Roy has reached the end of the Pennine Way and "turned left" to head west along the border country. These photos are from when I went up to visit him near Hadrian's Wall (B and b of course - I've not braved the tent yet). We stayed in a farmhouse with a pheasant in the garden and house martins in a nest just outside the bedroom window. Met two Roman soldiers on Hadrian's Wall. He's since sent me a page to type up (below).
"Well troops, it turned out that getting going again was every bit as hard on the old heart strings as I knew it would be and the long medical saga made it even worse. Still, here I am with one standard and one long day (27 miles) to the end of the Pennine Way.
Have just renewed my insoles, so I'll be watching for blisters like a hawk! I had to change them sooner rather than later - the old ones were disintegrating and Helen said they smelled! As if!
I have made some adjustments to my food and water carrying arrangements which I hope will speed things along a bit. The food side will make breaking camp simpler and quicker, while the water arrangements mean I can drink on the move without stopping to take off the rucksack. (OK OK, stop yawning at the back).
Highlights so far? Hawes is a beaut little town, Tan Hill pub is a "must return", and generally, the good local beers along the way have been excellent - no need to force down the mass produced chemical cobblers from the big names. Low lights? Too much damp for too long will test the spirits of anyone - but then it's so good to get the chance to dry out.
So my advice to everyone out there is - never miss a chance to get in the dry, and keep off chemical beer. All for now, Roy"
It's Helen again now. After writing that, Roy did get to the end of the PW, but with an exciting 27 mile final day. The last leg is the hardest because it is the most remote - no habitation at all until Kirk Yetholm. He did it on 1 July, which was the hottest day of the year so far, and he had run out of water by the time he got there! A lesson to be learnt I think. Needless to say, he had two days in KY to recover but he's speeding west now. H