Kungsleden: The Plan

On the 1st august I leave for Sweden to spend a week walking The Kungsleden (Royal trail), staring at Abisko and finishing in Kebnekaise (at the foot of Sweden's highest mountain). Although 400km in length I shall just be walking the first quarter of the trail, well within the Arctic circle.

Offa's Dyke: The Photos

Offa's dyke : day 6

Sadly, despite my plans this will be the last day of my walk. I pushed on into the night on day 5 and despite some awfully hilly terrain and (believe it or not!) Strong wind and rain managed to get to 87 miles. The day had been long, it was gone 9pm when I finally set up camp, 14 hours since I had started. I cooked some soup and went to bed feeling jaded but in positive mood.
A few hours later I woke suddenly and very quickly grabbed to where the freezer bags I was carrying were. Three things now come to mind;
1 - Thank God I was carrying freezer bags otherwise I would still be cleaning the tent.
2 - Thank God they weren't carrier bags: those holes in the bottom do they really save children's lives, or just piss-off people who use them in bins (or those being sick) ?
3 - Thank God I'd bought the 2 litre freezer bags not the 1 litre.

At this point I ultimately new it was over and although I allowed myself an extra hour before getting-up in the morning, my body felt lifeless and empty. I laboured along for a couple of miles, mostly to see if I would have a miraculous turn-around, then plans changed to getting home.

The situation is incredibly disappointing but I am stupid, not reckless, and as such it was the only sensible decision to make.
It is so great to have to the support of so many good people throughout and I'm sure I'll be worrying you all again soon with something else particularly daft!

I'll upload the pictures as soon as I can.
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Offa's dyke : day 5

It's been really tough today but I've now got to about 80 miles, ideally by tonight I'll have done 86 - 88 miles. A hilly day tomorrow and then the black mountains on saturday, every mile is huge at the moment.
But first, it's time for pasta!!


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Offa's dyke : day 5

This is a nightmare, I've only managed to do 2 miles in 2 hours. The wind is so strong it's an effort to walk in a straight line, I've found some shelter now so I can rest and try to get some energy back.
I'm proper pissed-off amd if this doesn't get better soon I'm really going to go mental!
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Offa's dyke : day 5

Up and walking by 7am but progress has been really slow so far. Strong winds and rain have not helped but mostly it's my leaden legs as once again I'm facing some steep hills. Next time I go walking it'll be East Anglia, at least that's flat!


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Offa's dyke : day 4

When I last updated I had completed about 59 miles and was looking across the flooded valley plotting a detour, before I had a chance to get there I had a different detour after some arse had moved a sign and I ended-up in completely the wrong place. It took a while but I found myself back to the path, when I did I found that my actual route was not flooded as it followed a canal towpath. This was at 60 miles, half a mile later my left ankle gave up. I laboured on for 3 miles considering the options (try and finish the walk in 10 days or potentially give up completely). Then, as quickly as the pain started, it resided.
I managed to keep going For another 6 miles (the last 2 in darkness) before a missed turning and pain in my right ankle bought me to a halt again.
I am now tented and ready for sleep having spent 12.5 hours walking and got to 70 miles, another big push tomorrow (hopefully) !!
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