Windermere to Old Dungeon Ghryll - 16 miles

The morning started cloudy and wet as we set out from Windermere. At Bowness we were due to catch the ferry a cross the lake. As we arrived to my horror it was not operating due to windy weather. What were we to do, to go around the lake would be a 20 mile round trip. I phoned the ferry office and were were able to catch a small ferry boat a mile back in Bowness. We walked back and caught the ferry and eventually made land on the other side. Gradually we made our way through the woods by the lake and then into the hills where we saw a pair of Redstarts. As we reached Old Dungeon Ghyll the rain started and we took shelter by the hotels fire and had a drink. A hilly day awaits us tomorrow as we climb Stake pass.

Lustleigh walk

I was asked to help with my friends walk for the Ramblers which started on the edge of Dartmoor. Last time we had done a trial run was back in October and we had got hopelessly lost near the return leg of the journey. Based on the idea that two heads are better than one we hoped this time we would remember the way back and get it right.
Dartmoor is a very distinct and special place where high rainfall and dense woodlands make for a lush mossy environment. Having crossed a stream we headed up through the scattered boulders and entered the open moorland. Around us on the distant hills were the clear features of Hound Tor and Haytor lit up in the morning light. After a while the moor changed from random scattered bolders to Gorse bushes as we weaved our way down off the moor to a remote farmhouse. Entering an Oakwood I saw a male spotted flycatcher in a high tree watching over his territory.
The woodland and the lanes take on a abundant quality in late April with Primroses, Blubells and early Purple orchids in flower. We managed to get back to the village without getting lost this time! A quiet feeling of success came over us as we headed to the pub

Dartmoor adventure

Yesterday I had the chance to get some walking training in on Dartmoor. So on a bright spring day with a cool easterly wind blowing  we set out for Haytor. On the gradual climb up to Haytor we passed through beautiful woods and eventually joined the granite railway that was originally horse drawn and constructed in 1722. This follows a route through the woodlands and eventually reaches an old granite quarry below Haytor. Lakes have formed over the years in the holes formed from the granite extraction. We had our lunch here and it was good to shelter from the cool nor easterly wind. The moor is wonderful and wild with a remote feeling a place of space and freedom.  Soon we gradually left the moor and entered a large wood where Blubells and Wood Sorrel were coming into bloom. I love spring and the promise it brings of new life and freshness.
We  returned to the car park where we had started and I reflected on the privilege and joy of walking in Britain.

A great spring day

The clear warm morning promised a hot spring day as I set out from Sidmouth and joined a group of walkers wending their way up the coastal path. I passed them through the stepped woodland path and headed inland for the shade of the trees. Orange Tipped butterflies cruised the hedgerows looking for interesting flowers. The sea was calm and shiny and the air was still apart from the buzz of insects.

Lunch was at the Old Bakery at Branscombe and then I headed to the beach again before the hard climb up to the cliffs before descending again to Beer. On the sheltered  path that weaves  its way up through the cliffs the heat of the afternoon was most apparent . I was glad to reach the top and feel the sea breeze. It's only a few weeks now before I set out on my 150 mile walk from Windermere to Glasgow so not many training days left!

Training on the Dorset coastal path

Today I headed out with fellow Ramblers to get in some walking miles before I start back on the Big Walk again in 5 weeks time. Our starting point this morning was Abbotsbury right next to the ancient Swannery. Although bright the weather was cold with a sharp northerly breeze. Heading out of the village and into the hills we soon came across Iron Age earthworks and a series of early burial mounds.

We stopped by a metal beacon that was erected to celebrate 400 years after the Spanish Amarda. A series of wonderful footpaths took us through an ancient woodland full of primroses and an old memorial chapel. Crossing field we saw lots of new born lambs prancing under the protective gaze of their mums. On our way back to Abbotsbury we climbed to the old ruin of St Catherine's chapel and then descended to the Swannery car park again just before the rain started. A great days walk and I head for Dartmoor in two days time on Good Friday.

The Big Walk starts again in May, Windermere to Glasgow - 150 miles

Time is moving closer as we gradually head out of winter towards spring to plan the next stage of my Big Walk. Last autumn I arrived in Windermere in the English Lake District and soon I set out in May to walk the Cumbria way through the Lake District and cross the border into Scotland. I will then head up through Southern Scotland and eventually stop in Glasgow. This will involve a 150 mile walk through some fairly wild countryside and I'm am really looking forward to it.
My planned route is as follows:
12 May Windermere to Old Dungeon Ghryll
13 May Old Dungeon Ghryll to Keswick
14 May Keswick to Caldbeck
15 May Caldbeck to Carlisle
16 May Carlisle to kirtlebridge
17 May Kirtlebridge to Lockerbie
18 May Lockerbie to Beattock
19 May Beattock to Crawford
20 May Crawford to Lesmahagow
21 May Lesmahagow to Bothwell
22 May Bothwell to Glasgow

Burton-in-Kendal to Windermere- 18.8 miles

After yesterday's rain this morning was perfectly still with a cloudless sky. After an excellent breakfast I left Burton and was soon into the country lanes where apart from the odd car I didn't see anybody . As my journey progressed the countryside became gradually more rolling and the mountains towards Windermere came into view. Over my head flew two Lancaster bombers on their way to an air display . Later in the day I would see them again as they flew over lake Windermere at low level. I stopped at Underbarrow village where the local village fair and marrow judging competition was going on . A group of Gig riders were out with their horses and the place was a hive of activity.

Reaching Windermere I relaxed in the sun and ate some fish and chips and drank a cold lager and watched life go by. This week I have covered over a 100 miles and met many interesting people. It was now time to go home .Hopefully Scotland awaits next year.