#62 A BONNIE DANDER (AT LAST)

Scotland (finally) welcomes me… LEJoG Day 62 Day 62 pre-amble Nothing too complicated here. A “bonnie dander” is Scottish slang for a lovely walk. On my fifth day here, that’s exactly what Scotland gave me. I thought about writing “aboot time an ‘ aw!” in the brackets. However this is the second consecutive day of […]

#59 MONK ON

Welcome to LEJoG Day 59… the poor man’s abbey road Day 59 pre-amble I grew up in a place which is geographically part of Derbyshire, but has a Nottinghamshire postcode. The inhabitants of these ignored and unlamented borderlands around the Erewash Canal have a distinct accent not often heard on television and radio. Subtly different […]

#57 BORDER JOLLY (OR, A BIT OF PHILLIP AND SARAH)

Welcome to LEJoG Day 57, and to Scotland Day 57 pre-amble I toyed with several options for this post title, marking the momentous final border crossing between England and Scotland. Eventually I went back to my first idea, rhyming with the favourite dog breed of both my auntie and one of my anonymous blogging inspirations. […]

#56 A HALFWAY SERIOUS UNDERTAKING

Welcome to LEJoG Day 56, and all the best to Joyce and Colin Day 56 pre-amble The final stretch of the Pennine Way, from Byrness to Kirk Yetholm, is without doubt a serious undertaking. Trailblazer suggests that it will take 10½ to 13 hours of walking, and it includes almost a mile of vertical ascent. […]

#54 “UP AND DOWN I’M UP THE WALL” (AND THROUGH THE BLOODY TREES)

Welcome to LEJoG Day 54, unless you’re a barbarian (in which case keep out!) Day 54 pre-amble Today’s post title is inspired by the lyrics to this song from 1982. Here’s the key refrain: You keep me running round Well that’s alright with me Up and down, I’m up the wall I’m up the bloody […]

#52 HIGH POINT (AND LOW POINT)

LEJoG Day 52: Come with me if you want to live Day 52 pre-amble Cross Fell (pictured) is the literal high point of this stage, this high-themed week, the entire Pennine Way and the whole of England outside the Lake District. Today was the low point of the week though, a long and not especially […]

#48 HIGH DRINKS

Because after the amuse-bouche, the feast and the cheeseboard, you might fancy a few drinks. At the highest pub in Britain. Why not? Day 48 (Saturday 20 July 2019) Hawes to Tan Hill (16½ miles) Cumulative: 670½ miles Facts: Time on walk: 5 hours 55 minutes. Average speed: 2.79 mph. Weather: Grey, overcast; rain from […]

#47 CHEESEBOARD

Welcome to LEJoG Day 47 (Gromit) Day 47 pre-amble The third instalment in my little food analogy. After the feast you might expect a dessert, but some people (notably my uncle) go for a cheeseboard, right? Especially if they’re heading for the capital of Wensleydale… LEJoG Day 47 (Sunday 26 May 2019) Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Hawes […]

#41 RESERVOIRS, FOG

Welcome to LEJoG Day 41… let’s go to work Day 41 pre-amble Today I passed or crossed no fewer than six reservoirs, including Torside right at the start. It was also a foggy day, particularly on the highest point of the stage, Black Hill (582m). Now, the really obvious thing to do here would be […]

#37 MY (WET) PATCH

Welcome home to LEJoG Day 37 Day 37 pre-amble Yes, this is my manor (guv’nor). Today’s route included: the classic walk from Dovedale to Milldale, which virtually everyone who’s ever visited this area has probably done at least part of, and which I’ve done more than a dozen times. a long stretch on the Tissington […]

#36 A BIT OF CRAIG AND CHARLIE

Celebrate a milestone with Craig and Charlie Day 36 pre-amble I’m gonna be honest: did you think a man on a long distance walk, with a fondness for pop music, was going to resist this reference? As of today, I have walked 500 miles. And by the time I’ve walked 500 more I will be in […]

#34 THE ONE WITH “DARLIN’ BUMMERDOG”

Welcome to the grind of LEJoG Day 34 Day 34 pre-amble “Everything’s bottoms, isn’t it?” (Basil Fawlty to Mr Hamilton, Fawlty Towers: ‘Waldorf Salad’, series 2 episode 3, first screened 5 March 1979) At this point in the story of 50FootHead, I am yet to “go live” and have no idea whether anyone else will […]