 stopped for lunch.
Here's a picture of my pet beetle (left in situ). I met lots of his relatives today..jpg)
Breakfast and Lee Abbey
Breakfast of cheese slice and carrot cake and tea. Yummy. Bought a sandwich for lunch and pushing on. Here's a pointless sign from Lee Abbey..jpg)
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Tuesday 17 June 2008
First Night
I've stopped for the night at 7pm in a place appropriately called Desolate on a lovely grassy knoll close to the cliffs.
Foxgloves
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Foxgloves line the path and it is so peaceful. Just the birds, bees, crickets and occasional sheep baaing.
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West Somerset Railway
I have arrived at the start of my journey. I'm staying tonight at Minehead after travelling by steam train on the West Somerset Railway!.jpg)
I'm looking forward to starting tomorrow, but I'm a little nervous about sleeping out tomorrow night.
Sunday 15 June 2008
Saturday 14 June 2008
Mascot
I have decided that I need a mascot. I saw a pic in the paper of a piglet with wellies yesterday that was a mascot for something or other. I want something to keep me company that I can talk to and photograph at various locations on route. I think a gnome would be too heavy to carry, a teddy would be too boring, a stick insect would upset animal rights people, a dog too likely to run off the cliff top, a stuffed rat too disgusting. I thought I would end up like Tom Hanks in Castaway with a ball ! Although there is some debate as to whether in the film it is a football (Me), basketball (Adam) or volleyball (Kim). Maybe I should take a tennis ball or a ping pong ball.
Friday 13 June 2008
Friday 13th !
I have just read an interesting article on the BBC website about Friday 13th that indicates that superstition is alive and well in modern Britain. Fortunately I consider myself an incredibly lucky person so should fair well today. It is also my last day at work so I have bought cakes for everyone in the Tesco Freetime call centre, as is the tradition for leavers.
Thursday 12 June 2008
How much weight?
This is my big dilemma of the day, how much weight do I want to carry in my rucksack. I am working on the 'less is more' principle. So far my rucksack contains;
Bivi bag
Sleeping bag
Silk sleeping bag liner
Waterproof trousers
Head torch
Mobile phone & Chargers x2 (wind up and electric)
Bank cards/money/Tesco deal tokens
Maps
Water bottles x2
Wash stuff (toothpaste & brush, mini hairbrush, gel, laundry soap, dry wash, wet wipes, tampons, plasters, nail clippers, Ibuprofen, canestan,sun cream)
Trek towel
Spare socks
Spare tankini
Spare tracksters
Guide book???? (it does have lots of useful numbers)
Book
I will be wearing….
Sunglasses
Trackster
Socks
Tankini
Coolmax Top
Jacket
Walking boots
I have been looking at what other people have taken on trips and tried to follow their guide. I know that I hate carrying excess weight. When I was walking with a full pack (20+kg) in Australia it was hard work especially in 40C heat. One time I fell over on my back and was like a ladybird stranded with my arms and legs waving in the air, unable to right myself. I did have a moment of "what am I doing here" !
Wednesday 11 June 2008
Suggestions please
I want suggestions for suitable mementos that I can collect on my epic walk. For example I had a friend who whereever he travelled got a match box, most hotels and pubs had small boxes of matches with the name of the place on it. He had a vast number of these from all over the world. So get your thinking caps on and post your suggestions to me.
Tuesday 10 June 2008
7 days to go!
7 days and counting down….I have nothing more to organise now. It is just a waiting game. Patience is not one of my strong points! Luckily the week is taken up with playing tennis with my sister, walking her dogs and working. This weekend I move all my remaining possessions to a friend's, give my car to my boyfriend, go to a friend's wedding, travel to Ipswich and back to London before travelling to Minehead on Monday. Phew, I will hardly have time to catch my breath before starting my walk on the Tuesday.
Monday 9 June 2008
No computer
I have stored my laptop with my boyfriend, Adam, so cannot publish posts myself at the moment. I have to dictate to him and he will do it on my behalf… hence the name change. Nothing more sinister in it I'm afraid! I keep trying to set up so that I can text through posts from my mobile but no joy so far.
Saturday 7 June 2008
Butterflies
Well it is now less than two weeks to go until I start my long walk. I have butterflies every time I think about it, which is at least 100 times a day. I just want to get a couple of days walking done and then I am sure I will settle into a routine. I lay awake the other night listening to the rain beating down outside and imagined that in a few weeks I would be out in that…a scary thought!
Sunday 1 June 2008
Map of swcp
This is a map of the route that I will be walking. I will be starting at Minehead and working my way down the coast to St Ives round Land Ends (the most southerly point of England) and then along to Poole.
Safety First
I thought I would address the issue of safety along my walk as lots of friends have expressed concern for me as a woman walking on my own and sleeping in a bivi bag. I have always done a lot of solo long distance walking both in the UK and Australia and have never encountered any problems.
I am not as naïve to think that bad things don’t happen, in fact I am all to aware as my sister was bashed over the head with a lump of wood. She was out walking the dogs in company when she was assaulted in an unprovoked attack by a mentally unstable chap. She was knocked unconscious and left with a fractured skull. The man was known to the police, he had previously slashed a woman with a stanley knife and while on remand assaulted both his mother and a WPC. He was locked up in a mental hospital but has since been released.
I don't want to live my life in constant fear, I want to enjoy it. I walk my sisters dogs during the week, on my own, through woodland and the last man to jump out of the bushes at me explained he was surveying and redrawing maps for the local orienteering club. It did make my heart race but I am sure that statistically I am more likely to get killed driving around the M25 (especially with my driving!) and more likely to be assaulted on a night out in London than walking along a coast path.
I have registered my mobile number with mobile locate (www.mobilelocate.co.uk) so that my friends can track my location at any given time. It only shows my location within a 2.5km range but will be a way to verify my walk.The system is dependent on the phone being charged up (I have a wind up charger) and receiving reception. I do appreciate the phone reception is likely to be poor in areas due to the hilly terrain. I would be lying if I said I am not slightly apprehensive about the security side of this walk but I feel that it will be worth the risk.
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