backpacking
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Isle of Wight Coastal Path – Final Day
We decided that with so many miles to walk and the fact we had to get a ferry and train when we finished that we would forget the breakfast and head out early. So we headed out just before 7am, back down to the beach and then a long walk along the promenade all the… Continue reading
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Isle of Wight Coastal Path – Day 3
Managed to sleep well, no dreams of bees and none in the tent thankfully. Rob wasn’t too lively, two bottles of wine and a late night imaging the Milky Way will do that! I got the stove going and brewed some coffee and had the last of my porridge with a breakfast bar crumbled into… Continue reading
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Isle of Wight Coastal Path – Day 2
I didn’t have too bad a sleep, usually on the first night it is far worse but I reckon I was so tired that it helped. Rob moaned about my snoring. I had my new stove on for a cup of coffee and some porridge. The first food stop on our journey would be Yarmouth… Continue reading
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Isle of Wight Walk – Planning
I wanted something a little smaller this year so I could fit in perhaps two of them in the summer months. Having been to the Isle of Wight many times I know that the coastal path is a good one to do. Roughly, 70 miles long, I plan to do it over 4 days. Day… Continue reading
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North Downs Way – Day 6
Rochester to Detling I awoke earlier than I had hoped as the occupant in the room above had the heaviest footfall known to man. I laid around a bit but eventually dragged myself down for some breakfast. I was not feeling it today which is a bit odd as I felt really good finishing the… Continue reading
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North Downs Way – Day 4
Caterham to Dunton Green This is a day late as we nearly didn’t make it to the end. The heat was so bad and despite our best planning and lots of water we nearly ended up with heat exhaustion. Thankfully we found somewhere to stay out of the sun and drink fluids. The day started… Continue reading
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North Downs Way – Day 3
Dorking to Caterham I was a bit wary about today, the weather forecast was for very hot conditions. In the end though, I ended up fresher than I did the day before. I was up early in order to get going before it got hot. I walked down to the station and got the 7:30… Continue reading
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Kit Check for the North Downs Way
Time to check my kit for the 9 day hike along the North Downs. I have changed it a bit from the South Downs Way as I am only camping for 2 nights. So have done away with any cooking equipment and food. Instead I shall rely on pub food and morning cafe’s (If I… Continue reading
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Coastal Path: Shoeburyness to Barling Creek
Total Distance: 11.2 miles Summary Monday I was still a little frazzled by too much drinking on Saturday, so I wisely opted for Tuesday as the day to do this walk. It continues on from my last Coastal Path walk which ends up at Shoeburyness. It takes you into Great Wakering, over Wakering Common, around… Continue reading
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My Next Long Distance Walk: The North Downs Way
I have spent a bit of time since walking the South Downs Way thinking about what to do next. Accommodation/campsite availability is the main thing that puts me off a trail. I would prefer to camp as it is cheaper but the number of campsites seems to have dwindled since Covid and the costs of… Continue reading
Essex Man Does Walking 