Plans for this year are going well, but we are still working on packing etc. at present we are taking the same kit as for last year plus and extra set of clothes (trousers, shirt, socks, fleece) so as to keep our packing to a minimum. Weight is not an issue but we will still pack most of our gear into our rucksacks and then add a small 'overnight' bag each for the extra clothes and to use on the ferry. This means we will have 3 complete sets of clothes each, plus extra underwear and socks. We will also take a light shower jacket each as well as our ponchos - this is partly for an extra layer if evenings are cool rather than for walking in.
It feels slightly strange to be taking the car and needing to check road directions from the ferry to our first stop. Looking for places to visit we have found several 'off the Camino' but easily accessible by car so this will be a mix of sightseeing and Camino walking. Day 1 we will stay overnight in Cobreces before moving on to La Isla for 3 nights. Here we have found a nearby church and museum as well as wanting to walk from La Vega to La Isla. Then we move on to a casa rural near Luarca, again to walk part of the Camino.
So back to the planning and practise walking. At least the weather is improving here and still has plenty of time to improve in Spain too before we go.
Saturday, 23 April 2016
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Walking Around New Year to Easter
We have been mostly road walking during the winter but are beginning to get 'off road' again. The old railway provided some walking and the field tracks were drying out.
Over Easter we have been walking around Dartmoor at Becky Falls, Haytor and Parke. The moor itself seemed very dry but Parke was extremely wet after further weekend rain. All good practise, especially the climb up by the falls!
Over Easter we have been walking around Dartmoor at Becky Falls, Haytor and Parke. The moor itself seemed very dry but Parke was extremely wet after further weekend rain. All good practise, especially the climb up by the falls!
Wednesday, 27 January 2016
New Year, new plans
Having walked the Camino de Santiago several times we plan this year to return to N Spain with a car. We want to visit places on the Camino which we missed previously. Then we can walk either sections of the Camino or other footpaths in the area.
Places we hope to see are Mondoñedo, Britoña, Puerto de Palo and part of the Hospitales route. Then to other places including the lakes above Covadonga.
This is all much later in the year so as ever.....watch this space.
This is all much later in the year so as ever.....watch this space.
Saturday, 21 November 2015
Hills walks around Ledbury
The walk from the town led through the woods above the church. At the top of the track there was a ruined stable dating from the days of stage coaches, which would have been used for the trace horses needed to make the climb up the hill.
Another good walk was on the Malverns, where the track climbed to give views back to the ancient hill-fort as well as across into Wales.
Another good walk was on the Malverns, where the track climbed to give views back to the ancient hill-fort as well as across into Wales.
Friday, 20 November 2015
Ledbury
Having spent a week near Ledbury we walked into town and also some of the local footpaths on the hills. 
The Market Hall (top-left).
Cobbled street (top-right and left)
The building on the right was the last of the buildings in the old 'shambles' and was moved to its current location, on the cobbled street, to preserve it.
Ledbury itself is an interesting place with many lovely old buildings, including the Market Hall and the old houses on the cobbled street leading to the church.
The Market Hall (top-left).
Cobbled street (top-right and left)
The building on the right was the last of the buildings in the old 'shambles' and was moved to its current location, on the cobbled street, to preserve it.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Dartmoor Walk
On a beautiful day we walked a circular route from Ilsington. Starting from the Carpenter's Arms the route leads downhill at first, then steeply uphill to give good views back to the village. A further downhill section leads through the woods and across a stream before crossing the road and going uphill again to give a view across to Bovey Tracey and then Haytor. A further downhill section re-crosses the road before the final climb back up through the woods and into Ilsington past the village shop. Then we enjoyed lunch in the Carpenter's Arms.
The directions for the route are very clear and more can be found at Visit Dartmoor, and we also carried our OS map to check our route as we walked.
The track uphill and the view back to Ilsington
A muddy section
Looking back at the stile and stepping stones
Hilltop views:-
towards Bovey Tracey (L)
and Haytor (R)
Ancient signpost
Final uphill track through the woods
The directions for the route are very clear and more can be found at Visit Dartmoor, and we also carried our OS map to check our route as we walked.
The track uphill and the view back to Ilsington
A muddy section
Looking back at the stile and stepping stones
Hilltop views:-
towards Bovey Tracey (L)
and Haytor (R)
Ancient signpost
Final uphill track through the woods
Sunday, 19 July 2015
Cerne Abbas
Walking in the UK this year had been mainly over old ground in preparation for walking in Spain. However we have recently been to Cerne Abbas and walked the tracks above and around the Giant. From the tracks it is impossible to see the figure cut into the hillside, but there is a good view from across the valley.
Our time in Spain is recorded at Camino 2015 and covers the route from Ribadeo westwards to San Andrés de Teixido and then on the Camino Inglés (for the second time) from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela. Next year we are thinking of walks in Asturias and maybe near Lugo (Galicia) but taking a car to travel between major points for accomodation. Meanwhile we will continue to record interesting walks here as well as plans for places to walk in Spain.
Our time in Spain is recorded at Camino 2015 and covers the route from Ribadeo westwards to San Andrés de Teixido and then on the Camino Inglés (for the second time) from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela. Next year we are thinking of walks in Asturias and maybe near Lugo (Galicia) but taking a car to travel between major points for accomodation. Meanwhile we will continue to record interesting walks here as well as plans for places to walk in Spain.
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Dyrham Park
Although we have been walking regularly many of the walks have been over old ground. In September however we visited Dyrham Park, a National Trust estate near Bath. The deer wander freely through the estate park and the walks along the hill tops are excellent viewing places. From the hill top near the house it is possible to see the Severn Bridge, on a clear day. Our interests were mainly in the deer and the hillfort. We also visited the formal garden (deer proof fencing) and the church where there is a brass memorial to Sir Morys Russell (1401) and his wife Isabel (1415).
This is a place well worth visiting for the walks and there is a regular shuttle bus from the car park down the drive to the house for those who do not feel able to walk the distance.
This is a place well worth visiting for the walks and there is a regular shuttle bus from the car park down the drive to the house for those who do not feel able to walk the distance.
Thursday, 21 August 2014
Summer walks
Walking this summer has taken us to Wells, where the Cathedral has a walled garden. The figures on the west front of the Cathedral are reminiscent of Santiago.
Then a walk up Cheddar Gorge, which has to be on the road, returning by the same route. Walking on the sand dunes was good training too as it seemed that for every step forward we slipped half a step back.
Our most energetic walk was the walk on Brean Head (twice) doing the circular route on the second occasion. The steps to the start are so steep that they zig-zag up the hill. Then a good walk out to the headland, down past the old fort and back round to descend finally by a track back to the car park.
Then a walk up Cheddar Gorge, which has to be on the road, returning by the same route. Walking on the sand dunes was good training too as it seemed that for every step forward we slipped half a step back.
Our most energetic walk was the walk on Brean Head (twice) doing the circular route on the second occasion. The steps to the start are so steep that they zig-zag up the hill. Then a good walk out to the headland, down past the old fort and back round to descend finally by a track back to the car park.
Friday, 27 June 2014
Steam engines
Another day of industrial history.
The old railway line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes is preserved and runs mostly steam, but also some historic diesel, engines. On the half hour journey it passes along the banks of the River Dart, stops at Staverton station and then goes on to Totnes (Littlehempston). The train is not allowed onto the main line so there is a footbridge over the Dart and a path into town past the Totnes main-line station with the alternative of a longer walk along the river bank to the lower end of the town. We have walked the longer route several times but time and the weather led us to walk the direct route this time so our photos are all of the trains.
The little tank engine was pulling our train. At the end of the ride it is shunted round to the opposite end of the train for the return journey, with the engine travelling backwards. On this occasion its water tanks needed refilling before the return journey. The two old angines in the yard are awaiting restoration at the railway works, which restores engines for other preservation societies - boilers, wheels etc - so helping to keep our steam heritage alive and working.
The old railway line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes is preserved and runs mostly steam, but also some historic diesel, engines. On the half hour journey it passes along the banks of the River Dart, stops at Staverton station and then goes on to Totnes (Littlehempston). The train is not allowed onto the main line so there is a footbridge over the Dart and a path into town past the Totnes main-line station with the alternative of a longer walk along the river bank to the lower end of the town. We have walked the longer route several times but time and the weather led us to walk the direct route this time so our photos are all of the trains.
The little tank engine was pulling our train. At the end of the ride it is shunted round to the opposite end of the train for the return journey, with the engine travelling backwards. On this occasion its water tanks needed refilling before the return journey. The two old angines in the yard are awaiting restoration at the railway works, which restores engines for other preservation societies - boilers, wheels etc - so helping to keep our steam heritage alive and working.
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Lustleigh Church
The Roman stone has a Latin inscription which is translated on the notice board.
The ancient chair has a carving on its back of Adam and Eve, with the serpent in the tree, as well as David playing his harp to Saul at the top.
The bell ropes are hung on a pulley out of reach of non-ringers. On the wall side the ropes for the Ellacombe hammers are visible. These can be pulled by a single person to chime the bells, rather than ringing them full circle with individual ringers on each bell using the bell ropes.
Friday, 20 June 2014
Parke to Lustleigh
10kms round trip:-
We left the car at the National Trust at Parke and walked uphill and then through the woods. The route then goes along a country lane to the little moorland village of Lustleigh. Once upon a time the trains came here on their way to Moretonhampstead, but the line closed in the 1950s. The approach into the village is similar to reaching a village in Spain, but with thatched roofing. We visited the church and then sat on a seat outside to eat our pasties. Returning by the same route to start with we then walked along the old railway track, back towards Bovey Tracy, where it has been cleared as a footpath and cycle way. A further section is now being cleared to provide a bridleway/footpath/cycle track which will eventually link Bovey to Moretonhampstead again.
More photos to follow below later
We left the car at the National Trust at Parke and walked uphill and then through the woods. The route then goes along a country lane to the little moorland village of Lustleigh. Once upon a time the trains came here on their way to Moretonhampstead, but the line closed in the 1950s. The approach into the village is similar to reaching a village in Spain, but with thatched roofing. We visited the church and then sat on a seat outside to eat our pasties. Returning by the same route to start with we then walked along the old railway track, back towards Bovey Tracy, where it has been cleared as a footpath and cycle way. A further section is now being cleared to provide a bridleway/footpath/cycle track which will eventually link Bovey to Moretonhampstead again.
More photos to follow below later
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