Walking Forum
Main Boards => Long Distance Walks => Topic started by: Ridge on 14:42:07, 11/03/20
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This is a tricky post to write to you lot because basically I am going on a walk I've wanted to do for most of my life, you all probably wish you were going too, and yet I'm going to ask you to give some money to charity.
If you were on the forum 4 years ago then, as I could talk of nothing else, you will know that my son Robert was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer and he, aged 18, got a variant which had only ever occurred in babies. He had a scary 18 months of very high dose chemotherapy, major surgery, radiotherapy and even more chemo, (you never want to hear a surgeon refer to a tumor as 'the size of a marrow'). He was eventually pronounced cancer free and now just has regular scans to make sure he is still OK.
This summer he will graduate from university and, having been supported by them through his illness, is raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
He, with me tagging along, is planning to walk the Pennine Way. If this was not the Walking Forum then I would tell you what a tough 268 miles it will be. While that may be true you know that it is also one of great long distance walks through stunning scenery and that I could not be more excited about walking it. We had it all planned for the year he was ill and, at the time as I cancelled all the accommodation, I thought that we would never walk it together.
Despite the fact that I'm going to have a wonderful time I am still going to try to get you to part with your cash. Not because of what we are doing but because of the great work that the Teenage Cancer Trust does, I hope that none of you ever need to use their services.
If you can support them donations can be made at Justgiving, link below.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robertpw (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robertpw)
I know we all have commitments and calls on our finanaces but if you could possibly donate the price of a pint, or even a whole round if you are feeling generous, it would be much appreciated.
Obviously should we ever meet I will get the drinks in.
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Wow, what a scary time. And what a worthy cause.
Good luck with the walk, and with the fundraising, Robert and Ridge. :)
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Thanks Richard, yes it was a scary time.
We weren't going to start fundraising quite so early, the walk isn't until 20th June, but then some people found out that we had a Justgiving page and it has started to snowball.
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Thanks Richard, yes it was a scary time.
We weren't going to start fundraising quite so early, the walk isn't until 20th June, but then some people found out that we had a Justgiving page and it has started to snowball.
It is a scary thing in one of your own children. I'll never forget the day my son's shaky voice came on the phone and asked to speak to mum. Could luck for a worthy cause.
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That must be awful on the phone ninthace, at least with my boy I was always with him and we only slowly found out quite how serious it was.
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Good luck with the walk ridge,
Best wishes beefy O0
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Good luck Robert and Ridge. Hope the weather is kind and you have a fantastic walk O0
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Good luck Guys you can do it a worthy cause. Proud of you
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Good luck to you both!
May meet you somewhere along the 'Way'.
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That must be awful on the phone ninthace, at least with my boy I was always with him and we only slowly found out quite how serious it was.
On the positive side, in our case it was over fairly quickly. He had testicular cancer and they moved very fast but as you say it is worrying when it is one of your own. I got to know the motorway network from the N to the S pretty well. Good news is he is now married and had his first child last August. Hope you both make it and it stays fine for you,
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Thanks everyone for the donations.
Good to hear your son is OK ninthace.
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A horrible time but a wonderful outcome - best of luck with the trek and your fundraising - now a bit higher O0.
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Thanks vghikers.
He was trying to raise £5/mile but it is going so amazingly well that we may have to up the target to £5/km though I don't know if I approve of that as kilometers mean nothing to me.
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Thanks vghikers.
He was trying to raise £5/mile but it is going so amazingly well that we may have to up the target to £5/km though I don't know if I approve of that as kilometers mean nothing to me.
Km are much nicer. They go quicker, OS maps are in km and 5kph is roughly 3 mph so the sums are easier. I use nothing else these days. In your case, you will also raise more cash if sponsored by the km and 430 km sounds much further so it is more impressive.
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Such a good news thread - good luck Ridge and Robert - enjoy the walk for such a very worthy cause.
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In your case, you will also raise more cash if sponsored by the km and 430 km sounds much further so it is more impressive.
We are not actually asking people to sponsor per mile, just make a donation. We can go as far over his target as we like but everyone has been so generous that we are now at 83% of his original target after just a couple of days. As we hadn't even planned to start asking people yet, it just sort of happened, we may need to up our sights in order to keep the momentum going for the next 3 months.
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Good luck Robert and Ridge. May the weather be just right for walking the wind behind you all the way. Hope you manage to keep up with Robert.
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There is no chance of me keeping up with him unless he slows down for me. The tide has turned and long gone are the days when I used to make sure that anything heavy was in my pack and that I wasn't going too fast for him.
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Just made a donation and hope it all goes well for both of you as I know how difficult a walk it is.
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Thanks videoman, much appreciated.
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Don't drink much, so was quite shocked to find out the actual price of a pint. ;D ;D Hope you reach your targets, both ways, financially and distance wise.
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I have just opened this Ridge. I hadn't bothered because I have no idea how much a pint would be!
Of course I will be donating some money, I shall do it from home later :)
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We are not actually asking people to sponsor per mile, just make a donation. We can go as far over his target as we like but everyone has been so generous that we are now at 83% of his original target after just a couple of days. As we hadn't even planned to start asking people yet, it just sort of happened, we may need to up our sights in order to keep the momentum going for the next 3 months.
I appreciate that but some people will - look for a donation that is a multiple of the distance. ;)
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I appreciate that but some people will - look for a donation that is a multiple of the distance. ;)
Of course, I was just being a bit slow on the uptake.
I have just opened this Ridge. I hadn't bothered because I have no idea how much a pint would be!
I should have known that to attract the hardened drinkers I should have mentioned red wine.
Don't drink much, so was quite shocked to find out the actual price of a pint. ;D ;D Hope you reach your targets, both ways, financially and distance wise.
Thanks Jimbob
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What a great thing to be able to do after such a horrendous experience. Good luck and enjoy the experience both of you.
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Thanks pdstsp.
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I should have known that to attract the hardened drinkers I should have mentioned red wine.
;D
I have now donated. I see your son has inherited your sense of humour reading what he has written on the Just Giving page.
"Not only will I be walking through some of the wildest areas of the country but I will have the added handicap of my Dad coming with me"
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Thanks April.
I'll tell him that you say he's inherited me sense of humor, he'll be mortified.
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I'll tell him that you say he's inherited me sense of humor, he'll be mortified.
Oops :o
Well for what it is worth I think you have a great sense of humour. Probably not worth much then ;)
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Oops :o
Well for what it is worth I think you have a great sense of humour. Probably not worth much then ;)
Actually I, Mrs R and Robert all had a hand in writing it. It was really quite tricky knowing that lots of people would read it some of whom know exactely what happened and others who had no idea about it.
I think the line about
I will have the added handicap of my Dad coming with me"
was actually mine so I can't entirely blame him for the awful jokes.
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Well I thought that line about you being a handicap to your son was really funny ;D
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Seeing as I don't drink pints (being a refined and classy sort of bird ::) ), I've donated the price of two halves instead.
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Thanks Mel.
I had forgotten what high class young ladies we had on the forum. April, with her refined palette for only the finest vin rouge and you who I imagine only ever sips cocktails.
Though that depends on your definition of cocktails but Snakebite is 2 drinks mixed together so I think it qualifies.
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The amazing donations keep coming in. Just got one from someone I didn't recognise and neither did anyone else in the family. After a search on line it turns out he has posted twice on the forum, the last time in July 2019.
I guess he is reading the forum still though so thank you.
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Hope it goes well.When I finished the Cleveland Way a few years ago I got caught in a storm in Filey on the Sunday morning and sheltered in a doorway of a Salvation Army building.The guy in charge,who I believe was called a Major,invited me in and we had a chat.He then went to collect his car and came back soaked to the skin.I commented about the awful weather and said I was fed up of the constant rain to which he replied " its better than being in a hospital bed".What he was telling me was that I didn't appreciate how lucky I was to be able to walk in the rain.
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Thanks Tony.
Yes serious stuff like that is great for putting things in to perspective.
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Thanks Mel.
I had forgotten what high class young ladies we had on the forum. April, with her refined palette for only the finest vin rouge and you who I imagine only ever sips cocktails.
Though that depends on your definition of cocktails but Snakebite is 2 drinks mixed together so I think it qualifies.
Yeah, thanks for that...I think :-\
And here was me willing to bump your topic back to the top again to encourage more donations.
I won't bother now ::) :P ;)
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Onwards and upwards, and that seems to be your inspiring mantra. We grow by our experiences good and bad, you and your son are certainly due some good ones. I will donate a few pints during your walk. Keep us posted. Good luck.Ive just shared this to the Pennine Way Walkers facebook page.Dave.
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Thanks Dave, I hope your hip is not being too agonising and is soon sorted.
We are not going at Spine speed so, over our 16 days, there will be a few real pints raised as well as hopefully plenty of money raised too. We were not planning to start fundraising quite this early but it has taken off and people have been so generous that we had to increase his fundraising target.
Though we are probably still £10,000s in debt to the Teenage Cancer Trust and to Macmillan and quite possibly £100,000s to the NHS.
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Happy to help. Did the PW a few years ago. My brother died from leukaemia age 14 over 40 years ago, nowadays would most likely survive thanks to the advances in medicine.
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Thanks RR, much appreciated.
So sorry to hear about your brother that must have been awful for all of you.
Even a few years earlier my son wouldn't have had the same chances that he did and in another country, with a different health care system, we would have been in real trouble.
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And here was me willing to bump your topic back to the top again to encourage more donations.
I won't bother now ::) :P ;)
Ah Mel, don't be like that.
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And here was me willing to bump your topic back to the top again to encourage more donations.
I won't bother now ::) :P ;)
Ah Mel, don't be like that.
Ooops, sorrreeeeeeyyyyyyy, only just realised you replied to me ;)
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Ooops, sorrreeeeeeyyyyyyy, only just realised you replied to me ;)
;D ;D ;D Thanks Mel.
I think I've probably pumped the forum for as much cash as I can. Thank you all.
Amazingly it is still trickling in even in the current circumstances, the last 5 people who gave are all freelancers. We have smashed his first target and are at 78% of the new one.
I can not imagine how horrendous it would be if my son was ill now, it was awful trying to stop him getting bugs when he was immunosuppressant but as things are I just don't know what I would do.
I don't know if we will set off on 20th June or not but we will walk it one day and, more importantly, the Teenage Cancer Trust gets the money as soon as it is donated.
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Just had our first accommodation cancellation. Alston YH is closed until 31st July.
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Just had our first accommodation cancellation. Alston YH is closed until 31st July.
Coronavirus and lockdown is now on the banned list :(
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Even if we have to put it off for a while we will do it some time, some how. After all we have already postponed once for 4 years.
We have camping gear if there is no other way I was just hoping to avoid carrying so much weight all that way.
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Mrs R has just jokingly suggested that we can still walk the Pennine Way as we will only be exercising once a day.
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Fingers crossed you get to do this before the end of summer - so many plans on hold.
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Mrs R has just jokingly suggested that we can still walk the Pennine Way as we will only be exercising once a day.
But are you walking from home to get to the start? ;D
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But are you walking from home to get to the start? ;D
Good point RR :)
Had an email from YHA all the hostels are closing until 31st July :(
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Good point RR :)
Had an email from YHA all the hostels are closing until 31st July :(
Yesterday one scientist was saying that people should be able to go on hoilday in August provided everything goes as planned.Mid to late September would be better on the PW as the kids have gone back to school and there is a chance of the weather being a bit more settled.
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Mid to late September would be better on the PW as the kids have gone back to school and there is a chance of the weather being a bit more settled.
Not sure I'm going to have much choice on the dates but we'll do it some time even if it means taking the tent with us. Or should I say even if it means my son carrying the tent, I used to have the heavier rucksack when he just had a packet of crisps in his so now it's payback.
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Are you sure you are going the right way? I looked the route on my wall map today and it is definitely downhill N to S. In fact it is practically vertical.
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Hope that we can hang on until you can all come back. Joyce
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Hope that we can hang on until you can all come back. Joyce
Hi Joyce
If at all possible we will be with you on 3rd & 4th July. If not all the accommodation is open we will camp some nights on the way up so long as there are enough places for us to get supplies.
I hope you are OK and that the governments schemes can help keep you afloat.
Ridge
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Slowly more and more of our accommodation is cancelling, currently 6 out of 16 nights have gone.
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A great number of the hoteliers and B&Bers are elderly so will be sheilding for a minimum of 12 weeks including us so by the time we get to a relatively safe level of infections in the wider community we can`t think about letting a steady stream of folks from all over the country pass through our homes it`s sad but necessary to keep the Pennine way viable long term. It has been there for 55 years it will still be there next year. Lots of our 2020 guests have transfered their bookings exactly one year forward and sadly others who have been financially impacted have had to put it on hold indefinately. There are notices on the Pennine way telling people to go home and the local police are checking. At the start there were times when several cars were meeting in the car park in Byrness and getting out to walk together they were persuaded to go home by some of the younger residents of the village who are sheilding their elderly relatives but thankfully it looks as though the gov. message is now being followed. The longer we keep this up the sooner we can get back to the ``new normal`` . Joyce
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Ah, I guess my 2 nights at Forest View are cancelled then?
That's 8 nights still booked and 8 cancelled.
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Hi Ridge
I live in Durham which is a great place to live for walks, aren't most places though!
I know I'm not exactly on the doorstep of the Pennine Way but if I can help you out in anyway let me know.
Obviously the current restrictions aren't going to last forever.
What's your plan, at the moment? Everyone likes a good plan! Friends have planned a round the world car trip over two years, even been to night classes to learn Russian.... plans all dashed!
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Ah, I guess my 2 nights at Forest View are cancelled then?
That's 8 nights still booked and 8 cancelled.
Social distancing will be in place for a long time yet and it is almost impossible in a 9 seater minibus we are still grappling with details for when we get going again. Hotels that `do` normal holidays where people go and stay for 2 weeks will be able to get going earlier than the specialised accommodation on National Trails where people stay one night then go onto the next then again the next night. That kind of activity is a dream come true for a virus as virulent as Covid 19. this will be even more of an issue on the trails that are walked both ways like the Coast to Coast or Hadrians wall path as the virus can spread from one asymptomatic person in 2 directions for 5-10 days before anyone knows that it is happening.
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I guess that means that my booking is being cancelled then Joyce. I understand the reasoning but hadn't heard from you so assumed you were still hoping to be open by the beginning of July.
I'll email you this evening to organise a refund.
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Had the world as we knew it not changed beyond all recognition today would have been our first day walking the Pennine Way. As there was no chance of this going ahead we have now booked, or tentatively booked, accommodation so that we will set off on 23rd August. Hopefully it will be possible by then.
Thank you to everyone who has sponsored my son in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
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We have been doing more Pennine Way walking today and we were thinking about you and your son and your hope to start it in August. It looks very likely places to stay will be opening from 4th July, come on Boris, let people know asap!
We were on Black Hill today, the walk was 13.3 miles and I am a bit knackered.
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We have been doing more Pennine Way walking today
I hope you weren't wearing it out.
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I hope you weren't wearing it out.
No but we are worn out :)
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No but we are worn out :)
;D
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We are all packed and will be heading north later today to be in Edale tomorrow morning.
This walk has been so long in the planning, and cancelled twice, that I can't quite believe it is actually going to happen.
I will try to update this thread each day to tell you the state of my knees and how deep the bogs were.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust (the Justgiving link is below) I said in my first post about the wonderful work they do and in the current situation they are needed more than ever but are struggling to raise money as so many fundraising events have had to be cancelled.
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Bon voyage Ridge hope it all goes as planned and the weather is kind ;)
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Best of luck Ridge to you and your son. :) Looking forward to hearing your updates, there’s been too few of those on here this year due to cancelled plans. Did most of your B&Bs reopen in the end? Bogs? I’m sure you’d be disappointed if there weren’t any!
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Bon voyage Ridge hope it all goes as planned and the weather is kind ;)
Thanks. Normally when we are going away walking I study the weather forecast for weeks before hand but I've been trying not to look as whatever it does we can't change our plans.
Best of luck Ridge to you and your son. :) Looking forward to hearing your updates, there’s been too few of those on here this year due to cancelled plans. Did most of your B&Bs reopen in the end? Bogs? I’m sure you’d be disappointed if there weren’t any!
Thanks RR.
Most of the B&Bs have reopened but not all. Hawes is the only YHA which is open. We ended up changing 5 or 6 of the places but have got somewhere for every night. This includes going back to my Dads at the end of the first day which I think may feel a bit odd, particularly as I have done Kinder so many times as a day walk. As if we haven't really started.
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Bonne route!
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Bonne route!
Merci beaucoup.
That is pretty much then end of what little French I can remember.
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Good luck with the walk, Mark - enjoy it.
...and take lots of photos!
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Merci beaucoup.
That is pretty much then end of what little French I can remember.
Surely you haven't forgotten the phase that I am sure would have come in very useful one day i.e. hôtel de ville!
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Thanks both.
There will be lots of photos taken, though not as many as there were going to be when we were going to carry a gopro for Trekview which would have taken one every 5 seconds.
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It's finally happening :D O0
Hope you both have a fantastic journey :)
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Good luck Ridge :)
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What a day!
Low cloud, visability down to "Is that the trig?", rain varying from drizzle to torrential. The paths became streams and the streams became tricky to ford rivers. Then, at the end of the day, a diversion added about 3 miles extra.
So all in all we are getting the full Pennine Way experience. Though we did rechristen it the Pennine Water Way when we were coming off Bleaklow.
So having a great time O0
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Low cloud, visability down to "Is that the trig?", rain varying from drizzle to torrential.
So having a great time O0
I hope it gets better Ridge! If it is any consolation we had a wet, soggy, claggy day too.
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Sounds like typical Pennine Way weather Ridge! O0
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Bon Courage mon vieux. Allez les jeunes!
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Are you going somewhere Ridge?
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Oh 'eck ninthace is talkin foreign again.
Yes Pleb, Scotland
If people are interested then there is a map of our route on the Justgiving page (see below) which clearly shows when we decided to go swimming in the reservoir. If you then click View on Strava there are a few photos.
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What a day!
Low cloud, visability down to "Is that the trig?", rain varying from drizzle to torrential. The paths became streams and the streams became tricky to ford rivers. Then, at the end of the day, a diversion added about 3 miles extra.
So all in all we are getting the full Pennine Way experience. Though we did rechristen it the Pennine Water Way when we were coming off Bleaklow.
So having a great time O0
Sounds like typical PW weather.Tuesday looks extremely agreeable,at least for those who like torrential rain. ;)
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Sounds like typical PW weather.Tuesday looks extremely agreeable,at least for those who like torrential rain. ;)
On the plus side it is going to be so windy that if our legs get tired we can probably hand glide.
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On the plus side it is going to be so windy that if our legs get tired we can probably hand glide.
Depends which way the wind blows!
Just a minor point but why did you go for a swim in Torside reservoir? ;D Well that’s what it looks like on your Strava route anyway!
Edit - sorry just realised you mentioned that!
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We wouldn't have been much wetter if we had been for a swim RR.
Something else we have discovered about Strava is that when it can not track you it assumes that you are not moving so that the time is way off.
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What a glorious day. Sunshine, blue skies and a pleasant cooling breeze.
If only every day could be like that.
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If only every day could be like that.
Don't look at tomorrow's forecast :(
Pleased you had a nice day today though :)
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Tomorrow's forecast is slightly less horrendous now than it was saying yesterday.
What ever happens we have to get to Heptonstall by the evening.
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Don't look at tomorrow's forecast
Just head North as fast as you can! Viel Vergnügen!
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What ever happens we have to get to Heptonstall by the evening.
How many miles is that tomorrow Ridge?
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About 17.5 miles on the PW and then we are staying 1.5 miles from there but there is a bus to the pub every hour if we need it.
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That is a long way to be out in not very nice weather, I don't envy you :(
Looking ahead the weather is looking good for Sat, Sun and Mon.
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Don't look at tomorrow's forecast :(
At least they won't have to bother about showering or washing their clothes.It will be wash and go. ;)
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Though we may need putting through the mangle at the end of the day
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What a glorious day. Sunshine, blue skies and a pleasant cooling breeze.
If only every day could be like that.
The calm before the storm!
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Great to know you're underway. Just take each day as it comes. One foot in front of the other. Nay bother that way O0
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Though we may need putting through the mangle at the end of the day
I think you may be blown dry before that
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Ridge to spur you both on your way, in addition to the money I have already donated to your son's justgiving page, I am going to donate £1 for every day you get soaked during your time on the Pennine Way. I hope other forum members will too :)
I hope you don't get too wet and you aren't blown about too much today, good luck :)
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Good idea April, I’m up for that! Will they be hoping for rain every day now? :)
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Best take in a reef or two Ridge!
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Well that was an exhilarating days walking.
Really windy all day with torrential rain first thing and at the end of the day and merely horrendous showers in between. Our room looks like a laundry with everywhere covered in steaming kit.
There is nowhere I would rather have been.
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Thanks April and RR.
To paraphrase Meatloaf 2 out of 3 IS bad.
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Will they be hoping for rain every day now? :)
Maybe not every day :)
Well that was an exhilarating days walking.
Well that is one way to put it. Pleased you both survived it!
To paraphrase Meatloaf 2 out of 3 IS bad.
So my tally so far is £2, it looks a little better tomorrow but you still might get a bit wet :)
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Really windy all day with torrential rain first thing and at the end of the day and merely horrendous showers in between. Our room looks like a laundry with everywhere covered in steaming kit.
That sounds like many of our days on a LDW Ridge!
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One day you will look back on it all and laugh. Try not to do it hysterically. Viel Spass
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Had to put that in to translate ninthace.
I'm having a wonderful time, couldn't be happier :-X
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To paraphrase Meatloaf 2 out of 3 IS bad.
Never mind Ridge,
Like a bat out of hell you'll be gone when the morning comes :)
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Beefy, You took the words right out of my mouth ....
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For crying out loud give the Meatloaf puns a rest
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Beefy, You took the words right out of my mouth ....
When was that?
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For crying out loud give the Meatloaf puns a rest
Read 'em and weep
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For crying out loud give the Meatloaf puns a rest
..but I won’t do that :)
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I'm too knackered to go anywhere tonight tonight.
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Better weather today at least :)
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Yes, much better weather. Apart from an incredibly brief shower at the end of the day it was overcast with occasional moments of sunshine.
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So which is winning, old age and guile or youth and enthusiasm?
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Old age and guile of course.
I'm always in front so we walk at the pace that suits me. I can still pull away a bit on the steep up hill sections but any other terrain he would leave me standing if he was leading.
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Apart from an incredibly brief shower at the end of the day it was overcast with occasional moments of sunshine.
Does that count as getting soaked? A brief shower counts as great weather in my books!
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Does that count as getting soaked? A brief shower counts as great weather in my books!
Definitely not soaked, we were having to avoid the Bedouin encampments.
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So which is winning, old age and guile or youth and enthusiasm?
In further age and guile news.
Where he says that we should use the app to order in the pub. So he does that, on his phone
and I don't pay.
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In further age and guile news.
Where he says that we should use the app to order in the pub. So he does that, on his phone
and I don't pay.
I think being able to order and say "My friend will pay" in several languages comes into that category >:D . On one trip it took my mate 10 days to twig. Veel plezier!
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Apart from an incredibly brief shower at the end of the day it was overcast with occasional moments of sunshine.
Does that count as getting soaked? A brief shower counts as great weather in my books!
I am going to be generous and add 50p for the brief shower. Total £2.50 so far.
In further age and guile news.
Where he says that we should use the app to order in the pub. So he does that, on his phone
and I don't pay.
;D
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No wifi or phone signal at our b&b so have had to come out to the Buck Inn, Malham £4.60 a pint!
Generally dry with rain for the last hour.
Very nice lunch at the Dalesman in Gargrave.
Very different landscape after the first few miles as we are now in the Dales walking through fields.
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No wifi or phone signal at our b&b so have had to come out to the Buck Inn, Malham £4.60 a pint!
Generally dry with rain for the last hour.
Very nice lunch at the Dalesman in Gargrave.
Very different landscape after the first few miles as we are now in the Dales walking through fields.
£4.60 :o
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Generally dry with rain for the last hour.
An hours rain qualifies for another £1 I reckon :) Total now at £3.50
I gather you won't be staying long in the pub!
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£4.60 :o
They have a beer menu
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No wifi or phone signal at our b&b so have had to come out to the Buck Inn, Malham £4.60 a pint!
Generally dry with rain for the last hour.
Very nice lunch at the Dalesman in Gargrave.
Very different landscape after the first few miles as we are now in the Dales walking through fields.
£4.60 a pint! You should have sung the Yorkshire national anthem "Ahh Much?"
You are now entering my old stamping ground from Malham to Slaggyford. Enjoy!
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I gather you won't be staying long in the pub!
No just 1 very slow pint each.
We have managed to lower the tone by putting our boots in front of the fire on the other side of the room and hanging waterproofs from various chairs. I think they were a bit surprised when the over trousers started to come off.
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We have managed to lower the tone by putting our boots in front of the fire on the other side of the room and hanging waterproofs from various chairs. I think they were a bit surprised when the over trousers started to come off.
;D
I hope the beer is very nice at that price.
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Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Nice but nothing special.
We have decided that the beer is £2.60 and the wifi £2.
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An hours rain qualifies for another £1 I reckon :) Total now at £3.50
Let me know when they finish how much I owe April O0
Going well Ridge, I hope you have better weather than us over Fountains Fell and Pen y Ghent, though I recall we set off early and got to Malham Tarn before the heavens opened. Didn’t see a thing after that!
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Yes, pubs in Malham are a bit pricey. Good luck crossing Fountains Fell, on my first PW the fountains really did fall, had there been shelter I'd have gratefully taken it ;D
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With my usual self control we are now on pint number 2.
Tomorrow looks a bit damp but fairly breezy on the tops.
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Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Nice but nothing special.
We have decided that the beer is £2.60 and the wifi £2.
One of my faves when its kept well,
£2.60 ;D
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With my usual self control we are now on pint number 2.
;D
After tomorrow you might get a few dry days :)
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HOW MUCH?
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After tomorrow you might get a few dry days :)
Is that because the price of a pint is so expensive?
...oh! you mean the weather :D
I might take a leaf out of your book April and sponsor Ridge and Son of Ridge for every sunny day they have... that'll save me a bob or two! ;)
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I might take a leaf out of your book April and sponsor Ridge and Son of Ridge for every sunny day they have... that'll save me a bob or two! ;)
;D We shouldn't be donating money when they are enjoying themselves ;)
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We are enjoying our selves all the time. :) :)
A very very windy day today with blustery showers. The cloud was well down on Fountains Fell but had cleared by the time we were on Pen y Ghent.
We started and finished dry.
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So what's the beer like this time?
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We started and finished dry.
Blustery showers, that is another £1 :)
We are enjoying our selves all the time. :) :)
Just as well really, that you can enjoy yourself when it is blowing a gale and tipping it down :D
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Blustery showers, that is another £1
I'm starting to feel guilty every time it rains. We are trying to stay dry.
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So what's the beer like this time?
Pheasant Plucker in the Golden Lion Horton in Ribblesdale £3.90. Very, possibly too, easy drinking.
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Pheasant Plucker in the Golden Lion Horton in Ribblesdale £3.90. Very, possibly too, easy drinking.
By Eck - prices have gone up! Beware of Black Sheep - it does not always travel well!
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I'm starting to feel guilty every time it rains. We are trying to stay dry.
:) No need to feel guilty, beefy is paying. He doesn't know yet :D
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:) No need to feel guilty, beefy is paying. He doesn't know yet :D
Unlikely ;D
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By Eck - prices have gone up! Beware of Black Sheep - it does not always travel well!
I love that this thread, titled PW and the price of a pint, has become about the PW and the cost of beer.
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I love that this thread, titled PW and the price of a pint, has become about the PW and the cost of beer.
And I avoided it at first because of the title :D It would have saved me some money if i had continued ;)
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:) No need to feel guilty, beefy is paying. He doesn't know yet :D
;D :knuppel2: :knuppel2:
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I love that this thread, titled PW and the price of a pint, has become about the PW and the cost of beer.
And don’t forget your free half pint at the end O0
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Me, forget a free drink. No danger of that.
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WE ARE DRY!!!
A very cold wind and fairly flat terrain today so we pressed on and were in the chip shop queue iin Hawes by 2.00.
Now waiting for the YHA to open at 5.00
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O0 O0 O0
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WE ARE DRY!!!
A very cold wind and fairly flat terrain today so we pressed on and were in the chip shop queue iin Hawes by 2.00.
Now waiting for the YHA to open at 5.00
Always eat there when in Hawes, great chippy O0
Not so flat tomorrow ;)
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Always eat there when in Hawes, great chippy O0
Snap O0
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Always eat there when in Hawes, great chippy O0
Not so flat tomorrow ;)
We have also had them before, they are good. We thought that we would get them later but managed to just get in at the end of lunch. Takeaway only at the moment.
Definitely not as flat tomorrow but it looks like the weather is improving. I may have to stop moaning about the wind and rain and start complaining that it is too warm soon.
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We have also had them before, they are good. We thought that we would get them later but managed to just get in at the end of lunch. Takeaway only at the moment.
Definitely not as flat tomorrow but it looks like the weather is improving. I may have to stop moaning about the wind and rain and start complaining that it is too warm soon.
Never mind all that! What about the beer?
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Never mind all that! What about the beer?
;D
As we ate at lunchtime we are having our first none pub evening since day 1. We've got bread, salami and fruit to eat at the hostel. And bottles of beer, obviously.
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;D
As we ate at lunchtime we are having our first none pub evening since day 1. We've got bread, salami and fruit to eat at the hostel. And bottles of beer, obviously.
Sounds postively heathen! Still you had better save your pennies if you will be drinking in the Tan Hill
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April says shes glad she’s not a £1 poorer, we are eating in the tent pitched above loch neldricken It’s a stunning view :)
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Sounds lovely Beefy.
Let's hope that the weather stays dry to help April's bank balance
and so we all have a good bank holiday.
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The end of day 8 of 16, though we don't pass the half way point until later on tomorrow.
A perfect day for walking, loved Great Shunner Fell. As everyone else has always said, it is a long way over the moors to Tan Hill.
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Tan Hill was one of my locals. When asked for directions I used to tell folk to drive up on to the moor from Brough, keep going until they were convinced they were lost then carry on for another 3 miles and they would find it. I always thought the beer was a bit dear for what it was. The quality was sometimes a bit variable too. I believe it may have changed hands since - it was 4 years ago. Interested in your opinion.
In the good old days, there was a big pickle jar full of mobile phones on the bar. If you offended the published phone ethics, it was a fine or the jar - take care. At least at this time of year you should not be sharing the bar with the sheep - that is more a winter thing.
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I'll let you know how the pub is, we have a table booked for 7 o'clock.
It definitely felt another 3 miles further. Supposedly today should have been 16.5 miles but it felt more like the 20 miles which Strava measured it as.
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Tips for the morrow.
God's Bridge is worth a picture. With all the rain, the river Greta may be running but usually it is fairly dry as it runs underground for some distance either side. After the A66 tunnel there is an up and over but as you drop down you will see a shooter's hut. The right hand end always used to left unlocked for walkers. After you cross between Balderhead and Blackton Reservoirs you will reach Birk Hat where Hannah Hauxwell used to live and just beyond is Hannahs Meadow, now a nature reserve. There is a small exhibition centre if it is open. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Hauxwell
P.S. Wave to Shacklesborough as you pass or Mel will never forgive you - it is one of her favourites.
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Great to hear how you are getting on, Mark. Weather lovely here now, visibility superb (saw Snowdonia, Isle of Man and Merrick on our walk yesterday) - hope that you are enjoying similar.
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Thanks for the tips ninthace.
High cloud and good visibility today Richard which made for great walking.
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And now the beer report
Buttertubs Bittet £4.10, very nice. Tan Hill Ale £4.00, strange smell/aftertaste, neither of us keen.
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After the A66 tunnel there is an up and over but as you drop down you will see a shooter's hut. The right hand end always used to left unlocked for walkers.
We ate our lunch in there out of the rain.
Going well Ridge, sounds like you’re getting too much nice weather now though! O0
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And now the beer report
Buttertubs Bittet £4.10, very nice. Tan Hill Ale £4.00, strange smell/aftertaste, neither of us keen.
Don't blame you. Bonne marche pour demain!
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Just seen your photo of Hawes you put on Strava. Looks a little calmer than the one we took! I had it made into a jigsaw for my husband -he struggled with the water! ;D
(https://i.ibb.co/NNVdhzS/CC9-AC65-B-86-EB-4-D8-C-9109-DDBAD5-EF763-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7pYdcF4)
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Wow, its really coming down there.
Looks like we've got a couple more dry-ish days.
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What's strava?
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What's strava?
It's a way of tracking your route and is used a lot by runners and cyclists. If you follow the link at the bottom of my post it takes you to our Justgiving page and then scroll down to see tracks for each day. If you then click 'View on Strava' you should see a few pictures for each day though I will put some of the Walking Forum when I get home too.
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My Tan Hill to A66 walk was in May 2017, after one of the driest few months of that year, the ground was soft and springy ... no bogs!
Lapwings and Curlews were flying above, singing all the time under the blue sky, little breeze and plenty of warm air.
Be interesting to find out Ridge, from your walk what it's like for you to compare, unless you walk down the road!
Must admit even in these dry conditions the next bit over A66 to Reservoirs was boggy ... first pair of walking boots came to grief along here, sole split straight across.... very wet foot, then you'll know all about that!
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We cheated and did the road from Tan Hill after dire warnings from the man behind the bar of everything but swamp monsters rising dripping with lurid orange oooze and gnashing their terrible teeth.
The shooters hut made a good lunch spot out of the wind though.
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We'll be trying the moorland route, if we survive I'll report back tonight.
One of my beloved old boots is starting to suffer, I'm hoping to get some evostick in Middleton in Teesdale for a bit of running repairs.
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Islandplodder you were robbed of some wonderful walking. It was very wet under foot for a long way but there were bits which were more tricky to negotiate after the A66. I really enjoyed it.
The weather was great all day.
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Islandplodder you were robbed of some wonderful walking. It was very wet under foot for a long way but there were bits which were more tricky to negotiate after the A66. I really enjoyed it.
The weather was great all day.
There is a knack to reading the ground which comes with practice.
Did you find somewhere selling Evostick?
Oddly, the pubs in Middleton are a closed book to me apart from the Teesdale Hotel.
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Having been brought up on the edge of Sheffield the bog negotiation felt very much like being on home turf.
Middleton has a wonderful independent iron mongers which would almost certainly sell evostick on any day but a bank holiday Monday. We will probably have gone before they open in the morning so I will soldier on, it is only the front bumper which is peeling away. We did think that we could have some delivered to Dufton but, I suppose unsurprisingly, Amazon doesn't do next day delivery there.
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Having been brought up on the edge of Sheffield the bog negotiation felt very much like being on home turf.
Middleton has a wonderful independent iron mongers which would almost certainly sell evostick on any day but a bank holiday Monday. We will probably have gone before they open in the morning so I will soldier on, it is only the front bumper which is peeling away. We did think that we could have some delivered to Dufton but, I suppose unsurprisingly, Amazon doesn't do next day delivery there.
Cross Fell specialises in a special kind of bog - grass covered and no visible sign at all until your foot breaks through - fortunately not on the line of the PW. Tomorrow is a good day - loads of goodies scenic goodies plus finishing with the Stag at Dufton.
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Tomorrow is a day with some wonderful views, one of my favourite PW days and, as ninthace says, the Stag at the end. Should be a good pint or two there O0
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Cross Fell specialises in a special kind of bog - grass covered and no visible sign at all until your foot breaks through - fortunately not on the line of the PW. Tomorrow is a good day - loads of goodies scenic goodies plus finishing with the Stag at Dufton.
Bit ahead of yourself, Cross Fell is after Dufton O0
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Islandplodder you were robbed of some wonderful walking. It was very wet under foot for a long way but there were bits which were more tricky to negotiate after the A66. I really enjoyed it.
The weather was great all day.
Just catching up to where you're at. Glad the weather's improved for you both (though my purse may disagree!)
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Bit ahead of yourself, Cross Fell is after Dufton O0
I know! We were talking bog trotting at the time.
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Pleased you have had a few nice weather days :)
Enjoy Low Force, High Force, Cauldron Snout and High Cup Nick tomorrow :)
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Thanks all for the comments.
I am really looking forward to tomorrow and we have a booking at the Stag in the evening. The day after tomorrow is the last time that I will walk anywhere I've been before.
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Enjoy Low Force, High Force, Cauldron Snout and High Cup Nick tomorrow :)
My favourite day
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I know! We were talking bog trotting at the time.
Yeah, I realised ;D
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Another wonderful day, sunshine and a gentle breeze, it could not have been better. Our feet ache a bit today after all the hard track pounding . There was loads of water coming down the falls.
We also met a fellow forum member, sorry I can't remember your name! Thanks for the donation to TCT.
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Brilliant that you got to see everything today, it is a wonderful area to walk :) I hope you get The Cheviots bit when the cloud is high and the sun is shining so you can experience it at its best.
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Glad you had a good day, it's one of the best on the PW. Good luck with Cross Fell tomorrow. I have yet to see the views from there, vis has always been about 10 metres ;D
It was so bad that I have no photos but this is my normal view at Greggs Hut (https://i.postimg.cc/rd30vm0X/Greggs-Hut.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rd30vm0X)
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Just for you sussamb ..(https://i.postimg.cc/zvd1XLkN/7-AD14946-CC9-B-4703-9-E9-F-E4-D5-C1-AB926-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fS0P8RFq)
The advantage of a day walker, decent weather!
This was a year ago on August Bank Holiday Monday, in t-shirt and shorts!
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Another wonderful day, sunshine and a gentle breeze, it could not have been better. Our feet ache a bit today after all the hard track pounding . There was loads of water coming down the falls.
We also met a fellow forum member, sorry I can't remember your name! Thanks for the donation to TCT.
Ridge that was me and hubbie. Yes we too had a fantastic walk from Dufton to Middleton. Also have aching feet but recovering with a pint or 2 ready to walk back to Dufton tomorrow. Hope the rest of the PW goes well. Nice to meet you both👍👍
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It was so bad that I have no photos but this is my normal view at Greggs Hut
You were lucky, my first time I couldn't see it in the cloud/mist/rain and walked over the path and I had to retrace my steps!
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Ridge that was me and hubbie. Yes we too had a fantastic walk from Dufton to Middleton. Also have aching feet but recovering with a pint or 2 ready to walk back to Dufton tomorrow. Hope the rest of the PW goes well. Nice to meet you both👍👍
Apologies again.
Of course I should have asked if you had got any Evostick with you. 😉 Actually, so long as my boot doesn't deteriorate too quickly, I think I should be ok as I am meeting Squeaky soon and she is going to get her staff to bring some.
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Glad you had a good day, it's one of the best on the PW. Good luck with Cross Fell tomorrow. I have yet to see the views from there, vis has always been about 10 metres ;D
It looks like the weather should be ok in the morning so if we are quick enough we may just have a, chance of a view.
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Just for you sussamb ..(https://i.postimg.cc/zvd1XLkN/7-AD14946-CC9-B-4703-9-E9-F-E4-D5-C1-AB926-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fS0P8RFq)
The advantage of a day walker, decent weather!
This was a year ago on August Bank Holiday Monday, in t-shirt and shorts!
Gee thanks ;D
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Of course I should have asked if you had got any Evostick with you. 😉 Actually, so long as my boot doesn't deteriorate too quickly, I think I should be ok as I am meeting Squeaky soon and she is going to get her staff to bring some.
;D
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Apologies again.
Of course I should have asked if you had got any Evostick with you. 😉 Actually, so long as my boot doesn't deteriorate too quickly, I think I should be ok as I am meeting Squeaky soon and she is going to get her staff to bring some.
Just wait till you get the delivery charge ;D ;D
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The plan today was the we would get to Greg's Hut by 12 00 to avoid the bad weather. We managed our part but no one had told the weather what to do. By the time we were on Knock Fell we were in coats, hats, gloves and over-trousers with visibility down to about 5m at times and the wind so strong that we had to walk at 45 degrees to where we actually wanted to go. We didn't see the radar station on Great Dunn Fell until we were standing next to its fence. Then there were the long miles of foot and knee pounding on the Corpse Road down to Garrigill where there are still 4 miles to go to journeys end at Alston.
I think today was one of the toughest days walking I've ever done.
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I absolutely hate that road from Greggs Hut to Garrigill. Been on it three times now, and cannot for the life of me understand why I did it the third time. To me it was the absolute worst section of the PW.
Well done Ridge and son. Hope you get close enough to an ATM to pay Squeekies evostick delivery charge, failing that try and catch the butchers shop in Alston for a bone. 😀
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The plan today was the we would get to Greg's Hut by 12 00 to avoid the bad weather. We managed our part but no one had told the weather what to do. By the time we were on Knock Fell we were in coats, hats, gloves and over-trousers with visibility down to about 5m at times and the wind so strong that we had to walk at 45 degrees to where we actually wanted to go. We didn't see the radar station on Great Dunn Fell until we were standing next to its fence. Then there were the long miles of foot and knee pounding on the Corpse Road down to Garrigill where there are still 4 miles to go to journeys end at Alston.
I think today was one of the toughest days walking I've ever done.
That there Corpse Road is a crippler. Goes on for ever and is made from extra hard and lumpy rock! Well done to survive the day. O0
Some of strongest gusts in UK have been measured on Great Dunn. It also the only area in Britain that has a named wind, the Helm. It has been known to blow brick walls down!
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The high wind, poor viability and having to concentrate on navigation was tough but good. The pounding down the track was just a killer.
Still, on the plus side, we had barely any rain and only saw 2 other people all day.
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I actually enjoyed walking up from Garrigill to Cross Fell then back down again, enjoying the superb views, all the wildlife, especially all the grouse and chatting to folk.... met a local couple pushing their 3 year old in a specially adapted pram! Must have been the weather see photo above.
Alston to Greenhead was a boggy nightmare!
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I think today was one of the toughest days walking I've ever done.
I will still add £1 for today even though you didn't get wet, sounds horrendous! I think that is £4.50 so far but I will have to check :)
It is tipping it down here now so it will be a very, very boggy walk tomorrow to Greenhead.
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I actually enjoyed walking up from Garrigill to Cross Fell then back down again, enjoying the superb views, all the wildlife, especially all the grouse and chatting to folk..It was so windy on the tops that the grouse were running away from us rather than attempting to fly.
We did have an old bloke stop his car blocking the road in Garrigill to ask how it had been coming over.
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Strange things have happened to the post above which I can't sort on my phone
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Strange things have happened to the post above which I can't sort on my phone
I think we can all read it ok :)
Total is £5.50 so far, just checked back through the posts.
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Total is £5.50 so far
I do say in the very first post that I will get the drinks in should I meet anyone who has kindly sponsored my son but some people will deserve a whole bottle...
.....unless they are driving in which case it would be irresponsible to get them anything other than tap water.
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Sounds as if you had a wild day on Cross Fell. I actually enjoyed the walk up and down from Garrigill, but then I wasn't carrying a full pack!
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some people will deserve a whole bottle...
.....unless they are driving in which case it would be irresponsible to get them anything other than tap water.
;D
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It is tipping it down here now so it will be a very, very boggy walk tomorrow to Greenhead.
The more it rains tonight the less it should tomorrow with any luck
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Sounds as if you had a wild day on Cross Fell. I actually enjoyed the walk up and down from Garrigill, but then I wasn't carrying a full pack!
It's not a very full pack as we are staying B&B but I preferred the wild fells to the Corpse Road.
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"It was so windy on the tops that the grouse were running away from us rather than attempting to fly. We did have an old bloke stop his car blocking the road in Garrigill to ask how it had been coming over."
Walking up from Hawes where you join Cam Road, was hit by a similar wind, just came from nowhere, had to abandon and go back couldn't stand up! Wind then followed me down towards Hawes, it was more like running!
When walking back from Source of River Tyne towards Garrigill an old farmer and his missus stopped in their car for a long chat, wonder if it was the same guy you met.
See from your previous comments you like a bit of bog walking so you'll be having a good day tomorrow!
Weather forecast here for this evening was light rain showers... it's hammering down!
If the Pennine Way wasn't so challenging you wouldn't have so many memories to look back on!
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If the Pennine Way wasn't so challenging you wouldn't have so many memories to look back on!
True Dodgylegs very, very true and I am absolutely loving it. :)
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Ridge. Have you thought, on your walk so far, about those incredible Spine Racers, whose footsteps you're walking in?
Great respect to you all!
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Ridge. Have you thought, on your walk so far, about those incredible Spine Racers, whose footsteps you're walking in?
Frequently. They are obviously amazing/insane but heading up to Cow Green I just couldn't imagine how it was possible.
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Frequently. They are obviously amazing/insane but heading up to Cow Green I just couldn't imagine how it was possible.
Yeah the stretch by the River Tees, with all those boulders and slippy walkways ... did not enjoy that section, slipping on walkway nearly doing the splits, close to ending up in the Tees! Hope you had more fun!
Not sure if you recall I previously mentioned, (before you postponing earlier this year), about the section on leaving Hadrians Wall and heading towards Wark Forest..... Avoiding loads of water/bog lost my right leg down a deep bottomless hole. Been thinking about this, as you get nearer, it was in the area of Jenkins Burn, between Greenlee & Brownlee Loughs. Keep left keep safe!
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I'd forgotten you mentioning it. I normally lead the way but to be on the safe side I'll send my son first on that section.
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I'd forgotten you mentioning it. I normally lead the way but to be on the safe side I'll send my son first on that section.
;D
Squeaky said to ask if you need anything else bringing. She will instruct her staff to get it.
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Tell her we're ok thanks, though I'm tempted to ask for the OS maps from Kirk Yetholm to Cape Wrath as I am having such a good time.
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Rob has requested new legs. I'm just in need of a replacement right knee.
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Rob has requested new legs. I'm just in need of a replacement right knee.
I will have a look to see if Tesco sell 'em :D
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I absolutely hate that road from Greggs Hut to Garrigill. Been on it three times now, and cannot for the life of me understand why I did it the third time. To me it was the absolute worst section of the PW.
Lost count of the number of times I have done that walk but its at least eight times.It really is mind numbing.There is a similar section on the Cleveland Way that goes on for a several miles before the path drops down into Kildale.
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Sorry, my comment on vis on Cross Fell obviously jinxed your day, but glad you survived. I agree with others about the walk down from Greggs Hut, my next PW will be north to south so hoping it'll be better that way :)
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Tell her we're ok thanks, though I'm tempted to ask for the OS maps from Kirk Yetholm to Cape Wrath as I am having such a good time.
;D
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The last time I walked to Greggs Hut was from Alston on a very wet and misty 'into my face' blustery day. The uphill section from Garrigill was dreadful and it seemed to go on for miles and I didn't see a soul. When I reached the hut I was soaked to the skin. I tightened my hood to strangling point and I still got wet. And to top it all I then missed the path to Dufton and strolled straight on increasing my walking that day by 7 miserable miles!
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As a matter of interest where did you stay in Alston, was it OK?? Hope you had an easier day today after yesterday epic leg O0
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As a matter of interest where did you stay in Alston, was it OK?? Hope you had an easier day today after yesterday epic leg O0
Stayed at the Angel in Alston, it's the only place we've been that I would absolutely not stay again.
We thought it would be an easier day but it turned in to a bit of an epic across the tops. Very wet under foot.
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And the highlight of today, meeting Squeaky, as well as April and Beefy. Who are all as lovely as you would imagine.
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The highlight of our week was to meet you two :) Both of you are as lovely as anyone would imagine too. Squeaky liked you too and she is normally standoffish with strangers.
Thank you for pretending you could understand everything I said :D
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Since you got wet today, the tally is now £6.50 :)
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Just realised I didn't pay you for the glue >:( hopeless. Thanks to Squeaky for organising it.
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Just realised I didn't pay you for the glue >:( hopeless. Thanks to Squeaky for organising it.
No worries ridge you bought the drinks, good luck with the rest of your walk
Best wishes A + B
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Thanks. It looks like it has worked so I may still have boots on by the end O0
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Thanks. It looks like it has worked so I may still have boots on by the end O0
I hope it holds and enjoy the last few days. The glue was free of charge anyway :)
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I hope it holds and enjoy the last few days. The glue was free of charge anyway :)
Yeah she stole it from Halfords :D
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Collared by a and b? Bad luck ;D . That's why I don't say where I am going in advance. ;D
Ridge are you taking any pictures?
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;D
Yes pleb taking pics and will post when we get home.
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What a wonderful day today was for walking through northern England.
There were heavy showers at the beginning and end of the day. Sorry it was definitely a £1 day.
Hadrian's Wall was planned by a rollercoaster designer.
It was very wet under foot, especially in the forest where we were clinging to the trees to get round it
Lots of cows, 3 times I had to speak to them in my thickest Yorkshire accent including having words with a very large bull.
It was our longest day both miles and time.
A really good time :)
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£6.50 or is it £7.50? :D
Pleased you both survived the coos. Hadrians wall is a great roller coaster :)
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Never mind all that having a good time and enjoying yourself- what's the beer like?
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Pleased you both survived the coos.
When talking to cows I channel my great aunt Ada, who was a farmer. This entails slapping on the accent and dropping my voice about an octave. She was quite a character.
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Never mind all that having a good time and enjoying yourself- what's the beer like?
Unmemorable pint at the Cheviot in Bellingham so bought bottles to have at the B&B
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Just catching up on your last few days Ridge. We are now at our daughters awaiting birth of 2nd grandchild in between looking after 1st and getting in some much needed hill walks in the Chilterns (definitely out of hill practice judging by the way I went up some not too steep hills!). Glad you are getting some decent weather along with the expected bad. The forest after Hadrian’s Wall was our worst boggy bit, made me chuckle about clinging to trees as we were also doing that ;D Nice that you met up with April and Beefy (and Squeaky of course). I’m relying on April to tell me how much I owe you. Our Cross Fell day started quite well in that it was dry, clear and not too windy but between the top and Gregs hut that changed, a slog down to Garrigill in ever heavier rain, and Garrigill to Alston in a very heavy downpour being attacked by midges. Taking a rest day in Alston we had booked a “luxury” apartment in the Market Square and I don’t think the owners were used to having Pennine Way walkers. I fully expected to be turned away when we arrived dripping wet and bedraggled, but they let us in! Not too long left now, hope you get some good weather over the Cheviots.
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Exciting times RR, I hope all goes well.
Looks like we've got a couple of days of sunshine and showers coming up.
Coming down the Corpse Road being constantly buffeted by the high winds my son was very grumpy.
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Are you staying at Forest View?
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Are you staying at Forest View?
Of course.
When we first planned the walk 4 years ago we were going to do Byrness to Kirk Yetholm in one day but I decided this time, influenced by Sussamb, to split it. So we will be at Forest View for 2 nights.
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... but I decided this time, influenced by Sussamb, to split it. So we will be at Forest View for 2 nights.
Good call O0
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Especially as you will get your boots cleaned - twice! I nearly missed my pick up as I was early I went to sleep in the sun behind Trows Farm.
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Another lovely day of sunshine, cloud and a cool wind.
Just made it inside before a shower.
Talked to a man heading south today, gave us a chance to look like hardened mountain men.
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Another lovely day of sunshine, cloud and a cool wind.
Just made it inside before a shower.
Talked to a man heading south today, gave us a chance to look like hardened mountain men.
;D But surely you ARE a hardened mountain man by now!
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;D But surely you ARE a hardened mountain man by now!
:2funny: :2funny: :2funny: Oh of course.
I think he was finding it a bit tough so I hope we encourage him a bit.
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Another lovely day of sunshine, cloud and a cool wind.
Just made it inside before a shower.
£7.50, I checked this time! You had better weather than us we were caught in a few showers today.
I see Harland mentioned Trows Farm for the pick up point. Of course, I forgot you can leave the road from Barrowburn to Blindburn and go up by Rowhope Burn. It is a nice descent, we did it from Windy Gyle in our recent trip the second day of our trip to Barrowburn in June.
Edited to say it was the first day of our trip and it was in July ;D
Link to TR
http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=40599.0 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=40599.0)
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Hopefully it will stay at £7.50.
You have forgotten to reply to Richard's post telling him how tough we are.
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Hopefully it will stay at £7.50.
I hope so too, not for the money, I just want you to see at its best. Fingers crossed you get the all the views on the Border Ridge :)
You have forgotten to reply to Richard's post telling him how tough we are.
Richard, they are granite-hard mountain men :)
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The ridge is on the ridge
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Good to know, thanks O0
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The ridge is on the ridge
:) He's now sat in the sunshine at Russell's Cairn on Windy Gyle eating an apple.
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have you seen the other guy?
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have you seen the other guy?
Missed this. He arrived a few minutes after we finished our apples.
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As we were about to set off this morning the heavens opened so we donned full waterproofs only for it to have stopped by the time we got to the door. We sweated up the steep slope out of Byrness, removing totally superfluous waterproofs and then had an absolutely gorgeous day with sunshine and fluffy white clouds.
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Nice, the walk there is wonderful in good vis O0
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then had an absolutely gorgeous day with sunshine and fluffy white clouds.
Excellent, so pleased you both had a good weather day up there :)
Total so far, £7.50.
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As you’re enjoying yourself so much and the weather’s improved, are you going to turn around and walk back to Edale? O0
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I'm having a great time RR there will be really mixed emotions tomorrow when we get to the end.
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The Pennine Way certainly grabs hold of you!
Weather has always been superb walking weather for me in The Cheviots!
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In the Boarder Hotel drinking half a pint of beer
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Well done Ridge and son, a great achievement O0 Are you staying there tonight?
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Well done both of you. It`s always good to put a face to a name.
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Congratulations you two :) O0
Did you get wet today? Did you get views today or was it claggy?
I hope you are having more than a half pint of beer :)
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Well done Ridge et Fils! Enjoy your beer.
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Congratulations ridge and ridge junior :)
Have a few beers for me ;D
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Congratulations O0
Only half a pint?
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Well done both O0
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Thanks everyone.
Richard the first half pint is free, others will follow.
Nice to meet you too Joyce and Colin
April dry but the only view was of the inside of a cloud.
RR, we are staying at the Plough as there was no room at the inn, but going back there to eat, drink and make merry.
The advantage of taking 2 days over the Cheviots was that we got to see the contrasting weather, glorious yesterday and then today high wind and low cloud. Only a fool, or someone who is really not wanting it to end, would go via the Cheviot and the high route to Kirk Yetholm on a day like today
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Ah, of course.
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April dry but the only view was of the inside of a cloud.
That is a shame Ridge.
The advantage of taking 2 days over the Cheviots was that we got to see the contrasting weather, glorious yesterday and then today high wind and low cloud. Only a fool, or someone who is really not wanting it to end, would go via the Cheviot and the high route to Kirk Yetholm on a day like today
;D
Well done for doing The Cheviot and the High Route in that weather.
I make that total for rain £6.50 plus £1 for the severe wind on the Cross Fell day. Rural Roamer not sure what amount you want to make :)
Beefy said he will double my amount so it will be an extra £15 from us. I think you deserve it for doing The Cheviot when most people would sack it O0
Enjoy your extra pints :)
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Well done Ridge and young Rob.
It took a while to get to the start but you'se did it in style.
Have a canny hike back home.
Where to next year?
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Well done both of you, enjoy your pint whilst you bask in the glow of finishing. We walked from Dufton to Alston today, very bad conditions from knock to Greg's. Got blown over on little dun fell!!!! Glad to get into Alston. Well done again
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You made it! Well done both. I just have to work out how many dry days you had now O0
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We walked from Dufton to Alston today, very bad conditions from knock to Greg's. Got blown over on little dun fell!!!! Glad to get into Alston. Well done again
We walked that stretch on a similar day, couldn't see the radar station. Hope you are ok and stayed somewhere nice.
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Well done you two. Have a pint on me. Charge it to beefy money bags👍
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Very tired and slightly drunk.
Thank you all for the donations, the advice, the support and the glue.
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Congratulations and well done to you both O0
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Well done. Great bonding session, something you will always share....enjoy your beers!
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Congratulations :)
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Congratulations both O0
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Thanks everyone for the congratulations. Lots of great memories.
Now for the most difficult and stressful part of the entire experience, getting from Town Yetholm to North London.
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Now for the most difficult and stressful part of the entire experience, getting from Town Yetholm to North London.
Good luck, probably not as nice a journey as the one to get to Town Yetholm
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I always told myself that one day when I walk the Pennine Way again I'm going to get to Kirk Yetholm and then follow the St. Cuthberts Way to Holy Island. I would then walk to Berwick and then travel home. Not sure now if I ever will?
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Well done. The trip back should be more pleasant than usual due to the trains being quiet.
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I make that total for rain £6.50 plus £1 for the severe wind on the Cross Fell day. Rural Roamer not sure what amount you want to make :)
£7.50 from me too :)
Now for the most difficult and stressful part of the entire experience, getting from Town Yetholm to North London.
Just don’t do what my husband did and leave your camera on a train >:(
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All going very smoothly on the journey home, we are now on the final train from Newcastle.
When we were waiting for the bus in Town Yetholm this morning a couple came out of one of the houses and asked us if we wanted a lift to Kelso.
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Hows the head? :)
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£7.50 from me too :)
O0
we are now on the final train from Newcastle.
I hope them Newcastle peeps were nice to you both :)
When we were waiting for the bus in Town Yetholm this morning a couple came out of one of the houses and asked us if we wanted a lift to Kelso.
:) How lovely is that? Especially in these times of Covid :)
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Hows the head? :)
Absolutely fine, too tired to get too drunk.
Got home to find my laptop is not playing so am still having to do everything on my phone.
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Got home to find my laptop is not playing so am still having to do everything on my phone.
I hope this doesn't stop you doing a TR. We are expecting one ;)
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I hope this doesn't stop you doing a TR. We are expecting one ;)
There will be one eventually.
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All going very smoothly on the journey home, we are now on the final train from Newcastle.
When we were waiting for the bus in Town Yetholm this morning a couple came out of one of the houses and asked us if we wanted a lift to Kelso.
That's very nice of them.
I hope that we don't have to wait too long for the Trip Report. :D