walking

Journey’s End

Originally uploaded by Lincoln Imp

And then it was all over. 192 miles in 12 days and despite all that nature put in our way, which included Fylingdales moor and the in destinct path which we never found (even when the gps said we had!) we made it. The photo was taken on the shoreline just before completing my task to mystify geologists.

For those who haven’t do a long distance walk before or even if you plan to do the c2c. My advice as a novice walker is simple. Preparation is everything, walk to your known limits and have a back up plan. Don’t rely on using a mobile phone because neither t-mobile or orange faired well in the lakes It was 4 degrees on Hellvelyn with 30mph wind and people we in tee shirts! Even worse we saw people on boggy moors in trainers, so expect the worst and prepare for it. I also found that whild the hare may be quicker a tortoise will always get there. For food I can not fault crab and oatcakes followed by an vegetable oxo cube in hot water and a couple of granola bars. 125 grammes and good for 23 miles. Don’t expect to loose much weight 2kgs is all I managed. Would I do it again, yes. What would I change, my ruck sack. Do use regatta, mine broke with 84 miles to go. Thanks must go to both Clive & Richard their company, advice, as well as the light hearted banter made the trip all the more memorable.

It’s taken nearly a month for me to write this last entry and not for the first time have I struggled to put down my thoughts. What I think I’m trying to say is this. It’s good, every once in a while to challenge yourself with something new, something which is different, something that makes you feel you’re alive, something that surprises other, but above all. Do it!

Almost there

Originally uploaded by Clive_lincs

Had a cream tea and we are just waiting for the families to arrive so we can dip out feet in the. But of course the tide is out.

Last day

Originally uploaded by Clive_lincs

So we set and stopped. Could not pass the Signal Tea Rooms at Grosmont station.

Weather perfect for our final fifteen miles.

Time to reflect

Originally uploaded by Lincoln Imp

This is the first day I’ve really thought about the end of our/my journey. In fact I’ve been in quite a reflective mood. The trip was always going to be a challenge as I’d never walked more that 10 miles before Clive suggested doing the Coast to Coast. Our training and preparation did take me beyond what we needed to do in distance, but no amount of training will help with understanding the terrain or conditions in bad weather. For those contemplating the walk you should take the time to plan your preparation. Being a fair bit larger in girth than the average walker, I also realised my fitness would be an issue. Tipping the scales at a mere 111kg (that’s 17 1/2 stone in old money) at the start of the walk, some of the terrain has taken me to places both physically and mentally I’ve not been before be they the precarious footings of swirral edge or the stiles of Swaldale, the boggy ground of Watendlath fell or the swollen gills we had to jump & wade through on our way to Tan Hill. What my weight is at the end I have no idea, but I do know I’m fitter in both mind and body. I’m looking forward to tommorow and seeing my family who are coming to cheer us to the end. And then the journey will be over, or at least this one, as in life we make many journeys, we never seem to reach a destination, for there will always be new journeys for us to make. What I do hope is I can learn from my experiences while on the walk because after tommorow I’ll have a new journey to make.

Day 10

Originally uploaded by Lincoln Imp

Having seen the forecast, which said ‘Heavy Rain’ and chance of Thunderstorms!, we consulted the map to see if we could get to Chop Gate any early by taking a short cut. So taking a right we headed towards Scugdale Hall and the over Wath towards Risedale and finally Chop gate thus saving 4 miles, not that we didn’t get wet again but at least only showers. By the time the heavy rain came we were safely inside.