#71 MOOR! MOR! MORE!

I’ve found a true connection with Scotland – LEJoG Day 71 Day 71 pre-amble A Chart Music-inspired 1970s song reference there, for all the pop-crazed youngsters. The ‘Moor’ is Rannoch Moor, the largest expanse of uninhabited wilderness in Britain. I’m sure I read that somewhere but can’t find it in the Trailblazer guidebook or online […]

#68 INVISIBILITY CLOAKS

Welcome to Hogwarts LEJoG Day 68 Day 68 pre-amble 68 days in and I think that’s the first Harry Potter reference on 50FootHead. I read all of the books between 2003 and 2007 but wouldn’t call myself a “fan” as such. For example: I haven’t seen all of the films, thought Order of the Phoenix […]

#67 THE REMAINS OF THE WAY

Welcome to the West Highland Way: LEJoG Day 67 Day 67 pre-amble This is the first day of the best long-distance walk I’ve completed so far: the West Highland Way. It’s also a strong contender for the best day of my LEJoG so far. Certainly it was the most memorable since Malham Cove and Pen-y-ghent […]

#63 FOURTEEN MILES / FOURTEEN YEARS

Welcome to Edinburgh in an unusual August: LEJoG Day 63 Day 63 pre-amble Under normal circumstances I would never have considered arriving in Edinburgh for LEJoG during the month of August. Ever since 1947, Edinburgh and August have been synonymous with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As a result of coronavirus, the Fringe was cancelled for […]

#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 […]

#61 OWER DREICH AND DROOKIT

Welcome to LEJoG Day 61 – drying out slowly Day 61 pre-amble Obviously Airplane II: The Sequel isn’t as good as the original Airplane! But there are some memorable moments, of which one is the “Over Macho Grande” sequence. Watch in full (it’s under a minute) to understand the full context, but the key exchange is: […]

#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 […]

#58 “…. I’LL SEE YOU IN SCOTLAND”

Welcome to LEJoG Day 58… We made it! Day 58 pre-amble Almost a year after crossing the border, we return to Scotland to continue the trek from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. The reason for such a long delay is obviously the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, as discussed here. My original plans to walk […]

#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. […]

#55 MIXED FOREST VIEWS

Welcome to LEJoG Day 55 Day 55 pre-amble Destination: Forest View Walkers Inn, Byrness. The essential pinch point for any Pennine Way planner, i.e. you need to book this place well in advance otherwise you will have great difficulty in completing the trail. Much more of this place in ‘After the walk’ below. I can […]

#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 […]