(20th March 2014 - 15 miles) Today would be a sun-no-show. There were only three sunless days on my 220-mile trail but, with a sorry lack of prescience, I worried when I awoke to one that the rest of my holiday would be overcast and rainy. I needn't have: after today, fine weather returned. … Continue reading St Oswald’s Way: Day 2 – Kirkwhelpington to Rothbury
Travel
St Oswald’s Way
In 634AD, or thereabouts, King Oswald of Bernicia led a small army against the combined, larger forces of Gwynedd and Mercia at the battle of Heavenfield. The record of Oswald's life is scant but on the eve of battle he (might have) personally raised a large wooden cross and (possibly) asked his men to join … Continue reading St Oswald’s Way
Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 3 – Steel Rigg to Wall
(Hadrian's Wall Path. 18th March 2014 - 14 miles + 1 off route) Breakfast at Saughy Rigg was as good as it gets: yoghurt with berries, toast, marmalade, the finest egg benedict in the land and swooningly-strong coffee. Decent coffee isn't so very difficult to make and yet I despair at the number of B&B's … Continue reading Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 3 – Steel Rigg to Wall
Coast to Coast: Day 10 – Ingleby Cross to Blakey Ridge
(24th March 2013 - 20 Miles across the North York Moors from Ingleby to Blakey Ridge) After yesterday's long miles, there would be no let-up today ... and unlike that endless beetle's crawl across the flat, there would be plenty of stiff climbs too. From a distance, the Cleveland escarpment resembles a saw-blade and those … Continue reading Coast to Coast: Day 10 – Ingleby Cross to Blakey Ridge
Coast to Coast: Day 9 – Richmond to Ingleby Cross
(23rd March 2013 - 24 miles across the Vale of Mowbray, inc 1 mile to Park House B&B) As Radio 4 chatted away to itself, I worked ruminatively and efficiently through an OK scrambled egg and smoked salmon breakfast, all the while staring out at yet more falling snow. (Not for the last time). I … Continue reading Coast to Coast: Day 9 – Richmond to Ingleby Cross
The Walking Gardener 