There’s no really big walk this year. The furthest we’re going to walk in one trip this year is 500 miles. Building up to that one, we pencilled in a couple of shorter walks: the length of Wales (finally completing our ‘lengths and breadths’ series) and the TGO Challenge.
A few weeks ago, I started plotting the length of Wales walk, based on Tony Drake’s Cambrian Way guide, with it in mind that we would take 3 weeks over the outing. However, when I plotted it, I couldn’t quite get on with the route from Cardiff to Llandovery – particularly the big loop in the Black Mountains which involves spending three days to make 3 miles progress northwards:
The Cambrian Way Route
I’m not adverse to taking meandering routes on a linear walk so as to take in the best scenery or to link good features, but I also like to make meaningful progress in the direction of travel, so couldn’t quite bring myself to plot a route that involved a day and a half of walking south on a northbound walk. I’m sure there’s merit in that loop, and at some point we will go and walk it as a stand-alone trip. For our Length of Wales Walk, however, we will start at Swansea and take a direct line.
The result is that the three week walk has become a 15-day walk, which meant that we found ourselves with a spare week at our disposal.
I didn’t have trouble with finding something to fill that week. In 2010 I walked from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Edale along the Pennine Way. In 2011 we walked from Dufton to Horton. This April we will walk from Kirk Yetholm to Dufton, thus completing my second walk of the Pennine Way (although I’m still not going to do it properly; we will once again modify part of the route, and I’m not ruling out catching a bus to miss out the dull day between Haltwhistle and Alston).
Train tickets have been bought for both trips, and with the sudden realisation (not to mention a touch of panic) that April isn’t dreadfully far away, today the cooking and dehydrating has started (5 meat pasta sauces and 5 meat chilli are drying as I type).
Ok, so, now I know what the 'warm ups' are, what's the 'not really big' walk of 500 miles then? Have I missed a hint somewhere? Was I the one at the back not paying attention, as usual?
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, Gayle. 500 miles is a 'long trip' in my book!
ReplyDelete500 miles seems like a career to me.
ReplyDeleteSadly I still have to work for a living despite promising myself I would have retired by now.
Time to write that first best seller.
For the avoidance of doubt, I do class a 500-mile outing as a Big Walk. I just don't class it as a Really Big Walk.
ReplyDeleteLouise - On this occasion it wasn't a lack of attention; no hints have been dropped yet.
Would love a 500 mile walk. Sounding superb. As for Wales. Looking a good walk.
ReplyDeleteWill look forward to reading your hike accounts as ever. i had some great times in Wales last year, hence i should be back on its coast in April.
ReplyDeleteCheers J.P.
A 500 mile walk sounds good. If things turn out right A couple of us should be heading in to the Cambrians in April. At least it will be warmer then, semi frozen toothpaste is no joke.
ReplyDeleteCracker!
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though you will coincide with my last summers's boundary walk four times, unless your route takes in that magnificent ridge from Pandy to Hay-on-Wye. I can't really tell from your map.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you casually slipped in the point about no really big walks this year, just a quick TGO and a modest 500 miler, then. Take it easy, why don't you!
ReplyDeleteAre you the Proclaimers or something?
I wish we could find the time (one day, perhaps). This year, though, we are hampered by a forthcoming operation that will have Missyg off her feet for a while - routine stuff and nothing to worry about, but it buggers up the walking schedule no end. :(