Category: JOGLE 2017

Didn’t take many photos today, concentrating on keeping my replacement phone dry!! Left the farm at Roadwater and followed country lanes for a few miles before climbing up in farmland through the Brendon Hills. Overnight rain had made the  long grass very wet so it was a waterproof day.

After passing through the little village of Wheddon Cross I found myself finally onto Exmoor and a relatively straightforward climb up to Dunkery Beacon, the highest point around. Unfortunately the views to the north were clouded out so no sea view today.

A long wet yomp westwards followed as the rain came in and I made my way to Warren farm – almost 2 miles from Simonsbath. In between was something called the Postmans Path – without doubt one of the steepest climbs on the whole walk – and not needed for tired legs. A few deep breaths and up I went in no time at all – I must have gotten fitter!

Arriving at the Exmoor Forest Hotel Cath and I quickly decided we would wild camp on their car park rather than drive 5 miles back to the nearest camp site. Overall a good day and great to be back on the moors – maybe my favourite walking.

Woke today feeling a million time better and positive after a good sleep. After a couple of road miles and climbing through some surprisingly easy farmland I emerged onto to Quantocks Moor and up to the highest point called Wills Neck. It was a bit windy but the views were amazing all around – I guess I have to say I’ve seen the sea now properly for the first time since JOG.A stretch of wooded path connected the next part of the moor where I followed tracks to Bicknoller, descending the steep Combe to the village and a pit stop at the local store. After the last few days it felt so liberating to be on high open moorland again! 

Leaving Bicknoller I then had to go through the Brendon Hills with views back to the Quantocksand chose minor roads over fields where possible to pass through Monksilver and Nettlecombe before reaching Roadwater and the camp at Lowood Farm with spirits high and yesterday’s trial a distant memory.

Tomorrow I will discover Exmoor.

Possibly the most difficult day of the walk and no hills to climb!! Had a good evening in Cheddar but didn’t sleep well – too warm then too cold – so left tired and not looking forward to the Somerset levels. I had planned to use roads again as much as possible but in some places I had no option but to cross fields on invisible paths, detour around blocked routes (cattle, fences and vegetation). At one point I had to put on my waterproofs just to get through a gate infested with nettles and brambles above head height. I had to stop twice to empty my boots and get rid of seeds and grass etc from my socks. So by the time I crossed the M5 for the final (6th) time at Bridgwater I was already very frustrated. At least the weather was cooler than the last few days. Bridgwater was easy to navigate with a map but not the most inspiring town. The final few miles to Goathurst were tiring and my body and mind just wanted the day to end. The Secret Valley camp site at Cobbs Cross farm was a nice end to a very tough day. Glad to get it out of the way though and looking forward to the Quantock Hills tomorrow.

Similar strategy today for energy management to cope with the expected 30 degree temperatures. So minimal messing around in fields and cut out a stretch of Mendips and the Cheddar Gorge at the end. The only real climb was to get out of Clapton over the M5 motorway and up to an old military camp other new views across the Somerset levels 

After this there was a sequence of minor roads to avoid fields, more cyclists than cars, until I got Yatton, where I had a rest st the station before heading on the Strawberry Line disused railway track

I followed this track to Sandford for a lunch stop then opted to continue along it for the rest of the way to Cheddar. Two real things of note – a long, very dark railway tunnel and the lovely town of Axbridge where I took the opportunity to get a hair cut at NuGents owned by a really nice guy called Tom, who did my hair, gave me an ice cold coke and would not charge me a penny. Great bloke!

Suitably groomed and refreshed I ventured back out into the heat for the final 2 miles to Cheddar and a lovely campsite at Petruth Paddocks.

Today’s plan leaving Aust was to live with the heat, avoid overgrown fields and paths where possible and make sure I got plenty of water on board – and to take some photos now I have a phone to use. Unfortunately, the first 2 miles or so I had no choice but to cross some fields and was already nursing a few nettle stings before an hour had passed. After that I stuck to minor roads for a while through a couple of nice villages before some more cross country meant more difficult terrain. I passed a nice place at Kings Weston and had another motorway bridge crossing over the river Avon.

I gained height after that, going through Easton in Gordano with some nice views back to the Severn estuary

After some more overgrown lanes I came across the Downs School, very nice place with an enormous sports field to cross. One last field of cows lazing in the shade and a final short cut to Clapton and our wild camp at the Black Horse pub. Another hot day in store tomorrow but nice to have a phone again – thanks Keith for that!

Strange old day but overall I think I managed it pretty well. Conscious of the hot temperatures I decided to stay with the low routes along the river Wye as much as possible rather than going for the higher Offas Dyke Path. A few overgrown fields on the first part meant wet feet but that was ok as I got a fair bit of shade at times, particularly along the old railway line and in wooded areas. I stopped and watched one of several fishermen standing near weirs in the river, but not for long! After passing the impressive Tintern Abbey ruins I finally had no choice but to gain height and very quickly had a path misread through a quarry which cost me an extra half mile – not welcome in the 30 degree heat. Once up though the path was easy to follow, one or two road shortcuts at times on the way to Chepstow. I could not resist the urge to stop for 10 minutes at the Tesco service station shop, if was like being in refrigerator!! Next was the Severn Bridge which I had dreaded, but with my iPod drowning out the door traffic noise, hardly any wind and awesome views it was actually an amazing walk! Only shame was that I couldn’t take any photos.. I soon arrived in Aust at the farm and had a cold foot bath waiting.

Still no phone, although all I need now is wifi, so no photos again, more guest walkers and a slight change of schedule. For logistical reasons I took my final rest day in Monmouth on Saturday and we welcomed brother in law Phil, partner Cat, their two children and mum in law Chris who will be 70 this week. Had a great rest day in gorgeous weather, very relaxed and very warm.  Cath then dropped Phil, Cat and me off back at Pandy to complete the scheduled walk to Monmouth. Not a difficult walk, but made harder by oppressive heat and not much breeze, although some welcome shade at times, however very little scenery to talk about. Having two people to talk to certainly helped today, which could otherwise have been quite tedious.

The route took us out of Pandy gradually up along lanes and over fields giving us eventually a view back to Hatterrall Ridge but not much in front. A slight route misread distracted by wild ponies led us past Llangattock to yet more field and lanes coming out at a place called Cahill Street. We met 3 ODP walkers near White Castle and then more lanes and fields to our lunch stop in the Bulmer Cider Orchard near Penrhôs. Even more lanes and fields followed as we headed past Llanfihangel and through some nice meadow along the river before another sequence of fields and lanes (at least we saw some White Park cows) led us to Hendre. From there we left the ODP and followed the lane down and up and down again to Wonastow before crossing the A40 west of Monmouth to get back to the campsite (Glentrothy) near Mitchel Troy, out of water and several shades redder from the sun.

No phone, no photos but great company and great weather for the long trek over Hatterrall Ridge and up to 2200feet, highest point on Offas Dyke Path. Fuelled by bacon and egg sandwiches, Chris Robinson and I set off and encountered immediate problems negotiating the streets of Hay before finally finding the path amongst the apparent plethora of car parks and public toilets. A short while later as we started the climb to Hay Bluff we took a wrong turn, adding a bit of distance and almost becoming uninvited guests at a funeral. We backtracked to the proper path and continued the long, partially quite steep climb. Sheltered from the wind and in bright sunshine the perspiration was flowing nicely. We crossed an open moor past a trilogy of marker stones, a clearly incorrect milestone (16 miles to Pandy!) and through a “sunken” depression before completing the climb up onto the ridge. The next 10 miles were punctuated by not very much really, 3 trig points, a few wild ponies, the odd walker, and cairns. Our conversations kept us going and eventually some nice views opened up across Herefordshire. After lunch we continued the final miles along the ridge then down through some lanes, fields into Pandy and a well earned beer waiting for Cath and Claire to arrive. A lovely couple of days and we wished Chris and Claire well as they sped of towards Stroud for the weekend. A change of schedule means my final rest day in Monmouth tomorrow, returning to Pandy Sunday morning to continue the trek.

Sorry, still no phone and not risking the iPad in the rain so no photos again today. I had the pleasure of Chris Robinson walking with me again today after our adventures on the Pennine Way. We had expected good weather so were very surprised to have to don the waterproofs as a rain shower struck just as we were setting off. We found our way out of Kington and onto ODP for the gradual climb up a lane then on wide grassy path up and over Hergest Ridge. Some fine views and a bit blustery but the weather was improving so when we got to the hamlet of Gladestry off came the waterproof for the next section up and over another hill to Newchurch but not before being told by a farmer that we were lost because we were about 50 yards from the official path!

We climbed up out of Newchurch around Little Mountain and stopped for lunch, called the girls to let them know we would be arriving early in Hay and then followed the path mainly downhill through woods (a Dingle) fields and lanes finally reaching the river Wye and another mile or so to the campsite. Today the girls arrived just ahead of us – we have Wifi so I’ve caught up on the blog but it’s quite windy – should be interesting as we go over the Black Mountains Hatterrall Ridge tomorrow.

Yes! Only 9 miles, but no phone, so no live route tracking and no Apple steps data, just my GPS to record distance and time.  I took my IPad in the event that a decent picture opportunity arose, but when I met the impressive Lucy Wood who is walking LEJOG alone unsupported I forgot I had it. This young lady is doing really well, I will be checking her blog Lucy wood walks to see her progress. The walk today took me up a couple of quiet roads to rejoin Offas Dyke Path, along some nice sections of the Dyke itself and an airy stop for lunch where I remembered the IPad.Not long after a steep descent via a golf course i arrived into Kington ahead of Cath, who of course had no way of contacting me now if anything went wrong with Betty. She duly arrived on time followed not longer after by Chris and Claire. The weather remained fine so we had a relaxed afternoon and evening before the serious walking resumed on Day 45.