The finish!!!

The End of the Land!!

The journey is complete...

...well almost! I'm now on the first of three trains ultimately heading for Stockport.
My Dad would have a few little sayings that he'd use over & over again. One of them, when asked 'Where have you been?' would be to reply "There & back to see how far it is!"
I now know exactly what he was on about! :)

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Okehampton - Redruth

Penultimate is a lovely word!
I did the crazy thing today of cycling the 'folder' down the little strip of tarmac to the left of the solid white line that runs along the A30. It is about 75cm wide at best and is the equivalent of a motorway's hard shoulder! Traffic flies along at same speed as the motorway though!!
I made a few stops which included Launceston, Jamaica Inn & Bodmin.
Not sure where I intended to finally stop tonight but I ended up slightly west of Redruth after 75 miles of pedalling from Okehampton! Not bad for a tired man on a creaking folding bike!!
The End of the Land is almost in sight!
Good early start tomorrow & I could be on a train bound for Manchester by lunch time!!

The light at the end of the tunnel...

Taunton- Tiverton- Exeter-Crediton-Okehampton

I went round the houses a little bit today trying to avoid the worst of the hills! Feeling like I need a day off but with the end in sight I really can't see that happening! Possibly can finish this in two days now!!
Staying at 'Betty Cottles Inn' tonight. It seems like a nice place but my heart sank slightly when the receptionist gave me the keys to room no.13!!
Planning to pedal along the A30 for a while tomorrow to 'rack' some miles up!
Will have to buy another O/S map and get down the country lanes if it's too scary!
Off to feed my face now and am early night all being well :)

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Chepstow to Taunton...

I made the most of favourable weather conditions and flattish terrain to do a few more miles than the intended finish at Bridgwater.
Much of today's route was the same, but in reverse, to the original journey north so maps were mainly unnecessary!
Neither Ed or Dale showed up today however their cousin Payne Fulbum hindered me instead!!
Plenty of miles out of the saddle tomorrow methinks!!
Tuesday's planned destination - Okehampton.

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Severn Bridge...

A gentle breeze meant for a very pleasant pootle across the bridge! Unlike last time!!!
4.5 miles done, SOME to do!!

26th June - Worcester to Chepstow...

There are two brothers who must live round here! When I was cycling north, Dale, the friendlier of the two, came with me all the way to Scotland!
His brother Ed turned up today - Big Time!! Mr & Mrs Wind must be proud of Dale, not sure about Ed though. He is a nasty piece of work, especially when the sun is shining so strongly!
59 miles including a slight diversion whilst trying to lose Ed for a while!!
Nice guest house for the night in a quiet backwater of Chepstow!

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Gladiator...

I thought this field of wheat looked like a scene from Gladiator!
I put on a leather skirt and walked through the field brushing my hand against the ears of wheat with the Hans Zimmerman soundtrack playing away in my mind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMD5gS7s3OU&feature=youtube_gdata_player)
The police eventually let me go after the farmer had me arrested!!

Birthday Party...

This was the cycling stampede that occurred when word got out about my 'free bar' party at lunch time today!

Pizza Express, Worcester...

Table for one in Pizza Express really does look sad!!
I was very easily distracted today! Spoke to the landlady at VFM B&B for far too long and didn't set off until 10.30am. Then stopped to look at a motorhome sales pitch after I'd done about 5 miles. A further 10 miles and I was stopping for a brew at a tea van on A41. Nice Asian lad with a broad Glaswegian accent owned it! We chatted for an hour! Pedalled on for not many miles more when I saw RAF museum signs. Free entrance and some awesome exhibits. Well worth a visit for anyone interested in military aircraft!
So that was another hour and half of sidetrackedness!??
Finally I got stuck in to some continuous pedalling at about 3.00pm with about 40 miles to go. Just as the sun came out and the temperature jumped up 10 degrees! Much perspiring later I arrived in Worcester. Entered the postcode of B&B into iPhone and found I was 100 yards away! BINGO!!

Francis House...

Busy busy day!
First of all I was interviewed live on BBC Radio Lancashire by Ted Robbins (probably available on 'listen again' BBC iPlayer just before 11.00am today) I then called in to meet the fundraising team at Francis House today! What great work they do too!
No biscuits to go with my the tea mind!! ;-)
Anyway I'd better get some pedalling done 30 miles to go at least before I stop today!! That's the equivalent of 185 miles in Dog years!!

The finest restaurant in Manchester...

Tonight I have arrived at the home of Rachael, Roberto & Josef! It will not surprise anyone who knows them that I am about to eat the most fantastic meal that I have seen since......

.....last time I was here!!!
As a secondary point, I managed to nurse the 'folder' over a couple of hills this today. Barrowford to Burnage is NOT flat! Especially if you go wrong and nearly reach Todmorden before realising!!

Kendal to Barrowford...

Just about 50 miles have brought me from door to door!!
Tonight I am residing in luxury at the home of David & Shelagh Clegg! I have eaten like a lord and now have my feet on their coffee table whilst I watch TV and they do the washing up!! ;-)
The 'folder' floated over the hill between Gisburn & Barrowford. I even treated myself to a haircut on the descent! I'll be even faster tomorrow morning!!

Carlisle to Kendal...

The fold away bike or 'folder' as it shall now be known, served me well for 40 miles today! Still needing to tweak the exact riding position, but on the whole I think I think I can survive the rest of this journey now!!
I am now aiming to complete my return journey somewhere between the 2nd & 6th July which will give me opportunity to throw in a Hayfield to Blackpool ride as part of the Manchester to Blackpool Annual Bike Ride (Sunday 10th July) I would like to see a gang join me and in doing so get a bit of sponsorship yourselves for Francis House Hospice!!
I will even offer to ride tandem with someone!! (I'll be doing the piloting mind you! - Control Freak?) Come on you know it makes sense!!!

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The journey resumes...

Following a couple of days rest and having chatted to various medical peeps & scoured t'internet I have either shin splints or a stress fracture on the right leg! The only treatment is to rest from activities which caused it! It just so happens that I can still pedal the bike (low impact) without too much pain or creating further trauma, so we have a plan!!
It would be easy to jump back on the racing bike and rattle off 90 miles a day for a week & arrive at Land's End. So instead, to keep the challenge alive I have taken the option to pedal on using the little Raliegh fold away bike!!
I have done a few miles across Carlisle this afternoon and will begin in earnest tomorrow hoping to cycle to Kendal (over Shap) which is about 45 miles away!! Big ask for those little wheels!! Eeek!!

Day (or two) of rest!

Masking the pain of shin splints and carrying on is (a) a recipe for failure and (b) nigh on impossible to ignore this morning! Couple of days Rest Ice Compression & Elevation required. Try again on Monday!! :(

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Pain stops play!!

I think the right leg has been overdoing it to compensate for the manky infected blistered left foot over the last couple of days and so to add insult to injury the right lower leg has now developed painful shin splints! I'm currently sat with a bag of ice cubes balanced on the elevated leg's shin area!
So, only 17 miles done & mostly at a hobble! However, this does push the total walking mileage to date to 401 miles!!
Pitch inspection due tomorrow morning! Being as good progress has been made so far I might take a couple of days off to rest the offending appendage!!

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Hello again England!!

Goodbye Scotland!!

Walking Day 17...

I have had a lovely telephone conversation with Rachael & Roberto this evening which has rounded off a good day! Roberto had rung me an hour before whilst I was still walking. It was very uplifting to hear his voice but we decided to call each other once I had reached the end of the walk.

First of all this morning I found another helpful bus driver who was happy to stop in exactly the same spot as I had embarked yesterday! I then walked a couple of miles before telephoning Naomi to ask her to try & get me a Doctors appointment in Lockerbie. The blistered left heel had possibly developed an infection!? She did even better! An appointment had been made for Johnstonbridge which was a quarter of a mile away! Very nice Doc provided antibiotics & dressings & free prescriptions in Scotland!!
Larger dressing made all the difference and good progress was made until I arrived in Lockerbie.
I'm not sure the locals like it but Lockerbie is best known because of the tragic PanAm flight 103. I thought I would pay a visit to the garden of remembrance on the western outskirts of the town. Standing alone within the garden reading various plaques & memorials was emotionally stirring.
I then went inside the information centre which was hosted by a local woman who knew more than most about the disaster & she shared much information with me without any untasteful details!
My detour meant a change of route for second half of day and I now know that the walk back into town would have been the best option. 12 miles later I arrived at tonight's accommodation! It could have been 10!!
The B&B couple were on their way out so offered me the holiday cottage rather than a poky room within their house! There was also a plate of Spaghetti Bolognese going spare which I was offered. BINGO!!

Table for one please...

...again!!
Walking Day 16
15.5 miles from door to door, so I did another 2.5 miles to give me a head start tomorrow. Instead of walking back I flagged a speeding bus down in a random spot on a country lane & the driver very obligingly stopped and then dropped me off right outside the B&B! Need to find that same driver in the morning!!
Total walking miles to date - 362 :)

Walking Day 15....

If my mood was in charge of drawing maps this was the UK yesterday!!
I walked from Larkhall to Crawford (M74 corridor) distance of 24 miles!
This is a total walking distance of 344 miles since leaving Jan de Groot!!
Anyhooo off for my full Scottish Breakfast now! Day 16 looms!!

Milngavie to Larkhall...

So this morning Naomi took my tent, sleeping bag & stove back home and I'm having at least one week of luxury B and B accommodation!!
Today's walk wasn't quite as luxurious though!! 22 miles of pavements!
The centre of Glasgow, Glasgow Green Park and the older part of Hamilton were OK but the rest was mind numbing! I did however find some human kindness in a fruit & veg shop just before I finished! I went to pay for two oranges & the shopkeeper ended up giving me a carrier bag FULL of fruit when I told him of my journey! I asked him if he'd carry it for me for a couple of days!!

Guess where I am now??

Exactly Halfway between Halfway and tonight's destination!!

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If only!!!

Somewhere south east of Glasgow !! Still have a further 12 miles to go until I arrive at tonight's luxury accommodation!!
I'm pounding the pavements all day today unfortunately! :(

It's a first...

...the weather appears to have been much better for me than elsewhere in the UK!! I wont hold my breath though!!

Southern End of West Highland Way...

Walking Days 12 & 13

Yesterday was another 'blistering' 21 miles!!
I pitched the tent in a rain sodden camping field whilst being nibbled at by them there midges! A 2 mile walk to the pub for an evening meal and then my lovely wife turned up to share the tiny uncomfortable sleeping arrangements!
After a combined total of about 6 hours decent sleep (No sex please we're British!) I was walking again!
So today I have rattled off the last 18 or so miles of the West Highland Way (including a Bacon Butty Stop in Drymen) and then eaten into tomorrow's schedule with another 2 miles beyond Milngavie (southern end of WHW). This extra 2 miles squeezed past the Rangers FC training ground! Didn't see Ally!?!

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Not as scary as the turkey...

...but still wondering who makes way to who??

The Bonny Bonny Banks of....

Loch Lochmond!!

Day 11 (yesterday) 21 miles of pain! Didn't feel like blogging last night but this view just inspired me to do so now!
Stayed at Beinglas Farm Hostel & Camping facility last night! Top place! I recommend it! Bar & Restaurant, breakfast this morning too! What more could your long distance walker ask for!! Must press on 19 more miles to go today!!

Ba Bridge...

...on today's route!

Sir Jimmy Saville...

Someone told me that Sir James owns this little hooose at the foot of Buchaille Etive Mor! Is this so????

Proper mountain...

Buachaille Etive Mor!!

GlenCoe...

I'm just about to descend the Devil's Staircase!!

Walking Day 9...

Day 9 brought the start of the West Highland Way. A short mile into Fort William to invest on some new footwear!! Went to the Post Office & sent my old Inov8's home in the new boot box (although I'm sure they could have walked themselves!)
So a late start at 11.00am and the steady climb out of Glen Nevis! I reckon I met 200 people all on their last day of walking the WHW! They all laughed at me remarking that I was full of enthusiasm on my 1st (??) day!! Little do they know!!
Today (Day 10) brings a tougher start and then an unsheltered yomp across Rannock Moor. 21 miles to the Bridge of Orchy!
That will make a total mileage to date of 236 miles!!

Harry Potter Train???

Is it?? I'm not sure!?

Walking Day 8...

Unless I go wrong in the morning I won't be seeing anymore of these little buggers!!!
The Great Glen Way - Complete!!
Fort Augustus to Fort William - 32 miles and don't I just know it!! Last five miles in persistent rain :(

Kitchen sink...

I feel like I'm carrying everything including the kitchen sink. However there isn't a razor on board!! Oh dear!!

Ben Nevis...

Still some snow on the North facing slopes!

Glamping??

NO!!!

Caledonian Canal...

Today's walk is flat & easy so far!! Traffic free and very few other walkers! Might even go all the way to Fort William at this rate!

Walking Day 7...

Today, things got heavy! Naomi & the LMH went home this morning! Roughing it starts here and if I 'need it' then I've got to 'carry it'!! I started this morning at Drumnadrochit & will finish at the far side of Fort Augustus! Some cracking views of Loch Ness including this attached picture!!
Inov8 trail shoes are looking a bit battered! Maybe new footwear at Fort William!??

Abriachan Eco cafe & campsite

It's on The Great Glen Way!! Visit it some time! I didn't see Swampy but I'll bet they know him well!!

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Walking Day 6...

Met up with Dietmar Ruf shortly after setting off this morning! Walked from Inverness to Drumnadrochit. A distance of about 17 miles. Picture taken at Eco Cafe in forest en route! Top cafe!!!! A real Oasis!!

Walking day 5 cont'd...

Today was a short walking day!
A steady plod of about 14 miles from Rosemarkie/Fortrose to S/W side of Inverness.
Naomi met up with Barry & Angela from Hayfield who were aware of our approximate whereabouts but still a fortuitous meeting in Avoch. They chatted for a while whilst unbeknown to me a couple of miles away I bimbled around in a forest looking for non existent paths!!
This was a final chance to get any laundry done before Naomi heads off home with all my spare clothes in the 'Van'!! Yet again she volunteered to do the honours at the laundry room on the campsite! The picture below is when she returned and realised someone had fraped her Facebook account!! Not me!! ;-)

Walking Day 5.,.

Busy busy place!!

Fairy Glen...

I walked down "Fairy Glen" on the closing few miles last night!!

Poor phone signal!!!

Walking Day 4...

4 days, 110 miles, sun burn and blisters now on hands as well as feet!!
Trekking poles have taken some of the load of my shins & feet but the hands are paying for it!!
Walked from Pitgrudy (NW of Dornoch) to Fortrose (W of Rosemarkie upon Moray Firth).
Tonight's reward is a view of Inverness in the middle distance with the valley of the Great Glen looming right behind!
Today's walk included a short ferry crossing about 500m across the narrow mouth of the Cromarty Firth
I have no shame in also telling you that today's walk also included a brief visit to The Glenmorangie Distillery where purchases were made! A small offering to be consumed immediately but the majority to be consumed as a toast by all at the end of this journey!!

Black Isle Watershed...

Just standing on the watershed of the Black Isle! Hello Moray Firth & goodbye Cromarty Firth! Another time maybe!??

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Anaesthetic!!!

It would seem rude not to pop in here just it case a wee dram is required for medicinal purposes!!

Crossing Dornoch Firth...

...looking inland whilst crossing road bridge over the Firth!!

Day 3 of Walking...

I have done a further 27+ miles today, walking from Helmsdale to Pitgrudy (between Skelbo & Dornoch) I only have access to providing road miles & I definitely added some due to following beach for a number of miles!
So that makes 79 miles walked in three days!!
Along the walk I saw seals at close quarters, I was chased by the ugliest turkey I have ever seen, I survived several miles walking along the A9 at rush hour, I have sun burn, I have heat rash on tops of my feet and the icing on the cake is a suspected abscess on my tooth! Early start tomorrow to get some miles in before trying to find a Denplan dentist! The SHOW must go on!!!

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Ferry....

If only there was still a little ferry at Littleferry the rest of today's walk would be so much easier!!

Dunrobin Castle...

The coastal path near to Brora squeezes past the grounds of Dunrobin Castle!

Footprints across the sands....

A soul nourishing mornings walk.
I asked an elderly Scotsman if I could use a path at the side of his house to get to the sea shore. "Och Aye" came his reply! So I followed the path & then followed the shoreline for about 6 miles! Absolutely beautiful!! Even the seals were chilled and didn't seem too bothered about my presence!!!

Helmsdale to Skelbo...

Now this is a better place to walk!!

Walking 2nd day...

Lybster to Helmsdale (a much more sensible 22 miles)
As I said earlier, Leki walking poles made today a success! I dread to think what I would have been capable of without them!?
All of the 22 miles were down the side of the main road from Wick to Inverness! Not great but there are no alternatives!?!
It will probably be Saturday when I start to head Southwest down the Great Glen that this starts to feel like a exciting walk!!

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Leaving Caithness...

Walking day two...

The Leki poles which I recently purchased appear to be saving the day!!
Intended for next week when I will be laden with full rucksack & camping gear, they have been deployed early & I'm beginning to think I will now stay on schedule instead of cutting down on the mileage!
I'm a CONVERT!!!!!!

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Comments...

I think I have been able to alter the settings to allow comments to be added more easily!

Speed Blur??

or did Naomi pan the camera in the opposite direction?
I wish I'd been on my bike today! The miles seemed to tick away sooo slowly all of a sudden!

Dunnet Head Lighthouse & a very distant Old Man of Hoy!
We would have taken a day trip to Orkney if we had another day! John Maltby was after dredging the sea floor in Scapa Flow for some german scrap!!

Walking...

Day 1 - Walk from John O'Groats to Lybster (at least 30 miles - my own little coast to coast walk!)
Well I have turned around and I've started walking back!!
Naomi & I had the great pleasure of having dinner last night with David & Shelagh Clegg, the grandparents of Francis.
What lovely people they are too!!
They were having a few days vacation in Scotland and came up to see me off on the walk back!
Not only that, but David joined me for the first 4 miles & we chatted away as we walked. I hope to be seeing some more of both of them on the walk back. Maybe I could pitch my tent on their lawn & use their garden hose for a shower!???
What I forgot to say to either of them and must do so here is thank you for the beautiful marmalade - it wont last till Land's End!!

Briefly onto the walk. A pretty uneventful days walking. Lots of very straight road where I could see miles & miles ahead.
Naomi drove ahead to the halfway point & walked back to meet me, doing this again later on she has probably walked about 12 miles herself today! Good girl! ;-)
However, once again I've bitten off too much and am currently nursing very sore legs and a big blood blister right next to my lacerated heel! DOH! May modify the mileage tomorrow and ease myself more gently into this walking lark!

The long walk back.....

David Clegg & Alf Tupper (as Robbo called me today!)

On the twelfth day...

...he was meant to rest. However SWMBO marched him to Dunnet Head & back! A round trip of 12 miles.

It was well worth it though as we were afforded a clear view of The Old Man of Hoy!
All being well it will prove to be a gentle warm up before tomorrow & straight in at the deep end with 30 miles!!
Looking forward to meeting up for dinner tonight with David & Shelagh Clegg and then tomorrow morning walking the first few miles of the return journey with them!

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Goodbye my friend!!

My companion for the last 10 & half days is having a well earned rest!! She has done her job well and has been as reliable as ever! She never faltered once, responded immediately when I called upon her, looked as beautiful today as the day I first set eyes on her! I'll miss you when you go home my darling! I just hope Naomi lifts you down from the bicycle rack carefully!!

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John O'Groats...

Am I half way?
Not really! If it takes me 50 days to walk back then I've completed about 18% of this challenge!
I am expecting the walk back to Lands End to be be difficult due to the loneliness and not physically difficult!
So keep watching my schedule and do your best to join me!!

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Jan de Groot!!

Apparently my halfway house destination is named after a Dutchman who traded from the area!!