Cotswold Way: Hills, cheese rolling and monks

The unusual Prinknash Abbey in the Cotswolds

The unusual Prinknash Abbey, hidden in the Cotswolds We had overnighted at Painswick on the Cotswold Way. Being a Sunday morning, we breakfasted and then were off to experience a local church service. A pleasant service at St. Mary’s with the minister giving a sermon about the evils of transnational companies such as Nike. After [...]

South Downs Way – Frogs and White Horses

The lovely Cuckmere River on South Downs Way

The lovely Cuckmere River on South Downs Way Some 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 [...]

John O'Groats: top of Scotland

At John O'Groats Scotland

At John O’Groats Scotland From 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 [...]

Scotland: Fort William – Ben Nevis summit

Almost at the summit of Ben Nevis

Almost at the summit of Ben Nevis Fort 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 [...]

Monmouth Bridge – Offa's Dyke

Monmouth Bridge on Offa's Dyke

Monmouth Bridge on Offa’s Dyke Offa’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 [...]

Le Puy to Conques: walking gear – pilgrim's passport

Notre Dame at Le Puy

Le Puy, France ON the GR65: – 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 [...]

Lake District Walks – over Stake Pass

The impressive Langstrath Valley near Stonethwaite .

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 [...]

Coast to Coast – Kirkby Stephen

Main Street Kirkby Stephen, UK

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 [...]

West Highland Way: the Devil's Staircase

Near Glencoe Valley

Near Glencoe Valley Oct 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 [...]

Coast to Coast: walking gear

Early spring near Richmond, UK

Coast to Coast Walk – REETH to RICHMOND: The wind always seemed to blow in our faces. Still, mustn’t grumble. And anyway, who could really complain? Walking across open fields, exercising a thousand muscles; breathing in fresh spring air laden with a hint of farmyard aroma, and generally just being in the countryside, was the [...]