Most commented posts
- Day 2 – Gone with the Wind — 7 comments
- Day 15 – Blenheim — 6 comments
- Day 6 – Rollright Stones — 5 comments
- Day 23 – Walking with the End in Sight — 5 comments
- Day 3: Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst — 4 comments
Author's posts
Sep 05
The Day Before
Jane and I are all set for our “circular” walk. It’s sad that driver Markus won’t be here –but since we’ll be sleeping in our own beds at home this year, we can’t justify his presence. He will be much missed. As ever, we are walking for Zimbabwe’s poor. This is the eleventh year I’ve …
Sep 11
Day 15: Brightwell-cum-Sotwell to Oxford
Home Stretch The last 13 miles at some speed through the outskirts of Oxford via Wallingford. Then to Christ Church via the Iffley Road to be met by a warm welcoming group. Dear Alannah was there to send us on our way from Canterbury at what seems to be a lifetime ago: there she is …
Sep 10
Day 14: Chazey Heath to Brightwell-cum-Sotwell
I clambered into a thicket in the deepest wood to, ahem, repair myself. When I emerged I discovered that Jane had gone, vanished, vamoosed into thin air. I shouted to no avail and then discovered that, as usual, I had no idea where I was. Not a clue. There were several tracks all pointing in different directions …
Sep 09
Day 13: Barkham to Chazey Heath
Arrived knackered at the end of a long and fractious day at Mapledurham- a long way from Wokingham! Much of the walk was on cambered roads through the edge of Reading. Anyone who walks seriously will attest how uncomfortable a material camber can be over even short distances. Vast roaring lorries and dozens of mean …
Sep 08
Day 12: Mytchett to Barkham
Mugabe I was told it was bad manners to wish anyone dead, but perfectly acceptable to read obituary notices with pleasure. It is in this context I come to the news of Mugabe’s death. He had a choice: either to rule like Nelson Mandela or turn into a tin-pot crook like so many of his …
Sep 07
Day 11: Guildford to Mytchett
Fast walking and great progress through unbeaten paths, smothered with nettles and brambles, a symbol of shame of the local authority. No other walkers. The afternoon’s walk was the length of the Wey river, peaceful and lovely with Moses swimming for sticks. Then we skirted Aldershot and walked close to RMA Sandhurst where recently I …
Sep 06
Day 10: Wotton to Guildford
Another vast switchback walk mainly over styles through National Trust woodland, skirting the railway line towards Gomshall; then through Sheer, passing numerous red stone “Pillboxes” from WW2, used apparently by the likes of Captain Mainwaring of Dad’s army, hastily designed in 1940 to frighten away the Germans when they invaded. Magnificent views and easy going. …
Sep 05
Day 9: Charlwood to Wotton
We walked fast for seven miles through far from the madding crowd woodland, quiet and peaceful and to our surprise no small birds were singing. Some of the woodland was awash with baby pheasants, to the torment of Moses, who very much wanted to kill them all! We powered along, probably up to three miles …
Sep 04
Day 8: Rest Day
A thankful day off from walking. It isn’t too hard, walking 12 miles in a day. The complication and frustrations arise from finding the way across blocked paths and tracks that haven’t been used for years; and then there are sudden and unmarked divisions in the paths with an occasional and often indistinct indication as …
Sep 03
Day 7: East Grinstead to Charlwood
We pass hundreds of villas, many sporting new cars worth around £60k each. It amazes me that people can be persuaded to spend that sort of money on a car that is destined to depreciate by thousands each year. It’s all about vanity, of course. An MP from long ago told me: ”The only sort of …