Back at the start

So today saw the team back where they started from last week - Kirkby Stephen - having walked a very impressive 82 miles from St Bees in what can be said to have been every sort of weather except snow I think.

Fergus proving they made it!

With only another 108 miles to go before they reach Robin Hood Bay, the team are off home tomorrow for a few days rest (and work too I think) before they set off on Stage 2.

Looking forward to what will no doubt be a very enthusiastic welcome from Max and Inca (hope you remembered a pressie for them Fergus), the team relaxed this evening in their own ways - the hoomans with a glass of wine and a trifle (?) and Fergus in typical Welshie style.

Well done all of you.  We are all so pleased you have enjoyed this last week (yes, even the wet days) but most importantly you all made it back to Kirkby Stephen showing no ill effects from the miles.

Murphy and I are looking forward to seeing you next week.

Sore ears

Murphy has had poorly ears for a few days now.  Mum tried to put some drops down them last week but he wouldn't let her (I am usually a 'good boy' and lie still when I have to have it done) so she took him to the vet for help.

The very nice vet lady called Rachael was also unsuccessful and told Mum if he wouldn't let her look after the weekend he would have to be serrated.  That doesn't sound very pleasant (or accurate?) which would explain why Mum wasn't too keen on the idea.

Murphy had extra Loxicom over the weekend and went back to see Rachael yesterday.  With a bit of help from Dad they were able to see no nasties or infection in his ears and put some drops in.  He came back to the car to where I was waiting a decidedly unhappy chap!

Today he is better but still shaking his head a bit.  Mum managed to get more drops in this morning but I don't fancy her chances of doing it again later!


Phew, it's a hot here today.  We had a very early walk this morning - we left the house before Dad did - and are snoozing in the house trying to keep cool.

Stage completed

A much better day today - I don't think anything could have been much worse than yesterday sounded.

This is Angle Tarn which was passed yesterday but not seen!

The highest point of the walk today was Kidsty Pike which Wainwright calls a 'milestone on the journey' as it gives a last view of the Lakeland fells.  I am reliably told that the top was reached today with 'relative ease'.  

I am also pleased to say that Fergus was back in posing mode and after this 12.2 miles was happy to stride out to the pub for dinner.

Rain stopped play ..

.. well walk anyway.

An unhappy report this evening from Aunty Debbie:

The day didn't quite go to plan I'm afraid. We had our earliest start, we were on our way from Glenridding at 8.40am in heavy rain, as we knew we had a hard day ahead, going over Kidsty Pike, the highest point on the whole route.  As we climbed the clouds came down and the wind and rain got stronger and stronger. Dave thinks the wind was about 60 mph. I got blown over twice and Dave was blown to his knees at one point too. After 4 miles and 2273ft of climbing we sheltered behind a drystone wall for as long as we could in the hope the weather would improve, but it wasn't long before we all started to feel the cold so we took the sad decision to turn back. Luckily our bags were still at yesterday's B&B so we waited with them and got a lift with the baggage carrier to Bampton Grange. So 8 miles in total, 2 very disappointed hoomans and a very wet Fergus.  The really frustrating thing is that by the time we got back to Glenridding the sun was shining. Had we set off a couple of hours later we would have been OK. We've discussed lots of options and what we have decided is to try today's stage again tomorrow, the forecast is much better tomorrow, and do the stage we should have been doing tomorrow on Weds before heading home.... and back to work for a rest. Fergus has dried out now and is fine, but I was really concerned about him in those conditions. Had we been on our own we would probably have carried on - but I have always vowed to put him first on this walk, no matter what I might want to do. Sorry it's not a happy report today, but at least we are all safe and ready to fight another day.

We are all so sorry to hear that the guys has such a bad day, but very releved they are safe and well and hopefully enjoying a really nice and well deserved dinner before trying again tomorrow.

Home news

Some home news this morning and quite exciting it is too, well for us anyway.

Shitley is doing amazingly well and has produced some huge tomoatoes which just need to go red!

Craig on the other hand has been concentrating on producing a new top after he lost his last one in the high winds recently.  He has only managed a tomatoe the size of a pea so far but has lots of flowers.

You have a bit of catching up to do my lad!

A better day

Well, to start with it was a dry day which has to be better than the previous couple of days.

After a lift back into Grasmere to the start of the stage (see my earlier post), the walk was just under 7.5 miles in around 4 hours on ground that Wainwright describes as a 'straight forward walk on a well-defined path rising to a high pass and then descending a long valley' and ending in Patterdale.
(Total climb for the day of 2,097 feet and descent of 1,854 feet)






Along the way is Grisdale Tarn, a place to 'contemplate the weather, the time of day and the state of the blisters'.  








 



 I am  not sure what Fergus is contemplating here, but it certainly isn't blisters!













Then time for a quick drink at Grisdale Beck before carrying on.













Even with all the planning of the walk etc., it is very important for a boy who has fresh, home grown vegetables with his dinner everyday to ensure they are well looked after when he is away.  So with an earlier finish today Fergus had time to ask me to send a message to Sarah to say a big thank you for looking after all the watering of the greenhouse and plants in the tunnel at home.  He is looking forward to meeting you and all your girls when he gets home. 

Aunty Debbie reports that Fergus is doing really well and has shown no ill effects from all the miles they have covered.  In fact today, he had enough energy left to go shopping!

Hurry up team!

Waiting for the hoomans before catching a lift to the start of today's stage.

Friday

A much shorter distance travelled today at 8.65 miles, but I can report that it was 'a real slog .. very rough and slippery under foot'.

The weather was not too kind either - raining and windy - although there does seem to have been one break in the clouds to snatch this photo looking into Borrowdale from Greenup Edge.

Today's stage was from Rosthwaite to Grasmere.  Wainwright's description of the beginning of this stage starts with 'the first bewitching mile, every step a joy'.  I am not sure whether our walking team would agree with that!

Hopefully the weather tomorrow will be kinder - dry and not too hot.

Ennerdale to Rosthwaite

An early breakfast today

I am told Fergus followed up his own breakfast with some of Aunty Debbie's scrambled egg (how could she resist a face like that?) with sausage and bacon supplied by the hotel chef! That hotel sounds like somewhere to go back to.

A longer walk today than was publicised by me yesterday.  I said 14 miles but the team actually walked 15.1 miles (the 0.1 is very important) and all of it in wet and overcast conditions.  According to the well planned itinerary I have been given, there were lots of climbs today - a total of 2,344 feet gained - but then also a lot of descents - a total of 2,390 feet.  Sounds like hard going to me.  

Sadly not many photos as it was so overcast.  There was time to take one at Black Sail Youth Hostel which Wainwright describes as the loneliest in the Lakes.

From Black Sail there is a well worn path alongside Loft Beck named after the Honister quarryman Moses Trod who used it to take pony-loads of slate to Ravenglass .... and probably his home brewed whisky too!  (Little bit of history for you again and proof that we have read more than the first few pages of the book!)


Wainwright describes the descent from Loft Beck to Honister as 'a simple down-hill stroll, made highly enjoyable by a glorious vista of Buttermere and Crummock Water'.  
Not today Mr Wainwright if this photo is anything to go by!

Tomorrow the end destination is Grasmere of Wordsworth and gingerbread fame. But more of that anon.  There is just time to say a quick hello to Jane who is a dedicated follower of my blog.  Fergus says thank you for your support and we all hope to see you again soon, it's been ages!

Finally, I would like to be a bit cheeky and pass on a message from my Mum who is helping me to post these pictures and words every night.  It is a message to Aunty Debbie ... 'keep up the good work with the photos and updates as helping Merlin means I have avoided the washing up every night this week!'

Today's report

Day Two and just 6.4 miles which is the shortest daily mileage of the total walk.  The route picked up from yesterday at Cleator and finished in Ennerdale Bridge.  I am informed everyone was happier today as it was cooler  - it looks to me like Fergus found some water / mud somewhere along the trek up Dent Hill.  (He wouldn't be Fergus if he hadn't!)

That's Uncle Dave in the background with what looks to be a rather large backpack.  Time for a short rest after climbing the 325m of Dent Hill

and then a descent to Nannycatch Gate which Wainwright calls a 'delightful glade' and a 'secret retreat'. 

Tomorrow is an early start for what is I think one of the longest days at just over 14 miles from Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite.  Part of tomorrow's route was including in a training walk a few weeks ago so there should be no surprises on that bit.

Just time for me to pass on some words of thanks from Fergus to Marie-France and her colleagues at the AHT for the lovely encouraging email he received just before he left home.

I also understand that news of my reporting has got around (probably thanks to the great pictures Aunty Debbie is sending to me), so thanks to Jeff for his comment 'I shall follow with interest' (I hope so Jeff as I am very dedicated in my reporting) and also Kate who has said 'Just love it! I hope you can keep up with him'.  Does she mean the walking hoomans or me??

Max and Inca

I thought I should give a mention to Max and Inca who are also on their holidays, although I think they got the easy option - staying with friends without all the yomping.

I am told they have enjoyed taking part in all the training walks and the trip to Norfolk, but it was felt that the extra eight feet, not to mention the tails that come with them, would be too much for the support team to manage on the big walk.

A couple of pics ...

 

Report - Day One

The start for real

The first stage was St Bees known for its priory and school which was founded in 1583 (who knew we'd be getting a history and geography lesson all thrown in with this walk?) to Cleator which Wainwright describes as ' springboard to beauty' standing on the River Ehen and the boundary of the Lakes National Park. 

A hard 9.8 miles in 4.5 hours and very hot weather results in a boy being, in his Mum's words, 'dog tired' at the end of the day.

The walk has begun

This morning the intrepid Fergus and his two-hooman support team set off from Kirkby Stephen to catch a train to Carlisle before heading off to the real start of the walk at St Bees.

Before boarding his train, Fergus took time out to for a few words 'this walk has been planned for so long I am so excited to finally be at the start.  Thank you for all the messages of support and the generous donations. I hope Mum and Dad make me proud and keep up with me, I have my reputation to consider after all.'

A well deserved ice cream on the train - he hasn't even started yet, so I think just a treat.

Carlisle station

Lovely people at Virgin but they could have got his name right!

Bag packed ..

.. and ready to go!

Home again

We came home on Friday after some help to push the 'van off the pitch as our mover thingy didn't seem to want to talk to the battery, followed by a car journey of over 5 hours. 

This is our 'new rig' (as some in the trade call it) at Wetherby services on a coffee stop for Mum.

We are now at home for a couple of weeks planning our next trip.  My best friend Fergus on the other hand has been very busy this weekend checking his Mum has packed all the right stuff for him as tomorrow they are heading off on the first stage of their Coast to Coast walk.

I am reliably told that Fergus's bag is the biggest and heaviest  .. sounds about right to me.

Good luck to you all, I hope the first stages goes well and you have good weather.  Can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks to hear how you got on and of course to receiving some updates and photos from along the way.

Beach day

Today we went back to Bamburgh beach and took Dad (and his camera) along the walk we usually do with Mum - over the dunes onto the beach and along to the castle and village, then back along the road.  Mum says going back to the car along the road cleans off all the sand we have brought off the beach with us.

It was quite windy and there were a few dogs around.  We met a Welshie but as I was being 'naughty and very barky' (Mum's words) we didn't get to say a proper hello.

The camera performed well as usual and Dad got these snaps of us.

 

 

 

Hard at work on holiday!


And finally a couple of posed shots ...

 

Wednesday - rain

A rainy day so it must be Roman Day? 

But no, we were very slow getting out of the 'van this morning so we went to Wallington Hall instead and had a very nice walk through the woods there.  Later, Dad went to photograph some red squirrels but was unlucky as none came out to pose for him.  He did see some people taking their ferret for a walk though ...sadly no photo!

Northumberland

We arrived on Sunday after an excellent journey despite heavy rain.  Mum was especially pleased with how the new car performed (her first drive towing the 'van) and that we only had to stop once for Murph to 'stretch his legs'.

Once we had set up and Dad had put up the big awning (he is hoping for lots of sunshine) we headed off for a walk at Dunstan Steads before dinner.  It's a lovely beach and usually our first and last walk when we are here.  A short trot across the golf course in the shadow of Dunstanburgh Castle and there you are on the beach.  Great.

On Monday we headed into Alnwick for a stroll around the town (one of Mum's favourite places) and then after lunch went to the beach at Beadnell for our walk.  It was lovely and very quiet which may have had something to do with the dark clouds and rain that arrived as we were out. That didn't stop us having a great time, although the seas was a tad cold!

 

Heavy rain overnight and a very restless night in the 'van.  Mum was complaining she was too hot and had no room in the bed.  I don't know how much more room she wanted, I was really comfy in my corner.

We were up early today to take Dad to Seahouses where he met up with friends from the camera club to go on a day trip to the Farne Islands.  We left him with his camera stuff and a packed lunch and headed off for our walk with Mum, this time along the beach at Bamburgh.  (Can you spot a theme for our holiday?)

 

 

That's the castle in the background and a completely empty beach.  Mind you it was only 9.15 in the morning!

 

 

Walk in the woods

Yesterday we had a great day out meeting up with Aunty Debbie, Fergus and Inca for a walk.  What I wasn't expecting was Aunty Debbie's friend Sarah and her five (yes 5!) black Labradors.

I have to admit I was a little wary of them all, especially when four of them came running up to say hello to us when we arrived!  They were all really friendly and we got on very well.

Here we all are posing for a major group photo - I hope I get all the names right!

Left to right: Murphy, Me, Trigger, Raven, Salu (not sure of the spelling), Beth, Diamond, Inca (at the back) and Fergus.

Mum said it was a great day and a very quiet journey home and evening!

Fergus Update

There are just 14 days (and sleeps) to go before Fergus sets off on his great summer walk.

The first leg is by car from home to Kirby Stephen and then he gets to go on a train to St Bees and the real start.  Hmm ... not sure if trains have been part of the training plan, but I am sure he will take it in his stride.

I have been given a copy of the itinerary (put together in great detail by Aunty Debbie) and will be posting updates on progress.  Mum has ordered a copy of Wainwright's book from the library so we can read up on where he is going everyday, and be with him (in thought at least) every step of the way!

I have one little worry about all this walking.

We are going away for a few days with Aunty Debbie and Fergus in August - Mum calls it a girlie week but we Welshie boys are allowed too.  I hope the chap doesn't think we will be doing 10 or 12 mile walks everyday, I have to think of Murphy you know .. let alone Mum's staying power!

Trim?

She who should be obeyed at all times (that's Mum if you were wondering) has had me on 'the table' this afternoon

 and now she has the nerve to say she can't tell where it all came from!

June already?

Where did May go?

We've had such a busy time lately.  Here's some of the things we've been up to ...

We had our annual boosters at the vet and were very sad to hear that our regular vet was leaving to move south.  That said, we saw a really lovely lady vet who gave us both some Smacko for being good boys.  She's a keeper!

We had a lovely family day at Clumber for hooman Hannah's birthday.

There were about 10 hoomans and four dogs - Me, Murphy, Tigger and a lovely little chap called Rufus ( a Sprocker I think) who was very shy at the start of the day but was beginning to play with Mum by the end. What made the day really special is that Nana came - she has been quite poorly after falling over and we haven't seen her for ages.  She enjoyed her day and even laughed when I barked at her walking stick.

Mum collected her new car and we really like it.  It is a bit lower than the last one so much easier to jump in and out of although Murph still gets a helping hand. Mum's happy as she has loads of room for 'stuff' like towels, treats, bowls, leads etc. for us.

Last Thursday we met up with loads of friends, some we hadn't seen for ages, for a lovey walk at Thoresby Park.  It was a really nice leisurely walk, just far enough for the hoomans to work up an appetite for lunch.

And so to this week when I learnt that we are heading off in our 'van soon to visit our favourite place in the north which is the area around Alnwick and Seahouses and all the lovely beaches that go with it.  Dad is having another trip to the Farnes (how many pictures of cute puffins does he need?) and we will have a day at the beach with Mum.  The inevitable Roman day will happen, and Mum has said she wants to go to Sycamore Gap so I hope there will be space on the camera for a photo there.

I have also learnt that in July we are taking the 'van to New Lodge and leaving it there so we can go down and stay whenever we want for the rest of the summer.  Can't wait, what lucky boys we are!