hiking
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North Downs Way – Final Day
Folkestone to Dover I had a good sleep, woke up and had a good breakfast. I headed out earlier than I had planned as I just wanted to get to the finish! The sight of Castle Hill in front of me reminded me it would still take some energy even if it was a shorter 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 5
Dunton Green to Rochester Today was the biggest walk I have completed being about 21 miles. Coming just after the terrible heat of yesterday, I was worried it would have an adverse effect but it did not. Rob and Ii got up early and headed down to breakfast. We packed up and then headed back 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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North Downs Way – Day 2
Yesterday was a gentle opener of about 8 miles. Today is a grim 18 miler with the temperature expected in the 30s. Didn’t have a good sleep. Too much hydrating meant I was up to the loo a few times and my snoring kept waking me up! I woke up at 6.00 and laid around Continue reading
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North Downs Way – Day 1
Well, the day has eventually arrived. I was getting a bit anxious about it as the weather looks very hot for the first few days. The route does spend most of those days in woodland so hopefully that will help. I said goodbye to everyone and walked to the station. Taking a train to West Continue reading
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English Coastal Path: Pitsea to Stanford-le-Hope
I am going to say from the outset that this really wasn’t one of my favourite routes. The 30C temperature didn’t help. Grim in places, overgrown in others and very industrial towards the end. Anyway, it is done. The path starts just outside Pitsea station and takes you down a dusty track alongside the A13 Continue reading
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The Seven Woods Walk
I quickly planned this one before I took my son to school. Originally, I had called it the 4 woods and a couple of parks walk. However, on wandering around the route it became apparent that I had in fact planned virtually the same route as the Seven Woods Walk. Mine is a little longer 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
Essex Man Does Walking 