Durston Iceline Trekking Poles After many miles and camps, my trusty Alpkit trekking poles were coming to the end of their life. The twist locks were starting to slip and so I took the plunge and bought these beauties off … Continue reading New Gear for 2026
I’d planned the Wolds Way as stage 2 of my Northern trinity. I’d bagged the Dales Way in May and the Northumberland Coast Path is already penciled in for September. The Wolds Way is a trail that had sparked my … Continue reading The Yorkshire Wolds Way
On Saturday 26th July I took on the first of 2 MacMillan Mighty Hikes to raise money for this amazing charity. Having been in the midst of a mini heatwave in the UK I was apprehensive about the conditions but I needn’t have worried, it was an overcast day, 22 degrees tops – perfect for a mighty hike! I have to say I was bowled over by the organisation of the event, from sign up to the start line everything about the communications, instructions, set up and facilities were incredible. I parked at the finish point then hopped on one … Continue reading MacMillan Mighty Hike
Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a weeks hiking as much as I had this one. I’d ordered the Harvey map at least 6 months beforehand and had spent the past few months meticulously plotting mileage and booking campsites. More importantly I’d also picked up ‘The best pubs in the Yorkshire Dales’ in paperback from the charity shop – a vital source of information. I was ready, and then just over a week before the start something happened. My Mum died. She’d had cancer for a while and things had taken … Continue reading The Dales Way
The Dales Way & Fife Coastal Path The Dales Way – April Beginning in Ilkley, the Dales Way is an 80 mile trail that follows the River Wharfe through the Yorkshire Dales, heading across country through Dentdale before eventually arriving at Bowness-on-Windemere in the Lake District. There are quite a few villages along the way too. It’s apparently one of the ‘easier’ UK long distance trails if an 80 mile walk can ever be classed as easy! During my hike on the Coast to Coast last summer I fell in love with the Yorkshire Dales so I’m eager to return. … Continue reading Plans for 2025
Back in September I spent a couple of days in the Peaks for a road test of the new Durston X mid tent. I parked at the campsite in Monyash and set off from there. The path to Lathkill Dale was literally just over the road from the campsite. The weather had been really hot for the previous few weeks so the riverbeds were all dried up which was a shame. Nonethess it was a pleasant stroll along the dale eventually doubling back via Youlgreave into Monyash. Stopped off for a few jars at the Bulls Head pub before pitching … Continue reading Peaks – Eyam, Monyash
South Haven Point to Weymouth This is Part 1 of my South West Coast path walk, starting at South Haven point in Studland Bay. This is officially the ‘End’ of the SWCP but I’ve decided to follow the path in the other direction. The plan was to walk the 37 or so miles from South Haven to Weymouth over 3 days, albeit the first day shortened substantially after the travel to get there. I took a while to get to the start point, Train, Tube, Train, Taxi, Ferry but having got to the start point I was greeted with glorious … Continue reading South West Coast Path – Part 1
First time in the Peak District and what a place! This was the second weekend away with my full pack in prep for the West Highland Way. Thought I’d try to replicate some of the landscapes, albeit on a smaller scale…! Spent day 1 at Ladybower reservoir doing a 11 mile loop around the main part. Odd to see the remains of villages that were flooded to make the reservoir back in the 1940s. Pretty easy walking and was back at the car by early afternoon which gave me time to pop to the Alpkit store in Hathersage before heading … Continue reading Peak District – July 2021
Managed to catch a break in the weather to spend a couple of days in the Cotswolds prepping for my West Highland Way hike in late August. Found a free 72hr Car Park in Stow so was able to park up and head off with no fumbling around for change for once! Headed out from Stow past John Entwhistle’s (The Who) old place on the outskirts of town through Lower and Upper Slaughter, stopping at the Black Horse at Naunton for lunch. Very muddy, very boggy – tough going with a full pack! After a cheeky couple of San Miguels, … Continue reading Stow on the Wold – Boughton on the Water. 2 days in the Cotswolds
An unexpected visit to deepest Kent resulted in a couple of days on the Viking Coast Path. Lovely weather for it too! Continue reading Viking Coast Path
Rusty Outside 