TGO Challenge 2-3

Day two; sees me setting out from a wild camp somewhere between Alltbeithe YH and Athnamulloch to Cougie. This is a relativity short day but not by intention; I have heard a lot about the little settlement of Cougie and wanted to experience the place, after hearing stories from previous challenges.

The route continues through Glen Affric to join the path along side Loch Affric until I reach the Bridge across Allt Garbh where I turn South then East to find the path into Cougie.

Day Three; looks to be a long day, the route goes from Cougie to Fort Augustus a distance of about 18 miles (eek!!)

From Cougie; it's North/Northeast to Plodda Falls then the track going South to Fort Augustus; this should easy to found as there are Electricity Pylons along the whole length on this track.

The only section I am worried about is the walk from Torgyle Bridge to FA as this is through forest and I'm a bit like Hansel & Gretel when it comes to forests.

The camp site I was going to use in FA is now closed for the year; so I have managed to find another one and they are also happy for me to have a food parcel sent there.

TGO Challenge 1

First off; this is for the people who don't know what the TGO Challenge is.

The TGOC is a self supported walk from the West coast of Scotland to the East coast, it is held every May.

The map shows my first day on the challenge; overall my route is a low level one starting out from Shiel Bridge and going up through Gleann Lichd. The route crosses a couple of rivers/streams before climbing up to Camban bothy from here I drop down to the river Affric. I continue into Glen Affric; passing the youth hostel and then start looking for a camping spot. Athnamulloch looks to be a reasonable place but maybe a bit to far for the first day.

6 30 16

Yesterday was spent in the company of Mick & Gayle; who have recently set out on their next long distance walk.

As they were passing close to home; I thought it would be good to join them for a day's walking.

Ou meeting place was Dartford; and after making our way out of there along a busy A206, we finally linked up with the River Darent, and then on to the River Thames.

Most of the area around the Thames here is very industrial, from modern sewage works (a bit pongy) to a 18th century pump house.

Crossness Pump House

Mick & Gayle along the Thames

As the route moved closer to Central London the industrial side started to give way to the luxurious apartments along the Thames and especially Around the old Royal Woolwich Arsenal.

Cybermen???*

Up until now the weather had been pretty good with sunshine and the odd dark cloud passing over but no rain. We stop in the Firepower cafe for lunch; and this was time for the rain to come.

By the time lunch was finished; so was the rain and we set out again to sunny skies, and only four miles to Greenwich.

At this point the London skyline starts to show off some of its interesting architecture; like the Thames Barrier, Canary Wharf and the O2 Dome.

From the Barrier we took a bit of a short cut to avoid going around the dome; this ment crossing the A102 but luckily there was a footbridge crossing it. At this point we rejoined the Thames path but it seems as someone had closed this section; without informing any one. So there was a bit of backtracking to take to the roads to finally get in to Greenwich.

From here Mick & Gayle went off to catch a train to their campsite for the evening and I walked down to the Cutty Sark to get the DLR home.

* thanks to WD for that

1st Swanage & Purbeck Walking Festival

I normally ignore PR mail that I receive but this one concerns an area of the Country, that I have a soft spot for.

An invitation to explore Swanage & Purbeck & the stunning Jurassic Coast
The First Purbeck Walking Festival
May 3rd –May 7th 2010

The first annual Swanage & Purbeck Walking Festival is now an essential event for the spring calendar for walkers of all abilities.
Only 2.5 hours from London Waterloo, and a World Heritage site, the Purbecks are blessed with breathtaking scenery such as the chalk cliffs around the Studland peninsular, historic villages such as Corfe Castle, and the hidden coves of Chapman’s Pool and Kimmeridge Bay. Miles of coastal and countryside paths make for unrivalled walking, as well as bird and wildlife watching, particularly as the area is home to many rare species.

A varied programme will be running throughout the week which has been specifically designed to cater for a wide range of interests and abilities as well as giving an insight into the area’s fascinating history. Local and specialist guides will be on hand to reveal the delights and secrets of the area, and Festival participants will able to take advantage of inclusive steam rail travel on Swanage’s world famous steam railway as well as sample some of the delicious local Purbeck produce and finest ales with inclusive pub lunches in some instances.

Now; I know this type of event probably won't be for the hardened backpacker or walker but for the few readers that do like a gentle stroll; this is an ideal opportunity to enjoy some of the best walks in and around the area of Purbeck.

The walks range from strenuous 15 milers to an easy 1 mile walk around 'old Swanage'. All walks look to cost £3.00 to join and there is a .pdf file to download for each walk.

More information is available from the website:- http://www.walkswanage.com/