More gear!

OK the walk may be postponed but the show (and tell) goes on!
Have found and bought the best value (£120) bivi tent I've ever seen, made by  Vaude and imaginatively named "the bivi tent" it weighs in at a minuscule 0.91 kilos! And is single skin goretex its designed to be four season too! (according to the pamphlet) tho it could easily get buried in a small snow drift!
All the kit I carried on lejog fits in and tonight I'm going to see if one man and his dog can comfortably nest down for the night.
I can't imagine a tent that could be better for discreet wild camping, it would pitch anywhere!
OK it looks like a green coffin! But during my brief test today it proved comfortable, as a bonus you can open a slot under the hood (?) where you could warmly observe the nights sky and or breath if it gets stuffy!
Looking forward to trying this out! Will let you know how it goes!

The walk is now on hold!

Well having been back in Kettering for nine days I'm still no nearer knowing when my new job is to start!
The uncertainty of this means I'm in limbo, I cant rejoin the walk and I can't consider a restart date!
So sadly for now the walk is on indefinite hold, most likely I will have to complete the distance in stages as and when work (when it bloody starts!) allows.
Not ideal, to use Johns favorite phrase "another great day" will come I just don't know when :(

Day 5 6/5/2011

Waking up with the sound of rain hammering onto the outside of the tent is not an auspicious start to the day, but very quickly the rain stopped and with grey clouds scudding across the sky a sharp climb uphill from the campsite tested the legs, and with blue patches appearing in the sky the tiny b road that was to guide our way for most of the morning tested the sore soles of my feet!.
10k in we spot the bubble of Wales botanic gardens below us looking like a mini Eden project , something to visit another time! , for today the horizon held some more immediate interest in the form of Paxton tower, set upon its high seat looking down the valley to Llandelio (pic) as lunch was due this seemed a great spot to settle for a break.
From the tower our path led along the ridge top which now under pleasant blue skies gave panoramic views left and right, with the river towy twisting to our left, progress to Ffairfach was hastened by the prospect of the option of a train back home, not that this is the end of the walk at such an early stage, more like completion of stage one!
John is now back home, and alfie and I take a late night train back to Kettering to see what reality has been up to!

Day four 5/5/2011

What can I say about today?
Hmmmn........ Rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain! And lots of road walking to get to carmarthen so if it had to rain today was a good day for it!
Along the way we saw a nice belltower with external ropes, still attached and no yobs hanging of them...... It was tempting tho!
The views through the rolling country side would have been smashing without the damp grey veil, but at least it brightened up at carmarthen enough to dry us off, the beer, and fish and chips (morgans chippy very recommended!) put a good end to the days walking.
I have to talk to Kettering council after a letter arrived at home....... Probably doesn't Bode well for the walk but at least I have written verification of the new job.......

Special blog!

This is purely to say thanks to the landlord at The Lamb at Llanboidy! Free camping. Ale, tea and then this plate of sausage and chips for £3.50!

Day three 4/5/2011

Alternative title "A day of apple, garlic and a huge plate of chips!"

After an as hoped undisturbed wild camp at Llys-y-Fran reservoir we head east on a roller coaster ride over the hills and valleys east under a clearing sky through wood park, where I find some wood Sorrel to nibble on (tastes of apples!) then on till we reach ffynnongain farm where the path disappeared into a tangle of brambles. pushing through this tangle that appears to have not been walked in decades, we find the path has some excellent council built board walks and bridges that I can't imagine anyone ever has used! Still they suit our purpose. On we go!
Following high banked tiny "b" roads to Llandissilio a mass of spring ransomes (pic... The white flowers!) and "Jack under the hedge" give me the garlic taste to the walk! Followed by pie from Llandissilios bakery yum!
More road walking to Login then a stretch uphill through woodland and farmland to another road section to our night stop at Llanboidy where the taste of chips comes in (see separate post!) and what looks to be another great nights sleep..... After a few pints!

Day two 3/5/2011

After a windy night at new gale campsite, a good fryup (thanks ruth) has us steeled against the fridged wind we have to walk into, up the main a road to Roch  with a quick shop stop, and head out of the village past old roch castle, now being converted into a retreat....... Retreat from what I don't know but I hope the windows facing out over the shear cliff of the boulder the castle is built upon are securely locked!
Farther out of town we pass the site of an old ring fort at plumstone mountain(a hill!) then head down into Treffgarne and Spittal (where the pub has now closed down!) field walking takes us to and through Walton east (no "John boy" comments made!) then down to the cafe at the Llys-y-fan reservoir (pic) and then of to wild camp for the night...... We hope!

Day one 2/5/2011

a day of coastal walking proves just how unfit I am!
Aside from that the views were stunning! Ranging from lovely sea panorama, to a shrine to St Non (?) lime kilns(pic) in inlets and the local flora, which I took pleasure in identifying and consuming some of the edible varieties!
Food and drink stops were good and by the end of the day revitalization was sorely needed!
Rolling into the campsite late we spot Ruth set up for the night! Very handy as the campsite doesn't allow dogs, so alfie could stay in her car!.
Naturally a pub meal later we roll up for the night!