May 27 to June 2. After a quick overnight visit to Dundee to resupply and repack, we headed up North to finish this darned walk. I know, I know, I should be really enjoying the accomplishment but all I can think of is getting the bastard finished, which we did. The North of Scotland was Continue reading

From May 21 to May 25 we hiked The Pennines. We were all tired, and at one point we devolved into childish antics, such as DB calling the trail “The Penis Way, because it’s so hard”. Yes… I know… but it really was hard! So hard that when I mentioned taking a cab a short Continue reading

Note to my readers: I realize these posts are more than a month old but so much has been going on. Bear with me as I try to catch up now that I’m at home… May 20: After a great breakfast and tons of good coffee, we were dropped off where we left the trail Continue reading

Lazing around is not a good idea for me, it makes me melancholy. I’m honestly tired of walking and tired of the weather (there have been a few weather bright spots but mostly icky). And, seriously considering finishing the adventure by bus and train, so I can come home earlier than planned. Friday, May 12: Continue reading

Another beautiful morning in Dundee. Left the house really early and tried not to wake up the early warning system (Bear the Barker, and Barney Trouble). Bus into town, train to Stirling, change train to Falkirk. Then made my way to the Falkirk Wheel. What an amazing feat of engineering. It is the largest boat Continue reading

It started off overcast and gray… normal I guess. It stopped raining, so I took my raincoat off. Five minutes later, it started raining again, so put my coat on. That’s what it was like all morning: rain/coat on, stoprain/coat off, sun/rain put the brolly up. But it was still a lovely walk. And, since Continue reading

I decided after lazing about and visiting for several days (ok I was a little unwell during that time), I knew I had to keep moving or my experience on the Pennines was going to be terrible. I was already worried about the hills being more difficult than the Cotswold. So I decided to walk Continue reading

Friday: feeling a little under the weather but it might have been the wine last night. Breakfast with Ricky, Fiona, Jimmy, Jackie, and Stuart at The Tay View, couldn’t see across the river to Fife, so much fog. A little retail therapy with Fiona, then watched Dundee win the cup and be promoted to the Continue reading

I woke up really early feeling a bit delicate from the wine last night but otherwise glad to be backpack free. I might have mentioned that I sent three different packages at three different times back to Scotland to reduce the weight and bulkiness of my pack. The first package just had bits and pieces Continue reading

The boys (DB and Eric) will be joining me in Manchester on May 17, so I am basically ahead of the plan. When they arrive, we will tackle the Pennine Way. Unfortunately we could not find accommodations for Murray, so he will rest and recover in London for a couple weeks then meet me later Continue reading

The last few days on the canals have been great for getting in some miles, not necessarily easy ones, with great photo ops here and there. Today was probably the most lively with boats coming and going, so I got a chance to really see how the locks work. All along the way, I mostly Continue reading

Today, I was taped up and ready for the paths. Even though the paths are a great way to get in the miles, they are not always smooth, and that means your feet take a pounding. The condition of the paths goes from concrete and wide to skinny and mud, so it pays to pay Continue reading

We have totally had enough of this Cotswold shite. Too many Fn-B hills and crap weather. Accommodations could not be found anywhere for the next two days, apparently some music festival going on, so we had to do a jump ahead to Stratford-upon-Avon: the birthplace and home of Shakespeare (his wife and his son and Continue reading

Today was going to be a short hike day to get to our accommodation in Birdlip, and since we were close to Gloucester, I decided I wanted to go see the Cathedral. It did not disappoint. Stunning architecture, incredible stained glass, and a feeling of peace inside. All of the towns and villages are getting Continue reading

Last night we stayed in a place called Wotten-under-Edge, at The Swan Hotel which was built in the 17th Century. Obviously there have been a few updates since then but the sense of history can be felt. We went to see the Almshouses before we headed out for the day. Such an interesting story. Try Continue reading

I have been asked by a couple of people: who is We? We is me and major PITA Murray Montgomery. My long-suffering hubby DB is knee deep in California taxes, so still at home in Texas. But, his idea of fun is a new PR on his Peloton, or a drive out to the winery Continue reading

The day was good. Weather great, hike was easy, and the BnB is really nice. My toes are not 100% but on the mend. To start with, we went down a bastard hill, not up one. Can’t beat a downhill start. The sun was shining even if it was a bit nippy. Sun makes me Continue reading

On Sunday, the British government decided to text every single person in the country with a “test” public announcement. This announcement is in case of emergency in which case they would provide explicit instructions. Kinda like the old air raid sirens during WWII except modern-day on your phone. It was funny actually because they must Continue reading

Last night we were dropped off at The Lord Nelson. The owner, Peter Olsen, took pity on us right away when he saw us dragging in with our heavy packs. He quickly sorted us out with a drink and asked where we were headed and staying. Trail Angel Pete had mentioned The Lord Nelson did Continue reading

Weather Report: sunny, cool, with a chance of rain later in the day. Yesterday started off great, we walked along the Kenner and Avon Canal for a little bit, sun was shining, lots of people out walking, running and chasing chickens, painting their boats, and the sun was shining. Pinkie toe was red but taped Continue reading

April 21 is my birthday but it will forever be bittersweet. My younger brother Deano died two years ago on my birthday so it makes my heart a little heavy thinking about what he had to endure. Thinking about his trials also makes me try and suck it up when the going gets tough. No Continue reading

Weather Report: Cool, windy, and overcast in the morning; Cool, windy, and sunny in the afternoon. Perfect walking weather. After a quick breakfast at Morrisons, we loaded up and headed to yet another canal. The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal is much more industrial and less scenic than the one we were on yesterday, but had Continue reading

Weather Report: Damp, Overcast, with a chance of being grumpy. Every morning we start with a climb up a bastard hill. Why is that? This morning was no different, up a hill to the Great Western Canal. It was a little exciting to find that the canal went much further than we originally thought. Flat Continue reading

Weather Report: Overcast and cool, with a chance of sun later in the day. Up early, feet taped, great breakfast, out the door to catch the bus to Okehampton so we can hit the trail north and rack up some miles. We were sitting at the Tourist Information Center waiting for the bus. Double decker Continue reading

I spent months planning this trip, reading blog after blog to get the route right (yes, there are multiple), getting the daily mileage manageable, buying light weight equipment, blah blah blah. But, the plan just went tits up again today. We had made a decision to do a flip-flop today. Meaning we would take the Continue reading

The first five miles today were along the Camel Trail which follows the River Camel. Weather was cool and overcast, but no rain thankfully. As we made our way into Padstow, it was packed with tourists. I think it was the last day of the Easter holiday and everyone was making the best of it Continue reading

The weather took a turn for the better, sun and a slight breeze. We walked along coastal parks, lots of beaches, and of course the inevitable up and down along the coast. I’m really surprised at the number of surfing beaches there are as well as the number of people in the water. It’s not Continue reading

Defeated! Thats’s what comes to mind for today. We were full of piss and vinegar, ready to get on with the trail and get some serious miles in. Breakfast was good with French press coffee (missing my DB), and the weather was supposed to be nice and great temps for hiking. Went to the post Continue reading

April 12, 2023 Today started off with sunshine, cool, and slight breeze. Perfect hiking weather really. We weren’t 100% sure of the path but headed in the general direction. The first couple of miles were uphill, then through muddy trails in the trees, onto some awesome sandunes, and then finally the road. What I thought Continue reading

What a trip so far.  The train down from Dundee to London was uneventful and I slept most of the way.  Took the tube from Kings Cross to Paddington and met Murray.  Had a Cornish pasty and a coffee in preparation for the next part of the journey.  The train to Plymouth was not too bad and somewhat empty Continue reading