JUNE 23, 24, 25, 26 - THE NORTH AND THE PENNINE WAY

Specifically Blackwell, Edale, Crowden, Marsden each night. Green
hills have turned black with peat, and most days involve climbs to
5-600m (Kinder Scout, Bleak Head etc) in heavy rain, but worth it.
Tonight indoors for the first time in 10 days, very wet out. Eaten
many midges, followed tennis, and heard a few tales on the road.
Liking everything about Yorkshire. Bit remote so not able to update
always, the Way on should take about 18 days.

JUNE 23RD - TISSINGTON TO BLACKWELL

All off road today, made it to the Pennine Bridleway. Lots of rolling
hills and that sort of thing. Tomorrow should put me in Edale for the
night ready to go up Jacob's Ladder and begin the way proper. Weather
much better. Stopped into little village of Hartington for coffee fix,
after which the paths became a bit more craggy. Thanks to latest
sponsors, gradually heading to a grand which is fantastic. Right,
maccie cheese in a tin awaits.

JUNE 21ST - UTTOXETER TO TISSINGTON

Here I am in the Peak District at last then. Bought myself a cheeky
red beanie, a new bed roll and a set of serious maps that will see me
through the white and black parts of the Peak District and onto the
Pennine Way at Edale. Bit blowy out here at the mo, but little tent
doesn't seem phased by the gales. Proper hill walking from here on,
get some use out of the kit and see some country. My hair is turning
very blonde and have lost my eyebrows.

June 21st - Uttoxeter to, er, Uttoxeter

Slept straight through the morning and woke to find myself barely able to get out of the tent such was the wind and rain. So I'm based today in the local library instead of walking, which is all very nice and placed handily near a Subway. Feel on top form after a couple of days off, and realised I actually am essentially in the Peak District already. Aiming for Edale where the Pennine Way begins, although not sure it will be my only route, prefer storming along roads in poor weather.

Very low on battery for the phone (hence this comes from the library) and not a lot of places to charge ahead so may be out of contact for a day or so to save the last bit for emergencies - like Dominoes deliveries.

One last thing

Full time hiker (great euphamism by the way) I lost your email, do
join me on the Peak if you can. That goes for everyone too. Guiness
time at last.

JUNE 19TH CANNOCK FOREST TO UTTOXETER

Sun is shining, weather is sweet and the race course I'm pitching on
has a folk night on which they just invited me to, so it's time for a
rest day. Signing off until Saturday, which means I'll probably hit
the Peak District around Monday.

JUNE 18th - TELFORD TO CANNOCK FOREST

Today was particularly heinous. Rained a fair bit, and as this day was
very long used huge Roman road which was monotonous. Finally knee went
towards the end. But now I'm fed and sat in warm tent watching this
forest and feeling pretty pleased with myself, and all is well. Got
the hang of dealing with wet tent in rain now, so very comfortable,
although the peacock nearby keeps freaking me out.

JUNE 17th - BRIDGNORTH TO TELFORD

Left my duck buddy and rode Bridgnorth cliff rail to the shops (walked
back) then followed Severn again. Oyster like shells broken all over
the place. Cut mole on arm and performed minor field surgery
successfully. Campsite no good again but friendly farmer has put me up
in backyard. Meant to say, had my first car pass screaming SCRUBBERS
the other day with gesture, good stuff. Big wet day tomorrow. Might
even have a wash.

JUNE 16th - KIDDERMINSTER TO BRIDGNORTH

Nice day in the country today. Went to Kinver with every intention of
mounting a big push north, but was too tired (and full of Ginsters
more to the point) so commissioned some satellite investigation and
headed here. Weather still great, and this big touring park friendly
and free for me. As I watched the clouds and listened to Clue a duck
joined me with a friendly peck on the arm. He's studying the map at
the mo, I'm hoping for directions.

JUNE 15th and 16th - HOOK BANK TO WORCESTER TO KIDDERMINSTER

Spent Saturday heading to Worcester, where we discovered the campsite
had been disappeared by last year's floods and the Malvern show had
filled the BBs. Found a room in the end with great views of the Severn
and cathedral. Saw Indy, not impressed. Today I bid farewell to a trek
hardened Kiran and continued to Kiddie solo, after first site said
they'd been meaning to take down the tents welcome sign and added 7
miles to my alleged rest day. Ta.

JUNE 12th and 13th - MORETON VALENCE TO THE HAW TO HOOK BANK

Last two days began with a walk up to and through Gloucester where
people are strange, and not necessarily just when you're a stranger.
Camped north of town on the Severn behind pub which was covered in
signs and notices on how to behave. We behaved. Next day headed
towards Great Malvern with the hills marking the path. Kiran collapsed
in corn field. Spending night camped behind nice old pub with a view
to heading into Worcester tomorrow.

JUNE 11th - LOWER WICK TO MORETON VALANCE

More road walking today, mercifully cooler. Weaved around the M5, what
can I say, today was pretty dull. Nice dinner, cooked something other
than Super Noodles. These little hamlets are all south of Gloucester
(if that helps James), which we will cross tomorrow via the Severn.

JUNE 10th - CHIPPING SODBURY TO LOWER WICK

Gladly vacated Chip Sod and walked a boring road up past endless
quarries. First night camping for a while, much better. Nice easy
trail ahead along the Severn Way, lots of sites on beauty spots and
idyllic posh towns. Bit concerned I'm being drawn nearer and nearer to
Brummies. Saw first hare today.

JUNE 9th - KEYNSHAM TO CHIPPING SODBURY

Set off early and followed the Monarch Way north. Many paths were
completely overgrown, hacked our way through and made it to a pub
hotel which, frankly, is crawling. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a
few days camping thankfully, as we head up Gloucester through clouds
of grass pollen.

JUNE 8th - BRISTOL TO KEYNSHAM

Short day as first half spent acquiring supplies, and most the
afternoon leaving Bristol. In position to get into the Cotswalds first
thing tomorrow. Very few campsites so may need to disappear into the
hills for a few days for a little adventure.

7th JUNE - CHEDDAR TO BRISTOL

Back to it and a great first day. Met a fellow hiker and enjoyed a
brief wander together across the Mendips, spotted apparently wild
goats, and then stormed up to Bristol for dinner with Kiran, who is
joining me for a week. Good to be back.

HEADING BACK OUT

After much huffing I will be heading back to Cheddar for an early start to Bristol on Saturday morning. Cheddar has to be one of the most difficult and yet not remote places to get to without a car. Typical I picked it as the break point. No matter, I will head through the gorge, plod around the Mendips, and then pick up my first special guest traveller on Saturday night. Future path looks like the Cotswold Way, Heart of England way, Staffordshire Way, Pennine Way, Scotland.