Having completed the Pennine Way I thought I’d write a little bit about my reflections on the walk and the highlights for me. I’m glad I did it, it was a slog but well worth it!!

Days 18 and 19 are the last two days of my Pennine Way walk. I cross the remote and windswept Cheviots and finally cross over the border and into Scotland. It was a cold walk and headed into very strong winds. I meet a soldier in a single bivouac in the middle of nowhere, and he offers me a cup of tea! My stay at Uswayford Farmhouse, a sad place, with a warm dry bed for the night and a good hearty breakfast. I give “The Cheviot” a miss, it was covered in mist and no view anyway. I arrive at Kirk Yetholm and go straight to the Border Hotel to claim my free “Wainright” pint.

Leaving Once Brewed, ”clinical” hostel I took to Hadrians Wall again and followed it eastwards before crossing over it at Rapishaw Gap to head north again. Through Wark Forest, a sterile, long journey through pines. A break at Horneystead Farm for tea and scones, served by a little old lady with a strikingly refined accent. The pleasant village of Bellingham is reached where it was time to stock up for a long trip over the next few days. The following day was really wet, the worst I’d had so far, with cold mist and rain. I got lost in the mist but used my compass to find my way back on track again. Finished the day with an awesome meal at Byrness to make up for it!!

This section from Garrigill to Once Brewed covers 46 km of the Pennine Way. I had planned to stop for a two-day rest at Alston, a market town, but decided to carry on after just one. I enjoyed the Gala day there. I walked the tree-lined banks of River South Tyne occasionally, which was pleasant. I stumbled through wet tussock, which wasn’t pleasant! Across moorland again and some nice flower-strewn, stone-walled fields. A pub stop at Greenhead for a ploughman’s lunch and a couple of beers. Passed Thirlwell Castle and arrived at the magnificent Hadrian’s Wall for the first time in my life. Finally, getting VERY grumpy with the warden at the “Once Brewed YHA” who tried to turn me away in favour of guests who had arrived in cars and coaches. I was having none of it!!

This part of the Pennine Way crosses the three highest hills along my journey to Scotland, including Cross Fell, the tallest at 893 metres. With beautiful clear skies, there were stunning views from the top. Lakeland could be clearly seen to the West, across the Vale of Eden, and to the North, the northern counties and even the first tantalising glimpse of the Scottish hills.

Continuing my Pennine Way journey on days 10 and 11, were two very different experiences. Day 10 wet, rough wilderness and the bleak moorlands of Sleightolme Moor and the blessed oasis of the Tan Hill Inn. Day 11, a delight, following the River Tees along a wildflower-strewn path and passed crashing waterfalls.

Days 6 and 7. I had a rest day in Malham mulling over whether I should quit and go home and like my wounds or carry on. A happy, surprise encounter changed my mind and decided me to carry on. From Malham, the PW crossed limestone country, passed some “water sinks”, an unusual lake, across some moorland, up a very large hill and down to the pleasant little village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Read on!

Day 5 of my walk along the Pennine Way in England. It was the longest day so far, covering over 40 km. From Ponden Hall across Ickornshaw Moors with wheeling curlews; pub lunch at the Cross Keys at East Marton and a walk along the banks of the Leed & Liverpool canal. From Gargrave to the stunning limestone hill approach to Malham, and my stay for the night.

Day 4. The next part of my journey on the Pennine Way took me from Hebden Bridge, an old industrial township, through the beautiful Calder Valley. It carried me passed the remains of an old farmhouse and to Ponden Hall, both said to be the inspirations for Emily Bronte’s novel “Wuthering Heights.” I meet an old couple running one of the remotest shops in England, that sold everything imaginable. Blisters, blisters sadly begin to spoil the walk

Day 3 of my walk along the Pennine Way. From Globe Farm to Hebden Bridge, an old manufacturing town. Stoodley Pike and its monument dominate the skyline, and pubs were to be had on such a hot day. We walk on an ancient Roman road and camp for the night in Callis Wood. 27.4 km

Day 2 of my walk along the Pennine Way in England. Now journeying from Crowden YHA to Globe Farm, near Standedge Cutting. Lots of very squelchy, black, oozy bogs to overcome, navigate, and get stuck in. Misty hills that clung, clammy and cold to your body and clothes. Sound nice? It was OK, we survived :).

The Pennine Way is a National Trail in England, with a wee bit just over the border in Scotland. The trail runs 432 km from Edale, in the northern Derbyshire Peak District, north through the Yorkshire Dales and the Northumberland National Park and ends at Kirk Yetholm, in Scotland. It is a tough walk, and 85% of the people that start it, give up after 2 days. It took me 18 days to complete. I kept a daily journal and am transcribing it, verbatim, as I was young, raw and slightly naive in my writing then, which I think will be pleasant and “real” to the reader. I’m dividing my blogs into daily ”lumps” as I progressed slowly, and painfully, along this wonderful journey.

Sooty mould is found on many trees, shrubs and occasional vegetable plants. This blog describes what causes it and the various organic methods by which it can be cured.

This blog describes a relatively new insect pest to New Zealand shores. Called the Tomato-Potato-Psyllid (TPP) it has been having devastating effects on, not only tomatoes and potatoes but also on capsicums, aubergines, tamarillos and other solanaceous crops (and weeds). Organic methods of controlling his pest are indicated.

This is the last few days of my friend John and me in Tanzania before my aunt Helen drove us to Nairobi to get our plane back to the UK. More to come soon about our safari north, via Lushoto to catch up with two wonderful African friends and then on again to visit a few stunning game parks.

Part 5 of my journey with John, a college friend, to visit my nutty aunt Helen in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Here we are stopped by the police and are hilariously let off. A going-away party for John and me on the beach before we returned to the UK. Dimitri takes out to hunt on his sisal estate.

This is part 4 of my travels with my friend John to Africa to stay with my crazy aunt Helen. This section finds us, finally, at her home on the beach. We took a two day trip to Zanzibar, a short journey by plane, just off the coast. We also spent time on Helen’s island, called Sinda., an hours’ boat trip from Dar es Salaam. We meet “Hemingway” for the first time.

Now on to Part 3 of my African trip with my College friend John. We had reached the border between Kenya and Tanzania on our rickety old bus, and after getting through immigration we headed down towards Arusha for a short stop. On our way again and soon night fell. Then it got interesting, VERY interesting! Read on!