Jogle Blogle – Day 57

How about yesterday, eh? Two Blogles for the price of one. What? You missed the second one? Well you’d better go back and read it before you read this then. It was funny even if I do say so myself. It made Heather Jenkins laugh anyway, she wrote and told me so. Keep an eye out, you never know when we might double up again. You wouldn’t want to miss one now would you?

Day 57 of the Jogle dawned a bit more on the cloudy side. Indeed even by the time the Jogler and Jogleress had roused themselves to continue from Westard Ho! to Hartland Quay it was still a bit on the cloudy side and stayed that way for much of the day.

 

By the way, if you do fancy a des res in these parts this shed is quite reasonably priced at £22,000. Cheap at half the price!

 

 

 

They followed the South West Coastal Path into Peppercomb and from there through Buck’s and Keivill’s Woods.

It’s also quite hilly around here as this view down into Clovelly shows. And theduo descended into the picturesque village for lunch, no doubt envying the locals who had sledges available to traverse the cobbles. Also they were faced with quite a dilemma, church or pub. I’ll leave you, dear reader, to decide which one they chose.

Replete, a bit squiffy and content (oops, bit of a spoiler there!) they ambled through Stoke and – hang on guys have we taken a wrong turn somewhere? Oh, there’s more than one ‘Stoke’ apparently. And keen on duplication they spotted yet another peacock and nominated it as wildlife of the day. Now technically I’m not sure – is that not a peahen? Dunno, but I dare say you lot will put me right.

Eventually they strode purposely into Hartland Quay (Yes, well they stepped up the pace from the amble through Stoke, obviously.) The historic Quay is… Pardon? How do I know it’s historic? The sign says so of course. Anyway, the place they were staying had been closed the week before as Netflix were filming a new version of Rebecca. Shame guys, a few days earlier and you could have been extras!

If you’d like to donate to Macmillan Cancer Support as Steve makes his way from John O’Groats to Land’s End, his ‘just giving ‘ link is http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi

Stats for the day:

Mileage: 19.6      Total: 1052

Steps: 45,491       Total: 2,140,525

Time taken: 7 hours 57 minutes and 11 seconds

Jogle Blogle – Day 56

Not long to go now folks – make the most of the Blogle while you can, you just know that your life will be emptier without it. Only 10 days left and then you’ll all have to go back to doing whatever it was that passed for entertainment before my brother began his charity walk. If you do fancy donating by the way, his ‘just giving’ link is at http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi  What is happening in Corrie by the way? Is Elsie Tanner back yet? And Crossroads – Benny is innocent, I’m sure of it!

Steve and Sue were a little late setting out. It appears that they’d attempted some laundry the night before (there are after all only so many times you can keep turning your socks and undercrackers inside out and back again before they simply get up and start walking themselves). Foolishly Steve – cocky because it hadn’t rained since Snowdon – left them to dry on the balcony. Guess what? That’s right, Sod’s Law I suppose. Nothing worse than soggy footwear!

And so they set out, rather uncomfortably bow-legged as they waited for the dampness to evaporate. The Jogler took a couple of snaps of Barnstable as he and the Jogleress left on Day 56. The bike stand was a relic of the Tour of Britain from last year. 

Another Millennium Marker, getting as common as muck these things. Out along the Tarka trail. Perhaps we’ll get to see an otter after all? But just in case, for now we’ll take this Little Egret as wildlife of the day.

Into another station turned cafe for a brew – this one at Fremington and then out onto Isley Marsh.

 

Another Millennium Marker, told you, common as – anyway that’s 4 now on this trip from John O’Groats to Land’s End, so only another 996 to go.

 

 

They stopped in Instow for lunch and then left past another railway relic, the old signal box.

They eschewed the new bridge into Bideford in favour of the old one and then – hang on is that a, look, just over there! No, the other way! Don’t shout like that, you’ll scare it off.

At last, wildlife worthy of the name. Who’d have thought we’d be so lucky as to see a – Oh, it’s a statue! Bugger! 

Oh well, let’s carry on, through Appledore’s colourful streets, past the redundant shipyard, along the seafront and eventually into the next overnight stop at Westward Ho! Yes you read it right – Westward Ho! for our visitors from abroad it’s the only town in England to have one third of a Christmas greeting in its name. Or something like that.

Here – have some stats:

Mileage: 16.9   Total: 1032.4

Steps: 35,987   Total: 2,095,034

Time taken: 5 hours 49 minutes and 10 seconds

Jogle Blogle – Day 55

Apologies – I missed posting the Blogle yesterday due to the small matter of a cricket match and the celebrations afterward. Pardon? No – England won. Didn’t you watch it until the end, Steve? Tut, tut! That’ll learn ya. Besides what does it matter? I know from the stats that most of you lot don’t read the Blogle on a weekend anyway – you need to get your priorities right. Too much time on your hands if you ask me!

So, anyway – a few easy days coming up for the Jogler and Jogleress before they launch themselves in earnest to Land’s End. It’s been quite a journey so far from John O’Groats as my brother continues his charity walk for Macmillan Cancer Support.

They had overnighted at the Marine Guest house in Woolacombe and very kindly, Andy and Jo there promised to sponsor Steve on his just giving page at http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi  provided of course that he finishes.

I think Sue was contemplating surfing the rest of the way, but the Jogler talked some sense into her and they eventually, on Day 55, continued on foot once more along the South West Coastal Path, which goes some way to explaining the scenic photos.

 

 

 

Past the golf club at Saunton, who are pretty fussy about who they let into their exclusive club. Members and golfers only apparently.

 

Another sign. The duo opted for a cup of tea rather than take a chance that there may actually be grizzly bears as the sign suggested.

 

And then they cut inland to Braunton for lunch with a couple of friends from the local area. Thanks to the Andy’s from JPM Financial Services who charitably stumped up for lunch to fuel the Jogler and Jogleress on their journey.

 

 

 

Carrying on, perhaps slightly wobbly as a result of the liquid consumed in the pub, they decided to push the boundaries of officialdom by taking piccies perilously close to one of H.M.’s security establishments. Thanks to Sgt. Benson for allowing some of the lads from his platoon for posing with the Jogleress. That’s Phil S, Phil W, Johno, Larry, Tim and Gary. Congratulations boys, it looks like the camouflage training is going well – except for you, Larry. I though disguising yourself as a Keep Out sign was a touch too obvious, a bit of a novices mistake if you don’t mind me saying!

 

Decisions, decisions, the Tarka trail or the coastal path. Disappointingly they chose the latter, so we’re unlikely to see any otters then! Instead, wildlife of the day, for those of you who can squint well enough, the Jogler assures me that this is a Curlew on the estuary of the River Taw.

And finally they passed under the bridge at Barnstable to yet another overnight stop.

FOOTNOTE:

Apologies to Larry – it turns out that that was in fact a real ‘Keep Out’ sign. Unfortunately Larry had been confined to barracks with an advisory medical leaflet, some wire wool, a scrubbing brush and a jumbo bottle of disinfectant, after contacting a rather exotic disease following last weeks shore leave in Abu Dhabi. Get well soon, Larry – I hope it doesn’t smart too much!

The stats of the day

Mileage: 14.7   Total: 1,015.5

Steps: 29,319    Total: 2,059,047

Time taken: 5 hours 15 minutes and 7 seconds

Jogle Blogle – Day 54 – A Grand Day Out

Come on then – let’s hear it for the boy! Sing out loud and proud – ‘Oh, I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more, just to be the Jogler who walked 1000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End…’

What? No, you’re right actually, it doesn’t rhyme does it? Never mind it’s the thought that counts. 

Yes, today’s the day folks. On this momentous occasion, Day 54 of the Jogle, the Jogler on his charity walk has broken through the 1000 mile barrier. Not only that, he’s just passed the 2,000,000 step mark as well!

Job’s a gud ‘un, as they say in these parts! (Let Google translate sort that out!)

Yes, well done Steve – magnificent effort. And there’s still the small matter of a couple of hundred miles still to go! I know, I know. I’m knackered just thinking about it!

And if that inspires you to donate to his ‘just giving’ page for Macmillan Cancer Support, the link is http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi  We’re trying to get to £10,000 folks and we’re coming up a bit short at the moment.

But – hold on, we haven’t quite reached that landmark yet. Let’s set out from Lynmouth, down through the Valley of Rocks and out by the cricket ground.

As well as sunny the day is going to be very picturesque.

Along the toll road and into Woody Bay, a Victorian resort, long gone and now part of the National Trust 4000 acres around these parts.

 

 

 

Churches again – this one at Martinhoe and spot of the day which got the Jogler salivating – a Bowler Land Rover, at least 50k’s worth and, according to my brother it goes like poo off a spade – well something like that anyway.

 

Wildlife of the day was a Peacock at Hunters Inn.

 

 

 

 

On through the well kept village of Berrynarbor and tea in Ilfracombe.

 

 

 

Remember we saw one of these markers back in Machynlleth? That’s right, glad you’ve been paying attention, they mark the National Cycle Path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally into the overnight stop and that landmark mileage target at Woolacombe. Yes, I’m exhausted too. Must have been all those hills.

 

 

Cheers Steve, you deserve it bro.

 

 

 

 

And so to those stats, with the all important totals:-

Mileage: 22.5     Total: 1000.8

Steps: 47,633      Total: 2,029,728 

Time taken: 8 hours 36 minutes and 28 seconds

Jogle Blogle – Day 53

Now then dear reader, those of you who have been with us since the start may recall that my brother, Steve, has not been doing things the easy way on his charity walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End. Why go from A to B when you can throw all the other letters of the alphabet into the mix right the way up to Z, and then include some that haven’t been invented yet just for good measure. So he did the 3 peaks on the way down. He’s taken the high road when those of a saner disposition would in all likelihood have taken the low road. And now we’ve come to one of those crossroads again. Faced with the prospect of travelling as the crow flies to his ultimate destination, the Jogler has chosen instead to take the longest route possible along the South West Coastal Path. He’s almost 1,000 miles into his journey (which could have been completed in 872 miles if he had taken the most direct course) and he’s now throwing a few more – in my humble opinion – totally unnecessary miles into the pot.

Not only that but this is a hike with hills.

Bloody big ones!

Will he never learn?

If you would like to donate to the cause which is Macmillan Cancer Support, Steve’s ‘just giving’ page link is http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi

Anyway he’s off again, dragging the Jogleress along with him as he sets out from Minehead on Day 53 of his journey to the next scheduled overnight stop at Lynton. Perhaps surprisingly, given my comments above, he chose in this instance not to take the ‘rugged coastal path’ but chose instead to take the simpler route. After all it only had a 5680 foot climb in it! I wonder where the path led that’s been broken off the signpost? The Old Rugged Cross perhaps?

 

The Exmoor ponies paid them not a lot of interest as they strode past, perhaps aware that they were not in fact wildlife of the day. That accolade went to this fellow who tried to help himself to their lunch when they stopped in Porlock.

 

 

 

They passed a memorial to a Liberator crew lost on Porlock beach during the war and then found out that walkers were not welcomed on the toll road at Porlock Weir, so the Jogleress opted for a quick sit down instead.

 

 

Culbone church gave Steve the opportunity to take a few more ecclesiastical snaps and then his reasons for choosing this path became apparent – scenery or what? And of course blue sky always helps.

They finished off walking down a steep hill to Lynmouth – Oh, wait a minute – and then up an even steeper one to Lynton.

Perhaps standing outside the local church was not the best place for the Jogleress to declare that, ‘I’m blowing out of my a**e here!’ Tsk!

Stats are as follows –

Mileage: 21.0

Steps: 46,116

Time taken: 8 hours 26 minutes and 42 seconds

Now I promise that the totals will be back tomorrow – so join us on Day 54 for what could possibly be a groundbreaking milestone on this adventure.

Jogle Blogle – Day 52

Already fed up with walking alongside busy roads, the Jogler and Jogleress are off to find the coastal path for a bit of peace and quiet and some scenic views – if you’re a giraffe.

 

 

This is Day 52 of my brother’s walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End and the end is definitely getting closer as they leave their overnight digs at a pub in Cannington bound for a similar establishment in Minehead. I think I see a pattern developing here.

Anyway, if you’d like to donate to Macmillan Cancer Support, Steve’s ‘just giving’ link is http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi  I promise that none of it is spent in the pub!

Elvis may be alive and kicking and working in a chip shop, but did you know that one of our greatest authors was also still around and runs an estate agents on the South West coast? No – me neither! But you can’t argue with incontrovertible evidence like this, can you?

 

The dynamic pair stopped for lunch at Kilve where the Jogleress aired another pair of her own – her sweaty socks – on the arm of this seat. Eeeew! Pity the person who sat there next, there surely must have been what can only politely be described as, ‘residue.’

 

 

 

Then to the coastal path. Now Steve is trying to tell me that the picture is evidence of, ‘a wave cut platform,’ possibly to prove that he was once able to stay awake during a geography lesson in school.

Down into Watchet, where they stop once more for a cuppa (told you yesterday that they were enjoying themselves too much. They should be suffering for charity for heavens sake!)

 

 

 

 

On to Minehead for their next stop, passing the gates to Stalag Luft Butlitz on the way. And also the start of their journey for tomorrow and beyond – a nice sculpture marking the beginning of the South West Coastal Path.

Stats for the day were:

Miles: 23.9

Steps 47,024

Time taken: 8 hours, 22 minutes, 58 seconds

Yesterday I promised you the return of the totals. I lied. Bad Blogler! Bad, bad Blogler!

Jogle Blogle – Day 51

 

Day 51 of the Jogle was going to be another twenty plus mile march, so the Jogler ate a hearty breakfast while the Jogleress chomped on a sausage sarnie. 

Pausing only to let the local joyriders have their fun (‘Gigantic’ was a military machine from the WWI era) they left Uphill via the old Lime kiln, past the marina and through the local nature reserve.

Soon they came across The Great Bird Screen Of Brean – not unlike The Great Wall Of China I thought, before they dropped down onto the beach and headed out toward Burnham On Sea.

 

 

One of the more pleasurable walks along the sand to the wooden lighthouse. Across the bay stood Hinckley Point, the second nuclear power station of the trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wildlife of the day – a jellyfish! Really Steve, is that the best you can do!? After the deer of yesterday I was expecting so much more. A Great White Shark perhaps. Or a Polar Bear.

 

 

 

 

Pause for a selfie on the beach. I must say guys that you look as though you’re both enjoying yourselves far too much! 

Back to snapping wonky churches and then to one of the Joglers pet hates – civilisation. Never mind you’ll both soon be on the coastal walk. And a least the sun is shining.

 

If all that puts you in mind of donating to Macmillan Cancer Support then Steve’s ‘just giving’ link is http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi

Stats for the day,

Miles: 20.5

Steps: 41,611

Time Taken:  hours 3 minutes and 42 seconds.

Yes, I know, I know! The totals will be back tomorrow, o.k?

Jogle Blogle – Days 49 & 50

 

Now back in England for the final time in this charity walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End, my brother Steve heads from Portishead to the far side of Weston Super Mare on Day 49. He’s in a hurry after having his feet mended in Chepstow yesterday. He’s keen for the planned rest day he has coming up.

He has to cut inland to avoid irrigation ditches and other hazards which cut through the coastline, which is how he came upon this chance encounter with this deer, wildlife of the day.

 

 

 

Back to the coast, past the old pier at Clevedon seemingly stuck in the Victorian era.

He snubbed the M5 at Kenn and opted instead for the Strawberry Line, a disused railway turned nice flat footpath (two words which are music to the Joglers ears).

Past orchards belonging to Thatchers, the cider makers – a good job my wife doesn’t know where it is or we’d be moving.

 

Finally into Uphill – his home for his rest day. Enjoy putting your feet up Steve, you’ve earned it.

 

 

 

And then this happened!

Day 50 dawned, the Jogler yawned, turned over in his bed.

A day of rest, he felt so blessed, ’til a voice spoke in his head

He tried ignoring, the sound so boring, but it wouldn’t go away

He opened eyes and to his surprise, the Jogleress was there to say.

‘Oh get up Steve, we have to leave, I don’t want to hang round here.

There’s much to do, for me and you – let’s go to the pier!’

Yes folks, the Jogleress is back again. And this time she’s staying to the bitter end. Catch up tomorrow as they head to the South West coastal path.

If you’d like to donate to Steve’s charity of choice – Macmillan Cancer Support – here is the link to his ‘just giving’ page – http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi

In the meantime, the stats for day 49.

Mileage: 21.0

Steps: 42,158

Time taken: 7 hours 11 minutes and 48 seconds

Jogle Blogle – Day 48

Day 48 of my brother’s journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End. When we left him yesterday he was in really serious trouble with his feet and was due to get them looked at in Chepstow. As a further hike of twenty odd miles to Portishead lay in front of him it was a matter of some urgency that they be sorted as soon as possible. And so after a hearty breakfast the Jogler headed straight for – the barbers. Yes, there’s nothing like getting your priorities right is there? But it is a fairly well known fact that as soon as his follicles dare to poke a strand of hair more than half a millimetre above the top of his scalp then my brother has to get his head polished.

Thanks to Lee at @ChepstowBarbers for the discount which Steve will add to the fund toward Macmillan Cancer Support on his just giving page at http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi

And so, finally to the podiatrist to sort out them troublesome feet and eventually, at one in the afternoon he set off on the next leg of his travels.

One last sign of Wales and off across the original Severn Bridge with a view of the river and the barracks below.

 

At this point for some reason my brother became fascinated by what was holding him up. Perhaps he needed something else to worry about now his feet had been fixed?

 

He passed under the new Severn Bridge after following the Severn Way footpath and then across the river at Avonmouth via his third bridge of the day. I never knew you could walk across there, did you? Well you learn something new every day, don’t you? Was the tide in or out – we may never know.

Past the fields where Toyota’s and Lexus’s are grown and into Portishead for a well deserved rest.

Mileage: 22.1

Steps: 41,565

Time taken: 7 hours 12 minutes and 18 seconds

Jogle Blogle – Day 47

 

Abergavenny was left behind on Day 47 as the Jogler continued his journey south in great discomfort from his corns. He has had the foresight however to call ahead to Chepstow, his next port of call, and booked an appointment with the local hoof doctor.

 

 

 

Things are getting busier now and although still picturesque, not quite as enjoyable as he plays dodge the traffic. Indeed he stopped at a local bikers cafe and tried to blend in, but that was rather difficult on Shank’s Pony rather than a steel horse so he opted for a quick cuppa and a flap jack before he headed off to Raglan and lunch by the church

 

 

 

He limped to the top of Star Hill, but by now walking was a real problem and he had to rest frequently to relieve the pain in his feet.

In St. Arvans he chanced upon this restored Victorian drinking fountain.

And then on into Chepstow past the racecourse and to his digs for the night opposite the castle.

Grandad would have been so pleased that you were staying in his home town bro.

Out of deference to your tender sensibilities dear reader I will not post the frankly disturbing picture he sent me of his foot, nor of his blood soaked sock. Needless to say he is suffering greatly in pursuit of his ambition to walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End, raising money as he goes for Macmillan Cancer Support. See his just giving page at http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi  Let’s hope the chiropodist can sort him out in the morning.

Mileage: 23.1

Steps: 46,341

Time taken:8 hours 28 minutes and 14 seconds

Back to England tomorrow – join us then to see if the Jogler can make it!