WALK COMPLETED – LAST THREE POSTS PUBLISHED!!!

Update 16th September 2022 – Toby:

My sincere apologies for taking so long to write the last three days’ posts. Returning home, I was immediately thrown into all sorts of things which couldn’t be delayed.

Two other important points.

Firstly, I am going to write a postscript to the walk, with maps of the actual route I walked (I recorded it all on my GPS, but the individual tracks need a bit of work before they can be uploaded), all the stats, a list of all the high and low points, including the prize for the best beer, and a little bit about what the walk has meant to me. As soon as I have done all that, I will email everyone I think might be interested including all who were kind enough to leave a comment on this blog.

That brings me to my second point – comments. I wanted to allow unhindered commenting during the walk itself; however, this left my site vulnerable to people who wished to use comments for all sorts of indecent and possibly illegal purposes. I have deleted all such comments now and all future comments will be moderated by me before being made live. But please don’t let that stop you writing genuine remarks! I have been so touched by what so many of you have written.

Update 20th August 2022 – Toby;

At 18:36 on 20th August I reached the finishing point on Rock-a-Nore Beach, Hastings, 12 weeks, 3 days, 6 hours, and 57 minutes after leaving Cape Wrath. The journey was accomplished in 69 walking days spread over 88 waking days. Please forgive me for not being up to date with posts. I will post the last three late tuesday afternoon.

Update 18th August 2022 – Toby:

You are all welcome to join me in Hastings for the last 400 yards of my walk, should you wish to. If you do, please loiter in or near the Dolphin pub, Rack-a-Nore Road, Hastings by five thirty on the afternoon of Saturday 20th August. I am aiming to be there between five thirty and six thirty. If I am early I will wait. I will endeavour not to be later than half past six. We can then walk the last bit along Rock-a-Nore Road to the far end of Rock-a-Nore Beach together, where I will place the pebble I have been carrying from Cape Wrath, so joining the two places for all time (see rule 5) and my work will be done. My final posts may have to be shorter than usual in order to publish them on time.

Update 14th August 2022 – Toby:

I am on my way to Winchester, with the irritation of cancelled trains, to continue my walk to Hastings after a 12 day intermission, tomorrow morning, 15th August. Follow my posts which I will do my utmost to upload on the day they refer to. One new post just published. Look for another this evening.

If there are no further unlooked for problems I will arrive at the finishing point (Rock-a-Nore Beach, Hastings) between 17:30 and 18:30 on Saturday 20th August. Check this page for updates if you are thinking of meeting me there!

Update 6th August 2022 – Toby:

I am currently resting and recovering from a stomach bug (see ‘Days 71 – 82 – Intermission’ post below). My new schedule means that I will restart the walk from Winchester on 15th August and arrive at the finishing point (Rock-a-Nore Beach, Hastings) between 17:30 and 18:30 on 20th August.

Update from Winchester – 3rd August 2022 – Toby:

Yesterday it seemed like exhaustion, now I realise it is a nasty stomach bug. I’ll spare you the graphic details. I was unable to eat at all yesterday and today only a very little. I feel very weak; walking would be impossible. I have no choice but to rest up for a few days before doing the last week of my walk. Such a shame having completed 9/10ths of it. Please check this post to see when that might be.

Update from bath spa – 29th July 2022 – Toby:

I think there is some error which has crept in with the contact form on the Contact page. I’m not getting the emails which have been sent! If you would like to get in contact, please leave a comment on this or any other blog post. I will be able to see your email address, but other people viewing the website and comment will not.

19th July 2022 – Toby:

Burton Final Update. Done it! Ten posts in two days, bringing me completely up-to-date. Posts for Day 47 to Day 56 are published for you to read. Only thing: I’m dyslexic and my spell check has stopped working! There are undoubtedly many gruesome errors for you to grimace at. Tomorrow I will tour the National Brewing Centre before the first of three days on canals which will bring me to Stratford-on-Avon on Friday. Time will be short, so I’ll try to keep my posts succinct and published on the day.

Burton 2nd Update – 18th July 2022 – Toby:

Four new posts uploaded today (Day 47 to Day 50). I will bring the blog up to date by tomorrow evening.

Burton 1st Update – 18th July 2022 – Toby:

Hello, Everyone who is following! I made it to Burton yesterday evening, with my longest mileage so far (27.23 miles) and at my fastest walking speed to date (3.2 mph average for the day). I decided to take two rest days here, as the weather forecast is predicting 40 Centigrade and unbroken sunshine for each day – walking would be suicidal! It also gives me time to bring my blog posts up to date. I will do this today and tomorrow, so watch this space Tuesday evening.

14th July 2022: – Toby:

Posts have got a bit behind. From Cragdale I walked down Wharfdale, then over the moor to Malham, then south on the Pennine Way again, to Haworth, Hebden Bridge, over the moors to Marsden (south of Leeds, west of Huddersfield), where I’m enjoying breakfast. I am conscious of needing to get some miles under my belt and save phone battery, as charging it up is not always easy. I’ll catch up as soon as I can, and at least by 21st July, which is a rest day at Stratford-upon-Avon. Thank you all so much for following my blog!

11th July 2022 – Toby:

Yesterday was one of the best, having walked in glorious sunshine south through Wharfdale.

I made it today to Lothersdale, near Earby in Yorkshire. It’s a wonderful end to a difficult day. Heat exhaustion (it’s been 27 Centigrade) overcame me in the afternoon and I had to repair to the nearest establishment. The Hare and hounds at Lothersdale has fed and beered me and invited me to pitch my tent in the pub garden.

I have completed the post for two days ago (Day 46); Days 47 and 48 are written up but I still have to fiddle with the photos.

I’m still hoping to make it to Hebden Bridge tomorrow, to buy a map, and to post home what I no longer need. Watch this space…!

July 7th 20222 – Toby:

At last all posts are up-to-date and with photos to yesterday, Day 43, 6th July. I am heading south now for another eightish miles today. Watch for more updates!

July 6th 2022 – Toby:

Having arrived at the very welcomed youth hostel early tonight, I set about trying to bring the posts up-to-date. I managed the text of all five, the wind howling outside, but with slow internet, I only got the images up for Day 39. Images for the others will follow asap!

Tomorrow I head south for Middleton in Teesdale and ten or more miles beyond.

July 6th 2022 – Toby:

This is to let everyone know that I made it safely to Alston, c. 80 miles from Kirk Yetholm in four days. I had hoped to upload four new posts yesterday evening, but tiredness won and I had to sleep. These Pennine Way days are quite long and tiring, and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to keep up with writing posts. In the meantime I uploaded the skeleton posts with route, distance and weather. I will update you all from time to time here if I’m struggling to keep up with the main posts.

July 1st 2022 – Toby:

Kirk Yetholm is the psychological midway point of my walk (although over half the miles still remain to be trod). Tomorrow I set off to the south on the first stage of the Pennine Way, the walk’s last big challenge, and should cross into England mid-morning. I am planning to miss out Barnard Castle to help get back on schedule. Six newly-uploaded blog posts to read! Heaven knows when I shall have the time to upload the next!

29th June 2022 – Toby:

I made it as far as Melrose Yesterday. I’m getting a few more miles under my belt each day now. It’s almost impossible to keep up with the posts without a rest day, I’m afraid… I’ll do my best.

23rd June 2022 – Toby:

I made it to Glasgow, and posts are now updated to today. I will really try to keep on top of them from now on. I set off tomorrow (24th June) with the aim of arriving in Kirk Yetholm on 1st July.

19th June 2022 – Toby:

I camped last night on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, and I’m walking south along its shore today. Ankle improving as I’m taking things steady. I am booked in at Glasgow on22nd and 23rd June. I may be able to bring the posts up-to-date before then, but I will in Glasgow for sure.

14th June 2022 – Toby:

I have at last written the posts for Days 13 – 21, which are now live. I set off on the west Highland Way tomorrow (15th), hoping to get to Glasgow on Monday 20th. Everything changes now: geologically, the part of Scotland I am stepping into is of completely different origin; there is much more evidence of civilisation – a pub, a shop and phone signal once a day instead of once a week; soon the going next to Loch Lomond will be flat, and after that the route becomes urban. I will do my best to upload a post every day for the previous day… but I won’t promise. Posts for Days 5, 6, 8, & 9 are still skeletal; these may have to wait until after the walk – I have made notes.

Thank you, all of you who are following my walk. Having survived that tropical storm, I now feel all the rest is possible.

13th June 2022 – Toby:

Dear friends,

I hav e made it safely to Fort William, despite the tropical storm, which did it’s best to wash me out. Days 17 and especially 18 were the most challenging walking I have ever done. It has been impossible to update the website because there has been no signal, no time, and sheer exhaustion. However, I am on the first of two rest days, and so will aim to make posts for days 13 to 19 live on the e evening of Tuesday 14th.

update on June 7th:

Toby: I made it to Shiell Bridge. I’m now in the Kintail Lodge Hotel bar refreshing myself. Yesterday without a single road or car, and only two buildings. Tomorrow heading into the wildest, most spectacular part: the Knoydart Peninsula. I won’t be able to do the posts for days 13, 14, and 15 now. I hope to make it to Fort William by 12th June, but it may be 13th, so look for an update on 14th. Supper arrived ten minutes ago, so I’ll eat it! Toby

Update from Toby 6th June 2022:

13:00 at Achnashellach Station, in fact, I was lucky enough to see the 12:42 Down Kyle departing. Weather glorious! Next 48 hours completely off grid. Look for update lunchtime on 8th. Hope to complete posts for days 5-9 at Fort William in a week’s time.

Update from Toby 3rd June 2022:

The ultra-reliable emergency GPS device broke down on day 1 and still doesn’t appear to be working. I will create posts for each day, however brief, as soon as I have signal, and fill in the details when I can. Peter G is very kindly helping me to keep the site updated, but technology is what it is.

Update from Peter G on 26th May

Toby wanted to let his friends know, if he hadn’t done so already, that his posts will be intermittent as internet access is patchy along the route. There are emergency procedures in place.

Bear with us; DON’T PANIC!