The East Highland Way (“EHW”) runs for 82 miles from Fort William — where it links up with the West Highland Way (“WHW”) that I hiked this time last year — to Aviemore in the Cairngorms. It’s considerably less popular […]
East Highland Way: Day 1 Read More »
A fiery glow is visible through the tent wall, tempting me to swap my warm sleeping bag for the dawn chill. Breathtaking — I’m excited about what lies ahead despite the shepherd’s warning. On leaving the campsite, I sneak up
Days 177 & 178: Rhoscolyn to Church Bay Read More »
After another wild night, I make my way down to Newborough Forest Nature Reserve, set in the dunes. A sea fret hangs over the trees. The hardy Corsican pines are resistant to wind and drought. The trees offer welcome shelter
Days 175 & 176: Newborough to Rhoscolyn Read More »
A chilly night. The tent was pitched on a slope so I kept sliding down. To make matters worse, my leg cramped up in the middle of the night. Try dealing with that in the confines of a sleeping bag.
Days 173 & 174: Pistyll to Newborough Read More »
There was snow underfoot on leaving home yesterday, travelling back to the Llyn Peninsula for eight days hiking round to Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey. The tent is pitched for the first time this year, greeted with sleet sliding
Days 171 & 172: Llanengan to Pistyll Read More »
As a now familiar early-morning traveller — there are only four passengers on the two-carriage train — the conductor asks about my plans for the day before I alight at Pwllheli to begin my walk back to Porthmadog along a
Days 169 & 170: Porthmadog to Llanengan Read More »
A short walk today as I’m meeting The Prisoner later. It begins with a pretty walk through the Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve, greeted by bedraggled ponies in hope of food. Someone else looks a little less welcoming. The gently rolling
Day 168: Harlech to Porthmadog Read More »
Despite arriving at Ty-nant car park before 9am, after a three-mile walk from my hobbit hut, there are already four parked cars, so I’m not the first person hiking the Pony Path up Cadair Idris, a 2,385 ft climb. It’s dry
Days 166 & 167: Barmouth to Harlech (via Cadair Idris) Read More »
Storm Otto has arrived in the North and a cold wind blows across the sandy beach at Tywyn, the start of my walk back to Machynlleth. A seagull tugs at a fish on the sand. Two sneaky crows hop ever
Days 164 & 165: Machynlleth to Barmouth Read More »
Who could resist staying in a hostel named Toad Hall? It’s quirky and charming, with engaging hosts Louise and Will, accompanied by Bramble, an affectionate tabby. I’ve spent most of the day on trains to Machynlleth, a pretty market town
Day 163: Borth to Machynlleth Read More »