We were split up last night. Necessity required that we had a 5:2 split between a pub hotel and a B&B – the Waltzing Weasel. As a result, your author was treated to a fantastic Chinese at The Grouse pub in Birch Vale by his sister in law, Chelsy, who joined us for Days 19…
After another evening of swim, sauna and dinner at the Mercure Norton Grange in Rochdale we awoke to news that the fire on Saddleworth Moor had worsened. All of the walkers received messages from friends and families asking if we were close by and were we OK. As it turns out we were close by,…
Canals, canals and canals – well actually just one canal – the Lancaster Canal – again. 19 odd miles. In 27 degrees. We left Lancaster around 8:30 after a very comfortable evening in the Lancaster House Hotel. A few of us made use of the pool and sauna to soothe tired and sore limbs. Dinner…
Oh what a night. Circumstances dictated that we spent last night in a Days Inn, just off the M6 near Kendal. A few of us drove into Kendal (beautiful lakes town) for dinner and then back to our service station motel for a glass of wine sat on McDonald’s chairs by a reservoir. This was…
Yesterday, once we had finished, we were whisked away by Van Man to Temple Sowerby and the Kings Head Inn. This morning, after a tearful goodbye to my wife and kids (thank you so much for coming to see us – it was a real morale boost), we were transferred to Little Ashby on the…
Venimus, vidimus, vicimus. Walkers: 19 miles Total Walkers: 73 miles Total…
We had a very pleasant evening in the MacDonald Cardrona Hotel outside Innerleithen. Very well-appointed rooms, awesome shower, good full Scottish breakfast. The only problem was that it rained most of the night and we awoke to a steady drizzle that continued as we parked at our allotted start point. Suitably attired in waterproofs we…
Did I mention yesterday that we have completed one third of our challenge? Yes, that is correct, 1/3, 33.3333*%, a slice of pie split equally between three people, and so on. This walk will be full of landmarks: quarter of the way, half way, one week completed, 100 miles done, etc and we will celebrate…
We left the Inversnaid Bunkhouse after a good breakfast feeling a little nervous about re-joining the West Highland Way after our chastening experience at the end of Day 9. And for a short while we were justified as we started out climbing up and down rocks that littered the pathway. At least this time they…
Our briefing last night included a wet weather warning and a detailed explanation that, as well as dealing with a copious amount of water, we would be undertaking three stiff climbs on the West Highland Way. Fortunately, a couple of us had made use of the Glencoe Hotel’s pool, sauna and jacuzzi, a welcome relief…