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

Although the cabin was very comfortable my mind was buzzing and it took awhile to switch off. I knew I had a long day ahead and all depended on how clear the paths were. The facilities at Secret Valley were excellent and I can’t recommend it enough. With a fully equipped kitchen it was a real boon for me.  With having dried everything well the night before it really just left me to cook the bacon (thick!) supplied with rolls etc and get going before 8:25am. Passing through Goathurst I was sorry to see that the community had to resort to keeping  St Edward’s church locked with limited hours of opening. Offset by seeing some beautiful owl carvings just opposite.  As I turned off the road a roe deer ran ahead of me, the day still had that early morning feel to it. I missed a path off to the left, but realised quickly, crossing stream and entering a field of young corn with wild garlic growing on the stream bank - but beware young arum lily (lords and ladies) which can grow w...

I was so warm last night that I was actually removing layers of clothing by 11pm. But with the dawn chill I was shivering and the layers went back on.  At 4:30am the rain started again and even though I have a thermarest neoair elite sleeping mat I could feel the cold seeping up from the ground so lay on top of my waterproof in addition. With time I warmed up and dozed back to sleep hoping for the rain/drizzle to stop. By 7am, I'd had no luck so I started to get ready to move on. As it was very quiet here and out of the way I held off a bit longer to see if I had the chance to put the tent down dry. I wasn’t too worried as it was a short walk today to Goathurst and you’re not to arrive until 14:30. I did some writing and sorting stuff. The rain eased at last at 8:30, so I downed tent and set off around 9:15 with a bit of mist clearing quite quickly.   Rising to the top the mist below in the valleys was very atmospheric. There wasn’t a soul around. Peace. I reached the tri...

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 ...