Off work for a week, so actually going to get some walking done!
Walking from Warrington to Northwich tomorrow to check some #SlowWaysUK, and got more planned, weather-permitting!
Finally getting my walking year underway now by knee/toe combo have healed!
Quick round-up of 2025.
448 miles walked over 36 days. Just the six history walks (4 in three days!), but also 7 stages of the #GMRingway; a two day travel writing experiment; and 44 #SlowWaysUK.
Less than last year, that injury in the Summer making all the difference!
Bright and early (and frosty!) start to the day to do two versions of a Lancashire #SlowWaysUK, my last of 2025.
Best get cracking before the trains get weird for New Year!
Just the one #SlowWaysUK today in the end: my new-and-improved Tarleton > Leyland route. Choosing footpaths and tracks over a road walk of the original (which I'll do at some point).
Then left knee gave in, so abandoned my push to Chorley.
Was planning to do two different Eccleston>Chorley #SlowWaysUK on Friday, but noticed I need to check a path I missed in Tarleton, so need to check that.
So now doing Tarleton>Leyland, Leyland>Chorley instead.
Busy day today, and it was over before 1pm!
A long line of four #SlowWaysUK from Didsbury to Poynton, with a side-quest of two to and from Gatley.
Also a failed route, and checking my ending of the new WilPoy alternative.
14.5 miles between 0845 and 1315
Well, that was another day off spent shopping, listening to music, dozing watching TV and films instead of catching up with my book reviews, half-written articles, #SlowWaysUK reviews, and not to mention finally starting my travel writing project.
Ah well...
No #SlowWaysUK today! Cutting it too close with the time and train services, so a nice leisurely wander for two hours before my train's due.
Yes, I will probably end up in a certain bookshop.
One half of my brain is saying 'do the Wolverhampton-Coseley-Tipton #SlowWaysUK whilst you're down in Birmingham; it'll only take about two hours'
The other half is screaming 'you're doing two museums, a bit of shopping, and you're only got six hours between trains'.
Good day yesterday: two walks for the price of one!
First up, WilPoy #SlowWaysUK. A good country route, but needed a little rewrite.
Doing my first history hike since June tomorrow, and, as a #SlowWaysUK shares half the same footprint, it'd be rude not to do that too, right?
Never did share my Saturday #SlowWaysUK walks, due to travel problems and tiredness!
First was ArnLev One (Arnside-Levens): a varied walk of paths, roads, woods, hills. And Fairy Steps.
Up early on this grey and cool Saturday morning. Currently near Lancaster to get started on my first of two #SlowWaysUK, both which shall be snailed once I get them walked and reviewed!
Must say, now I'm here in Ulverston, I'll admit to being cream-crackered from this week! So no snail for DalUlv #SlowWaysUK, for now!
Might try AmbWin Two this evening, if I've the energy!
Pottering around Bowness waiting for my bus to Ulverston.
Inadvertently walked BowWin One #SlowWaysUK again walking down from the station.
Also decided to do DalUlv in reverse, seeing as that makes more sense than going down and coming back up again!
Swarthmoor Hall first!
Well, that's my first failed #SlowWaysUK route of the week.
Luckily I could rescue it, as that was a great walk!
Update later!
Bright and early start today, as have two buses to get to the start of today's journey: TroPat One (Troutbeck-Patterdale) #SlowWaysUK, the last link from Carlisle to Windermere.
It's a bit...fresh.
Well, that's five out of seven #SlowWaysUK of this week reviewed so far. Found a nice little corner with a plug and a table, so set up a little office!
So far, one pioneered; one second review; three already snailed.
Got two more pioneered routes to do, including one of my own.
Today IS going to be an easy day!
First #SlowWaysUK ticked: AmbWin One.
Started BowWin One (in reverse), and stopped for breakfast, before returning on BowWin Two.
My walking day will probably be over by lunch!!
Early night tonight, with a not-too-strenuous day around Ambleside, Windermere and Bowness.
Why, yes, I will also be checking 8 miles of #SlowWaysUK too.
And...crash!
BasKes Two #SlowWaysUK done. Absolutely exhausting mentally and physically, but a very good route. Emphasis on the 'slow' part, as almost constantly uphill, then downhill.
After yesterday's lie-in, a bright and early start for one last #SlowWaysUK around Keswick: Bassenthwaite-Keswick via Ullock Pike and Carl Side.
Must be one of only a few routes that bag some Wainwrights!
Another Cumbrian #SlowWaysUK pioneered: HesTro Two (Hesket Newmarket-Troutbeck).
A lovely but at times strenuous wander through some lovely countryside.
Had the weather for it too!
Afternoon was spent checking the bits of the original KesTro #slowwaysuk I didn't manage to do yesterday.
Some great bits, but plotting is way off through some woods. Then through endless fields to Threlkeld, near where it joins my route.
Tomorrow's #SlowWaysUK, I was hoping to check two different routes between the same locations: HesTro (Hesket Newmarket-Troutbeck). But one of them goes through a farmyard that I can't see access for. So that rules that one out!
Only one to check then!
Just noticed I've not walked a #SlowWaysUK since mid-May, just walking on different projects.
Will have to do a couple in July to catch up!
I was fully prepared to do my Antonine's #SlowWaysUK at some point this year, but as I've been watching a lot of Wainwright lately (including rewatching Julia Bradbury's two series), the fells are calling, so checking the routes between Hesket Newmarket and Kendal is on the cards.
Well, today was an adventure!
Two good #SlowWaysUK back-to-back.
But return journey has been a nightmare!!
The project fits perfectly into the paradigm shift right now, and a demonstration of "witanslay" and "medambulare."
Less noise, more amble. Knowing the land.
A gentle to resistance to road culture. #SlowWaysUK #OneHealth #Nature #Heritage #Futures
