Walking around an ancient capital city like London is a pleasure. As well as enjoying the sights, smells and sounds, you still have to have your wits about you. And be ready to take in the enormous amount of history around you. The weather was perfect for walking. No rain and intermittent sunshine. I took the tube from Shepherd’s Bush to Covent Garden where a lift takes one from the bowels of the earth to the street above. "Covent Garden" (covent was the Middle English form of the word … [Read more...]
The oldest Hotel in Scotland – and it’s on the West Highland Way
July 9, 2010 by
Bridge of Orchy- Kings House Hotel (21.5 km) - Glencoe, Argyll We were staying at a B&B near the village of Bridge of Orchy. The overnight rain had brought about an overcast morning. It was time to pay for dinner and order lunch. Dinner turned out to be £10 each instead of £9 and a packed lunch started out at £6, but Carol’s jaw dropped and eventually the price came down to £4. Our hostess wanted £4 per bag delivered to our next accommodation at Kings House, but we showed her that … [Read more...]
Offa’s Dyke – Gladestry –Kington with the highest golf course in Britain
July 2, 2010 by
Overnighted at at B&B at Gladestry on the historic Anglo-Welsh border. A good breakfast in the dining room and an extra slice of cake for good measure. It was going to be a long walk today. A blustery wind forecast for today. We followed the road down to Gladestry and walked through the quiet village. Just the Royal Oak Inn, a school and the Post Office. There was a narrow steep path which led us out onto the open moorland turf of Hergest Ridge. The sun joined the wind in accompanying us … [Read more...]
Via Francigena – Siena and Saint Catherine
June 29, 2010 by
We had happened to be in Siena on the day of the Palio, a fiercely competitive horserace. After visiting Il Campo where preparations were being made for the race later in the day, we found ourselves back at the piazza in front of the Duomo where the procession of the Contrades, representatives of Siena’s seventeen regions, and the skillful flag twirling events were in full swing. The colourful procession continued for another hour and by then we’d had enough of the jostling crowds. Since we … [Read more...]
Via Francigena – Montefiascone and a legend
June 25, 2010 by
We were on the Via francigena and had arrived in the small Italian city of Montefiascone, built on an old volcanic ridge, a wonderful place to rest after the walk from Bolsena. We walked up the main road to a secondary winding road that led to the very top of the volcanic rim and to the remains of the Rocca de Papes, the Papal Palace. The view from the ramparts was magnificent. I could just see San Lorenzo Nuevo on the far shores of Lake Bolsena. There was an antiques market in the Papal … [Read more...]
London – Jubilee Walk
June 21, 2010 by
I met Carol at Paddington Station and we take the Underground to Victoria Station. These large London stations connect London to the rest of Britain and Europe. Always lots of people milling and walking about. We walk down to the Royal Mews to have a look at the Queens horses and Stables. One of the finest working stables in existence, the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace displays details about the department of the Royal Household that provides transport by road for The Queen and other members … [Read more...]
Le Puy to Conques – a German pilgrim and the lost key
June 17, 2010 by
Le Puy, France Well, this was it. The planning and research was over. There were 800kms to walk from Le Puy to the Pyrenees and then another 700km to Santiago de Compostela. However our journey would be considerably shorter at 210km across the Auvergne region in Southern France. We would be following the GR65, one of France’s longest Grande Randonnees or long distance paths. It is known to pilgrims as Chemin de St. Jacques. We left our luggage in the lobby at 8.00am after breakfast and … [Read more...]
Le Puy to Conques – Le Puy, the city of the Holy Virgin
June 15, 2010 by
In Le Puy, France for the start of our walk to Conques: The next day we had a lot to do. Waking early we left the hotel in the dark to attend the 7.00 am service which would include a pilgrims’ blessing. I felt a sense of adventure as we walked up Mount Corneille and into the centre of old Le Puy looking for the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Walking along the dark streets with occasional lights illuminating cobble-stoned streets and the windows of closed shops we eventually found an entrance into … [Read more...]
Offa’s Dyke – walking on the Dyke (760AD)
June 11, 2010 by
We had just left the Kington Golf Course – the highest in Britain and began our walk up the hills. The cold wind picked up again on these exposed slopes. We were now walking across high fields with increasing winds. It was difficult to see the next signpost and we became separated. I saw Carol diverge and called after her, but with the strong wind against me my shouts were drowned out. I dropped my pack and ran after her as she got further and further away. I managed to catch her up and we … [Read more...]
Visit Sandringham – on Peddar's Way
June 9, 2010 by
Peddar’s Way Walk, Norfolk, UK We had stayed overnight at the Ostrich Inn in a delightful village named Castle Acre. It was a clear morning. Only one cloud on the horizon and that was today’s walking distance from her to our next accommodation at Hunstanton 32 km away. It was too far to walk in one day. Breakfast in the hotel’s large dining room. The cleaner’s 5 year-old son Joseph was showing off his Spiderman tattoo (removeable). Mary, Ray’s (the manager) girlfriend arrives. We get … [Read more...]
