theintrepidvoyager's Guestbook
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Date: 26th September 2010
Thank you
Thanks for such a great blog. It is a pleasure to read something so clear, forthright, complete and well-illustrated. One thing that you seem to bring out is that the terrain south of Briancon is tougher and trickier than the terrain in the Alps to the north. In particular the descents seem to carry more risk.. you mention steeper, rockier sections and falling on occasion, something you do not report from the more northern Alps. Is this generally the case? I have already hiked the GR 5 through to Chamonix (usually in somewhat shorter stages than you took on) and I found the paths in general to be manageable in terms of security and stability, even where they are steepest. This is particularly important for me since I will be hiking alone a lot of the time, as you did. Am I going to find sections in the southern Alps a lot less pleasant, or even unsafe?
From Blog: The GR5 - Southern Alps (Briancon to Nice)
Thank you
Thanks for such a great blog. It is a pleasure to read something so clear, forthright, complete and well-illustrated. One thing that you seem to bring out is that the terrain south of Briancon is tougher and trickier than the terrain in the Alps to the north. In particular the descents seem to carry more risk.. you mention steeper, rockier sections and falling on occasion, something you do not report from the more northern Alps. Is this generally the case? I have already hiked the GR 5 through to Chamonix (usually in somewhat shorter stages than you took on) and I found the paths in general to be manageable in terms of security and stability, even where they are steepest. This is particularly important for me since I will be hiking alone a lot of the time, as you did. Am I going to find sections in the southern Alps a lot less pleasant, or even unsafe?
From Blog: The GR5 - Southern Alps (Briancon to Nice)
Date: 20th July 2010
My past and my future!
I just found your blog and have really enjoyed all the narrative and photos. I walked the southern part of the GR5 in France (Lake Geneva to Menton) in 2007, and the northern part (Luxembourg city to Lake Geneva) in 2009. I will be doing the rest in 2011, traveling north this time from Luxembourg City to the North Sea, following the Pieterpad as you did. I feel like my life was changed forever by the beauty and the challenges of the trip. I don't expect such dramatic scenery or experiences, of course, from the northern third, but am very excited about finishing the route. Thanks so much for taking us all along on your epic journey, although it almost caused me pain to see the pictures of the Alps. You see, we are Americans who had the great pleasure of living in Evian for six years, having just returned to the U.S. (to landlocked Ohio) in October, 2010. We appreciated every day, living in paradise, but are now happy to be nearer family. C'est la vie!
From Blog: The GR5 - Southern Alps (Briancon to Nice)
My past and my future!
I just found your blog and have really enjoyed all the narrative and photos. I walked the southern part of the GR5 in France (Lake Geneva to Menton) in 2007, and the northern part (Luxembourg city to Lake Geneva) in 2009. I will be doing the rest in 2011, traveling north this time from Luxembourg City to the North Sea, following the Pieterpad as you did. I feel like my life was changed forever by the beauty and the challenges of the trip. I don't expect such dramatic scenery or experiences, of course, from the northern third, but am very excited about finishing the route. Thanks so much for taking us all along on your epic journey, although it almost caused me pain to see the pictures of the Alps. You see, we are Americans who had the great pleasure of living in Evian for six years, having just returned to the U.S. (to landlocked Ohio) in October, 2010. We appreciated every day, living in paradise, but are now happy to be nearer family. C'est la vie!
From Blog: The GR5 - Southern Alps (Briancon to Nice)
Date: 27th May 2010
Prices of Vrienden op de Fiets accomodation are even lower then you mention: 18,50 euros a night for a single person!
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 1: Pieterburen - Vorden
Prices of Vrienden op de Fiets accomodation are even lower then you mention: 18,50 euros a night for a single person!
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 1: Pieterburen - Vorden
Date: 10th May 2010
Planning a GR5 snippet trek
plan on walking ribeauville - mittlach in june with my son and am appreciating your descriptions. I havent done any serious walking for some time and am debating whether to take two days and rucksack the route or stay in a centre and do day walks. Still cogitating
From Blog: The GR5 - The Vosges and the Alsace
Planning a GR5 snippet trek
plan on walking ribeauville - mittlach in june with my son and am appreciating your descriptions. I havent done any serious walking for some time and am debating whether to take two days and rucksack the route or stay in a centre and do day walks. Still cogitating
From Blog: The GR5 - The Vosges and the Alsace
Date: 9th November 2009
thanks!
Hi, Matt-- I am the author of Walking Europe From Top to Bottom and am enjoying your observations, comments, and photos. In Luxembourg, at least, little has changed... Bonne route!
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
thanks!
Hi, Matt-- I am the author of Walking Europe From Top to Bottom and am enjoying your observations, comments, and photos. In Luxembourg, at least, little has changed... Bonne route!
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
Date: 11th October 2009
I just got back from GR 5 in Lux, too!
Matt--Reading your journal, it was like you were right there with me. I walked from Burg Rueland to Mondorf Les Bains in May 2009, and your experience was so much like mine that I will use it to tell my family and friends--this is what I did! In Sept 09 (just a couple weeks ago) I got back from the northernmost 150 or so miles of the GR5, starting at Hoek Van Holland and ending near Diest in Flanders. I'll start in Diest in May 2010 and walk on to Burg Reuland. I have done this solo like you. (Also walked the Hadrian's Wall Path in your country from one end to the other.). I certainly would like some guidance on lodging in Wallonie. Wonderful commentary, great humour, and not long enough!!!...Write more!!....Bill
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
I just got back from GR 5 in Lux, too!
Matt--Reading your journal, it was like you were right there with me. I walked from Burg Rueland to Mondorf Les Bains in May 2009, and your experience was so much like mine that I will use it to tell my family and friends--this is what I did! In Sept 09 (just a couple weeks ago) I got back from the northernmost 150 or so miles of the GR5, starting at Hoek Van Holland and ending near Diest in Flanders. I'll start in Diest in May 2010 and walk on to Burg Reuland. I have done this solo like you. (Also walked the Hadrian's Wall Path in your country from one end to the other.). I certainly would like some guidance on lodging in Wallonie. Wonderful commentary, great humour, and not long enough!!!...Write more!!....Bill
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
Date: 17th August 2009
Jeans
Mellor, are you now walking around Europe in just your pants or have you bought some lederhosen?
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
Jeans
Mellor, are you now walking around Europe in just your pants or have you bought some lederhosen?
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
Date: 11th August 2009
early closing
Matt I think the luxumborgers would like your commentry on their country as I have! If you did not know we remained winless throughout the lodgers season but we have not lost heart and are planning to move grounds to Niagria (sheffield not Canada!) Keep going skinny dude! Jason
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
early closing
Matt I think the luxumborgers would like your commentry on their country as I have! If you did not know we remained winless throughout the lodgers season but we have not lost heart and are planning to move grounds to Niagria (sheffield not Canada!) Keep going skinny dude! Jason
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
Date: 10th August 2009
congratulations
HI Matt Your blog seems to follow a clear pattern - walk, food, walk, food, walk, strange person, amusing anecdote, beer, food, walk, food, walk, food, cows. Just in case people are saying the blocks are too long again i thought you could use this summary. I however like the length. Happy days when jeans go in the bin - excellent - i think you should post us some photos of you too. Love di
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
congratulations
HI Matt Your blog seems to follow a clear pattern - walk, food, walk, food, walk, strange person, amusing anecdote, beer, food, walk, food, walk, food, cows. Just in case people are saying the blocks are too long again i thought you could use this summary. I however like the length. Happy days when jeans go in the bin - excellent - i think you should post us some photos of you too. Love di
From Blog: The GR5 - Luxembourg
Date: 10th August 2009
like the beard
Hi Matt loving all the tales of the strange and wonderful people you meet. Also loving the beard - you look really well.
From Blog: The GR5 - Belgium
like the beard
Hi Matt loving all the tales of the strange and wonderful people you meet. Also loving the beard - you look really well.
From Blog: The GR5 - Belgium
Date: 5th August 2009
Missing you
Brilliant blog Matt, sounds like you're still enjoying it. Jack is well impressed with your trek - we were looking at his large atlas book and trying to follow your route, but he still thinks your bonkers. Roger gets made redundant on 17th August - can I send him out to you for a while, I'm sure a little walk in the country will clear his head and give him time to think about what he does next?! Missing you loads Love Penny
From Blog: The GR5 - Belgium
Missing you
Brilliant blog Matt, sounds like you're still enjoying it. Jack is well impressed with your trek - we were looking at his large atlas book and trying to follow your route, but he still thinks your bonkers. Roger gets made redundant on 17th August - can I send him out to you for a while, I'm sure a little walk in the country will clear his head and give him time to think about what he does next?! Missing you loads Love Penny
From Blog: The GR5 - Belgium
Date: 21st July 2009
Matt - good blog chap - sounds like you're making pretty good progress. Keep it up! James
From Blog: The GR5 - Belgium
Matt - good blog chap - sounds like you're making pretty good progress. Keep it up! James
From Blog: The GR5 - Belgium
Date: 21st July 2009
Certificate of the Pieterpad
Congratulations, with the Pieterpad, you missed a small restaurant (opposite of the "midget" golf) but you can also obtain it from their website, http://www.bergrust.com/chalet/pdf/oorkonde.pdf (I hope the URL is still there after pressing submit). On the tight passage, last week we decided to walk on the other side of the fence, that worked very well! Good luck on you way downsouth.
From Blog: The GR5 - Belgium
Certificate of the Pieterpad
Congratulations, with the Pieterpad, you missed a small restaurant (opposite of the "midget" golf) but you can also obtain it from their website, http://www.bergrust.com/chalet/pdf/oorkonde.pdf (I hope the URL is still there after pressing submit). On the tight passage, last week we decided to walk on the other side of the fence, that worked very well! Good luck on you way downsouth.
From Blog: The GR5 - Belgium
Date: 17th July 2009
Hey Brov, 1st chance I have had to get on and read your two blogs and again have to say pritty dam funny. I think Kelly made a good point about you becoming a travel writer. I'm already in the process of forwarding the blogs onto work colleagues cos they enjoyed the South American ones so much, i'm sure they will get a kick out of these as well. Never know might even get a few of them to sponsor you. Still on track to be in Nice by mid September with rest of family so see you then. Good luck and keep on going!! Oh yeh and wash those fuckin clothes.
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 1: Pieterburen - Vorden
Hey Brov, 1st chance I have had to get on and read your two blogs and again have to say pritty dam funny. I think Kelly made a good point about you becoming a travel writer. I'm already in the process of forwarding the blogs onto work colleagues cos they enjoyed the South American ones so much, i'm sure they will get a kick out of these as well. Never know might even get a few of them to sponsor you. Still on track to be in Nice by mid September with rest of family so see you then. Good luck and keep on going!! Oh yeh and wash those fuckin clothes.
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 1: Pieterburen - Vorden
Date: 16th July 2009
Don't abridge
Great blog Matt. I'd liked to have heard more about the stay with the young widow though.
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 2 - Vorden to Maastricht
Don't abridge
Great blog Matt. I'd liked to have heard more about the stay with the young widow though.
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 2 - Vorden to Maastricht
Date: 13th July 2009
WASHING
I have been reflecting over the weekend on your not washing. I consulted my brother, a seasoned traveller, and he pointed out that you dont need 'laundry facilities'. Buy travel wash and wash your clothes in the shower with you if there are no alternatives. Putting smelly clothes on is not an alternative btw. It sounds as if you are waiting for your mum to come and pick your clothes up from the floor and return them clean and fresh. Get washing!
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 1: Pieterburen - Vorden
WASHING
I have been reflecting over the weekend on your not washing. I consulted my brother, a seasoned traveller, and he pointed out that you dont need 'laundry facilities'. Buy travel wash and wash your clothes in the shower with you if there are no alternatives. Putting smelly clothes on is not an alternative btw. It sounds as if you are waiting for your mum to come and pick your clothes up from the floor and return them clean and fresh. Get washing!
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 1: Pieterburen - Vorden
Date: 7th July 2009
compeed rules
Hey Matt Great to hear about your travels and very impressed by your progress and determination. You have to post some photos of you at each stage so we, as you viewers, can monitor the changes in your 'fitness' :) Whats you favorite song to walk to then? Your poor feet - did you invest in compeed before you left - amazing blister plasters? surely you did - maybe you should add it to your frequently asked questions section. However if not i will happily buy you some and send some out to you somewhere - they are amazing! As i'm sure you will agree a few poxy miles a day is nothing to wearing high heels on a night out (something you may also have experience of?) so i am an expert in the correct blister attire. love di
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 1: Pieterburen - Vorden
compeed rules
Hey Matt Great to hear about your travels and very impressed by your progress and determination. You have to post some photos of you at each stage so we, as you viewers, can monitor the changes in your 'fitness' :) Whats you favorite song to walk to then? Your poor feet - did you invest in compeed before you left - amazing blister plasters? surely you did - maybe you should add it to your frequently asked questions section. However if not i will happily buy you some and send some out to you somewhere - they are amazing! As i'm sure you will agree a few poxy miles a day is nothing to wearing high heels on a night out (something you may also have experience of?) so i am an expert in the correct blister attire. love di
From Blog: Pieterpad Part 1: Pieterburen - Vorden
Date: 9th January 2008
the real land down under
what an interesting trip that must be. it reminds me of travelling in madagascar on a bus with my entire study abroad class. it has its ups and downs (btw, i really liked your torres del paine quotes). ushuaia is generally considered the most southerly town (esp by tourists and argentines). there is actually a chilean settlement further south called puerto williams. it's not that large, about 1500people, but there are schools and a small military instalation and people do really live there. it's harder to get to since it's on an island, but it is technically the most southern "town", though ushuaia is actually a real town. for a long time, punta arenas was considered the most southerly town, but ushuaia has grown much the last couple of decades and has stolen the title (though punta arenas, with over 100k people, now bills itself as the southern most "city"). happy trails and enjoy the rest of your adventures in south america. (¿how's your español coming along?--just curious). cheers!
From Blog: Patagonia (part 1) and the end of the world (but not in the Nostradamus sense)
the real land down under
what an interesting trip that must be. it reminds me of travelling in madagascar on a bus with my entire study abroad class. it has its ups and downs (btw, i really liked your torres del paine quotes). ushuaia is generally considered the most southerly town (esp by tourists and argentines). there is actually a chilean settlement further south called puerto williams. it's not that large, about 1500people, but there are schools and a small military instalation and people do really live there. it's harder to get to since it's on an island, but it is technically the most southern "town", though ushuaia is actually a real town. for a long time, punta arenas was considered the most southerly town, but ushuaia has grown much the last couple of decades and has stolen the title (though punta arenas, with over 100k people, now bills itself as the southern most "city"). happy trails and enjoy the rest of your adventures in south america. (¿how's your español coming along?--just curious). cheers!
From Blog: Patagonia (part 1) and the end of the world (but not in the Nostradamus sense)
Date: 13th December 2007
Matt and Salsa
As one of the pushy women (now off the tour and in Vegas) I can confirm that Matt makes an excellent salsa partner and is selling himself somewhat short in the dance department. However I do expect he has learnt a couple of new moves by now! Ahhh missing the pan pipes in Vegas, apparently there is no Andean themed casino......
From Blog: Lake Titicaca and La Paz
Matt and Salsa
As one of the pushy women (now off the tour and in Vegas) I can confirm that Matt makes an excellent salsa partner and is selling himself somewhat short in the dance department. However I do expect he has learnt a couple of new moves by now! Ahhh missing the pan pipes in Vegas, apparently there is no Andean themed casino......
From Blog: Lake Titicaca and La Paz
Date: 5th December 2007
Am sooo looking forward to pictures! Its great to hear you are having such a great time and am very very jalours! Keep those stories coming and have an amazing time Matt! Adios
From Blog: Lake Titicaca and La Paz
Am sooo looking forward to pictures! Its great to hear you are having such a great time and am very very jalours! Keep those stories coming and have an amazing time Matt! Adios
From Blog: Lake Titicaca and La Paz
Date: 28th November 2007
Rubbish. U cud have made the point it was me who made you aware of the Nkie´s
From Blog: Lima, the Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines
Rubbish. U cud have made the point it was me who made you aware of the Nkie´s
From Blog: Lima, the Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines
Date: 25th November 2007
Mellor - It all sounds great - seems that you're packing loads of stuff in. So how long are you with this tour group for then? Will you be with them over Christmas or making your own way by then?? Had a chuckle at the thought of you canyoning (I tried it myself in Oz and have to say, was far from elegant as a abseiled / fell down a waterfall!) and can empathise with the sandboarding. All essential experiences to have ... Guess this is making the world of local government seem pretty dull?!
From Blog: Lima, the Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines
Mellor - It all sounds great - seems that you're packing loads of stuff in. So how long are you with this tour group for then? Will you be with them over Christmas or making your own way by then?? Had a chuckle at the thought of you canyoning (I tried it myself in Oz and have to say, was far from elegant as a abseiled / fell down a waterfall!) and can empathise with the sandboarding. All essential experiences to have ... Guess this is making the world of local government seem pretty dull?!
From Blog: Lima, the Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines
Date: 13th November 2007
...coffee beans
Sounds like you're having a cool time ))) Get me some coffee - dry roast please...
From Blog: Misahualli and Banos
...coffee beans
Sounds like you're having a cool time ))) Get me some coffee - dry roast please...
From Blog: Misahualli and Banos
Date: 11th November 2007
Movember
Glad to hear everything is going well. I trust that we'll get to see a picture of you sporting a full beard! Captain Grumpy.
From Blog: Misahualli and Banos
Movember
Glad to hear everything is going well. I trust that we'll get to see a picture of you sporting a full beard! Captain Grumpy.
From Blog: Misahualli and Banos
jo van boxem
non-member comment
Hello Matthew, I normally don' t read blogs, but after googling GR5 Lorraine, I made an exception and I don' t regret it. Next week my wife and I will continue our walk to Nice starting at the border of Luxemburg and probably till somewhere between Metz and Nancy. I don't know when you wrote this, maybe you already arrived in Nice, but if not: enjoy! That's what we will do also. Jo and Loes, also from Belgium
From Blog: The GR5 - The Lorraine Valley