Training walk from Seaton to Sidford- 14 .5 miles

On a cloudy overcast morning I set out via Holyford woods on my walk to Sidford. Last year suicidal squirrels were a problem, but they have been replaced in 2012 by Badgers. I found two of them who had not managed to cross the road dead in the hedgerow. The route I decided to take in order to get fit for my Crediton to Bath Journey in May turned out to be very hilly and over the 14.5 miles I climbed 2,500 feet. I must be getting fitter however as I no longer seem to get blisters on my feet. Gently rubbing in some Vaseline before I start seems to have done the trick! Throughout most of my journey I hardly saw anybody as I walked through quiet Devon villages and over the hills. I was greeted in the small village of Farway by some rather splendid chickens who clucked at me as I stopped for a drink. Out of Farway the road climbs steeply for two miles with one 15% hill followed by two 25% gradient hills. To my surprise when I reached the top I reached a minor road at Roncombe  and descended a 33% gradient road ! The local kennels who are situated on the hill advise owners to park their car at the top of the hill, I could see why. I then took the winding roller coaster path down through the woods and finally emerged at Sidford. I ate some jelly babies and reflected on a job well done!

Planning the first stage of the Big Walk

This week has seen several things come together for the first stage of my walk from Lands End to John O Groats.
Firstly I have fixed the date and the route I will take on my first stage from Crediton to Bath a distance of about 95 miles. This has been broken down into six 15 mile stages which are as follows:
14th May - Crediton to Tiverton
15th May- Tiverton to Hillfarence (near Wellington Somerset)
16th May- Hillfarence to Meare Green ( on the Somerset Levels)
17th May- Meare Green to Glastonbury
18th May-Glastonbury to Stratton-on-the-Fosse ( Mendip Hills)
19th May- Stratton-on-the-Fosse to Bath ( Alison joins me here at a farmhouse B&B and gives me a lift home!)
Booking all the B&B accommodation was fun but means that come rain or shine I have to make each days mileage!

With this in mind I have been out training and walked 10 hilly miles from Seaton to Sidmouth and have done another 5 miles today. My feet are beginning to feel good and rubbing them with Vaseline certainly seem to prevent friction blisters.
Needless to say my fellow Ramblers who I walk with on Fridays think I am Mad!