The West Highland Way (“WHW”) was my first long-distance trail. You know what they say about your first love. Given the choice between walking 13 miles along the A82 coast road to Fort William or revisiting Glen Coe and Rannoch […]
Day 294: Ballachulish to Kingshouse Hotel Read More »
Wed 5th February The antipode of London lies off the south coast of New Zealand — the furthest one can go without falling off the planet — 26 hours of flying. Fri 7th Zealous customs officers at Christchurch Airport seize
New Zealand Road Trip Diary Read More »
We break our road trip south to explore Roberts Point Track, which climbs to a spectacular view of the Franz Josef Glacier. I’ve just about recovered from discovering my newly purchased and unopened Chocolate Hobnobs and Cadbury Chocolate Flake Bites
Roberts Point Track Read More »
Our road trip down the West Coast ends at the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown, where a shuttle bus takes us to the start of the 20-mile alpine Routeburn Track, another of the Great Walks and the second New
My daughter, Hayley, is touring New Zealand and several countries in the Far East, which is the perfect opportunity to join her for a couple of weeks on the South Island to hike two trails from 100 Hikes of a
Catching the first bus each morning in the cold and dark is wearing, so I treat myself to a later start. Unfortunately, this means the incoming tide now blocks the An Sailean marshes, forcing me back to the road, which
Day 293: Benderloch to Barcaldine Read More »
“Bridge of Clachan please.” “Not jumping off it are you?” “It’s a bit cold for that!” Do I look desperate? Mind you, who in their right mind boards the first bus at 7 am in the rain? I’m the only
Day 292: Bridge of Clachan to Oban Read More »
It’s pitch black and I’m crossing the Bridge over the Atlantic onto Seil Island, the only passenger on the first bus to Ellenabeich village and the ferry to Easdale Island. The driver will pick me up anywhere along his route
Day 291: Easdale & Seil Islands Read More »
Luing is the largest of the Slate Islands — “the islands that roofed the world” — yet it is only six miles long and 1.5 miles wide. In the 1800s, over 600 people lived on the island, working in 15
Day 290: Isle of Luing Read More »
Cal leaves while I’m barely stirring. I rashly planned a second mountain hike today, but the gloomy weather and my aching legs suggest a more gentle return to the coast. Waiting for the bus to Benderloch, I chat with the
Day 289: Benderloch to Oban Read More »