Walking in the Peak District

Mam Tor and Losehill are both near Castleton, famous for its caves and Blue John (fluospar), unique to this area.
Mam Tor itself has a well marked path from the National Trust car park, Losehill has footpaths from Castleton itself and from Hope with access also along the road between the two.
There are a number of walks in the area of varying lengths such as Mam Tor and Cavedale.



Photos:
from Mam Tor

Mam Tor from Losehill

Walking in the Cotswolds

Broadway Tower is the second highest point on the Cotswold Ridge at 312mt/1024ft above sea level. There are well signed footpaths out of Broadway village, but to take the correct route to the tower a guide or map is advisable. (Downloadable guide) The paths link to the Cotswold Way with most following a route round below the tower. There are stone stiles and the path is steep in places but it is well worth the climb. On a clear day the view from the top would be marvellous. We walked about 10km/6miles including walking into Broadway, up to the Tower and back again. From Broadway itself the distance is about 8km/5miles.


Photo:

Broadway Tower through the trees

Medical/First Aid Kit

Terry is carrying our first aid kit as listed in his equipment list.
Disposable razor
Universal plug
Nail clippers with integral nail file
Sheep's wool

In addition Valerie is carrying
50ml Hand gel
Hay fever remedy (spray and eye drops)


(in box)
Needle and thread
Eye ointment
Savlon (15mg)
Latex gloves
Ear plugs
Toothbrushes, small pot toothpaste
Water purification tablets
Emergency dental kit
Safety pin
Loperamide tablets
Dioralyte sachets

(in red bag) Sticking plasters, small bandage + wipes (cleansing and anti-mosquito)

Winter Kit

With the coming of colder weather Valerie has added a pair of Trekmate longjohns (120gms) and a Trekmate long sleeved T-shirt (110gms) to the kit. The top was bought large enough to go over my short sleeve T and walking shirt, giving 4 layers if needed including a fleece. The Trekmate top and bottom together would also make ideal pyjamas. Technical polyester, lightweight, quick drying etc.

Water, Boots and Trekking Trousers

Terry has two 1 litre bottles and Valerie has two half litre bottles: 1 litre = 1kg
In addition we are wearing one full set of clothing, excluding fleeces, and have Hi-Tec Altitude IV WP (waterproof) boots. Our 'trekking trousers' are shower-proof and have zip-off bottoms below the knee.

Terry's Packing and Weights

Here is Terry's list of equipment and weights, also not in order of importance! His rucksack too is a good personal fit.

Terry's rucksack, Berghaus Freeflow IV 40+10:-
Towel (large - microfibre) - 300gms;
Valerie's towel (large - softfibre) 190gms
Small towel 110gms
Our sheet sleeping bags -(375gmsx2) - 750gms (insect proofed)
First Aid/Medical - 450gms;
Soap/toothpaste etc - 300gms;
2 'sporks', tel charger+cable -120gms;
trousers(1), shirt(1), vest(1), pants(3), T-shirt(1) - 1k 100gms;
Socks - 200gms
Fleece - 350gms;
Camera and case - 250gms;
Waterproofs:- poncho - 340gms and trousers - 350 gms
Crocs - 220gms; .
Plus weight of my rucksack (1.67kg) and 'snack bars'.
Total weight 7.1k (without water in my bottles).


This always reminds me of Brian the snail - carrying everything around on my back! Seriously though, the fit of the rucksack is all important. If it fits correctly you can pack it full and, with practice, carry it all day. Mine has already been from Santander to Oviedo on the Camino del Norte, and then on to Santiago over the Camino Primitivo, 600 km with no problems.

I am looking forward to taking things a bit slower and having time to visit places I just walked through before.

Valerie's Packing and Weights

Here is Valerie's list of equipment and weights, not in order of importance! The rucksack was chosen because it is a good personal fit.

Valerie's rucksack, Freeflow IV 20:-
Trousers (1), shirts (2), T-shirts (2), underwear (3 sets) -1kg 200gm
Socks -200gms (Corrymoor mohair - 1pr cushion sole, 1pr plain knit; 3prs Rohan liners )
Long sleeved zip-T shirt - 150gms
Trekmate lightweight longjohns and long sleeved T - 230gms
Rohan dress - 185gms
Fleece (in Pod-sac)- 350gms
Waterproof poncho -340gms
Waterproof leggings 200gms
Crocs (in Pod-sac) -220gms
Glasses & case -100gms
Soap/shower gel, toothpaste & t-brush,comb -300gms
Rucksack - 1.07kg and snack bars
Total weight 4.6kg (without water in my bottles)

Small camera in case (round neck). Terry is carrying my towels and sheet sleeping bag to keep weight down and enable me to use the 20lt rather than the 25lt rucksack.





Photos:
Clothes, waterproof poncho in bag, sheet and towels

Clothes and poncho folded/rolled and ready to pack. The socks tuck in the bottom corners of the pack

How much can I carry?

Part of the preparation is about planning the essentials. A good rucksack, what should go into it and how much it weighs. Ideal aim is 10% of body weight. Last year Terry was carrying about 7kg plus water. My aim is for less than this, about 4 - 4.5kg, plus water, if possible. That is the weight I think I can manage and Terry will not take a sleeping bag so will help by carrying some items for me. We will be weighing the pack contents and listing it here, so watch this space................



Photo:
Both rucksacks fully packed for a practise walk in Stover Park.
My fleece and Crocs are in the Pod-Sac fastened to the back of my pack.
Terry's has a top pocket with buckles which holds his fleece in place.

Sponsored Walk

Having returned from Cornwall we continue to walk locally.
On Saturday Terry managed a hilly 22 kilometres as a sponsored walk for Devon Historic Churches. Visiting Trusham, Hennock, Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh Knighton and back to Chudleigh church for a welcome cup of tea. The climb up from the Teign valley to Hennock is from 30 metres at river level to 200 metres at Hennock church. The narrow lane back down to Bovey Tracey has a gradient of 1 in 4 in places. I remembered to tighten my bootlaces at the top! This prevents the foot sliding forward in the boot and bruising the toenails.




The Photos show:-

Hennock village from Trusham.

The river Teign at Trusham bridge.






That traditional sign of "Caution Blasting".


Chudleigh town from Hennock.

Godolphin; Cornwall

The Godolphin Estate in Cornwall is owned by the National Trust. There are well waymarked paths through the estate and some very interesting cattle grids. We walked about 10km in total with a break for a picnic lunch. No blisters; the 3 pairs of socks trick works well. (Very thin liner, lightweight mohair middle layer and cushion-sole mohair outer layer).



Photo:
Granite cattle grid