Walking Lands End to John O'Groats 2025 for Alzheimer's Society

I left my wonderful home for the night around 8:40am having made a breakfast of instant porridge and bacon butty from yesterday’s breakfast. It didn't quite hit the spot that the cooked breakfast at the inn had the day before but having a warm bed, shower and electricity was such a bonus! I’d looked out when it’s was dark and the stars were wonderful. I also noticed that the pheasants were quite active during the night. And when I started the walk I was surrounded by bird song - robins, chiffchaffs, blackbirds, wood pigeons …. and gulls!!! As I reached the brow of the hill I heard skylarks and saw a buzzard soaring. A skylark rose in front of me and started to sing, and I thought of Mum. There are times I can remember the happy times - and feel how lucky I am my childhood was full of wonderful memories. With both Mum and Dad encouraging my love of walking, nature and in particular, the moors.  But I have to confess that this morning, I felt just how much I miss her and grieved anew...

For my nineteenth day of walking I left at 10:45 following a first-rate breakfast, plus having KT taped shoulders and hips and adjusted the length of frame and how I distribute weight (again) of backpack. I would see later whether chatGPT had the right idea!!! One of the banes of the walk is ill fitting or collapsed gates which have to be lifted to open and shut. Too many during the day (or stiles) makes for a harder day! But when they actually work - such a relief! There was a glorious view from Lype Hill - I could see Cardiff and Barry across the Channel, the gap to Porlock, the Quantocks ahead and Dunkery Beacon already looking distant behind me. It’s amazing the distance you can cover, walking (or in my case it can feel more like plodding with my friend the backpack) steadily through the day.  The scene of the Quantocks where I hope to camp tomorrow is alluring.  So far I feel so much better. Last night at the Inn, with a splendid 3-course carb and protein-rich meal and a ...

I woke up at 6am after a disturbed night, shivering for what seemed forever but may have been just the first couple of hours until I warmed up and put my waterproof on top of the sleeping bag. I woke with wind on the side of tent as it had veered during night. I will need to check the length of cord to that corner but not now! I was freezing cold so put all the layers I could possibly have, on and gradually sorted packing - had a banana etc as didn’t feel up to lighting the stove, particularly with the wind. As I started to wipe condensation off the tent, to my horror, discovered it was ice. No wonder I was cold! I’ll aim to camp lower down tonight!  As I followed the fence from Exe Head, a farmer dropped down on his quadbike to check I was ok and asked if I was looking for the gate. When he realised where I was actually headed he pointed out trees to head for. He probably thought I was mad being more focused on the two deer peering over the lip of the slope at us! I was reassured ...

I set off at 9:30 later than intended but I’d forgotten the clocks changed overnight so hadn't actually slept longer. It was a cold night but peaceful. The stars were great. The tent and sleeping bag are 3 seasons, with the temperature dropping below 3 it’s right on the limit. As I write I’m huddled in my sleeping bag with lots of layers hoping for a better night? Shortly after setting off I had a slight alarm when I saw the was road closed but fortunately the track went off at that junction . Phew! I caught the fresh smell of pines just as I noticed chiffchaffs all around. The trail was largely following the course of the river Yeo, and crossed some lovely old bridges. There were Roosters calling along the valley making me wonder if our chickens had survived suspected invasion of a mink or polecat- our bantam had mysteriously disappeared with a small burrow discovered under the wire... I stopped for elevenses and a rest - water and date slice - the backpack was not my friend this...

I left the wayfarer Inn at 10:15. I was worried that an unsettled stomach was what impacted yesterday and wanted to allow time to recover. I hoped it really would be a shorter and flat day today apart from the pull up to the campsite. This is where not having rest days takes its toll. As it happens, that is how the day panned out - a respite from some of the heavy going of the last few days and as I write I am sitting in a well pitched tent on a beautiful sunny evening with the longer evening ahead of me now that the clocks have gone forward an hour. That will make things so much easier. I’m at a well organised campsite although there’s only two caravans and me here! The luxury of course is having all facilities - toilet, wash basins, showers and charging points. And a beautiful view over the north Devon hills. I feel very relaxed and looking forward to the next few days now. So how did today proceed? This morning I was alert and taking in my surroundings unlike last night. I enjoyed l...