Your report brought back great memories, nice to see the "Muddy path in Kielder Forest" is still there 7 years after I walked it!

I enjoyed reading that.The kit failure does raise a lot of questions.Years ago I used to buy all the top branded gear and still got soaked so I saved money and purchased cheaper kit with the same results.Personally I think outdoor gear is one of the biggest rip-offs going,over-priced,often poor quality due to manufacturing being moved to China,and endorsed by so-called "professional" walkers who make a decent living from not doing any real work.Its interesting that John Merrill dosen't endorse anything.I once asked him the reason for this and he told me they probably wouldn't like what he had written.

Hi Dave
Great blog, its hard to believe it was so hot and dry for most of it. The small stream near Shitlington crags was a wading job again a few days later when we arrived there. I think we had one more dry day after we met you then rain all the way to the Cheviots.
PS Your right about the rucksacks, I still love mine !
Les

Thanks everyone glad you enjoyed reading it.
Dave.

Wonderful blog!

Hi Dave

I'm half way through reading the Simon Armitage book on his S-N Pennine Way.

It's got me all fired up for a second visit to my favourite trail and in doing so I thought I'd revisit my old haunt...Sherpa Town!

So glad I did, because it's lead me to your Blog Site. I've just read your journal of this year's PW.
Good grief...you are certainly one fit He-Man. What's going on between the ears is of particular interest. I have a suspicion that you might be slightly bonkers but your mental discipline is quite remarkable.

Hopefully I'll be setting off from Edale in April next year. Of course I'll alert the media but be warned...by comparison it will be a Barbara Cartland Saunter compared to your wondrous effort.

Look forward to reading the other stuff on your site...

Bert Bong-Bing.

Ha,ha. I must admit I wonder myself at times. Why can't I be satisfied with what is considered a normal schedule. Well I doubt I would get more out of it than I already do, and I love setting off early and walking into the sunrise. Once the sun is up, it's too late, ive missed the best part of the day. Setting off early means that on a 'normal' schedule, I'd be finished before lunch, so I just keep going and the miles add up. Try it sometime.
Dave.

Hi Dave

I really enjoyed reading this, the weather was amazing - although a bit hot I guess. I would love to do this walk one day, if I can muster the courage to walk in those very isolated places on my own!
Gordon the Grouse certainly had it in for you, good job you didn't have a campfire on the go at the time or he would have been dinner. Great to see a piccy of Les and Heidi, nice to put a face to some of the C2C forum members.

Hope you and the Mrs are well
Heather

Thanks heather, yes we are both well.
I seem to be doing ok with the weather during my last few trips over the last couple of years and weve just had a glorious week in Cornwall in between all the rain.
The moorland stretches of the PW can be lonesome, however I quite enjoy the solitude. Maybe you should think about getting a personal locator device/tracker, then you would feel more secure knowing that if you got a situation where you needed rescue, all you have to do is press the button.
A good GPS with the route downloaded is also invaluable. My Satmap got me back on route a couple of times when I wandered off in pathless parts.
Good to see you are keeping your spirit up and getting out there.
Dave.

Great blog Dave, realy enjoyed the read.
Any further thoughts on the Spine?
MIKE M