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

Foxes were barking through the night and tawny owls calling one much lower in tone than the other. So atmospheric. I thought the new arrangement was working well but I woke shivering at 4:30. The sleeping bag was damp where I’d wrapped up with the reflective blanket.  I managed to doze but started getting up rather dazedly at 6:20. I suppose predictably there was ice on the inside of the tent again. Green and spotted woodpeckers along with squirrels churring gave a different slant to the dawn chorus this morning. As I took the tent down I realised there were wood anemones all around me, and was pleased to leave before 8. The path took me down the lovely wood full of ramsons (wild garlic) with some toxic lords and ladies mixed in, white wild anemones and the start of bluebells. As I came off the Mendips I seemed to come down off limestone onto red sandstone. Looking back over to the Mendips and where I camped, I realised I was now following the Monarchs and the Samaritan’s Way. Prog...

Today was quite a walk both in length and exertion - Cheddar gorge is quite a climb! I’d slept well as my 7am alarm woke me up - for the first time I’d not woken of my own accord. The usual routine followed minus tent and most of the packing - such a luxury. The view out to Glastonbury Tor is very special. Ready for the off, I heard the sound of summer - twittering of swallows or house martins whilst I did a final check that all was left tidy in the shepherd hut. A good night’s stay on top of a great evening catching up with Rollo. As I left, a couple of Heron flew over head with their rather prehistoric look and cry whilst a whitethroat called from the hedge as I walked down a green lane. As my 20:20 vision decreased through my fifties and into my sixties, and as my long distance walking has begun in earnest, I have come to learn to identify birds as much  and more by their calls as by their appearance. Two apps I find invaluable are Chirp-o-matic and British Birds (Collins). I ne...

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...