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A quarter of the way there
Day 11: so much more enjoyable than yesterday. The sun shone, the scenery improved, and we did rather less nettle-knocking and...
neville177
Jul 25
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Hard labour in the Trent Valley
Day 10: let’s say it was character-building. Easily half of the footpaths on our route were ploughed and planted with crops, overgrown...
neville177
Jul 24
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Farewell to Brum
Day 9 saw us taking to the canals again at the famous Gas Street Basin and making our way out of the city. We walked underneath Spaghetti...
neville177
Jul 23
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Paint drying, anyone?
Day 8: it’s just as well we are on a mission, because today’s walk along the Grand Union Canal was dull, dull, dull - and the monotony of...
neville177
Jul 22
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Sunflowers
Day 7: we were a bit apprehensive about today - the first with our big packs, and with a severe weather warning. In fact we did almost...
neville177
Jul 21
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And then there were two
Day 6: the first rest day, and very welcome it is too. We couldn’t come to Stratford without going to the theatre: last night we saw...
neville177
Jul 20
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Heigh ho, the wind and the rain
Day 5 brought us very different weather - not much wind, but lots of rain, turning the clay of the Stour valley to glue and making our...
neville177
Jul 19
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A giant day
Day 4: as we walked through the beautiful Cotswold village of Longborough, we have to give a shout out to the wonderful Longborough...
neville177
Jul 18
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Beware dinosaurs!
Day 3: today the walkers went up the Evenlode valley, exploring the Stonesfield slate rock formation where the fossils discovered by...
neville177
Jul 17
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Some like it hot
Day 2: most of our walk is rural, but today we plunged into the bustle of Oxford to enjoy some street food. Otherwise the day was along...
neville177
Jul 16
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We're off!
Day 1: finally, all the weeks of preparation and anticipation are over and we start. First stop Blewburton Hill's Iron Age fort - we will...
neville177
Jul 15
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These boots were made for walking
12 July: two days before the big day and the boots get their final waxing. Better not leave them out in the sun or the wax’ll melt - as...
neville177
Jul 13
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The maps are ready
"I am told there are people who do not care for maps, and I find it hard to believe." (Robert Louis Stevenson). Here are the maps for the...
neville177
Jul 11
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Smells like tea’n spirit
6 July: How to harden up my feet for the road? Some advise soaking in white spirit - others suggest cold tea. I’m far from sure about...
neville177
Jul 6
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The first bag off the rank
24 June: three weeks until we set out on our Miles to Malts adventure. Excitement is building, and the first piece of luggage has already...
neville177
Jul 2
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The kit makes a bid for freedom
16 June: I left my hat on a train, Paul's poles took an extended lunch break and my socks adopted camouflage...are we going to have...
neville177
Jul 2
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Blisters in the Thames Valley
16 June: four days of low-altitude, high-temperature training together, with the delightful company of Cathy Ward and Danny Levart. Paul...
neville177
Jul 2
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Scrambles and storms in Torridon
9 June: Last week saw some more training for the big walk, this time in Northwest Scotland. Weather wasn’t quite as good as in the Brecon...
neville177
Jul 2
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Panting on Pen-y-Fan
18 May: Excellent day’s training for Miles to Malts… However, today was not about England or Scotland, but Wales: Brian and I in sunshine...
neville177
Jul 2
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It weighs how much?
Laying out the kit I think I need, and then trying to lift it - 15kg, so what can I do without?
neville177
Jul 2
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