Friday the 13? Not exactly but it is Friday and it is the 13th day of our walk. And disaster strikes. We could not make today’s walk. We left Dufton prepare for a tough day and knowing we had 25 km and just on 1000 m ascent. But the mud, bog, a slight navigation error and then howling winds, thick blanketing fog and pelting rain forced a decision. We had reached Knock Fell, the highest point on the walk so far and had 2 km to reach the highest point of the Pennine Way but the fog made it unsafe for us to continue as the track was barely discernible and for us dangerous. There was no one around anywhere so we simply turned and walked the 10 km back to almost where we commenced this ... read more

Never heard of Bernard Castle as in the location guide but it’s not heard of Bowes either. I know we crossed county lines and are now in Durham so you will have to use your imagination a bit. Several people have remarked (and that’s surprising as I thought only 2 read my blog) that I may have been a little merry, two sheets to the wind, somewhat molly the munk, a little worse for wear...but the truth is it’s takes time to drink 3 pints then a few glasses of prosecco and I simply run of time because I had to get up early the next day. So back to yesterday. That’s the Hawes to Keld day. Another day without Julie who is still recovering from a pretty bad ankle twist. The colour is fading a ... read more

Seven hours walking the Yorkshire dales on the hottest day of the year. Equipped with my jumper and coat in my trusty pack I set off without my walking partner. Julie’s ankle is rather ugly so she gave herself the day off. This means she travels with the luggage and takes a somewhat circuitous route but still beats me to our Hawes BnB by several hours. So if you want to know what the luggage transfer vehicle is like you’ll have to contact my twisted sister. Without her pedometer the exact number of steps is a mystery but again it must be close to 38000 as the distance was 23 km. Relatively easy walking on very clearly defined tracks made for a faster rate than we have maintained on any other day. That’s a reflection on ... read more

1. Lee’s socks, well not Lee’s socks because they’re my socks, but socks that Lee knits are better than even I thought. Two or three pairs will get me through the worst of conditions. My boots were so bad at one stage I dunked them in a cow drinking trough just to get mud off them. 2. Jake and Marie’s map wallet, well not their map wallet because it’s mine, but a map wallet that they gave me has served me really well. It has survived several big walks and is still waterproof and still with me everywhere and every time I walk. It is actually waterproof. 3. I should write a guide book. Then there would be no phrases like ‘right at the top of the incline turn left’, ‘taking the right turn will lead ... read more

A couple of house keeping issues. We are in or near Stanbury and Ponden but they don’t rally register on many maps let alone travel websites. And I don’t have a proof reader and Julie has pointed out a few errors post publication. Sorry. Anything that does make sense just make up yourself. And great job Ella. Two people on the planet know that the ‘glorious twelfth’ is the official opening of the grouse season. Ella continues a rich tradition of taking out quiz questions and has continued where she left off. I think I dismissed her comment without sort of knowing so if it doesn’t post sorry. I’ve been chastened by Julie so I’ll never do it again. On that note. We walked past a hidden direction marker this morning and overshot the path a ... read more