Walking Forum
Main Boards => Long Distance Walks => Topic started by: AFANASIEW on 16:40:41, 18/03/19
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Might as well start the posts here. It's 10 weeks until I set off from Land's End. Preparation and planning have taken two years but, now that I'm retired, training can begin in earnest. My confidence has taken a knock in the shape of Achilles tendinitis, but I won't let that stop me.
The blog is here (https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/03/18/countdown-to-lejog/).
The JustGiving page, in aid of Parkinson's UK, is here (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tony-afanasiew). I'm hoping to raise £1 for each of the 1,279 miles I'll cover.
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As I mentioned before it would be good to meet up with you on the Pennine Way. I get back from the Camino on 31st May shortly after you start your journey so I'll check with you then where/when to meet up. What is roughly your route plan.
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Wishing you good luck Tony, hope those stretches do the trick.
I'll keep my eye out for blog updates O0
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As I mentioned before it would be good to meet up with you on the Pennine Way. I get back from the Camino on 31st May shortly after you start your journey so I'll check with you then where/when to meet up. What is roughly your route plan.
Harland, good luck on the Camino - enjoy! I'll finish the northern side of the SWCP by the middle of June, head round to Offa's Dyke as far as Chirk (30/06), then across to Derbyshire, mainly via canal towpaths. Edale to Crowden will be on 07/07 followed by a rest day at my son's house in Sheffield, then:09/07 - Crowden to Marsden10/07 - Marsden to Ponden11/07 - Ponden to Gargrave12/07 - Gargrave to Horton13/07 - Horton to Hardraw - rest day15/07 - Hardraw to Tan Hill Inn16/07 - Tan Hill Inn to Middleton17/07 - Middleton to Garrigill (avoiding Cross Fell)18/07 - Garrigill to Burnhead19/07 - Burnhead to Bellingham20/07 - Bellingham to Byrness
Fingers tightly crossed as, bravely/stupidly, all the accommodation's booked!
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Wishing you good luck Tony, hope those stretches do the trick.
I'll keep my eye out for blog updates O0
Thanks Jon. As it happens, I blogged yesterday by way of an update. Still working on the recalcitrant heel, but it won't stop me, only reduce the pleasure.
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/03/31/pre-lejog-training/
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Preparations for LEJOG more or less on schedule, despite one or two minor setbacks:https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/04/25/humbled-but-fitter/
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Just over three weeks left - per ardua ad LEJOG:
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/05/06/when-the-going-gets-tough/
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Well that's it, folks... the last blog before I set off:
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/05/12/the-last-post-before-setting-off/
Glad to say I'm feeling more and more confident underneath the steely determination!
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Wishing you all the best O0
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Wishing you all the best O0
Cheers, Ridge.
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Keep right on till the end of the Island.
Have a great walk. May see you in the Glen late June.
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Keep right on till the end of the Island.
Have a great walk. May see you in the Glen late June.
Thanks jimbob. Only if you're along Offa's Dyke in late June, but happy to join you for a stroll or a jar or both.
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All the best Tony, hope it goes well and those niggles stay away :)
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All the best Tony, hope it goes well and those niggles stay away :)
Thanks RR. All the warm wishes may not actually lighten the burden or lengthen the stride, but they seem to, just a tad. :)
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Best wishes Tony, I hope you enjoy it and will be looking forward to your updates O0
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Best wishes Tony, I hope you enjoy it and will be looking forward to your updates O0
O0
I've factored in a rest day roughly every 7 days, so will have the chance to blog at those points, at least.
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Best of luck - may the weather gods shine on you.
Most importantly enjoy yourself :D
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Best of luck - may the weather gods shine on you.
Most importantly enjoy yourself :D
Thanks Jac. Just 2 more training walks to go! Pleased with fitness levels, thanks in large part to the prescribed daily exercises. The heel's still a concern, but proving manageable so far.
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Good luck, I hope to do it again next year. It is a great feeling to just wake up every morning knowing you are just going to spend all day doing what you love doing.
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Good luck, I hope to do it again next year. It is a great feeling to just wake up every morning knowing you are just going to spend all day doing what you love doing.
Absolutely, Paul. The description of your feelings of dejection towards the end of your JOGLE manuscript certainly rang true, but I think I've got it sorted this time - I'm already planning ahead for the C2C next year!
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Here we go - LEJOG Blog 1:
https://wp.me/p6Fict-Er
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Splendid blog Tony, just about right - not too much or too little.
I would have never recognised you from your avatar pic - I'd be no good in the police.
I can vouch for yoga, which I took up to supplement the flexibility & strength being lost due to less climbing.
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Splendid blog Tony, just about right - not too much or too little.
I would have never recognised you from your avatar pic - I'd be no good in the police.
I can vouch for yoga, which I took up to supplement the flexibility & strength being lost due to less climbing.
Thanks for the encouragement. Currently re-caffeinating in St Ives, just doing one day at a time, like any old addict.
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I started doing yoga a couple of years ago and it really helps. I’ve also recently started pilates too. I think as we get older we need to do exercise like that to keep things working! Even my husband is now thinking of taking up yoga. Certainly there’s always a few men in our class now, years ago only women did it. My son-in-law took it up when he realised it would help with his wake and snowboarding.
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As a gentleman of more advanced years, I find yoga in company is incompatible with a high fibre diet ;)
When do you think you will be passing through North Devon?
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Good luck Tony, you lucky, lucky man. I will be following your progres with great interest.Dave.
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When do you think you will be passing through North Devon?
Bideford booked for 10/6 to Porlock 14/6. I warn you I'm forcing myself down to 2.5mph on account of the tendon, but would be good to meet.
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Good luck Tony, you lucky, lucky man. I will be following your progres with great interest.Dave.
Thanks Dave. Ok thus far - Hayle and counting!
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Fingers crossed you keep fit and well Tony. You do right to take it steady at this early stage.....good luck O0
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60 miles in and it's Surf City. No major set backs yet apart from the loss of an earplug.
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/06/02/lejog-2-letcha-vean-to-newquay/
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Ah see, you didn't look everywhere for those earplugs ;D
I take it, it came floating by while in the bath? :D
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Ah see, you didn't look everywhere for those earplugs ;D
I take it, it came floating by while in the bath? :D
It caught as I was taking the base layer off. Thought I was being bitten by a bug!
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It caught as I was taking the base layer off. Thought I was being bitten by a bug!
;D Go steady O0
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All mercifully on schedule, with only one tiny blister to report. After 8 days, my confidence has grown - maybe I really can do this! Still 9/10ths left to tackle, though. Latest blog:
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/06/07/lejog-3-newquay-to-bude/
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When do you think you will be passing through North Devon?
Elmscott to Clovelly tomorrow, but hope for a fairly early start due to rain forecast by 3pm.
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Enjoying your blog. I really quite fancy doing the SWCP sometime.
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Enjoying your blog. I really quite fancy doing the SWCP sometime.
Thanks, Richard. Stunning views all the way but quite a test of fitness!
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Shucks, I blogged again:
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/lejog-4-bude-to-combe-martin/ (https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/06/13/lejog-4-bude-to-combe-martin/)
It's ok, you can stop doing the rain dance now. The gardens are happy. Me, less so.
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Glad all is going well - weather excepted. That must be Great Hangman ahead in the last picture. You do meet some interesting people; the thought of towing a buggy up and down that path is mind boggling.
Looking forward to the next episode - keep up the good walk O0
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Glad all is going well - weather excepted. That must be Great Hangman ahead in the last picture. You do meet some interesting people; the thought of towing a buggy up and down that path is mind boggling.
Looking forward to the next episode - keep up the good walk O0
Thanks Jac. Came over Great Hangman yesterday - sadly in cloud.
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Another good choice of rest day - made last October! I'd sooner be mooching in a wet Weston than walking.
It's good to have turned the corner so that I'm properly heading north now.
Here's my latest:
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/lejog-5-combe-martin-to-watchet/ (https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/lejog-5-combe-martin-to-watchet/)
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Enjoying your blog and following your progress. Hopefully you will have some better weather in front of you.
I couldn't see anywhere on your website that outlines your route to JOG. Am I missing something really obvious?
Keep up the good work O0
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He gave an outline at the start to the end of the Pennine Way:-
"I'll finish the northern side of the SWCP by the middle of June, head round to Offa's Dyke as far as Chirk (30/06), then across to Derbyshire, mainly via canal towpaths. Edale to Crowden will be on 07/07 followed by a rest day at my son's house in Sheffield, then:09/07 - Crowden to Marsden10/07 - Marsden to Ponden11/07 - Ponden to Gargrave12/07 - Gargrave to Horton13/07 - Horton to Hardraw - rest day15/07 - Hardraw to Tan Hill Inn16/07 - Tan Hill Inn to Middleton17/07 - Middleton to Garrigill (avoiding Cross Fell)18/07 - Garrigill to Burnhead19/07 - Burnhead to Bellingham20/07 - Bellingham to Byrness
Fingers tightly crossed as, bravely/stupidly, all the accommodation's booked!"
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Enjoying your blog and following your progress. Hopefully you will have some better weather in front of you.
I couldn't see anywhere on your website that outlines your route to JOG. Am I missing something really obvious?
Keep up the good work O0
Thanks, Warbler, and to Harland. I'm about to cross over to Wales for Offa's Dyke and looking forward to it.
After Byrness I head for Edinburgh via Jedburgh etc, canals across to Milngavie for the WHW (with family in tow for that bit), then Great Glen Way and trail of the new JoG Trail. Finish on 21/08, umless the sky falls on my head.
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Thanks Tony, and harland.
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Still going, if not strong, then doggedly. Morale still good, thanks largely to a lovely supportive family - obviously glad I'm out of the house!
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/06/25/lejog-6-weston-to-hay/
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And I have walked 500 miles and I will walk 500 more...
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/07/02/lejog-7-hay-to-whitchurch/
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And I have walked 500 miles and I will walk 500 more...
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/07/02/lejog-7-hay-to-whitchurch/ (https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/07/02/lejog-7-hay-to-whitchurch/)
Great write up - glad all is going well but with some interesting happenings. Keep on keeping on :)
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Back on the good old Pennine Way. Nearly half way...
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/07/08/lejog-8-whitchurch-to-crowden/
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I'm really enjoying this trip - no vicarious blisters yet ;D .
Lovely write-ups O0
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Good to se you back on the Pennine Way, enjoying reading your blog, just wish I was now writing my TR of my C2C trip but that, after my fall, will have to wait, hopefully get around to trying it again in 2021 :)
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Enjoying the read Tony. It's a nice balance of writing, not over detailing the route, and plenty of personal experience. Very enjoyable.
Wishing you good luck as you continue O0
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Enjoying the read Tony...
Wishing you good luck as you continue O0
Many thanks, jontea. Hope you like the latest, featuring my over-ambitious 26-miler. Think I've just about recovered.
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/lejog-9-crowden-to-hawes/
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Well here I am in Scotland after 47 days of walking. Unbelievably, I'll set off from Jedburgh tomorrow with no dressings on my feet, after 800 miles. Right on, Altberg!
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/07/22/lejog-10-hawes-to-jedburgh/
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Another great read! Enjoying following your walk. What luck that you arrived at Forest View when you needed to repair your rucksack!
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Enjoying the journal; brings back memories of my trip. I did less miles a day and camped apart from one BNB and one YH.
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One or two crises to surmount in this blog but, in the interests of tension reduction, I'm still on track.
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/07/27/lejog11-jedburgh-to-edinburgh/
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I need a sandwich-board inscribed with: 'THE END IS RELATIVELY NIGH.'
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/lejog-12-edinburgh-to-fort-william/
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Well, I've made it to Inverness. The Achilles tendon's not at its best, but i'm not inclined to let it call a halt to proceedings.
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/08/12/lejog-13-fort-william-to-inverness/
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The John o'Groats Way, when I did the final part of my LEJOG was very tiring in places, rocks along the seashore that you will have to walk slowly to prevent a turned ankle and with all the rain lately the streams you have to cross will be rivers! Take care. So now and again I would use the road, it isn't cheating! Well done, keep going.
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Well, I've made it to Inverness. The Achilles tendon's not at its best, but i'm not inclined to let it call a halt to proceedings.
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/08/12/lejog-13-fort-william-to-inverness/ (https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/08/12/lejog-13-fort-william-to-inverness/)
Well done Tony, still following with interest, not too far now.
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Well done Tony, still following with interest, not too far now.
Thanks, Slogger. 140 to go now - 'It's the final countdown!'
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I take my beanie hat off to you.
Well done. Following these blogs are the closest I will ever get to LEJOG.
My vicarious pleasure is immense thanks to your (and others) achievements.
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I take my beanie hat off to you.
Well done. Following these blogs are the closest I will ever get to LEJOG.
My vicarious pleasure is immense thanks to your (and others) achievements.
It's humbling. I find it difficult when people make a big deal of it, because it doesn't seem such a big deal to me. I've been taking a day at a time - to the extent that I have to check my spreadsheet to see where I'm going and where I'm staying. To be congratulated for something so enjoyable seems OTT, somehow. But thanks anyway.
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I know what you mean Tony. I see people become very emotional upon finishing LDP's, and although I frequently expierience a high whilst walking, I never get that much of an extra buzz on finishing, if anything a bit of dissapointment that it's over. Some as you say make a big deal of it, whilst it's almost just everyday stuff to me (not everyday, but you know what I mean). It is addictive that's for sure but it's not a song and a dance, just something we enjoy and so do, simple.
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I take my beanie hat off to you.
Well done. Following these blogs are the closest I will ever get to LEJOG.
My vicarious pleasure is immense thanks to your (and others) achievements.
+1 well done. I could never do such walks but greatly enjoy reading all the blogs and TRs and reflecting of parts of some walks I have previously done when I was more able.
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...and done. Awesome experience. Blog to follow. Thanks for the words of advice and encouragement. Going to rest the Achilles tendon now.
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O0
Thanks for the updates etc.
Great feet (sic), well done.
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...and done. Awesome experience. Blog to follow. Thanks for the words of advice and encouragement. Going to rest the Achilles tendon now.
Congratulations, looking forward to seeing which way you ended up going on the last stretch. O0 O0 O0
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Well done from me too. Been following this. Looking forward to the final instalment O0.
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Great feat, well done and enjoyed the blogs. Finishing is always a bit sad for me, even worst though is not finishing so plotting my re-run of the C2C as we speak O0
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Very well done Tony, great following you and if i ever get the chance to do it...........................................
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Well done on a fantastic achievement. I have been reading your blog with interest.
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Congratulations and well done on an awesome achievement. I have enjoyed walking the route vicariously by reading your reports.
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Fantastic achievement. Looking forward to the final blog - I've enjoyed all the others immensely as it's not just the walk, the route and mph but all varied the people you've met along the way.
Don't be too hard on the 'baggage transfer lot,' for some of us carrying heavy packs is not an option.
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Well done that’s fantastic! Have a well deserved rest now.
Don't be too hard on the 'baggage transfer lot,' for some of us carrying heavy packs is not an option.
Yes that would be me. I would love to carry everything but know I can’t but that’s not going to stop me walking!
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Major achievement - chapeau!
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Thanks for all the heart-warming words. The major task now is re-integration!
The final nine days:
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/08/24/lejog-14-inverness-to-john-ogroats/
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A great final write up. Thank you for sharing; it's been a super journey :)
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Another brilliant account of your "stroll" through Scotland. Like you I did get fed up with the JOG trail when the destination became more important than walking beside the sea. At least you didn't get a question I was asked in a bar "Do you support Celtic or Rangers" - luckily I could answer Brentford!
What next?
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At least you didn't get a question I was asked in a bar "Do you support Celtic or Rangers" - luckily I could answer Brentford!
Brentford?? No wonder you walk so much!
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Final reflections on LEJOG:
https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/08/27/lejog-15-postscript/
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The advantage of making notes/photos as you go is that if you don't on very long walks one day just morphs into another. Additionally over the winter you can reread your experience and almost live it day by day. A good final reflection of your "walk". Is your final photo in the summary Boscastle?
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Is your final photo in the summary Boscastle?
Well identified! The other is Swaledale from above Thwaite.
As for the next one, maybe C2C although, if with the missus, more likely St Cuthbert's Way.
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Well identified! The other is Swaledale from above Thwaite.
As for the next one, maybe C2C although, if with the missus, more likely St Cuthbert's Way.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your blogs and heartily agree that when it comes to beer in Scotland, stick to malt whisky (I have lived in Scotland for more than 20 years).