The lovely Cuckmere River on South Downs WaySome time ago…. From London’s Victoria Station we board the bus and head off to Eastbourne, a 3 hr trip to the south coast. Most of the time was snoozing time. At Eastbourne, we then walked the 1and ½ miles to the Beachy Head Youth Hostel (no longer operational). If you are hostelling, stay at Eastbourne or make Frog Firle your next night’s accommodation. This was my first English youth hostel. It’s a large house, fairly simply set up. They … [Read more...]
John O'Groats: top of Scotland
February 8, 2010 by
At John O'Groats ScotlandFrom the Diary - May 31 – Saturday: Inverness – Thurso – John O’Groats I was staying overnight at the Inverness Youth Hostel. Phew! What a pong in the room. All these walkers, baked bean eaters, snorers, and no windows to let the air in. I found it difficult to sleep after 3.00 am. Got up at 6.00 am. Breakfast, closed my pack and walked down to the bus station to get the bus to Thurso. . I was off to the island’s most northerly point – John O’Groats. In … [Read more...]
Scotland: Fort William – Ben Nevis summit
February 1, 2010 by
Almost at the summit of Ben NevisFort William - Ben Nevis summit If you’re ever in Fort William, Scotland and you have a spare day, don’t miss out on a great opportunity of walking up to the summit of Britain’s highest mountain. And it’s not overly difficult, as long as you encounter a relatively fine day. I was on the train from Morar to Fort William. I met up with Jim and two hikers and shared the carriage, watching some of Scotland’s best known views pass by our windows. Out at … [Read more...]
Monmouth Bridge – Offa's Dyke
January 25, 2010 by
Monmouth Bridge on Offa's DykeOffa's Dyke Walk: There was a gradual ascent through a series of beech-forested slopes named Quicken Tree Wood, Wyeseal Wood and Creeping Hill. . The sky remained overcast without threat of rain. Once Keith and I had reached the top, we had occasional glimpses of the Wye and again walked upon the Dyke for a short distance. . Enjoying striding out along the half decent track, we met a group of girls labouring beneath huge back packs. They were pupils from the … [Read more...]
Lake District Walks – over Stake Pass
January 22, 2010 by
From the Diary - The impressive Langstrath Valley near Stonethwaite .Nov 5 – Tuesday: Keswick, Lake District, UK About 5.00pm we arrive at Barron House, a youth hostel, a pleasure after many hours of walking. This hostel is an imposing building and is in the Superior Class, i.e. it has all facilities. The drying room comes in handy after a day out in the elements. The library has some interesting old hard back covered books such as “That Summer”. There are magazines about cycling, walking … [Read more...]
Coast to Coast – Kirkby Stephen
January 18, 2010 by
On the Coast to Coast Path: We followed the track that led along a back lane and out onto the long main road of Kirkby Stephen. There was our accommodation, perched right on the main street. The “Jolly Farmer” was a comfortably renovated inn. The assortment of boots and walking staves in the corridor suggested that this was a popular walkers’ overnight spot. .After a shower and afternoon tea, we walked into the centre of the town. The name Kirkby Stephen was derived from Old Norse and … [Read more...]
West Highland Way: the Devil's Staircase
January 15, 2010 by
Near Glencoe ValleyOct 6 – Monday: King’s House – Kinlochleven (14.5 km) It was raining and a heavy wind blew throughout the night. We had breakfast in the hotel’s quaint dining room. The lady of the house takes our order and even suggests conspiratorially to Carol that she tries the blood sausage. Mrs. –‘s Newfoundland dog Keelie is watching the proceedings with interest. . Into the blasted weather – like stepping into a rainstorm that keeps smacking you in the face. I did not … [Read more...]
Dreams of the GR3 Saumur – Orleans
January 4, 2010 by
Saumur on the Loire River, France .Feb 11 – Tuesday (some years ago) REIMS, FRANCE I plan to walk from Saumur to Orleans along the GR3 Trail. A big hearty breakfast and off to the station. Ten minutes before the train pulls out – a bomb scare. The police arrive, but don’t find anything. I miss my connecting train to Paris. Pain! At Epernay they stop a Paris-bound train, so I finally arrive there about 12.00. I manage to get a train to Saumur. Six hours on trains today. Saumur is the … [Read more...]
Foulksrath Castle – Ireland's oldest hostel
December 28, 2009 by
Foulksrath Castle, near Kilkenny, IrelandFrom the travel diary: Dec 16 (some years ago) – Monday: Kilkenny, Ireland After a big breakfast I walk down to the railway station and take the train to Thomastown, named centuries ago after Anthony Fitz Thomas. I grew up in Thomastown, Victoria, Australia so I was interested to compare the two places. I alight at the small station with its quaint office. Since the stationmaster is about to drive the ¼ mile distance into town, I manage to get a lift … [Read more...]
Dingle Peninsula – Europe's most westerly point
December 23, 2009 by
It’s raining, the streets look like a movie set. I've just arrived in Dingle, Ireland where I've been youth hostelling. Hurrying along to O’Sullivan’s Hostel, I meet Christopher, who had missed the bus, but managed to cadge a lift here. Inside the hostel, now out of the rain we meet brothers Rick and Peter from Boston and Andre, the hostel manager. Sarah, an American girl arrives. We spend the evening sitting around a huge wooden table drinking coffee and chatting. Rick and Peter play … [Read more...]
